Farkle jerks forwards, tensing up beside me and placing his hand on my wrist. Swallowing hard and trying to help my friend stay calm, I make brief eye-contact with Riley and place my hand on Farkle's shoulder. Turning both of us around and starting to walk away from Riley and Josh, Farkle's feet are dragging against the pavement and I can feel his reluctance in each sigh.

"Don't worry. He won't hurt her." I say, barely believing my own words.

"He hurts his own girlfriend. What makes you think he won't hurt his niece?" Farkle looks straight ahead, his eyebrows furrowed and his voice wavering. Just then, we round the corner and find a bench sitting in a small alleyway.

"Here." I begin, sitting down in the bench and trying to keep a positive demeanor. "We can wait right here for Riley. She'll be walking past anytime-"

"I'm going back." Farkle cuts me off, turning his back to me and beginning to walk away. Standing abruptly, I follow him towards the main street and out of he alley. "Farkle wait! Josh will see you and-"

"Hey! Watch where you're going!"

Suddenly, we are stopped in our tracks as Farkle collides directly into Riley, who tumbles to the sidewalk and stares up at Farkle for a moment. Helping her up immediately, Farkle displays equal amounts of relief and panic. "Are you hurt? Did you scrape anything? What did he say to you?"

Riley hugs Farkle and smiles warmly, her hair flying in all directions and her cheeks rosy from the Autumn New York air. "I'm fine. We need to get home before anything else is said, though. Josh isn't far from here..." Riley says, her voice trailing off as she stares down the street. Taking her directions quite literally, Farkle grabs her hand and starts speed-walking towards the nearest subway entrance. Following close behind, I watch our backs with extreme caution. It was a peculiar sight to see the three of us on New York's club strip- anybody in their right mind would feel curious enough to approach and ask endless questions...

After all of us had returned to our individual homes, Riley made sure to see that Maya was aware of Josh's recent actions. Texting her and calling her, the message was certainly clear- and Maya knew it. I figured it too soon to ask or bombard her with questions about her feelings, so with that, I retired to my bedroom and fell asleep quickly.

The following week passed on with a dreary atmosphere. The clouds in the sky refused to allow any sunlight into New York's already depressive tone, so I kept myself busy with work. Every call I went on, I prayed it wouldn't be a suspicious fire. So far nothing had come up, but I refused to let my guard down. Of course, Maya invaded my every thought, but I knew that it was completely up to her to make any advances. I had said it before and I will say it again, I refuse to do anything until she gives me a sign.

And so, I waited.

Passing by strangers on the crowded streets, I kept my head held high and my hands in my jean jacket's pockets. I was on my way to Zay's for a game of Catan, but suddenly I felt someone grasp my shoulder from behind. Turning swiftly and feeling my heart skip a beat, I felt a rush of emotion as Maya stood in front of me with an urgent expression. Stopping in my tracks, we stare at each other for a few moments as life rushes on around us.

"I haven't seen you in a while." I start, smiling, but trying to keep a tame composure. She appeared disheveled, her hair flying in all directions and dark circles under her eyes. This alarmed me.

"I know." Maya begins, motioning with her hands for us to take a seat on a nearby park bench. Walking across the street in silence, we sit on a wooden bench and stare at each other once more. Our silent exchange spoke more than any words could, and I felt that something was gravely wrong.

"I've been seeing Riley everyday. Not anyone else though, for reasons I can't say." Maya says flatly, speaking as if her words have no possibility of making me worry.

"You mean, you haven't seen me, or Farkle, or Zay...Because Josh-"

"Yeah."

I pause, clenching my fists in my lap. Sighing and looking across at her tired expression, she appears to be at a loss for words. Speaking finally after nearly a minute, her words bring ease to my composure.

"Can we just...go somewhere?"

"We are somewhere." I snap back, feeling rather frustrated with the situation she's put herself into.

"I mean somewhere, just me and you."

I feel myself sighing with a certain amount of relief, I always wanted her to ask for something like that. Just me and her. Nodding my head quickly, I am a complete slave to my ardent feelings for her. Her eyes betray her dull appearance and are full of life and light, as she chuckles breathlessly and stands up.

"Okay."

"Alright." I stand up, taking her hand in mine and walking to the subway.

"Where are you taking me?" Maya laughs as I drag her along.

"Somewhere we can be alone." I reply, staring at the road before me.