GMW Rucas Challenge Update:
Due to the busyness in my life, the due date for one shots is being moved to JULY 11TH. If you're interested in participating, or know of someone who is, check out all the rules on my profile under "New Projects". I'd love to see your works out there!
A/N: Thank you all so much for the reviews on the last chapter! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Now, for a bit of drama for all you Faya shippers out there :)
To Sky Hopper (Guest): I may or may not have wanted to cry when I read your review. Okay, I did want to cry. You're so sweet in saying that!
Smoke continued to swirl around the bar, becoming more visible as the light from the sun disappeared and the florescent lights took over illuminating every corner. Lucas tried not to choke on it as another puff from a nearby cigar drifted towards him. He pushed aside his empty beer bottle and shifted his focus to Farkle, who was sitting right next to him. His best friend's eyes were glazed over, and it wasn't because of the alcohol. Farkle had barely touched his drink, and it seemed as if he drifted off to another world nearly every five minutes.
"Hey, Farkle?" Lucas asked.
Farkle blinked a few times as he came out of his daze. "Huh? Did you say something?" he asked as he rubbed his eyes.
Lucas shook his head. "Is everything alright? Anything wrong?"
"Why would you say that?" Farkle rushed.
"It was your idea to have a 'night on the town' as a last hurrah before the wedding tomorrow, and you've been out of it for most of it. And it must be something big if it's keeping you this quiet."
Farkle bit the inside of his cheek as he ran a hand through his hair. "I've had something on my mind for a while… especially this past week. Just didn't realize how much I was focusing on it until you said something."
"What's on your mind?"
Farkle sighed as he gathered his thoughts. "I'm afraid of losing something. I'm not sure if I should do something so I won't lose it, but doing that might drive it away and I don't think I can deal with that. But there's a slight chance that I won't lose it despite the fact—"
Lucas raised a hand and interrupted his best friend. "Farkle, you lost me. Slow your brain down and try again."
He sighed a second time. "Sorry… my thoughts are so jumbled even I'm having trouble distinguishing them. I'm so afraid to lose something that's very important to me in my life. And it just might happen soon if I don't do anything about it."
"Then do something about it."
Farkle raised an eyebrow. "Even if it means that what I need to do could cause me to lose it as well?"
"You'll never know until you try, buddy," Lucas replied as he crossed his arms. "And if the risk is worth it, then yes."
For the first time that night, Lucas saw something light up behind Farkle's eyes. It was as if for the first time that night, his best friend was here with him. However, Farkle staying there physically didn't last much longer.
"I have to go; I'll see you tomorrow, Lucas!" he announced as he hopped off of his stool and dashed off with determination set on his face.
Lucas smiled and shook his head as he watched Farkle take off through the door. Whatever it was, he hoped it was worth it. And he had a good feeling it would be.
Riley and Maya sat before an empty pizza box as their third movie finished. It was hard to believe, for Riley anyway, that the wedding was tomorrow. Everything that needed to get done was finished, including her and Lucas' new home in Skaneateles*.
"So," Maya began as she set her soda down on the coffee table. "How is working for Hit the Road going to be affected by you living in Central New York now?" she asked. Riley had grown to be one of their best reporters, and Maya knew that they wouldn't just let her walk away without a fight.
"I'll still be working for them, if that's what you're asking. Uncle Shawn pitched them an idea earlier this week, and they liked it. On his trips, he'll send me his notes and photos so I can build the article's page. I won't have nearly as many assignments that will take me out of the state, but that's fine. I can work on some local sights and collaborate with Shawn, and I rather like the idea of that."
Maya smiled. "That's good to hear."
"How's the apartment hunting going for you?" Riley asked. "Are you planning to do some more hunting while you're housesitting for us?"
Maya shrugged as she picked up a handful of popcorn. "Probably. I'm really hoping to find one near you guys soon. It's been real slim pickings, and it just keeps getting slimmer and slimmer," she explained. "But I'm hoping something will work out. I refuse to be more than an hour drive away from you."
Riley placed a hand on Maya's shoulder. "I'm sure it'll work out. Just give it some time."
"Yeah…" she trailed. "But even that idea is beginning to close. So many of them are getting snatched up before I have the chance to even look at them."
"Here's an idea, let's talk about something happier, like you and Farkle."
Maya rolled her eyes as she leaned back on the couch. "That's not exactly a happier subject right now, Riley," she stressed.
Riley raised an eyebrow as she curled her legs underneath her. "What? What happened? I thought you two were doing so well!"
"We are; it's just…" Maya trailed. She paused as she gathered her thoughts. In all honesty, she wasn't quite sure on how to explain it without having her go to 'Riley town' on her. Heck, there probably wasn't a way to tell her what she was feeling without having her flip out. Oh, the heck with it, she thought as she built up the courage to tell her. "I feel like I'm going nowhere with him. Yes, I love him and what we have, but I been wanting something… more definite." Once the words were out of her mouth, Maya winced inwardly and prepared herself for her best friend's reaction.
"What?!" Riley practically shouted. She immediately bit her lip in fear that she woke up the rest of her family, but nothing else in the house stirred, so she continued on in a quieter tone. "Maya, how long have you felt this way? Why don't you tell him? I'm sure he would be thrilled, and knowing him, he's probably feeling the same way!"
Maya grabbed one of the throw pillows and twisted it in her hands. "I probably would have if I've seen much of him. This past week has been so crazy between finalizing wedding details and him working on some big project at work, we've barely had time to see each other. And when we have, he's seemed a bit distant. I've tried bringing it up to him, but he just dismisses it as being tired from work. I know him too well; I know something is up. I just fear it's the worst."
"I highly doubt it is, Maya. Farkle is crazy about you, and would have to be insane to let you go. Maybe try bringing up how you feel about him after the wedding?"
Riley watched her best friend sigh. "You're right. Anyway, I gotta go. It wouldn't be good if the bride fell asleep at the altar. See you tomorrow."
Maya crossed her arms as she headed back to her apartment. When she first started to have feelings for Farkle, it scared the heck out of her. And now, she was terrified. She had learned in life that if you hope for things, you get disappointed. Right now, she didn't really believe in that considering all the things she had done for herself so far, but when it came to bigger things like this… it was a bit harder for her not to believe that hope was for suckers.
She shook her head as she rounded the corner. Don't jump to conclusions. Just talk to him.
Maya lifted her head as she neared her apartment, but was shocked at what she saw standing at the base of the stairs. Her heart started beating so hard that she felt as if it was going to burst right out of her chest.
"Farkle?" she asked as she approached him. "What are you doing here?"
*Skaneateles - pronounced "Skinny-atlas"
A/N #2: Review, lovelies :) Also, if you're interested please check out my GMW Rucas contest! Details are on my profile
