On the ride home from Link's doctor's appointment I tell him all about the Scholars Symposium. I received first place for my oral presentation and was awarded a certificate, some prize money, and a photo of the winners was taken for the newspaper. Purah was up there too for her creation of vegan anti-aging cream. Pik wasn't awarded anything but he didn't seem to care. His voice combined with his gift for songwriting could have easily earned him first place in his category but I don't think he participated to receive a certificate. I think he just wanted to be heard.

"How's your leg?" I ask Link. We're close to the house.

"It feels much lighter now that the cooling pad and bandages are off," he says while biting into his popsicle. My teeth tingle when I see him chewing.

"Don't judge. You eat ice cream with a fork," he mumbles with his mouth full of flavored ice.

"When I told you that, I didn't think you were going to hold it against me for the rest of my life, you chicken-hating, pot-smashing, rock-eating, arson boy."

"You forgot cross-dressing."

"The saris," I remember and roll my eyes halfway with a playful smile.

"I'm really proud of you by the way." Link throws the wooden stick out the car window.

"Hey don't throw trash out the window," I scold him.

"Sorry."

"Why proud?" I ask and he smiles.

"Your presentation, dummy. It was awesome. I could never do that."

"Aw, thank you so much." I've received much praise today but none of it means anything in comparison to Link's words. "How's the pain on a scale of 1-10?"

"3. I took some painkillers before we left, so."

"Don't take any more until you go to bed. Otherwise you'll wake up in pain again."

"Yes, Dr. Hyrule."

When we get home Link keeps smirking at me as I help him up the stairs and I don't know if I want to know what those looks are for. What is he up to? I put the car keys down and examine his bedroom. Nothing out of the ordinary. I look back at Link.

"Okay, why are you smirking like a child who secretly ate all the chocolate from grandma's purse?"

"I have to take a shower and I need help," he bursts into laughter. "Looks like there is a silver lining to all of this."

"Funny," I cross my arms.

"Don't get too excited, I only need help with the plastic bag," he mocks and lightly pinches my cheek.

"I'm sure one of your lovely roommates would gladly help with that," I tease.

"But who wants a male nurse?" He chuckles and hops to the bathroom.

I follow shortly after and arrive just as he pulls his t-shirt over his head. He drops it to the floor and sits down on the rim of the bathtub to remove his sweatpants. My eyes dart to the mirror; my face looks as sunburned as it did on our first date. When will I stop blushing in Link's presence?

"I thought you needed my help? You seem just fine on your own," I say, staring at the tiled wall.

"Just wanted some company."

"Can I go now?"

"I mean... since you're already here..." He raises an eyebrow and lifts the corner of his mouth.

I laugh, shaking my head at him. "Call me if you need anything or accidentally slip and break your pretty skull."

"I will."

"Break your skull or call me?"

"It'll be one or the other," he shrugs.

I return to his room and start on some homework. Link can be just as pushy as Pik sometimes but the difference is that Link isn't serious about it. He would never ask twice when the first answer was no.

✤ ✤ ✤

We wake up to my alarm. It's Wednesday, day 2 of Link's recovery. It was a long night for him again. He said his pain intensified and the painkillers didn't do their job. He kept insisting on sleeping downstairs but I told him if he sleeps on the couch, so will I. I kept talking to him and stroked his hair until he fell back asleep.

"Are you going to school today?" I ask him when he climbs out of bed. I'm already dressed and ready to leave for class.

"Mhm," he rubs his creased face.

"You're not planning on playing soccer while you're recovering, right?"

He looks at his black brace and back up at me. "Um?"

"That was a stupid question, sorry."

"No, it's okay. I wouldn't put it past me," he chuckles and gives me a quick kiss before he leaves to go to the bathroom.

Today is Impa's tournament and tomorrow is her trial. I hope she wins both. Since Father is the one providing a lawyer, Impa has seen and communicated with him more than I have in the past month. Months, really.

Classes go by fairly quickly. PE is the last and most challenging class of the day. I keep wanting to look at Link, who is too injured to participate but too devoted to go home. The news of his surgery spread like wildfire and everybody is asking about his injury. They think his career is over and he has to explain that it's not.

He seems overwhelmed by all the attention. I wish I could help somehow.

I distract my eyes by keeping them on Malice, making sure she's not up to mischief. For the first time, she is wearing leggings instead of shorts and I wonder if she's hiding new bruises underneath.

When the hour is up and we head back to the locker rooms to change, I try to find some way of approaching Malice without getting yelled at. I hesitate long enough for her to notice my eyes on her.

"Bro, you're borderline creepy. Stop staring at me." That was a much nicer reaction than expected.

"How are you?" I ask. That felt strange. Even Malice looks confused.

"Fuck you."

"Okay..."

Like the creep she thinks I am, I patiently wait for her to show her legs but I don't think she is planning on changing. She gets up and grabs her black bag from the locker, still wearing her leggings and longsleeve.

"How are things with Ganon?" I already know she'll make me pay for that question. She stops by the door and snaps her head in my direction.

"What?" She says through her teeth.

"Are you guys doing okay?"

"What the actual fuck are you getting at?"

I'm overstepping a line, I know it, but I can't stop my mouth from speaking! "You and Ganon... Are you... happy?" Happy, safe, same thing, right?

"There is no me and Ganon," she says annoyed.

"What? I thought--"

"We broke up."

"When? How come?"

"Why do you give a fuck?"

"You don't have to tell me."

"You're right, I don't."

"Yes, you don't."

We look at each other for two a couple of silent seconds without pulling any grimaces, then Malice breaks the awkward eye contact to stare at the wall furthest away from me. "After the Boars lost against Hyrule he left."

"What do you mean he left?"

"He moved out."

"What does that have to do with your breakup? I thought he was living with his father," I say, expecting her to glare at me but she just keeps looking at the lockers.

"Yeah, he was."

"So how did him losing the game and moving out lead to breaking up with you?"

"He didn't break up with me, I dumped him," she snarls.

"Oh. Is that what you wanted?"

"Doesn't fucking matter. He should have stood up to his dad, he shouldn't have left like that."

More silence fills the small space and one pressing question just won't leave me alone...

"Who gave you those bruises?"

"What bruises," she crosses her arms and pulls her sleeves all the way over her knuckles.

"The ones on your arms and legs. I've seen them."

Her eyes narrow into two warning signs and she shrugs. "Sports injuries."

She leaves the conversation by stepping out of the locker room. I hurry and change but by the time I'm done the hallway is empty.

Sports? Impa is an MMA fighter too and I've never seen the shape of a hand imprinted on her body. That reminds me, Impa's tournament is starting soon. I better hurry.

From my locker, I grab the little sign I made for her that reads Win and we will Imparty all night!  and head over to the gym across the parking lot.

Even though Malice lied, I'm astonished by the length of our conversation without being threatened with blackmail or physical assault. Maybe hell froze over and we actually bonded a little? If you can call it that. Next time she sees me she'll likely make up for it with some insults and a side of unnecessary ire. She may be a little heartbroken at the moment but it's probably a good thing that Ganon left her. Or she him. I would never say that to her face of course but he was a horrible boyfriend.

I enter the gym that Impa will be competing in. Mats are already rolled out on the ground and the bleachers are drawn out. A good amount of spectators are already seated. Impa isn't the only one competing today. A couple of other fighters from other schools are here but I think it's an unofficial fight. So the winner doesn't move up or anything like that. It's just a confidence boost really.

I take a seat and hold up the sign as Impa enters the gym. It takes her a few seconds to spot me but when she does she falls into a short fit of laughter, simultaneously shaking her head.

"Imparty? It's so bad it's funny," she calls up at me.

"That's the point," I laugh.

Purah and Daruk are the only other people I recognize in the gym. I sit next to Daruk and talk to him about his self defense techniques until the competition starts. It's too bad that Link is currently injured. I would have loved to continue our lessons. After what happened at the stadium I would take Link's lessons much more seriously. Impa or Daruk could substitute for him, but... Everything is different when it's with Link. It's just... better.

The competition starts and Impa is the first to go against some skinny girl from a school I've never heard of. Poor thing is defeated within seconds. Watching Impa fight is inspiring. It's almost as if she turns into a different person. Her usual impish and heedless behavior is replaced by focus and calculated moves. She reminds me a lot of Link when she competes, with the only exception that she looks like she enjoys it.

Impa defeats the second and third opponent without breaking a sweat. Her streak continues all the way to the finals. It almost makes me laugh to think back to the day I had to convince her to keep fighting. How could she have ever doubted herself?

For her final blow she uses a 540-degree kick. I didn't know what she meant by that when she told me about it last week but now that I've seen it my mind is blown, similar to that girl down there who is probably suffering from a concussion.

"Great job, Kiddo!" Daruk claps hysterically and throws his fist into the air with a whoop.

Impa receives a small trophy and bows to the audience before jogging over to us with a huge grin on her face.

"Party time!" she laughs, hugging me tightly.

"After your trial tomorrow," I say as she lets go of me.

"What kind of scam is that? The sign says Win and we'll Im-Party all night."

"Do you see a date on the sign?"

"Smartass," she purses her lips.

"Do you really want to show up to your court date with a hangover?"

"Did you come here to gloat or to watch me kick ass?"

"Both," I taunt. "You did fantastic. I felt bad for your opponents. I think one of them was shaking when she had to go against you."

"Oh yeah, the one with the braces? I thought she was gonna piss herself."

"Language," I scold.

"Sorry, mom," she laughs.

✤ ✤ ✤

The next day I have to leave campus at noon to go to Impa's hearing. I may be missing my favorite subject, but at least I don't have to bear the perturbation of standing between Link and Mipha in a most literal sense. When I enter the courthouse, the first familiar face I see is Father's. We are both surprised by each other's presence.

"What are you--" we both begin at the same time.

"Why aren't you at school?" He asks first.

"My best friend might be going to jail," I coldly remark. "Why are you here?"

"Why wouldn't I be? Impa is a good friend of our family and her lawyer happens to be paid by me. I want to make sure she does her job right."

That makes more sense than his first answer. Impa and the lawyer enter the hallway from one of the many doors and I have to bite my cheek to keep myself from laughing at her. I've never seen Impa in formal clothing like this. Even at high school she always tweaked her school uniform to make it more fitting to her style.

"Don't you dare laugh at me," she mumbles as we hug.

"This is payback for your comments on my princess costume last week."

Her hair is up in a perfect bun and her eyes are missing her signature red eyeliner. It's almost like looking at a different person. No piercings, no tattoos, no make-up. It's strange. I like her better the other way.

"Nervous?" I ask her.

"Nope."

"Don't say 'nope' to the judge," I look up at the lawyer. She seems very calm, which has a calming effect on all of us.

"Yes, mom," Impa laughs and I join. I hope this won't become my new nickname, but it's still better than Princess.

When it's time, we enter the courtroom. It's smaller than I expected and not many people are here. I see Impa's parents and sister, a couple of police officers, another lawyer, the dean of our campus, and the judge. Father and I take a seat in the back while Impa and her lawyer walk up to the front. Soon after the beginning of the hearing, the judge reads off a list of crimes that Impa is being accused of. When he gets to arson, Impa's lawyer stands up to object.

"Your Honor, there is no hard evidence that my client has committed arson on campus. The fingerprints on the lighter found at the crime scene did not match with hers, furthermore, witnesses have confirmed that she was nowhere near the spot where the fire ignited."

Impa slowly turns her head to look at me. I nod at her, assuring her that everything seems to be going well so far. As long as there is no proof that she caused the fire, she can't get locked up.

"I understand that the investigation has yet to provide the necessary proof to convict," the judge begins and takes off his glasses as his eyes leave the paper to meet the lawyer's eyes across the small space. "Be that as it may, your client has committed a list of other crimes, such as underage drinking, contempt of cop, and the bearing of weapons on campus."

"Weapons?" Impa gulps.

"Do you deny the possession of nunchaku?" he asks her but the lawyer bids her in a quick whisper to remain silent. "Under Penal Code 22010 PC, it is illegal in California to own, import, or sell nunchakus."

"I use those to practice martial arts," Impa exclaims and rises to her feet in an assertive manner. "I've never used them on a person, or hurt anyone outside of a tournament!"

"Sit down," her lawyer instructs her and gets up herself. "My client is willing to plead guilty to minor in possession and contempt of cop if, in return, her arson charges are dropped. Otherwise we will take this to a trial by a jury where we will present every piece of evidence that further supports my client's innocence, such as forensics reports, video footage, witness testimony, and emphasis on the clear absence of motive. Furthermore, we will conduct a case of falling victim to a frame-up."

The judge sighs and leans back. Before he can say anything, the attorney keeps going with a poised voice.

"Your Honor, my client is a responsible woman, attending one of the top schools in the country--"

"With a record," the judge interrupts.

"Two speeding tickets," the attorney nods. "Never has she committed a crime against society."

The judge takes a moment to think about his decision. Impa is shifting in her seat, repressing her desire to fight this battle with her own words. I hope she can keep her frustration contained.

"Alright," the judge straightens his back and interlocks his hands. "Since Hyrule University has agreed to liberate your client from the list of suspects I assent to dropping her arson charges."

Impa turns around with a smile. I smile back at her but nod at her to turn back to the judge.

"Impa Tsutaeru, you are charged with underage drinking and the possession of an illegal weapon. By pleading guilty, you relinquish your right to a trial by jury and will be ordered to 100 hours of community service in addition to a three month's probation, as well as a $500 fine. And your driver's license will be suspended for 30 days. How do you plead?"

Impa and the lawyer exchange a quick look. I look over at her parents and Purah. They look a bit annoyed by all of this but still came to support their daughter and sister. It is understandable to feel frustrated, yet I admire the compassion still found on their faces. There is no anger knitted into their brows. Just worry and empathy. I look up at Father next to me. His hands are folded on his lap and his face is blank.

"Guilty," Impa answers after a short pause.

The judge ends the meeting with his wooden hammer. Not long after, Impa and I reunite outside on the stone steps. While Father and his attorney friend exchange some final words, Impa walks over to me and gives me another long hug.

"Freedom, baby," she cheers. "Let's beat up some baseball players with their own bats," she curls her lips into a vicious smile and I swear I can see fangs.

"You're still on probation," I remind her. "No one is getting beat up."

"Nothing is illegal as long—"

"No," I interrupt her quickly. "Just no."

"Guess that will have to wait until February. But those guys are dead men walking!"

"Mhm, sure." I hope she'll have forgotten about it by February.

"Let's go party!"

"Ahem," I clear my throat. "Probation?"

"Do you have to spoil everything? I won the tournament, it's your turn to keep your end of the deal!"

"We can attend the next frat party together. That way I can keep an eye on you and make sure you don't break the law."

She crosses her arms and considers agreeing to my offer. Father shakes hands with the attorney and Impa's parents and joins us at the bottom of the court steps.

"Impa--"

"Thank you so much for all your help in this. Paying bail, hiring a lawyer, showing up today, I really appreciate it!" she cuts him off.

"I wanted to apologize for the slight... blooper. I  talked to the attorney about your community hours. She was supposed to avoid such nonsense. 100 hours are outrageous."

"Nah, I'm okay with that. At least I don't have to go to prison. I can't stand orange."

Father blinks a couple of times with his lips slightly parted. I don't think he understands her joke. Then again, I don't think she was joking.

"May I speak with you for a moment? In private?" Father asks me. Now I'm the one gaping like a frozen computer screen.

"Sure," I hesitantly answer and walk a few steps with him.

"So, I've been thinking. Thanksgiving is coming up and I'd like for us to dine together."

"Why?" This feels like a trap. I'm so confused by the way he acts so timid.

"What do you mean 'why'?"

"We don't do Thanksgiving."

"Pardon?"

"Correct me if I'm wrong but for the past 3 years you've always been gone for business during the holidays."

"I suppose, yes. But this year my schedule is clear."

"And if it wasn't?"

"I'm not sure I understand your question."

Nervously, he combs over his beard. I enjoy having the upper hand in our conversations now. He has nothing to hold over me anymore, the leash has been cut. How do you win a game when you don't know the rules? In other words, how do you get someone to do something when you lack the simple principles of pure, benevolent kindness needed for genuine social interactions?

"What if you had a conference overseas?" I clarify, arms crossed.

"Why muse on the alternative? I am here and I would like to spend those days with my daughter. We can drive up to the cabin just like old times."

"I thought you were selling that property."

"I am, but it is still mine until the end of the year. So what do you say?"

I almost feel bad to decline his request, but Daruk asked me first.

"I appreciate the effort but I already accepted a dinner invitation from a friend."

"A friend? But I am your father, don't you want to spend the holidays with a family member rather than some friend?"

"I've asked myself that same question for years," I frown. "A business meeting? But I am your daughter, don't you want to spend the holidays with a family member rather than some strangers?"

His brows furrow and the gravity of my words pull on the corners of his mouth.

"I didn't mean to bring that up," I apologize. "I'm sorry that I have to decline. Had you asked sooner, I would have arranged to spend the holidays with you. It means a lot to me that you even asked, and going to the cabin was a nice idea. But... it would be rude of me to cancel the dinner with my friends. I hope you can understand that."

"Of course," he nods, "no, of course, I understand. That is very professional of you," he says quietly. I know he means it, still, it must have been hard to admit it and let it go without getting into a prolonged argument with me.

"Thank you," I give him a mournful smile.

I can see that he is trying, and while I do believe that celebrating Thanksgiving together after all this time apart could be a good first step, that is all it would be; the first step of a 30-mile hike up a mountain. I am hopeful that Father isn't under the naive impression that one weekend will reverse everything that has happened this year. I don't think we can ever go back to the way it used to be. There is a part of me that suffers from that thought as much as Father refuses to even think about it, but the majority of me is relieved about it.

Somehow I find myself in the eye of a hurricane; while everything around me is caught in a storm, I myself feel calm and safe where I'm standing. I see the truth of my problems on the other side, but for once I can accept that. I can accept that rebuilding a relationship with Father will take time, I can accept that Link and I have more obstacles to overcome, and I can accept that my life is trapped between the goods and the bads. But for now, with Impa's charges getting dropped and Link wishing for me to be by his side, I finally have faith that the sky will clear and the storm will pass.

After saying goodbye to Father and Impa I drive back to campus to attend my last class of the day; astronomy. Pik and I are back to sitting next to each other. He passes me little notes throughout the lecture, just the way he used to do for the first two months of college. I roll my eyes at his 4th grader "Do you like me? Yes-No-Maybe" check-box-note, but it feels good that at least with Pik things are back to normal.

When I don't check any of the boxes he hands me a follow-up note with a winky smiley. *Can't blame me for trying. I promised I'd ask you out a little differently each time*

If he keeps this up, my eyes may fall out from all the rolling.

He hands me yet another note. *Gig tonight?*

Instead of replying to it right now, I focus on class and ignore any other notes from him until the end of the lecture. As soon as the doors open and students begin to walk out, Pik starts talking to me.

"So? Got any plans for tonight?" He asks with an infectious smile.

"I'm not sure. Can I check with my roommates?" He nods.

While Pik draws little figures into his notebook and hums melodies to himself, I turn my phone on to text Link. I am practically his substitute legs, so I just want to make sure he'll be okay without me for the evening.

*Hey, how is your leg?*

As soon as the two little check marks appear next to my message my stomach flutters. I don't even know why. He starts typing and replies to my message within a minute of the time of delivery.

*Good. How'd the court thing go?* he asks.

*Impa was ordered to community hours and probation. Her charges for the fire got dropped though.*

He sends a thumbs up and a firework emoji. I look over at Pik, he's transcribing his melodies now, adding music notes to his figures. His left fingers are moving as if playing an invisible instrument.

My eyes return to my phone. *Are you home yet?* I text Link.

*Still at practice*

I begin to type but he sends another message.

*On the bench. Not using my leg,* it reads.

I delete my half-composed message telling him not to use his leg and start a new message.

*I'm going to the mall with a friend, will you be okay or do you need anything?* Why is my heart hammering against my chest as if I was committing a crime? Going to the mall is nothing illegal... Link has a house full of roommates who can help if he needs anything... Or do I feel more guilty about withholding that friend's name?

*OK have fun* he replies. He's typing more... Is he going to ask for a name? How will he feel about me going to an unknown location with Pik? Does he have a problem with Pik? The only times they have interacted was when Pik verbally attacked Link or pretended that he wasn't present at all. Will Link be hurt when he finds out that I agreed to be seen with another man while refusing to be seen with him? My mind is racing and he's still typing...

When his reply finally arrives, it's much shorter than expected.

*I'm going to the pool with Mipha tonight so I'll be late too.*

-----

(Guys, I have never practiced the law or experienced the court myself, so I'm sorry if I didn't word things the way a lawyer or judge would. I tried haha but I'm not even a native English speaker which makes writing scenes I'm unfamiliar with all the more challenging.

I also want to quickly explain Impa's surname. Since she doesn't officially have a surname, I had to give her one. Hyrule Historia confirmed that Impa's name was inspired by the word impart. I took that word and its meaning and turned it into a Japanese surname because her family is Japanese, although she is a US citizen.)