attraction

Chapter~1

Lin wakes up to the deafening noise of a loud bang. Perhaps in the kitchen?

She rubs her eyes. The fold of her eyelids drown out the blaze of the morning light, but not enough to rid of the invasive brightness.

"Kya?" She whispers and reaches over to the right side of the bed. It's empty. "Kya?" She calls out again.

"Yeah?" Kya calls from the kitchen. "I'm out here!"

Lin groans as she pushes herself to sit up. Her black hair floats across her face before she tucks it behind her ear. Her white tank top rides up a little, intermingling with the comforter.

After a few moments, she swings her legs over the side of the bed. Her right cheek stings a little from the new and healing wound caused by her younger sister Suyin.

She hisses and stands up. She starts her journey of no more than fifteen steps.

"Morning Kya," Lin murmurs as she reaches for the top kitchen cabinet for some tea.

"Good morning." Kya starts. "Are you doing alright? You were pretty distressed yesterday. I was surprised you asked me to spend the night."

"I'm fine." "Want any tea?"

"No that's okay, I made myself some coffee earlier. Thanks though."

"Of course."

She pours lukewarm water into the kettle and puts it to boil.

"My mom comes home at 10 this morning, so you should probably be gone by then," Lin says.

At this point, Kya is used to it. Spending the night at the Beifong's without Toph knowing. Toph worked the late-night shift almost every night. She was dedicated to her police work and didn't have much time for anything else.

Although Lin was supposed to watch over Su, there really isn't any responsibility. Suyin is almost always out shoplifting with her gang of friends.

Yesterday afternoon she was stealing from a jewelry shop in central republic city and Lin was called on the case. Things went south from there.

Lin was caught in a car chase throughout the streets of her town. After hastily speeding Su finally stopped her car. Lin tried to arrest her, but Su cut her natal wire. The wire shot back and made a deep slash in Lin's cheek.

I'm

The tea is finally done steeping and Lin pours it into a cup. She adds a couple of dried raw leaves and takes a sip.

"Can I taste it?" Kya asks.

"This is why I wanted to know if you wanted any. I should've made you a cup. I knew you were going to ask for some and you wouldn't give it back!" Lin chuckles.

Lin hands her the cup and acknowledges that she's not going to get it back. It was pleasant while it lasted.

"Thanks for staying with me last night. You really didn't have to..."

"Of course I'd stay with you! I know you were incredibly pissed off and it's your face. It's going to be visible. I can't imagine how embarrassed you are."

"Yeah. It really sucks, I thought she would've learned her lesson last time when mom caught her."

"Either way. It's gonna be okay, Lin."

"Yeah, I guess. Speaking of Su... did you hear her come home last night?"

"Huh? No, I don't think I did."

"Shit! Did she stay out all night again?"

"Well, it doesn't sound completely unlike her..."

"No, but that's the problem! She doesn't own up to the mistakes she makes and now I'm stuck with a stupid cut on my face that's as deep as the bottom of the ocean and as big as the distance from the northern to the southern water tribe!"

"Lin, it'll all be okay. I know it will." Kya says reaching a hand out to place it in Lin's distressed shoulder.

"Will it?" Lin asks.

"Yes, I'm sure of it," Kya confirms.

Kya steps a little closer to Lin and makes eye contact. She nods. "It will."

"I'm home everyone!" Toph says as she unbinds her hair and puts her hairpiece on the counter.

"Hey mom," Lin says.

"Lin, why are you and Kya so close to each other?"

"What?" Lin starts. "Oh, She was just telling me Su told her she was leaving early this morning..."

"Ah, I see. Well, Kya, I'm sorry to kick you out but, Lin has quite a busy day today. I hope you understand." Toph says.

"Of course! I'll be heading out then." Kya sweats.

"Bye Lin!"

"Thanks for coming to tell me about Su." Lin says as she waves Kya out the door.

"Lin, why did you lie to me?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why'd you lie about Su? You don't actually know where she is, do you?"

"No. I don't. I'm sorry." Lin says. "I know you told me to watch over her especially while you work but-"

"No buts Lin. Please, you know how I feel about you having friends over while I'm at work." Toph scolds.

"Yeah, I know, I'm sorry. I asked Kya to spend the night. I know I shouldn't but she asked if she could help me with my face and I didn't want to make her feel bad."

"Lin,"

"Fine! I wanted her to spend the night because I needed company. Su stayed out all night." Lin says. There's no point in trying to lie to her mom anymore.

"Better. Do you know where she could've gone?" Toph asks her eldest daughter.

"No. I mean, there's a club in central Republic, but that's the only thing I can think of." Lin suggests as she shrugs her shoulders.

"Okay. Could you do me a favour?"

"What is it?" She rolls her eyes.

"Go find-"

"Go find your sister. Blah blah blah. I get it." She starts. "Sure."

"Thanks, honey. I've had a busy few days."

"I know mom. I'll do my best." Lin says as she makes her way back to her bedroom.