Fall Apart

Chapter Six

"Sir, may I be excused?" The words slip out as he raises his hand. It's almost like the world has stopped and he can barely breathe. He can't feel. He doesn't want to. He doesn't know if he'd be sad or mad. He'd rather be neither in front of his friends.

As soon as Cory nods, he stands up and makes his way to the door. His lips are pursed and fists are balled in the pocket of his hoodie. "Are you okay, Farkle?"

"I'm fine, sir." He replies his voice straining to sound normal and not look at them, will his hand not to shake as he grabs the door handle.

The door is still open when he is gone and barely a moment has passed before Maya's hand shoots up. "You got this?" He asks.

"I've got this." Mya agrees, reaching the door before it manages to close. Riley and Lucas exchange looks as she leaves.

Farkle hasn't made it far. He's leaning his head against their lockers his arms over his head. "Farkle?" Maya approaches quietly and slowly putting her hand gently on his shoulder. "Farkle." She tugs one of his arms to drag him away. He sighs and let's her till they sit down. He's biting his lip and has one hand in his hair and isn't looking at her. So she grabs his face.

He shakes his head. "I was too late, Maya." His voice is really strained now, "Somebody else got there first."

"Farkle, you don't know what Riley's feeling. She's still confused over her feelings for Lucas." She tries to comfort him. "I'm still confused. He's confused." She adds. "Just because she said yes to him doesn't mean she likes him."

"She's still gonna go on a date with him. She might start to like him."

"If you tell her she shouldn't, she will listen to you. You're her best friend too. She trusts you."

"But he's a nice guy and if there's feelings there I don't want to stop her being happy." He sighs, "Besides, I've had seven years. New years is coming up. This is our last year of middle school before we graduate."

"I know. And I know. But we didn't have all these feelings before. They're so new. None of us understand them."

***

Riley can see them through the small window in the door, sat on the bench and talking outside. Maya's arm is over his shoulders and he's looking down now when he talks. Maya looks up and sees Riley and then looks back at Farkle. She's taking notes and another set for Maya. Lucas is taking Farkle's notes. It's quiet, even though Zay is trying to lighten the mood with his jokes.

Farkle is obviously distressed. She wants to help but Maya is there and this is the closest in their friendship she's seen them. She wants the bell to ring quicker. She wants to fix everything. Only half of the notes are written down as she thinks. Riley isn't the only one worried. Lucas is tense and confused and obviously doesn't know what is happening. Even Zay's jokes are less cheerful. Cory is looking between them and at the door.

"Do you three know what's going on?" He asks.

"I don't know," Riley's says half-heartedly.

"But we're gonna find out, sir." Lucas finishes.

***

Farkle nods, "So I'm still going to tell her."

"And why is that?" Maya prompts.

"Because if I don't take a risk I'll never know what would've happened."

The bell echoes around the hall as other students escape their classes. Riley is the first to emerge from history, closely followed by Lucas and Zay and their stuff. Maya and Farkle stand up.

"Hey," Riley is the first to speak.

"You okay Farkle?" Lucas adds as they walk over to put their folders in their lockers.

"I'm fine." Farkle assures.

"Maya?" Lucas asks.

Farkle glances at Maya. Maya nods and looks back at Lucas, "He's fine." Lucas shoots a dubious look between them. "I just need a word with him." She pulls him into their history class. "You." She points at Cory.

"Me?"

"Out." She points at the door.

"You can't scare me."

"Out!"

"Okay."

"Maya, I can't tell her right now. I said I would. Just... Not now." Farkle splutters out.

She nods thoughtfully, "You ever heard of the Horn of Gabriel?"

"Yeah, you have?" He replies.

"You tell her, Farkle." Maya insists. "By the new year. Or I will tell her for you."

He sighs, "Yeah, okay. I'll do it."

"Good, now come on." She links their arms and skips him out of the classroom. That is until they stop suddenly outside where Zay, Riley and Lucas aren't stood alone.

"Again, Riley, I'm so glad you said yes. I've been waiting months to ask you."