Make a Wish || Rhett and Link

Chapter 36 - Fun

"Thanks for the ice-cream, Link." I said.

Link smiled and sat down next to me on the bench. "No problem Super-Cooper, we said we were going to do this every Wednesday."

"Yeah, well, wasn't really sure what you meant by that. I thought maybe you were joking or something." I said awkwardly, rubbing the back of my neck.

Link chuckled. "I'd never joke about ice-cream."

I just laughed.

We both ate our ice creams. I had vanilla, same as last time, and Link enjoyed (perhaps a little too much) the peanut butter flavour.

"So, how's life with the McLaughlins?" Link asked after a while.

I sighed and Link turned towards me in concern. "Is everything okay?"

"I was really mean at the doctors today, and Rhett then poured his heart out to me through this story of Locke breaking some kids arm, and then he could make it up to his parents, but he's worried because if he messes something up, then he can't make it up to mine. And I completely understand that, but I'm really worried that I've ruined everything."

Link put his arm around me. "No, no, no, you haven't ruined anything Super-Cooper."

"Yeah, well, I can't help feel like the whole family is treating me like an egg that is about to crack."

"Why'd you say that?"

"Well, Jessie is INTENT on making sure that I never do anything. Like, I can't help out with anything. And sure, I would do that to my friends when they slept over, but seriously, I'm staying for a month and a half, I feel really guilty that she's not letting me DO anything other than watch TV. Shep is nice, but seriously, he keeps calling me a 'he' no matter how many times I correct him. And Locke still hates my guts for some reason. I think he's with Lily on the fact that they think it's unfair that I just got to move in because I'm sick."

Link sighed. "I didn't know it was that bad."

"Well, the kids are right in a way. There would be no way you would've been so nice to me if I didn't have cancer, Link." I said nervously.

"Cooper, you can't think like that!" Link exclaimed. "We've done 4 make-a-wish's now, and you're the first that we've really made a really big effort with."

"And that's because my parents are dead."

"NO!" Link exclaimed. "It's because you're awesome and we like having you around!"

I went silent. Link sighed. "What can I do?"

"Huh? Nothing. I'm okay." I said.

"Well, what do you want to do tomorrow?"

"Truthfully, I want to ride my skateboard, but I don't think you and Rhett will agree to that, will you?"

**********************

"Alright Cooper, come out and show us!"

I reluctantly walked out to face Rhett and Link. Rhett half-smiled and straightened the helmet on my head.

"Okay, you should be good to go." Rhett said.

"I dunno guys...you've got me in enough safety gear to survive a UFC fight!" I said, picking at the elbow guard.

"Yeah, well, with what happened last time, we thought it would be best." Link said.

I grumbled but grabbed my board. I was so desperate to ride again, I would do it even if it meant wearing this ridiculous get-up.

"Maybe you need a mouth guard..."

"I'LL BE FINE!" I exclaimed. "I used to do this every day for several hours. Relax, I'm not going to die."

Rhett and Link both went silent and I sighed. "Can I ride now?"

Rhett nodded and a smile emerged on my face as I ran out to the road. Rhett put my board down and I immediately took off as fast as I could. I was off! My god, it was amazing. The wind on my face was the greatest feeling. I began winding from side to side and Rhett and Link were cheering for me. Gosh, this was incredible.

I did a few more laps of the cul-de-sac until I decided to attempt a few tricks. Just simple ones, obviously.

I tried an Ollie, which is basically a jump which works by tapping the tail of the board on the ground. I almost landed it.

"COOPER!" Rhett screamed.

I didn't fall over, just had to run off the power. Rhett and LInk came running and started checking me for signs of injury.

"Guys, guys, I'm okay, I'm okay, I promise."

"You like, fell!" Link panted.

"Yeah, that's part of it." I explained. "If I gave up every time I screwed up a trick, then I would suck at this. It's going to take some trial and error before I get it right guys. But I'm always going to get back up, don't worry about that."

Link and Rhett both looked speechless.

"Anyway, that has GOT to be the most fun I've had in a good 6 months." I said with a grin.

They both relaxed a little and I took off again. This was awesome.