Rare Earth Element

Chapter 12- Like A Steel Trap

”Uhhhhh, “ Bolin, answered nervously, licking his lips timidly. Irulan's steely gaze had returned, her face growing hard. Immediately, Bolin felt intimidated by his childhood friend who obviously didn't have the same naivete from before. He never knew the reach of her possible anger, and didn't want to experience it, either. He felt like an ass in that moment. Even the soft stroking of his thumb against hers wasn't enough to soften her rock hard expression; knock the chrome covering of her eyes.

“You're really pretty when your face gets hard like that, Lani,” Bolin stalled with a bit of nervous laughter.

“Nice try; who you were with earlier?” Irulan asked sternly, squeezing his hand with a bit of pressure. Bolin, dallying to answer, didn't want his answer to be a token of ingratitude towards Irulan. After all, the lovely Metalbender was such a pretty distraction, and she’d been great in trying to uplift his crushed esteem. He’d hate to be “that guy” to upset this cran-apple cart that was pushing along so smoothly.

”Ummm…well…I was here about an hour and a half ago, with Korra,” he stated plainly, catching the shock in her eyes, her grip on his hand lessening.

”Avatar Korra? Doesn’t she play on your team?” she asked, setting down her fork. “From the Water Tribe?” Bolin nodded, adding a bereaved sigh, rubbing the back of his neck with his other hand. Pabu, who has his fill of licking the remains of Bolin's discarded beverage, quickly retreated to Bolin's lap as a safety measure.

“Interesting,” said Lani, pressing her lips together, a look of discord crossing her face. Bolin, balked at first, but remembered Lani wanted an honest answer.

”Yeah…and honestly, I’ve always had a crush on her. I talked her into hanging out with me tonight because she was stressed out…until…” a tear fell from his eye as he explained. “Until...”

“Oh shit, let me get that for you,” said Irulan, leaning over the table, to wipe away the tear. “Whoever said water couldn't spring forth from a rock was telling an untruth.”

“Thank you, Lani,” Bolin responded, picking up his napkin to wipe his cheek. Removing her hand from his, Lani, resting her elbows on the table, propped her hands on closed fists, a pose she performed since she and Bolin were kids.

“Do you want me to punch the bitch?” she asked, dryly, showing no humor or anger. Quickly Bolin shook his head. A showdown between the Avatar and Irulan would have been a war within itself.