Chapter 3

(The sleeping beauty)

Leah stepped out of her cabin into the warm sunlight and let the cool breeze gently blow against her face. The girl was wearing her trademark suspenders and green t-shirt, her red hair was done in its usual braid that rested over her right shoulder. With sketchpad in hand Leah walked into the forest, heading for the lake she usually went to when she wanted to do some sketching. On arrival though she was surprised to see a blond girl fast asleep under a large tree nearby. Sitting in between the lake and the tree Leah decided to ignore the girl and focus in on her drawing. The Forest was always beautiful and never ceased to amaze those who wondered into it. Leah was sure there were still many hidden secrets still waiting to be discovered by people willing to look for them.

A few minutes passed and Leah couldn't help but look over her shoulder at the blonde girl, who was still sound asleep. Taking a closer look at her Leah noticed that she was wearing a brown buttoned shirt, all buttons were undone revealing a gray t shirt she wore underneath. The blond also had bright blue jeans on and a pair of brown boots. Locks of long blonde hair spilled out onto the grass around her. The Forest also seemed to natural except her as light trickled into through the branches of the trees creating an atmosphere that could be described as almost magical. A butterfly flew around the blond as well, flying around her carefully as if it wanted to take a closer look at the girl too. Leah instinctively flipped to a new page in her sketch book, but she hesitated before putting pencil to paper. She hadn't really asked for the girls permission. Leah bit her bottom lip as she considered continuing.

"Well it's not like the girl said she didn't want me to draw her" Leah said mentally to herself trying to ignore the small amount of guilt that was gnawing at her. However as soon as Leah began drawing she entered her own world and the guilt brushed away.

After a few minuets Leah had finished and she looked back and forth from her sketch pad to the girl comparing the two images. Pleased with her work she smiled, unfortunately the smile was short lived as she looked up to see the blonde girl beginning to stir. Leah panicked and dropped her sketch pad, she was frozen unsure of what to do next. The blonde slowly sat up rubbing her eye as she did. When she opened them they instantly locked onto Leah.

"Oh!" The girl gasped in surprise, A large blush was visible on her face. "I didn't realize anyone was around."

"Sorry" said Leah a little embarrassed. "I didn't want to wake you."

"You're Leah right?" The Blonde asked

"Yea." Leah replied feeling the awkwardness in the air.

"I'm Zelda the new farmer who moved in a few months back." The Blonde said with a small smile.

"Oh right!" Leah said as her memory came back to her. "I think I saw you once in town, talking to abigail."

"Probably." Zelda giggled "Were pretty good friends."

"That's a little surprising, as long as I have know Abigail she always been pretty distant with people."

"Yea she canna with a prickly personality at times but underneath she's not so bad."

"So what made you come out here?" Leah asked

"Just was bored and decided to take a walk in the woods." Zelda's gaze shifted and she looked up at the rich green leaves that hung from the many trees around them. "I love these woods there so peaceful."

Leah just stared at the girl unable to look away. There was something about her that made her almost glow, maybe it was her smile? A smile that seemed almost incapable of disappearing.

"I love these woods too." Leah said "I come out here for inspiration or when I just want to relax."

"Inspiration?"

"I'm an artist. Well trying to be anyway."

"Really that's so cool!" Zelda said

For some reason zelda's reaction made Leah blush and feel embarrassed. Although Leah had no idea why.

"Are these yours?" Zelda asked picking up Leah's sketch book that had been still on the floor.

Snapping back to reality Leah began to internally panic as she remembered that her drawing of Zelda was still in there.

"Wow these are really amazing" Zelda said in awe as she flipped through the pages seeing all of the sketches Leah had drawn. Drawings of trees and landscapes, of lakes and Forest animals, the all looked amazing. "Wait, is this me?" The blonde said as she flipped onto the last page.

"Sorry, I know I didn't ask for your permission." Leah said sheepishly. "I can throw it out if you want."

"No, No!" Zelda said quickly without removing her eyes from drawing. "It's just… wow this is amazing!"

"Really? I mean… you're not upset?" Leah asked hesitantly

"Of course not!" Zelda said smiling brightly. "Do you just draw or do you paint as well?"

"I try to work in all areas. I paint, draw and sculpt."

"Really? That's so cool." Zelda said her eyes widening in awe.

"All my work is in my cabin if you want to take a look." Leah asked shyly, not use to someone really liking her work. Excluding family members of course.

"Yea sure! I would love to" Zelda said as she jumped up onto her feet.

The two walked back to Leah's cabin. As Leah opened the old wooden door Zelda's eyes widened. Zelda looked around the room to see art supplies scattered around the room. Paints, brushes and a few palettes (some dirty and some clean). Canveases leaned against many walls, Zelda could tell that a few were unfinished. Over in the corner there was an unmade bed with green sheets. Near the bed there was a large desk that was covered in pages of drawings. Zelda's eyes also wondered over to a large log that had been granted its own space in the room. A box of carving tools was on the floor nearby and the blonde immediately guessed what the log was for. The Cabin also came with a lovely fire place which Zelda thought must come handy in the winter. She knew she would be using her own as much as she could when the weather started to cool. On the other end of the room there was a small kitchen and table.

"Sorry." Leah said looking sheepish. "I forgot what a mess it is in here."

"I don't think it's a mess." Zelda responded her voice calm and reassuring. "These are beautiful." She said walking up to some of the many paintings.

"Thanks" Leah said shly. "I love my work but I have to admit… it's a not easy to pay the bills when you're an artist."

"Well what if you held an art show in town?" Zelda said spinning on her heel to face the other girl.

"W.w.. What!" Leah stumbled in surprise.

"Yea! It would be great, you would get a ton of exposure and I am sure the town would love to have an event this."

"But… I mean... I don't have anything good enough to show off."

"Are You crazy? You've got a ton of awesome work here already!"

"I mean… It would be a nice event and it could turn artist's attention towards Pelican Town, But I would be crushed if no one liked my work."

Leah looked up at the blonde who was simply giving her a smile. Leah had trouble describing her particular smile. It was a smile that was reassuring, as if in one look Zelda had somehow told her that she believed in her, in a way Leah had always wanted to be believed in. It was strange to Leah that someone she barely new could make her feel this way.

"I'll think about it." Leah said as she began to smile as well.

There was a long pause as the two just stared smiling at each other. It was hard to tell how long they stood there for but it wasn't forced, it felt strangely natural. Zelda finally broke the silence by looking out the window as she noticed the sky starting to turn a shade of pink.

"Well it's getting late, I should head off." Zelda said walking towards the door.

"Thanks for stopping bye." Leah responded, sincerely glad that the blonde had seen her work.

"We should hang out some more." Zelda said looking back as she stopped halfway through the door.

"Yea. Feel free to come by anytime, I'll know doubt see you in the woods again too!" Leah chuckled.

"Thanks! See you around." Zelda said waving goodbye as she left.

As Zelda walked home she couldn't keep her smile off her face, although unlike her usual one this one felt different. Little did she know Leah had the same feeling about her own smile.

-Writers Notes-

Sorry I haven't updated this in a really long time, I have been really busy with life and what not. Thanks for the feed back I got. I know its not much but it does mean a lot.