The next three months rolled by, as training grew harder during gym, the air got colder, and learning speed increased. More reading assignments, more essays, more homework, more projects. Did I mention the projects? There were so many project assignments in all of the core subjects. But, as if to cheer us up, during the last few days before Christmas break, just as promised, Chrom, Shulk, Bayonetta, and a few other third years paid us a visit. We learned some valuable skills in terms of rolling and dodging. Bayonetta was especially quick, and had some of the most interesting combos. You'd be fighting her and the suddenly a large pink heel might come crashing down in front of you. And her aerial combos… horrifying.

Strangely enough though, I never fought against Marth. Every day when gym came around, I waited to be called with Marth as my opponent. But I never heard it. We both seemed to be fine with it. We were both thinking, I'll just take him out in the Tournament. As the days went on, Marth continued to sit with us. Samus was getting a little irritated.

She said to me after school one day, "That Marth guy is freaking me out. And besides, isn't he supposed to sit at the smart kid table? He's not awesome enough for our table, anyway." I'd laughed. Samus always found a way to lighten the mood, even if she came across as "always-slightly-pissed." Our club continued to pull in more people, so much that we might be switching places with the Homework Club, who had the cafeteria. As our club and learning skills grew, so did my feelings for Zelda.

It was hard to tell if it was the same for her, because she often grabbed my hand to get me to come with her. Regardless, she still seemed to talk to me more and more often. So often that Marth was beginning to notice. Now, he had to call Zelda's name to get her attention in a conversation with me. Normally Zelda would notice him first and invite him in.

Also, I was starting to see Sheik and Samus talking one on one. Those conversations were also the only moments where I saw Samus get slightly nervous. Very interesting. The girls that were part of the Sheik fan club were very disappointed. And of course, Robin and Lucina were sticking to their "two peas in a pod" thing. Not a surprise there.

On the last day of school before winter break began, I gave presents out to my friends. A new book series for Robin to read (he practically inhales them), a megaphone for Pit (because it's ironic), and for Sheik, I'd bought him a professional recording kit. Sheik liked to write his own songs on the harp. The song I'd played earlier, the "Prelude of Light," was one of his creations, but had become famous throughout the entire school.

Now, for Zelda. I didn't know what to get her at first, but then I'd remembered art class, and what a great painter she was. So, I'd gotten her a deluxe art set with colored pencils, oil pastels, and acrylic and watercolor paints. It was complete with six regular pencils, a big eraser, and four different sized brushes. I'd blushed hard when I gave it to her, but I didn't think she could tell, because our cheeks were already splashed red from the cold. In return, Zelda had given me an Ocarina and a thirty dollar prepaid card.

She also gave me a hug. Not just a quick embrace, but a real, six second squeeze. Two seconds was the time limit for a friendly hug, but I doubted she knew or cared. I didn't care either. The whole time, I could smell that floral smell that she had.

"Merry Christmas," she said, pulling away. Her mother was picking her up from school so they could drive out to The Great Bay for vacation. Zelda's parents had been divorced for a while, but she stayed living with her father.

I was getting driven home by my Uncle, anyway.

"Merry Christmas," I said back. Then she was in the car waving goodbye until next year. I want the only one waving back though. Her waving became more frantic as she noticed Marth stepping outside. He waved back, and then Zelda disappeared around the corner. I turned to face him, and he had a smug grin plastered across his face. Well played, my friend, I thought. Very well played. But two can play at this game.

What game? I scolded myself. Do I even like Zelda? Well, she is very attractive, and nice, and she cares a lot about her friends. I nodded inwardly. I'm her friend, I thought. Was that all I'd ever want to be? I couldn't keep confusing myself much longer. I also needed to stop thinking like that. But it was hard to stop thinking about her. Zelda crowded my thoughts so often, it was almost overwhelming. As I slid into the car after Toon, I felt someone's eyes on me. As we drove away, I looked up at the office window. Before their faces were out of view, a caught a glimpse of Camii and Principal Ganondorf looking out at the snow covered courtyard.

I flashed back to my midterm conversation with my guidance counselor, Mimii. Our chat was completely normal, just about my grades and class recommendations, except for one part.

She'd asked, "Is there anyone in our staff that makes you uncomfortable?"

I had been taken aback by her question, and she'd leaned closer to tell me, "I heard from Camii that Ganondorf has taken an interest in you. Between us three, he can't be trusted. He's had trouble at his last few jobs due to his capacity for Smash, specifically those who exhibit strength. He was brought to the school as principal less because he's a good manager, and a little more so that we could keep an eye on him."

"Wha- Why are you telling me all this?" I'd wondered aloud.

Mimii leaned back. "You have a talent for smash. I'm telling you this so that you can be a little more… careful. But please, don't let something between the adults distract you. Enjoy your break, and come back to school refocused. See you next year."