Crushed Hopes (Angstpril 2022, Day 29)
Rohan woke up before dawn. Today would be his first time in the Family Bending Tournament. He reached under his bed to take out his clothes so he could get dressed in the bathroom and not wake up Meelo. He wanted to meditate and do his exercises before his favorite person came. He wanted to be ready.
It was still a little dark outside, but that was ok. The island was quiet, and Aunt Yue was watching him. He meditated for a very long time. He counted twenty breaths before he hopped up and ran over to the training pool.
He pulled a water whip three times, and only spilled a little bit of water on himself. He only missed the chair by a little bit.
He ran his hands over the water and pictured the ice block he wanted to make. He waved his hand just like Aunt Kya did, but nothing happened the first seven times. The eighth time, he thought he felt a little something, and he wanted to go find Aunt Kya right now before that little wave melted.
“Rohan? What are you doing out here?”
Rohan jumped. He never could hear his dad coming, and he hated it.
“Nothing.”
His dad squeezed his shoulder. “Ok, it’s time for meditation anyway. Let’s go over to the-”
“I did meditation already. I did that first, like you told me to.” He looked up at his dad, only to see a frown on his face.
“I did! I counted to twenty, just like you said!” He frowned, confused why dad didn’t believe him.
“Rohan, where was the moon when you came outside?”
Rohan pointed, and his dad crouched down and looked along his arm. He hummed. “That was very early, son. You should have been in bed asleep.”
“But I have to practice for the games! I want to be Aunt Lin’s partner so we can beat Meelo!”
His dad made a little laughing noise.
“You know, I remember the first time Aunt Lin and I beat Uncle Bumi and Aunt Kya. We were the best team for a long time.”
“Aunt Lin is the best!”
A picture of his mother came to his mind.
“But Mom is really good, too.”
His dad gave him a kiss on the head. “They are both very good people. And they both love you. Go inside and tell everyone I’m waiting in the pavilion.”
**
Lin chatted with Kya and Bumi as the kids milled around, waiting for Katara to come out with the vase of tokens. The youngsters were lounging. The children were practically buzzing. Tenzin had told them about Rohan being up before the sun to practice, but Lin had the sense that he didn’t tell them the full story.
“Gran-Gran’s here!” Meelo shouted.
Katara walked out with a large black jug. Everyone gathered around, and drew a pai sho tile.
“Ok, everyone, show your tokens. Find your partners.”
Everyone held out their tiles. Lin’s eyes fell on Rohan, who was floating almost as if he was on an air scooter. He looked up at her with a big grin on his face. “I’m going to be on your team, Aunt Lin!”
She smiled, showed him her knotweed tile, and watched him look at his token.
She saw the moment his hopes were crushed.
He threw his token down and ran away from everyone.
Before she knew it, she was chasing after him, calling for him.
He ran up to the house, and jumped into the arms of his very confused mother. Lin slowed down and trotted up to the pair. Rohan was crying loudly. Pema wrinkled her brow and tilted her head to Lin for an adult’s explanation.
“Rohan is upset because I was on a different team.”
Lin reached over to rub Rohan’s back. Her hand brushed Pema’s, and they looked at each other. Lin stiffened slightly and mumbled an apology. She patted Rohan, and turned to go.
She was surprised to feel him twist under her hand and launch himself at her. Pema staggered at the change, grabbing Lin’s elbow to keep from falling over.
Lin wrapped her arms around Rohan to keep him from falling. She looked at Pema to confirm that she was alright, too. She patted Rohan again, and said, “Rohan, you don’t have to spar if you don’t want to. I’m sure Meelo or Ikki would be glad to play on two teams.”
She felt him stiffen. He pushed and wriggled his way out of her arms, running back the way he had come. Something that sounded like “wait for me” came floating back over the breeze.
Pema laughed, and leaned her head against Lin’s shoulder. “Thank you, Lin. I was afraid I was about to have my hopes for a nap crushed.”
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