#stritch

Other than Stritch and Cawlin, It's A Secret To Everybody.

Full Part (Chapters 1-9) here:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/17659280/chapters/41646086

I sat in the hot, stuffy classroom, resting my cheek into my hand, and staring at the empty chalkboard. 

I was finally done with the last exam of the day, and was waiting for that final bell that announced that summer was here at last. 

He was sitting right next to me, Link.

There wasn’t any point in looking over again, I knew he was asleep. He always fell asleep after finishing an exam. That boy had a capacity for sleep that was unparalleled by anyone I knew. 

“Psst” I heard a whisper say, prompting me to turn my head to my right.

I found Link with his head down and resting on his arms, yet his happy blue eyes showed me that he was indeed awake, and smiling at me. 

I, of course, smiled back.

“Ahem!” I heard someone in the back exclaim, almost purposefully.

Link and I looked back to find Groose behind us, hurrying into the nonchalance of taking his test. 

Our eyes both rolled and we smiled at each other again.

“Students! Pencils down!”

Everyones’ focus was pulled to the front of the classroom.

“All right, everyone,” the instructor said as he collected the tests, “that marks the end of another great year. I wish the best of luck to those competing in the ceremony tomorrow and, of course, I hope everyone enjoys their break.”

I suddenly heard the anxious rustling of books, papers, and bags. The instructor raised his voice to combat the noise.

“Would Mr. Groose, Mr. Cawlin, Mr. Strich, and Mr. Link, please come see me before leaving.”

As I stood up, I watched Link head towards the front of the room. 

I walked outside of the classroom to wait for him to finish when a familiar voice called my name.

“Zelda!”, Karane exclaimed as she approached me.

“Hi, Karane,” I said as I waved.

“So…did you do it?”, Karane asked with an expectant tone.

“Shhh! He’ll hear you,” I said as I felt my cheeks blush.

“I didn’t say anything.”

“He’s just in that room.”

“Just answer the question.”

“No, I haven’t done it yet,” I replied with a hushed tone.

“Come on, why have you waited to talk to him about it?”

“We’ve been friends for so long…I just don’t want to ruin it.”

“No, you’re just scared.”

“All right, if it’s so easy, then why don’t you just ask Pipit?”

“Because it’s different.”

“How?”

“Because everyone sees that you two are so obviously in love. And deep down you know I’m right.”

Karane studied my bashful expression for a moment before continuing.

“Actually…maybe you should wait…”

“Why? For months you’ve wanted me to talk to him about it. Why do you want me to wait now?” I asked.

Karane started with an overdramatic tone, “You’ll wait days, weeks, months even, and then suddenly, out of the blue, you’ll have your golden moment. One day you’ll get lost in the clouds and he’ll fly in, gallantly, on his Crimson Loftwing and save you from…danger…”

“Danger?” I said with disbelief.

“Yes, danger…And he’ll take you into his arms and he’ll…”

“Karane!” I said with a lowered volume, hoping he didn’t hear any of it.

Karane grinned.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Karane.”

“I’ll stop being ridiculous when you stop being ridiculous. Just talk to him.”

“Miss Karane! Are you ready?” The instructor said as he peeked his head out of his classroom.

“I promised I would help Instructor Owlan move books to storage. I’ll see you later, “ Karane said before she following him into the classroom.

I followed her direction to catch up with Link. 

As I stood at the doorway looking into the room, I saw Groose talking to Link, who had his back turned to me.

“I’m sure you’re all prepared to be the ultimate loser of tomorrow’s ceremony. I still can’t quite figure out why you could possibly qualify to be a knight. In fact, with the amount you’ve been practicing, you won’t even need your precious Crimson Loftwing to lose. You’ll probably forget how to whistle.”

Groose suddenly spotted me, prompting him to change his demeanor. He gave a nervous chuckle as he continued,

“But you’ll do fine,” Groose said as he walked past Link, intentionally bumping his shoulder against his, which pushed Link to the side. I watched as Link’s gaze followed Groose out before locking into mine. He smiled when he saw me and started to walk towards me.

Walking side-by side in the hall, I raised an eyebrow at him and smirked.

“Yeah, yeah, I know he’s right, I haven’t been practicing,” Link said.

“He isn’t right about everything, though…”

“Yeah?”

“You’re a really good whistler,” I said, teasing him.

“Ooh…I see how it is…you think I’m going to lose, too.” Link said, jokingly.

“I guess we’ll have to see.”

Suddenly, as Karane walked past us, several books slipped out of her hands, landing right where I was standing.

Out of instinct, I quickly stepped aside, yet I lost my footing and fell right into the person standing next to me.

I fell right into Link.

I could feel my face burn to a bright red as I found my arms bent against his chest and felt his arms clutching around my back to support my weight. 

We quickly let go of each other as soon as we both realized what just happened. Link scratched the back of his head as I tried to hide my blushing from his sight.

“Sorry, I must have lost my grip,” Karane said as she picked up the books and stood back up. Before she turned to head downstairs, she winked at me. 

Of course that was planned.

Link and I turned to face each other, both rendered speechless by what just transpired, as we shared an apprehensive inhale.

“I…I…you were…and…” I started.

“No, no…I shouldn’t have…umm…” He replied.

Link’s face flushed red as he tried to finish his statement until a different voice brought him out of it.

“Link!”, yelled Fledge, who had run up the stairs with a heavy pant. Our focus pulled to him.

“Link, can you help me move the barrels again?”

“Sure,” Link said as he nodded. He started to walk off before stopping to face me again.

“Bug lover to bug lover,”