Locker room
Lucas POV
" Great practice today, team! If you keep it up, we are going to have the other team crying at Monday's game!" Mr. Anderson, the junior varsity football coach, tells us at our nightly huddle. We have all been working so hard these past few weeks that I'm hoping our hard work will pay off this season. We work so well together, hopefully well enough to be unbeatable.
" Yo, Friar, you want to hit up beach bash with us Friday?" My teammate, Matt, asks me as some of the other guys nod in agreement.
" Can't, I already have a date." I say making fun of the fact that he just asked me to the dance, even though I know its in a platonic, lets try to hook up with poor, unsuspecting girls, way
"Who?" he asks, I assume out of curiosity
" My girlfriend." I say with a duh, who else face
" I didn't know you had a girlfriend." Drew, the JV quarterback, says
" You never asked." I point out
"Oh yeah, I guess that's true." Drew says
" We haven't seen her at football practice." Matt points out. God forbid, I have a girlfriend that has her own thing going on. He acts like it's a crime.
" Well, Mr. observant she's in the play so she's been spending her afternoons in the theatre."
"Hmm, interesting. You like drama queens, Friar?" Matt asks me
" Maybe I do, but what I can't stand is people saying negative things about Riley." I say making it very clear that bashing Riley is out of the question
" Whoa, sorry dude. I got you, no jokes." He says laughing
" Anyway, were looking forward to meeting her at the dance." Drew says to ease the tension. These guys practically vomit when you mention the word girlfriend, they value quantity over quality, Their loss
" Yeah, we will make sure to say hi. " I say as I finish gathering my stuff and head out the door on my way to meet my friends.
Sculpting class
Maya POV
I'm attempting to get the clay off my hands at the art sink when I feel someone approach. I smirk when I see who it is.
" You on the struggle bus there, Hart?" Brandon laughs at my attempt to wash this damn clay off of me.
"Haha, you slay me with your humor, Rebel! So are you attending the beach bash?" I ask in attempt to change the subject, even though I'm pretty sure I already know the answer.
"Nah, I'm not much of a joiner." And of course I was right, maybe he really isn't a mystery. Yawn
"Shocker!" I exclaim
" Whatever, Hart! See you tomorrow?" He rolls his eyes at me and walks away before I even nod my head yes. Boys are so weird. I'm lucky only one of them clouds my thoughts. I just wish I clouded his. I sigh and make my way out of the class so I can meet up with my friends and head to the mall.
After school debate club
Farkle POV
I'm in debate club and normally one would find me in the center of the meeting, putting in my input, discussing strategies, but today I've barely spoken two words. Today all my attention is on Isadora smackle, even her name is beautiful, and it makes me wonder how I missed it before. Instead of participating in the mock debate to practice for my first high school competition, I am thinking of ways I can talk to Iz after the meeting is over. Could this meeting go any slower? I have to catch her before she walks out because then I'll have to wait until tomorrow to talk to her and for some reason that sounds absolutely dreadful. I need to get her number. I need to ask her to hang out. I need to-
" Hey, Farkle!" Iz says interrupting my thoughts. Well that was easy, maybe I can talk to her. She smiles and all of a sudden I'm not so sure anymore. I need to keep it together. Be myself, I am confident, I can do this.
"Hey, Iz! Great job today, we are definitely going to win with you on our team." I assure her
" Thanks, Farkle! You were pretty quiet today, that's not like you, everything okay?" Oh man, she noticed, play it cool, just make something up.
" Oh yeah, I'm just tired I guess." Hopefully she bought that.
" Oh, so, anyway, Are you going to the dance?" she asks
" Yeah, are you?" I respond, hoping she is coming so maybe I can work up the courage to ask her to dance. I've never been this shy with a girl, it's weird for me.
" Yeah, with a group of girls, less pressure that way. Are you going with anyone?" She asks while smiling. I love her smile.
" Yeah, with Maya." I say nonchalantly. Suddenly she stops smiling and kind of takes a step back from me.
"Oh, that should be fun!" She seems distracted and I'm wondering if I can save this. Maybe I should just go for it and put myself out there a little bit.
" Hopefully, Will you come over and I say hi?" I question with a smirk
" I don't know if I'll have time. I have to go now, my mom is probably waiting for me." She took off down the hallway; I didn't realize how fast she could walk. What was that? Everything was going so well and all of a sudden she starts acting like she doesn't want to talk to me. I must look as bummed as I feel because Riley notices right away.
" Hey Farkle, ready to go? Are you okay?" She asks, genuinely concerned.
" Smackle is acting strange." I blurt out
" Really?" she asks
" Yeah, she was being short with me." I say, hoping Riley can make sense of it. Riley always gives the best advice. Hopefully, this wisdom exists outside of her bay window.
" Well there must be a reason, take me through your conversation." She says as she sits on the nearest bench.
" We were just talking about the dance, and the she got all weird." I say, reliving our conversation
" The dance? Did you happen to mention who you are going with?" she questions
"Oh yeah, she asked." I say
" Did you mention that you were just going as friends?" She asks me but it feels more like she is accusing me of something. I guess I should not have left that part out, but I didn't think about it.
" I guess, what does it matter?" I ask and she looks at me, all wide eyed, like I'm a crazy person.
" You know, for a smart guy, you're pretty clueless sometimes." She says as she rolls her eyes.
" That's why I have you, to decode girls for me!" I say honestly
" Glad, I can help." She says
"So, decode for me!" I say, realizing I sound pretty impatient.
" I'll put it this way. Iz is an amazing girl. She's beautiful, smart, and quirky." Riley says stating the obvious.
" I know that" I say
" Good, she also likes you a lot." Riley states. My face immediately lights up, I mean I knew, but having it confirmed by someone Smackle talks to makes it even better.
" So?" I ask, wanting to know her point.
" Don't blow it. Put some effort in, show her she is special to you." Riley suggests
" I'll try not to blow it, thanks Riley, that's honestly good advice." I say honestly
" Good, Maybe you aren't as clueless as I thought." She says while laughing
" Ouch, Matthews! You are really starting to offend me!" I say, but we both know I don't really mean it. She laughs and puts one of her arms around me and I do the same as we walk towards the exit.
" Come on, Let's go find Lucas and Maya and head to the mall." She says and I nod in agreement. Maybe this dance is my chance to show Smackle how special she is to me, I just need to get her to talk to me, and hopefully she will be willing to hear me out.
Riley's Bedroom
Night of the Beach Bash
Riley POV
Maya and I are finishing up our make up and I can't help but notice how effortlessly gorgeous she looks. She's wearing a straight, tan, leather mini skirt with a teal tank top with two yellow palm trees on it. I'm almost shocked that she decided on an offit that fit the theme, but then its Maya and she's always full of surprises. She's wearing black strappy sandals to show off her purple polished toes that match the leather purple jacket she's wearing. Her hair is up in a half braid and she has that natural beach wave working for her.
" You look gorgeous, Maya." I compliment her.
" Thanks, Riley! You look so beautiful." She says, returning the compliment. I study myself in the mirror and I feel confident that her compliment is true. I'm wearing a short, light pink dress with a white jean jacket over it. I have on crocheted white flats, which you can see my pink nails through. I topped it off with a bohemian braid and a flower clip. I feel beautiful.
" Girls, Lucas and Farkle are here to pick you up!" I hear my mother say. I gleam with excitement because I know I'll get to spend the majority of the night in Lucas's arms. Maya and I walk out to the living room arm and arm. Lucas smiles at me as soon as our eyes meet.
" Riley, you look absolutely beautiful." Lucas says while smiling and I feel like we are the only two people in the room. The way he looks at me makes my stomach churn in the best possible way. I can't help but notice how hot he looks. He's wearing kakhi shorts with a summer patterned tank top. I realize its simple, but it really showcases his arm muscles from all that baseball he did this summer and all his football conditioning. I can't wait until he wraps his big, beautiful, strong arms around me. The tank top is green and it brings out his eyes so nicely, I could stare into them all day.
" You both look gorgeous." I hear Farkle point out, bringing me back from my drooling.
"Seriously, Farkle?!" I hear Maya exclaim. I figure out right away that she is referring to his very interesting choice of attire. He is wearing long black shorts with a Hawaiian shirt and he's wearing his signature turtleneck under it. It is pretty weird, but that's Farkle.
" You know you love it!" he says with a wink which Maya responds to by rolling her eyes. Before we go, my mom insists on taking pictures, which takes way longer than I want it to. She manages to get in every combination of the group until I have to beg her to let us go so we can actually get to the dance before it ends, she didn't find my attempt at humor that funny. Oh well at least it got us on our way.
The Beach Bash
Lucas POV
When we get to the dance, all I want to do is dance with Riley. She looks so beautiful and so sexy in that short dress. I know I'm suppose to contain my "boy" mind but that can be pretty difficult when you are dating the most beautiful girl you've ever laid eyes on. It's a difficult task keeping my hands off of her, at least I wont have to worry about that tonight.
" Hey, Friar!" I inwardly groan when I see Matt and Drew walking towards me. Its not that they aren't cool guys, but they are standing in the way of me touching Riley. I mean dancing, I definitely mean dancing.
" Hey guys! Riley this is Matt and Drew; they are on the team with me. This is my girlfriend, Riley." They exchange hellos, smiles, and handshakes and I'm hoping that they will be on their merry way so Riley and I can enjoy our night.
" So you're the girlfriend, huh? How long have you guys been together?" Matt asks and I am thinking here we go.
" Around a year and half." Riley says while smiling.
" Whoa, that's a long time for people our age, wouldn't you agree?" Matt asks us, but looks at Riley. Riley just looks puzzled.
" I guess so." Riley says and I can tell they are starting to make her uncomfortable.
"So are you going to our game on Monday or are you going to skip it like you do our practices?" Matt asked. I can't believe this dude! Is he serious right now? Riley's jaw dropped, she has no idea how to respond.
" I told you, man! She has play practice and even if she didn't, lay off! Don't talk to my girlfriend like that." I say while fuming
" Lucas, its okay, I'm sure Matt here was just trying to get a rise out of us. And I will definitely be at the game." Riley says trying to calm me down. He's lucky Riley is so good at that!
" Yeah, he was just messing with you bro, right dude?" Drew says playing along with Riley.
" Definitely! We will let you get back to the dance and whatever couples do at these shindigs, see you at practice Friar!" Matt says as him and Drew move on to no doubt, try to hook up with girls. I just hope Riley doesn't think they are complete assholes.
" I'm so sorry, Riley! Matt is a good teammate but he suffers socially, clearly." I say trying to make light of the situation.
" Its fine, Lucas. I'm sure he could of said worse." Riley says making light of the situation as well. God I love that girl. I hear a slow song and I know it's the perfect opportunity to start the dancing part of the evening.
"Enough talking about them, I came to this "Shindig" to dance! Will you do me the honor?" I say to her while holding out my hand for her to take.
" Why, of course." She says while laughing and taking my hand. I lead her to the dance floor and wrap my arms around her waist. She wraps her arms around my neck and leans into me. I feel a jolt of excitement pass through me and I know with her being so close to me, this is bound to be a great evening.
The Beach Bash
Farkle POV
I have been at the snack table for the past 45 minutes in hopes that Smackle will make her way over here. She hasn't yet. Isn't she hungry? I would be if I spent almost the entire evening dancing with my friends, like she has. The dance will be over soon and Maya and I have only danced three times, but my mind is so focused on getting smackle to even look my way that I don't feel like bustin a move. Finally she looks my way and I wave at her hoping she will come say hi. She hesitates for a moment and half-heartedly waves back. Urgh, why can't I just walk up to her? Why is this so hard for me? I sigh and walk towards Maya. I see Lucas and Riley slow dancing near by. She has her head on his shoulder and they both look so happy, so content.
" They are so damn cheesy!" I hear Maya say. I nod my head in agreement.
" Oh for sure, the cheesiest!" I verbalize my agreement.
"Its gag worthy!" She continues
"I know, sometimes I really want to vomit." I admit
"I'm pretty sure I have before." She states
" But they really are in love, aren't they?" I admit what we are both thinking.
" It's not debatable." She says, confirming my thoughts.
"I want that." I say honestly
" Me too." She admits to me and I believe her because there is a sad look in her eyes, a look that is almost never associated with Maya Hart.
" You want to know what the weird part about it is?" I ask, deciding to let Maya in on my secret.
" What's that?" she asks
" I want it with Smackle." I admit and I wonder if she is gong tease me about it, like she does with so many other things.
" Go get her, Farkle! March over there and ask her to dance!" she says encouragingly
" Thanks, Will you be okay?" I ask because I don't want to just leave one of my best friends in the middle of the dance floor unless I know she's okay.
" I'm always okay." She says and I believe her because she's proven it to be true over the eight years that I have known her. I squeeze her shoulder and walk towards Smackle.
" Hey, Iz!" I say when I'm within speaking distance of her.
" Oh hey Farkle," She says and I am thinking so far so good.
" You look really nice." I say complimenting her.
" So do you!" She says, returning the compliment and I use it as an opportunity to step closer to her.
" You don't think its weird?" I ask referring to my attire.
" Well yeah I do, but I like it because its so you." She says and it makes me smile.
"You do?" I ask while still smiling
Yeah, I like that you aren't afraid to be you." She says. This is the moment, it's now or never.
" Iz, would you like to dance with me?" I work up the courage to ask her
" I thought you'd never ask!" She says while smiling as she wraps her arms around my neck and I hesitantly, nervously wrap my arms around her waist. It feels so nice to hold her close.
" I almost didn't." I admit honestly
" What do you mean?" She says and she looks puzzled and I know I need to tell her.
" Iz, Ive been weird around you for a reason lately. I wanted to ask you to dance the moment I saw you tonight, but I have been too nervous to do so." I say and I feel I am not making sense.
" What do you mean, Farkle? What are you trying to say?" She asks, which confirms my theory and I know I just need to say it.
" What I am trying to say is that I like you, I really, really do." I admit
" Really?!" she says and she has a huge smile on her face that washes all my feelings of nervousness away.
" Honestly, sorry I took so long to figure it out." I say because I know she's known how she's felt about me for much longer.
"It's okay, this moment was worth the wait." She says while smiling and it feels so good knowing I am the reason for the smile on her face.
" Would it be cheesy if I kissed you?" I ask because I really want to kiss her and I am going to take advantage of this sudden confidence in case it goes away again.
"I'll be disappointed if you don't." She says, granting me permission. We both lean in and our lips touch. Her lips are warm, sticky and sweet and the kiss is over as quickly as it started. She leans back and smiles up at me and then she rests her head on my shoulder. I feel so lucky and I know that things are about to change for me, but in the best possible way.