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"Hey Link, wait up."
Link stopped in his tracks; his study books tucked under his right arm. He glanced over his shoulder and noted his redheaded rival calling out to him. He rolled his eyes.
What does he want now? He thought.
Groose was known for his pranks and unkindness towards Link due to his relationship with the headmaster's daughter, Zelda. Jealousy fuelled the rivalry between them that'd started when they were children.
As Link stepped towards his classmate, he noted the lack of minions at his side. Something felt off about the situation, but despite this Link stood ready to hear him out.
"Can you do me a favour?" Groose asked. His voice was quiet, almost whispering.
Link wondered if this was to hide his insecurities, on the surface everyone knew Groose to be big headed and confident, but Link questioned whether this was a facade. Without his minions, he retreated to his cowardice state.
Link tilted his head, I don't like where this is going, he tried to hide his grimace, but it plastered across his face.
Groose slapped his hands against his classmates' arms and pulled him closer so no passer-by could hear their conversation.
"Stop sitting with Zelda," he said. His tone was eerily serious, and his brows furrowed.
Link flashed him an awkward grin and shrugged.
It's not my choice, Zelda always insists I sit with her.
Thinking about her warmed his cheeks, he turned away so his classmate wouldn't notice. Link was all too familiar with Groose's feelings for Zelda, but his friend never returned them. She couldn't see him any more than a friend, for her heart belonged to someone else.
Groose growled, "I mean it."
Link raised a single brow.
Are you threatening me?
He tried to stifle a laugh, but he couldn't hold it in. Groose's face fell. His emerald eyes retreated to the ground, his hands bawling into fists and falling back to his sides.
"I see," he said as Link brushed himself down. Groose stumbled backwards, his face devoid of all emotion.
Link wanted to reach out to him, wishing he'd the power to grant his classmate his one wish. Even if he'd spoken to his friend, she would never agree to it. In a previous class, Groose was seated beside Zelda, but she'd asked the teacher for him to be removed as she couldn't concentrate on her work with him whispering in her ear.
Zelda was a hardworking student, top of every class. She wanted to graduate with flying colours, and she was well on track to succeed in her goal. She'd once told Link he brought her comfort whenever he was beside her and he vowed to continue until she asked him to cease.
Out of nowhere Groose brought his hand up to Link's face. A perfectly balled fist darted inches away from his face. Luckily his classmate wasn't terribly skilled in combat and his first strike missed.
Link discarded his books to one side of the corridor, unwillingly attracting the attention of the other students. A small group formed around him in a semi-circle either side. It was rare for this behaviour to happen in the middle of the Knights academy.
Groose threw a second punch, but his adversary sidestepped out of the way.
He's giving it his best shot.
Link watched his moves carefully, noting the fire that burned in Groose's eyes. Strike after strike, and not a single one landing on their target. Link continued to step out of his reach and angering his classmate more.
Behind them towards the back of the crowd, Zelda appeared, her head in a book as she muttered to herself. She bumped into a peer, not realising the small barricade in the corridor.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Zelda said, pulling her nose from the book. She couldn't see past the crowd, apart from a flash of blue and white. "Excuse me". Thankfully they parted, allowing her inches closer to the action. But when she reached the front, her mouth gapped.
"Groose! Link!" She called out to her friends. Her voice silenced the crowd. Her hands sat on her hips; her blonde brows knitted together.
Link recognised her voice and winced as he glanced at his friend. He focused on her, ignoring his adversary just as he threw the last punch. Groose's fist colliding with his cheek, a stark red mark appeared.
Groose, stared at Zelda then back to his fist and realised what he'd done. Shell-shocked he drew his hand behind his back, pretending nothing had happened.
Zelda stepped towards Groose and wagged her index finger at him.
"What did you do?" She asked, glancing between the pair of boys. Behind her the student crowd started to disperse now the fight was over.
Groose's bottom lip wobbled, "Well, I... erm... we were just talking." He said sheepishly.
Link stood a stone's throw away, rubbing his sore cheek.
Zelda shook her head, "Leave him alone Groose," she replied. Groose nodded to agree with her and scuttled off like a startled insect. She turned to Link, he too refused to look her in the eye. "Let me see."
Link puffed out his cheeks, reluctantly turning his head to showcase his bruise.
Zelda sighed, "You boys never learn," she said, her slender fingers grazing the sore spot. She stepped closer and planted a gentle kiss on his cheek.
Link flushed bright pink; his feet rooted to the floor.
"Let's get you some ice, Mister Hero," she said, winking. Link bobbed his head, and followed his friend, still in a happy bewildered daze.
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