"And that's how the War of 1812 ended."

"You just talked about how to make friends, Matthews," Maya interjects.

Cory gives her a pointed look, then moves on. "Now, I hope everyone has bought their tickets for the Junior Dance next week," he says, looking around the classroom. "It's gonna be fun! I would know, I've chaperoned for the past 3 years…"

Riley rolls her eyes and without looking, she can tell Maya does too. They've both heard this story multiple times.

Everyone turns to the person next to them and starts whispering about the dance. Riley

turns to talk to Farkle, but finds him scribbling in his notebook uninterested.
"What is the theme for that anyways?" Zay speaks up. "I still don't know."

"It's Out of this World," Riley and Lucas say at the same time. They share an awkward glance and Riley remembers that she still hasn't talked to him. She feels she needs to clear the air between them, but not right this second. She files it away for later.

Riley twists around to try and talk to Farkle again, but she finds he is already looking at her with a confused look on his face. They just look at each other for a moment before he returns to his notes. She turns back to face the front with a confused face of her own. What was that about?

Just as Riley's thoughts start to spiral, Cory interrupts.

"Class dismissed!"

Riley waits outside the classroom for Farkle, but when he exits he acts like he doesn't even see her. He was fine the day before and Riley wonders what could've changed. She's about to follow after him when she feels someone grab her arm.

"Hey Riles, wanna get smoothies and make fun of pedestrians?" Maya suggests with a smile.

Riley grins back. "Sure, Maya."

"Catch you later, Matthews," Maya salutes to Cory and links her arms with Riley as they walk out of school.

Later that night, Riley is up thinking. Her thumb has been hovering over Farkle's contact for the last thirty minutes. Should she text him? Something was wrong with him today. What would she even say?

She decides to say screw it, he is too important to her to delay any longer. Besides, she can't actually remember the last time things felt this tense between them. Lately, everything has been going better than she could've ever imagined.

Riley: Heyyy what are you doing right now?

Farkle: Studying. Homework. Why?

Riley: Oh! Was just bored…

Riley: I noticed u were kinda off today. Are u okay?

Farkle: Everything's going fine. I just have a lot on my plate.

Riley: Anything I can help with?

Farkle: Not really.

Riley: Well, remember how my dad mentioned the dance today?

Farkle: Yeah.

Riley: Are you planning on going we haven't talked about it

Farkle: I haven't really thought about it. Finals are in less than a month.

Riley: Omg please go I know it'll be fun

Farkle: Yeah, but I don't know. I could be studying.

Riley: Pleeeeeeeeeaaaassseeeee

Riley: Prettyyyy pleeeeaaassseeee

Farkle: I guess it wouldn't be so bad. What's one night, right?

Riley: Right

Riley: Soooooo, you'll go?

Farkle: I guess.

Riley: Okay! Yay :)

Read 2:21 am.

Even through text, she can tell something is different between them. She's just glad he even agreed to come to the dance. She wonders how this week will play out for them.

It's the day of the dance, and Farkle has yet to say a word to Riley other than "can you pass that paper back," "when's that assignment due?" or "do you have the data from that lab we did last Thursday?"

It's been a rough seven days. She finally understands how much she's grown close to Farkle over the last month. Ever since Maya and Lucas started spending more time together, Farkle's been her go-to.

Now that her and Maya have made up, things seem better, but it isn't the same without Farkle by her side. She misses his smirk, his science puns, and the way he makes everything better just by being there. She misses him.

Right now, Riley is with Maya putting on their dresses for the dance. Maya has on a silver body-con dress, with her hair straight and down. Riley, on the other hand, went for a light blue dress with a v-neckline and a flowy bottom. She has her hair up in a braided bun with strands framing her face. Topanga did their makeup, and both of them wore heels they knew would be uncomfortable by the end of the night.

They both wait in Riley's room, talking, until the rest of their friends show up.

"The boys are here!" Topanga eventually calls.

"All of them?" Riley asks.

"If by all of them you mean Zay, Lucas, Farkle, Cory, and Auggie, then yes! All of them!" Topanga says.

Riley smiles. "Let's go, Peaches."

Maya links her arm in Riley's and they walk out to the living room. They stroll over to the boys and for Lucas and Farkle, time stops.

"Wow, Maya," Lucas chuckles, tipping his cowboy hat. "You look...good."

"Ha-hurr," Maya lets go of Riley and gets in Lucas' face. "Are you saying I normally don't look good?"

Lucas stutters, "Well, I-uh…"

"Relax, Ranger Rick. I'm just playing," Maya hugs him from the side.

Farkle looks at Riley and can't help but smile. "Wow, Riles. You look really nice."

She feels a genuine grin cross her face for the first time in a week. "So do you, Farkle."

"You guys both look amazing," Zay smiles.

"Thanks Zay, you too," Riley says. "We should head out before my dad starts lecturing us. We'll see him at the dance anyway."
They start to exit the living room, when Riley feels herself stumble. Farkle instinctively lifts his hands to her waist to steady her.

"Stupid heels..." she mutters. Farkle chuckles and shakes his head.

They arrive at the dance and so far, everything's going great with Farkle. Everyone is sitting at their assigned table, and Riley wonders what made him isolate himself from her. She decides not to question it so much because everything finally feels okay again. It finally feels like she can breathe.

A throwback song starts playing and everyone decides to dance as a group. They dance to a couple of songs before a slower one comes on. A guy takes Zay by the hand and he's whisked off to go dance. Maya immediately grabs Lucas' hand and pulls him to the middle of the floor. That leaves Riley and Farkle staring at each other wordlessly.

"Wanna dance?" Farkle shrugs, holding out his hand.

"I'd love to," Riley replies, fitting her hand into his.

His other hand rests on her hip and hers on his shoulder as they sway. They move closer and Riley slowly rests her head on his chest. She closes her eyes. He puts his chin atop her head.

Riley whispers, "This is nice."

Farkle nods, "Yeah. It is."

They enjoy the comfortable silence that settles between them for the rest of the song. Another slow one follows, and Riley chooses now as the best time to say something.

She lifts her head off his chest to look into his eyes. "Farkle, I know things have been weird between us this week."

"Yeah... sorry about that," he can't quite meet her gaze.

"About what, exactly? I can't figure out what went wrong or what's happening with you, and I wish I knew," Riley mutters.

"I wish I knew, too."

"But that's just it, you do know. Why else would you be avoiding everyone, especially me? Did I do something?"

"No, of course not. It's just I-I don't...want to talk about it."

Riley loosens her hold on him. "But it's me, Farkle. It's me! What can't you tell me? Why can't that be enough?"

"Because...I just can't."

"Can't what? Can't tell me things, like friends should? Can't tell me the truth?"

"No...I-," He cuts off.

She drops her arms to her side and frowns at him. "I thought we were best friends. I trusted you with all this stuff about Maya and Lucas and now it just feels like it meant nothing to you. Friendship is a two-way street. And it hasn't been feeling like that. And that's not okay."

She slowly backs away from him, shaking her head.

"Riley, wait!"

She quickly exits the room, his voice fading into the music. She can't bear to be in there for any longer.

This whole week, all she wanted was to talk to him and now she can't even stand the thought of seeing him.