A/N: Woot, new one up! This one is for the theme School. : D Enjoy it! And so much love to you my reviewers- I know you're probably sick of me saying it, but I really do appreciate you all!

Disclaimer: Owns nothing

New

"So that's the new girl."

"She looks scared."

"Scared? It's an act, I bet you anything. She looks like a rich snob."

"Just because she has a designer bag doesn't make her a snob. Honestly!"

"Oh come off it. You know this school is full of them. Am I right, Link?"

". . . well, um, . . ."

"See? He agrees with me!"

"You didn't even give him a chance to speak, Malon!"

"I didn't need to! Saria, you're just too nice!"

Link groaned, resting his head in his hands. For the thousandth time that day he wished that Mido, Miku, and Darunia weren't on that band tour; it left him stuck with Malon and Saria, his two girl friends. They were nice and awesome people, but once they started gossiping there was no stopping them. Usually this could have been avoided by the boys distracting them, but with Link as the only male around, his voice was almost completely ignored.

He glanced at the object of discussion, a slender, delicate blond clad in the blue-plaid skirt and white top that was the uniform for the females, seated alone at a small round lunch table. She was indeed new- only started her classes this morning. He'd been there in her first class when one of the administration had brought her in and introduced her to the teacher and class before leaving the poor girl alone. The teacher had ushered her into an empty seat kitty corner from where Link sat, and he had met her midnight blue orbs momentarily before she had turned towards the front, a notebook and pen ready to take notes.

Zelda Harkinian. That was her name, he remembered now. He bit down on his lip, watching as she unwrapped a sandwich and sipped her milk, her gaze downward to avoid all the curious stares and whispers of her fellow schoolmates. Link shook his head, rising to his feet.

"Link?" Malon inquired, breaking off her tirade to stare up at him. "Where are you going?"

He ignored her, walking across the room to where the girl sat, plopping himself in the seat opposite her. Her blond head jerked up, a startled expression on her face as she stared at him.

"Hi," he said easily, blocking out the sudden surge of loud whispers. "You're Zelda, right?" When she nodded cautiously, he continued. "I'm Link Forrester. It's hard being the new kid, huh? I was about three years ago when we first moved here from Ordon."

For a moment she simply gaze at him, as if trying to figure out if there was some hidden motive behind his actions. But then, a dazzling smile curved her lips. "Yes," she answered softly. "My father's a business man, so our family moves a lot. But he settled us here to try and give me some sense of stability, or whatever. I actually lived in Ordon about six years ago for a few weeks. It's a beautiful place."

Link grinned. "Yeah. We still have a summer home there. I love going there to ride our horses." He flicked a stray strand of blond hair out of his eyes, seeing her face light up. "You like horses?"

"Oh yes," she told him eagerly.

"Then come with me. My friend Malon lives on a ranch and raises horses with her dad. Saria doesn't ride much, but she's a sweetheart. I'm sure you'll like them." He stood up, holding out his hand to take her bag.

Once more she stared at him, taken aback again. But her expression softened, eyes filled with thanks and warmth. "I'd like that," she told him softly, allowing him to take her bag and scooped up her lunch to follow him across the lunchroom.