"Tomorrow?" I choke. "It was scheduled for November!"

"Yes but we were supposed to have another home game this week, which we had to postpone now. Everything got switched around and the game against Lorule has been moved to tomorrow."

"At their school?"

"Yes."

"But you... No, no it's too soon. Don't go to their school."

"It'll be fine."

"No, Ganon can't just... You see what he's doing, right? He's sabotaging your odds. Injuring you, moving the game dates, turning a home game into an away game. It's obvious."

"Nothing we can do," he sighs.

"A few weeks ago you told me the Boars are your guys' strongest opponent, are you even ready to go against them?"

"Yes."

"Don't lie to me. Yesterday you said you still have a month to train. Now you have less than 48 hours, so please don't lie to me."

"I have to be ready. I have to win."

"You keep talking about yourself, singular, but you're not alone in this, Link. You have an entire team standing behind you, we're all in this together. Win or lose, we do it together. It's not up to you alone."

He shakes his head, his face grim. "Spectators think differently."

"Well then they're wrong. Link, listen to me, you are not alone."

His eyes aim at the soot on the concrete between us. "I have to practice now."

He leaves without another word or so much as a glance at me. My heart aches for him. What if someone came up to me and told me I'd have to write my finals tomorrow? Of course I'd tell myself I have to pass but on the inside I'd be freaking out. He's definitely not ready to go against Lorule. 

Even if he has the skills and physical strength, mentally he must be a wreck. I wish there was something I could do but I fear that the only thing he needs right now is space and silence.

I go to my classes but the game never leaves my mind. Focusing on school is nearly impossible. My mind keeps darting from Impa to Link to Father to Mipha to Pik... When Link doesn't show up in PE I am convinced that he is sweating blood for tomorrow. He would never admit it in words but he is anxious about the game. He is skipping a gym class to practice sports, which says enough.

I keep shooting sharp glares at Malice but she is unbothered by me. Did she help Ganon set fire to her own school's stadium? I ball my fists at my sides, imagining her reaction if I just walked up to her and smacked her in her gloating face. She'd probably beat me up in front of the class but those three seconds of her in utter surprise and pain would be worth it.

To avoid getting into a fight with a mixed martial arts fighter I don't even change my clothes when class is over. I grab my bag and leave the locker room before Malice has a chance to trap and insult me.

I'm so glad to be done with school for today. I couldn't concentrate on the professors, I'm just so nervous about tomorrow. Instead of going home I head to the library, where I find a lonely corner and hope that Jay Gatsby can get my mind off of things. I nearly finish the whole book by the time I look up from the pages. Sun has set and the library is so quiet you could hear a pin drop. 

I check my phone. It's nearly time for dinner... I don't want to eat with Father. Not that he'd be home anyway, but this morning he mentioned talking about Impa tonight. I can't deal with him tonight, all this fighting lately... It's just too much for me right now. I text him that I'm still at the library and won't be able to make it for dinner. Not soon after, I receive a reply from him.

His reply is... not what I expected. At all.

"You may be excused. Stay as long as you need and study hard. And please, do not worry about Impa; I promise my lawyer and I will take care of this."

Lately I haven't been in the mood to study at all, which feels odd. But ever since it's not for biology, it's just a chore. Especially with all these distractions it has become more than challenging to study effectively.

A couple hours later, I'm ready to leave the library and pass by the science labs on my way out to the parking lot. The door to the planetarium opens and I quickly hide behind the corner I came from. I'm not in the mood to run into Astor tonight. When I peek around the corner it's not Astor locking the door. It's Pik. 

Why does he have a key and what is he doing here so late? After yesterday I don't know what to think of him. I know that I turned my phone off and he was the one watching my bag. I just don't want to deal with him on top of Link's game, Mipha's heartbreak, and Impa's arrest. 

Having left the building, I call Impa to check up on her. She answers on the second ring.

"Hey, what's up?" she says, no music playing in the background for once. She must be at her dorm.

"Hey, just checking to see how things are. They let you go right?" Perhaps the unusual silence is due to her still sitting at the police station. I hope not.

"Dude, it was such overkill," she groans, mixed in with a chuckle. "They kept me in a cell with some drug addict until your dad bailed me out. Actually, that girl was kinda lit, she had some funny stories. And no, mom, I didn't do drugs with her," she laughs.

"Hold on, my father paid the court?" 

"Yeah he doesn't think it was me. His lawyer said they barely have any good evidence to go with so it will be a short trial. He said we go in, plead not guilty, walk out. That's it. And since your dad is HU's president he can literally decide whether or not to press charges. So I think we're all good."

"That sounds like really good news. I'm glad Father is pulling his strings to help you out. You're family, so it shouldn't surprise me. Do you have a date for the hearing?"

"Sometime next week. I wrote it down somewhere. But I'm not worried. I didn't do it so they can't say shit."

"Don't say that to the judge."

"Why not? Sounds legit to me."

"Er..."

"I'm fucking with you," she bursts into more laughter. "They won't find my prints on that dumb lighter, that's all I'm saying."

"They said the lighter they found at the crime scene was yours. Why do they think that?" I chew on my cheek.

"The lighter had my name on it," she giggles. Does she really think this is funny?

"It had your name on it but it's not yours? Then that settles it; somebody is framing you."

"Yeah no shit Sherlock," she laughs at her own joke.

"Why is this so funny to you?" I scold her. "It's not one bit funny. If they declare you guilty as charged you will face serious consequences. Maybe even prison!"

"Chillax."

"Are you intoxicated?" I hiss.

"People our age say drunk," more giggles fill my ear. "Maybe a little? So what? You gonna call the cops on me? That'd make you late to the party. My puns are on fire today! Not literally of course. I'd need my own lighter for that."

I take a deep breath before throwing words at her. She's been through a lot today and perhaps she deserves a break. I shouldn't judge her for trying to get her mind off of things. I do the same, just not the same way.

"So, tell me about your cellmate," I say as my eyes search the parking lot for my car until I realize that I parked it at the sports building this morning. I walk over there, glad to have Impa on the other line. I hate walking near the sports buildings at night. I'm always looking out for those baseball players or Ganon even though they don't even attend Hyrule.

"And she said if I ever want a free tattoo I can come to her studio. But enough about me, how was your birthday?" I can picture Impa's smirk.

"It was nice. Very nice."

"Oh yeah? Did you enjoy my gift?"

"Yes, Impa, I enjoyed the gift," I roll my eyes even though she can't see it.

"Anything spicy?"

"No." Although... When I think about our moment in the pool I feel my cheeks heating up again as if I was there right at this moment.

"Did he stay the night?"

"Maybe."

"I knew it. Did he ask you out?"

"No, why? Did he say he was going to?" I rush the words. My heart stands still and I walk into a pole. I look to my left and right. Nobody saw that.

"No, he doesn't talk to me, remember? He doesn't talk to anyone but you really. I'm just being nosy," Impa lets out yet another chuckle.

"Well, he didn't ask me out. I don't think he ever would, since I told him I want to take things slow. But I might...," my stomach rolls in somersaults.

"You might what."

"I might ask him to be my boyfriend." Saying it out loud feels so different from thinking about it in my head. 

"You... wait, for reals?"

"Possibly. I mean, would it be so bad? We're practically already dating. As long as we can keep it a secret it doesn't really change much."

"So why do it if it doesn't change anything?"

"Because."

"No, you can't just date someone 'because'. Give me a reason," she presses.

"Come on, you know that's not what I meant. It wouldn't not change anything."

"Give me a reason then."

"He makes me happy," I shrug.

"So do I. You gonna ask me out too? Give me a good reason for why you want to be his girlfriend. You must be sick of hiding your relationship with him, why make it more complicated?"

"There isn't much I can do about that at the moment. It's not like we never get to see each other. We have classes together and we hang out at his house or mine. We just can't be seen in public. And besides, I think Father might loosen up about the no-boys rule once I drop biology." 

I never thought I would choose a boy over my career one day. Then again, I suppose Father made that choice for me.

"This isn't really like you. Have you thought this through?"

"I've been thinking about it ever since I met him and lately I just feel so confident that it can work."

"And if it doesn't?"

"Then it doesn't. Why are you being like this? Do you not want me to date him?" I ask as I unlock my car.

"I'm just looking out for you. It's great that he makes you happy, really, I'm happy for you, but it's not a reason to date. So give me a good reason."

"We have fun. He makes me feel needed."

"So get a puppy."

"Really Impa?" I frown.

"I'm literally asking for one reason! Just one."

"Fine! I want to be with him because I'm in love with him!"

As soon as the words leave my lips the world around me falls silent. I don't even hear the keys dropping onto the asphalt. All I can hear is my own fleeting breath as realization hits me. I'm in love with Link... I am madly in love with him.

A relationship with Link was always doomed to fail, and perhaps it still is, but I'm not afraid of it anymore. In the past couple of weeks we have been able to spend more time together, support each other, and make memories despite the madness happening around us. He makes me want to be my best self and the beauty of it all is that when I'm with him I do feel like my most true self too. When he laughs, the entire world is more vibrant. And whenever I am with another person, all I can think of is how much I wished it was him. 

I can't even control my stupid grin right now. I'm in love. Utterly impetuously. I am falling quicker and quicker without a parachute or a safety net to catch me, and yet I don't fear the fall at all. I am loving every bit of nausea and heart ache because it's all worth it for a single minute spent with Link. 

I just remembered I'm still on the phone. Impa has been awfully quiet.

"Are you still there?" I ask nervously.

"I'm here," she replies painfully slowly. "That's..." I hear her swallow. "That's a good reason, I'll give you that."

Suddenly fear replaces my excitement and I'm not sure why. It's like the darkness and silence begin to crawl onto me and I quickly pick up my keys and get into my car. A few seconds ago, asking Link out seemed like a brilliant idea but now it's the scariest thought in my crowded head. This must be what Mipha feels like. Mipha! I can't ask Link out until he has told her about us. That would be cruel.

"I gotta go," Impa says. 

"Me too, I'm about to drive home. See you for lunch tomorrow?"

"Okay."

"Are you alright?" I ask before I leave the call like this.

"I am. Just kinda busy. We can talk more tomorrow."

"Sounds good. I can't wait to see you without handcuffs," I joke to hear her laugh but she doesn't. "Alright, well, see you then."

"Zelda?" I hear her small voice and I bring the phone back to my ear. 

"Yes?"

"It's not that I don't want you to date him, I just don't want to see you get hurt. I've had my heart broken before and it's not pretty. I just... I don't want you to think that I'm not supportive of you and him. Okay?"

"I know, Impa. I'm not mad."

"Okay good... Whatever you decide to do, I got your back. But if you do want some advice on it all, you know, I'll give you my opinion."

"I know I can always count on your brutally honest opinion," I half joke.

"Alright, I do have to go now. Good night, Princess."

"Good night, royal advisor."

I put my phone away and drive past sports buildings on my way out of the parking lot. I understand Impa's reaction to my feelings for Link. I have never been in love before and while Impa is used to hooking up with people she likes, I'm not like that at all. I've never even had a crush until now. So we're both new to this flustered, confused, in love version of me.

Link is still practicing on the dark lawn between the stadium and the archery training ground. He's running on three hours of sleep, how much more can he take? I want to stop the car, run into his arms and tell him to rest. But I know that's not what he wants. He needs to be left alone on game days and now it's more important than ever.

So I keep driving. He doesn't even notice me driving by. He looks so exhausted but his focus doesn't break, not even a crack in the shield he has put up. I admire his dedication but I wish he wouldn't feel the pressure of a million eyes upon him.

I send him a couple of messages when I get home, letting him know that I'm here if he wants to talk. I even send him a heart and then spend two hours overthinking it. Was the heart too much? Should I say it was a typo? Should I be confident and send another one? He doesn't reply to any of my texts but does send a heart back minutes before I go to bed. 

I keep staring at his heart for a little while until the butterflies wear off and I continue to analyze the ratio of his responses to mine. Am I too clingy? Should I stop texting him? I send him a good night text and pull the blanket up to my chin. I am so ready to skip to tomorrow and put that awful game behind us.

But sleep doesn't come easy. All night I keep tossing and turning, haunted by the Boars. If this is how I'm feeling, I can't even imagine what Link must be going through. I check my phone at 1.30 AM, at 3 AM, at 3.50 and at 4.15.

I finally give up on sleep and send him another heart. Within seconds, I receive a facetime call from Wild. Is this on purpose? Is Link actually calling me at 4 in the morning or is his phone playing a bitter prank on me? I answer the call and both our cameras appears on my screen. He's lying in bed, the lights dim.

"I didn't wake you, did I?" I whisper nervously.

"No."

He looks so sad, I can't take it! I crave to see the smile he wore so handsomely on my birthday.

"Why are you up?" he asks me caring.

"I'm restless," I say with a weak smile. He can't see me through the dark but I hope my voice will comfort him a little.

"Why?"

"You know why... Same reason you're still up. I'm worried about the game. I don't want Ganon to be anywhere near you."

He bites his lip thoughtfully. "I want to see you."

"Right now?"

He nods. Gladly, I sit up and turn on the string of lights that hang around my headboard. Now my camera isn't showing all black anymore and he can see my small smile now.

"I meant in person."

"I will see you in less than five hours," I try to be optimistic.

"I'm not coming to class."

"Hm... I guess I'll see you at the game then."

"No you won't, you have astronomy and Lorule's campus is an hour away. The game will be over before you'd get there."

"I'll skip astronomy then. I want to be there for you." I can't believe I'm actually saying this but it's true. I don't really want to go to astronomy anyway and supporting Link is so much more important to me right now than my attendance. I want Link to be able to look at his fans and see at least one person in that stadium who doesn't care which team wins or loses. All I want is for Link to be well and to prove to him that he has someone who supports him for him, not for his victories.

"Don't come," he orders sternly.

"Link--"

"I don't want you there," he doesn't even let me make an argument and my heart falls ten stories deep. 

"Why? You said you are more focused when I'm present."

"Not this time."

"Can you at least tell me why?" I bid timorously.

Games against Lorule are violent. I don't want you to be there because it's not safe."

"Then you shouldn't be there either," I argue.

"I have to. You don't."

"I do though. I want to be there for you."

"No," is his final answer. I'm scared to continue this debate. I only caused him more stress by answering his call... He rubs his face and sighs. "I should try to get some sleep."

"Yes... You should..." I murmur in a brittle voice.

"Bye."

"Goodnight."

My hopes of receiving one last smile are shattered when he hangs up first. I thought perhaps he would change his mind, or even just stay in the call for a minute longer to take a step back and talk about this. I didn't want to end the call like this. I wanted to apologize, change the topic, tell him how proud I am of him, but he hung up immediately, leaving me with my phone in hand and that darkness crawling closer again.

I turn the lights off and ignore that one stupid tear that rolls down my cheek as I lie back down. I'm slightly shaking... I know it's laughable. But I can't control it. I tell myself he didn't mean to hurt me but he didn't have to push me away like that. 

I can empathize with Link more than anyone. The pressure he bears and the sacrifices he makes to meet their expectations... I know what it feels like to think that you are all alone, competing against the whole world. But he has me now and I have him. We're not alone anymore and I am going to support him at Lorule Academy tomorrow no matter what he says.