Rare Earth Element

Chapter 10- A La Carte

”Bolin, hey, let’s not talk about, huh? You’re obviously upset about something and as your friend, it’s my ethical duty to make you feel better; or at least try,” Irulan soothed, squeezing his hand, not realizing their fingers had entwined, organically, with absolutely no motive. Bolin smiled, nodding in agreement.

“Fair enough,” he answered, unable to break Irulan's strong will. Her small smile was not only comforting, but reassuring.

”And besides, I’ve missed you…terribly…” she admitted casually with a raise of her eyebrow, as they began walking toward the diner. All of a sudden her tight abdomen began rumbling loud like thunder.

“Damn, I’m hungrier than a platypus bear,” she reckoned, rubbing her free hand over her taut stomach.

“But you just told me no more than 20 minutes ago that you always come to the pro-bender championships, Bolin debated, falling back on her previous words. “And you’re still saying you miss me?” he asked, slightly confused.

Placing her hand on the diner’s wooden door, Irulan stopped, dropping her head for a moment, staring at her toes that were perfectly manicured in open-toed boots. Was he really that thick?

”Seeing you, but not being able to talk to you is tough, Bolin,” she explained simply, pushing the door open, seeing that the crowd was small, much to her pleasure. Looking over her shoulder, she winked affectionately, taking in the features that made the Earthbender very attractive to her.

Bolin smiled shyly, his chest swelling with gratitude. “Hearing that makes me feel a bit better, Lani,” he responded. “Considering what I’ve just been through.”

”Good evening, table for two?”

”Sorry?” asked Irulan, her cheeks a deep shade of cranberry against her bronze skin. The waitress smiled, sensing a possible attraction between the Metalbender and Earthbender.<br>

”Table for two,” she asked again, with a knowing smile. “Oh, I see you’ve come back, sir.”

’Come back?’ Irulan mouthed, squinching her brow. Had Bolin previously dined there…with someone else?

”Umm, well,yes…but we’d like a table by the window this time,” said Bolin, his voice a little more upbeat, but a little shaky. He was gonna have some tall explaining to do