It was the worst birthday ever.
Kiriko told her moms she didn't want a party this year, but they must not have believed her because they invited Raniq and her parents and brother, plus Uncle Mako, to come over for presents and cake.
What Anisa said was the last straw, and Kiriko stormed away to lock herself in her room. Angry tears spilled down her face before she even made it to her bed; she just sobbed while she held her favorite stuffed animal—a ratty old polar bear dog that she'd had for as long as she could remember.
She only had a minute or so to herself before hearing the expected sound of someone knocking, followed by the door's lock being picked. It wasn't the first time this sort of thing had happened. Kiriko burrowed under the covers and smashed her face into the pillow, desperate to hide while also knowing how pointless it was.
The door opened and closed. Soft footsteps approached. Finally, a weight appeared on the edge of the bed.
"What's the matter, hm?" Asami asked in her soft voice. "I thought you loved seeing everyone and getting presents? You really didn't want a party?"
Kiriko just lay there in silence and allowed her mother to comfort her with one hand rubbing gentle circles on her back. It usually made her sleepy, though right now it had the effect of calming her turbulent emotions a little.
Finally, she pushed the covers back and rolled over. "I hate Anisa. She's so mean."
"Kiriko..." Asami said reprovingly. "Don't say that. It's okay to be angry, but don't say you hate her. She's your sister."
Those words made Kiriko's bottom lip start quivering again. "She says I'm not. She says Mom is her mom and I'm just no one, since I can't bend and my eyes aren't green like yours." More tears streamed down the sides of her face and she hid under the covers again.
But Asami immediately pulled them back down. "Hey. You listen to me," she said firmly. "You are not no one. You're Kiriko Sato. And you already know that you have Uncle Mako's eyes. Remember? We talked about this. And what's bending got to do with anything? I'm not a bender."
What she was saying made sense, Kiriko had to admit. It was just that Anisa knew exactly how to push her buttons.
"I'll talk to Anisa," Asami continued as if she knew the thoughts in Kiriko's mind. "She shouldn't have said that."
"She ruined my birthday."
"It's not over yet. You can still have a good time if you decide that's what you want."
"She gets everything," Kiriko persisted. "Always first. She was born first, she got her bending a long time ago, and everything is always easy for her. But it's hard for me! It's not fair!"
"You're taller," Asami reminded her with a smile.
Well, that was true. "Yeah. I'm taller. And faster."
"And you're a very hard worker. You work so hard at your forms and you don't give up."
"Mama..." Kiriko began with a sniffle. "What– What if I don't ever learn to bend?"
Strong arms scooped her up and gave her a squeeze. "Then you'll still be Kiriko Sato, one of my most favorite people in the whole world."
"I'm your favorite? Even more than Anisa?"
Asami tsked with gentle reproval. "No. I love you both the same."
"Ugh. Figures."
"You're so sassy. You surely didn't get that from me."
