CHAPTER TWO: The Job

The construction site could only be described in one word. Rigid. The stiff and unyielding necks of the cranes. The towering, yet decayed skyscraper they were picking at. (Which looked like it would topple at any moment.) Her starched one-size-fits-almost-all uniform. Even the ground. The tightly packed, steamrolled ground completely void of life. Stiff. Rigid. Every piece of dangling steel, every loud BOOM of metal hitting metal, even the short-lived shaking of the Earth afterwards, added to the already uneasy atmosphere in Camilla's head. Her spine went rigid as well. What was I supposed to be doing? Spirits, I can't even remember my job at the moment. This is a freaking construction site, I don't belong here! If I screw up and something falls-

"Hey." That voice again. Camilla whipped around to see a quite attractive man in uniform towering above her.

"Oh. H-Hi!" She sputtered, feeling shaken. "Sir, is this your company?"

"No, it's my father's. I just recruit new workers. But I am the vice president." He said with vigor and a smile. "Are you alright? You look tense." He playfully massaged her shoulder. Camilla jumped at the sensation, as she didn't even realize his hand was on it. "Ha-ha." That laugh. Camilla swooned. She mentally thanked the spirits for her inheritance of tan skin from her father, which hid most of her full blown blush.

"REEEALLY tense; what's worrying you?" Tahno continued. They were the only two workers in conversation. Everyone else was minding their own. She wished he would do the same for now. And leave me to drown in my thoughts, you beautiful peasant.

"Um, just first day jitters I guess…ha-ha." Butterflies swam inside of her stomach. ARE those butterflies?

Tahno focused on a nearby crane picking at a mangled mass of metal as he spoke. "Hmm, yeah, yeah I remember those. Yours seem a lot better than mine were. I threw up so much, I—" Tahno heard a retching sound and looked over at Camilla, on all fours, committing the same act he had just mentioned. Chunks.

Tahno jumped back himself and tried to hold back his gagging. "GAH!, Ooooooooh Spirits! Jeez! Uhh…" He quickly collected himself. "Okay, hang tight, I'll be right back." He ran to a nearby supply closet and grabbed a garbage can and some napkins.

"H-Here you go." He stuttered, handing her the rough paper bag excuse for napkins. He used to have top quality moist toilettes on him at all times. But once he lost his bending, it became an unnecessary luxury he could no longer afford.

"T-Thanks…" Was all Camilla could say to him. The man who had generously offered her this job on the grounds of her admirableness. The man whose almost clear gaze still captivated her. The man who probably thought she looked like an idiot once again. I'm so…embarrassed. At my current state, my weakness, e-ver-y-thing. She avoided his eyes as she finished wiping herself off, stood up, and started to walk away.

"Hey, where're you going? Wait up!" I hate calling her like this. What is her name? He thought.

Tahno started walking towards her. Running. Camilla heard his footsteps and stopped. Fists clenched tightly at her side. She turned to face him with tears building in her hazel eyes.

"Huh, water." Tahno whispered, looking into them.

"What?" Her eyes narrowed, trying to decode the puzzle that was…Wait, what was his name? Did I even ask?

He continued. "Oh, I'm sorry, whenever I see water it just… takes me back is all." His eyes darted away into the vastness of the site. Camilla's eyes widened. "Y-you are Tah-no!" She almost hyperventilated. She was a huge fan of the Wolfbats, his probending team.

Mr. Stray-hair just nodded. Camilla wiped her eyes before continuing.

"Yeah, I heard about that match on the radio, I was so happy when you guys won, but then…Amon…"

"Yeah, Keep going"

"I'm so sorry."

"Why? It's not your fault. I'm ok. I guess I deserved it anyway. I was arrogant, nasty, rude…a cheat. But listen, forget what you heard ok? Hiroshi paid off the refs, not us. You know how he and Amon are in cahoots don't you? It's almost like it was set up so that we looked like rich bullies to the spectators, and that would justify taking our bending or something." He kicked at the ground. It didn't move. Rigid.

This guy really is a puzzle. He's clearly not over it, and he's sure as hell NOT OK. But then again, how can you get over getting your bending taken away? Ever?

"No. Tahno, first of all, no one deserves getting their bending taken away unless they've taken a life, or ruined one with it. Second, I always excused your behavior in the ring because I know that with fame, comes arrogance. I never believed you were always like that. Lastly, Third, I believe you. I already had my theories about that, and I guess you just confirmed them."

"Thanks. It's nice to have someone…believe me, be on MY side for once. I lost all of my friends you know, my teammates, they blame me for everything that happened to them, to us."

"I'll be your friend then, Tahno." She blurted out. WHOA! What was that Camilla? I can't believe I just said that so… confidently! His cat-like eyes widened at her in surprise.

"And I yours, uhhh, what IS your name?"

"It's Camilla, Camilla Minglin." She grinned.

"Y-you are Ca-mil-la!" Tahno mocked, laughing.

Camilla giggled, punching him, her boss, in the arm. "Not funny!"

"Then why'd you laugh?"

"Because… I-I'm a hypocrite!"

"What?" He smirked.

"I don't know!" She playfully pouted.

"You're clearly delusional, Camilla. Because of your illness, I'm giving you the rest of the day off. Let's go grab some lunch. Hmm?"

"Food? Yess! Of course!" BEST BOSS EVER!She thought.

Lunch actually wasn't as awkward as Camilla thought it would be. Tahno ordered salad for the both of them while she was freshening up in the bathroom. He knew that would be better for her stomach. Well, being from the Foggy Swamp Tribe he knew a lot about leafy things, and their healing powers. As Camilla made the walk back to their table, she could faintly hear words that sounded like a death sentence from the waiter. "Alright Sir, and your salads will be ready in a few!" NOOOOOOOO! NO. The dirty bastard! She deeply pouted as she plopped into her seat, put her elbows on the table, and balanced her cheeks on her knuckles. He noticed this.

"What's the matter? He asked, his mouth slightly ajar.

"Salad. Salad, Tahno." She refused to look in his eyes, they would make her stop her brief immaturity rant. Make her go red with embarrassment. So she settled for the lower half of his face instead. She watched Tahno's cheeks puff up with air, trying to hold in his laughter. That utterly failed, as a loud fart/whistle sound came from his lips, followed by a sudden chuckling, a sound she didn't know he could produce. What an adorable laugh! Oh, Spirits! She couldn't fight off her inevitable smile.

"Camilla, you are just too much! It's just a salad, you might like it."

"JUST a salad? Am I a rabbit-squirrel or something? I hate veg-ugh, I can't even say the name. I refuse, for the word shall forever taint my lips. And the taste shall forever taint my tongue. BLECH. Tahno grinned.

"Oh grow up, Camilla!" Anyway, in my opinion, this restaurant has the best salad in all of Republic City. You'll like it."

"Yeah, whatever." She finally looked up into his eyes and smiled. He returned it. Bad move. Her face and ears heated up, turning a deep tomato red. She hastily cast her gaze downward again.

"So, where're you from?" Tahno began. He hated silence. After all, he'd grown up on the probending court, hearing millions of fans calling his name for years and years.

"Northern Earth Kingdom." Camilla readily answered, playing with some loose strands of hair from her messy bun that cradled her cheeks. Tahno's jaw dropped. "You're a bender? I never would've guessed!" He realized that he was pretty loud and looked around. Yep, the faces, hidden glances, and whispering mouths of the others turned to them, eyebrows raised. His eyes returned to Camilla. "Ahem. Sorry."

"It's totally okay." Camilla reassured. "But um…yeah, I know. I try not to show any signs of my bending so that I evade suspicion from chi-blockers and stuff. I guess I'm the only bender left in my family now, thanks to Amon. I can't let my family's gift end with me, I won't let it happen. I can't."

"The ONLY bender left? That's terrible…" He frowned and shook his head. His hands fiddled with the napkin dispenser. Yank. Tear. Crumple. An odd cycle. He's definitely NOT ok.

"Sorry for the wait! Cabbage shortage… Heeeere are your salads!" A distant voice nervously of their heads snapped up. Tahno's in anticipation, Camilla's just because Tahno's did."Again, sorry for the wait." The overly eager waiter continued.

"It's fine." Tahno assured her. Her body language changed. Shoulders relaxed. She sighed in relief. "Good, it's my first day and I'm really nervous! I've been smiling so much my cheeks hurt!"

"Look, just relax." Camilla popped in. The girl; Nessa, (by her nametag) focused on her. "Everything will be okay. Just concentrate on the end of the day, and once you get there, the satisfaction of knowing that you did your best will come rushing through you!" Why couldn't I tell myself this earlier… oh yeah, 'cause I haven't done anything yet, much less my best. She continued. "And by the way, your best is pretty good."

"Really? How so?" said Nessa.

"Well, you apologized for something that wasn't your fault, that's pretty admirable."

Tahno grinned like an idiot. Where had he heard THAT before? Clever girl.

END OF CHAPTER TWO

AN: Creative Criticism is always welcome! :D