Ryden Stuff

Melt your headaches, call it home

It was a warm Sunday morning in September and all was peaceful at the Ross household. Ryan's older brother Arden was at a sleepover with his friends so that left Ryan with his sisters and mother. The curly haired seven year old sat at the table, bouncing in his seat. He was supposed to be eating breakfast but he couldn't concentrate on that. He watched the clock eagerly, not yet knowing how to read it, only knowing that when the little hand was on 9 and the big hand on 6, his friends would arrive at his house. The children had planned the gathering on Friday, Brendon suggesting it and the other insisting he was a genius.

The kids thought they were all so clever. However, their parents all knew about it and didn't mind at all. They know Dallon would be going with the younger ones. Dallon Weekes was a charming third grade boy who lived a street over from Ryan. Although two years older than Ryan and three years older than Brendon and Spencer, he was one of them. Age didn't seem to matter with children. All they cared about was fun and happiness and that's what they got around each other. One could tell just by watching them that Dallon also enjoy spending time with his younger friends. That's why the mothers trusted him, he wasn't hanging out with them because he had to, but because he wanted to.

Ryan tapped his foot impatiently against the chair leg. He stared down the clock, willing the hands to go faster. "Ryan sweetie," his mother cooed sweetly "your friends will me here in a few minutes and you're not going until you finish your breakfast." Ryan nodded politely and scarfed down his cereal. Not two minutes later than he had finished was there a knock on the door. Ryan sprung from the table and sprinted to the door. "Hey! Are you forgetting something mister?" His mother asked, placing her hands on her hips.

Ryan looked confused for a moment. "Your sweater," His mother explained "and my hug." Ryan smiled and hugged his mother. She helped him pull his slightly oversized sweater over his head. "Remember, be safe, stay with the boys and be home before dark." She kissed his head. "I will mama. I promise." Ryan squeaked in his little voice. The curly haired boy ran to the door and threw it open. "Bren!" He chirped, throwing his arms around the younger boy.

Brendon hugged back and giggled. "Hi Ry," He gasped. "That Rhymed!" The others congratulated Brendon on his accidental rhyme. Ryan pulled away from Brendon. "Bren! Guess what!" The boy enthused. "I lost my tooth." Ryan opened his mouth to reveal his missing top teeth. "Cool!" Spencer squeaked. "Did you keep it?" Ryan shook his head, his loose curls flopping all over his face. "The tooth fairy took it and left me a dollar!" Brendon gasped. "You can buy so much!" Dallon laughed behind them. "You can't buy *that* much." He shook his head. "Let's get going."

The boys skipped off Ryan's porch and down the trail that lead through a small patch of woods. The four boys made their way through the thick trees, Dallon in front with Spencer trailing him. Brendon and Ryan with arms linked, stumbling every once and a while over roots or sticks. The walk to their meadow was about ten minutes. It was a extraordinarily bright day. The way the sun rays jetted through the leaves would bring an artist to his knees, but the children merely passed through, chatting and enjoying their day.

"Hey Bren." Ryan whispered. "What?" Brendon whispered back. "I picked these for you." Ryan presented a handful of semi squished dandelions. Brendon giggled and took them. "Thanks Ryro." The younger boy took a single flower from the bouquet and tucked it behind Ryan's ear. "It looks pretty." He mumbled. The curly haired boy blushed and smiled his toothless grin. "Thanks Bren." Brendon smiled happily and hugged Ryan tight.

"Hey guys! Come on!" Spencer shouted, louder than necessary. Brendon released Ryan from the hug, but continued to pull him forward by his arm. "Woah! Bren! Slo-" Ryan screeched, but it was too late. Ryan tripped over a rock and tumbled to the ground. He landed with a thud on his hands and knees. The four were dead silent for ten seconds until Ryan started crying. Not loudly or dramatically, just quiet sobs and lots of tears. Ryan tried to stand up but wobbled and fell onto his butt.

Brendon rushed over to sit next to the crying boy. "Are you okay Ry?" He asked. Ryan choked out a harsh son and hid his face in Brendon's chest. The other boys came over and say next to them. "I have some first aid stuff that my mommy packed me." Spencer squeaked, fishing through his cargo pockets for two bandages and some antiseptic wipes. One he found them, Spencer opened the wipes and gently cleaning Ryan's now bleeding cuts.

"It hurts Bren." Ryan whimpered. "Sh, it's okay Ry." Brendon soothingly stroked Ryan's curls. "You okay Ryan?" Dallon asked, touching his arm gently. Ryan nodded weakly. After the wipes Spencer put the band aids on Ryan's knees and helped him to his feet. Ryan thanked the boys and they continued walking, once again, Ryan with Brendon. "Bren, my hands hurt." Ryan pouted, staring down at the red marks from where he fell. Brendon smiled bravely. "It's okay, you can hold mine, maybe it'll make them feel better." Ryan smiled sadly and placed his hands in his friend's. Brendon held them gently. "See. All better."

By the time the children reached the clearing, Ryan's injuries were long forgotten. The boys were happily bouncing over roots and jumping off small rocks. The meadow was a large, round , grassy area, free of trees but covered in all sorts of wildflowers. Ryan giggled and ran, sliding and rolling through the soft grass. The others followed seconds after, landing together in a pile. They laughed out loud as they stood up. Dallon lead Spencer away to the small pond to catch frogs. The smallest boy, of course, obliged happily.

"Hey Bren, do you wanna make flower crowns?" Ryan giggled. Brendon nodded furiously and started to pick some pink flowers to weave together. Ryan found a large patch of black eyed Susans and started to weave two crowns. "Dal and Spence are gonna have matching crowns." The curly haired boy mumbled to himself. "Because someday, Dal and Spence are gonna get married." After the two base crowns were made, Ryan started to lace baby's breath and small pink flowers into Spencer's.

He was interrupted by hands in his hair. "I made you a crown." Brendon giggled happily and handed Ryan a shard of mirror he found. Ryan held the glass, looking at his crown, being careful not to cut himself. It was made of all different kinds of purple flowers woven together. "It's beautiful Bren!" He gasped. The older boy turned around to see that Brendon also had on a flower crown, a pink one made of carnations and a cluster of small tannish flowers.

"Yours is so pretty Bren!" Ryan enthused. Brendon sat down in front of Ryan. "You really think so?" He asked shyly. Ryan nodded. "I love the pink ones." Ryan reached up to touch the petals. "They're all pink." Brendon rolled his eyes. Ryan fake pouted and pushed Brendon. "C'mon, let's go to the pond." Ryan stood up and jogged to the pond where Spencer and Dallon sat, Brendon following closely. The two boys were skipping rocks across the shallow water. Spencer turned when he heard the others run up to him.

"Your crown is so pretty! Isn't it pretty Dally!" Spencer jumped up and down. Dallon smiled at the cute enthusiasm of the younger boy. "It is." He nodded quickly. "Look! We made you one." Ryan beamed, placing the crowns on Dallon and Spencer's heads. Spencer laughed happily, adjusting the crown. "Oh they match Dally! They match!" He enthused. Dallon nodded along enthusiastically. "They're really cool." Spencer squeaked and hugged Dallon tightly.

The boys continued to play in the woods and meadow until late afternoon. The sun had sunk to just above the trees. By that time, the children were tired out and laying close in the soft grass. Spencer and Dallon were asleep, cuddled up together a few feet away from Ryan and Brendon who were holding hands and looking at clouds quietly. "Ry," Brendon said, breaking the silence. Ryan turned to look at Brendon.

The younger boy took a deep breath in. "Ry, you're my best friend, I love you." Ryan smiled warmly back at Brendon. "I love you too Brenny Bear." He scooted next to Brendon and laid his head against his shoulder. "Ry?" Brendon asked again, "can I kiss you?" Ryan sat up and looked him in the face. "Ok." He whispered. Brendon leaned forward and pecked his lips gently. After the initial shock, Ryan's face grew into an expression of pure warm happiness.

They starred at each other happily for what seemed like forever until Ryan piped up in his small voice. "Are we going to have a baby now?" Brendon looked worried and confused. "I don't know." They quickly set that thought aside and went back to cuddling in the grass. Around sunset they headed back through the woods towards their homes, stopping at Ryan's first.

"Mama, can my friends sleep over?" Ryan pleaded, once inside, the entire group giving Mrs. Ross the puppy eyes. She tried to resist but unfortunately could not. "Oh, alright. Go home and ask your parents." The boys laughed happily and did just that an hour later they were all sitting on Ryan's back porch, drinking lemonade in the light of the setting sun, a happy closing to a perfect day.