Birthday Candles

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Today, I decided to sit by the open window instead of the front row. I wanted to feel the breeze and listen to the birds gleefully chirping rather than the professor's rave about molecular endocrinology. I read the book back in high school, so I already know everything she has to say.

I checked my grades this morning. Perhaps I shouldn't have. Missing so much school in March really hurt my GPA. I also got a couple of questions wrong on my statistics exam... But worst of all, I forgot to turn in an essay for a midterm! My GPA has never been this low! It's at a 3.7 now!

Maybe that's why I'm not in the mood to pay attention to my teacher right now. I'm annoyed with college. I had a lot going on last month, I should have gotten a pass or something. But life doesn't take breaks when you need them, so it's only fair that I lost points for my incompetence.

I'd vent to Link, but he might blame himself. Besides, today is his birthday, so I really don't want to bother him with my problems. Or worse, insult him. If I call my GPA low, what does that say about his 2.5 GPA?

I used to think jocks didn't care about school until Link proved me wrong. He studied whenever he could, but next to practice, games, and team bonding, not much time was left for his school work. He would do his homework on the bus before and after away games, listen to missed lectures during his morning runs, and ask me to tutor him while his friends were partying downstairs. He is so dedicated to school, it's quite attractive.

My class finally ends and everyone starts to leave. I wonder if Father will bring up my grades any time soon. He is still cautious around me, scared that I will move out if he upsets me. I push the textbook into my bag and check my phone. I've been waiting for a response from Mipha. She helped me with Link's gift but she didn't seem too fond of helping me. I probably shouldn't ask her for help when it comes to my relationship but she was the only one who could have helped me with his gift. My last text was *Thank you again, you're the best! Are you going to stop by on Friday?*

That was three days ago. It's Friday now and she still hasn't replied. My old self would freak out and read too much into it. But Mipha might just be busy. I shouldn't bother her with more texts. Right? I should find out when her next swim meet is and stop by as a little surprise.

I leave the lecture hall and find my car in the parking lot. I have to remember to pick up the cake from Walmart before I head to the frat house. My thoughts dissolve when I approach the parking lot and observe my car in shock! Someone carved "lying bitch" into the side of my range rover!

"You've got to be kidding me!" I curse to myself. My beautiful car! This is unacceptable!

A guy with red hair and glasses stops next to me and eyes my car. "Are you doing the keying or are you receiving?"

"Receiving," I grumble with creased brows. I've seen this guy on campus a couple of times but I've never talked to him.

"You should report it then." I'm so embarrassed. What must he think I've done to receive such a hateful message? "Do you know who did it?" He asks.

"No," I lie. If I get Malice in trouble, she'll tell everyone that I broke into Ganondorf's house.

"Because you don't have any enemies or because you have too many to keep count?" He jokes.

"Neither. Both," I answer with a shy smile to dissimulate my inner wrath.

"Go to Auru's car repair shop downtown. Tell him Shad sent you; he'll fix your car for free."

"My insurance will cover it, but thank you." His name sounds familiar but I can't put my finger on it.

"No need to thank me, I like to help where I can. But I've got to get going now. My lecture is about to start."

          

"Yes, of course, my apologies. I didn't mean to keep you."

"No worries, I was the one who stopped to converse," he says with a smile and pushes his glasses up. "Have a marvelous weekend."

"You as well," I give him one last smile before getting in my car and driving off.

The whole drive to the frat house I feel like everyone is constantly looking at my car. I have to get this fixed before Father finds out. Malice could get expelled if this gets out. And then I'm dead.

I arrive at the frat house shortly before 3 PM. I roll my eyes at the flowers lying on the doorstep and enter without knocking. Link is in the living room, doing his daily stretches while Teli is watching TV. I want to sneak up to Link but the moment I enter the living room he turns around.

"Happy birthday," I smile and walk up to him for a hug.

I wish I could claim to have been the first one to wish him a happy birthday, but I forgot about time zones. His family in Japan and thousands of fans around the world beat me to it, even though I set an alarm for midnight just so I could be the first. Oh well...

"Hey Teli," I say to Mr. Boxershorts.

"Yo. Want some brownies?"

"No thanks."

"Cupcakes?" He asks. "Or cookies?" I give him a confused look. "Link's fangirls have been dropping off truckloads of deserts all day."

"What?" I mousily peep. Link gives him a scolding glare. I aim my eyes at the dining table and spot a tower of sweets.

"Living with a star is awesome," Teli laughs with his mouth full.

Try dating one. Wait–Oh no! "I forgot to pick up the cake!" I cry.

"Thank God," Teli sighs, rubbing his tummy.

"I even told myself not to forget to pick it up!"

"It's okay," Link assures me. "Let's go upstairs?"

I follow him to his room. He hasn't used his crutches in a while but instead of scolding him, I tell him that I'm proud of him. I'm not sure what his ambitions are and how good his chances are of getting back to where he used to be but I will support him in any way I can.

"So," I begin as I shut the door behind us. "Since it's the weekend and the frat house is going to have a party tonight, I thought it best to celebrate your birthday somewhere else."

"Good thinking. Ravioli will hate us for bolting on a Friday night but he already hates me so I got nothing to lose."

"Oh but if he hates me, that's okay?"

"Hey, you're the one choosing to spend the night somewhere else," he laughs. "Where we going? You dad out of town again?"

"No, we are not spending the night at my house. We're going somewhere more private."

"Even more private than your guarded hillside mansion?" he raises both eyebrows and takes a seat on his bed.

"When you were in a coma, I regretted having said no to so many things. I was so scared of getting in trouble that I forgot to have fun. One day I'd like to play all your favorite sports with you, but since you're still in recovery, we are going to do something that doesn't require physical strength." I try to repress my grin. With a tickle in my lungs, I continue. "We are going to attend the annual chess conference at the senior home!"

His face looks a bit frozen. "Oh," he smiles.

"Isn't that exciting?" I cheer.

"Mhm, sounds chill," he says almost convincingly.

Is that the same friend he asked back in the first book about who Zelda was? Because she already had a problem with her at that point. Seems like that girl has serious problems with Zelly

3w ago

*laughs in dark brown hair* *looks over at soccer\volleyball* Welp pretty much no one knows of my existence so im good

2mo ago

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