So here is part one to the Riarkle fanfic I have been working on. I still have at least two more parts to it if not 3. (I got really carried away with the story.) I hope that everyone likes it. Constructive criticism is always welcome. Thank you.

Farkle's PoV will be in bold. Riley's will me normal.

Maya and I sat in the bay window, tears rolling down my face.

"Are you going to be okay Honey? I can kill him if you want."

"No. I will be alright. I have just never been dumped before. I'm not mad at him, it just hurts right now."

"Did he tell you why?"

"Yes," I sniffed, my tears slowing, "But it is not for me to say. It really was a good reason. And I am glad he was honest." I wiped the tears from my eyes. "I will be fine. We will be fine. I will get over the breakup and we will go on as best friends."

"Are ya' sure Honey?"

I smiled at her. I could feel the pain of it starting to fade already. "I'm positive Peaches." Maya pulled me into a hug.

"Ladies!"

A tall lanky boy crawled through the window. It had gotten difficult for Farkle to fit through the window now. He was thin and smart like his father, but he gotten his height from his mother. He had even grown taller than Lucas topping out at 5'3". He took one look at me and being the perceptive genius that he is noticed that my face was puffy from crying. With concern in his voice he asked "Riley, are you okay?"

"Her and Lucas broke up." Maya answered gently rubbing my back.

"But, why?"

Maya shrugged. "She told me to ask him."

The look of care on his face warmed my heart. "Well I think he is an idiot, even if he is my best friend. Any guy would be lucky to have the love of the amazing Riley Mathews." He reached over and gave my hand a loving squeeze.

"It is for the best Farkle. I guess I will just have to keep my eyes open for the next 'lucky' guy."

I had realized that I wasn't really even in love with him. We had been together since freshman year and I had just gotten used to him being there. I was 16 now. I was ready for something real. But for now I would try to focus on school. I ranked just behind Farkle and had a great chance at getting into an Ivy League school if I kept up the good grades. Maya, Farkle and I went to the living room and watched movies till we passed out on the couch.

I was shocked when I found out about Riley and Lucas. They had always looked so happy together. They ended suddenly, but at least she didn't seem too heartbroken about it. After she told us the three of us decided to watch some movies. Maya picked a bunch of horror films and Riley kept getting scared. I couldn't help but smile every time she hid her face in my shoulder from something jumping out. We stayed like that until we fell asleep; Maya holding her hand, me with my arm around her and her head on my shoulder.

When I woke up the next morning the living room had been cleared of all popcorn bowls, snack wrappers and glasses. The smell of the breakfast Mrs. Mathews was cooking in the kitchen made me realize how hungry I was. Looking over at Riley, I didn't want to move though. She was still sleeping and looked so peaceful that I couldn't bring myself to wake her.

"Good morning Mrs. Mathews. I didn't mean to stay over last night." She gave me look of confusion.

"It's fine Farkle. You have stayed before. Or did something happen that I need to know about?" Riley shifted over, rolling onto Maya. I took the chance to walk into the kitchen and get a cup of coffee.

"Well no." I didn't know why I had felt the need to apologize. "I Just… I don't know why I said that."Topanga's face softened in understanding.

"So they finally broke up then." She flipped the last pancake over.

"Yeah. Wait, how did you know?" Looking over at the girls on the couch she put the pancake on the stack with the others and turned off the stove top.

"Farkle," she said taking a sip of her coffee,"I have watched you grow up. You may as well be one of my own kids. I can tell when something is bothering you. You have loved Rile since you met in first grade. But in eighth things changed for you; things started to look different to you. You began to think less like a boy and more like a man. And at some at some point you stopped loving her."

"Mrs. Mathews I could never…"

She cut me off holding up her hand. Taking another sip of her coffee she continued. "Farkle you fell IN love with her." Her smile was so gentle. She really had watched me grow up. Every time we went to our favorite hangout spot, every time we would hang out at her house (which was often) she had always been there.

I smiled back at her. "Then you know why I could never tell her. I could never risk losing her. And I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I was the reason her smile faded. She just… deserves better."

Topanga leaned up and kissed my cheek. "Look, I won't say anything, but you should. In my opinion, after everything you have done for her; all the times you have been there for her, never expecting anything in return. You are exactly the kind of guy she deserves. Now, go wake up the girls before the food gets cold."

I could smell the bacon like it was right under my nose. It was wonderful. My eyes sprung open when Farkle yelled out "OUCH!" Apparently there had been bacon under my nose. He had also been holding a piece under Maya's when she decided to take a bite of the salty treat, also taking a bite out of Farkle in the process.

"Maya! That hurt."

"Maybe you shouldn't stick food in my face."

I laughed taking my piece from him as he shook his other hand. "Careful Farkle. You might want to get checked for rabies or something." He couldn't fight the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "How long have you been up Farkley?"

He shrugged "About ten minutes I guess. Just long enough to get some coffee and help your mom set the table." Mom waved at us from the kitchen

"You better come get it while I go get your Dad and Augie." The three of us rushed to the table and took our seats.

Dad was already standing in front of the class when we filed into history class Monday morning. He was dressed ridiculously in a bright blue suit with flared pants and platform shoes. He had also puffed up his curly hair and was wearing a pick comb in it.

"The 1970s. Waddya got?"

Farkle and I shot our hands up almost simultaneously. Maya, however, just blurted out her answer."They had no idea what good fashion was."

Dad rolled his eyes as the class laughed. "Farkle?"

"The 70s were largely dealing with the Vietnam War. Kids our age were being drafted into the army and sent overseas to die for a war no one understood. And the ones who did return were often plagued with PTSD, hatred from their fellow countrymen and the effects of Agent Orange."

"Very good, what else Riley?"

"People were fighting for equality. Women were struggling to be seen as capable as men. 'Separate but equal' had been removed but racism was still running rampant; and there was the start of the gay rights movement."

"Exactly! The 70s were a very tumultuous time in America. The foundations of society were beginning to change. Everyone wanted to be treated as human. And there was also a large movement for 'traditional values' with the conservative groups. We still see the effects of a lot of these changes today. In America now we have marriage equality. Women are CEO's and executives of major companies. And African Americans can sit in a class with white students and be treated exactly the same."

"We can also date and marry someone white without being worried about being beaten or killed." Zay caught us off guard with his comment. He normally spent his time telling jokes. He and Vanessa had broken up about a year ago and he had recently started dating Missy who was smiling at him across the room.

Dad smiled softly at the two. "That's right but we, as a nation still have a lot of room to grow. The police still stop and arrest more black people than any other race. When a woman gets raped she is told it is her fault. People still violently attack same sex couples for just holding hands and actively try to stop them from having families. The world is still changing and growing; just like you.

You all are at a very strange stage in your lives. You are no longer children but, you are not quite adults. Most people want to treat you like kids while expecting you to act grown up. And during all of this you are trying to figure out what and who you want to be. You are starting to falling in love for the first time and being bombarded with images of sex around every corner. You are getting jobs while still trying to keep up with school, family, friends and many other commitments. You are in limbo. So this week's assignment is to figure out one major way you are personally growing. What is one way you and your world are changing that you never thought you would?"

The bell rang out and we began to file out for our next class. "Farkle, can you stay back a moment? I need to speak to you about that recommendation you asked for."

I looked back at him, "See you in chem?" He nodded and made his way over to Dad's desk.

I walked over to Mr. Mathews' desk and waited for the classroom to clear out. As he closed the door behind the last student I spoke. "This has nothing to do with my recommendation, does it?"

Leaning against the edge of his desk, he responded "Not even a little. Topanga told me about the other day. Were you ever going to tell me?"

"Honestly, sir, I wasn't planning on telling anyone." He nodded

"Look Farkle you are great and by far my favorite student. But you are also the guy in love with my daughter."

I sighed, "Don't worry sir. I am also the guy you won't have to see dating your daughter."

"That is the problem!" His voice was loud and startling. "You are so worried about never being good enough that you aren't even giving yourself, or her for that matter, a chance to be happy; or at least see where thing could go. You know, for a genius, you are being really stupid about all of this."

"Do you think that I am good enough for Riley?"

"No. I don't. But that is because she is my little girl and, to me, no one will ever be good enough for her. But I also know that it is not my choice. Riley isn't so little anymore. She is becoming a beautiful young woman. And she so desperately wants someone to really love her. It isn't about being swept off her feet. She needs something genuine. But she is getting lost. You have all tried to protect her but, the real world still got in. And her smile is a little less bright because of it."

"I know Sir." I ran a hand through my hair trying to figure out what to say. "I am trying to get myself together, but I am just not sure what to do. Did you know that I have already been accepted to three great schools? Princeton has even offered me early admission. I could start as soon as next year. But here I am in New York wondering what to do. Wondering if I should stay or go. I am wondering if I should even try. I don't need college. It is just going to be another piece of paper hanging on my wall. But it is Princeton, Harvard and Cambridge. I really don't want to miss the chance. I just don't know what choice is holding me back. Is it the choice of school or the girl? And if I can even get the girl I want to be the best man I can be for her. GODDAMMIT! I just want to be a man like Corey Mathews."I was crying when I finally looked him in the eye. Mr. Mathews hugged me.

"You don't have to be like me. Farkle Minkus is already a pretty amazing young man. You are so smart and kind that others should strive to be like you. Just do me a favor and think about talking to her. Let her be there for you like you are for her." He walked over to his desk drawer and filled out a late pass. As he handed it to me he gave me one last pat on the back.

The halls were, thankfully, barren as I walked to chemistry. I looked in the window and saw her. She was smiling as she studied her notes. She was so amazing and the only chemistry that I could focus on was the effect she was having on me personally. "I can't deal with this right now." I turned from the door and headed to my car.

"Where is Farkle?" I thought as I looked over my notes from Friday. I had been looking over them for about ten minutes as the teacher prepared for the lesson when I glanced up at the door. Farkle was standing there looking down and then he just walked away. Something was wrong. I raised my hand"Mr. Coldwell? Can I get a nurse's pass? I really don't feel well." Covering my mouth suddenly I faked a gagging sound.

"Alright Miss Mathews. Please try not to vomit in my classroom." I grabbed my things as he quickly scribbled out a pass for me. Snatching it from his hand I bolted out the door.

Once outside the room I looked for my friend. "Where the hell is he?" I ran down the hall scanning the area as I moved. I had just turned the corner in time to catch a glimpse of him heading out of the school. I ran for the door. I chased him all the way to the parking lot; making it to his car door just in time to yank it open as he cranked the vehicle. Startled by the sound of his door unexpectedly opening, Farkle jumped.

"Riley? What are you doing?"

Throwing my bag in the back seat I slid into the passenger seat and buckled in. "You know, those long legs of yours can really move fast." Closing the door I looked at him and smiled. "So where are we going?"

He smiled back putting the car into gear. "Where do you wanna go Sunshine?"

"Coney Island boardwalk is probably pretty empty right now." Nodding he drove off leaving the high school behind us. I grabbed my phone and texted my dad. 'Farkle having a meltdown. Going to Coney to cheer him up. Ground me later.'

As the car rolled down the road I rested my head on the open window. The warm air felt great on my face but, I could smell that fall was coming soon. For now, however, everything was perfect. I couldn't wait to ride roller coasters and play games for the rest of the day. I didn't care that this was probably the last moment of freedom I would probably have for a few weeks. All I cared about was the last of the summer air on my face and the guy sitting next to me.

I sat up and looked over at him. Farkle really had grown into himself over the years. He was no longer an awkward boy in turtlenecks but, a handsome and confident young man. His blue eyes sparkled as he smiled. Only the tightness at the corners of his lips showed that anything was bothering him. "God you are beautiful."

"What?" he said in surprise.

Shit. I said that out loud. I laughed it off. "I said you are beautiful" I decided to commit to the statement a blush rising into my cheeks .And why shouldn't I? It was true and he probably needed to hear it today. He smiled that warm smile again.

"So, are you going to ask me what's wrong?"

"No. You are upset. But I am here to talk when you are ready. Until then I am going to do what I can to take your mind off of it. People forget how well I know that sometimes you just need a little time to figure out what to say." It was true. The past few years had been no cake walk. Lucas and I had tried everything to save our relationship. But even when we had sex there was nothing. It had been good but, there was no spark anymore. We had lingered in that place between being together and breaking up for far too long. When it finally ended I was sad that it hadn't worked. But, I was relieved that it was over. He had fallen in love with Maya and that was okay. I just wanted him to be happy and that wasn't going to happen with me. I perked up as we reached our destination. "We're here!"

She had called me beautiful. The girl I couldn't stop myself from loving thought I was beautiful. With those words my day got a little better. I had been freaking out over everything and just like that, she took the pain away. Today just might turn out to be a great day… if her dad didn't have me arrested for kidnapping. The boardwalk looked amazing sitting in front of us. I had barely put the car in park before she was out and yelling at me to hurry. I got out and she grabbed my hand, dragging me along. I locked the car as I let myself be pulled away. We spent the day pretending that we had no cares. The games and rides drained me of every that I had been worrying over. And to top it off I was with her. She was shining so bright it was hard to look at her. Her laugh penetrated me and brought such music to the world. As the sun sank down over the city she rested her head on my chest, my arm holding her close to me. I looked over at the girl beside me and beamed. "Riley."

"Hum?" she responded eyes closed.

"Thank you for making today so amazing."

"I'll always be here for you Farkle. Always."

The drive home was quiet. She had fallen asleep after our long day, her head resting on my window seal. And as she laid there I whispered to her, "Riley Mathews, you are the one that is truly beautiful."