Chapter Seven: Surprise
Things seemed to settle down for the time being. Celeste had gotten up early to take her leave from the apartment. She had her gym clothes on with her flats. Not wanting to wear sneakers. Grabbing her book bag. It was still very early in the morning. Classes didn't start until later. Lin was passed out on the couch. She sneaked into the kitchen and began to brew Lin's favorite coffee. Knowing the chief would smell it as she made her way out of the apartment. Walking down the sidewalk while admiring the beauty of the city. Gaoling was nothing like this. She had come to fall in love with city life. Though, she also heard that Republic City had nothing compared to the beauty of Zaofu. Which she had hoped to visit someday. She was humming softly while she walked past the part. She headed towards the university in hopes to find the bending gym opened. To her luck, it was. She set her bag down to the side. Kicking off her flats as she felt the earth under her bare feet. Closing her eyes as she inhaled deeply with a smile. Exhaling as she walked over to the center of the earthy gym. She took her stance and held her arms out in front of her. Slowly going through the motions. She could feel the earth move under her as she moved with it. Side stepping before gathering her strength and stomping. A large sized rock shot up as she roundhouse kicked it. Sending it flying across the gym. Doing another one. Another one. Then a final one. Breaking sweat now. She then raised a shield up and moved it towards her. Taking a horse stance before punching the earth into pieces. Another stomp. Punch. Shattered. Another. Shattered. She had been going for hours as she heard the bell ring. 'Shit!' She had missed first class! She grabbed her bag and pulled out a towel. Wiping the sweat off and then wiping her feet clean before putting on her flats again and making a mad dash out of the gym to Language Arts class.
Panting as she was catching her breath, she dashed into the classroom and took her seat just in time as everyone else.
"Where were you?" Kuvira whispered while glaring at her.
"I'm sorry. I lost track of time." Celeste spoke. She gulped as their professor came into the room and slammed a few books down on her desk. Celeste could feel the glaring eyes on her. Feeling her face turn red as Lin was angry. She pulled out her book and the report she had finished not long ago.
"Now that everyone is here. Pass your reports up. Open the next chapter. We will be going over one of the plays the university recommends. If done well, they want a performance." Professor Beifong spoke. Celeste could feel the tension in the air.
"Break into smaller groups and begin." Lin barked as everyone began moving. Celeste picked a spot in the back with Korra and Kuvira.
"Why are you in your gym clothes?" Korra asked.
"I was um. Practicing my bending this morning." Celeste replied as she could feel the eyes from Lin glaring daggers at her.
"You could have at least answered your phone." Kuvira spoke. Celeste felt her eyes go wide as she pulled out her phone. Several missed calls and text messages.
"Shit." She whispered and put her head in her hand.
"Yeah. She's pissed." Kuvira warned. Celeste frowned. Why did it bother her anyways? She knew they cared but she didn't know it would make them angry. They decided to focus on their work. Celeste had decided to take the first part of the play in the story. She recited the play perfectly to Korra as Kuvira did the next part.
"Oh thou art Juliet. For my heart's deepest desire is you." Celeste spoke as Kuvira snickered. Celeste tried to keep a normal face before busting out laughing as did Korra.
"Attention students and staff." The dean spoke over the intercom. "Due to the increased activity of the Equalists. It is recommended that no one goes anywhere alone on campus. Please stay safe." He finished as the class was silent. Then the bell rang. Celeste packed her bag and waited for everyone to leave. Kuvira was waiting outside.
"Professor, I can explain." Celeste spoke softly at Lin.
"Get to your next class!" Lin snapped. Celeste frowned at the harshness in Lin's voice before dashing out of the room.
They had made it to Art History and sat down. Celeste was frowning. They went silent as Professor Su came into the classroom. She didn't look happy either. Her eyes scanned the room and met Celeste's There was a sudden sigh of relief from Su before she began to write on the board. Celeste gave Kuvira a confused look.
"She was worried about you." Her friend whispered so lightly. Celeste felt a pang of guilt in her stomach. Seeing they had a test today. She frowned and pulled out her pencils. The tests were passed out. Celeste looked through it before answering the questions. She wanted to do well. She had to do well. Seeing the questions.
Which avatar was known for the best earth bending art. 'Wait I know this!' She spoke and quickly wrote down her answers. Smiling as she felt confident not.
"Pencils down. Tests forward." Su spoke as the tests were passed up. "You may have free drawing for the rest of the class time." Su spoke as she took the tests and began grading them right away. Celeste looked around the room. She got up from her seat and took one near the window. She began drawing what she saw outside. The bell had rang while she was still too focused on her drawing.
"Celeste sweetie. The bell rang." Su's voice snapped her back to reality. She packed up her stuff quickly and sighed.
"You alright?" Su asked while watching her. Handing back her test.
"Yeah. It's just. I'm sorry!" Celeste hugged Su tightly. Feeling her back rubbed. "I didn't mean to cause you to worry." Celeste frowned.
"Oh Celeste. I'm just glad you are safe." Su smiled and cupped Celeste's cheek. Locking eyes with a smile. "Don't worry. Lin will get over herself." Su added as Celeste blushed and looked away.
"I have science now. Thank you." Celeste smiled and waved at her professor before leaving. She had found the classroom and took her seat next to Kuvira.
"Alright folks! Let's get to making stuff!" Professor Varrick's voice came. Celeste heard Kuvira groan and sink in her seat. Celeste gave her friend a look before Varrick while pulling out bottles with liquids. Celeste gasped.
"No professor!" She shouted while running up to him as he already poured them together. There was a loud crash of the liquids causing an explosion. Celeste was knocked off her feet and coughing. Purple smoke was filling the room. Kuvira had pulled the alarm as the class ran out into the hall. Celeste was still on the ground coughing. She could barely move.
"Is this everyone?" Su's voice came.
"No! Celeste is still inside!" Kuvira shouted. Celeste weakly stood up and was leaning against the table coughing. She felt strong arms grab her and picked her up. Carrying her out of the classroom. Coughing still. Her eyes were watering from the sting of the smoke.
"What did you do?" The Dean's voice shouted.
"What? A man has a right to blow up his classroom!" Varrick shouted.
"Science class is now canceled until we get a responsible professor." The Dean shouted. Celeste could hear the arguing happening as Lin carried her to the infirmary. Celeste was still coughing like mad as a healer came into the room.
"What happened?" He asked. Kuvira dashed into the room.
"He mixed two chemicals together that weren't meant to be mixed." Kuvira explained. The healer went to a medical cabinet and came back. Handing Celeste a small weird looking plastic device.
"Pull the cap off and place it in your mouth." He explained as she did. "Now, inhale deeply while pressing the small canister down." He added as Celeste did. She felt something spray deep into her lungs as she coughed. "Again." She did as she was told. Her breathing had returned. Sighing a relief.
"Twice a day for a week. More if you feel like your lungs are having trouble." The healer explained. Celeste nodded with a frown.
"So, what happened to her?" Lin finally spoke.
"The chemicals damaged her lungs. The medicine in the inhaler is going to be helping repair the tissue inside. Usually it takes a few days but from the sound of her breathing, there was more damage." He spoke while checking her breathing with his stethoscope. Then wrote a note. He handed it to Celeste as she placed it in her bag that Kuvira gave her.
"Alright, off to class you go." He spoke with a smile.
"Thank you sir." Celeste bowed to him before following Kuvira out of the room. Lin was close behind her.
"Well, today can't get any worse." Celeste spoke with a frown. She could feel Lin's eyes burning upon her. Kuvira nodded her head and held open the doors.
"What happened?" Korra shouted while Bolin was watching. Celeste began to explain but was cut off.
"Get to stretching!" Lin ordered. Celeste set her bag down by the bleachers and took her spot next to Kuvira. They were in a circle.
"Sorry I'm late. Had to take an inventory of that classroom." Su spoke and stopped to look at her students. "You alright?" Su asked as Celeste nodded. "Good. We'll work on our stances today." She added as Lin was in the front and Su behind them. Su was walking around correcting the movements. Celeste could feel the gentle hands of Su upon her.
"Stand up a little straighter." Su spoke near her ear. She could feel her professor's hand on her lower back. Gently pushing her to move her back straighter. "Now tighten here." She placed her hand upon Celeste's stomach. She blushed and nodded. Feeling the glaring daggers of Lin again. Celeste avoided eye contact. She found herself standing next to Kuvira again as they were paired up. She was moving in sync with Kuvira as they went through the movements. Kuvira was smirking at her and Celeste raised a brow at her friend. Hearing a throat clear as Celeste felt rough but gentle hands on her lower back.
"Up straight and tighter here." Lin had her hand on Celeste's lower back and stomach. She nodded and straightened her stance. "Good." Her professor spoke as Lin walked away. "That's all for class." Lin barked as Korra and Bolin dashed out. Celeste frowned as Korra left.
"Can you dance today?" Kuvira asked Celeste who shrugged.
"Only one way to find out." Celeste spoke.
Celeste began her stretches again with her friend. They were helping each other to push their muscles to their limits as the other dancers came into the gym. They took their positions as Su was in the front instructing the new moves. Once they had it down, they were to put it into motion. It was a fast-paced dance. Celeste had started coughing.
"Sorry." She spoke while going back to the dance. It was getting too much for her but was fighting against it. She coughed again and frowned. Feeling eyes on her.
"Sit this one out dear. Rest your lungs." Su spoke. Celeste frowned and went to grab her bag and left the gym. Frustration rises up inside her now. She grabbed her inhaler and took it. Leaning against the wall. Her eyes stung but fought against it. Taking a deep breath, she left for her last class. It was empty in the round room. She took her seat and opened up to a random chapter and began to read it. Sighing heavily while she pulled out her notebook and began to draw the planets with stars around them. Adding the names. She was creating a star chart. Smiling at her handiwork before frowning again. Looking at the time, dance had just gotten over as Kuvira came into the classroom and sat down next to her as Mako on the other side.
"You okay?" Kuvira asked. Celeste shook her head. She was upset. 'Maybe you deserved this.' She thought as Professor Song came into the classroom and moved a machine causing the classroom to go dark. Light came up as different galaxies were now all over the room.
"This week, we will be studying outside of our solar system." He spoke. Celeste took notes as he walked around the classroom. The class ended as she grabbed her things and put them in her bag before following her friend out. Side by side, they walked back to their apartment in silence. Seeing two envelopes on the door. Celeste raised a brow as one was addressed to her and the other to Kuvira. Grabbing the note before opening the door.
"A gala huh? Dang tonight?" Kuvira raised a brow. It was weird. She was never invited to one before.
"I haven't the fanciest to even go. Nor an outfit." Celeste shrugged as she went to her room and dropped her bag off and decided to take a shower. She was in her nightwear trying to find something to wear.
"Celeste! Come here." Kuvira shouted as Celeste walked across the hall.
"Oh hello Su!" Celeste smiled as her professor gave her a hug. "What's up?" She asked Kuvira who tossed her a clothing item.
"It's a dress I've never worn and will never wear. Try it on." Her friend smiled as Celeste nodded. She went back to her room to change into it. It was a little loose but fitted her figure perfectly. It was a dark green dress with ribbon straps. The dress was also sparkly in the light. She walked back towards Kuvira's room.
"Well?" Celeste asked as Kuvira smiled and nodded.
"Oh, you look amazing Celeste." Su smiled. Walking up behind to fix her hair. "Lin will be on duty tonight at the gala. Let's head out now." Their professor spoke while leading the way. Kuvira was wearing a dark green suit that almost matched the dress. She looked amazing in it.
"Invitation?" The man at the city hall door spoke. Celeste handed him the invite she had gotten. "Welcome and enjoy." He spoke while opening the door. There were other people already there. Celeste spotted Korra and waved. Korra pretty much ran to her.
"Wow! You look good!" Korra smiled while standing next to her.
"As do you." Celeste smiled. Korra was wearing her water tribe outfit. It looked more fancy than her normal wear. Celeste went to go get a drink real quick.
"You look. Uhem. Beautiful." Celeste raised a brow at Lin's voice when she turned to face her professor. She gave her a small bow.
"Thank you professor. You look snazzy yourself." Celeste smiled at Lin who was a little pink before leaving. Then she blushed when she realized what she said. Face palming as she heard a chuckle. Turning to see Kuvira smirking at her.
"What?" Celeste mumbled.
"I can't believe you pulled that off. At Lin of all people." Kuvira added with a chuckle. She pulled Celeste away back towards Korra who was looking like a lost puppy.
"You okay avatar?" Kuvira asked who nodded. Celeste could see that Korra was staring at Asami. Kuvira had caught on.
"Forget her. You should focus on you." Kuvira spoke as she took Celeste's hand. "Come, let's dance." Korra smiled and waved for them to go. Kuvira took the lead as Celeste followed.
"Figured since you missed dance and might miss the whole week, why not?" Kuvira asked as Celeste shrugged. It was a delightful feeling. It was a simple waltz as her friend led her. It wasn't long until she heard a voice she did not want to hear.
"Hello my dear Celeste." Celeste froze in horror as Kuvira raised a brow. She let go of her friend and turned.
"Mother." Celeste bowed her head. She could feel her friend's eyes widen before quickly leaving.
"Some friend there you have." Her mother spoke.
"She's a great friend." Celeste replied coldly.
"Where is the avatar? I heard she is quite the talk of the city." Her mother asked. Celeste rolled her eyes. Feeling someone come up from behind her as her mother's smile quickly disappeared.
"Celeste, is this woman bothering you?" The voice of Su came.
"Suyin. What a pleasure." Celeste's mother spoke.
"Can't say the same for you, Felicity." Su spoke back.
"Come dear Celeste. I need to speak to you about your fiancé." Felicity spoke. Celeste choked on her drink.
"I'm sorry what?" Celeste frowned.
"Her what?" Lin's voice came in as well.
"Nothing that concerns you Beifong." Felicity spoke harshly. "My dear, Haur misses you. He said that you accepted his hand in marriage but took off with a woman." Felicity spoke. Celeste was so confused as her face showed it.
"I do not recall our public enemy asking for her hand in marriage." The chief spoke. Celeste was still silent as eyes were on her.
"First off. He never asked. Second off. I do not have a girlfriend. I'm busy with dance and classes." She spoke.
"Dance? Since when do you dance?" Felicity asked with a glare.
"Since she joined my team." Su spoke, crossing her arms.
"You are wasting your time. You are coming home tonight!" Celeste's mother grabbed her hand. It happened so fast that Celeste had barely kept up. Lin was standing in front of her. Her hands over Celeste in a protective like form. Felicity was in front of Lin.
"Touch her again, I will arrest you." Lin warned Felicity who backed up.
"How dare you Beifong! I am an Alstair. Stand down away from me and let me have my daughter!" Felicity was now making a scene.
"I do not think that Celeste wants to go anywhere with you. Do you?" Su asked as Celeste agreed.
"You have until the end of tonight to get home." Felicity warned before she took off. Celeste frowned and sighed. Feeling her heart rate rise. She stepped back as her vision began to blur.
"Oh sweetie." Su spoke as her hearing was going out. Her heart was all she could hear. Feeling Su guide her to the back and out of sight. "Breath with me." Su instructed as Celeste nodded. She took deep breaths and then finally relaxed after a few minutes.
"Thank you professor." Celeste frowned.
"I think it's best for you to head home soon." Su spoke as Celeste nodded.
"Ladies and gentlemen! The avatar!" Tarrlok's voice spoke as Su led Celeste out of the back. Lin was glaring at them for some reason. She frowned at the chief. Korra was now trying to answer questions. Celeste was in the back next to Lin. She lightly and gently took Lin's hand into her own. She was surprised when Lin squeezed her hand before letting go. Celeste was smiling non stop with a blush. Looking at her feet.
"Alright! I will join Tarrlok's task force!" Korra spoke. Celeste had face palmed. Sighing at Korra before clapping with the rest.
"Korra. You knew he wanted you. You fell for that trap." Celeste spoke as she caught up with Korra.
"It's better than sitting around all day. Amon needs to be stopped.
"And I agree but there has to be another way." Celeste frowned.
"It also makes me stop thinking about her." Korra looked past Celeste. She followed the line of sight. Asami was laughing as she was arm in arm with Mako as they left the city hall. Celeste's eyes caught Lin's. She frowned at the chief and looked away back to Korra.
"Just, promise me you will be safe?" Celeste asked. Korra nodded before following Tenzin and his family back to the island. Celeste watched her friend go before feeling her arm grabbed.
"Hey! Let me go!" Celeste snapped as her mother was trying to drag her to a car. Feeling cables wrapped around her waist as she was pulled away. Celeste now found herself behind the chief of police.
"This is none of your business!" Felicity snapped and crossed her arms.
"She is still a student at the university and she has her own future in her hands. Tell Haur to find me. I'll be happy to arrest him." Lin snapped. Giving the woman a warning.
"If you stand with that Beifong, consider yourself shunned!" Felicity yelled. Celeste's eyes went wide but then took a deep breath. She crossed her arms and stood by Lin. Her mother was angry. Fed faced as she took a stance. Lin took one as well instinctively.
"As the chief of police of Republic city, I warn you. Assaulting either myself or any citizen here will result in arrest." Lin had her cables at the ready. Felicity thought better and stood down. She then turned her heels and left.
"Celeste." Lin started to speak.
"Thank you professor. I know. Head home." Celeste spoke as she did. She didn't stop until she made it back. She quickly changed out of the dress and into night clothes. She set the dress on the hanger while hearing voices.
"Celeste?" Su's voice came as she appeared in the doorway. "You alright? Lin told us what happened." Su frowned.
"Yeah. I'm alright. Just tired." Celeste frowned as she handed Kuvira the dress back. "Thank you for letting me borrow that." Kuvira nodded with a smile before handing it back. Celeste raised a brow.
"You keep it. Besides, Someone likes seeing you in that." Kuvira teased as Celeste rolled her eyes.
"She's right. You looked beautiful in it." Su spoke as they made their way into the living room.
Celeste sat down as Su was taking Celeste's hair down.
"So, what happened?" Kuvira asked. "With your mother."
"I'm shunned. She wanted me to marry Haur and go back to Gaoling." Celeste replied.
"I thought Gaoling is your home?" Kuvira asked.
"No. My home is here. With the people I care about." Celeste waved at the three of them. Su leaned over and hugged her. Celeste smiled with a light chuckle. Lin huffed and crossed her arms. Celeste looked over at Lin who was in the armchair. Celeste got up and walked over to Lin. Sat in her lap and hugged her.
"That includes you Lin!" Celeste beamed and kissed Lin's cheek. Seeing Lin get all flustered as everyone laughed. She could feel Lin's arms tighten around her waist before letting go. Taking her spot back on the couch after Su sat down.
"Well. That was a hell of a gala." Kuvira spoke as they nodded.
"I'm not happy about Korra joining the task force. I feel like she was thrown on the spot." Celeste frowned.
"She was. It was his idea." Su shook her head. "It's like people don't trust the police to do their job." Kuvira spoke. Celeste nodded her head in agreement. She looked at Lin who was in thought. She blushed and looked away when she was caught staring.
"I'm going to head to bed. Gotta get up early for the library maybe." Celeste spoke before getting up to leave. She gave Su and Kuvira a hug. "Sleep well you lovely ladies." Celeste smiled as she gave Lin a hug. To her surprise, it was a gentle but tight hug. She smiled before taking her leave to finally hit the sack.