Failure.
That was what she was. All she felt in that moment. That was what this new school was to her. That she was a failure and a disappointment. Her parents tried to convince her otherwise, and so did Katara, but all their talk of a "clean slate" was bullshit. Korra knew who she was now. Not good enough for anything or anyone.
So, as she saw the city skyline finally in view, she cried a little. The last few days kept replaying in her head. This was what she got for caring about other people. She helped someone in need because she cared too much. No one was ever going to care about her like that. What was the point of reaching out to others?
But Tenzin had called her intentions honorable. It was the execution of her intentions that needed some work. It was the reason he had been able to let her transfer to St. Raava's, that she had been trying to defend someone.
"Your empathy and compassion for others is a remarkable thing. It's something that is hard to teach." Tenzin had said on the phone a few days ago.
"Yeah, well, I wish I didn't care. Then I wouldn't have been expelled." Korra said.
"Maybe that's true. But why don't we look at this as an opportunity to learn? An opportunity for you to start somewhere fresh? No one knows you here except my children and your cousins. You can choose to tell them why you're here or not. None of the teachers, me included, will disclose that information to other students."
"I don't care about other students. I just wanna finish school so I can go back home."
"I know that it's hard to be away from your family. But everyone is away from their families here, so that's something you can bond with..."
"I didn't need friends here and I don't need them there. I'll be fine on my own."
"No one in the south survives on their own, right? In the tribe, everyone has to take care of each other. That's what life is like in a lot of respects elsewhere. Humans are social creatures, Korra."
Korra had to resist hanging up the phone on him at that moment. But this was her only option. She had been expelled and boarding school was the only option. And Tenzin's was the only one that would take her.
She must have scoffed, because then he said, "We don't have to come to an agreement on the matter. But I think we have an understanding otherwise."
"Yeah, I'll do whatever it takes. I'm going to study hard and not use my fists. At least you got me a scholarship for lacrosse." Korra said.
"Yes, and you and I will be having regular sessions to work on your anger. I think meditation is going to be particularly helpful for you." Tenzin said.
Korra held in her groan. "Thank you so much for this. I won't let you down." She said instead.
Except, as the cargo ship finally docked, she did feel like she had already let him down.
Still, she felt lucky. And undeserving of it all at the same time. It was lucky that Tenzin was able to help her. It was lucky that there was money for a lacrosse scholarship for her. Lucky that there were secondhand uniforms she could wear, instead of having to buy a bunch of new ones. Lucky that there was a cargo ship docked that was heading to Republic City. Lucky that the captain of that ship owed her father a favor. She had to sleep on the ground in a supply room, but it didn't matter. She wasn't worthy of all the good fortune that occurred. Korra had caused the situation in the first place.
It was well past midnight when the cargo ship arrived. Tenzin met her at the docks, but then they had to take a ferry to Air Temple Island where St. Raava's was.
