This was ridiculous. Stupid even.
3 days of debating, determined to say no and yet she was here, in front of the building where Bolin lived, standing like an idiot as people came in and out.
What possessed her to even come here? She was already late.
Maybe he'd already left. That was good wasn't it?
So why did she feel a pang of disappointment at the thought of Bolin having already left? She was being ridiculous! She should turn around, go back home to Nyla and be anywhere but here.
But she couldn't. She couldn't get her feet to move or her heart to stop pounding.
Was it fear or something else? Something she didn't have a name for?
She was berating herself to leave but at the same time she didn't want to leave. A beautiful woman with long dark wavy hair was coming up the stairs, heading into the building.
This was her chance. Bolin told her to come in and ask someone for directions.
Maybe this woman knew her way in. She certainly looked like it. Before she could stop herself, she stepped in front of the woman and smiled.
"Hi, I'm sorry to bother you. My name's Aylin and I was hoping if you knew how to get to the training room. I'm supposed to meet someone."
The woman smiled. "Sure. I'm Asami. I can show you. I'm here to meet my boyfriend."
Aylin blinked. Asami was Mako's girlfriend. Was this the same Asami?
"I'm sorry if this is too forward but by any chance is your boyfriend Mako?"
"Why yes, how did you know?"
Aylin let out a sigh of relief. "I'm here to meet Bolin actually. He's told me a lot about you and his brother. Nice to meet you."
They shook hands as Asami smiled. "Wow. What a coincidence. Come on, I'll show you and you can tell me how you and Bolin met."
"Thank you," Aylin said gratefully as she walked with Asami.
"No problem. Come on." Aylin followed her as they began to talk and laugh as they made their way past the arena and into the training room.
"Whoo-hoo! We are so gonna kick those wolfbats butts!" A female voice rang out.
"Totally. We are gonna kick some wolf bat bootaaayyyy!"
Aylin's heart picked up speed as she heard Bolin's exuberant voice.
This was it.
She took in a deep breath and followed Asami inside.
Her eyes immediately locked in on Bolin. She began to fidget with the ends of her hair out of nervousness.
"You guys had fun?" Asami said as she walked to a young man who had a dark brooding air around him. They hugged and rubbed noses as the dark-skinned girl gagged.
"Hey! You made it!" Aylin's heart jumped in her throat at Bolin's voice as he came and hugged her unexpectedly.
The fluttering came harder now and her body began to heat up. Quickly she stepped out of his embrace.
"Yeah..." she said a bit reluctantly.
"Come on, I'll introduce you." He placed an arm around her shoulders and led her toward the small group, her shoulders humming with electricity from where his arm was placed.
What was going on with her?
"People, this lovely lady is Aylin. Aylin meet Korra, she's the Avatar, this is my brother Mako, and his girlfriend Asami."
Korra rolled her eyes at the comment disgustedly and Aylin wondered if something happened between her and Asami.
Aylin smiled hesitantly as they each said their greetings.
"So, done anything good lately?" Korra asked her.
She was tough and Aylin felt a little intimidated by her being the Avatar and all.
"No, not really."
"You should come to our tournament. I'm sure Bolin could use some cheering." Korra said, nudging Bolin playfully.
Aylin saw Bolin smile a little nervously.
Weird.
"I just came to see Bolin." She said softly, rubbing her elbow meticulously.
"Bolin? Can I talk to you for a second?" His brother called over.
"Ladies, I'm needed but I'll be back." Bolin said as he walked over to his brother. She turned her gaze away from him and looked around. This gym was big.
"So, Aylin..." Korra said, crossing her arms and cocking her hip to the side. "You like Bolin?"
"What?" She asked, nearly tripping herself over her own two feet.
She immediately turned her gaze to Bolin who seemed to be saying something about special.
"Ha! I knew it! You like him!"
She blushed and looked away. "No, I don't."
Was that what this fluttering feeling was about the moment she laid eyes on him?
No it couldn't possibly be that.
"Ha! You so do!" Korra exclaimed proudly, a hand on her hip.
Aylin just rubbed her elbow nervously.
"Alright. I know when to leave stuff alone."
"Really?"
"No." Korra said laughing. "But what I do know is that he likes you. All he talks about is you."
She didn't say anything because that fear began to grow. She couldn't let Bolin like her. No, they couldn't even be friends.
She had to push him away.
She looked towards Bolin. Yes, that would be the right thing to do but why did it feel like it was the wrong thing?
No, she cared for Bolin and couldn't let him or anybody get close to her.
No, she would leave now before anyone got hurt.
Even if her heart banged painfully in her chest, protesting against her choice that felt so, so wrong.
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