She said yes. Well not exactly but she had agreed none the less. I was going on a date. I had only been on one other since Smackle and I broke up freshman year. "Damn." I needed to go get ready. I grabbed my and rushed out of the shop door heading home.

I burst through the front door in a panic. I yelled for my Dad. "DAD! Are you home!? I need help!" He met me in my room.

"Are you okay son? What's wrong?"

As I franticly dug through my closet I replied "What's wrong is I have a dinner date with Riley Mathews and, since I didn't, plan this I have no dinner reservations."

"Well that is a problem. But, aren't you overreacting a bit. It's not like this is your first time going on out with a girl."

Sticking me head out of the closet I glared at Dad. "Any girl, no. But Riley is not any girl. She is the girl I have loved since I met her in first grade. She is the girl I have been In Love with since eighth grade. Dad, this is the only woman I can picture myself spending my life with. So if you would like to have any grandchildren someday please, help."

Laughing at my insistence, "Fine, fine. So what? French, Italian, Mediterranean?"

"I don't know something nice, but laid back and intimate. Something that will appeal to her wistful nature." I had gone back to tearing through my wardrobe.

"What about that new fondue place on Fifth? It is nice and seems like something she would like."

"That actually sounds perfect. Can you get me reservations for 7:30 or something around that time?" He walked off calling the restaurant. Finding two shirts that might work I held them up and caught a whiff of myself. "I still need a shower."

I quickly undressed and jumped in the not even giving the water time to warm up. I lathered up with a generous amount of soap. What was it about my peppermint body wash always calmed me down. When I got out I quickly dried and wrapped my towel around my waist running down the hall to my parent's room. Knocking on the door "Mom, are you in there?"

"Yes, Honey." She said letting me in. She smiled amused at my anxious and disheveled state. "What can I help you with?"

"Which shirt?" I held up two shirts. One was black with faint red pin striping and the other was grey with black detailing at the sleeves, collar and hem. Studying the two options carefully she inquired.

"What is the occasion?"

"First date with Riley."

She smiled knowingly "Reservations?"

"Well I have plenty but I think I can. . . oh. The fondue place on fifth."

"Well I think the grey one will work best. I would wear dark jeans with it. Save the black one for something a little more, special."

"Thank you." I kissed her on the cheek before running back to my room to get ready.

I practically ran all the way to the subway. On my way I called Maya.

"I'm a little busy right now Honey?"

"Peaches, I need you. I have a date and no idea what to wear."

"Well this is sudden. Who could have possibly have asked you out that has you this bothered?"

"Promise not to laugh." I knew Maya so this was no question but a statement.

"Did Charlie finally win you over?"

"NO Maya, it isn't Charlie. Now promise."

"Okay, I promise."

I gave a sigh of relief. "I'm going out with Farkle." She didn't say anything for several moments. I checked my phone to make sure I hadn't lost her in the tunnel. "Peaches? Are you still there?"

"I will meet you at your place in ten." The call abruptly disconnected.

When I got home I ran straight to the bathroom to shower. I had just gotten out and was putting on a bit of moisturizer when I heard someone come through my window.

"Maya, is that you?"

"I'm here."

Walking out of the bathroom I looked at her. "Good. Did you bring shots? Because I think I could use a shot. Why am I so worked up? It's just Farkle."

Maya smiled at me "It is cute that you still don't know. TOPANGA! GET IN HERE!"

Mom busted into the room "What's wrong? Who died?"

"Riley is flipping out about her date with Farkle. She needs help getting ready and can't figure out why she is nervous."

"Aw. She still doesn't know?" Maya shook her head no. "Okay. Riley, sit down and relax. I will take care of her outfit. Maya you do her make-up and then we will work on her hair."

Maya started on my face while my hair dried a little more. Mom moved to the closet to pick out some dresses. "So are we going for sexy or cute, Topanga?"

"A little bit of both, but not too sexy. It is still Riley." Maya nodded and started working on my eyes. "Which one?" asked Mom holding up two dresses behind me. Maya gestured to one with the brush she was holding.

"Pair it with the shoes she got for Christmas. They are perfect for this." I sat quietly in the chair, hands folded in my lap, while the two worked their magic.

By 6:45 I was standing in the mirror. I had to admit that I certainly couldn't have done better. The purple dress hugged me in just the right places and fell mid-thigh. My hair was in loose curls that framed my face, and my eyes were done in a soft Smokey way that made my eyes look bigger than they already were. Mom and Maya stood behind me with pride on their faces. Then mom looked confused.

"She is missing something. I know." She walked out of the room quickly returning. She placed a beautiful gold diamond necklace shaped like the sun around my neck.

I gasped. "Mom! It's so beautiful."

"Your Father gave this to me when we found out you were going to be a girl. He said it was to remind us that you would always light our world. That your light would shine as bright as the sun." Tears began to form in my eyes. Grabbing a tissue she dabbed my eyes. "Oh, Honey. Don't cry. You'll mess up your make-up and we really don't have time to fix it." Just then there was buzz from the call box. "Can you go let him up Maya?"

Mom wrapped her arms around me as my best friend walked out of the room. "I love you so much, Baby Girl. I can't believe how lucky I am to have you."

I held her close to me. "I love you too Mom." Letting me go she smiled at me.

"Now let me go talk to the young man taking my little girl out tonight."

Mom walked out of the room and I turned back to the mirror, giving myself one last look. I rotated on my heel and went to greet my date.

When I turned the corner and saw him I was stunned. Farkle looked amazing.

"Wow!" we said in tandem and then we just stood there staring at each other in awe.

"You two better get going if you want to actually eat."

I blinked and shook my head. Farkle held out his hand to lead me out. When I took it I jumped at the spark that ran through me. The butterflies that were in my stomach began to flutter even more. He escorted me out and when I reached out and looked back at Mom and Maya. "What I don't I know?"

They looked at each other and smiled. Maya began to giggle and simply stated, "You'll just figure it out." and closed the door.

I reached the Mathews' place fifteen minutes early. I couldn't believe this was happening after all these years. I just had to find the courage to go to the door. I looked at the clock. "Shit." It was 6:58. I got out of the car and ran to the call box, buzzing the Mathews' apartment. A few seconds later the latch sounded and I made my way up to their door.

I was surprised when it was Maya that answered the door as Topanga was just walking into the room. "She will be out in just a second Farkle. You look really nice by the way." I gave her a nervy smile and tried to breath.

Thank you Mrs. . . ." When Riley turned the corner I felt like I had just been hit. My heart pounded against my ribs and air refused to enter my lungs. I said the only thing I could manage, "Wow!" I was so awestruck that I almost didn't realize she had said it too. How could one person make me feel this way? How could one girl light up the room like she did? Mrs. Mathews said something about eating. Oh yeah. We were going to dinner.

I held out my hand for her. When she grasped it there was an electricity that passed through me. We walked out and she turned and asked a question. "What don't I know?"

"You'll figure it out." Answered her mother and the door was closed on us.

"What are you supposed to figure out?"

"I guess we will have to see. So where are we going?"

"Don't worry, you will love it." I pulled her close and led her to the car.

I hated my car for the first time ever that night. I hated it because it is hard to hold hands when you are constantly needing to shift gears. And all I wanted to do at that moment was touch her. She was just sitting there looking perfect. Her hands were folded in her lap and she kept fiddling with them. It was an old habit that she did when she was anxious. "Riley, any reason you're so nervous?"

"I just am. I really don't understand it myself. I mean it's just you. You have always been there. But it is like I am seeing you for everything you are for the first time and it is kinda funny. Do you want to know a secret?"

"Sure."

"When Maya and I were kids we promised that we would never settle for anything less than Farkle. I never thought that, for me at least, it was a literal statement. I mean I have never been this nervous on a first date."

"Me either. I was kind of yelling at Dad about when I got home." She began to giggle, her giggle slowly turning into a full, twinkling, laugh. "What is so funny?" I asked as the infectious sound began to take hold.

"It's . . . it's just . . . look at us. We have been friends for ten years and we are both freaking out over something that we have done a hundred times before. But the second it gets called a date we get scared. I mean, it's just you and me." She was right. We had done this many times before. Why should tonight be any different? The way things were so easy were one of the things I loved about her.

"Riley Mathews, you are brilliant. Do you know that?"

"I, in fact, do." All of the tension had left us and we felt like ourselves again. We pulled up to the restaurant shortly after that. I got out of the car and gave my keys to the valet. Walking over to her door, I opened it and took her hand. Helping her out of the car we walked in to continue our night.

After our laugh the night got much easier. Farkle took my hand there was that spark again but, this time, I just embraced it. The restaurant was beautiful. The tables were all low and surrounded by colorful pillows. The walls were rich shades of reds, browns, purples and greens. We walked over to the host's desk and Farkle gave his name. The host lead us to a curtained off section in the back. Once we were seated I took a long look at the menu, everything looked delicious. I looked over at my date. "What should we get Farkley? I can't decide."

"Let's get some beef and chicken." When the waiter returned he ordered three courses for us along with some chi tea.

We talked and laughed about everything over the course of our meal. It was nice just being there with him. I felt so relaxed it was hard to believe how the night had started. "Oh! I don't think I have told you I applied to a couple of Ivy League schools and one really great school out of country." Farkle almost spit out his tea in alarm.

"Really!? Which ones?"

"I don't want to jinx it. Mostly I just wanted to see if I could. But my advisor said that I have a pretty good chance with my grades and extracurriculars. She was the one who convinced me to apply early."

"Riley, I am so proud of you." In his excitement he leaned in and kissed me.

The world went silent. My head was swimming with what to do. Then it cleared. My lips matched his. Ay arms reached out pulling him closer to me. Our tongues began to explore each other's mouths and his hands were in my hair locking me to him. That was when the music started. It was a symphony of moving lips, yearning hands and impatient moans. It was raw and imperfect. It was heavy and hungry. It was the most amazing thing my soul had ever felt. It was everything that had been missing with Lucas. As it reached the crescendo we pulled back.

I looked at him. We were both gasping for air and my heart was trying to leap out of my chest as if it just needed to be close to him again. I couldn't find any words so I smiled. He leaned in and, caressing my face, kissed me again softly. This one was slower and with more control. He pulled back again, giving me a quick peck on the nose before returning to his seat. He took a strawberry from the fruit plate and dipped it in the pot of chocolate.

"That was wonderfully unexpected."

Handing me the strawberry he asked "Would you like me to do it again?"

"Farkle, I have never been kissed like that before. I would love to do it again. I would love nothing more than to be kissed like that every day of my life."

"If that is what you want, Sunshine, I think I can arrange that."

The rest of the night was filled with chocolate fondue and kisses. It all made the drive home slightly disappointing. Not being able to touch him was almost painful.

We walked as slowly as we could to my door. Neither of us wanted the night to end. "Riley Mathews, I am going to remember this night for the rest of my life."

"Me too Farkle. My Farkle."

He kissed me one last time before I turned to open the door.

I stepped through the door my heart ready to burst. I was overjoyed. "How was your date Honey?" I ran to her and hugged her.

"Mom, it was Everything! We laughed and talked and when he kissed me."

"You were kissing? Topanga! They were kissing!"

"Yes, Corey, that is what teenagers do on dates. They kiss. At least that is what we did on our dates when we were 16." Dad began to pout deciding not to argue. "Oh, and Honey this came for you."

Mom handed me a large envelope. "It's from Cambridge." I looked at the envelope, turning it over in my hands.

"Well open it and read it, Honey." I opened the parcel and read the letter over. "Well, what does it say?" Mom asked with anticipation.

"Dear Miss Mathews, We here at the University of Cambridge are happy to inform you of your acceptance to our great halls. Furthermore, due to your exemplary grades and commitment to your charity work and numerous extracurricular activities we extend to you the privilege of early enrollment. We look forward to seeing you for the 2018 fall semester. Keep up the great work and welcome to the University of Cambridge."

I was in shock. I had worked so hard for this. I wanted this. And now here was all of the time and effort rewarded, and it was stealing all of the joy I had in me. Everything I had wanted and it came at the worst possible time. I dropped the paper and ran to my room.

When I made it to my bed I crashed onto it and cried. I could hear Maya come in through the window. Shortly Mom walked in. They both walked over and sat on my bed. Maya began to pet my head. "Honey? I just came over to see how things went with Farkle. Was it really that bad because, I can kill him for you?" I answered through my sobs. "N-no . . . it was the best night I have ever had."

"Then why the tears, Riles?"

"B-because, I know."

"What do you know sweetie?" Mom asked. I bolted upright from where I had been laying and looked at them tears still streaming.

"I know that I love him, Mom. When we were kids Maya and I swore to accept nothing less than Farkle. Do you remember that Maya? For you it was someone LIKE him. But for me it has always been HIM. He is the only guy who has been there as long as you. The only person who could always tell when something was wrong and how to fix it. It was always meant to be him. But I was too stupid to see it. Now I do and just as quickly he is taken from me. I will have this year to fall more in love with him. One year to love him for all the times I was too blind to see him. And then I will go away to school. I might get to see him at Christmas and over the summer but, it will end us. It will slowly destroy us. And I can't handle that." I was positively hysterical I got up and changed into my pajamas, not even bothering to wash off my ruined make-up. Mom and Maya were talking but, I couldn't hear them. I turned to them. "Mom, Peaches, I think I just need to be alone."