Fall Apart

Chapter Seven

"So," Maya raised her eyebrows as she slid next to Riley, having climbed through the Bay Window. "How was the movie?"

"The movie was fine," Riley answered.

"What'd you go see?"

"The Force Awakens."

"Ooh. How romantic." Maya says slightly sarcastically.

"It was my idea. It was a good choice."

"Of course it was." She shook her head, "So how did it go?"

"It went fine," Riley answers again.

"What did you talk about? Did you hold hands? Do you like him?"

"We didn't talk, we didn't hold hands. I don't know yet."

"Who goes on a date like that?" She asks as Lucas climbs through the window and sits next to Maya, "Oh yeah. We do."

"What were you talking about?" He asks.

"Riley's date with Charlie Gardner," Maya replies, adding in a voice, "Cheese soufflé."

"You know what we should do?" Riley says standing up, sometimes she stands when she talks, especially if she has an idea. "We should have a new years party. On the roof. And have food. What d'you think?"

"I think it sounds great. I'm invited, right? Well I'm coming anyway." Farkle says climbing through the window, they all shuffle along.

"Of course, everyone's invited." Riley replies. "I can't wait."

***

It's New Years Eve. It's eight o' clock. The party started a half hour ago. Some people have arrived. Riley, Maya, Lucas, Zay and Farkle had all gotten there early. Darby, Yogi, Yindra and Sarah had also already turned up as well as Isadora Smackle and Charlie.

"Smackle!" Riley had said enthusiastically. "You're here to spend New Years with Farkle?"

"I'm here because my friend invited me. You. You're my friend. Me and Farkle aren't me and Farkle, I thought you knew?" Smackle says.

"No, I don't." Riley looks confused, "He never said anything... I'm still glad you're here." She smiles.

Charlie Gardner is there being like a Charlie Gardner. "I'm glad you invited me here." He says, appearing at the most surprising of times. Riley merely nods. She may be confused but she's pretty sure she doesn't like Charlie. At least not yet. But it's not her fault, she's getting over Lucas. It isn't anyone's fault.

The sky is dark and full of stars and the breeze is cool on the roof. There's a makeshift table of boxes with snacks and drinks.

***

"You need to tell her, Farkle, there's less than an hour left of this year." Maya urges.

"I know. The Horn. I'll talk to her." He replies crushing the juice cup slightly in his hand.

"Two hours." She repeats and walks away.

***

"Hey, Huckleberry." She smiles.

"Hey." He smiles back.

"The sky looks beautiful tonight." She replies.

"It does. It's like being back in Texas."

"Aren't you meant to say something cheesy now?"

"Do you want me to?" He raises his eyebrow.

"You always do," she smirks.

He tips an imaginary hat to her. She grins. "D'you wanna try that again?"

"The sky looks beautiful tonight."

"Yeah, do you know what else is beautiful?"

"What?" She blushes.

"You."

She giggles. "Really, that's the one you're going for?"

"Yeah, that's the one I'm going for." He steps closer to her, closing most of the gap between them.

"It's almost midnight."

"I know."

"You know, I never imagined we'd be spending New Years together." She says, "I'm glad we are." She smiles, closing the gap between them completely.

"Me too."

***

Farkle looks at the time on his cell phone. He sighs. It's now or never.

"Riley-" he breathes out walking up to her.

"Farkle!" Both Riley and Charlie turn around in surprise.

"Riley, I really need to talk you."

"It's almost New Years, Farkle," she tilts her head.

"It's really important. I need to talk to you alone."

Riley looks up at Charlie. "I'm sorry, Charlie."

Charlie nods and smiles, "You don't need to be sorry." And leaves them alone.

"Farkle?" She straightens her head to look at him. "Are you okay? Do I found out why you've been acting so weird?"

He opens his mouth to speak but closed it again before he finally thinks to say something. "I don't think you should go out with Charlie." It isn't what he meant to say, but he does.

"What?" She says shocked.

"I don't think you should go out with him." He quickly spits out. "You don't even know if you like him and I mean, you barely know him."

"Farkle, why are you saying this?" She shakes her head.

He pulls his hand through his hair and sits down in one of the empty seats. Riley joins him. "Maya told me... Ugh... There's this girl." He says quietly

"There's a girl?" Riley replies in a loud whisper.

"And I really like her. And I didn't realise how much I liked her. And when I did, Maya told me to tell her."

"You should," Riley's eyes widen, "You should definitely tell her."

"I tried." He sighs, "But someone got there first." He pauses, "I really care about her and she doesn't know. I need her to know that."

"Then I'm sure she does."

He shakes his head, looking at the floor. He looks back up at her and bites his lip. "It's you." He takes a deep, shaky, nervous breath. "It's you, Riley. I really like you. And I tried not to. I really did. I'm sorry."

"Oh." she says quietly...

***

TEN.

She snakes her hands around his neck.

NINE. EIGHT

He puts his hands gently on her waist.

SEVEN. SIX.

They're staring into each other's eyes. Maya bites her lip.

FIVE. FOUR.

Maya closes her eyes and slowly leans forward. Lucas follows.

THREE. TWO.

Maya feels his lips touch hers. It's soft and gentle and exciting. She slides her hand into his hair. It feels warms and safe against the cold, one of his hands on her waist and the other on her hip. Trying to pull each other closer though it is physically impossible. He's leaning down and pulling her up till she's on her tiptoes.

ONE.

***

"Happy New Year, Farkle." She says, stunned.

"Happy New Year, Riley." He mumbles back.