Riley hears Farkle before she sees him.
"Riles!"
She whips her head around to see his usual smile plastered on his face. She can't help the grin that comes over her.
"Hey, Farkle. How was your weekend with your parents?"
He hesitates before answering her. "It wasn't too bad. Sorry I couldn't answer your texts though, there was a lot going on."
Riley notices his hesitation, though, and wonders how his weekend really went. She notices these kinds of things. She picks up on the falters in his expression more than others do.
She opens her mouth to say something, but before she can form the words, he cuts her off.
"So, where's Maya?"
"She didn't come by this morning for breakfast. I texted her a few times but she didn't answer. I'm sure it's fine, she does this sometimes."
Farkle isn't sure what to say, so instead he glances down at her. He likes how her eyes seem to always shine the right way. He feels his heart hammering in his chest and he wills it to slow.
Riley's phone suddenly buzzes and he averts his gaze as she scrambles to get her phone out.
"It's Maya," she says aloud, "She's gonna meet us at school."
"I can't even remember the last time she didn't come to school with us," Farkle says.
Riley can't get her mind off of this until Farkle starts talking enthusiastically about their astronomy class together and she can't help but get drawn in. Despite the thoughts running through her head, she can't peel her eyes away from his passionate smile.
As they walk into school, Riley is laughing at a science pun he made up when she sees them.
There they are by the lockers, Maya and Lucas, standing way too close for Riley's liking. How long have they been standing like this? Why are they standing like this?
"Peaches!" Riley shouts towards Maya across the hall. "Maya!" Riley adds when she doesn't acknowledge her.
Maya turns her head slightly and waves with a small smirk on her face, but makes no move to approach Riley. Riley doesn't hide her confusion as it overcomes her face. She turns to Farkle.
"Farkle...have they always been this close?" Riley asks referring to Maya and Lucas. "Does Maya seem off to you lately?"
Farkle looks over at the two standing close together and shrugs. "I'm sure she'd be honest with us if something was going on. Besides, you guys tell each other everything."
"Yeah, you're right," Riley says, but she's still unsure. She knows Maya and her will have to have a mandatory bay window meeting later.
"Yup, now can we get to class before your dad thinks I'm starting to slack off."
After her last class, Riley texts Maya.
Riley: Me. You. Bay window NOW!
Maya: sorry Riles, homework calls.
Riley: Homework? Lol since when do u do that?
Maya: since ur pops has been on my case about my grades.
Maya: sorry sweetie, rain check?
Riley: ya sure...i guess i'll see you tomorrow?
Read 3:02 pm.
Riley closes her phone and does a double take at her screen when she sees Maya didn't respond for a half hour. After another half hour of pure boredom, realizing how little she does without Maya, she thinks of calling Farkle.
Her finger hovers over his contact name and she reluctantly presses call after deciding she can't deal with doing nothing anymore. At the very least, Farkle has always been a good study buddy and would never let her down.
After three short rings, Farkle answers the phone. "Hey, Riles. What's up?" She can almost hear the smile in his voice.
"Hey Farkle. Maya's been doing her own thing today and I need a study buddy. You should come over," Riley says, "I mean if you want."
"Yeah, sure. You know you can always ask if you need help with homework, or even if you just want someone there. I'll be over in 10?"
"Sounds good, use the bay window."
"See you," he hangs up.
Riley sighs and flops down on her bed. She decides she may as well take out her school work from her backpack and look through her planner. By the time she figures out what she needs to do, she hears a knock on the window. She looks over only to find the bright smile she'd recognize anywhere.
She lets him in and he swings into her room.
"Haven't seen you in a while," Riley smiles.
Farkle ducks his head with a smirk. After working for over two hours on their homework, filled with Riley interrupting with music suggestions and Farkle telling her to focus, they decide to take a break.
Riley makes them some popcorn and they sit on the edge of her bed together, idly talking about what homework they have left.
"I have that math test Friday and I don't know what to do. I've been studying really hard, but I guess I've just had a lot on my mind and some things don't make sense to me."
"What's been on your mind?"
"Oh, I don't know. Maya, I guess. And Lucas?"
Farkle's face falls for a split second and Riley barely catches it, but decides to move on. "Lucas? I thought you guys were on good terms."
"I mean, we are, but...doesn't something feel off to you? Weren't Maya and Lucas standing a little too close today? Like...how could they do that to me?"
"I don't know, Riles. If you really think so, you should try talking to them."
"I've tried...but do you really think our friendship can withstand everything?"
Farkle shrugs. "That's a question for you, not me. But I would say it has so far."
"Thanks. You always seem to know what to say. I've had a good time with you today Farkle, thanks for that."
Farkle smiled at her. "I had fun too."
"Even if all we did was homework?"
"Yeah, Riles. Anything is fun with you."
They smiled at each other but looked away when they met each other's gaze for a little too long.