-Zelda-
I felt like I tossed and turned all night. I opened my eyes to see that the sun had finally come up, which was good because I was ready to get out of bed. I've always been afraid when I had to sleep utterly alone. My house back home was small, and it was easy to hear my grandparents just a few yards down the hall. So while I slept alone in my bed, I knew I wasn't really alone. If I listened hard enough, I could hear them breathing, sleeping soundly, and I knew I was safe.
But last night was different. It was the first night I had slept in a bed since I left home, and I kept waking up disoriented and wondering where my grandparents were. I hated that feeling. And I was a professional at feeling it. I remembered nights when I would lay awake, with tears streaming down my face, every bone in my body shaking, completely out of this world, looking for the people I loved who were lost in the next, although I was in fact the lost one.
I shuddered at the lonely thoughts, and decided it was time to get up. I threw my legs over the bed and felt the cool air race up them. I stood up and scratched my head, observing how nappy it was due to my restless night. But part of me didn't really care.
I aimlessly walked over to my closet and put on a clean shirt, and decided to just leave my shorts on. I ran a brush through my hair and concluded it was good enough down. I brushed my teeth and then walked over to the window to throw the curtains open.
The higher the sun rose, the more it became apparent that it was raining outside. I walked over to the window and sat down in the chair I had placed next to it. I looked out the window and watched as the rain hit it, listening to the slight pitter patter that it made. I loved the rain. But I hated thunderstorms. Goddess, I hated storms.
My mind flashed back to the barren wastelands back home.
Fields upon fields of nothing but hard, dry grass, reaching all the way to the horizon, as far as the eye could see, until it eventually kissed the dark grey sky. I could feel the wind whipping around my face, my hair being caught with it. I would watch helplessly as all around me prepared to be destroyed, ripped from the ground with no hope of safety or escape. The sky would continue to grow dark, almost a charcoal grey, yet the sun still shown, casting shadows across the golden ground, but it couldn't be seen from anywhere. An eerie light, that seemingly came from nowhere, with a source that couldn't be seen, still continued to shine despite the blackness of the sky. And we knew that was a bad sign. I could again feel the wind changing directions all around me, causing me to spin and turn, trying to figure out where it was coming from.
Then it would pick up, and die down, over and over. All would become deceivingly still before picking up again in roaring chaos. The next sound I would hear was always my mother's voice, calling me inside, frantically.
I would run inside, and then look out the window to watch all I had grown up loving about my home, become my biggest fear. I waited for the sign. Sure enough, the giant swirling cone of clouds and dust connected with the ground, ripping everything in its path to shreds. My father would run to the window, and throw me over his shoulder, carrying me to the cellar, where my mother would be waiting, hands clasped and praying.
We would hear the sound of a roaring train pass over us while we sat huddled together, my father's arms around us both, protecting his treasures. We would wait for all to go quiet, and after maybe minutes or sometimes hours, it would. We held our breath as we braved the outside world. My father threw open the cellar door, exposing us to the smell of rain and humidity, combined with grass and dirt.
My mother and I held hands as we made our way up, preparing to salvage whatever we had left of our home after the deadly storm reeked its havoc.
It was a common thing to happen where I lived. And it was every bit of the reason that I could no longer sleep at night, or stand to hear any thunder.
In order to get my mind off of the dreadful subject, I reached for my cello propped up against the window. I slid the rosin up and down the bow, trying to focus my brain on another matter.
I tried to remember a song I used to play when I was younger. I had no idea if the ability to play was still there, but I hoped it was, because I had missed music.
I placed my fingers on the fingerboard, and began to strum the bow across the strings. A beautiful, crisp note rang out. A smile made its way across my face. A flood of notes came back to my brain as I let my fingers take over, losing my thoughts to all other things around me. My fingers sped up while my other hand matched the rhythm in which to strum. All of it suddenly came back to me, and I felt as if I couldn't stop. It felt like I never had stopped. I was nearly laughing in joy at the music I could once again create, an ability I thought was long gone.
After I ended my song, I sat still, clutching the bow, a smile beaming on my face. A knock on the door interrupted my joyous celebration.
But I nearly had another one when I threw the door open to find Link standing there, alone. He looked a little startled to see me, but his charming smile reassured me that he was happy I answered. His eyes quickly glanced down at me. I realized what a mess I probably was, and how he was probably taken aback by my appearance. I mentally face-palmed myself for not attempting to look better before answering, and tried to squash the instinct to hide in a hole.
"Morning," he greeted.
"Hi there," I replied.
"I hope I didn't wake you up," he said, apologetically.
I wished he had. I wished I could have been woken up instead of rolling around all night.
"Oh no, you didn't! I've been up for a while," I answered. I looked at him, and my feelings of embarrassment dissipated a little. He was clearly in a relaxed mood this morning too. He wore black sweats that hung to the floor, and a grey and black, light rain jacket. It made me feel more comfortable.
"Oh, sorry, I must be so rude, come on in," I said, opening the door wider for him.
""Not rude at all, but thanks!"
He stepped in my room, observing my cello for a moment. I hoped he wouldn't ask me to play for him. I decided I'd talk before he did.
"So what have you been up to?" I tried to ask casually, leaning against the wall.
"Well, nothing really. I was coming to ask you if you wanted to go with me to Agitha's cafe to grab breakfast, that is, if you haven't eaten," he said, brushing his blonde hair out of his face, which made my heart beat faster.
"Actually I haven't," I answered, trying to suppress my excitement, although I couldn't help but wonder where Komali was, and why Link was alone. "That would be great! What about Komali though? I don't want to steal you from him."
"Oh, he'll be fine. And, to be truthful, he's still asleep and I figured you might be bored considering there's nothing to do here early in the mornings."
If only he knew where I came from. Blair Cavington was paradise compared to my home. "Nothing to do?" I asked him, blatantly surprised. "You have everything to do here! It's so pretty! If anything, I could just walk around and be happy." Which was the truth.
"Even on mornings like this?" he asked, pointing out the window at the rain.
"Especially mornings like this," I answered, smiling upon observing the light rain outside.
"You like the rain too?"
"Rain, yes. Thunderstorms, no." I said, trying to laugh in an attempt to hide the cold chill that ran down my spine. "But just rain, I love it. There's a calming aura to it. Not only that, but it feels good."
"What do you mean?"
I thought about how to explain what I meant. But all I could think of were the cold rainy days I spent in my room at my grandparents house, utterly alone and depressed. I remembered sitting and being so angry at the world and at the Goddess herself. I felt as if I had no one, and no one understood the pain. But then when it rained, I felt like suddenly I wasn't so alone. The sky cried with me.
"It feels good to know something else is sad. It's like you're not the only one. Even the Goddess herself sheds tears. And it's relieving. Once you've cried all your tears, the sky will cry more for you." I felt my lips speak the words, not really attached to my brain.
I felt Link's gaze on me, but I continued to stare out the window.
"Yes," he answered.
I began to panic, thinking that I had suddenly gotten too depressing. I chastised myself for being so candid and not thinking before I spoke. I wasn't willing to risk running off the one person I had just started to become friends with just because of the darkness I had yet to learn how to conquer. And worse than that, I didn't want anyone to question it.
I quickly looked back to him, erasing the sadness I had been a fool to let show.
"So yeah, I like the rain. Do you like it too?"
Link studied me for a moment while I silently begged him not to question me. I wasn't ready to get into that kind of discussion.
"Yeah, I do. It's calming." I felt a rush of relief wash over me. And for some reason, I think he knew it did.
"I agree," I replied, but he continued looking at me.
His eyes stared deeply into mine, his turquoise irises piercing into my soul. It was as if he was searching. I slightly glanced to the side, feeling like he was on to me, to the fact that there was a reason I was hiding, and he was determined to find it. His gaze never let up. I was mentally scrambling, eyes shifting back and forth in his, struggling to find another place to hide. But he held it strong, mentally begging me to let him in and show any sign of emotion. I kept my hold strong, trying not to waver. Although he was determined to win our little game of hide and seek, I forfeited.
"Speaking of rain," I interrupted, "I'd better get my raincoat before we go," turning around and walking to my closet.
"Oh yeah, good thing you brought one," he said. "Some students don't realize how much it rains in Wellington."
I walked to the closet and picked out a cream colored rain coat that was my mother's. It buttoned up and had a little tie around the waist. It was about mid-thigh length, so I thought it might cover my shorts like a dress, but I didn't mind.
"Lucky for me," I answered him, sticking my head out from behind the door to make eye contact, "I have a grandmother who who is a stickler for necessities. Plus the fact that I memorized all of the climates and where they were located in the world when I was about ten. So I came prepared."
Normally I would steer clear from any mention of my grandmother, but a lot of grandparents are around before kids leave. And besides, I only said she had helped me pack, not live. So I didn't see any harm in it, but I was still thankful when Link maneuvered the conversation to me learning all the climates and regions at age ten.
We continued to talk about it and my previous school life as he held the door for us to leave. When we got outside, we realized the rain had picked up. I lifted my hood over my head, partially due to the rain, partially out of habit. Link did the same. We continued to chat as people idly passed by, which I thought was neat. I found it comforting and friendly that every morning, the same people could be seen doing the same activity. I love structure. There's comfort and assurance in structure.
My thoughts were pulled to a halt when I heard Link whistle the notes to a song I hadn't heard in a long, long time.
I was immediately transported back home, hearing my mother sing the same song as the rain poured outside. She would always sing that song when it would rain. Once, when I was very little, she took me outside and showed me the dry ground.
"See how the grass is brown, Zelda?"
"Yes, mamma. It's hot," I answered her.
"Yes it is. And when it get's this hot, the grass shrivels up and the dirt get's dry. It becomes very hard to grow any food when the ground is like this."
I studied her intently.
"We need rain," I told her. "But how do we get it?"
"Only the sky knows when it will rain, my dear. But, there is something we can try," she said, her beautiful smile and bright eyes meeting mine.
"What?"
"We can sing."
"What will singing do?"
"A long time ago, people used to sing a song that would make it rain. It was a sacred song. And when someone with a very special heart would sing it, the clouds would gather around and listen," she stood up, taking my hand in hers.
"Let's sing it," I urged her.
My mother picked me up and held me, holding out my hand like we were dancing. She opened her mouth, and her beautiful, crystal clear voice rang sweetly.
""From the sky, to the ground,
Rain is falling all around.
Thunder wind and rain,
Wash away the pain.
Take my hand, come along,
Dance until the night is gone,
Singing from dusk 'til dawn."
I laughed as she swung me around, and started to sing along with her, trying to catch on to the words.
"From the sky, to the ground,
Rain is falling all around.
Thunder wind and rain,
Wash away the pain.
Sing the song, the melody,
Set your soul completely free.
Dance your way through this storm."
"That's it, Zelda!" She cheered. "When all is dying and you feel like there's nothing else you can do, sing your way though the storms! There's always hope, and someone will always hear your voice!"
That night, the sky burst open. It rained and poured, ending the terrible drought. My parents and I stood outside to listen to the sweet sound.
"See what I mean?" My mother whispered in my ear.
"When someone with a special heart sings that song, the clouds have no choice but to gather around and listen. Protect that special heart of yours, my love."
I relived the scene within a millisecond in my head. Without even thinking about it, I whistled the rest of the verse back to Link.
He stopped walking to look at me. His eyes widened in amazement, as did mine. He looked at me with an intrigued smile on his face, sharing my wonder and curiosity as to how anyone else could have known this extremely old and sacred song. I took a breath and sang the words I hadn't sang in many years.
"From the sky, to the ground,
Rain is falling all around.
Thunder wind and rain,
Wash away the pain,
Take my hand, come along,
Dance until night is gone,
Singing from dusk 'til dawn."
Link looked at me with wide eyes. A smile of fascination crossed his face, and I couldn't help but start to smile myself at his shock.
"How on earth do you know that song," he breathed.
"My mother taught it to me. She would sing it during a rain storm," I answered.
"My mother taught it to me too!" He perked up, jumping like a kid in a candy store. "It's been years upon years since I've heard it though!"
"It's been years upon years since I've sang it! I'm surprised I even remember the lyrics to it!"
"You nailed it, Zelda! Like, dead on, every note. Perfection. I have to say, I'm extremely impressed," he praised. I felt the small smile grow with each word he spoke. My heard pounded at the word "perfection," and I only hoped my face didn't get extremely red.
Thankfully the rain was cool on my face, and I hoped it extinguished any flaming red skin on my cheeks. I stopped to look up at Link, and thanked him in the smallest voice that I'm sure he probably didn't hear.
I felt a rain drop make its way down my face, and roll down my cheek. My mind was far off, back home in a land of dust and dirt and darkness. The song brought back all the memories that storms did, and I suddenly had a longing to not be thinking about rain or songs or storms or home at all.
However, even in my stupor, I was aware of how close Link was to my face, and how much he studied me. His fierce eyes stared into mine, like they would soon cut right into my pupils and make their way into my very soul.
Link lifted a hand to my face, to my surprise. His thumb, ever so gently and softly, wiped away the rain drop that was in mid fall on my cheek.
His touch made my heart stop. My breath shortened and I closed my eyes for a split second to check and make sure that I wouldn't wake up when I opened them. But sure enough, he was still inches from my face when I lifted my eyelids again.
He'd never really touched me before. We'd shaken hands and he'd helped me on and off trains or something like that, out of politeness. And because people in Wellington just seem to do that I've noticed. But this was different. This was a gentle, meaningful touch. A touch that said more than just being polite. It was a touch that spoke volumes to me in that minuscule moment. His soft hand barely held my face, not with the least bit force whatsoever. A light, whisper of a stoke across my face to rid the raindrop from it. Something like the kiss of a feather on my skin. But not one to really suffice. All the small stroke of what I felt to be kindness did was make me long for more. I longed for him to do it again, just to see if it was really that perfect the first time.
I knew I had to stop thinking these thoughts. I had to derail my train of thought there before it went any further.
"You say your mother taught you that song," I interjected without haste.
Link studied me for a moment, his head slightly cocked in curiosity. But he didn't question.
"Yes, she did," he answered. "But it was an extremely long time ago, on the completely other side of Hyrule."
"You grew up in Hyrule?" I turned my head toward him to ask the question, sending my wet hair flying.
"Yes, unlike a few of the students here, I actually lived in Hyrule prior to my life at Blair Cavington."
"Tell me about the place you lived," I said.
I saw a huge puddle not too far in front of me and couldn't resist the urge to jump in it. I liked the way it felt when I jumped on water. It was as if, for just half a second, I was standing on the water, not yet touching the ground but not in the air. I turned around to see him smiling at me, which made me smile yet again.
Link told me of his home, a village called Ordon, and his adopted mother, Uli. He was miraculously found by the river as a child. I found it odd that he didn't have parents either, yet you'd never suspect him to be the type with some sort of sad past, which is what made me think he still had a good one. I found it respectable that even though he didn't have his parents, he still made the most of what he did have.
I thought about calling my grandparents again.
"Tell me more," I said, intrigued.
He continued to depict the most beautiful place in the mountains, which is stupendous because I always loved the mountains and used to imagine living in a place with them one day.
"I love it," I breathed in response. And I really meant it.
"You haven't even seen it," he laughed.
"But I don't have to. I just already love it."
Link and I continued walking, each thinking back to our own homes I assumed, and in a few moments, we had arrived at Agitha's. I noticed Link once again ordered some kind of muffin, so I followed pursuit, trusting his sense of taste. I was right to do so, because the chocolate chip muffin was by far the best I'd ever had.
I continued to adore Agitha the more I was around her. She was barely tall enough to see over the counter on which she served the food, making her more adorable than before. She propped her elbows up and looked at Link and I as we picked apart our muffins.
"Where's Komali," she questioned.
"He slept in this morning. And gave my distinct instructions not to wake him up, so I asked Zelda if she was up for breakfast," Link said, rolling his eyes.
"Not surprising. But I'm glad you asked Zelda," she smiled.
"Me too," I replied, popping another bit of muffin into my mouth.
"Hey, would you want to study together sometime? I have some chemistry stuff I need to get ahead on for next week," Agitha asked me. I'd never heard someone sound excited about doing homework. Except myself.
"Absolutely, I need to get acquainted with real studying again anyway."
"Of course," Link snickered, looking at us and shaking his head. Agitha and I both broke out into "what's," pretending to be insulted.
"Nothing. I just knew you two would become really good friends, and this is one of the reasons why."
Agitha and I continued to talk science and interject small insults at Link whenever we could, causing him to think we were "teaming up" on him. There was only talk of school, science, and typical days. No questions. I was honestly surprised with myself about how well I was fitting in here. These people were actually like me in the sense that all they cared about was school and the future. No one focused on the past.
Typically, I'd steer clear of any conversation and hide under my hood. But within twenty four hours, I felt that impulse leaving me.
Soon, Link and I had finished our breakfast and decided we'd leave Agitha to her work at the cafe. I was hoping Link would walk me back to my dorm, as I didn't find the idea of parting ways and walking through the rain and gloom, left alone with my thoughts, very welcoming. To my satisfaction, he turned the corner with me in the direction of my room. I silently thanked the Goddess.
Link and I casually talked about Agitha and Komali. I asked him a few questions about their personalities, how long they'd known each other (three years now), and how well Komali and Agitha got along. They reminded me of a brother-sister team. And I admired it. I always wanted a brother.
To my dismay, we reached my room fairly quickly. But I wasn't ready to be left alone in my room again. It had stopped raining, leaving the sky in a gloomy overcast. I didn't know how to invite Link in, much less what we'd do in my barren room if he accepted, nor did I know if he'd find that appropriate.
Link had reached in front of me to open the door for me, but I didn't want to go in. I spun around quickly, facing him. However, I didn't calculate the fact that doing so would put him in such close proximity to my face.
I stayed still for a moment, not knowing how to talk my way out of this one. Not to mention the fact I was just extremely nervous to have such an attractive male this close to my face. So I just stared at him, letting him figure out my dilemma.
Unfortunately, he did't. Men.
"What are you going to do today?" I finally asked the question, hoping he'd catch the drift that I wanted to be apart of whatever his plan was.
"My plan was to just paint or something. I might go swim later if you want to come." Hearing him mention the word paint reminded me of his deal with me yesterday. He said he'd paint something for my room.
"What are you going to paint," I asked him, still staring straight at him, locked on his every breath.
"Whatever you tell me to," he answered, his gaze shifting from my eyes to my lips. I felt my face start to blush (curse).
"Are you still willing to paint me something for my room?" I had to continue to focus on the matter at hand here.
"Yes, of course. Any requests?" His eyes lifted back up to mine now, making me feel less nervous, despite the fact we were inches from each other's face. I shifted my thoughts from his face and my face and his eyes and my lips and all those things one thinks of when standing close to an attractive person, to exactly what I would want him to paint me.
I tried to think of some sort of scene, but all the landscape I could think of was just rotting crops and swirling clouds back home. But then I realized, it didn't have to be of my home. It could very well be of his. It would mean so much to me to think I had one of his favorite scenes hanging in my room.
"Ordon." I answered after a moment of thought. "Paint me a picture of your favorite spot in Ordon."
"Of all the things, that's really what you want," he asked, eyebrows raised and head slightly cocked.
"Yes," I said assuringly.
"Well, if you say so."
I continued to stare at him. I was really hoping he'd invite me to watch him paint. I'd never seen anyone paint before. Neither of my parents or grandparents were extremely talented in the art field. My father could sketch, but only some sort of design or shapes for inventions and things that related to mathematics.
I didn't say anything, thinking maybe he didn't get it or maybe he didn't want me to come along. Then I wondered if he even wanted me in his room, or if I'd be a bother. The thought depressed me. But just as I was about to turn around and go back inside, he spoke.
"Zelda, do you want to come?"
I felt my insides explode with excitement.
"Really? I wouldn't bother you?" I said, a little louder than intended.
"Not at all, I'd enjoy the company," he smiled his contagious smile.
"Oh, thank you so much!"
Realizing we were still inches from each others face and before that could get any more awkward, I ran ahead of him to the elevator, eager to have something else to do. And eager to receive my painting.
I practically ran the entire way to Link's room. He probably thought me insane, but I didn't care. I was just happy to have someone who wanted me around, who wanted company, and who wanted to be my friend.
When we got to Link's room, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was actually very clean. When I commented on it, he told me he was a sticker for neatness. Which I found stupendous.
But the real surprise was the amount of artwork on his walls. Not on ly that, but just how amazing it was. I knew Link was talented, he had to be to attend Blair Cavington for Arts. But talented was an understatement.
Everything was perfect. The lighting, the proportions, the beautiful colors, everything was perfect. If it wasn't a painting on the wall then it was some gorgeous picture he'd taken at some unknown location. It was almost overwhelming to think about this person, this boy I had become friends with, had a brain that could imagine all of this. He had a brain that could see it and tell his hands where to put it. And if he wasn't painting it, he was seeking it out himself. If he didn't want to paint it, he'd just actually find the scene he wanted and capture it himself. And I was only inches from that brain a few moments ago.
As if he weren't already good at just…being alive, he could do this now too? It was almost intimidating. Suddenly he wasn't just this friend I'd met, but a near prodigy. He never acted like it though.
"A perfectionist I see," pointing at his pictures.
"It's a blessing and a curse," he smiled, throwing a drop cloth on the ground and setting up his easel.
I (annoyingly) continued to ask him questions about his painting career, since I was so intrigued. He answered them kindly enough, but he didn't seem to be very enthusiastic. It was as if it was just something he did. He didn't go as deep into it as I figured someone with that ability would.
I didn't know how to take it: maybe he was just so absorbed in it and it was so normal to him, he didn't find it interesting, or maybe he just genuinely didn't see it as something of a gift, but a mere thing he was good at.
The thought sort of saddened me. But I stopped thinking about it once he had his paints out and assembled. I wanted to take in every stroke he made.
Link was quiet too as he started. Whether he thought it very deep or not, he definitely took painting seriously. I silently made my way near him, so as not to disturb him. I wanted to see everything from every angle. He made one stroke, and then slightly tilted his head in thought. When he did, it barely bumped mine, due to me being right next to him. I wasn't trying to get close to him for any particular reason, just close to his line of vision. I wanted to see everything the exact way he saw it. I wanted to watch the bristles streak down the canvas and watch the paint on it. Paint always seemed to have such an interesting texture to me.
"How did you get there," he asked me in a whisper.
"I walked," I said, stating the obvious. But I was unaware as to what sort of answer he was looking for in the first place.
"You're a stealthy walker," he replied. I only slightly smiled in return, waiting on him to make the next move. On the canvas.
After a while, he asks me another (slightly unnecessary, in my opinion) question.
"What'cha doing?"
"Watching you paint," Obviously.
"Have you ever seen someone paint before?" I felt like there was a slight bit of sarcasm in his voice.
"No," I deadpanned.
"…Oh. Well then, by all means," he responded, softer. I nodded.
After about an hour I assume, because I lost track of time, I felt myself getting sleepy in the quiet of Link's room. The rain continued it's pitter-patter rhythm on the window. I walked over to a big chair in front of his window that called my name. It was very pouch and comfortable, and I mentally praised Link for his great taste in comfy furniture.
I felt comfortable enough to toss my legs over the armrest, like I used to do at home. I continued to watch him paint from my perch, but eventually my eyelids felt heavy. I hadn't slept the entire night before. Being alone is never good for me at night. I knew that coming over here, and I knew it would be an issue at first, but I figured I'd have to grow up and get over it at some point.
I wasn't at that point yet.
But something about just having another presence with me was reassuring and comforting. I felt safe, and I felt the least lonely I had in a while.
I stirred, feeling my bangs in their usual canopy position over my eyes. When I opened them, I couldn't believe my sight. Either I had been asleep for a long amount of time, or Link was an insanely fast painter.
Link turned around at the noise and flashes his smile at me. I usually would have been self conscious about my appearance after just waking up, but I couldn't worry about that due to taking in the fascinating piece of work in front of me.
"Are you finished," I whispered, not wanting to break the quietness, or his concentration.
"Yes," he whispered back.
"It's perfect," I said in near normal voice.
"Do you like it?"
"I love it." I couldn't help but grin. I stood up to move closer to take in every little detail. The scene was a beautiful sunny day, high atop a mountain in Ordon. It looked just how I imagined it to be when Link described it this morning, only even more beautiful. There was a river far below, the one Link had also told me about. And in the distance were even more mountains and trees and an endless amount of land, "just waiting to be explored," as Link had also said.
Link studied me while I studied the painting. I suppose it was like a reward to see someone so enamored with his work.
"It looks so happy," I mindlessly said.
"It's a happy place," he responded.
I was intrigued yet again by the fact that he found it all so happy, even though he didn't have his parents.
"You find it happy, despite the fact your parents weren't there too?"
"Well, yeah. Of course I was sad I didn't have them. But look at the childhood I did have. I was still very blessed. I was surrounded by people who loved and cared for me. So while I didn't have my biological parents, I still had a family."
I suddenly felt a wave of conviction over me. What had I ever said I was blessed to have? Of course I was thankful for my grandparents who took me in. And of course I told them how thankful I was and called them my family. But did I ever really tell myself how thankful I was?
Link looked down at me, his eyes full of questions. "Why do you ask?"
"Just wondering," I replied. I didn't want to get into that discussion. Suddenly I felt very tired and lethargic again. I suppose my subconscious was attempting to escape the world again. Without thinking, I almost leaned over on Link, relying on him to hold me up while I took another nap standing there. But I caught myself.
"Have a nice nap?"
I smiled up at him, wanting to thank him for changing the subject.
"Yes, thank you. Sorry I fell asleep on you," I replied.
"You didn't technically fall asleep on me," he said with a smirk that caused my face to get red. Obviously I didn't mean literally. He just said that to throw it out there for me to have to scramble to pick up.
"You knew what I meant," I said flatly, my eyes slitted at him, which caused him to laugh.
"Yes, I knew what you meant. But no, don't apologize, I enjoyed your company. At least just having someone in here while I paint."
"I'm glad. I enjoyed the company too. I hate sleeping alone," I replied.
Link looked down at me with care on his face. I said the comment without really thinking. But it was the truth. And I suppose he knew it before I even said it.
A/N: FINALLY I FINISHED THIS ONE. I've been meaning to get this out there for days. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Tomorrow will be a turn of events for our precious little Zelda...just a fair warning. Anyway, I am planning on writing more this weekend and hopefully I'll have another chapter out very soon. On the bright side, my summer starts in about 20 days, hallelujah! I got this chapter out today in honor of the amazing week I had getting to see THE SYMPHONY OF THE GODDESS perform. It was quite an emotional and amazing experience. Suddenly, everyone in that room became friends because there was a common love for Zelda in every chair. It was beautiful. ARIGATO, KOJI KONDO. Also I'm just really happy because May is my favorite time of the year. Happy Summer!
