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“You should ask her.” Zelda hadn’t even looked up from the book she was reading, but Link could feel her judging him. He looked across the classroom at Midna, who was painting her nails black and occasionally holding them up to examine them. His chest tightened as he couldn’t help but notice the way the bright, buzzing lights of their homeroom caught her red hair. She looked up for a moment and shot him a smirk. He looked away, embarrassed she caught him staring.
“I can’t,” he whispered. Midna was one of the prettiest girls in their class, at least in his eyes. He knew most people would probably say that was true of Zelda. The class president had brains, beauty, and came from an old and wealthy family. She never let it go to her head though, and her standoffish nature scared away many potential suitors. Some people in their class thought she was dating Link for whatever reason. It was a silly assumption. Zelda was a good friend, but she wasn’t really his type. That didn’t mean Link didn’t value her friendship immensely, even when she was trying to get him to confront his massive crush.
From the desk to his right, Ilia let out a snort, “You didn’t accept my offer to go to prom with you. The least you can do is go with the girl you actually like.” Link felt a stab of guilt as he met her gaze. Ilia had been his best friend since they were little kids. Her father was practically like a father to Link at this point. He knew Ilia had always had feelings for him since they were old enough to think about such things. He’d thought he’d always feel the same. She had been his first friend and his first real crush. Her parents had joked about them getting married, but Link had always detected a hint of truth there. He had thought he would always love her, even though they were only teenagers.
Then Midna had transferred to their school and sat next to Link in history class. He hadn’t liked her at first, finding her comments irritating. She had seemed to think the same. Does the school golden boy even need to know history? Link was, admittedly, popular. He knew it had more to do with his record as the school’s quarterback than much to do with his personality. Midna was a new student transferring during their senior year. He could see why he had been jealous.
But it was also clear she was having a hard time trying to find her place at Ordon High. So Link had done what he’d always done best. He decided to try to help her. At first, it had been slow and his every attempt was blocked by derision and sarcasm. It was the small things that seemed to win her over eventually. Link would show her where the bathroom was or sit with her when they had the same lunch period. It was like taking apart a wall brick by brick. His jokes started being rewarded with a laugh. Midna started moving her backpack during lunch so he could sit without him asking. She waved to him in the hall. She started joking back and he realized she was funny. And the more he looked at her, the more he noticed the way her red hair had strands of gold or the smattering of freckles on across her nose or the mottled, lighter patches across her skin. Midna was beautiful and smart and…
And that was how Link was in his current predicament.
“How can I even know she likes me?” he asked, “Sometimes, I can’t even tell if we’re really friends.”
“She likes you,” Zelda sighed, flipping another page in her book. Ilia winced and shook her head with a sad smile.
“Link, it’s you. I’m not sure what there isn’t to like,” she promised, resting a hand on his wrist. He looked down at it and Ilia quickly retracted her hand. She looked down into her lap and then her head snapped up as she met his gaze, “And this shouldn’t be you punishing yourself because you don’t want to go to the prom with me!”
“What?” Link choked out. He bit his lip and looked away from her piercing stare.
“I know you,” Ilia frowned, “It’s okay that you don’t like me. I would rather you tell me now then find out at prom. But because you’re you, you’ll also feel bad about breaking my heart.” He tried to hide it on his face that those were thoughts he’d most definitely had. “Besides,” Ilia grinned, “Shad asked me yesterday and I said yes.”
“That’s great-”
Ilia held up a hand to stop him, alarm in her gaze. “And if you don’t ask Midna now, I think Zant is about to.”
Anger rose up in Link, humming under his skin. He considered himself an easygoing guy, but Zant shouldn’t have been anywhere near Midna. She had made it clear enough on her own she wanted nothing to do with her ex-boyfriend. He was horrible, and downright creepy in Link’s opinion. He didn’t know why Midna had dated him in the first place. When he had asked her, she had muttered something about their families being close. So had they, until Zant wanted something from Midna she couldn’t give. She hadn’t wanted to go into detail, but from the look on her face and vulgar comments Zant had made in the past, Link had an inkling of what it was.
It was something no respectful man would ask of a lady.
Zant seemed to think that he had a right to Midna, especially from the way he was leaning down on her desk and whispering to her. Link decided, in that moment, that he was going to show him otherwise. He stormed up to Midna’s desk and tapped Zant on the shoulder. The pale, dark-haired boy stood up. He was taller than Link, who had always been on the shorter side. That didn’t stop Link from glaring up at him and his ridiculous slicked back hair. “I believe she’s told you to leave her alone.”
“Oh, has the rube come to save his girlfriend?” Zant seethed, staring down his sharp nose at Link. His mouth curled up into a sneer as Link started to sputter.
“She’s not my- she’s-” He didn’t want to claim Midna as anything without asking her, as much as he loved the idea of what Zant was implying.
Zant leaned forward with a wicked grin, “That’s right. She isn’t yours, because she’s mine.”
Link growled at him and he laughed like this was a game. There was the screech of a chair quickly sliding across the floor. Midna was standing now. Zant turned around, still grinning. “Midna, darling, have you finally come to your senses-”
Midna’s fist flew forward, striking Zant in the nose and sending him reeling back.
“I’m not your girlfriend, Zant. You’re a whiny coward who can’t take no for an answer.” She folded her arms over her chest, “And you messed with Link in front of me, which makes you stupid too.”
Zant stood there, sputtering. Midna raised her fist again and he fled the room. Link looked at her, mouth agape and cheeks flushed. “You’re probably going to get detention for that.”
Midna shrugged, “He deserved it. And there’s really only one guy I want to go to the prom with.” She laughed as Link’s face grew redder, “What do you say, Link? Will you go to the prom with me?” She held out the same hand that had just been used to strike Zant. Link took it and held it like it was something precious.
“I would love to,” he told her, a little breathless. She was the only choice for him. Midna’s face softened and they stayed holding hands like that for a while, until Ilia cheered from the back of the classroom and Link turned to glare at her. Still, nothing could dampen the joy rising in his heart like the sun.