Chapter Nine: Birthday Wishes and Texts
Smack! Smack!
Alessia had shot two earth disks into the net. They arrived early that morning. The sun was now high in the sky. Alessia was practicing for the upcoming match.
"Nice! Too slow though." Mako spoke while tossing a ball towards her. She tossed it to Korra.
"What's this ball going to do to help us?" Alessia asked while feeling a thrust from it. She tossed it back.
"Teamwork." Mako replied. She sidestepped and watched the ball fly past her and hit the wall before bouncing away. "Oh come. It works." Mako tossed his hands.
"Why is Professor Beifong here?" Korra asked while side eyeing Lin.
"Kya's orders. I can't go anywhere alone at the moment. Got attacked in the shower yesterday." Alessia spoke.
"Whoa, wait what? What happened?" Korra raised her brow.
"Gee I don't know Korra! Maybe your stupid gossip about our professor here first then spreading mine!" Alessia snapped with her arms crossed.
"Hey, you said it. Not me." Korra raised her hands in her defense.
"Whatever." Alessia sighed before taking her stance again. Kicking up a couple disks and swung them towards Korra who easily bent them down.
"Water only Korra!" Mako spoke as Korra nodded.
"How come you don't hang out?" Korra asked.
"I have a life too, you know." Alessia replied.
"Yeah, does it revolve around Kuvira?" She teased.
"No. She happens to be my best friend." She replied while sending another disk flying at Korra's head.
"Hey, no head shots!" Mako pointed at Alessia who shrugged.
"Best friends who live together?" Korra taunted.
"Look, if you are going to continue being immature, I'm gonna leave." Alessia snapped. A stream of water had hit her. Feeling her feet slide across the floor to keep her from falling over.
"Hey, no streaming! Come on ladies." Mako spoke while crossing his arms. Alessia sighed and flicked water off of her arms and sighed. She was drenched now.
"Who cares if I live with my best friend. She's taken anyway." Alessia spoke while flicking disks towards Mako who deflected them.
"Wait. You like women?" Korra asked while she dropped her stance. Alessia round kicked a few disks at her sister, smirking. She could feel Lin smirking as well.
"Okay. I'm calling off the training for now. You two can't seem to focus." Mako spoke while sighing.
"Oh we are doing just fine, team captain." Alessia smiled while patting Mako's shoulder.
"Any plans later?" Korra asked Alessia who shook her head. "Why not. It's your birth." Korra was cut off as Alessia shot a disk at her.
Mako and Korra had left. Alessia was by herself with Lin watching. Taking her stance she learned from class and flicked her hands up as disks came from the ground. She shot them both with ease into the net.
"You're still slow." Lin's voice spoke as Alessia sighed.
"I know." She tried again and was still slow.
"Here." Lin stood next to her and kicked Alessia's feet gently. "Out of the stance. You're too firm on the ground. Try lighter feet." Lin explained. Watching the older woman easily and quickly disposed of several disks in a minute. Alessia crossed her arms while watching.
"Did you ever dance?" She asked Lin who shook her head.
"No. I've watched enough matches to figure out the movements the earth benders used." Lin explained. "Try." Alessia nodded and bounced on her feet for a second before tossing up disks and quickly flung them to the net.
"Much better." Lin spoke. Alessia felt her face flush a little from the praise before trying again. "So, why don't you like celebrating your birthday?" Lin asked as Alessia sighed and jumped and kicked a disk.
"Why bother when people only care about the avatar?" Alessia replied in a question. "My turn. Can you teach me seismic sense?" Alessia asked while earth bending the disks from the net and back into place.
"It takes a lot of patience and practice. I can try." Lin responded. Alessia smiled and nodded at her professor.
"I'm gonna head back. You're more than welcome to come." She added while wiping the sweat off with her towel. Tossing it into her bag before swinging over her shoulder.
She had unlocked the door and opened it. Holding it open for Lin before following inside. Hanging up her jacket.
"Surprise!" Kuvira shouted. Causing Alessia to jump back into Lin.
"Sorry!" Alessia bowed to Lin before looking at her friend with embarrassment.
"It's alright." Lin spoke softly. Alessia eyed the cake and sighed softly.
"I thought no one was celebrating?" She frowned at her friend.
"I know. I'm sorry. It's just. It's your birthday and you're my best friend. I tried making you a cake but I burned it but Su then suggested making one herself for you." Kuvira was mumbling. Alessia hugged her friend tightly.
"Thank you Kuvira. I really appreciate it. Both of you." She turned and hugged Su. "Now, Imma go change and I'll be right back." Alessia smiled. Seeing her friend nudge Su who nodded. Alessia turned heels and went into her room. She quickly changed into her favorite outfit. Seeing a small green box on her bed. There was no name. She opened it and gasped lightly. It was a metal platinum lotus flower necklace with an emerald gem in the center. Alessia quickly placed it around her neck. There was a note;
I know you don't like celebrating your birthday but please accept this. Everytime I see your eyes, your emerald eyes. It reminds me of the beauty of Zaofu. Even that beauty doesn't compare to you.
Happy Birthday Alessia. I hope you have a wonderful day.
"Everything alright?" She heard a knock. Turning to see Su standing in her door. Walking in and closing the door behind her.
"Yes! I um. I found this on my bed. Was it from you?" Alessia asked while showing Su the necklace. She could feel how close the older woman was.
"It's beautiful. No, it wasn't from me." Su smiled while speaking softly. Feeling the woman lean in closer, Alessia took a step back. She was against the wall and felt her heart racing. Su placed a hand upon Alessia's cheek and made her look at the woman in the eyes. Su's eyes were a lighter green than Lin's were.
"Um. Su.." Alessia started to ask. She was cut off by Su who closed the gap between the two of them. Feeling the soft gentle lips upon her own. Without thinking, Alessia leaned into the kiss. Pressing in for more. Su responded by grabbing Alessia's hip by her free hand and pulled her closer. The kiss only lasted as quickly as it began.
"Kuvira." Alessia frowned but Su only smiled.
"She knows. She suggested it." Su spoke as Alessia blushed. "That was my birthday present to you sweetie. Happy Birthday." Su spoke and gave Alessia a kiss upon her forehead before leaving. Alessia was still red faced before taking a few deep breaths. It was only a birthday kiss. It was her first kiss. She was smiling like an idiot when a pair of green eyes entered her thoughts again.
"Hey there she is!" Kuvira shouted while handing Alessia a glass of wine.
"There I am." Alessia chuckled while taking a sip.
"Oh cute necklace! Where did you get it?" Kuvira spoke while holding the flower in her hand.
"It was on my bed in a box. Present I assume. No name though." She replied.
"I see. Well. We are going to the Dancing Dragon later!" Kuvira beamed while going to the living room. Dragging Alessia along. She sat down in the chair as Su and Kuvira sat next to each other on the edge of the couch. Lin was rolling her eyes at the sight of the two. Alessia smiled. She could definitely get used to these ladies' company. In fact, she loved having them around.
"So, how did training go?" Su asked.
"Well. I am slow. I doubt I'll ever help actually win a match." Alessia replied with a small laugh.
"She did good. Well at the end. Afterwards, I showed her a few moves." Lin spoke while reading her book she brought. Alessia raised her glass at Lin.
"Well, thank you Lin." She smiled before taking another sip. The wine was dry. How do people even drink this? Shrugging off the thought. She was enjoying the silence and the company. Hearing Kuvira or Su giggle once in a while. Alessia was reading the newspaper.
"Alright ladies. It's getting late." Su spoke while standing.
"Sure you don't wanna stay the night?" Kuvira asked while hugging Su.
"I am sure. Besides, you planned a night for Alessia here." She smiled and kissed Kuvira. Alessia blushed at the sight of the two love birds before looking down. "Come here sweetie." Su spoke as Alessia looked up. Su was standing by her. She jumped up and hugged her professor with a smile. Feeling her shoulder rubbed before she grabbed her jacket.
"Thank you for today Lin." Alessia smiled while giving Lin a bow.
"Come here." Lin spoke and pulled Alessia into a hug.
"My my! A Lin Beifong hug!" Su spoke while chuckling. Alessia didn't care. She laid her head upon Lin's shoulder against her neck while hugging her professor. Feeling her heart race again before blushing. She avoided all eye contact after pulling away. Her shoulder was patted by Lin before she watched the Beifong sisters leave their apartment.
"You're blushing." Kuvira spoke as it snapped Alessia back from her thoughts.
"Yeah, your girlfriend kissed me." Alessia sighed.
"I know. She heard about the rumors and what not. Her words were "why hasn't a pretty lady ever gotten a kiss?" So, I told her she should kiss you. " Kuvira was obviously now teasing her. Alessia playfully shoved her friend. "Come on! I have something for you." Her friend added while pulling Alessia to her room. "Sit." She commanded and Alessia sat down at the desk. Watching her friend pull out a black looking pencil.
"It's eyeliner. Let me." She spoke as Alessia nodded and closed her eyes. She could feel her eyelids tickle from the touch. Humming softly while allowing her friend to put eyeliner on her. Once done, Alessia could see her emerald eyes pop out more from the winged lines.
"That necklace. It's a lotus flower." Kuvira smiled while eyeing it.
"Yea, the note mentioned Zaofu." Alessia explained.
"Oh! That's cool." Her friend smiled. "Let's get ready." Alessia nodded and went to her room. She put on a loose dress shirt and dark green shorts. Wearing the green flats this time. She wanted to be comfortable.
"Hey lets go!" Kuvira shouted as Alessia grabbed her wallet and jacket before dashing out the door. She linked her arms with Kuvira.
"Hey, text the others." Kuvira spoke. Alessia pulled out her phone and opened the larger group chat that had Korra in it.
Alessia: Hey guys. Meet at Dancing Dragon?
Korra: We are celebrating?!
Alessia" Yes! Heading there now with Kuvira!
Bolin: What's going on?
Alessia: It's my birthday! We partying!
Mako: Asami and I are on our way!
"They are coming!" Alessia smiled as Kuvira returned it. They made it to the club not long after Korra and Bolin. Bolin was waving at them from a booth. Taking a seat as Kuvira sat on her other side. Mako and Asami were the last to arrive. They had ordered drinks while chatting about the match. Alessia was smiling. Linking her arm with Kuvira's before listening to her friends.
"You never answered my question." Korra spoke as all eyes went to Korra. "Do you like women, Alessia?" All eyes on her now. Alessia smirked and took a sip of her drink. "I knew!" Asami spoke up for the first time. Alessia rolled her eyes. She saw Kuvira text from the corner of her eyes and felt her phone buzz.
Kuv: Alessia made a confession!
Su: Oh?
Lin: ?
Kuv: She likes women!
Alessia: I will kill you.
Su: Of course she does my dear.
Kuv: She's crushing!
Su: On me? How sweet!
Lin: Why would she?
Su: Because of earlier.
Lin: What happened?
Kuv: They kissed.
Lin: They what now?!
Su: It was a present for her Lin. No worries!
Alessia: Shut up. All of you.
Kuv: You love us!
Alessia: Yes, but I don't have feelings for anyone.
Su: Awe my heart breaks.
Alessia: I'm sorry Su!
Su: I'm only teasing sweetie! You ladies go have fun dancing!
Alessia was glaring at her friend who only laughed and lightly nudged her.
"We are just teasing you. Though, I have to warn you. Su is a flirt. She will test you to see where the boundaries are with you two. Oh she only calls us sweetie." Kuvira spoke into Alessia's ear as she nodded. She finished her drink as the music dropped the bass as the floor vibrated.
"Yes! Let's dance!" Alessia jumped up. Grabbing Kuvira's hand and leading her to the dance floor. They were swaying to the music as Asami came to join them. Korra and Mako were still at the table talking. Bolin disappeared somewhere. Probably to find Opal. Alessia was smiling. Mako came up and kissed Asami from behind. 'Huh. All her friends seemed to be dating someone.' Shrugging it off before turning her focus back on Kuvira who was smirking at her. That damn smirk of her friend always gave her some kind of goosebumps. Shaking her head while jumping to the music. Bolin and Korra had finally joined them.
"Where did you go?" Alessia asked Bolin who was now blushing.
"Opal can't come inside. Not old enough, so I went to see her." He spoke as Alessia nudged him with a smile. Feeling her energy was now draining finally from the day. She sighed contentedly and grabbed her friend's arm gently.
"Home?" She asked as Kuvira nodded her head.
Sitting on the cool apartment couch, Alessia kicked off her flats and smiled. She was eating a piece of the cake. It was so delicious. She was now wanting to try Su's cooking.
"I am wiped out." She spoke while Kuvira came in while on the phone. She was also eating a piece of the cake.
"Yes honey. We made it home safe." Kuvira spoke as she sat down next to Alessia. She could hear Su's voice.
"Hi Su!" Alessia spoke over the phone.
"Hi sweetie! Hope you two had a lovely night!" Su's voice carried.
"We did. Give Lin a hug for me." Alessia spoke and leaned against her friend.
"She said she will." Kuvira spoke as Alessia nodded.
"Wait, has she seen my personal sketchbook? Alessia suddenly remembered.
"Yeah it's in her classroom. She said the drawings are amazing." Kuvira added.
"Those are personal!" Alessia groaned while hearing a laugh from the phone. Her eyes were getting heavy. Hearing her friend's voice drone on while talking on the phone. Alessia hugged Kuvira and stood up. Putting her jacket up by the door. Picking up her shoes and leaving for her bedroom. Her pillow was calling her name. Laying down in her clothes. Her hand was holding her necklace and was smiling. Wondering who gave it to her.
–Author's Notes–
Filler chapter!
