Eventually, Mr. Matthews did cave and buy a television set for the house. It was hypocritical to let his children see the world through only his lens, his wife reminded him. Also, it served as a teaching tool for the Minkus'. The images and the words and the cues enhanced their understanding of American mores. Stuart was proving to be a bit more culture-bound than expected. Discreetly, he ask would his son every time he didn't understand something, still in German. Stuart was getting the same lessons as Farkle, but he still kept his native tongue. Meanwhile, the younger Farkle was adapting very well.

Farkle's English grew immensely. Sometimes when speaking, he would still make a struggled pause to find the right words. But even his accent was almost gone after he listened carefully to the movies and TV shows and the people he'd encounter working at Toppie's. He was only a bus-boy, but the conversations of his peers carried and made for insightful take-away for the young man. For example, when kids would pay for their meals, they'd leave the money on the counter, instead of the waiter's hands. Or, they'd rarely say please or thank you when getting their orders put in. They might speak of something called football, or going to the movies, or dating. They'd hop into their cars and drive away, laughing. Everything was so in-the-moment, everything was careless. Now that he was in America, he wanted so much to be the same.

Farkle tried to explain to his father the interesting things that kids were talking about but Stuart wasn't receptive. Cory, however, was quite pleased and gave him all the information he wanted and needed. With Auggie, they played football in the yard and Auggie taught Farkle to skip rocks at the lake. Topanga took him clothes shopping for school. Excited, he shown his father the new and improved look. Stuart smiled a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

On the first day of school, Farkle looked at himself in the mirror. He felt the material of his blue sweater. It's the first time he's worn it. His clothes were usually muted and secondhand. He didn't recognize himself and he was trying to decide if that was a good thing.

"Farkle!" Topanga's voice rang to him. Hurriedly, he grabbed his books and went downstairs. Topanga was holding Auggie's hand as she talked to Riley, "Remember to stick with him, make him feel comfortable-"

"I got it, mother. Ease up, will ya?" Riley told her and caught Farkle staring at her. "Hiya, Farkle!"

"Hello, sweet Riley. Hello Mrs. Matthews, hello Auggie."

"Are you ready for your first day of school?" Topanga asked.

"Yes, I think so." He replied, walking down the steps.

"Psst, Farkle." Auggie beckoned him and his knelt down to his eye-level. "Here, it's a rabbit foot." He put the tiny, dirty knicknack in his hand. "It'll bring you luck and keep you safe today. Guard it with your life."

Farkle grinned and put it in his back-pocket, "I will, Auggie. Thank you."

"We're going to be late! Come on, Farkle!" Riley dragged Farkle out the door.

"Goodbye!"

Riley and Farkle walked down the street together as she explained, "We are going to Maya's house and from there, Lucas will drive us to school. He's Maya's guy, he's pretty keen."

"Is your father not coming with us?"

"No, thank goodness! Because he's a teacher, he always skips out before us." Farkle noticed that his own father was missing as well. He figured that he went out on his job hunt. Topanga offered him a place at the restaurant, but he insisted that he'd find his own way. When they got to Maya's house, as soon as Riley caught sight of Lucas' hot rod car, she slipped her hand in Farkle's making him run with her. "Hurry, before they leave us!"

Maya sat in the passenger seat, wearing an over-sized Letterman jacket. As Riley tossed her books inside and hopped over the seat, she scolded, "There you are! We were gonna leave without you!"

Lucas saw Farkle standing in his rear-view reflection, "Who's the guy?"

"Farkle Minkus. He's with living them." Maya answered.

"Wow, what for?"

"He's new to New York and needed a place to stay." Riley shrugged.

"Well, what's he waiting for? An invitation?"

"Yes, he's real proper, like crazy." Riley smirked.

Lucas twisted in his seat and called to him, "Hey, Farkle! Get in, will ya? We're gonna be late!" The boy unlocked to car door open and pushed it ajar. Shyly, Farkle got in.

He buckled up before greeting, "Hello, Maya."

"Hi Farkle." She smiled.

He then leaned over and extended a hand to Lucas, "Hello, I am Farkle Minkus."

Amused, Lucas shook his hand, "Lucas Friar. Nice to meet you." He had the type of voice he heard in the westerns he watched with Auggie.

"You too!" He beamed.

"Now, if were all done getting acquainted," Lucas turned on the radio and turned on the engine. "I'd like to go to school now, if that's all right with you all."

Soft jazz crooned while Maya tapped her feet on the dashboard.

"Will you at least put your seat-belt on?" Lucas sighed, glaring at the blonde.

"Gosh, you sound like Riley's fuddy-duddy daddy-"

"Hey!" Riley objected but then, "It's true, Lucas."

"Keep it up and Lucas Friar, you will go grey before you graduate." Maya pulled the seat-belt over herself.

"Yeah, being with you, I'll be surprised if I live that long." Riley giggled at the couple's bantering before Lucas turned to look at Farkle at a red light. "So, Farkle, how're you digging the scene?"

"The scene?" Farkle snapped out of the sights he was taking in.

"Yeah, he means how do you like our town?" Riley helped.

"Oh! Yes, I like it very much. The Matthews' have been - swell." He smiled at Riley.

"As long as you don't fall in with bad news, it's pretty all right around these parts."

"Lucas here is a bit of an ace at being the new kid." Maya added.

"My parents moved around a lot because of my dad's job. I lived in five cities before coming here - Altanta, Nashville, Austin, Houston and Cheyenne." Lucas explained.

"Three of those cities are in Texas!" Farkle happily offered the facts he memorized reading about the 50 states of the USA. "It is the second largest state in America!"

"Yep. That's home." Lucas chuckled.

"Where the buffalo roam." Maya quipped.

"That's right, babydoll." He pinched her cheek, getting a reluctant smile from her. "And it's where you're gonna be livin' right after we get married."

"Dontcha' mean it's where I'm gonna be moo-vin'?" She sported her best southern drawl.

"Yup. You'll be Mrs. Maya Friar: Queen of the Cows."

"I can hardly wait." Maya rolled her steely blue eyes as Lucas pulled into a parking spot. Riley hopped out of the Jaguar and Farkle opened the door to leave. Maya sat pretty in the front seat as the southern gentleman came around to open her door for her. She gave him her books and hand to hold as they walked in front of Riley and Farkle. There were so many new things around Farkle, so much he's never seen before. Like, an actual high school, for one. In Germany, he was home-schooled by his parents. There was some kids he made friends with in his neighborhood but he's never seen more than 10 of them at a time. At John Quincy Adams high school, they were everywhere. On the lawn, on the steps, looking outside the windows. Yet, the only thing that peaked his curiosity was Maya and Lucas.

He whispered to Riley, "So... Maya and Lucas are..." He connected his fingers.

Riley laughed, nodding, "Yes, they're together. Did you just catch on?"

"They make fun of each other a lot. I have never seen two people... together, who do that."

"It's just their way. They have nothing in common but they're absolutely over the moon about each other and I mean, like crazy. Been that way since tenth grade."

"... Do you feel like that about anyone?" Farkle wondered aloud. Riley was very pretty, so it seemed highly likely that she was involved with someone.

"Well, now that you mention it-"

"Riley!" A boy yelled to her and she squealed and dropped her books. Then, Riley put power in her legs to run as fast as she could to him, jumping into his open arms. Farkle picked up her notebooks, witnessing her being propelled around by this guy. He brought her back down to earth and held her close. "That's my girl."

"Oh, Charlie." Holding her boyfriend for the first time in months, Riley got misty-eyed.

"Aw, Riley! Don't turn on the waterworks!" Charlie looked a little embarrassed. Then, he took off his Letterman jacket sat it on Riley's shoulders. "There! Now, you look like my girl. Now, you look perfect. " Riley chuckled, wiping a tear from her cheek.

"Oh! There's someone you have to meet!" Riley cheerily said and waved for Farkle to come over. "Farkle! C'mere!"

"Farkle?" He questioned, putting his arm around Riley. "That's his name?"

"Be nice." Riley flattened her boyfriend's collar. Farkle approached the two and gave Riley her books. He noted that she matched Maya perfectly now. "Farkle, this is my boyfriend, Charlie Gardner. Charlie, this is Farkle Minkus. He'll be living with my family for a spell."

"Farkle Minkus? That's a funny name." Charlie said, stepping beside him. He just laughed nervously. "Tell me, Farell-" The same arm that was around Riley crept around Farkle like a snake and he walked them into the building.

"Farkle," he corrected.

"Sure. You play sports?"

"No, not really."

"What kind of man doesn't play sports?" That anxious laughter came back again. He didn't know what it was about Charlie that made him so antsy. "You're pretty tall. You play basketball?"

"... What is basketball?"

Charlie burst into laughter, "Funny name, funny voice, just an all around funny guy huh? You're all right, Farkle."


Riley, Lucas and Farkle shared the same homeroom, where their schedules were given. Farkle asked where Maya was and Riley told him that she was in an 11th grade homeroom but they'll see her again at lunch. He and Riley had 5 out of the 7 periods together - no doubt her father's doing. Riley didn't mind helping him navigate through John Quincy Adams High. She loved giving tours to new students and gave Farkle all the ins and outs. But he didn't need them.

Because Farkle was only used to Stuart educating him, Riley gave him the rundown on how to get on a teacher's good side. However, most of the teachers took very quickly to him. He was very intelligent, maybe one of the smartest kids in the school. In Mr. Turner's math class, what was just a first day pop quiz turned into a lecture headed by the new pupil. The kids marveled at the new academic wunderkind.

By lunch, Farkle heard whispers and people talking behind his back. They looked over suspiciously at him and he began to feel like he done something wrong. Not even a day day and he already broke the rules of high school. He rushed around the lawn with his tray, looking for Riley. When he found her, it was like he made it home. She was sitting in the grass with Maya, Lucas and Charlie.

"Well, lookee here. If it isn't the genius?" Lucas teased, laying his head in Maya's lap as she fed him grapes.

"Sweet Riley, I feel that everyone is talking about me," Farkle caught another stranger staring, sitting down.

"Because they are, Farkle." Riley shrugged in Charlie's arms as her boyfriend tilted his head. "Your sharpness and mystery has made you popular."

"Popular?"

"Everyone wants to know more about you and be your friend."

"But, all I have done is go to class and answer questions."

"Farkle, you've more than answered. I thought Mr. Turner was going to ask you to make a lesson plan, for crying out loud."

Farkle frowned, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, "Do you think I am being... boastful, sweet Riley?"

"No, Farkle. I know you're just naturally smart. Don't sweat it."

"Sweet Riley?" Charlie waited to ask and his girlfriend blushed, turning away.

Seeing her uncomfortable, Farkle apologized, "I am sorry. I did not know what I was saying was wrong-"

"No, it's not wrong." Charlie interrupted. "It's true; Riley's the sweetest cookie in school." He kissed her cheek and she giggled.

"Lucas..." Maya cooed to her boyfriend, who was day dreaming with his eyes shut.

"Hmm?"

"Am I like a cookie to you too, baby?"

"Mm, nah. You're more like a jawbreaker." Outraged, instead of another grape, Maya put some grass and dirt in Lucas's mouth. Sputtering and spitting, Lucas sat up, "What was all that for?!"

"Jawbreaker, huh?!" Maya wiped the dirt off her hands and stormed off.

Lucas followed her, groveling, "Aw, c'mon babydoll! I didn't mean it!"

"Lucas Friar, don't you talk to me for the rest of the day!"

"Aw, but Maya!"


When Farkle first heard of the concept that is Halloween, he thought it was absurd. People dressing in costumes, eating sweets and scaring each other on purpose. It was a bit cruel to him but Auggie explained that it was fun and older kids, like himself, celebrate in their own ways. Still because Halloween was so new to Farkle, Auggie suggested that Farkle get his feet wet first.

On the morning of, Riley was still in her nightgown and robe, making herself a bowl of cereal. She closed the refrigerator door and there was Farkle, tall and malicious in one of Auggie's monster masks. He made a pose like he would grab her and the girl screamed, dropping her bowl of Kix.

Seeing the fright on her features, Farkle stripped off his mask, "Oh! Sweet Riley, I am so sorry! Auggie said this would be funny! For Halloween!"

"I'll bet it was," Riley muttered, bending down to clean her mess up. Farkle grabbed some paper napkins and helped.

Watching their fingers go in circles around each other, Riley paused and looked up at Farkle, "Hey, Farkle can I ask you something?"

"Yes?"

"What's with this 'Sweet Riley' business? Why do you call me that?"

Farkle sucked in his lips before telling her, "Your father said that was your name. When he was talking about you, he said 'Meine tochter Sweet Riley.' Is that not your name?"

Riley smiled, shaking her head, "No. It's just Riley. He was probably just calling me sweet, y'know? Like, I'm nice?"

Farkle looked mortified at his mistake, "Oh, gosh, I'm sorry sw- Riley, I am sorry-"

"Farkle, it's all right! It's all right, really, it's just people will get the wrong idea about things if you keep calling me that. Especially because everyone knows that I have a boyfriend."

"Charlie."

"Yes."

"I understand. I am sorry, Riley. It won't happen again."

Later that night, the Matthews' family got ready for the Halloween festivities and Farkle sat on the couch, observing. Stuart was in his basement, sleeping. He had found a factory job. Farkle didn't see much of him anymore. Cory and Topanga were dressed as a doctor and nurse. Auggie was a sheriff and he showed his gun to Farkle. Playfully, he reached for the sky.

A honk was heard from outside and Riley shot like a rocket downstairs in her cheerleader uniform.

"Young lady!" At Topanga's command, Riley skidded on her shoes.

"Yes, mother?"

"Where are you going?"

Riley held her hands together, giving her answer in a rehearsed way, "I am going to the movies with Maya, Lucas and Charlie. Then, we will be going to your restaurant for the Halloween party. Last, I will be coming home by 10:30. No later."

Topanga folded her arms and smirked, "Very good. One last thing," she turned to Farkle, "do you have any plans tonight, Farkle?"

"No, ma'am."

"Why don't you go with me and mommy and daddy for candy?! We're going to eat so much sweets, our teeth will fall out!" Auggie cheered.

Before Farkle could respond, Topanga persisted, "I think Farkle's too old for that, darling. I think he'll have a better time with Riley and her friends."

Riley became bug-eyed as the car from outside honked again. "Mother, I can't! No offense to you Farkle, but this is a date! My date! Farkle will feel out of place."

Farkle was trying to speak up but once again, Topanga cut him off, "You will take Farkle or you will come with your brother, your father and I trick-or-treating. It is your choice."

Riley glanced at the helpless Farkle on couch as he shrugged. He now knew better than to fight with the head of the house. Next thing he knew, Farkle was at the drive-in theater in Auggie's Frankenstein mask sitting in-between Riley and Charlie. To make matters worse, Maya and Lucas were in the backseat, getting their own party started. During the scary film, the atmosphere was ruined by sounds of smooching and kicks to the front seat every now and then. Jealous that he wasn't doing the same thing, Charlie left his Chrysler for snacks.

"I am sorry I ruined your date, Riley." Farkle said, his voice muddled by his mask.

"It's all right, Farkle. It couldn't be helped." Riley's chair was kicked forward.

"Charlie doesn't seem to feel that way." The tip of Maya's foot grazed the side of Farkle's head. He gently pushed it back.

"Oh Charlie's just difficult sometimes, but he understands. Hey, Farkle?"

"Yes, Riley?" Lucas and Maya giggled behind them.

"Did you date a lot? Back where you're from?"

Even in the dark, Riley could tell Farkle was getting nervous. He fidgeted with his glasses underneath his mask. "Well, uh, no, not... no. Never."

"Never? Don't you like girls, Farkle?" Riley said, incredulous. Farkle was incredibly smart and handsome and sweet as candy. It was shocking that girls weren't knocking down his door.

"Yes, but, I did not know very many. Besides, I am... I am... "

"Shy. Yeah, I know." Riley made a soft grin. "Listen, Farkle, you got a lot going for you here! You're the new boy; you're mysterious. Girls love a good mystery! And you're really nice and smart like crazy-"

"But, I do not play football. What kind of man does not play football?" She noticed Farkle slumping. Those words didn't sound like him.

"Huh?"

"I do not play football or any of your sports. Charlie and Lucas play sports. Is that not why you like them?"

Riley looked confused. "What? Farkle, no. I fell for Charlie because he is confident. That's all you need! A little confidence! There are plenty of girls waiting to be rationed by you, I bet!"

"Rationed?"

"They're waiting for you to ask them to go steady! What I'm saying is that I want you to be able to find someone, Farkle. Personally, I don't mind you coming along but - "

"Charlie minds." Farkle finished for her.

"Yes, but I think you mind too, don't you?"

Farkle did feel a bit embarrassed, always having to tag along with Riley and crash her plans. Even though he liked Riley a lot, he couldn't help but feel like a burden. "Yes. I do."

"Well, after the movie we're going back to mom's restaurant to be-bop. It'll be a blast and there will plenty of girls! You're gonna have a grand time!"

Suddenly, the car door opened and Charlie entered with a huge box of popcorn. The couple in the back-seat popped up and fisted the box immediately. Charlie shoved the box to Farkle because he was in the middle of them all. He lifted his mask up slightly to feed himself. Farkle and Riley's hands touched at the same time. Like she was shocked by static or something else, Riley pulled back so Farkle did too. She smiled bashfully at Frankenstein before he offered her the popcorn first this time.

The music was high and merry from the jukebox. Ghouls were dancing with gals and Toppie's had pumpkins at every table. It was weird for Farkle to be sitting at one, instead of cleaning. His mask was still on and Maya, in her witch costume, asked him when was he going to take that ugly thing off.

"It is Halloween." He said.

They all sat in a corner booth. He sat sandwiched between Maya and Lucas, the Cowpoke. They ordered their food. Lucas went off to the bathroom. Maya watched all the kids dance on the floor and she was practically dancing in her seat. Her head rested on her palm, but her feet were jiving the night away.

Farkle saw and asked her, "Maya, why don't you dance?"

"Got no one to dance with, Dr. Farklestein."

"What about Lucas?"

"Lucas Friar don't dance."

Finally, he took off his mask. He gulped as Maya looked into his hot face. There was barely any air in the mask but it wasn't much better in the restaurant. "Would you... like to dance with me?"

Everyone's eyebrows raised. A giant smile grew on Maya's face. "Oh, really? Do you mean it, Farkle?" He nodded. "Oh, Farkle, you're a sweetheart!" Then, Farkle was being yanked out of his seat and onto to the floor. He looked back at Riley and she was grinning winningly. Maya and Farkle disappeared into the crowd and Lucas came back to find his girlfriend gone.

"Hey, where's Maya? Did she disappear into smoke or somethin'?" The cowboy joked.

"She's dancing." Riley smirked.

"What? Who with?"

"Cool down. It's just with Farkle." Riley pointed at them and Lucas twisted around to see Maya pulling the poor guy along, dancing circles around him. Meanwhile, Farkle was lost as ever.

"Oh." He frowned, sliding back in the booth. "Just as well."

"Friar, you can be a real dope sometimes." Charlie stated.

"Hey!"

"What Charlie means is, you should be the one out there dancing with Maya." Riley explained.

"But I'm no good at it!"

"Look at Farkle. Does he look like Bing Crosby to you? I know Maya jokes that you have two left feet but she doesn't really care. She just wants to dance. With you."

Lucas tipped his hat forward with determination on his face. He got up and waded through the sea of kids to get to Maya and Farkle. He tapped insistently on Farkle's shoulder and he stepped back gladly, handing over the reins. Only one person could tame the stallion that was Maya Hart.

Riley was smiling at the whole thing when the football player next to her grabbed her hand, "Come on, Riley! Let's dance!"

"Wait, what about Farkle?"

"I think he'll be fine." Charlie gestured towards the crowd, where a red-headed girl was chatting up Farkle. Riley wanted to go over there and help him, but then he saw them begin to dance. Riley and Charlie bebopped a little closer to them and she caught a genuine smile on Farkle's face.

"Oh, Charlie! Look, look! Farkle's smiling! He's having a good time!" Riley was elated.

"Well, get a load of that!" Charlie spun Riley around. She couldn't stop staring at Farkle with a ear-to-ear grin. He saw this and gave one back. For the first time, he felt like he was fitting in. For the first time, he felt like he was the same.


AN: Warning: Winter's gonna get real. If you liked what you read, please review. Thanks.