Once again, I'm so sorry for not updating. School started, and tennis right after school everyday. Then, of course, homework. And school comes before writing, unfortunately. But after this chapter, I'm thinking of posting an epilogue. Thoughts?

The sun had risen a few hours past, but it was hard to tell that it was already mid-morning through the thick fog covering the bay. Ling was perched on a boulder that was atop of one of the steep rock formations in the water surrounding Air Temple Island. Next to her was her new glider ("Air staff," she was told was its proper name), which she had used to fly here. Tenzin had gifted it to her as a belated birthday present, and she loved feeling the gusts of wind in her hair as she soared around the island.

In the distance, Ling could see the ferry coming into port. She spotted Korra on board, standing next to Mako and- oh no, Bolin. It was the day after the press conference, and she hadn't spoken with him since then- since the night they sat by the pond, actually.

She sat atop the ledge for a few minutes more, watching the ferry dock, but then she saw Mako look up, pointing. In a second the other two looked up, waving at her to come down.

She realized that there was no avoiding them any longer. Grabbing her air staff, Ling drifted downwards the docks. "Hey, guys," she greeted them, consciously avoiding eye contact with Bolin.

"Hey," Korra said with a smile. "What's up?"

"Nothing, really," she shrugged. "I was just testing out my glider. It's incredible, the view up on top of the cliffs. It's too bad that you guys can't walk to them."

"Hey, Mako, doesn't that remind you of when Mom and Dad took us to that forest outside of the city, when I was five?" Bolin began. "Remember how I was upset that we couldn't climb to the top of that rock overhang?"

"Oh yeah," Mako said, grinning at the memory. "And then you shot the rocks underneath you were standing on top of the cliff, and that's when we realized you were an earthbender."

Ling laughed, but Korra looked as if she suddenly had an idea. "Hey, maybe you could try that now. Using earth bending to get up the cliff, I mean."

Ling tilted her head. "I don't think there's room for four of us up there."

"Well actually, Mako promised that he'd help me with… organizing my bookshelf." Korra improvised quickly.

"But I helped you with that last week-"

"He needs to help me with something else then!" Korra cut Ling off. "C'mon, Mako."

The couple walked off, leaving an uncomfortable silence between the remaining two. Ling couldn't decide whether to be furious with Korra for putting her in this situation, or relieved to have an excuse to finally talk things through with Bolin.

"So," Bolin began, his hands in his pockets. "You want to head up there? Only if you want to, I mean."

"No, no, you should see the view up top, even with the fog. In fact," she began with a mischievous smile forming on her face. "Race you up there!"

"Hey, no fair!" Bolin shouted as Ling took off on her air staff. "I don't even know where I'm going!"

Ling landed, slightly ungracefully, as she was still getting used to the glider, on top of the ledge and watched Bolin scale the mountainside by raising a small boulder up the side of the cliff..

"Phew," Bolin dramatically exhaled as he made it to where Ling was sitting, plopping down next to her and pretending to wipe the sweat off his brow. "That was even more of a workout than pro-bending practice. But I think it was worth it."

Ling blushed, and Bolin scrambled to correct himself. "No, I meant the view was worth it- not that being up here with you isn't absolutely fantastic, because it totally is, but I'm just saying-"

"Oh, c'mon, Bolin, let's just enjoy ourselves," she said, making a conscious effort to meet his gaze. "No more craziness."

"Does this mean that we can honestly talk to each other right now?" Bolin asked. "No more beating around the bush?"

"Sure," Ling said, full of nerves. Was he about to admit that he wasn't interested in her anymore?

"Okay," Bolin exhaled. "Because I just want to be able to say that I thought that speech was amazing. The whole thing that you told those reporters was great. You really told them."

"It was all because of that one guy. The photographer from the park. He was there, and shouted at my dad that I was a harlot."

"Because you kissed me?" Bolin asked, incredulous.

"I know, right? Like it's taboo for teenagers to kiss. But that's when I decide to say something. To finally stand up for myself."

"I'm glad you did. Because this won't be the last you hear from the press, Korra can tell you that much."

Ling could only sigh, knowing that ahead of her, there would be no hiding as the forgotten child in some average family anymore. Every opinion of hers would be questioned, and every action scrutinized.

"It's hard to imagine that I'll never have a private moment anymore. There's always going to be some reporter breathing down my neck."

"Well, no reporters up here," Bolin said. "It's too foggy for anyone to see us here."

"We're too far away from the mainland anyway," Ling noted. "Actually, the fog's clearing."

And so it was. Sunlight was beginning to pour through, glimmering on the bay. Seagulls could be seen circling by the city's harbor.

"Hey, see that?" Bolin said, pointing towards the mainland. "You can see Republic City Park from here."

The patches of greenery and water stood out among the industrial skyscrapers. Both teenagers smiled at the memory of their time in that park. It didn't even matter anymore that they had been seen and their evening ruined; everything had turned out alright. Ling's anxious worrying had led to nothing, and here the two sat, trying to figure out exactly what their plan was from here on out.

"I've been thinking," Ling began. "This whole experience has shown me just how different life will be as an airbender. It's the opposite of being some village girl living in the shadows. And any chance I had for being an ordinary teenager is gone. But," she continued. "I wouldn't trade it for anything. Now I'm learning to master these amazing abilities, I have a new family who truly cares for me, and, for the first time, real friends. That includes you, Bolin."

He grinned. "Life can change like that. Mako and I were orphaned and on the street in an instant. Then we managed to get out of the triads and become pro-benders. And now, we're best friends with the Avatar, a pretty important person if I do say so myself."

The sun was even brighter now. Both teenagers squinted in the light, but could make out ships docking on the mainland, sailors appearing minuscule from their distance.

"We're going to get sunburnt if we stay up here any longer," Bolin said, using his hand to shield his face from the sun.

"Then I better make this quick," Ling said, preparing to make her point. "I've realized that I need to make the best of the situation. With the reporters, I mean. I can't keep hiding. And honestly, I've got nothing to hide. Who cares if people think we're dating?"

"But are we?" Bolin asked. "I know this whole situation has been crazy for both of us, but I don't know whether to call you my friend, or my date, or even my girlfriend. We are still friends, right?"

"Definitely," she said hastily. "And what I'm trying to say is, we could be more than friends. We need to- I need to- stop caring about everyone's opinions. The bottom line is that I like you. A lot. And I really, really hope you do too."

Blushing ever so slightly, Bolin nodded. "I guess we're boyfriend and girlfriend now, huh?"

"I guess so," Ling agreed. "So, are we heading down to find some shade, or what?"

"Right after this," Bolin said, and quickly kissed her cheek. Giggling, Ling turned around and leaned in for a proper kiss. They broke apart, laughing. Maybe the whole clash with reporters had been nothing but a headache, or maybe it was what brought the two together. Regardless, as Ling leaped off the ledge, gliding towards the ground on her air staff, she could only think about how everything seemed to have fallen into place.