Hey guys, a little faser upload than the last few I've had I know. That's the apparently great thing about break; you get this stuff called free time (a strange concept, I know) and you can just do wonders with it; it's great. Anywho, this is a little shorter upload than lately and well, I'm not going to lie, but it's not the best either as it's a lot of ground work for some major plot things that are going to be showing up soon and I really wanted to get this out tonight, so even though it's not great, please just bear with me and stick it out for the next chapter, which will be the everly eventful party at the Ombra residence. As always, comment any thoughts, questions, concerns, panic attacks, or just all around impressions of your feelings of the story, any little thing makes me feel better about my life, thanks!
A/N: Just as a little side note of happiness, got the 50th review :D I want to thank all of you for your continued support and interest/like of the story, and I hope that you'll continue to show me the love. I appreciate every single one of you so much and wouldn't be as motivated to do this if it wasn't for all you great people!
A/N2: I realized I never put an official disclaimer in here... so I'm doing that now. Just in case any of you lovelys were wondering, contrary to popular believe I actually don't own LoZ or anything to do with it in any shape or form, except for all of the games I have, those I can claim as mine!
That weekend the school was on major lockdown, stronger perhaps than I had ever seen before-not to mention stronger protection than I would have thought possible from the academy. No one was allowed off campus on Saturday at all and everyone that left grounds Sunday (which were only a couple of people) was heavily monitored by the staff. The person who I seemed to have seen in the forest had disappeared almost instantly afterwards while the body was sent back to Castle Town which sent the press in a wild frenzy, claiming not enough protection in the school systems. It was even rumored that some of the Royal Guard themselves had been sent to patrol the Academy, though I personally knew the possibility of that was slim to none, given how hard they would be working to try and protect my father now that another body had been found. I tried not to focus on who it was, as I knew that if I dwelt on it I would start feeling guilty again by all of the murders that had already happened and everything I had not done to try and help out in any way I could. Nevertheless, dorm rooms grew anxious, teachers frantic, and a giant mob of students had begun to start assembling in the library for 'safety' much to my irritation and by the following Monday I was almost at wit's end with the entire student body, having been cooped with them for the whole scrutinized weekend.
"How many of them do you actually think knew we had a library before this weekend, honestly?" I hissed to Malon that morning, having stopped there to drop a book off before our first class. As we had gone through the doors, I immediately spotted a group of overly giggly girls on one side of a bookshelf, ogling a guy on the other side no doubt. I had rolled my eyes at the sight of them and dropped my book in the bin and was about to walk out with her when I paused and backtracked, glancing behind the bookshelf in curiosity to see who it was. Malon had given me a dubious look as I brushed her off and peeked behind the bookshelf, only to be surprised by the sight of Link reading a very thick book in concentration on the ground. I had immediately backtracked so he couldn't see me and grabbed her, shoving her outside before he could see how awkward I was.
"Oh come on, you're only mad because you saw them stalking Link," Malon countered knowingly as we walked away to our first periods. I glared at her and shook my head, my usual ponytail swishing in the process.
"Please, as if insipid girls with nothing else to do with their time then gossip about guys as if they were a piece of meat would bother me that much," I said stiffly as Malon laughed loudly, causing several other people to glance at her curiously as we passed by them. The bell rang and she looked at me mischievously.
"Whatever you want to argue Zel," she grinned with a wink, walking past me to her class as I paused in walking and opened my mouth to protest, then closed it as she rounded the corner with a swish. I pursed my lips and shook my head as I turned to head to my class.
"As if I'd be that concerned by other girls looking at Link," I muttered to myself as I finally got to my class and headed to my seat. I set my bag down and sighed, instantly perking up when I realized just what class I was in.
Growing up, Ancient Hylian had always been my favorite subject to be tutored in and when I had learned it was also an academy requirement, I was overly excited to be in such a familiar and pleasant element. However, the class also offered something else I could never have anticipated that made the class time even ten times better.
"Good morning class," a light voice said as our professor walked in, causing all of the girls in the class (including myself) to immediately swoon at the sound of his voice. He walked in, setting his briefcase down as he turned and grinned at the class, causing the girl in the front to drop her water bottle in the transaction. His perfection looked at her with confusion and crouched, getting it for her as she looked down with embarrassment right as the bell rang and class officially began. He spun around in his classic tweed suit, pushed up his glasses, and with a nod, Professor Shad began to write on the front board.
Did I ever mention how much I (and basically every girl in the school) had a secret crush on my teacher?
Not like one of those creepy and highly inappropriate crushes that usually resulted in stalking and mental problems-those had always bothered me greatly. It was just a very innocent schoolgirl fantasy that though embarrassing to admit to myself, was just that, a schoolgirl crush. There were girls however, that the term could not as easily be applied to.
It was common knowledge that Shad was the most attractive male teacher at the school, which was further enhanced by his youth and adventurous reputation of traveling all over Hyrule as an envoy to the royal family. Though I wasn't altogether sure of the validity of the latter, I had always been more impressed with Shad's vast knowledge, as it usually took at least a little more than the usual brain capacity to graduate early from Hyrule's most prestigious collegial university as he had. Even though I had known the ancient language for such a long time, I found that even he could teach me something new every day, which was I supposed was another reason I had said mini-crush on him. That's your one tragic flaw Zel, you fall much too easily for the smart ones I thought to myself as I got out my notebook, preparing myself for the lesson like the good schoolgirl I was.
I was in Hylian 3, the most advanced Ancient Hylian class the academy offered. Though there were two Hylian linguistic teachers at the school, Shad and another teacher I wasn't as familiar with, I had been lucky enough to have Shad three years in a row, which allowed him to be used to me and my impeccable work ethic when it came to academics. Thus, when he gave us time to work on some of our homework after his lecture in class, I was the only one in class he wasn't constantly checking on to make sure they were on task. Smugly, I worked on the difficult worksheet until class was over, not quite finishing it but at least having a good lead on it so I wouldn't be spending a lot of the night doing it. I packed up with the bell ringing and was the last to leave class when Shad surprisingly stood and stopped me.
"Zelda? I was wondering if I could have a word with you?" he asked politely with a perfect smile as I paused in the doorway and turned around, a little taken aback.
"Oh, sure, totally," I laughed nervously after an awkward pause, pushing some loose strands of my hair behind my ear as I hugged my jacket to my chest tightly.
"Great, great," he beamed, oblivious to the affect he had on my poor geeky heart. I wonder if he knows how many girls are left breathless by those bright eyes and polite mannerisms I mused to myself as he went and sat as his desk, motioning to a chair on the other side of it that I quickly took and sat down in. He took a drink of water from a metal canister and spilled some on himself, and I bit my lip to stop from chuckling as he looked down at his shirt with a mixture of sadness and confusion. He grabbed his handkerchief and tried drying himself as I shook my head slightly and decided No, definitely not.
"So, um, what is it Professor?" I asked cautiously, instantly wondering if it was something about my grade or conduct in the classroom. He looked up from his shirt with puzzlement as comprehension dawned on him again and he set the handkerchief down.
"Right right, sorry. Did you um, happen to see that?"
"Oh, uh, no. Of course not." He grinned again and nodded as he picked up a folder and set it on the desk.
"Now, you may be wondering why I wanted to see you today," he said, looking at me kindly from behind his glasses as I nodded and pushed more hair behind my ears.
"Well, it's definitely up there on my current list of things to ponder, right next to the gaucho movement and Aaron Carter phase." He blinked at me with utter confusion as I shook my head and looked down awkwardly. "Um, never mind. But yes sir, I was indeed wondering why you would want to see me."
Shad sighed and stood as he started to pace around the classroom. "I've been teaching here a couple of years now Zelda, and I have to say that through all of my classes courses, as well as my personal studies, that you are one of the most gifted intellectuals I've ever encountered, especially with your Hylian. Am I right to assume that you studied it before the academy?"
I swallowed nervously and nodded, hoping not to arouse his suspicions. "Yes, I did a little with my father in Castle Town, but not very much."
He nodded and sat down again. "That is what I anticipated, as you most certainly sound as if that is the case. Therefore, I must permit you allow me to ask you a favor, knowing a prerequisite of how highly I esteem you."
"Sir?" I asked with uncertainty after a long pause as he nodded and handed me the folder.
"There is a student who is failing miserably in my first year class. I know that he knows what he is doing, concepts are not an issue, but I was wondering maybe if perhaps you could be there to help him and encourage him to do his best in his studies, to be a mentor and tutor for him."
"Well sure, I could try I guess," I shrugged as I opened the folder he handed me and glanced at the name, feeling an instant surge of fear. I gulped, looking back at Shad nervously as he began to talk quickly.
"Now I know he is seen as being somewhat formidable with your class but-"
"-Clarke Stone. You really want me to tutor Clarke Stone?" I squeaked, looking back at a picture of his smirking face and miserable test scores that were laid out in front of me. My eyes met Shad's pleading ones as I internally sighed, knowing I could not say 'no' to my favorite teacher. I looked downwards and gave a little nod, mentally preparing myself for this new source of torment I was sure to experience with Clarke. If only you didn't esteem me so much I cursed Shad internally as I swallowed my pride and smiled as cheerfully as I could. "Sure, I'd love to help you out with Clarke in any way I can."
"Oh thank you Zelda truly, thank you," he smiled graciously and stood. He opened his mouth to say something else as the class door opened and I was greeted with an intriguing surprise.
"Link?" I asked, standing with a grin at the sight of him. I noted his shirt was now carrot free, and that there didn't seem to be a mob of girls currently stalking him. He caught my eye and looked at me with puzzlement as he shut the door behind him, eyeing me and Shad reproachfully.
"Is this a bad time?" he asked with a hint of curiosity that made me roll my eyes to. Shad looked at him with confusion, pushing up his glasses with one hand.
"Not at all Mr. Avalon, how may I help you?"
"Oh it's nothing; I can come back at a different time."
"We're all finished here," Shad insisted as I nodded and started to grab all my things. I was almost out the door when Shad called me again, causing me to turn around.
"Yes?" I asked him curiously, as Link motioned to follow me also. He had his back to Shad as he winked at me, causing me to roll my eyes at him as I looked past him to Shad expectantly.
"Thank you Zelda, once again," he said with a genuine smile as I blushed and shrugged, waving my hand in the air.
"It's um, it's no big deal, really," I laughed nervously as he continued smiling and nodded, then went behind his desk to resume working. I walked out the door in high spirits, thinking about my new task (and of course Shad's telling me how highly he thought of me didn't hurt either).
"So, I've always known that most of the girls here have a thing for Shad, but I never thought you were like that," Link said casually as he walked up next to me and we headed down the hall. I turned to him in surprise, my face becoming instantly red.
"I don't 'have a thing' for Shad, Link, that's ridiculous," I said stiffly as I tried hiding my face so he wouldn't' have fuel to add to his accusation and, of course, so he couldn't see how much I was blushing.
"Okay then, whatever you want to say."
"Well I never said you had to believe me."
"And I don't." There was a pause as we continued walking and I tried to make my face less flushed, not wanting Link to say anything else further about the matter. That's just what I need, for Link to make fun of me I thought as I graciously felt the color draining back to the normal areas of my face."What did he ask you to do?" Link asked all of a sudden, causing me to stop in my tracks and look at him with surprise.
"Does it, does it matter?" I asked with astonishment, trying to understand the angle of the question. He stopped too and looked down, not caring we were in the middle of the hallway of the school and people were passing by us giving us weird looks. Sighing, I grabbed him and made him continue walking so we wouldn't be run over by class traffic that was sure to happen soon.
"He just asked me to tutor Clarke Stone, not that big a deal," I said with pursed lips as I mentally wondered what class I had next. History… with Dark I thought bitterly as I frowned and pushed hair behind my ear again and glared at the ground.
"Are you going to do it?" Link asked as I looked at him and shrugged.
"Probably. Why?"
"Don't you hate Clarke though?" he persisted as I furrowed my eyebrows and looked him over.
"Yeah, I guess, but it's really not as big a deal as you seem to be thinking."
"Are you sure you didn't just agree to do it because it was Shad who asked you?"
I blushed and looked down with a head shake, feeling my building irritation at him and his accusations, plus the past couple of days with Dark, come out in one rant. "You know, contrary to popular belief, I'm not as vapid as that and-" the bell rang, causing me to pause in my rage as I closed my eyes and sighed through my teeth. I opened my eyes and curtsied to him with a forced smile, taking a step back as his eyes also were full of brimming anger. "But you know, as much as I love these reprimands of yours, I'm just going to have to pause you and wait in order to hear the rest of what I'm sure is to be a very scintillating exchange." And with that, I spun around and headed to my next class, leaving a dumbfounded Link behind me.
How dare he accuse me like that I fumed as I made my way to history, contemplating the various and intelligent insults I could have used against him like bigheaded, or finger pointer. Scruffy looking nerf-herder would probably have also worked I thought sardonically as I sighed and went into my history class, taking my seat with a loud 'thump.' Malon was already seated as she turned to look at me with worry as I shook my head and got out my homework as motionless as possible. I propped my elbow on the table, which allowed me to set my chin in my hand as I looked all around the classroom with boredom. Already I could feel my anger with Link diminishing, and the guilt at yelling at him sinking in. You really need to work on that anger issue Zel; it's going to end up biting you in the butt one of these days. I sighed again and looked down to adjust my own paper as another one suddenly shot over into my view, surprising me. Glancing up to make sure the teacher didn't notice, I got closer to the desk so I could read it a little better.
'You going to tell me what's up, or am I just going to have to pick some random person and start punching them really hard in the face?'
I looked over at Malon who shrugged as I bit my lip to stop from grinning. As clandestinely as possible, I got a pencil out and scribbled a reply quickly, sliding it back to her. A couple of seconds later (as predicted), she shot me a furious look. "I want answers," she mouthed as I sighed and continuously looked up and back down, penning down my recent fight with Link and my new assignment from Shad as quickly as possible for her, sliding it back to her with discretion. She read it; her eyebrows crinkling with confusion as she looked up to make sure we weren't being watched and then back to me.
"Isn't Clarke the same guy who you said messes with you?" she whispered as I nodded, biting my tongue in the process as I instantly frowned and tried to get feeling back in it. "And you really snapped at Link?" she whispered again as I nodded and looked forward, trying not to wince at the mouth pain.
"Is there something wrong with you Ms. Harkinian?" Mr. Gaebora asked, his bushy eyebrows rising as he looked over to me. My eyes widened as I shook my head wildly, feeling my ponytail swish behind me as I did so.
"No, nothing at all, I swear. Just, accidently hit my… funny bone," I said lamely, trying to appear pleasant as he peered at me and rolled his eyes, continuing on in his lecture. I breathed a little sigh of relief as I messed with my own paper and reached behind to collect the people behind me's homework. I was so lost in thought when Malon glanced at me and scribbled on the secret paper quickly, sliding it over to me with precision and speed.
'Dark's looking at you. Again.'
I furrowed my eyebrows and turned to see that he was, indeed, staring at me very intently, causing me to quickly turn around and try not to look like I noticed him. "Is he still looking?" I muttered to Malon as she looked past me and nodded. I sighed and got out a paper and grabbed my pencil, trying to focus as much as I could on the lecture notes we were about to take. All throughout said lecture I listened attentively, trying not to let the fact that I could feel Dark's stare on me the whole time. Though I usually sucked at holding grudges, I was surprised with myself at my ability to hold the one I currently was harboring against Dark. Maybe it was the apparent many secrets he had kept from me, or the fact he didn't bother inviting me to his party (nor seemed to have any remorse about it when confronted). Whatever the case was, no matter how hard he had wanted and tried to talk to me over the weekend and now today, I had merely ignored him and tried not feeling too guilty about it. I knew Malon wanted us to reconcile as although she didn't necessarily approve of him, she still wanted me happy like he could make me. She mentioned him again in the middle of the lecture, but I ignored her also, not wanting to deal with further disappointment on her part. Thus, when class ended, I was not surprisingly the first one out the door and away to my next class before I could be confronted by Malon or Dark.
That actually was pretty quick of me I congratulated myself as I sat down in the chair of my English class. Granted, such an early arrival guaranteed no one else was quite in class yet, but I had successfully dodged Dark again, and in my current book that was all that really mattered. Not even Mr. Anders is here yet, that's when you know you've really reached loser potential I reminded myself cheerfully as I sighed, taking out To Kill a Mockingbird. I had read a few paragraphs when other people meandered in and I debated on whether I wanted to close the book to appear approachable or just continue reading and ignore everyone. It was in this internal dispute Link walked in and I decided that setting the book down was just how it was going to have to go.
I've forgotten how intimidating he can look when you know you're not his favorite person I thought bitterly at my stupidity, wondering why on Hyrule I had been able to snap at him so easily. He walked past me and sat at his desk on the other side of the room, not looking in my direction on purpose. I instantly felt really guilty, a lot guiltier than I had with the Dark situation, and I knew that I needed to right the whole incident with him. I readied myself to stand and march on over to him right as Anders walked in, causing me to collapse back into my chair. So much for that one… I sighed again and endured another boring lesson of trying not to make awkward eye contact with another of the guys in my life as I tried to map out a plausible conversation in my brain to apologize to Link. Sure, none of them actually resulted in him forgiving me or anything, but all of them were eloquent and heartfelt, even if he didn't end up accepting any of them. Once again, as the bell rang I was the first one up as I promptly went outside and waited by the door for Link to come out.
"Hi," I said cheerfully as he walked out, getting up from where I had been leaning on the hallway wall. Link looked startled to see me but not very surprised as he acknowledged me and kept walking, reading a small worn down book along the way. I bit my lip as I walked by him, wondering how to best address him next as he paused and put his book down to his waist, looking at me with exasperation.
"How much longer are you going to keep following me, really?" he asked with impatience and a harsh edge in his tone I wasn't used to, causing me to stop in shock and bite my lip, looking up at him as I tried to muster all my courage and talk.
"I'm sorry I snapped at you okay? It isn't you I'm mad at and just, I'm really sorry." I crinkled my nose and looked down with shame, not wanting to look up at his probably still very angry face. I sighed and glanced up, expecting more anger. Instead, I was met with a surprisingly hurt expression and another emotion I couldn't register that caught me off guard. I blinked hard a couple of times as he swallowed and shoved one of hands into his pockets with a curt nod.
"Well, okay then. Apology, accepted." He nodded again and before I could say anything else, he had already walked away, leaving me standing there in the hallway, once again looking like an idiot.
I didn't talk to Link again until the next day after chemistry, where he seemed to be fine, our fight apparently set aside to him apparently and I figured he was just like me in the same aspect where I didn't like to dwell on fights and grudges for longer than necessary. It was one of my more redeeming qualities in my opinion, said inability to hold grudges, and I often took it as being able to make up for my extremely short temper. However, I was secretly very glad that Link had somewhat forgiven me and that he didn't bring up our argument for the rest of the week, even when he finalized plans with me for us going to Dark's party on Saturday night, which was surprisingly still going on in spite of finding a dead royal guard not even a mile away from the academy.
Though Link and I had reconciled, the same could not be said for Dark, who I was still giving the cold treatment. I knew though, I couldn't keep doing so for much longer. I had already slightly forgiven him (the whole inability to hold grudges took care of that), but I was still somewhat unable to talk to him, as I just didn't know how to and in spite of my better judgment, I missed talking to him… and I frankly just missed him.
Pathetic I though bitterly as I looked through my closet Saturday, wondering what exactly one wore to a party. Because I wasn't currently talking to Dark, I wanted to wear something dazzling, something that made me noticeable in the crowd of everyone that was supposed to be there so he'd find me instantly. Of course though, I had absolutely nothing, leaving me very angry and not dazzled for the night.
"Do you need help?" Malon called from her side of our dorm room as I turned around to look at her. She was laying on her stomach on her bed reading one of those typical teeny magazines as I sighed, knowing just how much help was needed. She looked up at me and saw my despondent face as she laughed and stood, looking me up and down. "You'd be so hopeless without me."
"Thank you for stating the obvious," I muttered as she grinned at me and started rummaging through her closet and I stood there, trying not to think about various possibilities of what could make the night dull and problematic. Malon turned with a couple things in her hand and must have noticed my expression as she looked at me with a motherly kindness.
"You're going to be fine, I swear," she said firmly as I bit my lip and looked down.
"How can you know for sure? I mean, think of everything that could go wrong," I said, looking up to her caring face. "I'm pretty sure Link hasn't fully forgiven me for Monday, even if he's acting like it, and I could accidently blow up at him anytime again due to nerves. Clarke's going to be there with probably three different girls all the while messing with me for whatever reason-I still can't understand-which will just annoy me and once again, make me more prone to freak out. And, of course, Dark himself will be there and just… are you absolutely sure you just don't want to come with us?"
"No," she said firmly, looking at me with a powerful expression that only came with her red hair. "You need to get out there to branch out in society without me, and it's good for you to go out and socialize. Besides," she grinned at me cheekily, "I wouldn't want to be an awkward third wheel or anything in the car."
I blushed and shook my head. "How many times will I have to tell you, that isn't the case with Link and I. We. Are. Friends. Or at least, somewhat friends at the moment," I frowned a little at the memory of his angry tone with me as Malon coughed as I shook my head to clear my thought. "I mean, but still, friends."
"To you, perhaps," she grinned again as I sighed and rolled my eyes, deciding it wasn't the best time to argue with her when she was going to help me out with so many things for the evening. She seemed to have read my mind as she continued grinning and laid out the options she had on her bed so I could look and analyze them properly.
The first one was out of the question immediately, complete with a tight leather elastic bodice and strategic geometric shapes cut out of it that made me blush and wonder where Malon had gotten such a dress, since I had never seen it before. I instantly moved my eyes over to the next selection, which was a nice 50's style dress and cardigan that though was cute, was also a little impractical for what I was sure would be a very eventful night. Maybe skipping the whole dress thing would be best altogether, even if they are showy I thought, mentally skipping her next few options as I came to her last choice, a nice simple sweater, as I smiled and looked at her, pointing to it.
"How long have you had this, honestly? I've never seen it before," I said as I picked it up and examined it, trying to see if it would fit me. Ideally, Malon and I were virtually the same size, but sometimes I grew a little unsure about certain clothing items after I had once put on something of hers, got stuck in it, and ended up tearing it in the process of trying to get it off.
"Last week after the wedding, but never mind that. Are you sure you don't want to wear something else you know, branch out, wear something that no one would expect you to come in? Didn't you say you wanted to be dazzling?" she asked in a sing-song voice, holding up one of the dresses alluringly as I rolled my eyes and continued examining the sweater, deeming that it would probably fit me.
"I changed my mind, too cliché and Disney to do that tonight. Can I borrow this then, if you're only opposition is its not ostentatious enough?" I asked, giving her a cheesy grin as she rolled her eyes and set the dress down.
"I don't know why you even ask if you don't want to bother," she said stiffly, putting her hands on her hips. "One condition though!"
"What?" I asked cautiously, a sinking and precautious feeling in my stomach that was confirmed as she grinned at me wickedly.
"I get to do your hair and make-up of course," she said with glee as I grimaced and bit my lip.
"I don't know, don't you think hair and make-up will overdo the outfit?" I attempted blankly as she laughed and dragged me over to the restroom where for the next hour or so she dolled me up. At the end she allowed me to see myself in the mirror and despite of myself, I could admit she had done a very good job. My hair was half held back and loosely curled with wisps strategically out of place, done perfectly with Malon's detailed eye. I lightly touched the side of my eye where Malon had dabbled a bit of glitter and noticed I was wearing enough make-up to accentuate my features, but not an overly obnoxious amount that would make me look like a hooker(even if the mascara was a little darker than I would have probably would have put on myself). All in all, I could say that for the first time in a while, I felt decently pretty. I tuned away from the mirror to Malon, who was waiting for my opinion as I grinned and hugged her tightly.
"Thank you for not going overboard, I really love it," I said as she rolled her eyes, looking pleased with herself.
"Yes yes, now get dressed, I'm pretty sure you're supposed to leave soon." I saluted her with a grin and walked out of the restroom to grab the sweater, only to pause and look back. "Um, what do you think I should match this with?" I asked her with concern as she also came out. She rolled her eyes again and shook her head lightly.
"What am I going to do with you, in all honesty. Pink tank top, your dark wash jeans, comfy shoes. Do I have to help you get dressed too?" she asked as I rolled my eyes and shook my head, getting out my own clothes out to partner with hers. I changed into the newer party clothes and turned to our full length mirror, looking myself over.
The sweater I had borrowed was light grey with buttons that went up the side instead of down the middle. It had a bell neck and accentuated my small wrists, making me look skinnier than I was, an added bonus. Underneath I had a pale pink tank top, as well as a pair of dark flare, almost bell bottomed-jeans. To top the outfit, I was wearing my black low-top converse, as well as small stud earrings. I grabbed my mother's necklace and slipped it over my head and over Link's hidden whistle and nodded, deciding I looked ready to go out in the world.
"Well doesn't someone clean up nicely," Malon wolf whistled with a grin as she came and stood next to me, both of us looking at our reflections in the mirror. She winked and handed me a small and long brown leather bag that I took. "You've got your regular granola bar, small water bottle, dorm key, pepper spray, small pocket knife and, oh yeah, lip gloss, all in one."
"You really do think of everything," I laughed as I looked at the time and back to Malon. She grinned and nodded and before I knew it, she had grabbed my shoulders and was shoving me out of the apartment.
"Go, be merry, and remember who you are," she said cheerfully as I rolled my eyes and walked away from our room, slipping the purse over my shoulder. I was going to meet Link in the front of the school as he had requested, but paused as I got behind the great door, weary to go outside to wait for him because of the events of last week. Really, you think they would be monitoring us more these days because of that I thought, though I knew that wishful security measures were all that was ever going to be, because of the alarm it would cause many of the parents if there seemed to be anything terribly out of order with normality. Wouldn't want a scandal now, would we?
"Excuse me ma'am, I'm sorry, the cheerleaders meet every Thursday night in the auditorium, I think you're a little lost." I spun around in confusion to see Link grinning at me as I put my hand on my hips and rolled my eyes at him.
"I don't look that preppy! As if you would compare me and a cheerleader in the same sentence," I shuddered as he laughed and motioned to the door as I nodded. He started walking and I closely followed him, secretly not wanting to fall behind and get left alone.
"Well, there wouldn't need to be a laid out distinction if you merely had looked in a mirror before meeting me. I mean, did you see yourself, it's almost screaming prep," he pointed out as we went out the front door, taking in the late afternoon air. I scowled as he grinned and started to walk the other direction from where most of the students stored their cars, towards the stables, which piqued my concern.
"Hey, aren't we supposed to go that way," I stated with concern as he turned back, realization dawning on his face.
"Oh, you, you weren't planning on going horseback then?" he said lightly as my jaw dropped slightly and I shook my head. I closed it and swallowed, thinking how stupid I was not to check with Link beforehand the type of proper transportation we were going to have. He grinned though and started laughing hard as I frowned and gasped, the understanding dawning on me as I immediately started hitting Link with my purse.
"I can't, you, you just… ugh!" I screeched as he continued laughing. I paused in hitting him, fuming as he grinned wickedly at me.
"You should've seen your face, priceless, really."
"I'm glad my face is apparently so amusing for you," I said dryly as he shrugged and we started walking again.
"What can I say; the simple things amuse me in life." We were silent in walking until I finally could not hold in my curiosity any longer and I spoke.
"How are we getting there Link?" I asked, choosing my words carefully as he grinned and looked at me, a devilish look in his eye.
"What, you don't trust me?"
"Not really right now, no."
He laughed again as we rounded the corner around the academy. I was about to say something else as I looked forward and stopped, my mouth in awe. He turned back at me as I continued staring, gaping at him and the car that was waiting there, unable to say much else.
"Are you going to come?" he asked with a smirk as I blinked and shut my mouth forcefully.
"This is a really nice car," I half-laughed, the shock of finding a decent transportation method still upon me, as he opened my door for me and I got in. He shut the door behind me and grinned as he rounded the front of the car and got in. I looked down to the sleek seats and dashboard, noticing not a thing out of place. "I never would have imagined you as a Volvo owner though," I admitted as he grinned again and started the car.
"I'm not, this is Pipit's," he said as he drove us around the ground to the actual road and started us off on our hour and a half journey.
"They trusted Pipit with a license? My, that's very concerning." I laughed a little and looked out the window, watching the trees and academy surroundings begin to blur as we picked up speed and they became specks behind us. I guess there's really no turning back now I thought as I internally sighed and turned back forward so I could look at Link, who was driving with more concentration than I thought he would use. His face was pensive as he watched the road and I blinked, surprised with how caught up I could get just staring at him.
"You've been to some of these shindigs before, huh?" I asked him aimlessly, trying to keep some small talk going as I suddenly began pondering again just how badly the whole party could go, secretly hoping Link could give me a few words of encouragement.
"Yeah, a few of them," he said, though I could tell his mind was elsewhere. I bit my lip, wanting to ask him what it was, but decided against it. I don't want to agitate him again I decided as I looked forward, ready for the hour and a half of silence when he spoke again, answering my internal questions.
"I'm sorry for being a little rude on Monday," he merely said, taking me by surprise. That was probably the last thing I thought he would say right now I thought as I pretended not to show my shock and shrugged with a small smile, though I knew he could see neither.
"It's all right, I wasn't much better," I admitted. "I, shouldn't have snapped when you were probably just trying to be a really great concerned friend about me. Believe me, the blame is really just as much mine."
"Still, I shouldn't have gotten short with you. I know how much you like to try and help whenever someone asks you to, especially teachers, and I needed to respect that. Even if it is," he pursed him lips together and scowled, "Clarke Stone."
My eyes widened with surprise again, not expecting that particular angle of his concern. I pushed a strand of my hair behind my ears and looked at him, trying to approach the topic with a little caution. "If, um, I may ask," I started, trying to be tactful with how I said things, "why do you dislike him so much?"
He laughed bitterly, his face in a wry smile as he gripped the wheel a little tighter. "Besides the obvious of him being arrogant, rude, a man whore, and a douche bag?"
"Um, yes," I said, realizing just how true each of his statements was. He really doesn't sound very good when so many negative adjectives are used together…
He scoffed and gave a glance to me, then looked forward again. "If you must know, my biggest problem with him currently is how he looks at you."
"He doesn't look at me-"
"-oh he looks at you, believe me. It'd be pretty hard to miss that cocky smirk."
I sighed and furrowed my eyebrows, wondering if Clarke had actually ever looked at me like Link was describing, or if it was just him being imaginative. He stares and all sometimes, but that's just because he enjoys the show of it I thought as I turned back to him and shook my head. "I don't think you're right, Clarke Stone has better things to do than look at me funny."
"Well apparently not. Zelda though you may never have noticed him I have, which is enough. He looks at you like a piece of meat and, I don't like it."
I sat there in silence, letting his words sink in as my head swam with countless new possibilities, several thoughts slipping into place. "I still think you're wrong but I'm sorry this upsets you so much, and I wish there was something I could do."
"Poking him in the eyes always works." I looked at him sternly as he glanced at me and grinned with a shrug. "What, it was just a friendly suggestion. It's alright though, I don't think you can do anything, guys just tend to do stupid things like that when they have a thing for someone."
I coughed violently, caught off guard by what he said. As soon as I caught my breath I started laughing, unable to do much else. "Whoa whoa, let's be realistic now, very good joke. Too bad it's October and not April or anything, I feel you have your April Fool's Day already all planned and ready to go."
"I'm not joking Zelda. Though I'm one of the last people who would like to admit this, Clarke unquestionably likes you, no matter how implausible you want to believe it is."
"No, he doesn't. He just likes messing with me because, I don't know, it's some twisted game for him or something. I won't begin to try and understand his messed up mind or motives, and even so such, emotions are a little farfetched for someone like him I would think."
"Whatever you want to believe," Link said as my mind thought of what he said, rerunning his words multiple times for some indication of sanity.
"I want to believe facts," I said, unable to come to grips with a possibility Clarke had any sort of romantic feelings for me whatsoever.
"Believe facts all you want, but they all point to the same conclusion," he said quieter with a little more kindness. I sighed and leaned my head back on the head rest of my seat.
"But, why though? He could, and has, had any girl he wanted. Why me?" I spat bitterly as Link started to chuckle. I moved my head back up and looked at him sternly. "This is not funny Link Avalon, you take that laugh back right now."
"It is actually quite funny Ms. Harkinian, you simply cannot begin to understand the humor in the situation."
"Apparently not. How about one day I go around telling you Clarke Stone had a thing for you, huh? We'll see how wise you are after that."
"I would of course accept his naturally good taste with dignity." I frowned at him as he laughed with a shrug. "Oh come on, there is little to no possibility of him being gay given his actions over the years."
"He could just be getting with so many girls to hide his issues you know. I've heard of guys who did that," I said, looking out the window in thought. Being gay would be a much better solution than him having a thing for me I thought bitterly as I sighed and slammed my head against the window.
"You know, the attraction could merely be because you're not like the other girls he's used to, did you ever think of that?" I lifted my head and looked at Link, making sure it was him that spoke and not my imagination. He glanced at me and shrugged innocently, his hands firmly on the wheel still. "Just a theory of mine."
"Been giving it a lot of thought then?"
"Just the normal amount a concerned friend would," he said as he coughed and looked down, arousing my suspicions.
"A concerned friend who then has thus been watching these whole encounters for a while then."
"Ever since the football game."
I scrunched my face in thought as I looked at Link with confusion. "Really? I don't even think I've interacted with Clarke since then, besides in PE when him and his cronies try to showcase my inept skills at physical activity-which isn't really a hard thing to do or anything-but just, I haven't really talked to him since the game I don't think."
He laughed bitterly as I noticed the sun going down a little behind the mountains that ran along the Lake. "Like I said you are not seeing everything, since he watches you quite often. Lunch, break, I've even noticed him around corners when we're together. And," he paused and scrunched his eyebrows, looking forward with new interest, "he's not the only one either."
"Two in one day, I don't know if I can take it."
"I won't tell you if you really-"
"-I'll be fine. Just, who else do I 'need to be watching out for?'" I made air quotes, which I thought were quite amusing as he merely looked at me with disapproval.
"I was going to tell you to be on the lookout for Dark Ombra, but if you think I'm just being overly cautious then obviously you don't need my advice."
I blushed deeply, knowing full well why Dark may have been overly staring at me the whole week. Suddenly, I felt an immediate urge to tell Link all about Dark and I and what I had gotten myself into with him, to have a guy's helpful perspective. After all, he is basically my guy best friend I thought as I opened my mouth to talk right as he snorted and gripped the wheel tighter than before. "You know though, I wouldn't worry overly about Dark, he's more of one of those guys who like staring at others just so more people would pay attention to him."
I opened my mouth in shock to hear Link talking so strongly about someone else like this, especially Dark. "I'm taking it that you don't um, like him then either?"
"Not at all. There's such a huge ego and have you ever really heard him to talk to anyone? He has so much rudeness and disdain mannerisms about him it's just, irritating to observe."
"Apparently," I said with a half-laugh, thinking of my ironic life. Of course, the two guys who most had it in for me Link hated, go figure. Isn't that just how my life works though I though sarcastically as I yawned and looked up, closing my eyes. "Link?"
"Yes?" he replied as I opened my eyes and looked over at him groggily.
"Why do you care so much? I respect this whole you hate both of them thing, but why is it so important to you if Clarke, Dark, or any of them give so much as a tiny thought to me. Isn't it typical for guys to not, well, to not care?"
His eyes remained forward as I noted a softer expression on him, and when he spoke, it was with a kinder tone. "I care because you are my friend, and as my friend it is my obligation to protect you, which I am willing to do in any way I see it needs be. I, I promise to protect you Zelda, no matter what the circumstances." His voice broke a little as he coughed and looked forward again and I stared at him in an entirely new light. His looks, eyes, thoughtful expression, concern, everything now seemed to be jumping at me and I was hit with a slight pull in my chest I was unfamiliar with. I shut my own eyes firmly and shook my head, deciding I had made up the small emotion I had been feeling, whatever it was.
"I thank you for that Link, it really means a lot to me and I promise the absolute same," I said softly as I opened my eyes, making him chuckled low and roll his eyes.
"Thoughtful as that is, I'm pretty sure you'll never have to save me, though I do appreciate the offer."
"When I'm saving you from swarms of overly flirty girls and fruity guys, I will try and refrain myself from saying 'I told you so.'"
He grinned again and ran a hand through his golden hair, flexing his arm in the process. As always, I was caught off guard by his muscles as I swallowed and looked down, trying not to look as if I was staring. At least try to refrain yourself a little Zelda I thought meekly as he began to speak, making me jump. "Though that is a seemingly very realistic possibility apparently, just please remember what I said, and watch out for Clarke tonight."
"Okay, if it makes you feel better," I said, my mind going back to our Clarks conversation. He has to be lying or something I thought, though a little part of me continued toying with his words, wondering if they were really as off as I hoped they were. We eventually settled into other topics of small talk (neither of us bringing up Clarke again) as we continued the drive, and I internally mused how nice it was for Link and I to be back to normal. At least in that whole awkward conversation we finally established peace I thought as I laughed to a joke he told about the goddesses. Before I knew it, dark had settled down on the sky and we arrived at Lake Hylia. Link continued driving, seeming to know exactly where to go when we suddenly stopped in a line of many other cars. He helped me out of Pipit's car as I gulped, looking up to what I assumed to be the Ombra household.
It was large (at least two stories) on the edge of the lake. A big porch seemed to go all around it that extended over the lake, which was vast and shining eerily in the pale moonlight. A single tree lay a little ways over on a lone island, connected by a long bridge to some residential houses in the distance, none quite as big as Dark's. I suddenly remembered seeing this same house once before when Malon and I had come to the lake for a weekend and admiring it for its beautiful architecture and vast size even then. Oh how the tables just liked to change for me. Link turned back to my stunned face with a friendly grin and motioned forward with a twinkle in his eye. I gave a nervous half laugh and nodded, bracing myself fully for what was sure to be an eventful night.
Cliff hanger (duh duh duuuuhhhhh!) Haha I kid, I kid. I know I said it was a little shorter, but please no one throw tomatoes at me or anything, as that would be saddening and a waste of one of the most delicious fruits out there. Nothing to really explain in this one, but as some of you may have noticed, I found a picture on this amazing world wide web that is pretty good feel for the story, but again if anyone has any other suggestions for a cover art, I wouldn't be opposed to look at those either :)
And to several people who have asked: I am the lead alto sax in my school's jazz band and marching band (though that is now over), and the lead bassoon in our Wind Ensemble, and third in my counties honor orchestra that I recently made... two weeks ago haha
Thanks for the support guys, and if anyone has any random questions I'd once agian love to hear those too!