A/N: Okay, I swear, I'm not posting until I finish reading this accursed book for history. If I keep posting, I'm going to want to keep writing, and then I won't get my book reflection done.

School is hard.

I want to apologize for any grammatical errors that may have occurred in any recently published chapters. My laptop has malfunctioned and I am in dire need of a new one. So for now, I'm typing out new chapters on my phone while I wait to receive a new one. Autocorrect has succeeded many times at trying to frustrate me, so I'm sorry if any of the last chapters have incited some confusion.

Without further ado, here is Chapter Thirteen!

Chapter XIII

Deal or No Deal

"You're incredibly stupid, you know that?" Link scolds, his face set in a hard expression. "The little mental capacity that your brain holds never ceases to amaze me."

Allow me to explain just why this bastard is yelling at me.

When I left the school, feeling very empowered might I add, I called Midna to tell her to start ringing the bells. Of course, she was incoherently surprised, and she could barely make herself speak as she let the realization that I took charge of the situation sink in. The only phrase she must able to mutter was "hot damn." I know she was brimming with happiness though; she just never liked showing it. I'm sure I'll get a mouthful of questions the next time we hang out. And we'll probably have to let the poor Groose in on everything. He's been left out of so much - not that Midna nor I would want him in it. He's too innocent.

Anyway, after ending the phone call with Midna, the one person I didn't really want to run into just had to be waiting at the front doorstep of the Ordonia household at nine o'clock in the morning.

Link sat there, adorned in his fancy flannel pajamas, his lips set in a thin line as his eyes were set ablaze with curiosity and suspicion when he took notice of my presence. "So, where have you been?"

I bit my lip. I mean, why would I even have to tell him? I'm not obligated to come to him for everything. "Oh, you know. Out."

"That's a very vague answer," he speculated. "Care to delve deeper?"

"Uh," I responded dumbly. The only factor in this awkward morning meeting that I could actually focus on wholeheartedly was that Link still looked incredibly hot, even in the bright early morn. Damn it. "I woke up early, so. Yeah."

"That's unlike you," he scoffed, resting his chin on his hand. "You're always such a heavy sleeper. You don't get up early unless someone pours a bucket of ice water on you."

"Colin only did that one time!" I fired. That horrid memory was enough to make me shudder. "Whatever. What do you want, Link?" It was a question that had been lingering in my mind ever since I saw him. The conversation was going nowhere, so I just ended up asking the inevitable.

He was taken aback at first, but recovered with a crooked smile. "Seems like someone's taking charge." In a finalizing tone, he said, "I want the photo."

Oh, wow, so blunt. I clicked my tongue, not exactly sure what to say. "Uh, you woke up and waited for me to come back just to ask for the photo?"

Link nodded, almost as if it was supposed to be common knowledge. He held his hand out in expectancy, his fingers irritably wiggling for the photo to be in his palm.

Okay, I may have had a huge crush on him, but his obvious arrogance and mindset that believes he can control me whichever way he wants was getting tiring, and frankly, starting to really irk me.

So, with brand new determination (and lingering adrenaline), I blatantly replied, "No, don't think I will."

Link's cobalt eyes narrowed dangerously. He was obviously not willing to drop the subject. "I don't believe you have a firm grasp on the situation, and what that photo could do to my reputation."

"On the contrary," I spat, placing my hands on my hips. "I have a very firm grasp on just how much this photo means to you. And my answer is still no."

Link suddenly stood up, and it made me falter for a split second, but not enough for him to notice. His gaze scanned me head to toe, making me flush slightly. "Something happened earlier."

"What the-" I was cut off abruptly when he forcefully grabbed my purse and took out the bright green can of pepper spray, that had been left out in the open for him to take notice of.

He waved the object in question, eying it cautiously. "What the hell did you use this for?"

Damn it, I knew this would be a problem. "It's none of your business."

He let out an exasperated sigh. "Listen, I'm not a moron. Tell me why you left so early this morning, and on the first day of winter break, no less."

I shot him a quizzical look. Did he just decide to throw away the topic of the photo? Is he actually showing concern for someone else's own being?

This is the point where I start feeling a bit...guilty? Ashamed that I didn't tell him? I mean, sure, I'm incredibly annoyed with him half the time nowadays, but he had as big a part with Vaati just as much as Midna did.

Ugh, I hate being sympathetic. "I went to the school."

He was seriously surprised that I had willingly answered him right away, but he did his best to mask it with his usual stoic expression. "For what?"

I quietly released a tsk, and let loose. "I may or may not have ran Vaati out of Hyrule."

That was probably the longest silence I had ever experienced in my seventeen years of existence.

And now, finally, here we are. I've been standing here, enduring Link's never ending berating. Telling him was probably a bad idea, but oh well. It hardly matters; he was bound to find out sooner or later. I'm just saving him the wait.

"I don't think I've ever been so enraged! Do you know the risk you put yourself through by going there - without anyone there to ensure you don't get slaughtered?!"

I huff, not daring to let him see that I'm blushing furiously at his immediate concern. "Look, I think I can vouch for everyone when I say that Vaati needed to be put in his place."

"Be that as it may," he growls, barely retaining any kind of restraint in his anger, "you were still incredibly idiotic. He's dangerous. I warned you who he may be involved with, and yet you still try and fix what's not yours!"

Through clenched teeth, I curtly reply, "It was my business the first time Vaati Ventus ever uttered a word to me. Don't try to make this all about you."

"That's not-" Link is cut off by the sound of tires belonging to a very expensive looking Cadillac rolling against the stone pavement, gradually coming to a stop in front of the house. He sighs, leaving his anger behind. "It seems my father and sister have returned."

The passenger side swings open, and out hops an ecstatic Aryll, hugging on the Great Fairy doll I had given her so long ago. A ginormous smile stretches her lips when she sees me, and she runs up the steps with exuberance to embrace me with her tiny arms. "Zelda!"

Tearing my focus away from Link, I entwine my arms around her, hugging her fiercely. "I'm so glad you're back, Aryll! How was Termina?"

"Awesome!" she quips, pulling away from our embrace. "Daddy showed me around Clock Town, and there was this huge moon festival that we got to participate in! It was so much fun!"

Rusl, having stepped out of the car, gives me a small wave before placing a firm grip on his son's shoulder. Link gives me a warning once-over before bringing his father to the side. No doubt he's discussing the events that had taken place while he was on business.

After a few minutes of conversing about Termina with Aryll, she runs inside with her bags in tow to greet the rest of her family; but not before giving her big brother a kiss on the cheek. It warms my heart, seeing him so affected when he rustles his sister's hair, but I shake it off in no time. There's no knowing what will happen if I let my myriad of confusing feels burst open again.

"So, Zelda," Rusl says as he comes up beside me. I tense, braving what scolding I may receive from him. "I hear you've done a lot over the week since I've been gone."

"Uh..." What the hell? How come every time an Ordonia asks me a simple question, all I can utter is a stupid "uh"?

He smiles, despite his head shaking in slight disapproval. "I apologize that you felt you had to do that for us. The problem would have put an even greater strain on all of us if it hadn't been rid of sooner. All I can do is thank you on my family's behalf - especially Link's."

My mouth is ajar, not really knowing how to reply. I glance over at Link beside him, who's actually, for once, wearing a soft expression. Though it's still stoical and cold in some places, his lips are incredibly soft as they pull back into a small smile.

Oh my goddesses...is he...grateful? In response, my heart begins beating rapidly against my chest.

Fuck.

Leaving me with a nod, Rusl goes into the house, leaving it to be just Link and I again.

"You told him?"

He shrugs. "He did go to Termina for a reason involved with Vaati; it felt right to tell him."

I breathe inwardly, heavily almost, to the point where I feel fatigued. I take a seat, placing my face on my knees. "You're so freaking bipolar."

"I could say the same about you," he replies, the softness disappearing. He resumes his seat on the steps next to me, his eyes not meeting mine. "You've changed. I don't know how, but you've certainly grown in the past month." He purses his lips in uncertainty, before he says, barely audible, "I somewhat...admire you for what you did. Though it was still stupid."

Whatever I was prepared to say is now caught in my throat, leaving me breathless. Link, the guy who I always believed to have loathed me limitlessly, has now admitted that he "somewhat admires me."

Well, damn, there are worse things he could've said. And honestly, I would have preferred any of them, because now, I'm on the verge of collapsing emotionally.

"I-I need to go check the mail," I grumble, my lame excuse leaving me in a fit of frustration.

Leaving him by himself, I sprint off from the stairs. There's no excuse for how I'm feeling; I've always loved Link, but now that I realize he admired my actions, and after that whole fiasco after the sports festival a month ago, my feelings have been in somewhat of a jumble. One minute, I regret ever having feelings for such an undeniable douche, then the next I end up fawning over him again because he shows me a side that I've never even seen before.

Arriving at the mailbox, I bite my lip and glance back towards the stairs. Link is still sitting there, hands grasped together and gaze cast downward. Wow, admitting that he actually has come to care for me just a tiny bit must have really put a burden on him.

I open the mailbox. There's no need to acquaint myself with these feelings of mine anymore. I was strong enough to drive Vaati out of town; I can handle anything now. Even my feelings for Link don't stand a chance.

"Let's see," I say to myself, grazing my eyes over the titles of the envelopes pulled out from the box. "Ad...ad...more ads...my report card...Link's report card...magazine...ad-!" Wait. I shift through the pile back to the thin white envelope that holds my first semester grades and I stare at it for the longest time.

Holy shit. Holy shit! I totally forgot about that stupid proposition I made to Link the day I moved into his home! I was supposed to get the top final grade in Linguistics by the end of the semester!

I shoot a look back at the stairs; he's still there. Damn it. Does he remember? I pray to Hylia he doesn't. I mean, what's a stupid bet to him anyway? What with all that's occurred, surely he'd be willing to leave all of our past deals aside...wouldn't he?

Oh, shit, he wouldn't.

Hey, look. You've got a lot going for you. You know, for all you know, you could've gotten perfect marks on all of your exams.

With that in mind, I viciously rip open the envelope, and almost fumble when the paper flies out. I snatch it before it hits the ground, wrinkling it in the process. My hands grasp the sides. I scan the sheet of paper that holds my win or loss.

I'm left speechless.

In a hypnotic daze, I waddle back to Link, who's watching me with strange curiosity. When I halt in front of him, gripping my stats in one hand and the mail in the other, he gracefully lifts a brow. "What?"

I don't say a single word; I just hand him the mail. Cautiously, while looking back from me to the papers in his hand, he begins shuffling until he reaches his report card.

"Oh," he says, placing everything else aside. A playful smirk curves at his lips. "I almost forgot about your little statement. Let's see who the victor in this was, shall we?"

Again, I say nothing. His nimble fingers tear open the sealed envelope, and he dramatically pulls the thin piece of paper that had his perfect grades typed on.

But before he even skims it, Link looks up at me, a dangerous glint sparkling in his blue eyes. "How about this? If you really did pull through and somehow replaced me as first in the class we share, I'll do whatever you say for a single day. I'll even let you keep the photo. But if you don't, you have to give me my photo and swear never to tell anyone of its existence; ever." He offers a hand, his smirk broader than ever before. "Deal...or no deal?"

Let's get one thing straight here. I would never accept a bet if I didn't have complete certainty in my heart that I would win.

And that is exactly why I shake his hand.

"Oh, Zelda, congratulations on getting the top rank in your class!" Uli squeals, entrapping me in her death-defying hug.

Yes, ladies and gents, it's true. I, Zelda Harkinian, have beaten the ever-so-suave and genius Link Ordonia in the game of academics, and I have no clue as to how I even managed to accomplish such a feat.

When I saw all of those D's and B's (no C's?) on my report card for this semester just hours ago, I almost had a heart attack, but then I came across the beautiful A plus that was my final grade for Ancient Hylian and Latin Linguistics. Don't ask me how I did it, but I did. My exam grade was, as my beautiful teacher gratefully put on the comments section of the statistics, "perfectly performed and deserved with such hard work portrayed in class."

I repeat: I have no idea how I did it. I never paid attention in that class; hell, I only enrolled because Link was in it! At least it didn't end in vain. I actually aced it with flying colors. The gorgeous grade will help when I need to get accepted into colleges.

Oh, how I wish I could see the beautiful, smug expression I'm wearing right now as I grin towards a distraught and disbelieving Link at the other end of the table.

"Wait till Daphnes hears!" Uli quips as she begins setting out plates for our lunch. "He's going to be so proud of you!"

I would've replied, but relishing in Link's defeat is just too satisfying.

Catching my enjoyment, his eyes narrowed into slits. "What're you looking at?"

"Oh, nothing," I sing happily. He growls in response. Oh, life is just too good right now. "I'm just thinking of some chores that I'll have you do for me. Or maybe you could do my winter assignments for me? That'd be fantastic."

His lips pull back, bearing his pearly whites. Ugh, damn it, winning feels so good!

Meanwhile, Colin finding out just added to my little victory party. He was so baffled when he discovered that my grade was one point higher than Link's, and practically went I to a full-blown tantrum. It was so fantastic; good thing I caught it on video.

Aryll and Uli are obviously ecstatic about my success, and of course, Uli made my favorite lunch as a special treat to celebrate. Or maybe the special treat is that Link and Colin have to sit through this with me? I can't decide which is better. Probably the latter.

Uli, witnessing our little exchange, just gives me a knowing smile and pays no heed to her son's silent pleads of rescue. "Zelda, on the day that you claim my son as your personal slave, please ensure he vacuums all of the bedrooms and carpets, and waxes the hardwood floors. I hate having to call our maid every other week when she could be enjoying a relaxing day at the spa with Aryll and me."

Ah, Uli, you are indeed an angel sent from above. "That won't be a problem at all. Actually, why don't I get him to clean the entire house in less than two hours?"

At this, Uli gleefully jumps up and down. "Yes, yes, yes! To have a day off with the maid would be heaven!"

I can hear the hostility in Link's voice when he says, "Mother, how can you approve of this?! This - this freeloader-" He puts so much emphasis on the term that it almost hurts; almost. "-is using our good fortune against us!"

"First, call my sweet Zelda a 'freeloader' again, and I'll publish a million of your baby pictures as The Gossip Stone's main article." Did I fail to mention that Uli is a successful writer for Hyrule's most popular newspaper? Oops. "And second, you made a bet knowing full well of your chances. All I can say is that you should've bartered more wisely." A wicked grin forms on Uli's lips and averts her attention to me. "In fact, Zelda, why don't you make Link your slave for the rest of the day? It's only eleven-thirty; you have so much time to make him do whatever you want!"

"MOTHER!" Link shouts. He slams his fist down on the dining table, nostrils flaring.

"Oh, don't give me that nonsense," Uli says unfazed. "You're an Ordonia. Honor your deal, sweetheart."

As he resumes his grumbling, I say, "Why not?" I sharply turn my head and give Link the most terrifying, authoritative glare I could muster. "Link, you better get started on the house. I've got a busy day planned for you!"

He rises - rather violently - from his seat and throws his empty plate into the sink. Under his breath, he mutters, "Fuck."

Now, I'm not one to judge, but hearing Link cuss straightforwardly and in front of his own mother is just downright crude.

Before he can head down to the laundry room to retrieve the necessary cleaning supplies, I call out, "And Link?"

Shuddering, he turns around. I notice his face is getting flushed. Oh wow, he's so upset. "What?"

I smile. "No complaining whatsoever, okay?"

A/N: So, this time, the next update won't be until between around June 25th to July 1st.

Thank you for the continuous support! And we've almost hit 100 reviews! WHOO! Love you all!

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