Friends with Benefits

Chapter Two : Afterwards

[ Zelda's POV ]

I opened my eyes slowly, but it didn't take long for me to shut them again. My head was pounding, my punishment for getting extremely drunk last night. Sighing, I relaxed back into the warm embrace of the man sleeping behind me.

This time, my eyes burst open on their own. I do not remember this part of the night. I thought to myself. I didn't want to turn and see who I was sleeping next to. But, already being wide awake, I decided to look around the room that was clearly not mine.

I spotted a Loftwings jersey hanging lazily out of the dresser drawer. I thought of a guy I knew that had such a jersey, but shook off the thought, refusing to believe it. But, as I recognized a picture on the dresser, one of me and my best friends, Malon and Midna, reality crashed down on me. Turning, hoping it was not true, yet knowing deep down it was, I saw the figure of my best and oldest guy friend asleep, naked, next to me. I fought the temptation to gawk at him as realization finally hit me.

I slept… with Link!

I jumped out of his arms, scrambling to get out of bed as quickly as possible. "Shit… this is not good." I whispered as I rushed to find my clothes. Maybe, if I leave before he wakes up, he won't remember anything, and everything will stay normal!

I hopelessly tried to reassure myself with this thought. Fixing my shirt, I went into the bathroom to try and make it look like I hadn't just slept with my best friend.

Looking in the mirror, I grimaced seeing the makeup job that I once thought was perfect completely smudged and messy. Quickly washing my face and touching up my bed head, I found my purse and quietly left to begin the walk of shame. While creeping down the hallway, I thought I had been successful in avoiding anyone, but that changed when I heard a voice while waiting for the elevator.

"So… are you 'Midna'?" The man said. Surprised, I turned and saw a tall, thin man with asymmetrical white hair and gray skin standing behind me. He had an interesting look to him, with diamond shaped blue earrings and a long red coat (that looked more like a cape) covering a white button-down shirt and matching pants. He was also wearing black gloves. I felt like I had seen him before.

"Sorry, I must have startled you. And I also apologize for being so impolite." He elegantly placed his hand on his face, possibly in embarrassment, but it looked more like he was bragging or teasing me in a way. "I am Ghirahim. You may recognize me because I am a pretty well-known fashion designer." That's where he's from, huh… "I am also Link's neighbor, so I couldn't help overhearing you two's little… get-together late last night." My face flushed at his words, but he didn't seem to care. "I was going to come over and ask you to be more quiet, but I remembered he had been pining over some girl named Midna for months now, and thought he might be with her." He sighed happily. Ghirahim seemed nice, but I still found him creepy. But boy, he sure can talk. "Despite how loud you were being, I couldn't bring myself to stop the endeavors of young love. So I stuck in earplugs and ignored the noise, if only for last night."

My eye twitched. "Are you and Link close or something?" I asked, surprised Link would be friendly with this guy enough to tell him about the whole Midna situation. Then again, I was just as surprised when he befriended that mask salesmen a couple years back.

"Not in the slightest! We practically hate each other." He sighed, moving his hair behind his ear. "I hate how much noise he makes and he hates how much I complain." The elevator door finally opened, and, much to my distress, he followed me in. "He has these long, loud conversations with some guy, Sheik or something, about this girl. I don't try to listen in, but the walls are so thin it's hard not to. My curiosity got the best of me, which is what led me to asking if you are her." He stared intently at me, and I sighed, somewhat sadly.

"No, I'm not." I mumbled.

"Oh." He breathed with a look of surprise on his face, awkwardly playing with the fabric of his jacket.

"See, we went out for drinks last night and things got out of hand." I don't know why I'm telling him this… maybe it's because I know I won't be able to tell anyone else. "We've been friends since elementary school. Sheik, who is my brother, introduced us back then. Which is why this whole thing is so awkward for me."

"Ah, so you're Zelda?" Ghirahim asked. I nodded but gave him a confused look, leading him to explain, "He's talked about you too."

"Hm." I rubbed my head as silence encased us. After a minute or so, I said, "And, because you're probably wondering, Midna rejected him. Part of the reason we went to the bar together."

"Ah, so sad." He placed his hands on his hips, a smirk slowly appearing. "At least now he won't talk day and night about her, ruining my precious beauty sleep." He flipped his hair, and I could swear that it sparkled. My eyes narrowed in annoyance as he continued. "Oh, that sounded insensitive, huh?" He pondered this for a moment as I nodded barely. The elevator stopped, opening on the ground level. "No matter. And because this opportunity arose for me to speak with you; if what happened last night were to ever happen again, please keep it down. You're horribly loud." And with that, he sauntered off.

I can't believe I opened up to this guy.

I watched as he hopped into a limo and speed away. I couldn't help but feel sympathy for Link for having Ghirahim as a neighbor. I sat on a couch in the main lobby, wondering what I was going to do. I pulled out my cell phone. I heard it ring a few times until it was finally picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Malon. It's Zelda." I said quietly into the receiver. Her tone brightened up.

"Oh, hey! What's up?" She questioned, innocent to the whole situation. I eventually stood up and walked outside, about to hail a taxi. "Why are you calling so early in the morning?

"Can I… stay at your place for a little while?" I wrapped my free hand around the back of my neck, massaging the tension in it.

"Um, sure… I'm sure your brother would be fine if you bunked here for a little while." She paused for a moment. "I thought you were going to ask Link…? Did he say no?"

"No, it's just…" I sighed, turning around to look up at the building behind me. "Yeah, he said no. It's a long story… and it's kind of a personal reason." I kept trying to think of some kind of excuse that wouldn't put Link in the wrong, but was a good reason why I couldn't stay with him.

"Ah, okay." I heard rustling in the background. We said our goodbyes, and I headed to the hotel to pick up my suitcases. By noon I was at Malon and Sheik's loft-condo, unpacking my things in their spare bedroom.

"Hey, sis." My brother's voice startled me, causing me to turn around. "How did Link look? I mean, after that whole thing with Midna, he was a total mess."

"He seemed to be doing fine. He was going on and on about how great it is that we're both single." I turned my head to hide the glowing blush.

"Ah… so he's in the 'I'm totally fine don't worry about me' stage, huh." He chuckled lightly, "Typical."

"Mm-hmm…" I mumbled, wiping sweat off my forehead as I finished putting my clothes in the empty dresser and closet.

"Speaking of being single, how're you holding up, Zellie?" He rubbed my back. I shrugged, sitting on the bed.

"Okay, first of all, don't call me that." He laughed, but continued to wait for my answer I'm doing good… I didn't realize until after the breakup how… controlling Ganon was." Sheik laughed at this.

"I told you! He barely let you do anything without him being there with you." He lowered his voice slightly. "Not to mention he really creeped out Malon and your other friends."

"How come you never told me?" I looked at him.

"I did!" He defended himself. We suddenly heard Malon's yelling from downstairs.

"Hey, guys! Look!" The two of us walked out of our room and leaned over the banister, looking down into the living room. She held up a letter for us to see. "The postman just dropped it off. We're all invited to Dark Knight's party Friday night!" Sheik turned to me with a smile.

"It's the perfect opportunity for you to catch up with everyone!" He exclaimed. I grinned back, thinking of seeing my friends again. Then I thought of something…

Link will be there.

I knew I was going to see him eventually, but I was hoping I'd be able to avoid him for at least a week, if not two or more.

[ Link's POV ]

The first thing I noticed when I woke up was that I was naked.

The second thing I noticed was that I had a wicked headache, proven while I stood up suddenly to put some clothes on.

Rubbing my temples, I slowly stood up, found some boxers and pants and pulled them on. Just as I leaned against the doorframe of my bedroom, I saw a familiar blonde rush out my front door, slamming it in the process. My head hurting and it being the morning, it took me a second to remember what had happened.

"Oh my gods…" I groaned, hitting my head against the frame with a sigh. "I am such an idiot."

I considered calling her, but knew that she wouldn't pick up. And if she did, I don't know what I'd say. I mean, we've known each other forever, and I have never seen her as anything other than my friend. I don't like her in that way… do I?

Looking over to my dresser, I saw a picture taken at a high school graduation party. Zelda, Malon, and Midna were posing together, me taking the picture. Zelda hates how she looks in it, but I always thought she looked cute… Okay… I have to admit that Zelda had gotten pretty hot over the years. I ran my hands through my hair, brushing the bangs off my face. But being in a relationship would be way too weird… and I don't know if I could stand living with her annoying habits, nor will she be able to do the same with mine.

I laughed, knowing how she hates that I don't clean things immediately and wait until it gets really bad, and I hate how she always reads way too far into things. I remember that once, I showed her a song I thought she'd like because it sounded like one of her favorite songs, but she said that it sounded like a horse's call and asked if I was insinuating that her favorite song sounded like one too. I had no idea what she was talking about, so I just apologized and left promptly.

In the midst of my thinking I had gone to eat some breakfast, put on a shirt, and check my mail. After shifting through junk mail and bills, I came across a letter from Dark. Ever since he moved to our district and started high school with us, we've been stuck together because of our friends. They always say how similar they are, but in our eyes we are polar opposites. Most of the time we get along, but whenever we fight, it gets pretty intense.

Opening the letter, I saw it was a party invitation for Friday. And, I have to give credit where credit is due, Dark throws an awesome party. Despite this, I didn't really feel up to going. The two girls I didn't want to see the most would be there and my feelings for Dark at the moment were not exactly great because of the whole Midna situation. But, I knew Dark and Sheik would be pretty suspicious if I said I didn't want to go.

Sheik would probably believe me if I told him that it was because of Midna, but I personally didn't want Dark knowing about Midna or Zelda. If I said it was because Midna rejected me, he'd get pissed off at me for trying to 'steal her from him' even though they weren't going out. And if I told him about Zelda, he'd definitely blackmail me with that information by making me do whatever he wanted with the threat that he would tell Sheik that I had a one night stand with his sister.

I really don't want to see how Sheik would react to that.

So, ultimately, I decided to go. Who knows, it might not turn out to be all that bad.

This chapter I feel is kind of un-eventful... I promise that the ones after this will be lots of fun! Well, Ghirahim made his appearance, so I'm happy. I love him so much!

I started school again today... ugh. I don't mind school much, but the only thing I really care about is seeing my friends. All of my new teachers aren't that cool either... Well, my English teacher is, but I always love my English teachers. Except for sixth grade *shudder*. And, in one of my electives, there are all guys in the class except for me and one other girl, who looks like a prissy girly-girl... Someone who wouldn't like a weirdo like me.

So I'm gonna stop talking now and finish this up. So, if you'd like to tell me something, feel free to review or send a PM. If you're interested in the story, you can always follow it, and favorite it if you really like it so far! Thanks for reading!

- Kreszentenia