Chasing Rhett | Rhett & Link

.2.

It all started back in grade school with the boy down the road who always caught my attention.

He was super tall, like, giraffe tall. At least he was to me.

He used to ride up and down the street on his red rider bicycle, with no helmet. I thought that was the coolest thing. My mom refused to let me on my bike without mine. She claimed that I was too clumsy for that. Which I was, but I didn't want to believe it.

She always patched me up before I went on rides and she never let me go anywhere alone.

So she followed me up and down the street, and the boy would always ride by and grin towards me. I used to think he was making fun of me, but I didn't want to believe that either.

Eventually, once I hit fourth grade, mom let me go out on my own.

I was completely stoked to ride without her hoovering over my shoulders. I ran out the back door, climbed on my bike, and headed for the street. It wasn't long after that the boy road past me. He was slightly faster than normal, almost like he was running away from something.

He glanced back at me for a quick second and BAM. He hit a tree head on.

He collapsed on top of his bike. His head was bleeding and he laid still.

When I was close enough, I jumped off my bike, and leaned down over the boy.

His eyes were the purest color of blue and full of pain. He latched onto my arms quickly, squeezing for help.

I immediately pulled the boy to the sidewalk and checked for any major issues. His head was cut right at his hairline and it was gushing intensely. He was pale and looked as if he might pass out.

I looked behind me. My house was only three minutes away but I couldn't carry him. He was too big. So I ran.

I ran to my mom, like I always did when I was afraid or hurt.

This time I was afraid. I don't know why exactly, because deep down I knew this boy was going to be okay. Yet it felt like he was crumbling and I cared more than I should.

I didn't even know his name.

Once I was near the house, I screamed for my mom. She was out the door before I could blink three times. My father followed right behind her.

I had already taken off back towards the boy.

He was still bleeding profusely. I instantly ripped off my t-shirt and applied pressure to his wound. My mom and dad caught up, gasping.

"Oh my, Link, what happened?"

I didn't answer, but instead told my dad to carry him back to the house.

He did so, careful not to inflict any more pain.

My mom carried the boys bike while I carried mine.

Once we were home, I ran inside and grabbed a glass of water and a warm towel.

The boy chugged the glass while my mom attended to his wound.

By the time he was patched up, his color had mostly returned.

He looked at me and grinned, "Hey bud. Link, is it?"

I nodded, my cheeks flaming up. My finger tips tingled, oddly.

"I'm Rhett. Thanks for helping me."

That was the beginning. That was how Rhett became my best friend. Every day after, we would come over and play video games. Sometimes we road bikes together. We even camped out in my back yard on many occasions.

We were the best of friends and that hasn't changed.

For me, at least.

But maybe Rhett feels differently.

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Just for future reference, if the text is italicized, the scene is more in likely a flashback or personal conversation between one person, in this case Link. 

I really hope you guys like this story! I know it's starting slow, but I like to give background information. I hate jumping right to everything without some bit of story. So, this is how I write. Now, saying that, I do not mean every chapter is going to be a huge flashback or anything. No. But there will be more than just the main plot. I like cake with my icing. 

Other than that, thank you all for reading! You're great!

And remember to be your mythical best!

- Robin Nicole