Chapter 3 – Welcome Back to Hell's Kitchen

It felt as the world stopped moving but she knew it didn't. No matter how much she begged for the earth to swallow her whole but there she was, eyes squared on a tall, tired, lanky Farkle. He blinked a few times before realizing that she truly was standing there and took a few steps towards her. Instinctively Zay took a step forward to block half of Riley from Farkle's gaze. Farkle stopped his movement and gauged the situation in front of him.

"Riles?" He questioned again and she gave him a soft smile.

It had been four years since she saw Farkle but he still looked the same to her. Light brown hair flopping in his eyes, black t-shirt with jeans and converse on his feet.

"Hey," She whispered and squeezed Zay's shoulder to let him know she was alright.

Farkle's eyes locked onto the quick but meaningful gesture between the two. Zay maneuvered out of the way and let Riley walked over to Farkle. The two eyes met and Riley wrapped her arms around his neck, he pulled her into a tight embrace. His chin placed on top of her head and his eyes met Zay's who stood tensely in front of the two. He knew something more was going on, and he was going to pry from Zay whether he liked it or not.

"Hey," Farkle said and jutted his chin towards Zay. Riley untangled herself from his arms and sighed. It had only been a few hours but she felt overwhelmed with the interactions happening around her.

"Hey," Zay responded as Riley pulled away. She placed her hair behind her hair, both boys knew it was a nervous tick of her but neither knew why she was doing it.

"I'm sorry," Farkle said and looked at Riley who looked down at her feet.

"Thank you," Riley whispered and Farkle directed her towards the seats against the wall. Zay went towards them when he felt Cory's hand on his back.

"Give them a moment Zay, it's been four years, let them catch up," Cory said as Zay dejectedly stood back as Riley took a seat next to Farkle.

"Maybe get coffee, I know she will want to be here for a while," Cory suggested as Zay nodded in agreement.

The two men watched her for a second giggle slightly as Farkle said something. They knew that the two would just fine for a few moments. Riley glanced over her shoulder and could see her father directing Zay away and nervously played with her hands. She hadn't been too far from Zay in years and now she felt as she was with a stranger.

"Zay is really protective of you huh?" Farkle mused as Riley bit her lip.

No one knew beyond her family that Zay had been her confidante for the past for years. That when she ran, he was right behind her with both of their bags and did whatever she wanted to protect Isabella. He moved in sophomore year of college, and they took turns caring for Isabella and getting an education.

She knew that their relationship was different, she knew that Zay would take a bullet for her, but she also knew that he had fallen in love with her. His smiles were reserved for her, those longing touches on her lower back, the hugs were intimate but she knew it was getting tougher for him to hide his feelings. Riley couldn't deny that there was something there for her too, times where she wanted to kiss him just as much as he wanted to kiss her.

"Kind of it's complicated," Riley mumbled and Farkle chuckled slightly.

"Isn't everything?" Farkle retorted and Riley looked at her feet.

It was a subtle jab but it stung every bit of her. It hurt to drift from everyone, and Farkle was stepping around the landmines of Josh's situation but he wasn't treading too lightly.

"Why?" He asked.

Her gaze met his and she knew what he was referring to. He wasn't asking about Josh or their awkward encounter. No, he was asking why was Zay protective, according to everyone else she Houdini them all including Zay. So how could he protect a ghost but instead she played with the frill of her jacket.

"Life is funny like that I guess." She mused and looked back down to her feet.

Excessive eye contact and Farkle will see deep in her soul all of her hidden treasures. Farkle lightly tapped her shoe with his own. Her gaze once again met his and he gave her a strained smile.

"I'm sorry about Josh, Riley, I really am but I am glad to see you again even though it's been years, you look great, mature, but in a not so old lady way." Farkle rambled and grinned.

"Right back at you Farkle," Riley whispered.

"I look like an old lady?" Farkle joked and Riley cracked her first real smile.

"You know what I mean, you look handsome. How is Smackle?" Riley asked and she saw the pained expression in his eyes.

She regrettably closed her eyes in her own stupidity. It had been four years but of course, there was a possibility that the two weren't together. People change, relationships change, he changed, and so did she.

"I'm so stupid," Riley mumbled and Farkle reached for the hand that covered Riley's face.

Riley stood to her feet, and looked for her escape, away from this embarrassing moment. However, before he could get any words out the two heard a familiar voice. Riley's blood ran cold, she knew this moment was coming, but not this soon, if she had to avoid anyone, this person was number two.

"Riley?" Riley spun on her heel and saw her childhood best friend Maya Hart clutching her bag. Her blonde hair in a long French braid, dressed in what Riley could assume was a waitress outfit.

"Maya …" Riley said softly as Farkle looked between the two and could sense that the two were on the opposite spectrum. A smile graced Riley's face as Maya's contorted into disgust and anger.

"What is she doing here?" Maya accosted as Zay turned down the hallway and seeing the three in a tense situation.

"Josh is my uncle!" Riley said noticing that the reunion was turning sour quickly.

Maya raised her hand to silence Riley as she took large steps towards Farkle. She ignored Riley's eyes and focused on Farkle who grabbed her hand lovingly. Riley raised her eyebrows and looked towards Zay who refused to look at her.

He knew.

"You're together?" Riley asked as Maya turned to face Riley.

Maya's eyes squared on Riley and raised her hand. The sound of Maya's hand colliding with Riley's face deafened the ears around them.

"You do not get to use that tone! You do not get to be surprised! You left! You left!" Maya screamed and shook with anger. Zay walked over and stood in front of Riley, shielding her from any additional accosting. He knew that she wasn't happy with him but right now he knew it didn't matter.

"Maya, not here, not now, back. Off." Zay warned.

"Fuck her Zay!" Maya growled as Farkle pulled her away from the two.

Once the two were far enough Zay turned to Riley but she too had disappeared.

"Fuck," Zay mumbled.