Chapter Text
“Make sure you eat well”
“Uh-huh”
“Don't get in trouble”
“I won't”
“Try and make friends”
“Okay”
“Do your school work”
“I will”
“And-”
“Mom” Korra stared at her mother, silently begging for her to stop.
“I'm sorry, it's just not everyday that your baby goes to college for the first time” Senna's eyes were tearing up, alerting her to the impending hug that would follow and crush all her bones. As predicted, strong arms enveloped her, crushing their bodies together as her mom gently stroked her hair. “I'm just so proud of you!”
“I know, mom” She pat her mother's back until she heard her father chuckle from where he sat draped over Korra's creaky desk chair.
“Senna, it's Korra. She's going to be fine. Now let's go so she can actually make friends” With a wink towards his daughter, Tonraq steered his weepy wife from the dorm. Her blubbering echoed down the busy hall and Korra couldn't help but laugh.
Here she was. In her dorm room. In her first day of college. Wow. The room was small compared to her room at home, but she also had to share this one. Her side was relatively sparse, with only one large poster of her favorite actress and a family photo. Her desk held only a lamp and her neatly organized (for now) school supplies. She knew the thing would be a mess by the end of the year, but she wouldn't let that mar her first day jitters.
She sighed. As the first person in her family to go to college, the pressure was officially on, but she had faith in her abilities. Korra had been a truly dedicated student, prodigious in some areas, and truly enjoyed learning. College couldn't be that different, right? With that final thought, she decided to explore the grounds.
The campus was spread wide over green grounds. She'd fallen in love with the constant beautiful views during her initial tour and the scenery stood up to the first day test. Each building looked like new construction and all of the lawns were immaculately trimmed. Even the brick walkways looked perfect. A few other schools she had visited were victims of cracked or missing bricks, so it was an incredible achievement to have avoided that.
Eventually, Korra found her way to the student union building. Families and their students swarmed along with returning alumni and move in helpers. One of them smiled widely at her.
“Hi! Are you new here?” Feeling blindsided, Korra nodded. “Great! Welcome! The student help center is right there, there's the bookstore for all your school clothing needs and there's a Starbucks just in the other room along with a whole bunch of computers and printers if you ever need them. Upstairs right now is the Club Expo if you were interested in joining any clubs or sports teams. I highly recommend checking it out”
Korra blinked at the helper. Getting a speech thrown at her was the last thing she'd expected. She nodded numbly and followed the directions up the stairs. It wasn't as if she had anything else to do, she might as well look. And if she found something, even better.
It was easy to get lost and swept up in the expo. Especially when more than 100 tables were dispersed around the room with more than 200 people running them, and each trying to earn the attention of disinterested passerbys. Korra strolled down the isles only vaguely looking at anything. If she was going to join a club, she'd do it on her own terms and she didn't want to give anyone her email who would send her an obnoxious amount of messages pertaining to something she didn't care about.
“Excuse me, do you enjoy-?” Korra shouldered past him. Obviously, some people didn't get that. It was probably rude, but she was tired, irritable, and past the point of caring. Maybe she could just join some fitness group. She'd heard good things about Crossfit, after all.
Korra collided with someone again, sending them both crashing to the floor with the stranger landing hard on top of her. There was most definitely an elbow in her kidney. Korra was ready to throw down before she opened her eyes.
“Oh god, I’m so sorry! I totally wasn't looking where I was going. Are you okay?” The fight left her in a rush. The girl above her was stunning. Her long dark hair cascaded over her shoulders like an inky waterfall that Korra's fingers would look so good in and her skin looked so soft and flawless. Brilliant green eyes gazed down at her in worry and amazement.
“Um, yeah. I’m okay” The girl grinned (oh boy) before hopping to her feet and holding out a hand for Korra to take. She gripped it and after marveling the feel for a moment, pulled herself up. Hands brushed at Korra's shoulders and sleeves.
“I guess I'll see you around” she said softly. A shy wave later and she slipped through the crowd, Korra staring after her.
“I'm joining your club” Korra vowed as she pushed through the crowd after her.