Model Behavior

Summary: Modern/AU. Korra thought it was an ordinary day of art class at Republic School for the Gifted. But then, the art model Asami Sato walked into the room... Korrasami

Chapter 1: The Green Eyed Model

"We're going to be late!"

Korra sat up in her bed. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and turned to look at her clock. She peered at it for a few seconds before registering the time. She airbent her sheets off of her and lunged off of the couch.

"We're going to be late," she shouted. Korra grabbed her bag by the end of the couch before rushing out of the living room towards the bathroom.

"I just said that," Bolin yelled back. He hopped into the living room, trying to tie his left shoe while making his way over to his backpack sitting next to a table. "Mako is going to kill us."

"I told you we shouldn't have tried hard cactus lemonade last night," she called from the bathroom. A few seconds later, she emerged, dressed in her water tribe clothing, and furiously brushing her teeth. "Man, I'm starving."

"Mako probably picked us up some tea." Bolin crammed all of his books and papers into his bag before rushing over to the apartment door. "You can leave your bag here. We won't mind."

"No can do," Korra mumbled around her toothbrush. She side stepped back into the bathroom and spat out the toothpaste. "Staying with Tenzin and Pema tonight," she explained while rushing out of the bathroom. Bolin handed Korra her backpack. She slipped it on over her shoulders before finger-combing her hair.

"You know," Bolin said slowly, "the school offered you your own place to live since-"

"Since I'm the Avatar, I know." She rolled her eyes. She placed a hand on Bolin's shoulder. He instantly stopped gathering up his items and looked at her. "I don't want everything in life to be given to me on a silver platter," she admitted quietly. "It's enough that the White Lotus Board is giving me a full scholarship to come here. I'll find my own place in due time."

Korra and Bolin jostled each other as they raced towards the front door. She flung it open and winced as it hit the opposite wall. She peeled the door back, kissed her finger tips, and then place it on the dented wall. The dent lined up with the doorknob and cracks stretched out from the center, indicating that this wasn't the first time she had pulled the door open too hard.

"Do you have a job?" Bolin asked as he pulled out his keys and locked the door.

"Well, no."

"Then how will you find your own place to stay?"

"I'll think of something." Korra pulled out her cell phone and sent Mako a quick text message. She powered down her phone so she wouldn't receive, or read, one of his usual nagging responses about being late. "Now stop asking me these dumb questions because they're going to make us more late."

Bolin and Korra took the stairs of the apartment building two at a time. They sprinted through the parking lot and dodged all of the cars pulling out of the parking spaces. Once they reached the front of the building, they stopped upon watching the last bus, also known as the late bus, leave with a group of students to the Republic School. "I don't think we'll make it in time," he panted.

"We could if we just had some transportation," Korra said with a half smile. She raised her fingers to her lips and blew very hard. "Naga, come here girl."

Mako drummed his fingers on his desk and shook his head. He reached out and pushed an art pencil a few inches to the left, lining it up along with two other pencils sitting on the tray of his easel. He blew away a small piece of lint from his drawing paper before smiling in content.

"Hello class," Pema called out as she rushed into the room. Her hair was pulled back into a sleek bun, but a few strands stuck out in a few different directions. Light grey bags lined her bottom eye lids. She collapsed into her seat and blew her bangs out of her face. "Is everyone here?"

Movement out the window caught Mako's eyes. He turned his head and watched as Korra and Bolin sprinted towards the building. He groaned and rolled his eyes. The school bell clanged, indicating the start of class. "Three…two…one…" he counted.

A loud knock came from the doorway. Mako frowned. They never knock first. He turned and noticed a beautiful woman enter the room. Her green eyes scanned the room before landing on him. They brightened a bit as she smiled before shifting her gaze over towards Pema. Her smile grew as she walked over and gave Pema a big hug.

"Class, this is our model for the year, Asami Sato," Pema introduced as the pulled apart. "For this term, we will be focusing on the human form-"

"We're here!" Korra shouted as she burst into the room. A few steps behind her was Bolin, who placed both of his hands on his knees and took in deep breaths. "Sorry for being late."

"Again," Pema said sternly. She sighed before pointing to the two empty seats left in the room, beside Mako. He shot them a disapproving look as they shuffled to their seats. "Like I was saying, we will be focusing on the human form and what better way to get inspired by using a live model."

A quiet murmur rang throughout the room. Korra started to fiddle with her pencil. She pursed her top lip and rested the pencil on top of it, acting like it was her moustache. She turned towards Bolin and stoked her chin, taking on a pensive look.

Bolin laughed out loud as Korra punched him in the arm. She turned and smiled at Pema who was rolling her eyes. It was then she took notice of Asami.

Hmmm, she thought. Makeup, nice clothes, perfect hair, and everything looks to be in its right place. No stain or spot in sight. She must be a priss.

"Today, just start sketching," Pema instructed. She reached down in her purse and pulled out a motherhood magazine. "It doesn't have to look like Asami or anything. Just create what inspires you."

Asami took a seat on the stool in the center of the room. She crossed one leg over the other, which caused her skirt to ride up just a bit. A few of the boys let out a soft whistled. Mako was too busy drawing to even take note. Asami shook her head at the noise before relaxing her body and staring straight ahead at the wall.

"Look at that," Korra demanded in a hushed whispered. She had tucked her pencil behind her ear and was leaning back on her stool. Her arms were tightly crossed over her chest.

"Look at what?" Bolin asked. He held his chin in his left hand and was drawing with his right. Korra snickered when she noticed small doodles of Pabu, his pet fire ferret, and Opal Beifong. She was a freshman he had gotten to know over the summer since they attend the school's summer camp led by her mother.

"Her. Asami," she explained. "All of the guys are practically drooling over her." She pointed to a few of the guys across the room. They were talking to each other, and those in Asami's line of sight, winked at her. She ignored them. "What does she have that I don't have?" Bolin scratched his head in thought. "If you value your life, you won't answer that."

"What's the problem?"

"She could get a boyfriend in two seconds," Korra huffed. She started to draw spirals on her canvas. "I have a lot of guy friends, but no one is interested in getting to know the real me."

"Maybe they're intimidated?" he suggested. "With you being the avatar and all?"

"And maybe, they're just stupid," she shot back.

"Won't answer what question?" Mako asked out of the corner of his mouth. Korra rolled her eyes. Sometimes he could be so focused in something that he ends up very behind in their conversations.

"What Asami, the model, has that Korra doesn't," Bolin explained.

"Class."

"Seriously?" Korra said. She picked up her pencil and drew a quick drawing of Mako on her canvas. She then drew a large black x on top of it.

"We're in class, now," Bolin said.

"No, he's talking about manners and all that junk," Korra answered with an eye roll. She heard a light snicker come from across the room. She leaned over to the side of her canvas and looked around. Asami rubbed her nose with the back of her hand before getting back into position.

"I rest my case," Mako said with a smirk.

She punched him in the arm but started to chuckle nonetheless. "Thanks for your support," she said sarcastically.

"Hey, you're my best friend. I have to tell you the truth," he laughed. He then started to focus again on his drawing. Throughout the class, Korra and Bolin drew sketches on their canvas and played a few games of tic-tac-toe and dots.

Asami Sato. What is so alluring about her? Okay, so she has indescribably green eyes, and silky long hair. I can do that. Maybe it's the makeup? Nah. I have no idea how that stuff works.

Asami watched from the corner of the room. After about a half hour of sitting in one position, she stretched and moved into a new position that had her leaning forward on the stool, her legs crossed, elbow resting upright on her knee, and her chin sitting in her hand. She had also changed positions so that she was facing Korra's, Mako's, and Bolin's side of the room.

From time to time Mako would look up from his canvas and over at Asami. She smiled whenever their eyes locked. He smiled back before focusing on his work once more. After a while, she found her gaze shifting over to the dark girl sitting next to Mako.

She seems like the life of the party, Asami thought as she watched her throw her head back and laugh. She would be a great sense of humor and light to my life. Asami quickly shifted her gaze when she noticed the girl looking at her. Get a grip, Sato. You aren't essentially in their conversation. You almost blew it when you laughed at her joke. Asami looked at the girl out of her peripheral and noticed the girl sticking her pencil into the ponytail at the crown of her head before leaning over towards Mako's canvas. Still, she seems like a great person to be around. She would be an amazing friend to have.

The hour was soon up and the bell rang. Pema jumped, startled by the sound. She lifted her head up from her desk and wiped the drool off of her chin.

"Okay, class is dimissed," she called out. Asami hopped off of the stool, grabbed her purse, and walked over towards Pema's desk before they started to chat quietly.

"Time for a post-breakfast pre-lunch snack," Bolin as he rubbed his stomach.

"Sounds good to me," Korra said while stretching. "All that tic-tac-toe playing took a lot out of me. I'm up for some noodles. How about you two? My treat." She grabbed her pack from the floor before rushing over to the door.

"Hold up, you guys," Mako called out as he cleaned up his area. Korra and Bolin groaned but waited by the door. He placed his canvas into his cubby before grabbing his backpack. Across the room, Asami said goodbye to Pema before heading towards the door. The tip of her shoe got caught underneath a stool. As she stripped, she dropped her bag, sending the contents everywhere.

Korra laughed heartily from the doorway. "Looks like she isn't so perfect," she said. Asami felt her cheeks redden a bit as she dropped to the floor to pick up her items. Mako rushed over and started to help her clean up. He paused when he noticed a Future Industries notepad resting halfway out of her bag. He slipped it back in before handing her a few of her last items.

"Thanks, I appreciate it," Asami said while brushing off her knees. She slung her purse over her shoulder before flashing him a bright smile.

"No problem," Mako said while taping her lightly in the arm.

"I'm Asami," she said while holding out her hand.

"I know. Pema introduced you to us at the start of class," he answered with a shrug. "I'm Mako." He grabbed her hand and shook it firmly.

"So, what type of bender are you?" she asked.

"Fire." Mako held up his hand. He snapped his fingers and a small flame ignited over his pointer finger. Asami's eyes widened in fascination as she watched the element appear out of nowhere.

"That's pretty neat. I've always been interested in bending," she admitted. "It is great that the city created a place for you all to develop your abilities."

"Oh, you don't attend-"

"No. I'm a non-bender," Asami said.

"No wonder I haven't seen you around before." Mako nodded in understanding.

"What year are you?"

"Oh, I'm a senior," he answered. Korra cleared her throat loudly. Mako turned in her direction and noticed her holding up her cell phone and tapping the screen. "Hey, my friends and I are about to go for a snack. Would you like to join us?"

"At ten am?" Asami asked while looking at her watch. Mako noticed all of the diamonds around the ring of it. He quickly shifted his gaze as she looked back at him.

"Yeah, it's kind of our thing," he said. "I'll introduce you." Asami followed a few steps behind Mako as they walked up. Korra was looking intently at her phone. As they approached, she briefly looked up at the two of them before focusing on her phone once more.

"Guys, this is Asami," Mako said.

"Yeah, the model," Korra said roughly. She didn't look up from her phone. Bolin brushed past her and quickly wrapped Asami in a hug. She laughed a bit before patting him lightly on the back.

"Nice to meet you," he said while placing her back on the ground. "I'm Bolin," he explained before turning to point at Korra, who was frowning at her phone, "and the one pouting over there is Korra."

"I'm not pouting, I'm annoyed," she insisted before slipping her phone into her pocket. "We won't be getting much gym time today for practice."

"Korra is a junior and Bolin is a sophomore," Mako explained.

"Practice?" Asami repeated.

"We're on the pro-bending team here."

"I love pro-bending," she exclaimed.

"You should come and watch us practice one day," Bolin suggested.

"I'd love that."

"Awesome, you can be our fan and wear all of our gear to help show people which team rules," Bolin said while punching a fist in the air. "You could be our human mascot, since Pabu is already our mascot."

"Our team is called the fire ferrets," Mako explained when Asami gave him a confused look.

"So, how are you all friends?" she asked.

"Bolin is my brother, and Korra and I met during the freshmen-sophomore mixer back when she first came to Republic City."

"I know you," Asami said while pointing over at Korra. "You're the avatar." She held her hand out. Korra looked at it and then back up at her before raising an eyebrow. Asami slowly dropped her hand as Mako glared at Korra.

"Aren't we getting something to eat?" Korra asked.

"Let's go. We can show Asami around." Bolin draped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.

"We don't need a tag along," she insisted.

"You go ahead," Asami said quietly. "I need to make a quick phone call anyway."

"We'll meet you downstairs," Mako said. Asami nodded before giving a small wave. She dug her cell phone out of her purse. She pressed a button, held her phone up to her ear, and then turned away as it started to ring.

Bolin and Korra raced each other down the stairs towards the lobby of the art building. They were chatting animatedly about their last pro-bending match as Mako followed slowly behind them.

"What was that all about?" Mako demanded.

"We don't need a tagalong or a Mako groupie," Korra instantly shot back. "You sure do move quickly."

"What are you talking about?"

"I don't know, why don't you ask your new girlfriend?" Korra demanded. Mako looked at her in confusion. She rolled her eyes and huffed. "Asami. Little miss perfect."

"She's not my girlfriend," Mako said with a groan. "Why do you hate all of my new friends?"

"Not all of your friends," she denied.

"Just the girls," Bolin piped up. Korra and Mako glared at him. He quickly ducked his head before taking a few steps away.

You always act so jealous," Mako continued. "We just met. She's nice. We're not dating. I just think we'd be good friends," he explained.

"I am not jealous," she snapped. After a second she relaxed and rubbed her arm. She looked down at the ground shyly. "You're an amazing friend, my best friend."

"What about me?" Bolin asked quietly.

"You're my sparring buddy," Korra answered while punching him playfully on the arm.

"Works for me," he answered happily. She ruffled his hair and gave him a side hug. Mako squirmed uncomfortably as she and Bolin looked up at him with slight puppy dog eyes. He felt his anger and annoyance instantly fade.

"You've always been there for me. I just don't want you to suddenly disappear," she admitted.

"I'm sorry; I wasn't eavesdropping. You were just kind of…loud," Asami said as she descended the stairs. "Plus the acoustics causes voices to carry. It is all in the structure of the stairwell with the roof being a dome." She reached the bottom stair and leaned against the railing. "I'm not interested in Mako."

"You're not?" Korra and Bolin asked.

"Why not?" Mako demanded.

Korra slapped him on the arm.

"I'm too busy with a lot of things going on right now. I wouldn't have enough time to pay attention to someone that important," Asami answered. She cleared her throat as she slipped a Future Industries notepad into her purse. "It does get lonely, though. I'm kind of new to the area. I just want to make some friends." She looked at the three benders. "I want all of you to be my friends," she said more to Korra.

Korra raised an eyebrow. "How can we be so sure that you can keep up with us?" she asked. Although her words had an edge, there was a look of playfulness in her blue eyes.

"How hard can it be?" Asami shrugged.

"That sounds like a challenge," she responded. She and Bolin shared a smile. "Follow me," she instructed.

"Does she always move this quickly?" Asami asked in a hushed tone as she followed. She had to widen her stride a bit as Korra lead the group out of the art building and onto the grounds.

"I've never really seen her walk anywhere," Mako answered.

"Patience isn't her forte," Bolin added.

The small group walked right up to a food cart. Korra mumbled something to the chef before handing him a few yuans. She bounced on the balls of her feet and rubbed her hands together. Asami tightened her grip on her purse as she felt a wave of uneasiness and a little bit of fear wash over her as a putrid smell entered her nose.

"For your initiation, Ms. Sato, you must eat the Southern Water Tribe delicacy," Korra announced as she turned around, "pickled sea urchin noodles." In her hands was a small white bowl filled to the brim with dark brown noodles. Little black dots were sprinkled in the noodles and a light red sauce was slathered on top. "You don't have to eat all of it. Just keep it down for thirty seconds."

Asami tried to smile as she received the bowl and a pair of chopsticks. Mako looked frightened, Bolin frowned as he pinched his nose and Korra, well, she just looked smug. She had her arms crossed over her chest and all of her weight shifted to one foot so that her hip popped out.

She and Asami locked eyes. She wants me to fail, Asami thought while looking down at the bowl. Her hands shook as she picked up a few of the noodles with her chopsticks. I won't give her the satisfaction.

Korra's eyes widened in shock as Asami opened her mouthed and slurped a large helping of the noodles. She chewed a few times before slowly swallowing. Korra's look of astonishment quickly merged back into a smirk as she lifted her phone and set a timer for thirty seconds.

This is so disgusting. But it is a delicacy, I'm assuming from where she's from, so it would be rude to spit it out. Calm down, Sato. Don't think of the taste. Just force yourself to keep it down. Relax your stomach muscles. Breathe slowly through the nose. Try not to swallow so you don't get the after taste. Just relax. Oh, my stomach isn't listening. Okay, what relaxes me: the sound of a formula one racer charging down the track, the smell of motor, tinkering with a carburetor, and drawing up sketches for new inventions.

Asami's thoughts were interrupted as a loud beeping was emitted from Korra's phone.

"Dang," Bolin muttered.

"That's impressive," Mako admitted.

"Okay, she can hang," Korra said quickly while taking the bowl and chopsticks out of Asami's hands. She then handed the raven haired woman a napkin.

"That's it?" Asami asked before wiping her face.

"Yeah," Korra said slowly. "To be honest, I didn't think you'd actually do it," she admitted sheepishly. "These two never had the guts to try when I would explain the dish."

Excuse me? I ate this vile food to be polite and try to make friends and it was all a lie? What kind of a friendship is that? "You two never had to do this?" she asked slowly.

"Nope." Korra threw an arm around Asami's shoulders. "They were too chicken, but you have guts. Welcome to the group."

It's a friendship I want.

AN: And there's chapter one. Okay, so think of Republic School for the Gifted as a boarding school for benders. Kind of like Xavier's School for the Gifted from X-men. The Republic School is a play on words as in Republic City and Public School. I apolgize of the characters seemed a little too ooc (out of characters). I really just need to play up the Korra/Asami rivalry in a way to make the progress work of how I'd like this story to go.

Let me know what you all think! :)