That night, Link decided to look up what console and video game Zelda was talking about. It didn't take long for him to find it, because it seemed to be quite popular.

The console was named the Swirl, with the video game being named Air of the Wild. Just from looking at the box art for the game, Link could tell that it looked pretty fun, even if he didn't play video games that much. The box art was colorful and vibrant, with a hero wielding a sword posing on the front and the open wilds around him. It was understandable why Zelda wanted it so badly.

But it was expensive, which Link was expecting. Video games and consoles never ran at a cheap price, unless you were looking for an old console that absolutely nobody cared for anymore.

The console was about one thousand rupees, with the actual video game being about two hundred. The game wasn't too bad of a price, but saving up money for the Swirl would be a pain; and he only had a week to buy it.

Thinking for a moment, an idea suddenly came across Link's mind. It was an obvious idea, but he jumped out of his swivel chair and began to dig around his room for any rupees. Every single rupee would count towards this.

He began to think—why am I doing this? I don't have to buy the console for her. I can get her something much cheaper for her birthday.

The result of it all would be worth it, though, he thought finally.

After rummaging around his entire room for about two hours, Link managed to salvage only one hundred and fifty rupees. He had almost enough for the video game, but nowhere near enough for the Swirl. Buying both would mean the cost would lead to being one thousand and two hundred rupees. Which was a lot.

Heaving a heavy sigh, Link shoved all his rupees in one of the wallets he had, hiding it in a secretive place. Aryll might try to steal his money for whatever reason, and he couldn't let that happen now. Other instances would be tolerable—but, yeah, not now.

Exiting his room, he trudged down the steps and made his way to the kitchen on the first floor, where his father was cooking dinner. Link was trying to guess what he was cooking tonight, but honestly couldn't even take an educated guess with his mind this frazzled.

"Hey," Link greeted, beginning to think of the right words to use in this conversation. He couldn't let this go wrong. All the right words must be used to convince his parents.

"Hello. You're down quite early; you're usually hiding in your room before we call you down to eat dinner," spoke his father, slicing up the lettuce that sat on the cutting board. "Tonight, we're having tacos!"

Link forced a grin. "Ah, well thank you for telling me. I wanted to ask you something else though—"

"Is it about buying that video game for the girl you like, Zelda? Was that her name?" Father questioned, and Link flushed at his words. He pretended like he didn't notice the obvious stinging of his cheeks.

"I don't like Zelda in that way. But, yes, that's what I'm here to talk to you about," Link stuttered, trying to ignore his father's comment.

"We are not handing over that much money, ya hear me?" Father scolded, sitting down the sharp knife on the counter, the one he was previously using to chop up the lettuce. Scary.

"That's not what I'm asking! Just—just listen to me for a second," Link said, feeling his temper rising with each second. This annoyed him—when his parents didn't even give him a chance to say what he wanted to. They just went ahead and assumed his next words, and that irked Link to no end.

"I'll do anything do get that amount of money. Just—just whatever you want me to do, tell me. I'll do it, and in return I get the money I need," Link pleaded, clasping his hands together in a prayer motion.

"Link, we've already said no. You'll have to come up with the money some other way," Father said. "Go get a part-time job or something—"

"I won't be able to get so much money working a job like that—and in a week!" Link protested. "Please, dad. I really want to make Zelda happy."

Father closed his eyes and sighed in deep thought, thinking his son's words over multiple times before reopening his eyes. "I will speak with your mother about it."

Just as Link's eyes lit up, Father raised his hand up to silence the boy.

"That isn't a yes. Consider it a possibility, instead," Father said, returning to chopping up the lettuce on the cutting board.

Link nodded and nonchalantly made his way back upstairs, but jumped for joy once he reached his bedroom. He was so excited, even though he wasn't the one getting the console. Maybe Zelda could invite Link over one day, and they could play the Swirl together! Ah, but one could dream, and Link favored that.

••

The next day arrived, and a majority of the ninth graders were preparing for a day of track. Zelda usually didn't participate in gym class, but she was finally given the opportunity to do so today. So, she took it, and now she'd be running on the tracks with other students. It was a big step for her, and Zelda had faith in herself.

"You nervous?" Midna signed to Zelda, as the girl was tying a ponytail in her brown locks.

"Oh, I think I'll be alright," Zelda signed back once finishing her ponytail. She stood up from the small bench that stood in the girl's locker room, brushing imaginary dirt off of her shirt, which bestowed the proud emblem of Hyrule High—the Triforce, of course. It was a unique symbol, compared to other schools across the country.

"You've only participated in track once, though," Midna signed back with a hopeless expression, but Zelda felt optimistic for once in her life. "You sure you'll be alright?" Midna pried once more.

"I already told you, Midna—I think I'll be okay," Zelda signed back, beginning to exit the girl's locker room, with Midna tagging along close behind.

Zelda tried remembering what her teacher had told her. Her teacher told Zelda what would happen during track today: the referee would blow the whistle, but of course, Zelda wouldn't notice. As the referee blew the whistle, they would also wave a checkered flag to signal anyone who didn't hear. Also known as Zelda. Zelda wondered if the checkered flag was used every time, or if this time was only an exception because of her.

Breathing in and out, she found comfort in her own body once more as she stepped out onto the track field. She saw many other girls in her grade all stretching in random areas of the field, all in small groups, chatting away as usual. Most of the guys in the ninth grade were there too, but Zelda was mostly looking around for Link, as much as she hated to admit it.

At this point, Zelda was starting to believe that the bubbling feeling in her stomach could confirm her feelings for Link. Perhaps she had a crush on him, but that's all it was—merely a crush. She smiled to herself, knowing that this silly infatuation would disappear gradually. That's how all silly high school crushes turned out, anyway. Well, there were a few exceptions, but Zelda knew she was not that lucky.

Zelda had found Link, and she felt all nervous when she thought about talking to him. Why was having a silly crush on someone so difficult? Couldn't it just be like any other bond with someone else?

Link had spotted Zelda as well, feeling the nervous feeling in his stomach bubble up.

He was standing out in the field, all alone. His friends had basically ditched him at this point, and really, he only had Zelda. And maybe Midna, but Link was never too sure if Midna actually appreciated him or not. Maybe she did? He didn't want to second guess himself.

The referee blew the whistle and Link's eardrums feeling like they shattered into a million pieces at the screeching noise. Turning in the direction of the noise, he saw the referee calling out names. As he did so, students bestowing those names ran up to the actual track and stood in their respective lanes.

While Link stared, he heard his name get called, which chilled him to the bone. Sure, he was pretty athletic. Many people had said he was fantastic at sports, or just anything that involved running. He would definitely ace this—but, the fact that he was running with other students who were probably at a higher athletic level than him scared him.

Sighing, he hesitantly listened to the referee and slowly made his way to the track.

Zelda noticed and ran as close as she could get to the track, without the referee waving at her to move back. She wanted to watch Link and Midna watched from afar with her.

Everyone began to run, while Zelda glued her eyes on Link the entire time. She wouldn't call this stalking or anything, no. Observing would be a better word. It's not like she had anything else to do, and she didn't know anyone else running out there aside from Link.

He noticed that she was watching, which made him feel self conscious. What if he fell right in front of her? That'd be embarrassing.

Then, Link began to look around everywhere else. A certain fear planted itself in his stomach, slowly growing from its placement in the ground into some terrible and prickly plant. The watchful eyes of the students watching and the incredulous stares of others on the track bore into his skin, burning holes in his flesh. Maybe not physically, but mentally, it hurt, and Link suddenly felt lightheaded.

Next thing he knew, the lightheadedness found a way to get to him. He tripped on his own feet, falling to the ground with a thud. The concrete below him grazed his arm and he winced. Link looked up and watched the other people on the track continue to jog at a steady pace, far, far away from him.

The referee didn't blow the whistle though, apparently too focused on the others running. He didn't even bother to acknowledge that Link had fallen over... This was so awesome. Link stood up and winced at a new pain in his arm. It was a pretty bad cut. Very large. Link cursed his own stupidity and wished he could've just ran along like anyone else did.

Idiot. They didn't even notice you. Probably because you fell over for the stupidest reason...

Zelda came running over to Link with worried eyes, grabbing his hand as gently as she could and ushering him to follow her. His negative thoughts finally silenced themselves the moment she came in contact with him.

The impact of hitting his head on the ground must've been worse than Link thought, because the next thing he knew, blackness encased his vision.

The brunette holding his hand began to panic, dragging his limp body over to the nurse's office—wherever it was, Zelda was determined to find it.

••