(My chapter titles keep getting longer,,, help)

The sounds of seagulls and cars passing by wake me up. Feeling just as crappy as last night I sit up and rub my eyes awake. They're still sore around the corners, as is my nose, and my throat is dry. The sun has just come up, it must be around 7 AM. Messy hair, stiff shoulders. I was freezing all night and kept waking up shivering, not even from the night's temperature, I was just cold on the inside.

I search the backseat for my phone, only for a second until I realize that I don't have a phone anymore. Can't even check the time... I climb out of my car and stretch myself, looking over the calm coast.

Images of last night flash through my mind. Did that really happen? Did I really leave? What now? It's Friday, should I go to school? What else am I going to do? No need to butcher my grades any further.

Now that I am detaching myself from Father, I am going to study biology and if he decides to abuse his powers as the president to change my major then I will just transfer to a different university. Maybe Connecticut or Massachusetts. Perhaps New York? No, I can't leave Impa and Link. I'd be lost without them. But that is really just an excuse. The truth is, I'd be way too scared to move somewhere all by myself.

I sit down in the driver's seat and as I go through my backpack I come to the conclusion that I didn't pack wisely. No change of clothes, no toothpaste, not even a hairbrush. I should stop at Walmart on my way to school.

I'm scared to look in the mirror... But I have to. I have to see if it's still there... My hand moves to the rear-view mirror and tilts it toward my neck.

Shit.

I change into Mother's sweatshirt and apply some concealer on the bruise. I hate Karusa. I hate him and his sick friends.

When I turn my car on, the display shows 7.30 AM. Just enough time to go to Walmart before my Psychology course. I'm so nervous about PE though. I wonder if Link will talk to me or if he'll be upset that I stood him up last night. I'll have to come up with some way to explain what happened without lying but without including Karusa or the fact that I ran away from home.

Am I homeless now? It's not like I don't have a house to sleep at, I just don't want to go there. Still, I can't sleep in my car again. I could use my credit card to book a hotel. Maybe not. Father would be able to track that and I'm really not in the mood to be followed again. I don't want him to know where I am or what I'm up to. I want to disappear from his radar.

What an audacious man. I regret not screaming at his face what a failure of a father he is. I am so mad at him! He tracked me, called me a slut, and threatened to take away the one thing I've been working for all my life.

---

I was able to get a toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, cleansing wipes, and some coffee before class started and now I'm just trying to survive the day. I haven't seen Father yet and I'm on my way to my last class for the week. If he was trying to find me he would have been waiting in front of my psychology lecture hall or my German course. While I'm relieved that he wasn't waiting by the doors I am also disappointed.

My mind kept drifting off and I nearly fell asleep during German. I don't think I paid attention to a single word the professor uttered. I'll just watch the recording tonight. I have to figure out where to stay. Maybe a hotel after all? I could see if they take cash. I will do anything to avoid Father tracking me any more than he already has.

But even so, I'll need something more permanent than a hotel room. If I am being serious about this, and I think I am, even though it scares me, I may need to look into getting an apartment. The same problems apply. If I use my credit card, Father will know where I live and possibly try to get the landlord to throw me out. I'm expecting the worst.

I could get a new credit card and transfer the money. But Father would see that too. I hate that he's able to track my financial activities but I've always just been the authorized user since I only recently turned 18. Besides, it's his money, so I can't even be mad about that. Solution: Get my own money. Which means getting a job. Which means more work and less time for school and friends. There's got to be a better, more uncomplicated way...

When I get to the locker room Malice is already there tying her sneakers. I sit down on the bench by my locker and grab my gym clothes. An uncomfortable silence sits in the room and Malice hasn't insulted me yet, which is new. She looks the way I feel; tired, unkempt, and upset. Pale skin and dark circles under her eyes, normal for a college student, but the bruises on her arms are alarming.

"The fuck you looking at?" She hisses.

I look away, too tired to argue with her. I was starting to feel bad for her again but with a personality like that, a boyfriend like Ganon is a done deal. Those bruises are shaped like fingers and I don't have to guess whose. I wonder if she's aware that Ganon goes around hitting on other girls to get guys to fight him as he did with Link and me after the game yesterday.

Malice leaves the room and I use this moment of privacy to check the mirror and make sure the makeup is covering the bruise on my neck, then I follow her into the gym. My eyes find Link instantly, it's almost impossible not to notice him; he's the center of attention, surrounded by classmates. Girls mainly.

Paya is trying to talk to him, and while he is paying attention to her like the kind man he is, she's stuttering so much that giving up mid-sentence seems to be the only option. I shouldn't be surprised that they're trying to talk to him after his performance yesterday. He was amazing, to say the least.

He spots me entering the gym but I look away, feeling too ashamed to hold eye contact. I don't know what I'm going to tell him... He was in so much pain yesterday, he went through hell, and I stood him up... How can I make up for that?

"We're playing dodgeball today," the coach announces and separates us into two teams. Malice is on the opponent's team and Link is... on no team at all? He's next to the coach, leaning against the wall behind him. Now I notice the knee support he's wearing and the bandages that cover his ankles and his left calf. 

He's too injured to participate in PE... Seeing him like that breaks my heart but I'm glad the coach is letting him sit this one out.

I can feel his eyes on me during the game but I don't look at him. I'm too scared to find resentment, disappointment, or judgment in his eyes. I had enough of that last night and I don't think I can handle any more. I just continue to fix my hair to make sure it's covering my neck.

Malice and Bellum aim every ball at me and I am really not in the mood to be moving my body right now, not even to dodge their attacks. Malice fires a ball at my head with such force that it knocks me to the ground. Should have dodged that one...

Link rushes over and kneels next to me to check on me. I quickly cover my neck, pretending to be rubbing it due to the impact of the ball. I know he's just worried that I hurt myself but he really shouldn't be giving me all this attention in the middle of class.

"Are you alright?" The coach asks, joining us. The other students are whispering to each other but I try to ignore it, simultaneously ignoring Link completely. I feel awful but I can't act like everything is fine and I also can't confront him right now.

"Yes," I say to the coach and get back up.

Link doesn't say anything but he's still trying to draw my eyes to his. I look the other way and return to the game. A teammate hands me a ball and I try to throw it at Malice but miss miserably. She smirks and shoots another ball at me, hitting me right into the gut.

"Stupid game!" I snap.

Did I just say this out loud? People are staring. I don't even care! I throw the ball on the ground and leave through the doors. The hallway is empty and silent, apart from the AC blowing cold air down on me. I take a moment to breathe. I just stormed out of class... I've never done that. Add Malice to my list of people I hate. And Bellum, even though I don't really know him.

If Link follows me out here I will yell at him. He couldn't make it more obvious that we're seeing each other. The doors open. Thank god he followed me, I want to throw my arms around his neck and cry onto his chest but... Never mind, it's just the coach... 

Wow, I really just changed my mind in less than two seconds, and now I'm disappointed that it isn't Link. But I'm also glad that it's not him because I would have hated myself even more if I had yelled at him again. I think my brain is just craving reasons to feel angry.

"Hyrule, what's going on?" The coach asks caringly.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to storm out like that. I had a really bad night and... Well that's not an excuse. Please don't make me fail, I'll do extra credit work. Is there even extra credit in PE? Oh god, please don't give me an F."

"Calm down," his hands flatten the air between us in a calm motion. "I'm not going to lower your grade. We all need a break sometimes."

I sigh and nod, thankful for his compassion.

"Do you want to tell me why your night was bad?"

I shake my head. "It's not a big deal. I just overreacted."

"You sure? I'm here to listen. Or we can go to the school counseling if you want to talk about anything. They can help."

"It's okay."

"Alright," he doesn't sound convinced. "Why don't you sit in my office, listen to some music while the class finishes their game?"

My eyes fill with tears but I try to blink them away as I nod at him. I am overwhelmed with emotions and this little act of kindness warms my heart. I really don't want to play dodgeball or participate in any physical activity today so I am beyond grateful for the coach's understanding. He didn't have to offer me to spend the hour in his office but the fact that he cares changed my mood entirely. I'm still upset about the whole thing with Father but I don't feel this unreasoned anger toward the world anymore.

The coach and I return to the gym where Link's eyes follow me until I disappear in the office. The coach hands me a granola bar and an ice pack for my head, then he joins the class again and continues to teach.

It takes me a full hour to convince myself that I should go talk to Link after class. I just have to. Leaving him in the unknown is unfair to him and to me.

When PE is over and everyone is getting ready to leave, I walk into the dark equipment room where Link is returning the balls to the ball cart. He turns around and finds me standing in front of him, his eyes shift to concern. He's not sure what to do or say and neither am I. 

I'm just glad that it's dark... that reduces the probability of him seeing the dark spots beneath my makeup.

"Hey..." I say quietly. The voices coming from the gym make me nervous. I don't fancy someone walking in on us, so I take his hand and lead him behind the gymnastics beams where the large crashing mattresses are stored, providing a great hiding place.

"Sorry," I mutter, letting go of his hand. "For dragging you back here... And for not being there last night."

He doesn't say anything but when I look up into his eyes I don't find resentment, disappointment, or judgment. Just my favorite shades of blue.

"Ravioli said you were there for a little while," he says, trying his best not to sound upset.

"Yea... I was there but I had to leave quite suddenly. I was planning on coming back but I got into a big argument with Father. It was ugly... And I wanted to let you know that I wasn't going to make it back but I actually don't have my phone at the moment so I wasn't able to contact you."

"Did your dad take your phone away?"

"No, I... lost it," wait is that a lie? "It was stolen," I add.

"Oh damn."

"Yeah..."

"During the game?" I nod. "Are you going to buy a new phone?"

"Yes." I bite my lip and fix my hair again. "Link," I say quietly, still nervous that somebody will see or hear us. "I'm so sorry. I really wanted to be there last night." My voice is breaking. The thought of not being able to be with Link when he was hurt and having to sleep in my car brings me to tears again.

Link surprises me by cupping my cheeks with his hands, forcing my eyes to look at him. "I'm not upset," he whispers, his nose only inches from mine.

"I am though," I say, looking away again. "I wanted to be there, so badly. I wanted to take care of you. I wanted to make you happy and instead you were all alone."

"I wasn't alone," he says. My heart snaps and my vision turns black.

"Ravioli was there to tell me how much I sucked during the game," he chuckles lightly.

"Oh."

"What."

"I thought maybe someone else was there too." Please don't make me say it...

"Who?" Damn it.

"I don't know, no one I guess."

"Hm," his hands let go of my cheeks and I whine at the loss of his touch. I ruined it again. His expression has changed. He feels like he failed to cheer me up but I actually feel a million times better since we started talking.

"How are you feeling?" I ask, looking at his knee. It's purple and green. "Did Mipha's ointment help?"

"Uh..." he looks confused by my knowledge.

"She dropped it off while I was in your room," I explain. "She didn't come in though. She gave it to Revali and he later put it in your room."

"Oh. Um, yeah I'm feeling better."

He's lying.

"Are you really? Because you're still limping and your knee is swollen. Where else are you hurting? Or is it just the knee?"

"Pretty much every muscle is on fire," he admits. "When I got home last night, I couldn't even walk. The pain is worse today but at least I can walk again."

I frown and feel the need to cry again. Whenever I think about Link's pain a sudden wave of grief washes over me. Without thinking about it, I wrap my arms around Link's torso and give him a tender hug. He hugs me back and places his chin on my shoulder.

"You should go to the doctor."

"No."

"Link... They won't take your scholarship away even if you need some time off."

"I'll be fine."

"You can't go to practice like this. You can't even participate in PE. When's the next game?"

"Next week. I can't remember the new schedule. I think it's not till the end of the week though."

"Please see a doctor," I pout. "You have to make sure your knee is going to recover, otherwise you'll only make it worse and risk never playing again."

"I'll make you a deal."

"Hm?" I press my cheek against his chest and listen to his heartbeat.

"I will go to urgent care right now if you come with me and then have dinner with me."

Friday's I always have dinner with Impa... Would she mind if Link joined? Would Link mind including her?

"I like the offer," I smile. "But how about I take you to urgent care, then drop you off at home and come back later?"

"So no dinner?"

"I'll stay the night," I offer.

"Deal."

We're still hugging and even though I can't see Link's face, I think he's smiling.

"But wait--" concern leads his voice.

"It's fine, no curfew, remember?" I don't want to tell him that Father's rules no longer apply. It would ruin the already unstable mood. I will tell him about that tonight. I finally don't feel like crying and I want to enjoy that for a minute longer.

"Okay but the party..." he reminds me.

"Oh, right."

"It's fine, we'll be in your room anyway, right? We can lock the door. No one will know you're there."

"What if I have to pee?" He says carefree.

"Er," I blush and try not to think about it. "Bring an empty water bottle?"

"What if you have to pee?" He laughs quietly. "This is a terrible plan."

"Take it or leave it."

"It's risky, someone might see us."

"Hugging each other behind the mattresses is just as risky," I debate.

"True, we probably shouldn't be doing this."

"Probably not," I agree with him but neither of us makes an effort to let go.

We've only been talking for a minute and I already feel so much better. I actually feel this glimmer of happiness in my heart.

"By the way..." my smile grows. "For what it's worth, you were amazing yesterday. I've never been more impressed than I was during yesterday's game." He tightens our hug. I take that as approval to continue the praise. "I never understood or liked sports but when I watch you I want to cheer louder than any other person in the stadium. I love--" my lips freeze and I hold my breath in shock. I can feel him doing the same while tensing his shoulders. I did not just say that! "I love watching you play," I say and exhale a long breath.

Our hug loosens just enough for me to look at him. He looks a bit nervous but he's masking it quite well with his calm exterior. I lean in and kiss him. He sucks in a sharp breath and brings one hand up to my cheek while placing the other on my waist as his lips welcome mine. Our kiss lasts a few seconds and my cheeks are heating my whole body, returning the warmth I lacked all night. I missed him so much!

"I missed you too," he says, having read my mind once again.

Just looking at him reminds me of Shakespear's Viola and Brontë's Lockwood... I never told my love vocally; still, if looks have language, the merest idiot might have guessed I was over head and ears: he understood me at last, and looked a return--the sweetest of all imaginable looks.

"You're done with classes, right?" He asks. "If you want to go to urgent care we should--" I cover his mouth with my hand when I hear two students walking into the equipment room talking about yesterday's game.

Link tries not to laugh at my terrified expression and the fact that I covered his mouth with my hand. His smile against my palm tickles and I shush him. He's going to get us caught. Not that it really matters at this point but I'm just not ready to go public with something that doesn't officially exist. 

Maybe, if I ask him out tonight and we start to actually date, we can stop hiding. The thought alone awakens the butterflies that have been slumbering in my tummy. I thought they were gone but there they are, more vivid and alive than ever.

Link removes my hand and opens his mouth, pretending that he is going to speak while those girls are on the other side of these mattresses. I shake my head with a warning scowl and mouth "Don't". He's teasing me, he likes it when I feel disarmed. But I know he'd never do something to make me feel uncomfortable.

To me, my heart sounds like a snare drum, but Link doesn't hear it, otherwise he wouldn't be pulling me closer, increasing the risk of us getting caught. While I'm too distracted making sure that my shoes don't squeak as he pulls me in, it takes me a moment to process that his lips are on mine. How can he kiss me when there are other people less than ten feet away from us?

His hands brush the hair out of my face and the fear of him seeing the bruise overrules my fear of getting caught. In shock, I kiss him back and hold his face with my hands to keep him close, avoiding him spotting the hickey. He can't draw away and he doesn't try to. I continue to kiss him fervently. He doesn't oppose; on the contrary, he returns the passion and gently pushes me down on the pile of super chunky and surprisingly soft landing mats, never breaking the kiss.

When he places his hands on my hips I can feel my heartbeat exhilarating. I was so afraid that he was upset or mad at me and now we're making out in the equipment room of the school's gym. The sensation of his hands on my skin is incredible. Considering my reaction to Father's hand on my face last night and Karusa's assault, I am surprised that Link's touch doesn't make me more nervous. I don't mind it at all with Link. I actually enjoy it. It makes me feel connected to him in a way that looks and words never could.

This reminds me of the time we kissed under the bleachers. It was so naive, we could have been seen so easily. But the feeling that zaps through my blood when I act heedlessly to the risks is exactly what I need right now. It intensifies the butterflies and blocks out any negative thoughts. I used to think my desire to kiss him when I felt like death was my way of distracting myself from the pain but Link is much more than a distraction; he's my haven, my safe place, my heaven on Earth. My calm. My sanity. My remedy.

Breathlessly, I keep him close with my arms, leaving no space between our bodies. With his lips so ardently pressed against mine, the belief that I could hold onto this forever comes unquestionably. May time and circumstance be perfectly ill-fated in parting our hearts.

I am his, utterly. I've been his ever since we met. I tried denying it, I tried debating it, but like one of his fans I fell for him the moment he looked at me. The only difference is that I am the fortunate one who got to meet the real Link. The witty, caring, courageous, and loyal Link. 

The first time he looked at me was when the professor called my name during class. Miss Hyrule, she scolded me. That caught his attention. It was the fame of my name that made him notice me. So I began to wonder if he'd still be looking at me if I was a nobody. More so, would I still be looking at him if he was a nobody? I found that to be affirmative: I would love him all the same. Therefore my mind is at ease, holding on to the hope that my thoughts mirror his.

My name, my background, my wealth, and my family... It doesn't matter to him. He doesn't see people for their headlines or reputation. He only sees me for who I am when he's around. I was so prejudiced, and I believe I still would be if he hadn't shown me the other way. I would have turned into my father. Link saved me from that fate. He truly is my hero.

His lips move to my neck and I feel my heartbeat stop at once. I open my eyes, squinting at the dark ceiling to try and find a distraction from the pain that has suddenly struck my body. His kisses are much softer and calmer than those Karusa forced on me. It's completely different and yet it still sends cold shivers down my spine. I cup his checks and bring his lips back up to mine.

"Wait, stop," Link whispers, parting our lips. His head turns toward the voices behind the mattress that, like a wall, separates us from our classmates. I forgot they were still there.

"What?" I whisper as quietly as possible. Why did he stop? They're clearly too distracted to notice us. No one is going to look back here. Despite those arguments, it's dawning on me that we probably shouldn't be making out on campus. Especially not when there are people in the same room.

"They said your name," Link returns in hushed tones.

What? When? I listen closely.

"I know right?" One of the girls giggles. "Did you see the picture Bellum retweeted?"

"I was the one who originally posted it," her friend replies with a proud laugh.

"Shut up, so you took it?" she says in disbelief.

"Yeah, we were trying to get my friend to talk to Link when Zelda clung to him like that."

"Okay but why is he shirtless?"

"He gave his jersey to a fan."

Someone took a photo of me holding Link back from fighting Ganon? That's just what I needed on top of everything else... Another misunderstanding. Even though this one is closer to the truth than me hooking up with a Boar.

"It looks like she's trying to get some," this girl's laugh is even more annoying than her friend's laugh.

"She probably is. For real though, she's been hanging around a lot of guys. Like frat boys and others too."

"Bit slutty for someone who owns the school."

Those words hit me hard and I push Link off and get up. He remains sitting on that mattress and I'm glad about it when I step into the open like a complete fool, glaring at those girls, letting them know that I heard every word. I'm done hiding away while other people stomp on me.

The shock on their faces satisfies me and the loss of their voices even more so. They almost look... scared. As in "she will get us expelled" scared. This is how I feel every day and I recognize the bitter irony of just how good it feels to see that fear displayed on somebody else's face. They quickly leave the equipment room without another word.

Link steps out now, looking confused, worried, impressed, and still very flustered from our kiss.

"Urgent care?" I say to him more as a command and he nods, not addressing what just happened.

---

(Hey guys! I hope everyone had a great week! Next week I'll post more than 2 chapters hehe!! I'll also post more Thinking About You related art next week so be sure to follow my Instagram @ nebulace :)
Q: What's been your favorite scene from the book so far?