Link’s pov: Lunch was only a period away. I could wait until then. My head hurt from reading, so I closed my book and began wandering around the library, backpack on. The librarian didn't seem to notice. I didn’t find any books. Just… wandered, like I always did. I waited impatiently for the bell to ring again. The sooner it did, the sooner my stomach would feel the relief of fresh, clean food. Food that I didn’t have to scavenge for. Once again, the bell rang, sharp. Relief washed over me as I knew I was getting what I came here for. I didn’t bother putting my book back on the shelf again, I just rushed to the cafeteria. Students waved and called over their friends. I wasn’t one of them. Tugging my hood over my face, I continued to walk, dodging people with ease. I only got a few glances. I thought my attempt would go perfectly… until a teacher stopped me. “Hey,” His voice was too commanding. “No hoods up in school.” I ignored him and continued walking. But once his hand pulled me back by my shoulder, I froze. Too much. I wanted to bolt, but I couldn’t without being seen. My entire body tensed, a sign of discomfort. I needed to go, to hide somewhere. I tugged my hood forward more, despite his order. His grip loosened, as if sensing my anxiety.. “Look, you're not in trouble, just no hoods okay?” I swallowed hard and nodded. I scurried off, but kept my hood up. I thought I heard him sigh. I swerved through the tables until I found the table that the girl was sitting at. She had clearly saved me a seat, waiting. For me. I sat down cautiously. She gave a bit of a victorious smile; I did not. I was only here for food. She noticed that. “By the way, I never got your name. I’m Zelda.” She held out her hand. I didn’t tell her mine. Names were remembered, written down. Nobody would remember someone without a name. I attempted to change the subject. “So, you got a favorite song?” She shook her head. “No, not really. You?” It sounded more or less like a lie. I shook my head too, reminding myself I shouldn’t say too much. But she was offering food… probably. I tapped my fingers on the table anxiously. Once school was over; I’d be right back in my environment, but now… I didn’t do well in public schools. I didn’t know what I was so scared about; I’d done this countless times before. In a quiet voice, I asked, “So, can you bring me back something?” A wave of relief washed over me when she nodded. She got up to go wait in line for food, while I stayed where I was. I tugged my hood closer to my face, waiting for her supposed return. But people didn’t always return. I’d learned that the hard way. She’d taken so long I’d nearly gotten up to go find her. But she returned. With food. She slid me something wrapped in plastic; a chicken sandwich. I unwrapped it as quickly as I could and ate as if it could disappear at any second. She didn’t take it away, or tell me to slow down. She just watched patiently. I went to stuff the wrapper in my pocket, when she reached out her hand. “I can throw it away for you, if you want.” I let her take it. Like I was going to use it anyway. As Zelda ate, I watched her nervously. She didn’t even look at me. Well, not in the way I expected. Most people looked at me like I was a problem. But she… looked at me like I was a friend. A friend. Like I had any friends. I didn’t. Street kids… were always competing with each other. And not in a good way. We all knew not to trust anyone, so that way we would never be double crossed. That happened all the time. I didn’t even wait for her to finish before I slung my bag back over my shoulder. It was best to get out of here before the bell rang, so that way I wouldn’t be caught in the crowd. “Thanks… For the food.” I muttered to her. And with that, I headed back to the library. I remembered where I was going, so I didn’t need to stop for directions. The less people I talked to, the better. I was going to stay in the library until school ended. That way, I wouldn’t have to be out on the streets for a couple more hours. Even though it was just as dangerous to be here now, at least I was warm and fed.
-Zelink-Ship-
