Silence ✔️

• Eighteen

Over one year had passed since the day Zelda received the Swirl and Air of the Wild from Link. The day she could've kissed him, but was pushed away violently by her own fears. Fears of what? She didn't even know, but she didn't want to focus on the past. Didn't she already make that resolution last year when she was a freshman?

Zelda was also glad that she had cut off that stupid deal she and Link made over a year ago. It was foolhardy to her, and she didn't want it to continue. Besides, Link had already won her over, so there was no point to the deal's existence anymore.

Now she was a sophomore in high school, being in the tenth grade. Midna, Link, and anyone else she remembered from last year still attended this school. Including some people she didn't like that much, specifically, Lana and Groose.

They're both bullies, and they're both very annoying. They'd be perfect together! Zelda thought mischievously to herself, spotting the blue haired devil the moment she thought of her. Zelda snickered quietly.

Lana never spoke to Zelda, and that's only because she didn't know how to. This was something Zelda was incredibly grateful for, because both Midna and Link always told her about how annoying Lana's voice sounded. ("It's kinda screechy and—wow, it's just terrible, Zelda!")

It had been a week since New Years Day, and everyone was back in school. New Years Day wasn't very exciting for Zelda, once again. Did people usually do things on that day? Because she never had. She was used to just staying at home with her parents and not even caring to watch the all drop in Central Hyrule Square, wearing pajamas and probably reading something stupid.

Midna had already texted Zelda beforehand that she would not be coming to school today, as she had come down with a terrible cold. After wishing Midna to get well soon, Zelda pulled out her Swirl and began to play it during lunchtime. She had nothing better to do, aside from eating, anyway.

Some of her peers stared at her, but she didn't see them. She was too focused on playing the game. Splatoon 2. She had played the original Splatoon when it was brand new and she held a lot of memories with it. You can imagine her excitement when the sequel was announced and then released.

While she was playing the game, someone sat down in front of her. Whoever it was must've been big, because Zelda felt the table shake underneath her elbows propped up on the table. She finally looked away from the screen and saw Groose sitting there. Not someone she expected, but at the same time, this wasn't a surprise.

What surprised her is that he signed the words, "Hello, Zelda! How are you today?" perfectly in sign language.

I thought he didn't know sign language?! But, who am I to assume that, I guess he does, Zelda thought, returning her eyes to the Swirl's screen after rolling them.

Groose was utterly shocked—how did that not win her over? Or at least get her to talk to him?

?????

He waved in front of her face, making Zelda groan in annoyance and look away from the screen in her hands.

"I'm trying to talk to you, you know," he signed to her.

Zelda sighed and sat the Swirl down. "I know. I'm trying to ignore you," she signed.

"Hey! I learned sign language just for you!" he signed with a shocked facial expression, and his words made Zelda think for a second, but that didn't last long.

"I am not obligated to like you!" she furiously signed back, immediately returning to her game. There was fire in her eyes as she played the game.