Zelink Short Stories - Chapter 8: Chapter 8

With school over, I finally have time to relax without assignments and due dates hanging over my head. I sit on my favorite bench in the park and open my current novel. I'm almost done with it already and I started it yesterday. I've had plenty of time to read since Father is busy and Impa has been off doing lord knows what. She better not get herself into any trouble. It might be a bit of a stretch to hope for that though.
It's not long before wild kids come out to play after getting kicked out by their mothers to run off the extra energy. Some of the boys are playing war, mimicking their fathers and older brothers on the front lines. The girls have their strollers, taking walks with their baby dolls through the thick summer grass. It's easy to forget what's happening away from home while admiring this peaceful scene. It just seems so far.
I slip out of my book when I feel eyes on me. I look up, seeing a boy looking back at me near the pond. He gives me a slight wave before turning back to the pond, scratching the back of his head. He didn't even give me the chance to wave back. I keep looking at him anyway. He's blond with messy bangs and sideburns and he's wearing a cream colored military uniform. Maybe he just enlisted. He can't be much older than me.
I give up when he doesn't look at me again. The ducks can't be that interesting. Or maybe they are. He is a boy after all. I admire their ability to find entertainment in nearly everything.
I return to my book, glancing up occasionally. Each time, he manages to look away at precisely the suspicious moment. I want to get a good look at his face if he's getting a good look at mine. I never thought I'd be so curious about an army boy watching ducks at the park. I certainly didn't expect to be disappointed when I find him not standing there anymore. I look around, trying to spot this mysterious military boy of mine. How did he disappear?
I write it off as him getting too nervous. A lot of boys get nervous, not that they have to be. Us girls don't bite. Nervous boys are cute. It means they're genuine.
The spot next to me is taken a little while later and I assume it's a girl with her baby doll. Until he scooches closer and I see the now familiar cream colored military pants. Maybe he's not so nervous after all.
"H-hi," he says when I look up at him. He is handsome. "I was trying to find one to match your dress." He smiles, holding up a blue flower. So that's what he was doing.
"Is that where you disappeared to?" I say, taking the flower. I can't help but turn a little pink. I've never had a boy go out of his way to pick a flower to match my outfit.
"You were looking for me?"
"Maybe." I face forward again, smiling smugly to myself. I tuck the stem of the flower in my book, marking the page since I don't think I'll be getting much more reading in at the moment. "Did you enjoy looking at the ducks?"
He scratches the back of his head again. It's cute. "I mean I wasn't really looking at the ducks."
"What were you looking at then, army boy?" I smile when his cheeks flush.
"Well...I mean I was...It's just that-" I change my mind. He's adorable.
"And what's a boy like you doing at the park by himself if he's not looking at ducks?" I tease. "Don't tell me you followed me here or something silly."
"Of course not! I was just taking a walk because I leave tomorrow and...You're just really pretty." I want to melt. How did I get the attention of a boy like this?
"I think you're pretty too," I say. He grins, laughing with me. I can't wait to tell Impa about this. "Where are you off to tomorrow?"
"Back to Europe. It's the last day of my leave." Back to?
"You didn't just enlist?"
He laughs a little, looking down to pick at his nails. "I enlisted a couple years ago." A couple years ago!
"How old are you?" I laugh.
"Old enough to fight on the front lines." His smile is slightly crooked and contagious. "No, I'm nineteen now. My pops signed off on letting me go when I was seventeen."
"Seventeen! You wanted to go that early?"
"Yeah!" he says, laughing again. "To protect pretty girls like you."
"Is that so?" I can't fight the blush creeping back in my cheeks. I haven't flirted this much with a handsome boy before. Father would have a fit.
"It is." He scooches a little bit closer and I don't mind. "But I have plenty of time to think about the war when I go back. I want to know more about you while I'm here."
"Like what?"
"Maybe your name?"
"Zelda." It's a bit awkward having a German name with the war going on. Not that he seems to mind.
"That's a pretty name. A pretty name to match your pretty face." This boy is making my cheeks burn.
"How many times are you going to call me pretty?"
He grins. "Until you stop blushing." That's not going to be anytime soon if he keeps flirting like this.
"Well if you don't tell me your name, I'm going to have to keep calling you army boy."
"That doesn't sound too bad," he says, shrugging with another smirk on his face.
"Oh come on," I laugh, turning in my seat to face him, our knees almost touching with how close we are to each other. Only then do I notice his arm resting across the back of the bench. "I want to know what your name is."
"Are you sure? I wouldn't mind sticking with army boy."
"Don't be difficult."
"Alright, alright." He clears his throat, making me laugh at his dramatics. "Lieutenant Link Farore, 82nd Airborne Division." My heart skips one too many beats hearing his full title. He's dedicated-and brave-if he's moving up the ranks at only nineteen. I half expected him to still be a private. Maybe Father wouldn't have such a fit after all if he knew I was talking to a young man like this.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant," I say, holding my hand out to shake his. My cheeks burn even hotter when he takes my hand but instead of shaking it, he kisses the back.
"Pleasure's all mine." He grins, knowing exactly what he's doing.
"You have some cheek flirting with a girl till she's red," I scold him, all while smiling. He's putting in more effort than some other boys who jump straight to asking for a date.
"How else am I supposed to know if she likes me?" His question catches me off guard. He might as well have asked if I liked him right then and we only just met, even if we've been flirting the whole time. Flirting is different than asking if we like each other.
He catches on and pulls his arm away, losing his charming smile as well. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude-"
"I was just a little startled, that's all." I look away, tucking my hair behind my ear before the wind can blow it into my face. It's obvious he wasn't trying to be rude. He's one of the sweeter boys. That much I can tell from our short conversation.
"I'm still sorry. I just want to get to know you...If that's alright with you." It's more than alright.
I look back at him, smiling smugly now that his cheeks are as bright as mine were. "I want to get to know you too and maybe then I'll have an answer to that question of yours."
"Really?" he says, scratching the back of his head. He must do that when he's nervous.
"Mhm."
He laughs lightly, shuffling closer until our knees touch. "Alright." I'm going to melt if he gets any cuter. "What do you like to do for fun?"
"Reading mostly," I say, holding up my book with his flower in it. I can't get that small gesture out of my head.
"What's that book about?"
"A knight and a princess."
He returns his arm to the back of the bench, resting it behind me now that we're so close. I don't remember getting this close to him but I don't mind it one bit. "Is that it?" he laughs.
"No, of course not. They love each other but they don't know it's mutual and they're both too nervous to say anything." They better soon. I'm getting impatient considering they're made for each other.
"I thought knights were supposed to be brave."
"He is! He's just a little nervous."
"I mean, I didn't let that stop me, did I?" I don't bother to hide my flushed cheeks.
"But I'm not a princess."
"You might as well be."
"There you go with the flirting again." And he's making me feel prettier than I've ever felt.
"You haven't stopped blushing yet."
"Neither have you!" I point out.
"Me? Blushing?" He points to himself, shaking his head in feigned disbelief. "No, it's my uniform. It makes me hot."
"That's a bunch of nonsense, Lieutenant, and you know it."
"See, now you sound like my captain. He tells me I'm full of nothing but nonsense."
"Are you?"
"Maybe a little bit." He shrugs. "We have to stay entertained somehow." He's someone who likes to make others smile. He's certainly made me smile more today than I would have had he not been brave enough to come talk to me.
"What is it you do? In the army I mean."
"I'm a paratrooper." I frown. I don't think I've heard of that term before. He only smiles at my confusion. "I jump out of planes with a parachute into enemy territory." My jaw drops. That sounds terrifying!
"Who in their right mind would want to jump out of a plane?"
"Somebody has to do it."
"But...isn't it scary? I mean, jumping out of a plane is one thing but right next to the enemy as well?"
"Yeah, but I have to do it whether I'm scared or not." Even though he's talking about this horrible war we're stuck in, his smile gets just a little bit bigger. "I just focus on everyone I'm protecting at home." He must be the bravest person I've ever met.
"That's very admirable of you."
"Thanks. That means a lot." I return his warm smile. If I keep this up, my cheeks are going to get sore. I can't help but smile. He makes it impossible not to.
"Hey," he says, breaking the long silence. I'd been staring at him, letting him fill all my thoughts. "Are you hungry?"
"A little I guess. Why?"
"Because I'm starving and I want to spend more time with you." I bite my lip, thinking. Father wouldn't agree with me spending so much time with a boy I just met. He doesn't want me spending much time with boys at all. And on the other hand, Link is leaving tomorrow. This is the only chance I'll get to talk to him and I really do want to get to know him. How can I say no?
"Are you asking me on a date, Lieutenant?"
"Maybe. Does the princess accept?"
"Princess?" I've been called that before in mockery and I hate it. Except I don't when he says it. He's not saying it to be mean; he's saying it because I remind him of a princess in a good way. Maybe he does just like me.
"Since you're calling me lieutenant instead of my name, can I call you princess as a nickname?"
"I suppose you can." How is he making my heart beat this fast just by sitting here? "But just for today."
"Just for today," he agrees with a smile. Today is our only day after all. I can't imagine what it's like to be home, enjoying the peace away from it all, knowing you'll be going back the next day. I think one would be upset, dreading it even. But he looks as happy as anyone can be, talking to a girl at the park like he'll get to plan another date next weekend. I think the fact that won't happen saddens me more than him.
He stands, straightening his already straight uniform. Standing in front of me, he bows slightly, holding his hand out for me. "M'lady. The diner awaits." I giggle, taking his hand. I have no doubt he'll make the most out of today.
We get off the bus-which he paid the fare for-and I hook my arm in his like I had on our way to the bus stop. He insisted on carrying my bag as well, saying princesses were supposed to be treated as such. His parents raised a gentleman.
A few parking spots in front of the diner are taken, suggesting it's not too busy. I come here with Impa sometimes for fries and a milkshake to dip them in. And now it's going to house my first date with a young man in uniform.
He opens the door for me, the little bell at the top chiming. I'm hit with the familiar scent of grilled burgers and fries. It's enough to make my stomach growl when I'd only been a little bit hungry moments ago. The few booths are taken, leaving only the seats at the counter empty. It's where I usually sit with Impa anyway.
I sit on the baby blue stool, the color similar to my dress. Link sits too, staring at me until the waitress waiting for us to order clears her throat to get his attention. "What can I get you kids?" she asks, her pen hovering over a pad of paper.
"A BLT and a vanilla milkshake please," I say. It's my usual order though I always share the milkshake with my best friend.
"I'll have a burger and coffee." I already don't like coffee but that sounds like a strange combination anyway.
"Coffee with lunch?" I ask after the waitress jots down our order.
"I guess I'm just used to it. They give us coffee in our rations." The waitress comes back with a plain white mug and fills it with coffee. He thanks her and takes a drink without adding anything to it. Not even a packet of sugar. "And let me tell you, it tastes like the best thing ever. Besides the chocolate we get sometimes." I'd heard of the rations soldiers get. I imagine they're still hungry most of the time.
"Do you like chocolate more than vanilla then?"
He shakes his head, making my heart flutter with that smile of his. "I like both."
"Well you have to pick one," I laugh.
"No I don't. I haven't tasted anything I don't like yet."
"You're kidding." No one likes everything they eat.
"You can ask my mama. I'll eat anything." There's something adorable about him calling his mother "mama". I'd bet he's a mama's boy too with how sweet he is.
"You made her life easy then, huh?"
"A breeze," he laughs. "Until my little sister came along. All that girl wants to eat is chicken and peas; nothing else." I always wanted a sister. Impa filled that role for me.
"How old is your sister?"
"She's eight and an absolute menace. I swear my mama's hair is grayer than it was when I left. She only wants to listen to our pops and thinks acting like a terror will get him to come home."
"Is he in the army too?"
"Yeah he's a colonel." I see where he gets his determination and courage from.
"Are you both together?"
"No, he's fighting in the Pacific. They don't put family together."
"Why not?"
"Because..." He pauses, his smile fading. It's the first time today he's seemed upset and I wish I could take back my question. "If something happens, they don't want a woman to lose more than one child at once. And in this case, they don't want my mama to lose her husband and son at the same time." He takes another long drink of coffee, letting the heartbreaking truth sink in. I guess I'd never thought of that possibility. Losing someone you love is horrible enough but losing more than one? I'm not sure I could handle that.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know."
"Don't be sorry. It's just how it is." His smile pulls me back up like he hadn't told me something so horrible. "No more sad questions though. I don't like seeing you look sad." And just like that, my cheeks are warming up again.
"O-okay." I'm given time to think of another question when the waitress comes back with our food. She gives me two paper straws along with my milkshake, winking at me before heading off again. If the waitress is encouraging this then how bad could it be?"
I take a fry and dip it in my milkshake, only for Link to laugh at me. "What?" I demand.
"You looked at me like I was crazy for ordering coffee past noon and here you are dipping fries in a milkshake."
"It's good mister 'I like everything'."
"Oh is it?"
"As a matter of fact, it is." I dip one more fry before I push the tall glass towards him. "You try it."
"I will." He dips one of his fries, nodding in approval. I told him it was good. "It's almost as good as the cherry." Before I can stop him, he takes the bright red cherry off the pile of whipped cream and eats it, his smirk proud and smug.
"Hey!" I laugh, stealing my milkshake back.
"Sorry princess, but I wasn't going to get that chance again." Another reminder he's leaving tomorrow and this is the only date we get.
"Well tell you what, you can have all of them when you come back." I don't want to think of the possibility he won't come back and I don't think he does either.
"Sounds like a good deal to me. But that does leave another question."
"And what's that, Lieutenant?"
"Does that mean I get to take you on another date when I come home?"
"I guess it does." I take a bite of my sandwich to keep my grin from looking silly. I've been asked on plenty of dates and I never felt very interested until now. I'd love to go on another date with him, even if I have to wait.
He looks to be in heaven when he takes a bite of his burger. Maybe I was right about those rations. He takes another bite without swallowing the first, leaving his cheeks adorably round.
A tap on my other shoulder pulls my attention away. I suppress an eye roll and a groan when I see who it is. Groose. In all his overconfident glory. One of the several boys who has asked me on dates except he's asked more than once. Does he not see I'm already with a boy?
"Hey," he says, grinning. Then I notice his new uniform. "What do you think?"
"Now when did you do that?" I ask.
"I've been gone for months for training. Didn't you notice?" I never did. I guess now that I think about it, he hasn't been pestering me lately.
"Right." I hope my short answer is enough to get him to go away. As usual, it isn't.
"So...whatcha doin?"
"Now isn't the time, Groose."
"But I leave tomorrow and I thought-"
"Hi," Link interrupts. I glance over to see Link turned fully, his arm resting on the counter so he can look past me at Groose. He almost looks...jealous?
Groose looks between Link and I, not bothering to hide his annoyance and jealousy. "Who are you?"
"Lieutenant Farore." I dip another fry, enjoying the show. It must be serious if Link is introducing himself like this. Even his tone is snippy.
"Wha-"
"It means I outrank you, Private, in case you're not familiar with the chain of command yet."
"I am," Groose grumbles, looking more embarrassed by the second.
"Good. Now if a lady says it's not a good time, then leave her alone. And it just so happens that she's spending time with me today." I bite my lip to keep from smiling. I never thought I'd be defended by a soldier. A jealous soldier at that. I can handle Groose just fine on my own but there's something attractive about Link getting jealous. He didn't seem to be that type.
"Okay," Groose mumbles, looking down. "I'll go." He gets up to leave and I grab his arm. He may be a bit overbearing but he's still my friend and I would be a bad one if I let him go off to war like this.
"Promise me you'll be careful out there."
That smug smile of his creeps back. "I will."
"I'm serious. Come back in one piece."
"Yes ma'am." I scowl and smack his arm.
"Get out of here with that 'yes ma'am' business."
"Okay, okay." He flashes another grin at me and runs off, probably on his way to go bother some other girl.
Link is already eating again when I look back at him. His cheeks are full like before and his brows are furrowed as he stares down at the plate in front of him. "You didn't need to embarrass him that much," I say, putting a straw on either side of my milkshake. "He's harmless. Annoying, yes, but harmless."
He swallows, scratching the back of his head while his face reddens. "I'm sorry. I guess I have a bit of a temper sometimes."
"Don't we all?" I push the glass between us, taking a sip. It's going to melt in this heat if we don't drink it soon.
"Well it's gotten me into trouble before."
"More of this nonsense of yours?"
"I guess you could say that. I got into a fight with a pilot." I pause with my sandwich halfway to my mouth. He didn't seem like the type to get into fights either.
"Is there a story behind that one?"
"Not really. We just don't like each other. He's one hell of a pilot though." He takes on the lighthearted expression I'd been enjoying all afternoon as he dips more fries in our milkshake. And he laughed at me for liking it. "I don't think I could trust anyone else to fly me around."
"I think I like him just for keeping you safe up there."
"Oh yeah?" He gives me a look like I just confessed my feelings.
"Yes. Now are you going to split this milkshake with me or not?"
"Yes ma'am." I swat at his arm, pleasantly surprised to feel the muscle under his sleeve. His uniform is hiding more than I expected. "Was there something else, princess?"
"No!" I pull my hand back which had been lingering for too long. His face tells me he didn't mind it at all. Maybe he even enjoyed it.
"Whatever you say." He stretches and flexes his arms, clearly showing off the muscles bulging under his long sleeves. There's no doubt now that he enjoyed it. I force my eyes down to the milkshake before I stare at him too much. He's a soldier; it only makes sense he would be strong. That's hardly a reason for me to imagine him wearing a shirt with short sleeves. Or him not wearing a shirt at all...
I bring the straw back to my lips. These are not thoughts I should be having after just meeting a boy no matter how handsome he is. Or how sweet. And funny. People aren't supposed to be perfect but I think he might be.
I look up, hoping to see his muscles again anyway. It's only one day after all. I almost choke when I find his face only a few inches from mine as he drinks from the other straw. My cheeks burn like they're on fire and my heart pounds as if I'm about to have a heart attack. And yet I don't pull back. I like being this close. I can see small scars marking his face and how deep the blue of his eyes go. Being this close lets me study all of his features, the ones I may only get to see once. I want to remember everything from his crooked smile to his unruly hair that could use a trim. He's made everything else too hard to forget.
We finish our lunch, him eating the fries I was too full for. And he still said he was hungry after that. He must have a bottomless pit for a stomach if he could still be hungry. I feel like I'm waddling from how much I ate.
He pays and I try to think of what we can do next on our way out of the diner. There's still enough time for us to do at least one more thing before Father gets home. He won't be happy if he beats me home, especially if he finds out I've been with a boy all day. How would he understand? Even if I say Link is the most polite boy on the planet, all Father will hear is marriage and babies. Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever be allowed to have a boyfriend. Maybe he will come around to the idea once Link comes home.
"What do you want to do next?" Link asks when we're on the sidewalk. I knew he didn't want this to end yet either.
"Would you be bored out of your mind if I said the bookstore?" Father had given me some allowance for books and I've been saving it. I was going to go today after reading at the park until I was interrupted by this pleasant distraction.
"Nope." He pulls me in the direction of the bookstore without hesitation. I doubt very many boys would be this excited to go look at books. "I have a theory that I can't be bored with you."
"I don't think I can be bored with you either." He's been making me smile since he joined me on the bench.
"Good to know I'm entertaining enough for the princess."
"The princess is plenty entertained." I grin, looking up at him. I didn't know prince charmings came in the form of dorky boys like him. Or maybe he's not a prince charming at all and rather a knight in shining armor.
The walk to the bookstore is normally short. We dragged it out with window shopping and slow walking. The time we have left together keeps ticking away and I want to soak up every bit of it. Who knows when he'll come back and that's if he comes back at all.
Link opens the door for me like the gentleman he is and my eyes dart to the aisles, deciding where to go first. There's too many options and not enough time or dollars for them all. I've spent hours here in the past. And if I'm not here, I'm at the library. I borrow books most of the time but there's something about owning a book and having it waiting for you on your shelf when you want to disappear in it again.
I grab Link's hand, pulling him towards the fiction section. "This way, Lieutenant." He follows without complaint. I hope I don't bore him with this. I don't want him to remember me as the boring girl who dragged him to a bookstore on his last day of leave.
I get to the first long bookshelf and scan the binds for a book I've been keeping an eye out for. It's the last of a series and any copies manage to evade me each time I look. I've been desperate to read it.
Link gives my hand a loving squeeze, his thumb stroking the back. I almost forgot I'd grabbed his hand and now that I remember, I refuse to let go. His finger is calloused and rough. The same finger he would pull the trigger with. I hate to think how many times he's had to pull it just to be here safe right now. I can't bring myself to think of how many more times he'll have to when he goes back.
I'm yanked from the sad thought when my eyes land on the book I need. And it's the last copy! I snatch it from the shelf and let go of Link's hand to open it. With my nose in the book, I take a deep breath to enjoy the scent of freshly printed pages.
"Are you smelling it?" Link laughs.
"Yes." I hold it up to his face after getting my fill. "You smell it." He does, nodding like he had after trying fries dipped in our milkshake.
"Is that the only one you're getting?"
"Oh no," I say, grinning up at him while snapping the book shut. "I have a list."
"Well in that case..." He plucks the book from my hands. "Let me carry them, princess."
"Fine by me." I happily skip off to the next full shelf of books.
He follows me down each aisle, carrying my growing pile of novels. He listens to all my ramblings about the plots, even asking me to read the beginnings to him. Impa would be asleep in the corner by now and Father would never come with me in the first place. And yet this soldier who is used to combat and jumping from airplanes wants me to read to him. I wish I'd met him when he first came home on leave. We would have gotten more time together. Better yet, I wish the war was already over so he wouldn't have to leave at all. I'd read him all these books if we had the time, not just the beginning. After he leaves, I'm going to be left imagining the rest of the story when I only got to live the first few pages.
I add one last book to the stack that almost reaches his chest. "I think I'm done now."
"Are you sure?" he asks, inspecting the pile he's carrying. I'm paying more attention to how his arms look when he lifts the assortment of paperbacks and hardcovers. "A few more and you could open a library."
"You should see how many I already have."
"Have you read all them yet?"
"Some I've read twice," I say with a smug smile. He walks next to me when I head back to the front to pay. I should have plenty of allowance from Father to get these and still have some left over for next time.
"You know, I don't think I've ever read a whole book."
"Not a single book?"
"Nope. I liked listening to my mama read but I don't do much reading on my own." Maybe that's why he likes hearing me read.
"I'll read you my favorites the next time you're home." I hope that's soon but I don't know how often soldiers go on leave and there's no telling when the war will end.
"Really?"
"Mhm. Over a milkshake." I smile, remembering I already promised he could have the cherry on top.
"I'd like that."
"Me too." I think I'd love it.
He sets the books down at the counter and I busy myself with rummaging through my bag to look for my coin purse I'd shoved the dollar bills in. I find it buried under a magazine and my powder compact. I grab it, feeling a bit awkward for making the owner wait when I see Link already handing her money to pay for my books. That's too expensive!
"You don't have to-"
"I don't mind, princess." He looks proud of himself as he hands the woman three dollars. Father had given me plenty to pay and I didn't expect Link to buy them for me.
"That's quite the gentleman you have here," she says, putting my books in a brown paper bag. She gives me a small, knowing smile that makes my cheeks burn. She's an older woman that I've known for years and it just so happens that she knows about Father's no boys rule. "Make sure she gets home safe."
"I will." That only makes him more proud of himself. He takes the bag and heads for the door. I swear he's standing a little straighter now.
My heart sinks when I see the sun setting and a glance at the clock makes me feel worse. If I'm not home soon, I might as well ground myself. I doubt he'd let me see Link again if he knew he was the one keeping me out.
"Want to go see a movie or something?" Link asks, holding the door open for me. I'd love to say yes. I'm not ready to go home or say bye.
"I can't," I mumble, my head hung. I don't want to see his smile fade. "My father will have a fit if I'm out too late."
"Oh...alright." I hate the hurt in his voice. Neither of us are ready to say bye. "Can I still walk you home?"
"I'd love it if you did." The bus would be faster. It'd mean even less time with Link. I just hope Father is going to work a little late tonight.
I hold his hand again and this time I know how hard it'll be to let go. There's nothing I've learned about him in the hours we've spent together that I haven't liked. And it's still only the first chapter where the princess meets her knight. I want to know where the rest will take us. I don't want it to be over yet.
He's quiet now instead of making me laugh and smile like before. The prettier the sunset gets, the closer he is to going back. I admire his courage. He managed to make today wonderful for me even with the promise of returning to war tomorrow. And it's all for selfless reasons. I know he doesn't want to go back and it's not because he's scared but because he wants to stay for the people he's leaving behind.
My street is mostly quiet with the families inside eating dinner and listening to the radio before bed. How do they go about their days while worrying about their fathers, husbands, and brothers? Link is still here and I already worry. Tomorrow he won't be. Tomorrow he'll be on his way to the battlefield and no matter how careful he is, he's a soldier who has promised his life for the rest of us. It's not as easy to push that aside anymore like it had been when I met him in the park.
I'm relieved to see that Father isn't home yet. We still have a few more minutes. "This is my house," I say, turning up the short path that leads to the porch. Then we're silent again with only the crickets and a dog barking a few streets over to fill the quiet. It'd be a perfect summer evening if the silence didn't also hold uncertainty.
He squeezes my hand, stopping me before I unlock the door. "I know we only just met but...do you have a picture I could take with me? You know, so I can have something pretty to look at while I'm over there?" He gives me a small smile, one that isn't forced. He's still trying to make me blush. And I haven't stopped yet.
"I do." Father paid for my picture to be taken during my senior year and there's still extra prints. I'd kept my favorite in my drawer upstairs. That's the one I want to give to him.
I let us inside and Link sets the bag on the floor. "I'll be right back." I go for the stairs when he stops me by squeezing my hand again, keeping me from letting go.
"Could you kiss the back of it too?" I nod. I don't need to ask why. Anyone would want a little extra love to take with them.
I hurry up the stairs to my bedroom. I still have to move fast so Father won't come home to a boy waiting in his entryway. I go to my vanity and add another layer of the pink lipstick I wore today. The least I can do I'd send him off with a fresh kiss.
With my lips a vibrant pink again, I open the drawer to my nightstand and shuffle through the books and magazines inside until I find the picture that's small enough to fit in a pocket. I flip it over and pucker my lips, planting a big kiss on the back. A kiss like that on his lips would've left his mouth pink.
He's still waiting in the same spot for me when I come back downstairs. I take one last look at him to memorize everything I can. He stands tall, wearing his uniform proudly. I notice a small badge on his chest I hadn't seen until now. It's a pair of metal wings, no doubt a symbol of his division. Thinking about what he's brave enough to do only makes me more nervous. I want him to come home.
"Here," I say, holding out the picture. "A photo and a kiss as requested."
"Thank you, Zelda." He didn't call me a princess this time. He takes the picture, staring at it with his perfect smile. I laugh when he tucks it away in his breast pocket.
"It'll smudge."
"I always thought boys were supposed to smudge lipstick." His smile fades into something else. Maybe want or affection. All I know is I feel the same way, the butterflies fluttering in my stomach with excitement and yearning. But it's still tinged with worry.
I shift my focus to his uniform instead of the eyes he was asking for me with. "Well um..." I trail off, straightening out his collar and dusting off his broad shoulders, doing anything to keep myself from thinking about kissing a boy I just met. "You be careful, okay?"
"I will."
"Promise me."
"I promise I'll be careful." He's smiling again when I look up at him, only now I see the sadness in it. It's as bittersweet as watching him leave with my hopeful promises. "I should probably get going, huh?"
"Probably." But I still don't want him to.
He stares at me for a moment before leaning down, placing a gentle kiss on my cheek. "Just in case I don't get the chance again." He's leaving me with one more thing to remember him by. I'll tuck it all away in my heart until he comes back home.
He opens the door and I play with my hands now that he's not holding them. What if this is the first and last time? What do I do if he never makes it back?
He stops, turning around before he gets to the steps on the porch. "My train leaves at nine tomorrow morning."
"I don't know if I can come, but I'll try," I say, knowing Father won't let me leave so early for no reason. I just want to see him walk away with a smile.
"Alright...I guess this is bye then."
I try to be brave like he is and give him one last smile to take with when he goes. "Goodbye, Lieutenant."
"Bye, princess."
And just like that, he leaves me standing in the doorway watching him leave, wishing we'd had longer together. The first chapter swept me off my feet and now I'll have to wait for the rest.
I go back inside when he's out of sight. I try to hold on to the excitement from earlier and the rush from flirting all day with a boy I just met. Him leaving felt so far away like the day would never end. Now he's off to spend one more evening with his mother and sister and tomorrow he'll leave them with a deeper worry than he left with me.
As sick as I feel, I still have to hide it before Father comes home or he'll be suspicious. He'll only taint my day with a scolding about boys if he found out. The last thing I want is to be lectured about how wrong I was to spend the day with Link.
I get the rest of the casserole from last night out of the fridge and put it in the oven to heat it up for dinner. I doubt I'll be able to eat any. Worry doesn't leave much room for an appetite.
I hear Father unlock the door while I set the table. If it weren't for his rules then maybe I'd still be with Link right now. But it's not his fault he's protective over his only child. He just wants what's best for me.
"Good evening, Zelda," he says, joining me in the kitchen. He seems to be in a better mood than usual and that only makes me feel worse. I don't want to ruin his mood with my own.
"Hi."
"How was your day?"
"It was alright." I want to tell him how amazing it was. I want to tell him about the young man I met that I'm already falling for.
"I saw a bag of books by the door. Did you get those today?"
"I went after reading at the park."
"Good. If you need more allowance to buy more, just ask." I offer him a small smile. The one thing I do that he supports fully is my reading. He has quite the collection himself. Sometimes it feels as though the shared love for literature is all we have to bond over.
The timer I set for the casserole saves me from having to answer his questions with half-lies. I wish I could spill every detail without having to bend the truth or tiptoe around things I know he wouldn't agree with.
He sits at the table while I get our dinner from the oven. It looks as odd as it had when I made it last night. Maybe my cooking will be enough to give Link something he wouldn't want to eat again. I set it in the middle of our small kitchen table on top of a folded towel. It just seems odd to use our dining room when it's just the two of us though Father scoffed at the thought of eating in the kitchen when I first brought it up. He eventually gave in when he saw how silly it was to sit at a table meant for eight.
With our plates filled in front of us, we sit in more silence. I pick at my food with my fork. The worry churns in my stomach along with the sadness, leaving me feeling sick. I wonder if Link is eating with his family right now, enjoying his last home-cooked meal before he goes back to rations. I can imagine his sister complaining about the dinner their mother made, wishing the last spot at their table was filled.
"Some of the men at work have been talking," Father says, breaking the silence. "They think the war will be ending soon." Then Link will come back.
I sit a little straighter, desperate to listen to the rest. "How will they do that?"
"I wouldn't doubt they were planning an invasion-"
"An invasion? Where?"
"In Europe," he says slowly, giving me an odd look. I doubt I've ever seemed this interested in what was happening overseas. I didn't have anyone to worry about until today. "I'm sure they'll go by land and air."
"Like bombers?"
"Maybe but if they were invading then I'm sure they would have paratroopers too." My heart plummets. Link is on his way to Europe. If we do invade, he'll be there in the middle of it all. "Are you alright?"
"Yes I'm just...I think I need to lie down. I don't feel well."
"Do you need to see the doctor?"
"No, I think going to bed early is all I need. Excuse me." I push my chair back, hurrying out of the kitchen filled with rumors of an invasion Link would be a part of. He had to have known about something that big. What if he knew this whole time that his chances of coming home were slimmer than they were before?
I close my door and rub over my heart, feeling it pound through my dress. Horrific possibilities fill every single thought. His plane could be shot down. Even the best pilot doesn't have all the luck those men deserve. Or what if he's shot while he's helpless in the air? He'd be gone before he reached the ground without ever getting a chance to fight back. And he could just as easily die when he lands and I'll never know. He promised to be careful but war doesn't care. What's going to stop it from taking him too?
I lie on my bed without changing. I'm helpless to it all. All I could do was spend the day with him. There's nothing I can say or do to help keep him safe. I gave him a memory to hold on to and I have to hope it's enough. I have to trust that he will do everything he can to come home. I don't care if he comes back missing an arm as long as he comes back.
My eyes land on the book I was reading when I met him, the flower still inside marking the page I left off on. I wish flowers would last forever. But I'll have to watch it wilt as time goes on even if it's my favorite. I can love the flower all I want and it still wouldn't be enough to save it.
I'm facing my window when I wake up. I never closed the curtains last night and now the sun is blinding. The birds are loud enough for me to hear them clearly while they chirp on a branch just outside. It's soft and calming. But the peace doesn't last for long.
I sit up abruptly, knocking off a few of my stuffed animals in the process. I check the time, pushing my hair out of my face. It's only twenty minutes past eight. He hasn't left yet. What was I thinking when I told myself I couldn't meet him at the station? Was it all out of fear for a scolding? Sending him off properly is worth any lecture I'll get after. I want to give him a real kiss, not just one on the back of a picture. I'll hate myself if I let him go without showing him how much I care.
I can't get out of bed fast enough. My dress is wrinkled from sleeping in it and after a quick look in my mirror, I start to panic. I can't go see him like this. My hair is a mess and there's lipstick smeared on my cheek along with lines from the pillow across half my face. I still have a little time to fix this.
I drag my brush through the knots in my hair quickly though I doubt unruly hair will scare him off considering his own untamed mess he walks around with. I hurry to my closet at the same time, pulling the first perfectly ironed dress my hands land on. Before I change, I run across the hall to the bathroom, rinsing my face with water and brushing my teeth. I must look like a chicken with my head cut off. I'm already in for a scolding from Father for making so much noise in the morning but I don't care. I want to look as pretty as the princess Link fell for yesterday.
I change into the new dress that just so happens to be blue like yesterday's. It has short sleeves and a bow around the middle. I'm sure he'll like it.
Remembering what he said about boys smudging lipstick, I apply a thick layer on my lips in the same shade I kissed the photo with. I'll send him off with a pink mouth like I wanted to yesterday. I slip into my short heels and spray on a bit of perfume. This is about as perfect as I'm going to get.
I yank my door open, my heels thumping loudly in my hurry to the stairs. I may have to run in them if I want to make it there in time.
Father steps out of the kitchen, blocking my path to the door. I can't get a lecture now! I only have half an hour to get to Link before he leaves.
"Where do you think you're running off to?" he demands. I don't have time to explain. I push past him, accepting the fact the hole I put myself in just got deeper. "Zelda!"
I yank the door open. "I'm gonna go kiss a boy!"
"Excuse me-" I'm already off the porch, walking as quickly as I can on the sidewalk in my heels without catching them on the cracks. I'll explain everything to him later but right now I have to get to Link in time.
The walk to the bus stop feels like miles. Each second might as well be minutes ticking away too quickly. I trip on a small pebble, hardly slowing down at all to find my balance. I don't have the time to be a dainty princess. He needs to know how badly I want him to come home.
The bus stop comes into view when I turn the corner. But so does the bus. Its brakes squeal when it stops to pick up the people waiting. I might as well turn around if I miss the bus!
I run, hoping the driver will see me and be kind enough to wait. I feel a pang of hope when I see the last person in line. I've never been so happy to see that lovable fool.
"Groose!" I yell. His head snaps up in my direction. I can see his excitement from here. He turns back to the open doors when it's his turn and he says something to the driver, keeping him from leaving. I'm so relieved I could kiss him. But only on the cheek.
"What are you doing run-"
"Get on the bus!" I pant, shoving him and his heavy bag towards the stairs. His aunt and uncle are in front and he sits in the empty seat across from them. I'll sit next to him just this once.
"Why are you in such a hurry?" he asks. He better not get his hopes up.
"I need to say bye to Link."
His nose scrunches in annoyance. "Who's that?"
"Lieutenant Farore? From yesterday?"
"Oh." He crosses his arms and slumps in his seat. "What's so special about him?"
"I like him and he's leaving." I realize Groose is late too. I imagine the army wouldn't be too happy if he wasn't there to report for duty.
"Why do you like a guy like him?" he whines. "Is it the uniform because I have one too now. I could be a lieutenant."
"Oh don't be like that. I told you before you were my friend and it was going to stay that way. And besides, all the girls will be pining for you when you come back a war hero."
That gets his attention. "You think?"
"Yes. And you'd better work hard for that rank or you'll be stuck saying 'yes sir' to him forever." He takes on a scowl, one I laugh at. I just gave him a new nightmare to haunt his thoughts. He would've decided he didn't like Link the second he saw us together and after being embarrassed like that, I'm sure he's already been dreaming of outranking him.
Under his crossed arms, I see the faint glint of metal. It's the same wings Link wore. "What's your division?" I say, tapping the pin.
"82nd Airborne," he says proudly, puffing out his chest. "It's cool right?" He's going to be jumping out of an airplane with Link. They better put their jealousy aside and take care of each other.
I bounce my leg anxiously, grabbing Groose's arm every so often to check the time on his watch. There's still a little bit until nine. I wish the bus would hurry up. Groose looks at ease even though there's a possibility he might miss the train. Knowing him, he simply slept in too late or he spent an unnecessary amount of time on his hair. It's not going to matter when he has to cover his bright red locks with a helmet.
The bus finally gets to the train station and I stand before it fully stops. The second the door is open, I'm off the bus and running again.
"Zelda!" Groose calls behind me. "Wait!" I don't stop until he grabs my shoulder. "No goodbye?"
"Sorry," I pant. I give him a quick hug. "Be careful." Reminding them feels like the only thing I can do.
"I will." I turn to leave and he stops me. "Can I get a kiss bye?"
"No! Now I have to go and so do you unless you want to be put in jail for not showing up."
"Okay jeez."
"I'll see you when you get back," I promise, turning to go find Link.
I bump into what feels like everyone here. I apologize without slowing down, looking up at the large clock like it's going to slow time down for me. I only have a few minutes left.
I go to the platform full of soldiers saying bye to their families. Most of them are young and I hate to think of how many won't make it. But none of them looked scared. I look at each of them in my search, seeing nothing but brave smiles.
I keep going, trying to look over the crowd. I didn't anticipate how busy it would be. The closer I get to the end of the train, the deeper my heart falls. I could've passed him already and I wouldn't know. And I don't have time to double back. He's going to leave without knowing how much I like him.
Through a small gap in the crowd, I see a short woman with brown hair standing next to a little girl, both of them hugging a blond boy. It's him!
"Link!" The people around look at me like I'm crazy. I apologize, pushing past them anyway. "Link wait!"
I watch him kiss his mother's cheek and turn to get on the train. "Link!" The train blows its horn at the same time, drowning out my voice. I just want to say bye!
I check the windows full of men grinning and waving. The train blows its horn again, signaling that it's about to leave. Finally I see him. I wave my arms and hop up and down. I don't care how silly I look as long as he sees me.
He glances over, doing a double take before his eyes light up. He yanks the window open, the other boys he's sitting with looking out and being nosy. "I didn't think you were coming!" he shouts over all the noise.
"I had to!" I hoist myself up on the railing separating us, leaning forward as far as I can. It's not close enough. "Kiss me!" I try to get closer, puckering my lips in case he can't hear me.
He grins, saying something to the boys he's with. They hold on to his legs, letting him lean halfway out of the window without falling. He wraps his arm around me, pulling me close before pressing his lips to mine. Time slows down like I'd been begging it to. I only met this boy and yet his kiss is loving. I'd kiss him a hundred times before he left if I could. But I only get this one. Just one to hold close to my heart for now.
It's too soon when he has to pull away. He grins again, wearing at least half of my lipstick now on his lips and around his mouth. He got to smudge it like he wanted. The boys pull him back into the train, laughing and patting his shoulders.
The wheels screech against the rails and the train slowly inches forward. "You come back!" I shout over the other goodbyes.
"I will, I promise!" Tears sting my eyes at the promise. He has to come back. He can't break a promise.
"I'll be waiting for you!" I have a feeling I won't see him until the war is over. I'll wait as long as it takes.
He's too far to talk to me now but he pokes his head out of the open window along with the other boys, sticking their arms out to wave at everyone. I get to wave back this time. It hurts to watch him go and a few tears drip down my cheeks. He gave me a promise and a day full of precious memories. It's all I have to get me through the dark uncertainty and worry.
I feel a hand rubbing my shoulder once his train is out of sight. I turn and see his mother with his little sister clinging to her. She has a soft smile and gray hair speckled throughout the brown. "I knew he had to have met a pretty girl," she says, her smile growing wider. "He wouldn't tell me why he was smiling so much last night."
I manage a small laugh, wiping away the tears with the back of my hand. "It's a long story."
One I hope isn't over yet.