Farkle's mind was usually a maze. Full of twists, turns and calculus problems, just for fun. Feeling that his brain was the best thing about him, Farkle loved to exercise it, challenge it to make it the best it could be. This mess with Riley had it in a pretzel. What are the chances of him actually keeping his threat to stay away from her? Because they went to the same school and had the same friends, the results came to about a 34% chance. Not very good but also he could switch schools. Even in his senior year, Einstein Academy still sent newsletters and emails to recruit Farkle. Einstein was full of intelligent kids but having a genius heir to a Fortune 500 company graduate from their institution would certainly raise their value. OK, so now there was a much higher percentage of chance. After he transfers, Farkle will inevitably see the group less and less. Who knows, he could even make new friends with Smackle being his adviser. It seemed like Einstein Academy was his only hope.
Of course, it deeply saddened Farkle that the only way to keep everyone together relied on him being apart from the people he loved most. How would he explain this? Perhaps, Farkle could say that he was getting something there that he wasn't at Abigail Adams. Einstein Academy has an impeccable science and math program, more suited to his level. What were the chances of them buying that? 11% - best case scenario. Well, if they didn't believe him, he was sure Riley could make something up because she was so good at it. How he hated her in this moment for claiming to care for him but constantly putting his emotions last and being so selfish. And yet, Farkle was so madly in love with Riley, if she asked him to pull down Pluto from the sky for her right now, he'd do it in a heartbeat. Maybe if he did, she'd choose to be with him.
The boy laid on his bed, watching the shooting stars fly on his ceiling. In Farkle's room, a red light flashed above the door when someone wanted entry and the door was locked. The blinking light caught his attention. Farkle made his way to the door, half-hoping for it be Riley and half-hoping it wasn't Riley. The latter part of him was about to be very happy. It was Maya, looking completely incensed.
"May-" Farkle was about to greet her until her small and powerful fist made contact with his jaw. His tongue could taste the blood, she punched him so hard. Grabbing his chin, Farkle groaned, "Ugh, Maya, what the hell?!"
First, Maya shook out her right hand in regret. "Ah, that's my drawing hand, shit!" Then, she switched gears, "How could you do this, Farkle?! Both of you, how could you do this to Lucas and Smackle... and me?! How could you two lie to me?!" Maya cried, slamming the door behind her.
Farkle felt the side of his face beginning to swell but he was too focused on Maya's questions to care. When he left Riley, Maya came in. If she was asking these types of questions and if she was this angry, that could only mean one thing. "... Riley told you."
Maya scoffed, "Yes. She told me." The new information almost made Farkle's head explode. What could this mean? Could his ultimatum gotten to Riley? While he was lost in his thoughts, Maya charged toward him once more. "Farkle, how could you?"
Farkle dialed down his potential happiness to comfort Maya, "I don't know, Maya. I really don't."
"You don't know?" She didn't know if she was more upset about the obscurity of his answer or that she could tell that Farkle was being honest. "You're the genius! You're the one who has the all fucking answers and you don't know?"
"It just happened!" Farkle shook his head. Exhausted, Maya fell onto Farkle's mattress. Farkle invited himself to sit next to her. "I'm sorry, Maya. "
"How did it happen?" Maya asked, stern.
"... Riley didn't tell you - ?"
"No, she did. I heard her side and now I want to hear yours. Start speaking."
"It was after your birthday party. I was taking her home but her bay window was locked. We came back here and we were talking and she was crying. She kissed me, I kissed her back, one thing led to another... "
"So, she started it is what your telling me?"
Farkle closed his eyes and tried to explain, "We both started it - "
"She kissed you, right? First?" Maya cut him off, curt.
Farkle sighed, "Yes."
"So, she started it."
"Maya - "
"How many times have you and Riley had sex?"
"... I don't know."
"Farkle, I know you. I know you know."
"I don't see why that matters, Maya!"
"It matters to me because each time you did this, each time you and Riley hooked up, led to a deeper and deeper betrayal. One time? That's nothing. Three times? Worse, but fixable. There's a point of no return, Farkle. How many?"
Farkle stared down at his knees, "16 times."
"Six...teen...times?"
"Maya, it's not just about sex, OK? I'm able to tell her things that I thought I couldn't tell anyone. Not even Smackle, because she wouldn't understand." He rose to his feet. "I love Riley."
"You love me too!" Maya defended and sprouted up, making them face-to-face. "You said you've loved us both equally since we were in the first grade! Do you want to get in my pants?!"
"I know I've said that before and I still do! But equally doesn't mean the same!"
"That doesn't make any sense, Farkle!"
"Look, I love you, Maya. You're my oldest and best friend. You've always tried to protect me and keep me out of trouble. I love you like a sister. Riley and I... we're different but, it's like she teaches me things about myself I didn't know. She always wants me to be better but she doesn't want to change me. She accepts me and I accept her. I know I said that I loved you both the same way before, but it's changed now. I'm always gonna love you Maya but, I'm in love with Riley. "
Maya was sputtering, trying to find more reasons for him to see it her way. "So, Smackle doesn't accept you? Are you serious?" She tried to convince him with absurdity dripping in her voice. "Farkle, you and Smackle are the same person, practically!"
"And that's the problem! You can't put two alike puzzle pieces together because they don't fit! I think me and Smackle ended up together because we bonded on the fact that we both felt like outcasts. The fact that we're both academic geniuses. The fact that we both had a hard time understanding feelings. We made sense, everything added up. I'm not saying our relationship isn't important to me; we made each other feel less alone when we both needed it the most. But in the end, we were together just because it was the most logical thing at the time. I don't want to be with someone because it's logical. Ever since this whole thing started, I haven't been able to think straight! I can't breathe when I see Riley and I can't breathe when I don't and I know that could be about my guilty conscience coming to drag me to hell but I don't think so, Maya. I want Riley. She's all I've ever wanted and now that I know what it's like to have her... I don't want to let her go. I can't. I won't. Not without a fight."
Maya absorbed his words, holding her aching head. After a few beats, Maya quietly pondered, "And what about Lucas, huh? Does all of this still matter to you when you think about how crushed he'll be? How he'll never want to be around you again? Is it worth it? Are you ready to lose all of your friends for this, Farkle?"
The boy gulped, averting his azure eyes that were glazing over, "Maya, I want to be happy. My true friends would want me to be happy. If I lose you guys because of this, then you weren't my true friends."
Maya snorted a tiny sob. She was in awe of how he could easily say that she wasn't his friend, after everything they all went through. She responded, "Fine. You're right." Farkle looked up at her with hope but then she continued, "But, I want to be happy too, Farkle. My happiness is connected to all of my friends and that's something you obviously didn't care about! What about Lucas' happiness or Smackle? Do they matter? Do you care about anyone that's not Riley? No, right? So, I don't care about whatever feelings you may have because you didn't give a fuck about any of us when you chose to sleep with her! It's over. You and her are done, you hear me?!"
Trying to keep his voice strong, Farkle stood his ground, "Maya, I understand that you're hurt but you've no right telling me or Riley what to do."
"Oh, yes I do, Farkle!" She shot back. "Because now that I know about you two, I'm just as responsible for this! I'm an accomplice! You can't call the shots and neither can Riley, not without everything going up in flames. So, I'm taking charge! Riley already agreed."
"... Did she?"
"Yes. She's not leaving Lucas for you, Farkle. Not now." So, she's made her choice. There was no point in going to battle when the war was already lost. "You and Riley are just going to have to avoid each other. Things can't go back to the way they were, so you have to just avoid each other like the fucking plague until you get over this. You feel me?"
Farkle nodded, heartbroken. "OK."
"Good." Before making another thunderous exit, Maya turned back to glare at Farkle. "By the way, if any of this comes out, we're done too." By the struck look on his face, Maya kept explaining, "Riley is my family, Farkle. I know she played a part in this - probably a bigger one than you - but she's my sister. I love her too. So I know that sometimes, she can have her head in the clouds. You knew better, Farkle. You were supposed to bring her back down to earth but you didn't for your own selfish reasons. So, I hold you accountable because I can't lose Riley. But you?" She let the unspoken harshness float in the atmosphere as she shut the door.
Numb, Farkle walked back to his bed and opened his laptop. He typed in the web address for Einstein Academy. His phone buzzed with an incoming call from Riley Matthews. Farkle ignored it, in favor of calling Isadora Smackle. His thumb was over her name but decided not to press it. Even though they broke up amicably, he thought it might be insensitive to call asking about his prospective school.
He dialed another number instead. "Hello? Hello, is this the admissions office? Yes, I'm Farkle Minkus. May I talk to a transfer counselor, please?"
Maya Hart had turned into Big Brother. She was always watching. Her eyes were out for every glance and her ears were open for every word between Farkle and Riley, paying attention to subtext. Riley wasn't even allowed to text in front of her because just in case it was Farkle, she didn't want to be complicit in this. But, Riley tried to assure her best friend that she wasn't texting Farkle. He wasn't answering her anyway.
Farkle.
FARKLE.
CMON, FARKLE. WE NEED TO TALK.
you don't speak to me in school or in front of our friends. we're supposed to acting like normal. that's not normal!
you didn't mean what you said did you? we're really not friends anymore?
farkle please, i miss you.
i want you in my life, farkle. it can't stay like this.
The last text Riley sent him was the only one he saved:
i wish i knew my birthday was going to be the last time i'd kiss you.
But, Riley did try other ways to reach out to him. She tried popping up on him at his house but Farkle thought ahead to tell the guard that he didn't want visitors. In the only class they had together alone, AP History, she left a purple note on his desk that said she'd like to speak with him. Farkle crumbled the note in his fists with all his might, even Cory noticed.
"Whoa, what'd the paper do to you, Farkle?"
"Nothing, sir," He got up to throw the note in the recycling bin. "It's just trash." His blue eyes threw knives at Riley while he sat down. She sank down into her seat, feeling like she was becoming a puddle of despair.
A week later, Farkle had yet to break and Riley was a mosaic, which was obviously no good as she had to plan her annual New Years' Eve party. Because this was their senior year, Cory and Topanga allowed their daughter to have an unsupervised party with the condition that it could only be her closest friends. That was fine with her. She didn't feel like being around a lot of people lately.
Maya came over early to help set up. She didn't even ask if Farkle was coming. She thought it'd be counter-intuitive. The kid was supposed to be a genius, so surely he could figure out how to fake an illness. Make his nose red and get a frog in his throat, so on Facetime the ones who didn't know could never tell. Farkle was smart and more importantly, he was afraid of Maya. He'd do the right thing, she was sure of it. Her best friend Riley, however, was a different story.
On the outside, things looked fine but it wasn't hard to sense that something was still wrong. Their telepathy was still intact, although Maya was angry with her. She missed Farkle more than anything but she had to move on for the group's sake. Maya had said this to Riley, day and night until it became words from her own mind. For the group, for the group, for the group. Everyone who knows Riley, knows that she would do anything for her friends. She would die for them and not talking to Farkle was killing her slowly.
Three hours before midnight, all the friends minus Farkle gathered at the Matthews' home. They were all in their Saturday night's best, talking on the couch. Maya was technically the first to arrive. She was helping Riley get the place and herself ready, as promised. Next came Lucas and notably, Zay and Smackle came together. Word of the breakup between Farkle and Smackle reverberated through the group and Zay was the only one to call her to ask if she was OK. With the sweetest of intentions, he reminded her that although Farkle broke up with her (and was an idiot to do so) she'd always be his friend. As of now, the two were just that - friends. Still, it was clear that they had a particular growing fondness for each other.
The gang all lounged in the living area in excited conversation, itching for the new year to begin. When anyone brought up the subject of Farkle, Maya quickly answered that he wasn't coming because he got the flu. Most of the furrowed their brows because the genius was a health nut, everyone knew. He never got sick, but if he wasn't there it must be true. Lucas and Riley were cuddled next to each other. Lucas was trying to beat Maya at a game of Quarters, but his girlfriend was elsewhere, like she's been for months.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
Five pairs of eyes flew to the door.
"Riley, did you invite anyone else?" Maya asked tentatively. The brunette shook her head and didn't even fight the smile that was forming because she knew that it had to be him. Maya did too, however. The two made a challenging look towards each other and raced to the door. Riley got there first and put a firm clutch on the knob, blocking Maya totally. The taller one yanked the door open, revealing Farkle looking dapper in a suit without a tie.
"Ladies," he said, with a deeper voice than five years ago.
"Farkle," the girls said. Riley was breathless and flushed with a tiny grin. Maya was boiling with steam coming from her ears, before she added, loud and clear, "I thought you were sick?"
Walking inside, he answered her in the same tone, mocking, "Well, I was but that Robitussin sure is a miracle." Maya scowled. Farkle turned towards Riley, who was holding in her lungs. He handed a bottle of 70 year old wine. "For the house."
"Thank you." Farkle nodded to Riley, trying not to notice the way she tucked a curl behind her ear and really not trying to notice the shine of Lucas' locket. Abruptly then, Maya tore Farkle away near the coat rack.
"What the hell, Minkus?!" She yelled in a whisper. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Spending new years' eve with people I care about. They're my friends too, Maya. Isn't that what you wanted, anyway? For all of us to be 'friends'?" He declared, staring her down. She frustratingly exhaled, rolling her eyes. "Besides, I want to soak in all the time I have left with them. I won't have much longer." He wasn't going to show but he was still dressed from his interview with Einstein Academy and he couldn't help but think about how much he'd miss everyone. Farkle glanced at Lucas, Zay and Isadora around the table of red cups. Smackle was plowing them at drinking games. Meanwhile, Riley was in the kitchen trying to be discreet with her gawking at Maya and Farkle, pretending to struggle opening the F&W red wine.
"Wait, what does that mean?" Maya questioned.
Farkle shook his head, "I'll tell you later." He left Maya to join the cheers of his name from the guys, while he greeted Isadora and she named him, 'ex-boyfriend.' That was to be expected. Riley isolated herself, watching the whole scene. Farkle and Lucas were shoulder to shoulder, laughing and reading something off Lucas' phone while her stomach turned. Her best friend joined her, wasting no time in pouring the wine in the chalice glasses. Maya gave one half-full one to Riley and saved the cup that was about to spill over for herself.
"This is going to be a weird night, isn't it?" Riley quipped in a flat voice, still looking at Farkle. Or Lucas. She didn't know anymore.
"Mm-hmm." Maya affirmed. Then, they both took long gulps of wine at the same time.
An hour left until the new year and Riley didn't feel like throwing up anymore. Probably because she did already. Every time she thought about kissing Farkle, talking to Farkle, missing Farkle, she took a drink. She ingested the expensive wine and when that was done, she broke into her parents' Vodka. Tipsy, Riley tried to maintain some interest in her boyfriend Lucas, slurring about how pretty he was and how nice, how southern. He laughed kind of nervously and took the bottle of Grey Goose from her. Mrs. Matthews was going to flip when she saw all of her expensive liquor replaced with tap water. Then, Riley's stomach began to gargle angrily. She sped off to the bathroom and Maya was right behind her, telling Lucas that she had it. Riley knelt on the toilet and Maya held her hair back. As her friend was retching up some Ravoli, Maya listened as Riley drunkenly confessed the sick game she was playing. Maya sighed, not even knowing what to say or do anymore. Everything was a mess. Riley was a zombie, Farkle was slowly fading out of the picture and her other friends weren't dumb. Especially Lucas. They could tell something was going on.
Riley was rambling sadly about how she texted Farkle and she's sorry and she knows she wasn't supposed to but she misses him and did her hair always do that wavy thing it was doing right now and Maya exhaustively held her forehead. This was no way to start the new year and definitely, no way to end their last year of high school. Suddenly, Maya just held her friends face, inches away from her own so she would shut up, "Riles, please just hold it together tonight." She begged. "Tomorrow, we can talk about Farkle and what you want to do."
"But you said - " Maya hushed her obnoxiously noisy friend.
"I know what I said but... I can't see you this way anymore. Dr. Farklestein either. So, tomorrow, we'll deal but tonight... just hold it together, Honey."
Riley's blushing face then screwed into a gushy smile, "You called me 'Honey'. You haven't done that in forever! I love you!"
"OK, OK, I love you too, now c'mon let's get you cleaned up." Maya dragged Riley up to stand on her feet and they chose a new outfit for her to wear in her bedroom. A sheer black babydoll dress with metallic silver kitten heels, to match Lucas' accessory. Riley kept trying to rip it off, complaining she didn't want to wear it anymore because it was too heavy and gave her a rash but Maya made her keep it on. The girls walked into the living room to see Lucas and Zay playing Dance Dance Revolution. Lucas was not shy about his love for dancing with liquid courage. Smackle and Farkle were talking in a corner, near the Christmas tree. Riley made a glower towards them and Maya thought she might start barking angrily like a rabid dog. She held her shoulders, making her deep brown eyes read her lips.
"Hold. It. Together." Riley nodded obediently. "Good girl."
"Yo, Shortstack!" Lucas called to Maya. "You ready to dance?"
Maya gave Lucas a mischievous grin, "You ready to lose, Huckleberry?"
"Oh, I got your losin' right here, come on." She knocked Zay off the dance pad and kicked off her boots.
Riley noticed Farkle leaving Isadora and walking towards the kitchenette to get another drink. Holding it together, she followed him. He was her guest after all and it would be rude not to have one conversation with him in her home, right? Feeling Riley next to him, he instantly tensed up but kept his focus on pouring himself some water to balance his alcohol. Farkle never really got drunk but under the circumstances, it wasn't safe to do so now.
"So," Riley started.
"So," Farkle repeated, not looking at her.
"You and Isadora were talking for a long time. What about?"
A knowing smirk quirked at the side of his mouth, "Do you think you can ask me that?"
"No. But I am anyway." In an effort to be busy, Riley acted like she was washing dishes in her sink.
"Isadora asked me to be her prom date." Riley paused, then vigorously scrubbed the plate, aiming to make a hole through the plastic. "Does that upset you?"
Honestly, Farkle was surprised too; it was clear that she was getting closer to Zay and he didn't want to hurt his friend's feelings (another friend's feelings). Smackle explained that while Zay was an obvious choice, she wasn't sure how well he'd fit in with the other genius kids at Einstein Academy and she didn't want him to feel inadequate.
"Also, your friendship to me has been the most important of my years of growth. You have shown me many things, Farkle. Most importantly, that I can love someone. Therefore, it'd only be sensible for you to take me to the final prom."
Touched, Farkle said, "It would be my honor."
"I know."
Riley was growing increasingly agitated, "No, not at all. Why would it upset me, I mean you did tell me you two broke up - "
"We did, but we're still friends. We're not getting back together." Isadora made it clear that they were not going to be more than friends again, in case he was getting ideas. She was shark and sharks don't swim backwards. Farkle noticed Riley's body relaxing. "But I did say yes because we're going to the same school soon."
"What do you mean?"
Farkle inhaled, "I'm transferring to Einstein, effective third quarter." He took a long sip of water.
"What?" Finally, Riley turned to face Farkle. "But, why?"
Farkle tried to suppress his annoyance with her oblivious question. He move closer to whisper, "C'mon, Riley! Why do you think?"
She swallowed her bottom lip to keep it from shaking, "Farkle, you can't leave. I won't let you."
"You had a choice before, Riley. You chose Lucas. Now, you don't have a choice in this."
"But, I don't want you go."
"And so what? For once, Riley, you're not getting what you want. Deal with it." Farkle was colder than the new year's eve chill. Yet, Riley wasn't giving up.
"Farkle, please. Let's just go somewhere and talk - " She pleaded, reaching out to him and almost catching his sleeve. The young man dodged at the last second, understanding that if he let her even touch his clothes, his resolve would melt away instantly. So, he turned his attention to Maya jumping on Lucas' back because she swears he cheated and kicked her dance pad on purpose. "Hey, can I get next?" Watching him walk away from her, Riley closed her eyes, emotions bubbling like a volcano.
Hold it together. Farkle is leaving but hold it together. You love him and he doesn't want anything to do with you anymore but hold it together. He's being so cruel and he has a right to be. Like your meddlesome father, he's trying to teach you a lesson. He's only thinking of himself. He's trying to move on. Maya said you both can figure out what to do tomorrow, but tonight hold it together. Tomorrow might be too late. It might be too late tonight. Hold it together, it's for the group, hold it together.
Riley then realized, by "holding it together", she was falling apart. Everything was shattering around her and she couldn't take it anymore. Lucas was dancing with Farkle and then Lucas lost, with Maya cheering from the couch. This was the moment. She walked over, trying to gain a normal smile and rimmed her eyes of tears.
"Lucas?" She asked for her boyfriend.
"Yeah, Riley?"
"Can we go to the roof?"
"Oh yeah, it's almost midnight." Zay added, getting his coat.
"Actually, I'd like to go up and talk with him alone, if that's alright."
Maya, Farkle, Zay and Isadora glanced at each other, shrugging. "OK, sure."
"You guys come up right before the new year, OK?" The group agreed in confusion as Riley led Lucas to the rooftop of the building. Once there, Riley held herself from shaking with anticipation. She could barely feel the frozen air. Lucas then wrapped his muscular arms around her, misreading her body language.
"Another year, huh, Riley?" He made a smile and Riley twisted away from his embrace.
"Lucas... why do you love me?"
The usual calm and collected demeanor of Lucas Friar started to falter. "Honey, what are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about why do you love me?" Riley challenged.
Lucas quirked a brow, not understanding Riley's riddle. She was chalk full of them, to him. "... I don't understand. Why are you asking me this?"
"Why can't you just answer the question, Lucas?"
Struggling for an answer that might satisfy her, he managed, "Because, you know... you're Riley!"
"But what does that mean to you?"
"You're a ray of sunshine! You always brighten up every room you're in, you love making people feel good about themselves. You always lift me up when I need it. You're the sun." It was clear that he was trying to come from a loving place, but all his reply did was make Riley somewhat hurt and angry.
"... I'm not always like that, Lucas. I have dark. I have times where I get confused and lonely and sad but I try not to show them to you because... I know you won't like them."
Her boyfriend pursed his lips, "Riley. Our friends are here. It's new years' eve. Can we please talk about this later?" In the moonlight, her amber eyes flashed a bothered feeling and she clasped Lucas' silver heart. She investigated the swirls and grooves with her fingertips then, opened the locket. They looked so young inside.
"Lucas, why did you choose this photo?" Riley asked.
Annoyed, Lucas threw his hands up, "Riley, wha - "
"I mean, you could have chose any picture. Junior Prom, a selfie, anything. Why this?"
"I-I don't know, I thought it was nice! It's my favorite picture." Lucas shook his head.
"But, no current pictures?" Riley said to herself, still looking down at her tiny, elated smile. "Lucas... I think this is the Riley you love."
"What do you mean?"
"You chose this picture because this is the Riley you love. Sunny, always 100% positive and 13. But, Lucas I'm not 13 anymore. I mean, I try to hold onto my former self, she still exists in some way but I can't be that person all the time because then I wouldn't be a person! I can't be a game show host every second of my life! I have to cry sometimes and be upset and whenever I am, you're never there!"
Even through Riley's glistening tears, Lucas couldn't hold in his offense, "Riley, that's not fair. You don't always come to me, it's Maya or Farkle. I've always been third fiddle to them and I never complained because I know how important they are to who you are. I've never been included in that."
"You never wanted to be! You only could deal with me when I'm 'Smiley Riley'. Whenever I was having a moment of insecurity or fear, in middle school or now, you wouldn't do much of anything! You might say some encouraging words and give me a hug or a kiss but you didn't talk to me. You don't talk to me, unless you need some confidence."
His fists were balling up, "So, what are you saying, Riley? I'm using you? After three years, that's the conclusion you make about me? About our relationship?"
"No, no, I just think that you don't love me for the right reasons... Just like I don't love you for the right reasons." After looking at each other what felt like the first time, Riley reached for the clasp on the nape of her neck.
"Riley, what are you doing?"
"I'm giving you your heart back." She retorted, plain as day.
"Riley, think about this -" He warned.
"Look, you said it at Maya's party, OK?! You knew that this was coming, Lucas. I think that maybe, you didn't want to happen so soon or even, that you didn't want to be the one broken up with." Lucas scoffed in disdain and looked upon the neighboring apartment building because although she was being harsh, he knew it was true: their breakup was coming and he wanted to be the one to do it, for obvious reasons. Lucas wanted to accept this and tell her she was right but he couldn't sense the feeling of losing her. Maybe it was true that he liked her best when she was peppy and his number one fan but isn't that what good relationships are? Couples who never fight? Couples who know when to step back and give the other space? Couples who say sorry, even when they're not or they don't understand why they should? Lucas didn't want to accept his failure as a boyfriend to Riley, not when he felt that he did everything he was supposed to. He always regarded her feelings, even when she didn't do the same for him. On top of this, he had a sneaking suspicion that there was more to what was going on.
She held out the necklace in her hand, with tears streaming down her ruddy face and Lucas backed away. "No."
"No?"
"No! This is bullshit, Riley! I didn't do anything to deserve this!" Suddenly, Lucas' face became hardened with anger. "You know I didn't! Why are you breaking up with me?"
"Because I need to, Lucas please," Riley was beginning to sob. The locket was shaking in the air as she held it out to him.
"You need to? What the hell does that mean?! Stop trying to give that necklace back! You wanted to talk so bad? Well, talk now! Finally tell me what's been happening with you. Why are you doing this?!"
The heavy metal door to the rooftop opened and the rest of the friends entered the scene. Observing that Riley was crying waterfalls and Texas Lucas had made a comeback, Zay carefully asked, "... What the hell is going on here?"
"I don't know, Riley's trying to break up with me and she won't say why!" Maya made a cross glance to Farkle who could only focus on miserable Riley. It took everything in him not to console her but then Zay made his way to the brunette, putting a friendly arm around her.
"I told you why, Lucas." Her voice quaked.
"And I told you, bullshit, Riley!" Riley had never felt so unprotected by Lucas' presence.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa..." Zay tried to mediate. "Let's just calm down..."
"Something else is going on and she's not telling me!" Lucas turned on his heel to see Farkle and Maya standing side by side. Guns blazing, he strode to them, declaring, "You two must know something. Maya? What's going on?"
The blonde raised her hands as a white flag, "Lucas, you need to relax, OK? You're not helping anyone by getting like this, especially not yourself."
"If this is how I'm gonna get answers, then this is how it has to be." After their staring match, he ignored Maya and put his eyes on Farkle with laser beam focus. "Farkle? Do you know anything?" The skinny boy looked terrified as strong Lucas stalked closer to him, intimidatingly slow. Smelling his fear and seeing his Adam's apple gulp, Lucas got his answer.
"So, you do know something."
"No, no, I - " Farkle insisted, his voice barely there.
"Farkle, you're lying."
Riley was crying louder, unable to speak as Lucas was nearing the truth. Maya held herself and closed her eyes, waiting for the bomb to drop. It would only be a matter of time now.
"Farkle. Farkle, you're my friend. You know something. Tell me. Please." If he didn't look so big at the moment, Farkle would have seen it as Lucas begging but it just felt like commands. Farkle wasn't drunk but he never felt so incoherent in his life. His mind was racing, flicking between different thoughts every second.
Truth. Lucas. Riley. Smackle. Riley and Lucas. Riley and me. Smackle and me. Smackle. Lucas. Lucas and me. Lucas and Smackle. Love. Riley. Riley and me. Truth. Friends. Love.
"Farkle...?"
Riley and me. Love. Friends. Truth. Truth. Truth.
"Farkle!"
In a blurb, Farkle exploded, "Riley and I have been seeing each other!"
Then, there was what may have been the quietest moment in New York on that new years' eve. Complete silence. Tears discreetly fell from Riley's chin, gazing at Farkle. He hastily looked to her then back to Lucas' bewildered expression.
"What?" Lucas smiled, laughing with no joy. He just couldn't believe it. "You and, and Riley? You're joking, right? You-you've got to be joking."
Slowly, Zay took his arm back, looking at Riley in a new way, "I... I don't think they are, man."
"What? Come on," Lucas jested, shaking his head. "No. No..." His amusement and disbelief vanished, seeing Farkle's eyes glisten.
"I'm sorry, Lucas." Smackle. He turned around and saw Smackle peaking behind the door like a frightened child. Her lower lip pouted and she shook her head at Farkle. "Isadora, I'm sorry. I'm sorry!" She ran away and without another word, Zay followed her down the steps.
Riley, Lucas, Maya and Farkle stood on the roof, with the cheers and sounds of the city ringing in the new year. Lucas was the first to speak again.
"So, it's true. It's real? You slept with Riley?" Farkle didn't use those exact words but his eyes on the ground said it all. "And you knew?" Just as she predicted, Maya was partially being blamed for this major indiscretion.
Her mouth opened, but Farkle interrupted, "No. She didn't. We kept it a secret from Maya."
Lucas' jaw worked, completely thrown at the universe's events, "Was it like... a one-time thing?"
"... No. More than once."
Lucas nodded, bitter. "How long?"
"Since - Since Maya's birthday party."
Tilting his head in realization, Lucas added, "The night when Riley and I had that fight? And you said you'd fix things?" Lucas sucked his teeth when Farkle bowed his pitiful head, "And you did, huh? Yeah, you fixed her real good, didn't you?" Lucas began to shuffle toward Farkle on the attack. By now, it had been long established that Lucas had anger issues. They reached their peak in middle school, when Zay was shooting off at the mouth like always but then the racist boy just had to call him the n-word. Lucas made that kid's face look like an Austin sunrise in the summertime and he got expelled from school for it. Back then, that was in defense of his best friend but when someone pissed off Lucas Friar himself, one could only imagine the beat-down. Right now, Lucas was like a bull and Farkle was only red.
Riley stood catatonic, covering her mouth and the sounds of her bawling while Maya jumped on Lucas' back to stop him. She knew she wore her leather hot pants for a reason tonight, instead of a skirt.
"Get offa' me, Maya!" Lucas barked and bucked like a stallion.
"No! I won't let you hurt Farkle, even if he deserves it! Hitting him won't make you feel better!" She shouted. She should know.
Lucas blew smoke through his nostrils, looking to Farkle who was about to dissipate into air, "How could you do this? I trusted you! You were my friend! You were my best friend!"
"I am your friend! I'm sorry, Lucas! I don't know what to say except I'm sorry!" Farkle admitted tearfully. Just in time as Lucas was about to break free from Maya, Zay ran back up to the roof knowing it could not have been going well. Seeing his best friend in major distress, he put his hands on his shoulders, blocking him from Farkle who never moved once.
"Luke! Lukey! Lukey, look at me!" After a minute, rage in his green irises, Lucas looked down to his peaceful friend. "Look, I know a lot of fucked up shit is going on right now and I don't blame you for wanting to hit someone," Zay pointedly glared at Farkle before continuing, "But this isn't you. Don't let this make you go back to Texas. You're better. Rise above, man. Rise above." Lucas' heart began to pump slower and float down, back into his chest. He heaved, taking deep breaths and keeping his eyes on Zay. When he composed, Zay said to Maya, "I think you can get down now, Maya."
Reluctantly, she got off Lucas' back. The only thing Lucas wanted to do in that moment was hit Farkle but, he's moved on from letting his fists doing the talking. Besides, it wouldn't be a fair fight anyway. He pat Zay on the back for being there and was about to make his exit with Zay behind him, until he looked back at Riley and Farkle one last time.
"I don't want to speak to either of you for as long as I live. And even after that." The venom in his voice was so penetrating, neither of them felt they would recover. After Zay and Lucas were gone, Maya stood near the door, looking at the two boys descend down the staircase then, looking to her best friends.
"Shortstack!" Lucas' voice echoed in the hallway. "You comin'?"
Maya gulped at the lump in her throat. She's never felt so torn but this became exactly what she feared: a tug of war. Her eyes began to well as she frowned at Riley and Farkle. "I'm coming!" And then, she was gone.
Then, there were two.
Farkle edged toward Riley. The sight of her outpouring tears made him instantly outstretch his arms and take her against his chest. She fell into him, holding him tighter than her favorite disfigured bear. She began to hiccup in his neck and his hushed her, petting her hair. "The worst is over, babe. It's over."
It began to snow. The locket was forgotten on the pavement of the rooftop, being covered by snowflakes.
AN: I know that I said this was the last chapter but I really wanted to update and because I knew this was going to have a new years' theme, it was fitting. But no bones about it, next chapter will be last. If you like what you read, please review. Thank you and happy new year to all!