Try For Me | Zelink AU

Say it Doesn't Hurt That Bad

No. 1 Party Anthem—Artic Monkeys

Sweater Weather—The Neighborhood

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Groose's Perspective

I swallow hard.

She's always been pretty. Too pretty even, making my heart ache just a little. But I wish I could hand it to her right now, bleeding and all.

Her lashes are long and darkened with makeup, shadowing the green of her eyes as she narrows them. I like my shirt better on her than me and I stare too long at the thin strip of pale skin between it and her shorts.

I know she didn't believe my lie for a moment but I believed mine up until she opened the door, hair curled and barefoot.

She takes a bite of her strawberry Pop Tart, leaving crumbs in the pink coating her lips. "Fine."

"Wa—"

The door slams in my face, hushing the truth sitting in my throat. I tilt my head back, blowing out a deep breath. What am I trying to do anyway?

All she's ever said is no. But Blond struts in grinning that smile I can't copy and now she's his. There's plenty of girls who want him and he took the one I wanted.

I feel like dying all over again when she opens the door and shoves papers into my hands. Until she closes it once more and I hear the lock click into place. I thought this could have been my last chance but maybe that happened a long time ago.

***

I kick a rock walking up to Revali's house, cursing under my breath. Her mustang boy is going to have his hands on her later like he always does. I couldn't pretend she dresses up like that for a day at home if I tried. It's all for him to look at and say she's beautiful. I could have told her that a million times. But once from his mouth and she dolls up for a date.

In my shirt, I remind myself yet again. It was bad enough watching her leave with him—seeing his arm around her. And now...

I don't knock and I open the door knowing it won't be locked. Revali's aunt hands me a sandwich when I pass the kitchen to the hall, heading to the first door on the right.

I don't bother knocking on this one either and open it to Revali lying flat on his back in the middle of the small floor wearing swim trunks, his mouth full and a sandwich in hand.

"I think that's a record," he says, taking another bite without looking at me.

"Shut up."

"I told you she'd say no."

"I didn't ask." I set her notes on his dresser and catch the name she'd written at the top. Zelda Farore. That ache makes its way into my stomach.

She hasn't even known him for very long.

"So, what, did you drive by her house slowly like a creep?"

"No."

I sit on the floor and lean back against his bed, taking a bite from the middle of the sandwich. I stare at the crescent shape in the bread, not feeling much like swallowing. She knew why I was really there; why didn't I just say it? Maybe she would have given me a second thought if I gave her a reason to.

"You look stupid," Revali reminds me.

"So do you."

"I'm not the one who wasted money trying to look like Zelda's boyfriend."

"He's not her boyfriend." Yet, is the part I don't add. She'd been more than happy to say it herself just a few days ago. And I'm sure he'll ask her by the time he drops her off. I try to push away the image—the one where he walks her up to her door and kisses her goodnight the same way I've imagined doing myself. Except he'll do it better.