A/N: Once again, thank you so much for your never-ending support. :') It means the world to me, and I want to give you all a virtual slice of cake. We're almost there!

Thank you to Oracle of Hylia, FitzLemur (Guest), LinkOoT14, Smashgunner, Reptaliator, TheRandomAlix, and Chicwa88 for reviewing and for your AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME support! I messaged (the ones I could message) you all back, so please let me know if you weren't able to receive it, because I've been experiencing some connectivity issues here. Nevertheless, thank you all for your continuous support. :)

Zelda

Friday, 8 AM

Today is the day.

Today is the day.

And all I can think about?

"Oh youth, guided by the servant of the goddess, untie earth and sky, bring light to the land…"

I am bringing these sacred lyrics to shame in my awful morning hoarseness, my entire body sprawled over my desk and mouth moving on its own accord. Math begins soon, and although I should really be memorizing any calc formula, only my script lines are filling my brain. Needless to say, I stayed up until three in the morning last night just reading over my entire script, despite having memorized it adequately enough already. But hey, it never fails to be careful.

"Nah, that's too careful!" Midna smacks me on the shoulder. "You already memorized all of it, but you still stayed up that late to read over what you already know?"

"I don't wanna mess up…"

"Well, you're messing it up right now. This moment."

"What? Really?" I shoot upright in my seat, hands swimming to grab my script from my backpack. "What did I get wrong—"

"No! Forget I said anything!" Midna slaps the large hunk of (deteriorating) paper out of my hands. "I'm saying that you're messing it up by being too perfect. Now everyone's going to hear some Google translate robot rather than the Princess of Hyrule."

"Oh no, oh nonono...I have to practice not sounding like a robot…"

"Zelda, stop practicing! You know, constant practicing can backfire." Midna huffs, leaning back in her seat and crossing her arms. "Just enjoy it and be in the moment...when it comes. You're probably the most practiced out of the entire cast, so just go with the flow. Ms. Anju even encouraged us to improv if we ever forget our lines, given that most of the play is carried by 'feel' rather than 'Zelda's obsessive memorization'—so you don't have to memorize everything to the T, okay?"

I pout, not enjoying the fact that I might not recite it perfectly. "Midna...you do realize the play is...tonight?"

"Well, duh!"

"And...that means you don't go to sleep until the play's over?"

"Can't wait!"

Letting out another little huff, I can't quite believe how unaffected Midna is by the play, because it's tonight. TONIGHT.

I still couldn't quite believe that.

How did I spend this week? Other than the obligated homework and random math quiz, just a crap ton of practicing, practicing, and practicing. Oh, and have I mentioned more practicing?

Play practice stopped being super chill now, and I bet the entire cast has been a little more focused, me included. Ms. Anju had run a line test for each of us, which I breezed by pretty easily, considering my 'obsessive memorization,' as Midna calls it. I don't know why I'm so stressed. It's just that I feel like I have a greater amount of responsibility, and that if I mess up just a little, the whole play will collapse...because I'm one of the two most significant roles in the entire play, the other being…

"...Link?" Midna says.

I blink out of my thoughts, facing her. "Wait, what? Sorry, I wasn't listening…"

Rolling her eyes, she gives my script another pointed look before glancing down at my bag. Grudgingly, I take the hint and scrape the brick of paper into it.

"No doubt that smashed something," Midna quips before jumping in again. "Anyway, now that your head is out the clouds, I just asked if you'd talked recently to Link?"

"Oh...Link…"

Again, my mind drifts off, envisioning a certain (and naturally, attractive) guy. Even still, there's a weird feeling in my gut…

We hadn't talked all that much this whole week due to the play and random school shenanigans, and we spent so much time together during the early weeks of play practice that these past few have been more focused on our interactions with others rather than with each-other. These days, I've been practicing a lot with Midna, Groose, and many other classmates rather than Link, not just because we needed to practice with other people, but also because we both kind of...are too good at it now. There's really no other scene that's lacking enough to practice with each other, but...

...it's been so long since we had a coffee together, I thought dejectedly. Since when was the last time I hung out one-on-one with Link? I wonder if…

"Oh, so I guess not." Midna studies me with a displeased expression. "Seems like you haven't really been talking with many people, haven't you?"

I sigh, giving Midna an apologetic look. "There's just a lot going on…"

"Well, don't forget about our meeting with Link and all our friends after school at the cafe today to practice our play roles one more time before the big show."

Perking up, I realize what Midna just said. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot about that. Right...I'll be there." Even though a new wave of nervousness soared in my gut knowing that we'll meet with friends a couple hours before the big show, my heart still thumped against my chest thinking about seeing...Link.

As Mr. Yeto finally clomps into the classroom to begin my favorite subject (not), I still can't get my mind off the play, because it's literally tonight. But by the pounding in my chest, I know I'm more nervous to meet Link, and—the more frustrating part—I don't know why.

Although I didn't want it to, the school day passed by quickly. I just zombied my way through the day, worrying about all types of worries, going through math, then world studies, then lunch, then science...

Ugh...dear goddesses...

The play...

Needless to say, I wasn't able to focus much during the day. Even during lunch, although I tried to be an interesting person to talk to, Malon and Ruto eventually just chatted away about food and clothes between themselves as I remain reciting my lines over and over to my uneaten lunch. At least my mashed potatoes don't judge me.

As I slug my way through my last class, my mind drifts to Link. I wonder...how he's coping today. I wonder if he also stayed up until three AM. Haha, no, because he's already perfect.

Language arts pass by as monotonously as it can get, and all the class really reminds me of is the play. Too much focus on literature and language. The teacher at one time called on me to read an excerpt from a different ancient play we're studying, and I think I actually began reciting my own play lines before I quickly realized my mistake when the teacher cleared his throat and corrected my words.

And before I know it, the bell is ringing and I'm finding myself now walking towards the exit along with my friends.

Oh my goddesses...the day's already over...?

Great. Now there is literally three hours separating me from a manageable, normal high school life to possible world humiliation.

"Shut up, Zelda, you practiced so much that you'll probably make everyone else humiliated by their lack of practice," Malon snorts from next to me.

"I can testify," Midna chimes in, and the two guffaw. Although I grimace at their exchange, I can't help but smile inwardly that those two dorks are getting along now.

"Nervous, Ruto?" I say, turning to the friend in question next to me.

She brings in her folders closer to her chest. "Well...kind of. But to be honest, my character is already sort of my personality, so I think I'll be fine…"

I nod, although I can tell there's something else bothering her. "So...anything to tell me?" I prod.

Giving me a self-conscious glance, Ruto only bit her lip. "Well...I'm just more nervous about my voice cracking or losing confidence when I'm singing my parts…"

"What? You're worried about that? You're already a well seasoned singer, so I know you'll do outlandishly well for the play." I give her a playful shove.

Instead of more embarrassment or whatnot, however, I'm more surprised to see Ruto give me a blank look. "Oh, I wasn't talking about the play…" And then she trails off, widen her eyes, and clamp a hand over her mouth. "Oh...I said too much…," she mutters, digging herself a bigger hole.

I squint, now halting my steps. "Wait...what are you talking about? Don't tell me…"

Midna and Malon have now stopped too, peering backwards at what the hold up was.

Flitting her eyes back and forth, Ruto finally surrendered and blurted, "Okay! Okay! I'm auditioning to be a singer at a local recording label and...maybe...get started...on a...career?"

Everyone is silent for a moment, before we all squeal at once, rushing towards Ruto like murderers.

"Oh my GODDESSES, are you for real?!" Malon gushes, grabbing Ruto's arms and swinging them around. "You're amazing! You're going to pass for sure, and they'll love you!"

"You're gonna have to give me free concert tickets," Midna insists, headlocking Ruto playfully. I clap along, genuinely giddy for my friend. First Mikau's CD, and now Ruto's singing career! Maybe they can collab. Gee, they really are sweet together.

Ruto laughs it off sheepishly, discreetly wrestling herself out of everyone's invading grasps. "Thanks...we'll see how it goes. But first." She clears her throat and straightens her posture. "The play. Let's go to the cafe now—Link, Mikau, and Darunia are all waiting for us to run our scripts through one more time before show time!"

"Right, right, right!" Midna and Malon hustle along, dragging me along and following after Ruto.

We're almost at the entrance when it occurs to me that I wanted to ask Mr. Yeto something about my math grade. It's been a while since I checked it ever since that retest, and I just want to make sure my grades haven't slipped ever since then, considering everything that's, ahem, going on nowadays…

"Wait a second, guys," I pipe up, halting my steps, and to their quizzical glances, explain, "I'm going to take five minutes and talk to Mr. Yeto real quick about my grades. Wanna come, Midna?"

"Nah." The reply comes a little too quickly, Midna waving me off. "Just go do your thing. We'll wait for you outside."

"Gee, alright. I'll be back."

Rolling my eyes at Midna's frank disinterest for a good math grade, I twist around and head back the way I came, making a beeline towards my math classroom. The school is now almost empty, being that it's a Friday afternoon, and many students (and teachers) waste no time to get out and start their weekend as soon as possible. I just hope that Mr. Yeto wasn't one of them…

I nearly crash into someone as I turn a corner. "Oh sorry—" I start but stop as I see it's Mido.

"Oh hey!" Mido says, not expecting me either. He gives me a glance but seems rather distracted, looking past me towards the exit. "Do you, ah, work today?"

"At the music shop? Not today… Why?"

"Well...I don't work at the cafe today either, but I think I might go to the music store—wait, you're not working today?"

I raise an eyebrow. "No, I'm not…"

And then it clicked.

I resist a smile. Ah...so it seems as if Mido wants to see a certain someone at the music store that's not me…

"Well," I say, stepping aside to let Mido through. "If you care to know, Saria is working today."

"Oh Saria? She is? Well that's cool to know…" And just like that, Mido's gone.

Now, my smile is out, along with a sense of relief. I'm just so happy that things between Mido and I have worked out, including going out on our own separate lives. Even though he'd been a pain sometimes to me, I couldn't stay mad at him. I like to think that he's growing. Letting out another sigh, I rotate and continue on my way, my thoughts returning back to me.

The play...the play...

I'm turning the same corner before I nearly slam into yet another person. Oh geez, they really should install some corner mirrors or something.

As before, I sputter, "Oh sor—"

My words cut off, this time much more abruptly, as something in my chest jumps.

Dark regards me with his usual placidity, hands in his pockets and slouched casually.

"Oh, Dark! Hey…" Now I don't know why it's hard to speak. "You...haven't left yet?"

"Just about to."

"Oh...are you working again at the cafe?"

"No."

"Ah…"

"Where are you headed to?"

"Just...about to ask Mr. Yeto about my grades and stuff."

"Okay."

There's a brief silence, and I'm starting to hope our conversation is ending. I regret bringing up Mr. Yeto and anything with math, because Dark was also there during the retest, and before we did the retest, he had wanted to ask me something which he never did…

"The play is tonight, isn't it?"

I blink, quickly composing myself. "Yeah, it's tonight…"

Dark shifts his weight onto his other foot, gaze not dropping. I haven't noticed until I did it that I'd gulped.

"...Can I see you after the play? I want to ask you something."

There it is.

My heart jumps again. It's the exact same question he asked me before the math retest earlier this week.

Immediately, Tetra's warning flies back to me. He told us he was planning to ask you out.

I bite my lip. Am I really supposed to say no? What if it really isn't about that?

"Well...why after the play?" I say instead. "...Can't you ask me now?" Instantly, I wonder if that's a good idea.

Dark cocks his head to the side, seemingly amused by my words. "Oh. You'd like to know now?" he says testily, as if giving me a second chance to a horrible decision I'd made. Of course, this only makes me more jumpy.

"Uh…" Yes? No? What am I supposed to say? Goddesses, this guy really does know how to cause people to have trouble speaking.

"...I'll wait after the play," Dark says, finally, to my silence. His amusement seems to grow as a sideways smirk slips out. "I feel like I should give...someone some time."

'Someone'...?

Even as he brushes past me and leaves me in the hallway alone with the dust particles, I can't help but think he didn't mean me.

I am finally at the cafe for our last play practice with friends...

...and I want to barf from nervousness.

"Iced white chocolate latte!"

Malon hungrily snatches her drink from Link and begins inhaling the drink at an impressive rate. Ruto soon redeems her skim mocha, Midna with her caramel macchiato, Mikau with his smoothie, and Darunia with his signature sparkling tea.

"And...pumpkin spice dream mocha?"

I perk instinctively, glancing up to see soft blue eyes gazing back at me. I immediately look down, embarrassed, however, the fancy drink is slid in front of me, and I can't help but coo at how good it looks. "Thanks," I say, now looking up to smile at Link.

I don't know why I'm feeling extra nervous today…It's getting so hard to look at him. Is it because of the play that's only, like, two hours away? Or is it some divine sign from the goddesses about something else I should know about?

"Ooooh, guess what!" Midna hoots, straw hanging in her mouth. All attention is caught from that as we all watch her loop an arm around Ruto, who flinches with surprise from the contact and nearly spits her drink out. "...Drum roll pleaaase…"

Midna dramatically hand-spazzes at Ruto. "...This beauty queen is going to be a singer! The real deal!"

"Oh man!" Mikau exclaims, nearly spitting out his own drink. "You never told me that, love!"

Ruto smiles shyly at her boyfriend's tone. "...It was going to be a surprise after the audition...if I passed. But I kind of accidentally let it out earlier today." She tosses Midna a dry look for spoiling her surprise but the latter doesn't seem all that guilty.

Unabashedly, she just wraps another arm around Ruto's neck and says, "All aboard the Ruto support train! Again, you better give us all concert discounts in the future."

"If I even get that far."

"Yeah sure. You promised!"

Midna now sits back, a hand to her chin and glancing between Ruto, Darunia, and Mikau. "Well, it seems as if everyone has some sort of future…"

Her eyes lie on Malon. "...except for us! How about we go start a club or something? I'll be the president."

"No, I'll be," Malon challenges, and although those two never seem to go about a day without some banter or argument, I find it more relieving that Malon now doesn't flat out reject starting something with Midna, even if that something doesn't even happen.

As I laugh along, however, I still can't get this weird feeling out from inside me, and my heart rate is continually higher than normal, although I really don't know why I'm feeling so plain nervous. Play? Maybe. But even if I think about the play starting in merely two hours, I feel awfully calm. Again, I'm tempted to dig out my script and start practicing just so I can, but I'm sure Midna would take care of me pretty quick.

My eyes float up and meet Link's.

Eek! Immediately, I look back down, although I don't know why I did. As if on cue, my heart quickens its pace, and that feeling doubles inside my gut. Was he looking at me? And if so...why am I feeling this way? We're good friends and joke around a lot so...why can't I look at him in the eye or just say a simple hi?

When I scraped enough courage to peek back up at him, however, Link's gaze is now diverted to Malon and Midna, who are arguing what their imaginary club would be called and what it would do, him chuckling along. I wonder if I gave him the wrong idea, and I instantly regret looking away, hating how I did that on impulse.

And almost out of nowhere, Dark flashes in my mind, making me freeze once more. Hm...should I tell Link about Dark? And the fact that Dark wants to speak with me after the play?

...Including the possibility of him asking me out?

I shake my head at the thought, unnerved. If I told Link that, it would be pretty embarrassing if it wasn't even right. It'll actually make me end up looking kind of vain or pretentious.

"Alllll right!" Darunia claps, a clap more jarring than the average clap, jolting us. "Seeing that the play is only around the corner…" He holds up his (empty) coffee cup. "...let's get to it! Let's practice one last time with the scenes we have with each other, give each other some support or criticism—constructive, I hope, although it can be, ahem, some other type—and then it'll be show time!"

A new round of words emerge from all of us, realizing just how true Darunia's words are. I suck in a deep breath and hold it for a few seconds before exhaling it all out. First, the play. Then...everything else.

Even as all of us finally dug out our scripts to practice one last time with each other, that odd, bubbly feeling plaguing my insides don't leave, and it's actually starting to frustrate me a little. I'm here with friends whom I see every day, I'm practicing the play which I now admit I know like the back of my hand, and I'm here with my crush who is driving me insane by how attractive he is. Hm. Maybe that's why.

Even so, that special, fluttery feeling is new, despite Link not being new to me. Throughout our practice, I keep glancing at him, and sometimes he'd look back, making my heart leap every time. When I don't look away, he'd give me a small grin as if to say something more, which I return with a fast one of my own before my resolve crumbles and I look away again.

Despite that, I keep staring at him, even when he gets up to serve a couple few customers that come in during our practice time. Needless to say, my heart still feels like it's pounding out of my chest. For some reason, I feel like he still has a lot he's keeping inside...

We're watching Malon and Link practicing their lines to each other (well except for me—I'm watching only one person), when a sudden epiphany hits me, full blast, punch-in-the-gut kind of deal. No one realizes that I'm now frozen in my seat and the fact that my heart is now pounding like in a marathon.

Maybe...maybe this feeling is a sign from the goddesses. Every time I see him, I sense that he's about to ask me something soon...

No way...ISHEGONNAASKMEOUTAFTERTHIS?

I almost scream from this prospect. Is he going to ask me after our practice with friends end? Like after everyone leaves and we kind of just say behind? Should I attempt to stall? Is this feeling right? Are the goddesses telling me the right thing?

Even if we kissed, nothing was official until...

"Alright! Last scene to practice."

Midna's voice breaks me out of my thoughts, particularly her finger that's now pointed in my direction. It's been over an hour of practice, and I realize I've just been daydreaming this whole time, which is a pretty good indicator that I've got my scenes down pretty good, because nothing spectacular stood out even while I was practicing with everyone.

Midna throws her hands up cheerfully. "Zelda and Link has one more scene, and then we'll call it good! AND THEN IT'S SHOWTIME, Y'ALL!"

I gulp despite everyone's excitement, but it immediately extinguishes when I catch Link's warm gaze. That's right...it's Link. Someone who I can be comfortable around.

Both of us stand from our cafe chairs, stepping aside until we're across from each other. "It'll be fine," Link assures me with a small smile. "We practiced this scene many times already, so it'll be a surprise if we do mess up."

"Right," I giggle. Everyone knows that this scene will be a piece of cake, but it's never bad to run through it one more time...

Link lowers himself onto the floor on one knee, right arm propped across his right knee in the traditional knighting accolade position, head bowed. I grab a random straw, using it as a makeshift sword before pointing it downwards which theoretically touches his shoulder. Taking a deep breath, I open my mouth and am pleased to feel the lines flow easily from my memory.

"Hero of Hyrule, chosen by the sword that seals the darkness...You have shown unflinching bravery and skill in the face of darkness and adversity, and have proven yourself worthy of the blessings of the Goddess Hylia. Whether skyward bound, adrift in time, or steeped in the glowing embers of twilight, the sacred blade is forever bound to the soul of the Hero…"

The cafe is quiet as I drone on my lines that flow like water. Link's head remains bowed as needed, although I ache to see his face that gives me so much support and encouragement. "...We pray for your protection, and...we hope that you and the sacred blade will grow stronger together as one. Arise, sir."

I'm glad that I didn't forget any words even though it's been like this since last week, but it's assuring to know I can still do this right before the play. Link stands up from my cue, and I'm supposed to hand him his straw (er, sword) here, which I do. Link takes the straw despite probably hiding his amusement from my makeshift prop, instead bowing his head once more according to the script.

"Will you hereby have any further inquiries or questions about this conferment of espousing the duty of knighthood?" I say. As expected, Link lifts and shakes his head, showing that this Hero had no more questions for me.

"Aaaaand SCENE!" Mikau relieves us appropriately, clapping his arms together like a slate.

"Wow, pretty good!" Ruto muses, giving us an encouraging look. I whisper, "Good job!" to Link, who replies "You too!" before Darunia slaps him on the back and promptly drags him back to his chair where he is smothered by Mikau's praises.

"Niiiice, Zelda!" Malon cheers once I return to mine, flashing me a thumbs-up.

"See? You definitely don't need to practice much," Midna says. "What did I tell you?"

"Ah, haha, I'm just paranoid…" I bite my lip, embarrassed, before my eyes catch the clock in the cafe. "Shoot! I think we better go. Ms. Anju is probably setting up equipment now, and all actors will have to start showing up. It starts in an hour."

An hour. I suck in a breath at my own words. Will I really be ready?

Everyone is now packing up, which I do as well. However, my eyes land on Link again, and…

That feeling's back. That racing heart, the pounding…

Is he going to ask me out right now? A sign from the goddesses is never wrong. This is the first time I felt this special feeling, and just a little, I grow hopeful.

Finally, everyone packs up and is filing out the door, hooting and giving each other words of encouragement. My insides soar once more to see Link as the last to finish packing up.

"Hey," I say, walking up to him. "You ready?"

"Yeah, I guess." He gives me a warm smile, and I sense something deeper in those beautiful eyes of his. "Are you?"

"Mhm, apparently so, according to Midna." I pause, waiting, anticipating, for anything else he's going to say.

He laughs before scooping up his bag. "Well, leave it to Midna to say the truth, right? I think you're more than ready too. You'll do great."

His words almost makes me melt into smiles. "Thanks, and you too."

We stand and fidget around some more before Link glances at the door everyone just left out of. "Well..."

I hold my breath in anticipation. Is he going to...

"...you think we should go? It's almost time…"

Oh…

And almost instantaneously, my insides fall, but I don't let it show. "O-oh, right...Let's go."

Although Link helps me carry some of my stuff as I leaf through my script one more time, I know I was really doing it to distract myself from this feeling of...of...disappointment festering inside me, although it was really towards myself more than anything.

I guess...I really was reading the signs all wrong. I really should get a mental check-up...

For the past hour, Ms. Anju has been flitting out and about getting stage equipment set up as several hyperventilating students (including me) looked through their scripts like crazy and reciting lines over and over again. Midna is too casual about this whole thing, reclined back in a backstage chair and taking a snooze. Even Groose is taking this more seriously, who is currently reenacting a scene several times with classmates whom I recognize as Cawlin and Stritch.

And so all this really just means that...

There is less than ten minutes until show time.

If I wanted to puke earlier today at the cafe, I want to faint right about now.

I just realize that this is it. In less than ten minutes, we'd be on stage. I'd be on stage.

As for me? I've just been running over my lines like the rest.

...Okay, maybe that's not completely true.

Mechanically, my head turns towards Link's direction, who is now practicing with someone called Beedle, and I recognize the familiar and iconic green garb of the Hero, shield and sword strapped onto his back. Instinctively, I give my collar area an itch—this dress isn't the most comfortable. Neither are all these weird things in my hair either.

Even so, a tiny remnant of that disappointment lingers in me, the ends of my lips feeling heavy. I wonder if Link truly feels the same extent that I do about him. And…

My lips press together. ...I can't stop thinking about Dark either and what he wants to say to me after the play. I just hope that…

A distant swell of voices catch me off guard, and I realize once again that there's an auditorium full of people sitting right there. Merely a door away. Medli is there. Tetra is there. My self-esteem is there.

Dropping my head into my hands, I wonder if I'll pull out of this alive. Link, Dark, the play... there's just so many things to think about now.

"Five minutes! The first roles, please be on standby!"

Darn. Daaarn.

...That's me.

This is really it.

When I stand up, I notice that Link is now gone. A large wave of applause echo into the backstage room, and something jolts in my heart when I hear the voice of our principal gaining the audience's attention and saying a few words about what's happening tonight.

Sigh. I guess this night is finally here. The night that either makes me a school prodigy or a school laughingstock.

Swallowing dryly, I force myself to move, hands reluctant to let my script out, although I know I have to switch it with my harp for the first scene. Even as I did so, my eyes keep wandering around.

Where's Link? Doesn't he have to go out too—

"Zelda!"

I squeaked quietly in shock, twisting around to nearly jump out of my skin to see Link.

"Oh, sorry I surprised you," he says with a sheepish smile, but I can only blink at him, heart rate now reaching top speeds. "Y-y-yes?" I stutter, surprised by my own inability to speak. That...that soaring feeling is back...out of nowhere…

Why am I feeling like this?

...Last time I took it as a sign from the goddesses, but last time, it turned out it...wasn't as I expected...

Now he draws a more serious expression, and I identify perplexity behind his eyes. "Um, well…" His eyes shift elsewhere. "...Can we practice that one last scene from the cafe again? The knighting one? I think we should run it really fast one more time…"

"Huh?" I say, new confusion erupting over me. "Oh...now? There's only five minutes…"

"I know...just really fast. We can do it in the green room. I think...I really need it."

Something in his tone seems uncertain, but I can't question it since he's already moving towards the green room, and there's definitely less than five minutes until showtime.

Hurriedly, I move to catch up to him, trying not to trip over my dress. Why does he want to practice this scene so bad? It's one of our perfect ones, and we both know neither of us need additional practice…

By the time I enter the green room, Link is already down on his knee and arm propped against his other, his other arm extending his sword prop towards me. Even to my confused expression, he gives me a somewhat pleading look before flashing me a guilty smile.

"Sorry," he says. "...I know it's sudden, but I think I do need the practice…"

I take the sword anyway, now feeling bad. I feel just as nervous as him, and stage fright can do many wonderful things at any time that you don't expect, so I completely understand Link. Even now, I decide it's a good safety measure to run over this scene even if it's close to perfect. (Plus, it's Link.)

Seeing him now reminds me that it's Link who I'll be acting with, not some stranger, not some real fancy Hero of Legend. Just Link. And that's good enough.

Smiling, I take the outstretched sword. "No, don't be sorry. I think I need it too."

Resting the blade against his right shoulder, I close my eyes and willed for the lines associated with this action to come to mind. To my relief, it comes immediately, just like at the cafe.

"Hero of Hyrule, chosen by the sword that seals the darkness…"

As I recite my lines, my eyes crack open to study the boy in front of me. Thankfully, my mouth moves on autopilot, saving me from tripping on any words, as that same, fluttery feeling enter my chest.

I...really like Link.

There's no further question to it. I really like him, and I just hope that after the play, we could...

I almost trip on my lines but manage to avoid it as I gracefully finish up the rest of it. Goddesses, I really can't let a mess up happen during the real deal.

"Arise, sir."

Link rises as told, but this time, he doesn't hold eye contact with me, instead looking angled towards the side. Although I'm slightly puzzled, I don't drop my act and continue saying my next lines.

"Will you hereby have any further inquiries or questions about this conferment of espousing the duty of knighthood?" I recite, already knowing what Link's going to do.

"Yes."

...Wait, what?

Blinking, I'm startled into silence by the sudden violation of the play script, widening my eyes in confusion at him. He's supposed to just shake his head no…

Finally, he returns my gaze, soft, deep, warm, yet intense, and my stomach explodes in that feeling of butterflies, heart hammering at the speed of light. That feeling from the goddesses flood my insides once again.

This feeling from the goddesses...it really was real…?

He holds my gaze warmly.

"Will you go out with me?"

A/N: AhehehhEHEHEHEHE how was THAT? Too much? Too cringe? Not guilty! xD

Well...this is it! One more chapter...and I would finally finish this story. Again, I cannot express in mere words about how thankful I am to each and every one of you for all the support this story has gotten, despite being on several hiatuses and a crap story sometimes. I know it's not perfect, and so, I extend my greatest thanks for bearing through it all. It means the world to me. :)

I'll see ya after the final chapter (which will be posted within 1 week)!

-prowessMaster44