Memories

Chapter one

It all started with a hill. There was nothing particularly special about this hill; nothing that specifically made it stand out, but to some, it was the most important hill in existence. Few people knew this hill even existed, and those that did usually dismissed it from their minds, the idea getting lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But to two people in particular? This hill meant the world. This hill looked like the sort of place where the elves and fairies met and danced. It was in the middle of a clearing in a wood; the trees were thick all around, and far above the crest of our little hill, branches met in a shelter from the world. Sunlight came through, but never rain or snow, and if you could brave the cold and sit out there in the winter, the animals might come to sit with you.

This hill was where our two main characters met for the first time.

One was a young girl from the nearest town. Her mother had driven her out of the house, saying girls her age should be out on the town, meeting new boys and falling in love instead of sitting inside, reading borrowed novels. Her mother ignored her argument that the young men in town never looked at her twice, and instead shoved her out, plucking the book out of her hand and locking the door behind her, calling that any boy would be lucky to have her attentions. This was Rhynn.

The other was a boy from the nearest town opposite. His mother had forced him outdoors, telling him if he wasn't going to work around the house he should be out, letting girls coo and swoon and fall in love with him, and saying if she caught him in that damned library or bookstore again she'd tan his hide. He tried to protest that no girl would ever care enough to fall in love with him, but she ignored him. This was Brett.

Neither had any idea the other existed.

Rhynn had always loved the outdoors, and of course she was prepared for just such a situation. The hill was Rhynn's favourite outdoor place. The last time she'd voluntarily been to the hill, she'd found a hollowed out tree and converted it into a bookshelf. After being gone several hours, her mother expected her to come prancing in, "smitten" etched across her face and gushing about this new boy she'd just met. Needless to say, Mommy Dearest was a bit peeved when Rhynn returned, hair marred by fly-aways and smelling like shellac.

Brett had no such thing, as he despised the outdoors and did anything to avoid such. Even during the recesses he used to have in school, he did everything to stay inside. Of course, being the teacher's favourite helped. Brett had few close friends, but those he did have had bonded with him over many mutually read books. However, Brett did not have trouble speaking with people and there was not a person in the school that didn't at least knew who Brett was. Brett had little to no understanding of the internet, but he didn't feel he needed any. He could speedily text on his flip phone, and that was all he cared for. On this particular day he decided to go take a hike in the woods, since everyone always told him it was beautiful. He had always liked pictures of naturescapes, so he thought he'd give it a try. He didn't think of bringing anything along.

By the time Brett came upon the hill, he was parched, he was starving, and he was not expecting anyone else to be there.

Rhynn saw Brett before Brett saw Rhynn. When he came stumbling through the forest, she was perched in a tree, reading. she looked up from her book when she heard a noise that did not belong to the wildlife. Someone crashing through the underbrush, disturbing everything. She expected some big, lumbering jerk with no respect for nature. Instead, she was met with the sight of a slim, lithe boy with aquamarine eyes and golden-brown hair. And, well she was a sucker for a nice pair of blue eyes.

Rhynn continued to watch Brett as he looked around the clearing with an expression of awe. When his eyes connected with hers, she made a small, undignified squeak and nearly fell out of the tree. Despite being drenched in sweat and panting like a dog, those eyes held hers in the most serious gaze she'd ever been faced with. His eyes held openness, genuine care, kindness; the likeness of which she'd only ever read about. Before now, she had never understood how people saw endless expression in eyes but now... Now she understood.