Chapter Two

"You awake?" the deep, calm voice of Link echoed through her door. As sleep raced away from her, she rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. It was still dark in her room, which eased her slightly, an odd thing of her high school years.

"Yes." she called monotonelessly, sitting up.

"We'll head to school in an hour." Link said, and she listened as he walked away.

She got out of bed and headed to the bathroom, Link was kind enough to let her have her own bath. She quickly showered and put on a clean pair of clothes, and not once did she observe herself in the mirror, she did not want to be dragged back into the painful memories she hid. Once done, she stepped out into the hall and headed into the kitchen, where Link was cooking. She did not say anything as she readied her school bag.

After a few minutes, Link plopped a plate in front of her, startling her slightly. On the plate was a well made omelet, and she could not help but listen to her stomach grumble. She wondered how long it had been since she had had a decent meal as she picked up the fork and started to eat. She was not too fond of Link's generosity, yet at the same time took it with open arms. She was awed that he did not venture into learning more about her, or why she wore a cloak, and his friends were much the same.

No, I mustn't trust anyone. She growled at herself after finishing breakfast. Trust is too easily broken with the truth, and the truth must forever be hidden.

However, she remained as Link's shadow, just so she could get to class. As the new school day began, she remained silent as she took her seat in Pre-Calculus, the first class of the day with Mr. Rock. This class was not that bad, though Link had a hard time keeping Malon away.

Her biggest concern came in Science, after lunch. She had followed Link into the classroom, upon which he abruptly stopped and swore in Ancient Hylian,

"Link, you know I don't allow that language." a voice said as Link turned to face Zelda.

"Sorry, Mr. Ritmon." Link said. He looked once at her, before backing into the room. The person Zelda saw as the teacher looked almost like a bird. The Rito, from what she had learn, get a legendary scale that allows them to fly, and she saw it on his nose, perfectly blended in with his body.

"I'm going to have to tell you to remove your hood." Mr. Ritmon said, directed at her.

"I'm sorry, but I have permission from Mr. Sage to have my hood up." She said, standing firm.

"Permission or not, in my classroom you shall removed your hood."

Zelda remained quiet for a few seconds. She figured yesterday there was a sub, because she didn't have this much trouble before. Her fingers fiddled with her bad strap as she looked up and stared into Mr. Ritmon's eyes. In the corner of her vision, she could see that Link was struggling to come up with something to defend her. Zelda merely walked passed them and sat down at her seat. Link was quickly beside her in his seat, eyeing the teacher.

"Deaf or something? I asked you to remove your hood."

"More like commanded." Zelda snapped dangerously, causing Mr. Ritmon to flinch. "Deal with it, my hood remains up."

The rest of class continued after that. Mr. Ritmon gave into Zelda and she was allowed to keep her hood on. After class, as she and Link headed downstairs for literature, trouble started again. She felt it, the grab of someone's hand on her cloak collar, followed by a push. She fell down the steps and blacked out.

Link was right there, and had turned to see Malon and her friends. Malon was holding the cloak in her hand. "Give that to me." Link hissed dangerously.

"Why should I?" Malon asked.

"It doesn't belong to you." Link replied flatly.

"I'll give it back for a date."

"Malon, it's over between us, or do you not understand that."

"Don't give me that, Li--" she started,

"If I recall, you broke up with me." Link hissed, grabbing the cloak, "Now get lost."

With that, Link hurried down the stairs and slid next to Zelda's prone form. When he saw her, he was surprised at how pale her skin appeared under the black outfit. When he rolled her head onto his lap, he saw the strangest sight; strange black lines traced from the back of her cheeks to her neck, and seem to pulse. Without a second thought, he quickly put the cloak back over her, making sure to cover her face with the hood, and headed to the office. He wanted to get her home before she freaked out, he had a feeling this event would not go over easy with her.

"Hello Link, is there a problem." the secretary asked.

"Yeah, could you sign me and Zelda out, I need to get away from Malon and Zelda needs some rest."

The secretary looked at him, then at Zelda. She knew the story with the new student, and the story with Malon and Link, with a slow nod, she grabbed the clipboard.

"Take it safe, and remember Mr. Sage might want to know what happen."

"View the cameras, central stairwell." Link responded, and then he exited the school building. Working his way to his truck, he opened the passenger door and placed Zelda inside, then buckled her up. Going around his truck and entering his side, he starts it up and drove home.

...Painting Scars...

Zelda woke up in her room. She vaguely remembered what happen in school, and her head pounded. Lifting her hand to her head, she feels bandages on it, and her eyes widen. Slowly rolling on her back, she spots her cloak on the rack, with her bag next to it. In her unfocused vision, she spotted a note on the bag. Getting up, she walked over and looked at the note.

Zelda,

I know you're not comfortable without that cloak on, and may Din burn Malon up. I don't know what you can recall, but I'll let you know this, Malon managed to get your cloak off.

BUT I swear, no one but me saw you. Malon was only focused on me, as where her troupe. Everyone else was in class.

All I'm saying, is that I'm trying to help you protect yourself, seeing as that's how you want it, I put your cloak back on and headed home. If you're reading this, it's Friday, and you've been out for two days, I've been changing the note every morning.

Just don't leave so soon after arriving, I promise Malon won't cause any more trouble, Mr. Sage saw fit to give her a suspension and after that, a week of detentions.

I just hope to be your friend, at least.

Link

After reading the note, Zelda let out a sigh she did not realize she was holding. Touching her cloak, she found it clean. Going to her personal bathroom, she undid the bandage to look at the wound. It was mostly healed, so she just left it. Throwing out the bandages, she exited the bath and grabbed her cloak. Leaving a note on the front door, Zelda escaped to the nearby woods.

After a short walk, she found what she was looking for. A few weeks before signing up for the nearby high school, she found this small clearing, and she was surprised to see it so close to Link's place. Sitting down with her back against a log, she closed her eyes.

Only to witness a flash of memories she had been trying to submerge.

It ranged from her sixth grade perfect attendance awards to her fourteenth birthday, from friends she once had to her previous boyfriend leaving her because of her new state. They suddenly vanished, only to be replaced with a pair of glowing amber eyes.

Snapping her own eyes open, Zelda grabbed the nearest object and threw it with all her might. A flap of birds was heard as she breathed heavily, trying to calm herself down. Relaxing slightly, she stared ahead blankly, trying not to think of what was happening to her.

A small rabbit braved its way over to her, holding a carrot in its front paws. She looked over at it, and it hopped back a few paces. A snapping twig caused it to run away, and Zelda turned to see who it was.

"Ah, here you are." a voice muttered, one she had come to learn to be Link's, "C'mon, it's getting late and I've gotta get you caught up as well."

Saying nothing, Zelda picked herself up and followed Link out of the woods. She was not ready to have a friend again, but she needed someone to help her in school. She just prayed Link would keep her secret from his other friends.

Thanks to Lady.Zayriah for looking over this chapter, and my other chapters.