I decided to update two days early. I want to thank everyone who reviewed, favorite, and followed this story. It makes my day. I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Chapter 2
"Would you two like some cookies?" My mom entered my room with a plate of fresh out of the oven cookies. The smell distracted us from all the college applications that were staring back at me.
"Thank you Mrs. Matthews." Farkle grabbed a cookie and took a bite out of it. My mother smiled at the two of us before leaving us to get back to deciding my future.
"So you have University of Texas, New York University, Northwestern, Dartmouth, and Columbia." Farkle listed off a few of the Universities that I was applying to, he hesitated for a second, his eyes scanning each application.
"Were you going to apply to Yale?" I sighed as he pushed the application in my direction. I had requested it since my mother was an alumni of Yale, so it would only make sense for me to follow in her footsteps, but there was a feeling in my gut that I couldn't ignore.
"I don't know," I confessed when I realized he was waiting for an answer.
"I don't even know if I could get in." I was a diligent student and my GPA was a reflection of that, but there were plenty of other qualified people who were a better match for their school.
"They would be stupid not to accept you." Farkle blurted out catching me off guard. His blue eyes captured mine as he offered a smile. A silence fell between us as I tore my eyes away to focus on the table.
"I-um have some news." Something was off with him, he seemed nervous.
"I got a letter…from Yale." He paused to make sure he had my full attention.
"With my GMAT scores as high as they were, and my GPA, they sent me a letter. They wish to offer me early admission." I jumped out of my chair throwing my arms around him in a hug.
"That's fantastic Farkle! You're so lucky to be getting out of this town." I was so happy for him, he deserved Yale's business school. I knew something was up when he didn't mirror the excitement.
"I'm still considering their offer." His words hit me like bricks.
"What? Why? Yale has been your dream, besides there's nothing keeping you here."
"Actually Riley"-
"What up losers?" Maya interrupted casually strolling into my room. I could have sworn Farkle mutter something about timing.
"Wow, you're going over college applications? You need go out and have some fun every once in a while."
"Farkle was thinking about turning down Yale. Apparently something is keeping him here." Maya's eyebrows rose in question.
"Oh really? Is it a girl?" Farkle's eyes fell to the table in embarrassment.
"Farkle I can't believe that you didn't tell us, who is she?" I pushed, this was one of the first times he had mentioned liking a girl.
"Yeah Farkle, who?" Maya teased.
"No one." Farkle shot back quickly.
"I was just kidding." Farkle stuffed a cookie into his mouth to prevent further talking. Maya turned to me forgetting about him for a second.
"I came over to help you get ready for your date." I rolled my eyes at her teasing.
"Date?" I watched as small crumbles of cookie escaped the genius's mouth.
"It's not a real date," I muttered trying to downplay the situation.
"My mother set me up with him and he's going to show me around this new part of town."
"It sounds like a date," Maya cooed.
"We can finish going over applications another time Farkle." I watched as he gathered his stuff and said his goodbyes. Maya excused herself and I went back to my closet to choose what to wear on my non date. I picked out my favorite cobalt blue dress with floral designs on it and my shoulders peaked through the sleeve. I casually pulled my hair back into a ponytail.
"So it is a date," was all the blonde said as she re-entered the room.
"No, I just happen to love this dress," I turned around and leaned against my vanity.
"Where did you go?" I questioned and watched Maya as she shifted her weight.
"I just had to talk to Farkle, that's all. Here, let me do your make-up." She took the blush out of my hand and started to apply to my face.
"It's not a date Maya." I was going to be firm on this one, I didn't even know the guy.
"I still want you to call me after with all the juicy details."
"There won't be any juicy details Maya."
"You never know," she replied in her sing song voice. The sounds of the doorbell rung through the house.
"I guess that's him." My voice lacked excitement. I turned back around to where Maya used to stand but instead I was met with an open window and curtains lightly flowing with the breeze. I let out a small laugh at her antics as I ventured downstairs. I opened the door to come face to face with Charlie.
"Wow, you look great." He offered.
"Ready?" I looked back and caught a glimpse of my mom watching.
"As I'll ever be."
I tried to smooth down the dress, it was a nervous habit of mine.
"So what prompted you to move to this side of town?" His shoulder gently brushed mine as we walked down the boardwalk.
"My brother," my answers were to the point. There was something about him that was slightly off, like every time I turned around he seemed to be standing close by.
"I was thinking we could go to Castello's." He suggested as we kept walking.
"I'm not sure"- I was saving my money for college, so going out to a restaurant didn't seem like a prudent thing at the moment. Charlie flashed me a smile.
"Oh come on, I'll pay." So he did think of this as a date; I grew more self-conscious, but nodded.
The place was starting to get packed for a Saturday night, but we managed to get a table without waiting too long. Charlie seated me and went to his own chair.
"So you think you'll like this side of town?" I ignored what he was subtly asking and took a sip of water.
"I think it's a nice area. The dock was fun."
"Would you like to order?" Thankfully the waiter came before Charlie could ask any more follow questions.
"I'll have the chicken parmesan."
"And for you sir?"
"Spaghetti." The guy nodded and left. My eyes danced around the room. Before landing on a sight that I didn't think I would see. A couple table over they found a set of green and sandy blonde hair. It was the guy that lives on our street; Lucas.
"Is something wrong?" Concern growing in Charlie's voice. My eye flickered back to my non date only to jump back to him.
"I-uh will be right back." I excused myself from the table fighting the growing blush on my cheeks.
"Get ahold of yourself," I whispered after entering the bathroom. I felt like I had just been sucker punched. I didn't know if it was from one of the most awkward dates I've been on in my life, or it was the sight of him with her. She was gorgeous, and so was he, I had to shut down any attraction towards him on the spot; he was taken. It was just a crush on a guy that happened to live on the same street and nothing more. I straightened my posture as I pulled myself together and started the walk to my table.
"Are you ok?" Concern rung through his voice.
"Yeah." My eyes drifted over his left shoulder towards Lucas and his date.
What happened next was a total blur. All I remember is that there was shouting from Lucas's table. It grew louder and started to grab attention. The girl stood up and starting shouting. She stormed towards the exit and push the waiter who lost his balance causing the food we ordered to spill all over me. It felt like the whole restaurant's eyes were on me.
"I'm sorry Miss," my eyes drifted to Lucas who was standing at his table his eyes were on me, I felt his gaze boring into my skin.
"I'm going to go," I said quickly before I rushed out of the building despite Charlie calling my name. I ran a couple buildings down and looked back to make sure I wasn't being followed.
"Just great," I muttered to myself.
I slammed the door not caring if my parents knew I was in a sour mood.
"Riley, is that you?" When I heard my mother approach I made a dash for the stairs, but I didn't get out of her line of sight quick enough.
"Riley, what's wrong," I know I shouldn't lash out at them but my frustration was over the top at this point. I pivoted on my heels to face her.
"You did this." I watched her jump in surprise and confusion at my tone.
"Riley"-
"No Mom. Why can't you just listen to what I want once in my life? I didn't even want to go out with him but you pushed me."
"I will not accept that tone young lady. He was a nice boy"-
"They're all nice boys, mom, but that doesn't mean I have to go out with them. I'm capable of finding guys I like on my own." All the pent up emotions were growing inside of me, the words kept spewing out.
"You want to know why I don't have a guy yet? It's because I don't want to have one right now. In fact, I don't see that changing the entire semester, so anytime you're tempted, just don't." With the words the anger just flew out of my system leaving the dust to settle. Before the silence allowed her to speak I finished storming to my room. I peeled off my clothes and threw them in the hamper. I had to wash them tonight so the stains would come out; I was determined not to lose a favorite outfit as well.
Clean never felt so good as I stepped out shower and changed into a new set of clothes. One thing was for sure, I didn't want to see another plate of spaghetti for at least a couple months. The phone rang as Maya's ringtone filled the air.
"How did the date go?" The images of the green eyes caused the blush to spread across my cheeks.
"I'd rather sit through Mr. Hutchinson's class for a solid week straight."
"How could it be that bad?"
"Let's just say I don't think Italian is my favorite kind of food anymore." I leaned on my door frame, I heard some noise coming from Josh's room.
"I'll call you back," The sounds grew louder the closer I got. Curiosity got the better of me as I slowly tapped open the door.
"What are you doing? Where are you going?" My arms crossed over my chest. A smug smile traced my lips, I had caught him red handed sneaking out of the window. My concern started to grow as I made note of all the bags with him.
"Proify Photography Competition, they're holding a contest. They're having a photography exhibit contest, and I'm entering."
"What about school, Josh you can't miss school. You just got kicked out of Balkans High. At this rate you won't even finish high school."
"Last time I checked I don't need school to snap a photo." He snapped defensively.
"But Mom and Dad"-
"They already expect me to mess up anyway!" His sudden confession had me stumped.
"What?"
"You don't think I know how they feel about the 'lost Matthews son'? The guy who brings only disappointment to the family name?"
"I'm sure that's not true."
"You're right as long as I put on a suit go to school for however long and become a doctor. I'm not willing to sacrifice who I am just to please them, I thought you could understand that."
"Josh"-
"I'm going Riley, nothing you will say will change my mind." I let out a sigh as I folded my arms across my chest.
"Look, if you're so concerned then come up with something to tell the school that could last for two weeks, like fifth disease." Even though he wasn't that much taller than me it seemed like it at the time. Josh knew I had a need to fix things and he was using it to his advantage.
"Fine." Before I could blink, he wrapped his arms around me in a tight hug and then he slipped out the window before I could protest anymore.
A.N.- And that concludes chapter 2. I'll update Lucas's side probably Weds/Thurs. If you haven't read Lore of Lucas, I would. It will make things more clear later in the story. Review, fav, and follow! You all are amazing.
