Home Run Heartbreaker

1.

'Okay, you can do this...' Korra thought confidently. A slow bead of sweat began to make it's way down her forehead, the afternoon sun bearing down on her like she was in the sky's interrogation room. Her eyes narrowed as she stared down at home plate; the batter appearing to be ready for whatever she could throw at them, but she knew otherwise. A steady grin slid across her lips as she bent over a little, the ball moving easily in her palm as she gave the catcher a final nod before straightening up. Her left leg began to bend upward, her arm reaching back for a quick moment of aim, then she let it all go.

'Step, bend, throw.' Her mind recited for her body; the two working as a team as she hurled the ball down towards the batter. The ball moved as if at lightning speed, even giving a slight curve near the end of it's journey towards home plate. Her heart fluttered as the batter swung and her knees bent a little as if preparing her to grab the ball if it was hit - though it went unneeded as Korra watched the catcher's glove wrap around the incoming ball, followed by a loud yell.

"Strike three!"

"Ha! Mako, you're out!" She cried out with a victorious smirk, pointing at the boy who was now ripping his helmet off. She saw him shake his head and she immediately began to laugh.

"You cheat." Huffed the dark haired boy as he tossed the bat aside, plucking the gloves from his hands by the fingers. Korra could see his dark eyes burning from the pitcher's mound, immediately snorting at the statement, her hand now on her hip.

"Oh, don't be such a sook, Mako. It's not my fault you can't hit." She teased with a nod of her head, and her grin only intensified as she heard a loud guffaw from behind her at second base.

"Damn, bro! She got you good." Called out Bolin, who was now wiping at the sweat on his own forehead with his arm.

"Stuff it, Bo." Growled Mako, his jaw clenching for a quick moment as he moved into the dug out, throwing his stuff into his bag with a deep frown.

"You're such a sore loser, Mako. It happens to everyone." Korra sighed, now raising a brow as the mentioned boy looked up at her with narrowed eyes. "I mean, did you really think you could hit something from me?" She challenged playfully with a tilt of her head, and another laugh rippled from her chest as she heard Mako mutter something, presumably about her.

"Alright team, huddle up!"

Everyone's head swivelled over to the voice, and Korra gestured for Bolin and Mako to hurry over as she and the rest of the team made their way over to their coach. Everyone stood in a wide circle, all panting and sweating as the heat was really starting to become noticeable, but it appeared that nobody minded.

"So, our last game of the year is tomorrow afternoon. Are we all ready?" The man asked, his head soon tilting up to make eye contact with all the students gathered around, though a warm smile was across his lips.

"Yes, Coach Bumi." They all said in unison, some heads nodding, others ducking down as the sun continued to shine on them.

"Alright! Now everyone go hit the showers." He ordered, sighs of relief coming from almost every team member. They all parted and moved to grab their stuff; Korra, Bolin, and Mako hurrying a bit more than the rest.

"I say we just head home." Bolin shrugged as he slung his bag over his shoulder, earning a nod and a silent agreement from the other two. Korra peeled off her hat, pulling her hair from it's hold right after, and shook her head as if to cool it off.

The three made their way from the diamond and up to the parking lot of the field.

"Are you guys excited for the last game, or what?" Korra asked curiously as she stuffed her bag into the trunk of Mako's car, grunting a bit with the effort.