Zelda

I strode along the shore of The Great Bay, the wind tousling my hair. Stray strands were gently flung across my face, as I felt the fabric-like sand beneath my feet. Twilight hung in the air has the sun dipped towards the horizon.

"Hey, Link isn't this…" I trailed off. This had been happening throughout some of the trip. I'd be someplace alone, only to find myself talking to Link. I'd gotten so used to him always being there when my Mom or Dad wasn't. I'd gone to the Bay with my mom. My parents are divorced, so I lived with my Dad, and my Mom had me for weekends and holidays.

Even out here, I still felt the urge to go find Link and talk about something. If my Dad was the most bothered by anything, it was wasted time. Being in the Photography and Art club really let me express myself much better, without having to worry about being told my emotions were "petty." I also found Link's presence comforting. And Marth was a reassuring person, though not in the same way as Link.

While Marth was a great best friend, Link had become important to me. I thought of him often nowadays. It's a confusing feeling, that's for sure. When I'd met him, I had immediately thought, "friend." I was so pleased to make a new group of friends so fast, that I'd obtained a bubbly personality. Normally, I would be calm, mostly keeping things to myself.

I sat down on the white sand with a sigh. My Mom finally caught up to me and took a seat to my right. The fire of the orange sunset seemed to crackle across the top of the water, as waves reflected the light in different directions.

"So, do you mind telling me who this Link guy is? He seems like a good enough person," she prodded. Mom was fine with taking more time to explore things you like, or as she says, "shake your color." I connected to her more than I connected with my Dad, so I trusted Mom with everything.

"Well, he's a boy at my school, obviously. He likes a lot of the same things I do. He's really nice," I responded.

"He's handsome, right? Or at least cute?" She said.

"Mom! It's not like that! Well, maybe… I don't know!" I protested, my face flushing pink with embarrassment. Mom doubled over in laughter, and soon I couldn't help but join her.

"Your red cheeks betray you! No more laughing then," she said, our last giggles fading away. "Zelda, I just want you to be happy. I know that I haven't done the best job of pleasing you. Especially breaking away from your father," she said. "If this Link boy can help me out in comforting you, tell him I said he should come around more often!"

In spite of the previous "no laughing" policy, we were sent into another fit of giggles.

"Thanks, Mom. Though, I don't think Dad likes the idea of any boy hanging out with me constantly," I said.

"That doesn't come as a surprise. He needs to lighten up. He can be so thick sometimes…" she trailed off. Her brow became furrowed, which meant that she was thinking hard. I stared at Mom for a moment.

"Mom, do you hate Dad?" I asked hesitantly.

"Of course not sweetie. Why would you think that?" She said, quickly turning to face me. "Things just weren't working out, so we both decided to move on. Now, we should head back to the room before it gets too dark." As we stood up, Mom looped her arm through mine, and we walked along the beach back to the hotel, our elbows hooked like we were two middle school besties. I thought of Link then, and I knew Mom sensed that, but she didn't say anything. That's why I liked my Mom better. Because she understood.

"Zelda," she asked, her voice surprisingly serious. "Do you want to come live with me?" I didn't mean to gasp, but I still caught my breath.

"Nevermind, I bet you wouldn't want to leave all your friends," she said. I'm glad she had made the decision for me.

I opened up my phone to check any messages I might have received, knowing I wouldn't get to read them for a while. Mom and I were going to see the "Indigogo's" performing. I clicked on my chat with Link and sent him a regular "What's up with you today?"

No instant response like usual. I didn't know why that bothered me so much. Then, a new message popped up from one of my other conversations

"Hello, Zelda," Marth had sent.

"Hey, Marth," I typed.

"Looks like you're still up," he responded.

"Yeah, I did. I 'm headed to a concert, and I was also chatting with Link, though he hasn't responded yet."

"... Can we… not talk about Link for a moment?"

That took me entirely by surprise. Dread pooled in my stomach. Had I said something wrong?

"...? Marth? I'm not understanding you," I answered.

"Nvmd."

"Sure," I answered. Marth then told me he was in Archenea for Christmas break.

"Archenea!?" I'd messaged him in disbelief. It was one of the wealthiest countries in the entire world, coming in a close second with Hyrule Castle Town. Even simply staying in a hotel room was pricey enough. Though, Marth's family could easily afford a trip like that. Mom could, too, but she said that we didn't need to spend a lot of money on a fancy trip, as long as we had fun.

"Yeah. There's so many shops and buildings. We even went shopping in the Secret Shop," he continued. "By the way, I got you something."

"I'll bet it was expensive. Please don't waste your money on me," I answered.

"Don't worry," he answered. "Oh, gotta go. I'll text you if you later, okay?" Marth said.

"Okay. Bye, Marth. You're an awesome friend."

"...Thanks."

I didn't get the hint.

Music filled the room as my Mom and I cheered and shouted with the rest of the crowd. Din and Nayru had made a surprise appearance. During the end of the music number, I felt my phone buzz in the back pocket of my jean shorts. My Mom pretended not to notice Link's face on the caller screen, and instead went back to moving the glow stick she held in time with the music. As soon as I'd answered, the music started up again.

"Jesus, is your phone on top of your car's subwoofer?" He shouted over the line.

"No. I'm at a concert!" I shouted back with a laugh.

"Wait- is that Din and Nayru? Keep your phone on until the end of the concert. I wanna hear!" He demanded. Laughing again, I held up my cell along side my glow stick.

I held the phone back down to my ear to talk to Link.

"That was great. Too bad I couldn't be there with you," he said.

"Yeah," I agreed. "Imagine if Marth was here, too! It'd be a blast! I haven't been speaking to him that often these days."

I could almost picture Link shaking his head. "I'm not sure if I'm relieved or disappointed or what."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Ah, nothing. Aw, dammit. My phone's gonna die. Talk to you tomorrow, Zelda. Have… Have a wonderful night."

I giggled. Him wishing me a happy night was futile. I was already brimming with joy. Suddenly, I wanted badly to be talking with Link in person. I wanted him to be standing with me as I watched Lulu sing.

"Goodnight, Link. Miss ya," I told him before ending the call.

Later that night, I rolled over in my bed, begging sleep to come, but my wish was not granted. Something about the loneliness I had felt was strong. I didn't feel this way about my other friends, but when Link entered a room with me, he seemed to fill up a space I didn't know existed.

I sat upright, pushing the covers off of myself. I noticed my mom's bed was empty beside me, and when I looked to my left, I saw her robed figure standing on our hotel room's balcony. I padded over to the sliding glass door, pushing it open to step outside. My mother turned around to face me.

"You're usually a sound sleeper. Are you thinking of Link again?" She asked. I blinked at her.

"You know everything," I sighed, giving her a defeated smile. I crossed my arms and rested them on the railing, staring out over the ocean as it lapped gently on the shore.

"I know love when I see it," she responded with a chuckle. I stood up abruptly and face her.

"I'm in love with him?" I asked.

"You didn't know?"

Mother seemed just as surprised as I was.

"Well, that's entirely up to you. Whether or not you chose to love him, I mean." I looked back at the ocean again, thinking of all the warm and lovely memories I shared with Link and all my friends. It was hard to pick out my specific feelings for Link, because all my other friends gave me joy as well.

When I go home, I want to be able to find out, I thought, a look of determination on my face. My mother smiled and nodded.

"Why don't we both head to bed?" She offered. I focused on the memory of the drawing I had made for Link. The feeling of wanting to impress him and see him again filled my heart and lulled me to sleep.

"You've got a gift, Zelda," My mother's voice awoke me. "From that other boy, Marth," she added with a chuckle.

"Ah, so this is the souvenir he meant to send!" I exclaimed, looking at the dragonstone. Holding a cup of coffee, my mother chuckled and shook her head.

"What?" I asked turning to look at her. She snorted.

"Kids your age…"