Zelda had once been sleeping soundly in the comfort of her bed, but now she was back in the place she dreaded most. You can already guess what that place was. The education prison!

She was dreading it even more today, mainly because of the text Link had sent her last night.

What did he want to ask her? It seemed it be an important question to him, and she was worrying over what that question was, exactly. It could be anything. It could range from asking Zelda to help him assassinate someone to just asking for homework advice.

Anything. Zelda laughed briefly at the first idea her stupid mind decided to predict.

As Zelda made her way through the hallways, she looked to her side and spotted Lana, practically gluing herself to Link's side. The brunette groaned quietly in annoyance, reaching her locker and entering its combination.

Out of the corner of her eye, Zelda saw Lana began to walk away from Link. That was the most surprising thing she had seen today. And the bell hadn't even rung yet, since nobody was budging. She just left on her own? Incredible.

Zelda almost jumped when she and Link made eye contact. Avoiding his gaze, an embarrassed blush crept up into her cheeks as she struggled to pay attention. Any time he looked at her, it was like she had been paralyzed. Slightly. Kind of. Only a little bit. But like, not really. It was just—what? Zelda groaned quietly to herself and silently cursed this arising feeling.

She had only been interacting with him for three weeks since he approached her at the beginning of the school year. Not even a month had passed. In one week a month would have passed, though.

Link had certainly done an excellent job in persuading Zelda to be his friend again. A little too good.

She was almost convinced at this point. In actuality, she could call off this whole deal right now and help Link with whatever his problem was.

But not entirely. She wasn't convinced entirely, that's for sure.

Zelda began to mentally panic when Link approached her. She felt her heart rate increase once she noticed he was standing right beside her.

Holding her books close to her chest, Zelda let out a shaky and nervous sigh. Link tapped her shoulder, gaining Zelda's attention.

Link held up a small note he had been holding this entire time, allowing Zelda to read it quickly before he put it back in his pocket.

It read, "Let's talk before lunch."

Zelda blinked and just stared at Link's face after he had put the note away. He wanted to talk with her before lunch? This was probably the important question he was going to ask her. Or, it could be something that doesn't even relate to what Zelda was thinking. Maybe she was overthinking this. Whatever he had to say couldn't be too bad, right? Yes, of course.

Blinking once more, she noticed Link's facial expression had changed from somewhat serious to him smiling. Why was he smiling all of a sudden?

Then, Zelda realized that while she had been overthinking his words, she was staring at him the whole time. Her face became warmer than she ever anticipated.

Okay, maybe she was starting to grow on him. A result she was not expecting from this fiasco.

Returning to reality once more, Zelda acknowledged the fact that she and Link had been making eye contact for about two minutes straight, now. She loved his eyes, though she would never admit that to anyone.

Whenever they locked eyes, there was a way different feeling that they both felt. It felt nice and warm—but they would never say that to anyone, especially not each other.

Zelda flashed a small smile at Link, awkwardly patting his shoulder with her free hand and walking away from him. As if on cue, students around her began to walk to their classes, so Zelda hastily made her way to hers.

••

Lunchtime had finally arrived, and Zelda was anxiously awaiting Link's arrival. Midna had passed by her in the hallways, to which Zelda informed her friend that she would catch up with her later at lunch. As expected, Midna looked a little disappointed, but the girl shrugged it off and smiled, walking away and towards the cafeteria.

Leaning against the white walls, Zelda exhaled and looked to and fro for any sign of Link. She decided to wait just outside the doors of the cafeteria, trying her hardest to ignore the perplexed stares she was earning from other students.

Eventually, a familiar face that belonged to only Link showed up. He smiled at Zelda, skipping over to her and leaning his back against the wall, too, now standing beside her. Arms crossed, just like what Zelda was doing right now.

Once all the other students had entered the cafeteria, Link and Zelda scooted away from the doors a bit and looked at each other.

Zelda purposely avoided meeting his eyes directly, only giving him a look that begged him to ask the important question.

Link shuffled around his pockets, looking for something, and he eventually found it after much searching. It was another sticky note, which he began to unfold. Once that was done, he handed it to Zelda, which she gingerly accepted and read the words written across the yellow paper.

Can we hang out after school? We could go to the park.

Zelda was a bit taken aback a bit by his proposal. Inhaling and then exhaling sharply, she folded the yellow paper in half and looked earnestly at Link.

He was already preparing for the worst once Zelda handed the note back to him. Link began to regret this decision so much, mentally cursing Telma for convincing him to do this. She said it'd help him, but it was taking a toll on him now.

Zelda then smiled, nodding slowly and filling Link's racing heart with relief.

He put his hands up, carefully signing the words, thank you, to Zelda, which made her smile even more.

Link really loved her smile. She didn't do it often, and he was happy to be the initiator of that smile.

Yeah, she wouldn't forgive him that easily. He knew she was just being nice, probably.

But, Link tried to be hopeful, despite how much he was doubting his decision. He wondered what would've happened right now if he hadn't approached Zelda that day, but what's done is done.

Besides, he still had a week until Zelda would call the deal off.

After they hung out today, what else could he do? Link couldn't constantly ask her to hang out with him. He'd seem clingy.

Link decided he'd try to ask Midna for help.

Because he really believed that he may have a crush on Zelda. Who knew someone like her could captivate him so easily in such a short time span?

All the while, Zelda was pondering if she should do this. It would be quite a bold action for someone as shy and quiet as her. She didn't have the confidence to do what she wanted to do, but another half of her urged her to do it.

How would Link react?

It was now or never. Sure, she'd regret it later and most likely overthink what happened, as per usual, but she was feeling bold for once in her life.

So, Zelda took a step closer to Link, feeling her cheeks warm up and her stomach flipping. She didn't really have to stand on her tippy-toes or anything, though, since Zelda was about an inch taller than Link.

Zelda pecked him on the cheek, and when she was done, she waved a little and ran as if her life depended on it.

Link touched the spot where Zelda's lips once were, his own face turning a light shade of pink at the realization of what had just happened.

He was fazed for a moment, but quickly returned to reality. Zelda was gone.

A genuine smile spread across his face, and he sighed dreamily like a lovesick teenager. Alright, maybe it was a crush. But who knows?

Things were going well so far. First, Zelda agreed to hanging out with him after school. Secondly, she kissed him on the cheek.

Link felt good for once.

••