As I sit in the waiting room, staring at the tedious landscape painting on the other side of the wall, I think about last night and how I was considering going to the hospital and saying I have some sort of pain just so I could spend the night there. But then it occurred to me that Father is my emergency contact and I didn't want him to find me.

Link walks out of the doctor's room with crutches. I rise to my feet; worry dressing my whole body.

"W-What--" I stumble when I reach him mid-lobby. "What is it? Why are you on crutches?"

"The doctor did an X-ray. It's not my patella tendonitis that's causing the swelling."

"Oh no," I gasp even though I don't really know what this means.

"He made an appointment for me to get an MRI at the hospital. It's in an hour but if you have other plans, I'll call up a friend or an uber and you can meet me at the house later."

"No, I'll take you. I forced you to go to the doctor's so I'll be with you every step of the way," I try to give him a smile. I can't take the sight of him and crutches. He looks calm but not his usual calm. I think he is worried too. His career is hanging on a thread and the uncertainty fabricates all kinds of horrible outcomes in my mind.

Once we're in my car on the way to the hospital, I finally find the courage to ask him about his knee.

"Why do you have crutches? Is it serious?" That was a stupid question. "Of course it's serious, but do you know the details?"

"I have a meniscus tear," he says, expecting me to know what that is.

"What is that?" I gulp.

"It's a common knee injury."

"What's the treatment?"

He looks out of the window and takes a few seconds to answer. "It could heal by itself with meds and RICE, but in some cases, surgery is required."

"Surgery?" I gasp, giving it my best to focus on the road.

"Either that or physiotherapy. We won't know until the MRI."

"Okay..." I control my breathing. "Er... What happens if you do need surgery?"

"I don't know," he leans his head against the window.

I feel so bad. If I hadn't forced him to see a doctor, his mood would be better but then his leg would worsen, so I shouldn't regret taking him to urgent care. I just hate not knowing how to cheer him up.

"If you get surgery, what's the recovery time?" I ask.

"Depends on the surgery."

"You don't know an estimate?"

"I'm not a doctor," he says harshly.

"Sorry."

"It's fine." He's stressed out but so am I. I'm just trying to understand what is going to happen.

"I'm really worried about you and I don't know what to say."

His head suddenly turns to look at me. I'm so nervous to say the wrong thing, I don't want to ruin his mood but saying nothing feels wrong too. My heart skips a beat when he places his hand on my leg.

"I'm sorry," he says, stroking his thumb over my thigh. "I'm not trying to be a dick but I really don't know any of this stuff either."

"You're not being a... You know. You're tired and in a lot of pain. I just wish there was something I could do to ease that pain."

I love that we are able to communicate. It didn't use to be like that but we've been doing great at avoiding any arguments or misunderstandings. So far. I just have to learn not to jump to conclusions and find better ways to express what I'm feeling.

I really have to tell him about me leaving home, I want to be completely transparent with him and avoid misunderstandings. But I have to find the right time to tell him about Father. I don't want to add to his stress but I know I can't wait too long. Hopefully tonight.

When we get to the hospital I have to wait in the waiting room again. It takes far longer this time and each minute I'm becoming more anxious. He finally returns after over an hour. His frown and crutches are still present but the black leg brace supporting his left leg is new.

"So?" I ask nervously. My eyes keep darting down to his leg.

"It's pretty bad," he says and I think I hear my ribcage crack as my heart jumps out of my chest.

"You're dying," I cry, hugging him in the middle of the waiting room.

"Not that bad," he chuckles, rubbing my back.

"Sorry, that was dumb. So what's the update?"

"I can't play soccer for a few weeks. The meniscus tear isn't too bad but during the MRI they found out that I have a fractured tuba faluba, no, phobia? Formula?"

"Fibula," I end his struggle. So his shinbone is broken. "How did you play soccer with a broken leg yesterday? And more importantly, how did you walk around all day today with a broken bone?"

"You sound just like the doctor. She said I made it worse by ignoring the injury. My pain tolerance is pretty high so I usually just sit it out but this time I really did have to see a doctor. Also, I need ACL reconstruction surgery."

I can point at every bone in a human body and tell you its Latin name but when it comes to more advanced medical terms and procedures I'm lost. Mipha would have been better company for Link today. I'm just standing here with a heavily beating heart, asking one stupid question after another. I'm afraid to ask what ACL reconstruction surgery is.

"It's knee surgery," Link answers my thoughts. "I have a couple of days to consider my options. I can refuse to operate but... I don't know."

"Surgery," I exclaim, shock strangeling my voice. "You don't need amputation, do you?" I want to facepalm. Why am I saying such stupid things? I'm overreacting, I know I am, but I can't help it when it comes to Link. Words just fall out and I can't stop it. It's making me look like an idiot.

"It's a minor surgery. It will only take about two hours and I get to keep my leg," he says.

"You sound so calm."

"Freaking out won't heal my body."

"You're right. You're always right," I say, letting go of him. I hope nobody saw that hug, I wasn't really thinking when I jumped into his arms. "I will drive you on the day of the surgery. And I will be there when you wake up."

"You don't have to--"

"I want to. I said I'll be there every step of the way and I meant it." He smiles but I can tell he's not feeling too good. "What does this mean for your career?"

"The surgery will prevent long-term damage. I should be able to continue playing sports normally once I've recovered."

That's a relief. I know he worries about disappointing his fans.

"Can I read the documents?" I ask, pointing at the papers in his hands.

"Uh, it's just a bunch of medical gibberish," he says, folding it up. "Let's go, I know you have other plans."

My dinner with Impa, I almost forgot. "Do you still want me to come over tonight?" I feel so bad for leaving his side but I promised Impa to have dinner with her today.

"Are you sure your dad's fine with you being gone all night?"

"Mhm," I press my lips together and nod.

"Then yes, let's play patient and nurse," he laughs and I swat his arm. At least he didn't lose his humor in all of this.

His laugh doesn't last long. His eyes aim down and he sighs, "Man, this sucks," finally showing some of his true emotion.

"This is all Zant's fault," I growl as I unlock my car.

"He broke my leg but the rest was my own fault. I'm just glad I have you, otherwise I might have needed to amputate after all," he kisses my forehead and in shock I take a big step away from him. My eyes survey the parking lot; I spot an elderly man in a wheelchair, being pushed by a nurse, and a mother with her two toddlers. No need to panic. Nobody even paid attention to us.

"Sorry," Link and I say at the same time.

He shouldn't feel bad about wanting to kiss me in public. In moments like these it can be easy to forget that we aren't alone. I shouldn't have to dodge his affection and he shouldn't have to feel bad for showing affection. It's awful that I still have to avoid Father finding out about us. After his reaction yesterday, I worry about what he will do to Link when he finds out about us. Now that Link can't play soccer Father even has a justified reason to take his scholarship away.

----

After dropping Link off at the frat house I make my way to Vah Rudania to meet Impa. She's running late but I don't mind. I use the time to tell Daruk about Link's leg.

"Boo!" Impa pokes my sides from behind and I spasm on the stool.

"Jerk!" I interrupt her laughter.

"Did you already order?" she asks, taking the seat next to me.

"No, I was waiting for you."

"I texted you 5 min ago to order for us."

"Oh," right, I haven't told her... "I lost my phone."

"Huh? Really? How?"

"Someone may or may not have taken it," I don't make eye contact.

"Who?" her voice is filled by spite.

"I'm going to buy a new phone tomorrow. Would you like to come to the mall with me?"

"Um, duh? Who else would you go with?" she laughs. I just said that to distract her from the fact that my phone was stolen but the mall is actually not a bad idea, I can buy some new clothes.

"Impa..." I begin, picking at my nails. "I need to tell you about something."

"Oh-oh." She straightens her back and turns her body toward me, giving me her full attention. I make sure she can't see the hickey.

"I left home."

She blinks a couple of times, probably deciding whether I'm joking.

"What do you mean?" she asks, startled.

"I packed my bag and left."

"You left home?" She repeats.

"Yes."

Realization starts hitting us both. I actually left. After all these years it only took a few days of adulthood to leave.

"When? How? Why?" questions keep getting thrown at me and I don't know how to answer any of them.

"It happened last night. I got home and Father accused me of hooking up with guys."

"I mean, he isn't wrong," she smirks.

"This isn't funny. He compared me to a...er, a prostitute."

"No he did not!" I nod at her glower. "Son of a bitch," she curses.

"You just insulted my grandmother."

"Sorry, you know I didn't mean that. But, I mean, don't get me wrong, that's a dick move and I'm not trying to like downplay it but--um, is that it?"

"It's not that simple. I also found out that he's been tracking my phone."

"For real?" her jaw drops. The speed of change in Impa's facial expressions deserves a page in the Guinness Book of Records. "Now I get it. You didn't lose your phone, you ditched it! Smart," she taps her forehead.

"He kept insisting on changing my career and taking full control over my life," I continue. "I realized that, no matter how hard I try, I will never be able to please him. We were shouting at each other, even the staff was alarmed. I couldn't take it anymore, I was having some sort of panic attack and just left."

"Wait, so you actually left home?"

"Yes!" How many times do I have to say it?

"Shit, I thought it was some weird metaphor."

"It's not," I sigh. "I slept in my car last night."

"Zelda!" She whines and hugs me. "No, why didn't you come to my dorm?"

"You were at a party. I had no way of contacting you and the dorms are locked."

"Fuck, I'm so sorry! I would have come to my dorm immediately had I known."

"I know," I pat her back. Hugging on stools is very impractical but I appreciate the hug. She sits back down and stares at me for a few seconds with an uncertain expression, making me a little uncomfortable.

"What?"

"You look like shit."

"Why thank you," I roll my eyes. "I haven't showered or changed my clothes since yesterday morning."

"You didn't pack any clothes?"

"No."

"Why?"

"I wanted to start my new life like the pilot episode of Naked And Afraid," I sarcastically remark. "No Impa, because I was having a panic attack and didn't think straight!"

"Can't you just go home and get your clothes?"

"No, I don't ever want to go back to that house."

"You've lived there for 18 years."

"12 years too long."

"That's a bit dramatic," she says and I send her a scowl that will slice right through her grimace. "Don't look at me like that. I wasn't attacking you. Do you want me to drive to your house and grab your shit?"

"No, Father would probably hold you hostage and make you tell him where I'm hiding."

"Hiding? He's not some 007 super villain," she laughs but she wasn't there when he called me names while I was begging him with tears staining the carpet. "Do you want to borrow some of my clothes then?"

I look at her extra-large Sheikah Band t-shirt, microscopic shorts, ripped fishnet leggings, and military boots. Kindly, but evidently disturbed by the thought of me wearing her clothes, I shake my head and thank her.

"Then what's the plan? Wanna go to the mall right now and get you a new fit?"

"The mall closes at 10 PM and we haven't even ordered our food yet."

"We can eat at the food court," she says, "And you need a new phone so you can call me before you sleep in a car again."

Before I can argue, she gets up and drags me out of the restaurant and to my car. I oblige and start driving with her in the passenger seat. We forgot to say goodbye to Daruk. He'll be confused when he returns to the sushi bar with two empty seats.

After some moments of silence, Impa asks the question I've been dreading. "So, where are you going to sleep tonight?"

I turn onto the highway. "I'll stay with Link for the night," I reply honestly. I know she doesn't like me choosing him over her, but this is not about me. It's about his injuries and I don't want to lie to Impa just to spare her feelings.

"You guys still haven't--" she asks curiously but stops and waits for me to answer.

"No, of course not."

"Are you going to?"

"Not any time soon," my words come out high pitched and I'm afraid my cheeks will glow like a red light.

"Good 'cause you promised to date a guy for at least one year before sleeping with him."

"I was twelve when I made that promise."

"So you want to sleep with him sooner?"

"I didn't say that." I need to change the topic.

"You didn't deny it either."

"Boy, the city sure looks beautiful tonight," is my horrible attempt at getting the picture of me sleeping with Link out of our heads.

"I know what you're trying to do. It's painfully obvious and I'd tease you if you weren't having a bad day."

"Thanks."

"Do you have any snacks in your car?" She turns around to search the backseat with her eyes. Nothing but Terrako and my backpack to find back there. "You didn't bring clothes but you brought Terrako?"

"He's important to me."

"He better be. Took me half an eternity and most of my college funds to get him out of that claw machine," she laughs and I join. Today the world looks so different from how it was last night. Yesterday I was sure I'd never smile again, but here I am, laughing with Impa less than 24 hours later. I'm glad I told her about Father. Even though she doesn't take it as seriously as I'd like, she's still here for me and willing to take my mind off of things. I also don't feel this guilt of being dishonest with her. 

"So, snacks?" she asks again.

"We're going to have dinner in a little bit, do you think you can survive a little longer without food?"

"Ugh, I don't know," she falls back into her seat.

"I swear, sometimes hanging out with you is like babysitting."

"Not true!" she says in a baby voice. "When will we get there?" I roll my eyes at her and can't help my smile. "Okay, no, but seriously, are you really moving out?" she asks again.

"I already have."

"But where are you going to stay?" I shrug. "You always have everything planned out. You've had your entire life planned out when you were 6. And now you're just shrugging your shoulders at where you're going to sleep and eat every day?"

"It's awful, trust me, I know. But I'd rather sleep in my car than live another day dying in that house."

"I'm sorry. I guess this really is serious."

"I know all of this sounds crazy but I'm not going back."

"Which brings me back to my questions. Where are you going to stay? Do you want to stay at my dorm?"

"Do I have to remind you of Paya?"

"She wouldn't mind. At least you'd have a bed to sleep in until you find something more permanent, you know?"

I'm hesitant to answer but I know she'll just keep asking about it if I don't say something. "If I haven't found anything by tomorrow night I'll consider your offer."

"You just sounded a lot like your old man," Impa says and shifts toward the window, trying to get as far away from me as possible before I hit her for a comment like that.

We get to the mall and shop around for about an hour. I went to the ATM and paid in cash. Father may see the location of my withdrawal but at least he won't see how much money I spent and where. Now I also have a new phone and a new phone number. Impa is the first contact I save.

"Let's go to the pier and take a new picture for your lock screen," Impa suggests while we're eating tacos in the food court.

"We can go tomorrow. I am really exhausted and Link is injured so I want to spend some time with him."

"Okay," she nods and doesn't say much more.

I look past her and can't believe my eyes when I spot Pik passing by. What are the odds? I shrink in my seat and hide behind Impa until he's out of sight again. 

"What are you looking at?" Impa turns around.

"I thought I saw someone from school."

"Who?"

"Pik."

"Romeo? What's he doing here?"

"Shopping?"

"Makes sense. Or maybe he's burying a body."

"At the mall?" I arch my brow.

"You never know what goes on in the mind of a serial killer."

"You'd know."

"Touché."

Serial killer or not, I never know what goes on in Pik's head. I keep avoiding him because of what happened during the exam but I don't know if it was him who planned for my phone to ring. He's acting shady in more ways than I can count but if I don't want to become my father I have to give him a chance to explain himself. Next time I see him I will talk to him and listen to what he wanted to tell me.

We finish our food and return to the car. Impa adds a bunch of songs to my Spotify while I drive us back. Her phone starts buzzing and I look over to see Daruk's name lighting up the screen.

"Why's Daruk calling you?"

"I'll tell you in a minute," she says and picks up. "Yo."

"Speaker," I mouth and she presses the speaker button.

"Impa, where are you?" he asks her.

"We left. How sweet of you to notice. Two hours later."

"Your car is still here," he says in his defense.

"Yeah we took Zelda's car. We're on our way back right now."

"Zelda's father came by looking for her."

"What?" Impa and I say at the same time.

"He knows that you guys like to eat here on Fridays so he hoped to find her here. We tried calling her but it went straight to voicemail."

"Zelda lost her phone," Impa answers for me. "She just got a new one."

By the love of Hylia! I shush her and gesture hysterically that she shouldn't have said that.

"What?" she mouths back at me.

"I don't want my father to find out that I have a new phone!" I hiss.

"Rhoam left a few minutes ago," Daruk says, clearly able to hear every word that's been exchanged in the car. "Zelda, what's going on?"

"Nothing, Daruk, don't worry about it," I reply.

"I know you well enough to smell that lie through the speaker. Listen, it's not my place to tell you what to do but I'm concerned. Your dad said he's been talking to the police."

"The police? Why?" I gasp. Is he sending the cops to get me home now? He can't do that! That's against my rights.

"He said you were gone all night without as much as a note so he was going to file a missing person report."

So he has been looking for me after all. What a half-wit. He could have just contacted my professors and asked if I was in class today. But that would make him look bad in front of his staff. I suppose a good reputation is more important than a good relationship with your own daughter.

"Well... I just need some space from Father right now and he's trying to ground me. I'm 18 now, if I want to stay out late and be with my friends I may do so. Call it rebellious, shameless, or slutty, I don't care!"

"I'm not calling it anything. Just making sure everything is okay with you. I told him you were at the restaurant today, I hope that's okay."

"That's fine." I'm glad we left Daruk's for the mall. I can't believe Father came all the way to Vah Rudania to cause a scene and embarrass me in my favorite restaurant. 

"Do me a favor and don't worry your father too much," Daruk bids me. "You're an adult now but you're still his kid. Just don't leave him guessing whether you're still breathing."

"I'll let him know that I'm okay and that I'm staying at a friend's house," I lie. I don't want to contact Father. He knows I'm alive, that's good enough. Daruk means well but he doesn't understand the situation. Nobody does. Not even me.

----

Having said goodnight to Impa and Daruk I get back to my car and drive to Link's frat house. Impa said I could take a shower at her dorm but Link is waiting at his house with a broken leg and messed up knee so I'll ask him if I can take a shower at his place. It'll be a little awkward but I will explain my situation to him first and hopefully he'll be understanding.

Before I leave the car I apply new makeup on the hickey. The party hasn't started yet so I ring the bell and wait for one of Link's roommates to open the door. A few seconds later, a tall girl answers the door.

"You're a bit early," she says, tugging a red strand of hair behind her ear. One of Link's roommates joins her at the door and laughs when he looks at me.

"She's not here for the party," he tells the redhead and places his arm around her hip. I recognize him; he was sitting on the couch last night with another roommate.

"Ravioli!" he calls up the stairs.

"What?" Revali barks from his room.

"One of your girlfriends is here!"

"I'm not his--we aren't--" I wave my arms crosswise like windshield wipers.

"I know," he says calmly. "We just like teasing him. I'm Kafei by the way and this is my beautiful fiancé Anju."

Fiancé? Unintentionally, I attach my eyes to her in a rude stare.

"I know what you're thinking, we're too young to get married. But I knew that I was going to marry her the minute I laid eyes on her," Kafei pulls her closer and plants a kiss on her cheek.

"Pleasure to meet you," her smile is bathing in the rose tints of her cheeks.

"The pleasure is mine," I return the smile. Two seconds of silence and I'm already getting nervous that this interaction will turn into an awkward staring contest. Luckily, Revali appears at the stairs only ten heartbeats later. He doesn't even try to hide his disappointment upon finding me at the door.

"You," he rolls his eyes and joins us at the door. "Let's take a quick walk," he pushes past his roommates and nearly pushes me over trying to step onto the porch.

Confused, I follow. "Where are we going?"

"Backyard."

"Why?"

"That's where Link is. You're here for him, right?"

"Yes."

"Okay, so I'm taking you to him so I don't have to deal with you."

"You are in a lovely mood today."

"This is my standard mood," he retorts.

"I wasn't being sarcastic," I chuckle. "Thanks for taking me to him."

"Whatever." We walk around the house and get to the backyard where Link is doing sit-ups.

"Link!" I snap and he looks up at us. "Why are you working out?"

"He's an athlete," Revali replies.

"He has a broken leg," I throw my arms in his direction.

"Pfft. No he doesn't."

I ignore Revali and help Link get up. "Why are you working out?" I want to know.

"I have to stay in shape," he quietly answers. "I'm not straining my leg."

"You're crazy," I shake my head. I should scold him but I'm smiling like an idiot because I'm so happy to see him. Even though it's only been a couple of hours. 

I pick up his crutches and hand them to him. "Let's go inside, okay? People will start showing up soon and there is something I need to talk to you about."

He picks up on the gravity in my tone and responds with a serious nod. He doesn't hesitate to walk me back inside through the back door. He barely even uses his crutches and wants to walk the stairs without them but I force him to take it slow and use the railing. One step at a time. 

To anyone else, this would feel slow, but to me, time is passing ten times faster multiplied by one hundred. I only have about half a minute to plan and execute our upcoming conversation and its thirty million different outcomes in my head.

----

(Hey hey hey! ^^ Can't wait till Wednesday? Fine, I'll post another chapter tomorrow haha!

Here's a question I've been wondering for the longest time: If this story was a real movie, which actors would you cast for the roles?)