Chapter Eight: Gossips and Matches

Sitting at her normal desk, Alessia sighed softly while reading her chapters they were assigned to. They were in class with professor Beifong as the class was silent. It seemed their professor was in a bad mood. They would occasionally get a glare, a scold, and even a snap to be silent.
"Alright. Group discussion. Gather together." Professor Lin snapped while writing on the board. "Who can tell me about the Literature of Kyoshi? Remember, this is not history. Kyoshi had writings from her own time as well." She spoke. Alessia and Kuvira turned their chairs to face Korra and Asami who were both already writing in their notebooks. "I'll be right back. Do not leave." Lin ordered before taking her leave. Once their professor was gone, others started whispering. Alessia gave her friend a confused look.
"Ready for tomorrow?" Korra whispered to Alessia who rolled her eyes.
"Forget about it." Alessia replied.
"What's tomorrow?" Kuvira raised a brow.
"Wow. Didn't even tell your best friend." Korra smirked and crossed her arms.
"Focus. We should be working on this." Alessia snapped. She flipped a few pages in her book before writing down notes on her favorite avatar.
"It's her birth." Korra started.
"I said shut it!" Alessia spoke in an angry whisper.
"Did you guys hear?" One of the male earth benders was talking. "About professor Beifong. They said she has no one because people find her repulsive." He whispered with a laugh. Alessia felt her blood boil. 'How dare he talk like that.'
"Yeah, she has scars all over. Being a police officer." A fire bender spoke this time. There were some whispers and laughing going on. Even her own sister took part in this gossip. Alessia frowned at Kuvira who raised a brow at her. Why would someone bring up this kind of thing about someone they didn't even know?
"You guys have something else to gossip about?!" Alessia snapped. Hearing the room went silent. "What are we five?"
"Why do you care?" The fire bender asked. Alessia crossed her arms and glared at him.
"Here's something for you to gossip about! I've never had my first kiss!" Alessia spoke. All eyes turned to Korra.
"Can confirm." Korra smirked while closing her book. The next thing she knew, people were now laughing at her. Rolling her eyes as her face was now beet red. The bell had rung just in time as Professor Lin came back.
"I want those chapters read by the next class!" She barked. Alessia was already out the door. Her friend is not far behind.

She threw her bag into the locker after changing into her gym clothes and sat down. Waiting on Kuvira to finish changing. Her gym uniforms had finally matched her actual uniforms.
"It's not that bad. Right?" Kuvira asked as they walked out to the gym. Seeing Bolin and Korra there. Korra was making kissing faces at Alessia while Bolin was laughing. Lin and Su were already there. The professors gave a confused look before Lin blew her whistle.
"Alright pair up! Korra with Alessia. Bolin with Kuvira." Lin ordered. Alessia stood in front of Bolin. She could feel Su standing near her watching. Arms crossed.
"Show me what you got, virgin lips." Bolin teased. Alessia felt her face flush before throwing her punches straight to the face. Using brute force. Bolin however was bigger than her and was able to block. It was his turn. He grabbed her arm and flipped her over his shoulder. Landing hard on the ground. She groaned and held her side before jumping back up. Glaring at Bolin who then gulped. She spread her feet and took a stance.
"I was just kidding!" He raised his hands before Alessia went straight for him. Making quick and easy work. "I yield!" He shouted holding his hand up from the ground. Alessia stopped and looked down at him before walking away from him.
"That's it for now!" Lin ordered. Watching Bolin leave to the other locker rooms for men. Alessia grumbled and left for their locker room behind Korra.
"Not joining for dance?" Su called as Alessia ignored her. She turned the shower on before getting into the hot water. Sighing softly while closing her eyes. Leaning against the wall as the hot water ran down her body. She thought she was alone before hearing giggling. Alessia opened her eyes and turned. There were non-benders staring at her. She quickly grabbed her towel and wrapped it around her. The next thing she knew she was laying on the ground groaning in pain. Holding her side. The students made quick work with her beating before taking off.
"Later virgin lips!" One of the ladies shouted laughing as they left.

"Shit." Was all Alessia could say before standing up. Holding onto the wall for support. Feel hot liquid flow from her eyebrow. It was blood. Groaning while trying to put her clothes on. The professors were still in the gym with the dance class. She managed to change into her uniform slowly and finished up. Opening the door and sighed.
"Alessia! Come do a duet with me." Kuvira waved at her. Alessia turned away.
"Can't." She said before leaving the gym. Her phone started vibrating. She ignored it. She had no choice but to visit Kya now. Hearing students whisper and make kissing faces and noises at her. Rolling her eyes and sighed again. 'Why were they acting like such children?' Arriving at the infirmary, knocking on the office door.
"Alessia! What happened?" Kya's voice spoke as she rushed to her.
"Got attacked in the showers in the locker room." Alessia spoke softly.
"Take off your uniform jacket and shirt. Lay down here." Kya instructed before heading back into her office. Watching the older woman pick up her phone. Alessia sighed and took off her top clothes before laying down. She was in her chest wraps now. Laying on the cold bed on top of the paper. Kya came back and smiled softly.
"Let's get you cleaned up." She gently touched the wound above her eye and Alessia winced a little. Hearing footsteps outside and three people entered the room. It was Kuvira, followed by Su and Lin. Alessia felt embarrassed.
"What happened?!" Kuvira asked in a demanding voice.
"Privacy please!" Alessia snapped. Feeling her eyes sting as they began to water. Kya moved the curtain around her bed. Leaving just Alessia and her.
"Your ribs are bruised. They have been for a while. Why didn't you come earlier?" Kya frowned while water bending the water from a nearby bowl and placed it upon the scarred area. Sighing a relief from the cooling sensation. "Bedrest today and tomorrow." Kya spoke. Alessia frowned. "Knowing you, you are stubborn. Just. Take it easy and don't go anywhere alone." Kya finished as Alessia sat up. Nodding her head lightly. Kya then left behind the curtains. She could hear them whispering. Kya had told them about the incident that had happened in the locker room. Silence. Then Kuvira appeared by her side as Alessia put her shirt back on followed by her jacket.
"Why didn't you say anything?" Her friend frowned.
"I don't want people worrying about me." Alessia frowned as she received a gentle hug from Kuvira. "I'm going home. I promised Korra I'll see their match tonight. It's in a few hours."
"I'll go with you." Kuvira spoke as Alessia nodded. She was, after all, told not to go alone anywhere. She stood up and walked out. Not caring that Su was trying to pull her into a comforting hug. She evaded and left.

Alessia found herself laying on her bed. Rubbing her side as the pain was gone but the scar was still there. She stood up and looked into the tall mirror. She had bags under her eyes from lack of sleep. She lifted her shirt up while she traced the scar with her fingertip. Frowning before tossing her shirt aside. She changed into a dark green t-shirt and blue jeans. Throwing on her black sneakers and fixing her braid. Hearing the front door open and close.
"Alessia you home?" Kuvira's voice spoke as Alessia grabbed her wallet and key. Tucking them into her pockets before leaving her room and shutting the door. Seeing Kuvira drinking something in the kitchen. Lin and Su were here as well. Of course they were. "You okay?" Kuvira asked. Alessia nodded her head lightly before grabbing her black jacket. Feeling her shoulder squeezed as she turned and saw Su.
"Are you sure?" Su asked as Alessia nodded. For the first time ever, she leaned in and hugged Su tightly. Feeling her back rubbed before quickly letting go.
"I'm heading to the arena." Alessia spoke while putting her jacket on and followed the other ladies out. She locked the door and sighed softly. Hearing the older ladies chattering away about the match and thinking who would win tonight. Of course Alessia was counting on the Fire Ferrets. They arrived at their seats.
"I'm going to get drinks." Kuvira spoke before leaving. Alessia took her jacket off and set it down in her seat.
"I'll be right back." Alessia spoke. She made her way down the hall and knocked on a door. Korra answered the door and beamed. Pulling her sister inside.
"Look who came!" Korra shouted. Mako and Bolin looked up.
"You came!" Bolin beamed and opened his arms. Alessia crossed hers and glared.
"Okay okay. I am sorry. It won't happen again." Bolin frowned and held his hands up. Alessia then smiled and nodded her head.
"Kuvira, and both professor Beifongs are here to watch the match." Alessia added as she saw them smile.
"Alright! Let's do this!" Mako clapped his hands as they did their thing. Alessia waved and took her leave. She found her seat again with a water bottle in it. She smiled lightly at Kuvira before sitting down. Kuvira was on her left then Su and Lin on the end.

"Alright ladies and gentle and everyone in between! The match is about to start!" A voice boomed over the crowd and Alessia could hear screaming and cheering. The audience stood up and began their celebration for the match. Looking around, she felt goosebumps upon her arms. There was so much energy in the air.
"Introducing the Fire Ferrets!" The man boomed. Alessia stood up and cheered. Seeing her sister raise her arms up as Bolin was waving at everyone. Clapping her hands loudly while smiling.
"Now introducing the Capital City Catgators!" The voice boomed as cheering on the other side was loud. Alessia smiled while holding her folded hands by her mouth. Seeing the other team made their way onto the arena platform.
"Ready? Begin!" The referee shouted.
"Bolin takes a stance! He shoots! He misses!" The crowd booed before Mako shot one second fireballs at the other fire bender.
"This Mako got his moxie back! He moves! He dodges! He shoots! Oh man, it was blocked!" The announcer shouted. Alessia was too focused on watching Bolin as he shot up a few disks and popped them across the other side with speed. A stream of water hit her sister.
"Hey! That's a foul!" Alessia shouted while tossing her hands up.
"Foul! Yellow fan! Catgators back one zone!" The announcer boomed. 'That's right.' Alessia said to herself while sighing a relief. "Korra takes the lead! She turns and oh that's gotta hurt!" He shouted as Korra knocked an opponent off the arena. Alessia shouted while cheering on her sister by jumping up and down. She felt eyes on her. She turned and saw Kuvira smiling at her. She nudged her friend before focusing on the match.

Hearing the crowd chant as they entered the second round of the match. Alessia and Kuvira were clapping in sync with the rest of the crowd.
"Fire Ferret! Fire Ferrets!" They chanted. Side stepping together back and forth.
Whoo let's go!" Alessia shouted. Clapping her hands loudly as Mako started off the match. He jumped into the air and shot fireballs. Seeing Bolin round kick a few disks to the opponents. "That's so cool!" She added while pointing and looking at her friend.
"We gotta learn that." Kuvira nodded. There was a loud thundering vibration as people began jumping. Hearing music as the match went on. Alessia starts jumping with the crowd. Linking her arm with her friend as she joined in.
"Come on! Let's get a knockout!" Alessia shouted as Korra easily dodged a water attack. Swinging it around behind and and whipped it forward. "Ho yeah!" Kuvira shouted as she punched the air. Alessia looked at her friend while smiling. It had been a while since the two of them had this kind of fun. Not since the Dancing Dragon. Her eyes went over to her professors who Su seemed to be enjoying the match just as much as they did. Lin however still had her arms crossed. She looked like she was on guard. Maybe someday she'll let loose and have fun too.
"That's a knockout for the Fire Ferrets!" The voice boomed as Alessia quickly turned just in time to see an earth and water combo knocking the team out.
"Holy spirits!" Kuvira and Alessia both said at the same time.
"That's a victory to the Fire Ferrets folks!" He shouted as the crowd cheered.

Watching the crowd disperse from the arena, Alessia was following Kuvira. Talking about the match.
"He was all like pop pop!" Alessia smiled while copying the stance that Bolin did. She saw Su and Lin watching her as she straightened up and cleared her throat. Looking away. It was the most fun she had since Zaofu. She stuffed her hands in her jacket pocket while they headed back to the apartment. The sun had already set as it was starting to get dark outside. Hearing the excited chattering from people around her, talking about the match. Alessia was the first one in. Hanging up her jacket and heading to the kitchen. Her phone was buzzing constantly.
"What Korra?" Alessia asked while pulling the food from the fridge.
"Bolin pulled his arm too hard during the match. Kya said he needs to sit out." Korra explained.
"When is the next match?" Alessia asked as she saw Kuvira leaning against the counter. Su leaning in kissing her friend. Alessia rolled her eyes.
"In a few days. We need you to come in for training." Korra spoke. "Tomorrow morning."
"But it's my day off." Alessia frowned with a hint of hurt in her voice. She got looks from Su and Kuvira. Alessia turned her back and left for her bedroom.
"Why so early?" She sighed while moving her bag to the side of the room.

"You are the rookiest of us." Korra explained. She set her phone down on her desk before heading back to the kitchen. Seeing Kuvira already started on the food. Alessia stepped in.
"Oh thank the spirits. I thought I was gonna end up burning everything." Kuvira sighed as Alessia saved their food.
"Go rest now dear chef." Alessia teased. It earned her a light shove. She finished cooking before setting the table.
"Dinner." She shouted before sitting down in her usual spot. Hearing footsteps as her friend, Su and Lin came into the dining room and sat down.
"So, good match?" Su spoke to break the silence.
"Yes! I loved how Korra was able to dodge those shots" Kuvira replied. Alessia smiled lightly watching them eat. "This is good Alessia. I'm so glad you can cook because I would just burn everything!" Kuvira added as Alessia smiled at her friend.
"Match was good. Thank you for dinner." Lin spoke before standing up. Feeling Lin's hand on her shoulder before leaving. Realizing she didn't eat dinner. Shrugging it off. Alessia cleared the table as Su and Kuvira left for her friend's room. Washing and putting away the dishes before hearing sounds. Rolling her eyes again and smiled. She was happy for her friend. She turned off all the lights and crawled into bed. Putting on light music. The side table lamp on as she read. Reading up on her favorite earth bending avatar. Tuning out the sounds. Slowly drifting off to sleep.