It was another ordinary day at SSBU Academy. Zelda thought as she made her way from her locker to her first class of the day. She saw Marth in the hallway. She blushed, giggling to herself as she hid behind an open locker hoping that he would not tease her like he did before they fell in love. Marth was a couple of grades above her. She'd had a crush on for the longest time. It was her dream since freshman year to have him look at her as more than just a stickler for the rules. She was by the book. She did her best to uphold the expectations placed on her by her father. To the point that it broke her. She intended to keep it that way, but Marth was a dream. Everything about him was so cool and romantic. All the girls adored him. Marth was strong and brave. As flawless Zelda wished that she could be. And she got her wish. He belonged to her. Every toned muscle, gentle kiss and cocky grin.

Speaking of. She saw Samus Aran approached the blue haired boy. Zelda felt the anger boil inside her. Samus could have any boyfriend that she wanted. Samus was blonde, popular, thin and sporty.

Here she is flirting with MY boyfriend-

Her vitriol was cut short by Marth wrapping an arm around Samus's midsection, raking her in. The two of them pressed into his locker. Hands roaming over each other. Lips locked. Oblivious to the world. Zelda's resolve shattered. The world spinning around her as she crumbled to her knees. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"How could you? What did I do to deserve this?"

The bell rang. She didn't hear it, trying to banish the image from her mind. The hall emptied.

She was alone. Cold.

A hand nudged her shoulder.

"Hey. What's wrong?" A male voice asked.

Zelda looked up to meet with a pair of baby blues and scruffy, dirty blonde hair.

"I'm fine." She lied, wiping her tears. She still had a reputation to keep. "Let go of me."

He retracted his hand.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Zelda scowled at him.

"Never mind. Uh, you're probably late for class. Would you like to walk with me?"

How come I've never seen you around before? She thought, taking the hand he offered.

As she walked with him, she thought of an idea. It was crazy, but what if she could use him to win Marth back?

"What's your name?" Zelda asked.

"Link." He replied. His voice was soft, but strong.

"How come I haven't seen you before?"

"Wow! You're forward. I moved here recently."

He said 'recent' but he knew all the short cuts to classes.

"Do you make a habit of being late for class?"

"No. Do you?"

"No. Not once. Until today."

He admired her ability to smile. She ran her fingers through her long golden hair as she spoke. Twisting the follicles with a nervousness that did not exist in any other aspect of her posture or tone.

The more time she spent with him. Summer fading into Autumn and Autumn into Winter, the closer she felt. Link was not distant and aloof like Marth. Link didn't talk much. He could be confused for a mute. However, he was an open book. She started to follow him to his fencing classes. He was good with a sword. Even better than Marth. His feet fast and light. Almost dancing. He took her apple picking by the river after school. They got in trouble for feeding stray animals with crumbs from their lunchboxes. He made her feel free of the responsibilities she faced at home and at school. She could be herself with him. Talking while she studied for her exams. Link never demanded anything from her.

She decided to surprise him one day. She walked with her hood up. To meet him by the river in the park. He sat waiting for her. Still drenched in sweat from his fencing lessons. Her heart fluttered. She swallowed, trying to quell the butterflies in her stomach. A fresh wave of doubt churned her stomach. She felt physically sick. She needed to sit down.

I have time to think about this later. Be more spontaneous, like Link taught you to be. Don't mess this up. The worst he can say is no. I don't want to lose him as a friend. What am I supposed to do?

"Hey Link!" She called out.

He looked up. A look of astonishment crossed his face as her hood fell to rest around her shoulders. At first, he did not know what to make of the short bob where her long golden hair used to be. Zelda blushed.

"Don't you like it?"

"I-" He closed his mouth. His head shaking softly from side to side.

I'm sorry I didn't look up from my books sooner. I almost missed out on something special indeed.

"How does it look?"

"Really good. You're doing this for that boy aren't you?"

"Well actually…yes and no."

She paused, waiting to see if he could figure out what she was hinting at.

"I needed a change. It is for someone, but no…It's not Marth. I realise he was not worth my time."

Zelda twirled around, carrying her book bag as usual. She was bursting with excitement. That was not unusual after the time that they spent together. She looked forward to seeing him. She craved it.

"Link?"

The fear straining her voice made him take a couple of steps towards her. Her eyes wide as she searched his expression; trying to decipher whatever was going to happen in the next few seconds.

"Zelda."

"Yes?" She squeaked.

He smiled, embracing her like a friend.

"Did you do this for me?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

"We're still…friends?"

"Of course. And more, if that's what you want."

She let out the breath she'd been holding in. She laughed, happy that he felt the same way she did.

"What do you want to do now?" He asked.

She rested her head against his chest. Eyes closed.

"Just hold me please. I'm not used to…this."

She lost track of the time she spent his arms. Listening to the beat of his heart. Feeling truly loved.