It's Friday. Friday is the day Riley has been dreading all week. Friday means Riley has her big math test. As she gets on the subway in the morning, her heart leaps into her throat and she doesn't know how much longer she can bear it.
She feels someone tap her back and stumbles back, losing her balance. Farkle reaches out to put his hands on her shoulders, just in time to steady her.
"It's just me Riles! Why are you so jumpy? It's not like we're oppositely charged," he smirks, hoping a joke will calm her down.
She shoves him lightly. "You just scared me. I'm really nervous for my math test later and I know Maya won't be joining us after school again."
"Hey, Riles, you're gonna do great. You're smarter than you think."
She looks up at Farkle and feels deeply grateful for him just then. "How do you know how to calm my nerves so well?"
"I'm a genius, it's what I do."
Riley shakes her head with a laugh and hopes her nerves will go away.
Just as Riley shuts the door to her math room, she spots him across the hallway. Gripping her test in her hands, she shouts his name, not caring who hears.
"Farkle!"
She barrels towards him. He looks alarmed, but more curious about her change in mood. Suddenly, she's right in front of him and jumps into his unsuspecting arms.
After a moment of pure happiness, Farkle lowers Riley to the ground and steps back cautiously. "Woah, woah, what happened?"
"This! This happened!" She flashes her math test at him.
"Wow, a 96? I knew you could do it. I'm so so proud of you."
"Thanks, it means a lot to me," Riley says before visibly deflating.
He notices the change right away and asks, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I just wish Maya was here to see this."
"Hey, come on, this is big for you. Let's celebrate you. Why don't we go to the planetarium, my treat."
"You don't have to."
"I want to, come on, let's go."
Riley smiles and that tells him everything he needs to know.
They step into the planetarium and are directed into the main space theater. Farkle is surprised when no one is there because it's his favorite place in the city, besides his room of course, but he can't find it in himself to complain.
They take a seat in the middle of the empty theater, eyes glued to the stars above. The informative audio starts to play, but Farkle continues to add details. Eventually, they tune out the audio altogether and Riley finds she'd much rather listen to Farkle's voice than any other.
"That right there is the Delphinus Constellation. It's Latin for dolphin."
"Wait I don't see it," she mutters, pointing up above with her hand. "Is it there?"
"No, I...here," Farkle takes his own hand and reluctantly holds hers, lightly guiding her hand towards where it is. He lets go of her hand as soon as he feels a spark. He can't let himself reveal too much to her; it's already hard enough dealing with his growing feelings on his own.
"Oh, wow. It's really pretty," Riley comments, oblivious to his face heating up beside her.
"Uh-yeah, it is," he says, glancing over at her, but she doesn't notice.
After spending some more time stargazing, they decide to get ice cream. While she's working hard to stop her ice cream from melting, Farkle speaks up.
"Hey, just wanted to say again how proud I am of you. You smarty-pants."
She laughs. "You're the real smarty-pants here. I'm not the one who's number one in the class."
He doesn't deny it but changes the subject. "So, how was that for a fun day?"
"I guess it qualifies," She smirks, as she looks up at him through her eyelashes.
"Well, I'll make it even better next time you ace your math test."
"Next time?"
"Next time."
