A Much Needed Hero

Chapter 12: Shopping

[Zelda]

    Zelda sucked in her stomach, zipping the elegant dress up. This was maybe the sixth dress she'd tried on so far. It was Friday night and she, Malon, and Navi had decided to go prom dress shopping even though the dance was still two weeks away. Malon said that it was better to find a dress early and, since Zelda hadn't ever been to a dance before, she figured Malon knew best. Zelda finished zipping her dress up and sighed in relief, she hated zippers.

"Are you done?" called Malon, knocking on Zelda's dressing room door.

    "Coming." Zelda inspected herself in the mirror. The dress's silky purple fabric complemented her complexion and shimmered in the light.

She gave her reflection one more smile before opening the door and stepping outside. She was greeted by Malon, who was wearing an extravagant gold dress with a sweetheart neckline and puffy skirt. The dress accentuated Malons red hair and she looked stunning.

"I love it!" Malon squealed, taking in Zelda's own dress, and then dragged her to the three giant mirrors at the end of the dressing room area. "So... What do you think?"

"Um..." Zelda crossed her arms over her chest, suddenly feeling very self-conscious. It was true that the dress was beautiful. It hung on her just right and accentuated her curves, but she didn't feel pretty in it. In fact, she felt uncomfortable. She liked wearing baggy clothes and this dress, while stunning, was way out of her comfort zone.

"I can tell by the look on your face that you don't like it," Malon said.

Zelda sighed. "It's pretty, but I want something a little less... showy."

"Why? You look amazing, and you have the curves so why not show them off?"

Zelda glanced up at Malon, who was inspecting herself in the mirror now. "I'm just not as confident as you, and I want to feel confident in my dress especially since..."

Malon raised her eyebrow. "Since?"

"Since I'm going with Link." Zelda flushed. "I just want to be myself, and this dress is not me."

"I get that." Malon tapped her chin. "So what kind of a dress do you want?"

Zelda opened her mouth then closed it again. "Don't laugh but..." She swallowed. "I want to feel like a princess. So a princess dress I guess?"

Malon didn't laugh, she just smiled. "Is it because you want Link to be your knight in shining armor?"

Zelda's blush deepened. "W-what? I never said-"

"Don't worry. I'm just teasing." Malon winked. "And don't worry we're going to find you the greatest princess dress of all time! In fact, I saw a dress that might work. Wait here."

Malon practically ran back out to the sale floor. Zelda chuckled, and turned back to the mirror. Malon was amazing and she was lucky to have such a great friend.

"Are you going with that one?"

Zelda turned to see Navi exiting her dressing room, but frowned when she noticed Navi was wearing her regular clothes instead of a dress. "Are you done trying on dresses?"

Navi leaned against the wall. "Yeah. I figure what's the point? No one's going to ask me anyways."

"Don't say that. You'll get asked."

Navi glared down at her feet, a flash of anger crossing over her face. "Sure."

"Are you okay?" Zelda took a step towards her. "You seem... angry."

"Well, maybe I am!" Navi looked up at Zelda no longer trying to cover her anger. "It's not fair that I haven't been asked yet." She stomped her foot. "And how come Link asked you? I've known him for years. Years! Then you show up and help him get a pretty new math grade, and now suddenly I'm pushed to the side? It's not only Link, it's the whole group! Why am I suddenly the fifth wheel?"