The rest of the day was a blur for Zelda. She spent the rest of her time in class either daydreaming or trying to think of good ways to find her soulmate. The more ideas she got, the less interested in classwork she would get.

She was so focused on her thinking and daydreaming that she didn't even realize when the bell rung. It was only when Ms. Agitha came to her and told her that the day was over that she realized that everyone had already gone outside.

Now she was walking home with Saria and she still couldn't focus. The bitter winter winds turned her cheeks bright pink and sent chills down her spine but she didn't care, her mind was just too preoccupied. She would've known better than to not focus on her surroundings but she couldn't help it, if something was super important to her then everything would disappear from the world until she took care of it. That's just how she was.

"Hey, Zel is there something on your mind," Saria asked, staring at her friend a little concerned. "I noticed that you've been super quiet ever since we got out of school."

"Uh, well, not really."

"What do you mean by 'not really'. Come on Zel, you can tell me. We've known each other for years and I have not once spilled a secret you told me or even been disloyal. Remember that time you snuck out on the Fourth of July to watch the fireworks with me at my building?"

"But that was different Saria. I only snuck out because there were too many adults in my house and some of them were acting funny," the Hylian girl mumbled.

"Yeah but still, remember how I covered for you and told your dad that we had already made plans to watch the fireworks and he had already said it was alright about a week before?"

Zelda chuckled at the thought of that day. "Yeah, I can't believe he was so gullible. I thought for sure that I'd get caught!"

"Yup," Saria said through laughter. "Remember how confused he looked when he was getting ready to get you and we were already waiting outside your house?"

"Yeah, he was like 'Zelda, dear, I could've come pick you up, I wouldn't have minded. Besides, I enjoy spending time with Saria's aunt and uncle.' I couldn't believe that we were able to make it back before he decided to come get me! I thought I was going to be toast for sure!"

"Ah, but you weren't going to be. As long as I'm here I have your back Zel, you're like a sister to me."

"You're like a sister to me too. I can't believe how long we've known each other. It's been years."

"Yeah. So you can tell me what's on your mind. It's better than talking to one of those awkward school counselors that you barely know, right?"

"I guess you're right," Zelda said, sighing. "It's nothing really but, I can't help thinking about my soulmate. What if I never get to meet them before I die? What if I do meet them and they don't like me? What if they just like me for my art?"

"Zel," Saria said, grabbing her friend by her shoulders. "Stop being such a pessimist. Pessimism doesn't get you anywhere."

"But Saria, this isn't pessimism, it's real life. Mido seems to really like you a lot but... the first message I received from my soulmate wasn't about me, it was about my art."

Saria grabbed her friend's arm and read the writing. "Zel, look right here. They said 'you seem nice so I'll write again later'. They think you're nice, see, they like you."

At that Zelda stared down at her shoes. "Just because someone writes that they think I'm nice, it doesn't mean that they actually think I'm nice. What if they're playing some really mean joke on me to entertain their friends or something? These are the things that make the whole 'soulmate' thing bad for some people. What if I'm stuck with a bully or something?"

"I guess you're right, but let's talk about something else, maybe that'll cheer you up."

"Alright."

"Soooo, how did you meet Link. It seems like you've known him for a while, how come you didn't introduce me to him before today?"

"Well, I didn't introduce him to you before today because I didn't know him before today. I actually had just met him after you went to class. When I was going to English, I literally ran into him in the hallway. after that, we talked for a while and I found out that he was an exchange student. He comes from Forest High. Did you know that he was in the national championships for archery and fencing?! His team won both events!"

"Woah, doesn't that mean he's, like, really important or something? Why's he in a normal public school like us?"

"Saria, you've seen him. He's really humble, I admire that. He doesn't care whether he won some countrywide championship, he still wants a normal life. I wish more people were like him."

Saria notices the slight change in Zelda's voice and decided to find a way to change the subject. "Dang, so you got to learn all that and meet a new person while I was in music class just messing around with the xylophones," Saria said, chuckling.

"XYLOPHONES??? When did we get those?"

"We just got them this week, don't you remember that day when we had the assembly thing and they spoke about how we were getting new instruments?"

"Uh, not really, I must've been not paying attention that day, anyway, I can't wait to use them! They sound so pretty!"

"Zel, you never pay attention so that's nothing new. Anyway, I know right, but I don't know how to play one so it sounds like crap when I use it," Saria said, chuckling.

"Aww, Saria, don't say that. Maybe you just need a little practice."

"Zel, we already know that even if I practice I'll still sound like crap," Saria said, smiling at her best friend. "I'll never be the musical prodigy that you are but, I that doesn't mean I can't be a great friend!"

"I'm not a musical prodigy Saria, but thanks. Also, of course, you're already a great friend, better yet, an AMAZING friend."

"If you say so. Also thanks, I wouldn't be able to be an amazing friend without an amazing person to call my friend. Anyway, I need coffee, I forgot to get some this morning."

Zelda laughed as she followed Saria around the nearest corner and into a coffee shop called Hyrule Coffee.

Woah, since when was this thing here? I've never even seen this place before and I've been living here forever. How'd Saria find out about this place before me? Oh wait- it's because I don't drink coffee as much as her.

Zelda sat down at the nearest table while Saria walked up to the counter and rang the little bell.

The shopkeeper came out from behind a curtain that was covering a doorway. "What? You need another coffee already- Oh, Saria. Good to see you, I thought you were someone else," the shopkeeper said, glancing towards one of the tables.

Looking over in the direction he glanced in, Zelda saw a girl with blonde hair messily put into a bun, furiously biting on a pencil while looking at her computer.

Woah, she looks so focused and frustrated. I wonder what she's doing, er, writing. Maybe she's writing one of those textbooks like the ones we use in school. Those are always so confusing and frustrating. Maybe I should go ask, or not. She looks really busy, maybe I shouldn't bother her. But then again, if she becomes a famous writer one day then I could claim that I met her and have proof. Uhhh, I think I'll-

Zelda's thoughts were cut off by her friend returning, with a large cup in hand.

"Woah, what is that?"

"Hmmm," Saria said questioningly, her mouth full of coffee. "This?"

Zelda chuckled. "Yes."

"Oh, it's a white chocolate mocha frappuccino with raspberry drizzle and whipped cream. It's a regular for me from here."

"Interesting," Zelda said, eying the literal pyramid of whipped cream that looked as if it would topple. "That sounds like a lot of sugar for you. Are you sure that's healthy Saria?"

Saria laughed. "Zel, I've been drinking this for months, I'm pretty sure I'll be fine."

"Suit yourself," the Hylian girl said, shrugging. Standing up, she started following Saria towards the door.

Without thinking, when they got outside Zelda took a bit of the whipped cream on her finger, leaving an indent in the spot where she touched it.

"Hey," Saria protested, laughing a bit. "I thought you said it looked too sweet!"

"I said 'that sounds like a lot of sugar for you'. I said nothing about myself," Zelda said, putting her finger in her mouth and smirking at her friend.

"Oooh, you sly little brat."

"Haha Saria, I told you before. I'm not little, you are, and maybe it's not that I'm sly, maybe you just have to pay more attention to what I say."

"Alright, bet," Saria said, taking a sip of her frappuccino.

"Alright. Anyways, we should probably get home Saria. My dad is probably expecting me and there's no doubt that your aunt and uncle are expecting you too."

"Yeah, you're right Zel, we should be getting home. They're most likely waiting for us by now."

The rest of the walk home Zelda and Saria couldn't help but talk about the things that they've done. With each fond memory, they felt closer and closer than ever. By the time they finally got home, Saria was already halfway done with her large coffee and was on the verge of having a sugar rush.

When they got to Saria's apartment Zelda knocked on the door several times.

"Coming," a singsongy voice said from the other side of the door. The door opened shortly to reveal a woman about Zelda's height. "Ah, hello girls, I see you stopped for coffee again, Saria."

"Yup, sorry we were late to get home, auntie," Saria said, walking inside, with Zelda following after, closing the door behind her.

"It's alright, at least you girls got here safe. How's your coffee, dear?"

"It tastes great. I got the usual."

"Isn't that thing a little too sweet," Saria's aunt questioned, sending her a sideways glance.

"That's the same thing I said," Zelda said, laughing.

"Well, it's not, it's actually really good."

"Look at you, with your coffee addiction," Saira's aunt laughed, ruffling her hair a bit. "You remind me of your mother, she was really short for her age too."

"Auntie," Saria whined. "Stop reminding me that I'm short, it's not important. Isn't it what I learned that matters?"

"Alright, and yes dear, it is what you've learned that's important. Zelda, did you tell your dad that you're here?"

"Uh, no, not yet."

"Well then what are you waiting for dearie? If you go tell him now you can come right back afterward."

"Alright," Zelda replied, heading towards the door.

Once she was in the hallway she walked over to the elevator and pressed the button. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw something move around the corner to the left.

Huh, what was that?

As she walked closer she saw what looked like someone wearing the same uniform as her. Just as she was going to confront them the elevator dinged, letting her know it arrived.

She abandoned her hunt and quickly walked back toward the elevator, unaware of the surprised gaze that was held steady on her.

After she walked into the elevator, the figure sank down to the ground and sighed.

Did she live here too?