Experimental Love (zaydora a.u)

Chapter 2. the hunt

"How do I even begin?" I ask, exasperated. I fall back onto Riley's bed staring at the ceiling.

Maya and Riley were seated at their precious bay window, searching the yearbook for guys I could consider Farkle's replacement.

"Like we said ages ago, find a guy. That's the first step. Now get over here and check our list." Maya said. I groaned, but got up and trudged my way to them.

Riley held out the small notepad and smiled shyly, "I may not approve of this bet but I can't lie. The hunt for your new bae is quite exciting."

I roll my eyes and laugh, "You would, Riles."

The Hit List:

1. Charlie Gardner
2. Ray Harber
3. Troy Simpson
4. Aaron Gibson
5. Andrew Hamilton
6. James Bradley
7. Ron Currie

"First of all, CHARLIE GARDNER?!" I exclaim, shaking the list in my hand.

Maya shrugs, "Kid's desperate."

Riley, "Hey now. Charlie's single and nice."

I close my eyes and pray for an asteroid to land on me. Then I scan the list again, trying to pull info of these names. "OMG. Maya, the last 3 are your exes!"

Riley wiggles her brows, "Technically they never dated."

"You make it sound like I'm Missy!" Maya smacks Riley's arm.

I laugh, Riley did have a point.

Drew, James and Ron were summer flings of Maya's. She said she was merely "getting experience for a more lasting relationship" / aka passing the time whilst playing the long game with Josh.

It must be so nice knowing Josh is out there and that they'd be together someday.

And then there was Riley and Lucas, the shining couple. After they settled the whole triangle fiasco, the two shot out to the land of pink hearts and puppies.

I don't know how Farkle and I got like this. Eight grade seems so long ago and the memory of who we once were seems too good to have been real.

I think our problems began last year.

Being sophomores, counselors advise students to start their college planning if they haven't already. This lead to weeks of research and comparing schools.

Farkle and I had assumed we were going to Harvard together but then I found that MIT was a much better prospect for my goals. My parents flew me out there to tour the campus and get a better feel before committing myself to it.

When I told Farkle about the trip he reacted in such a negative way.

He was mad about me not wanting to go to Harvard and that I was using our winter break to go to MIT.

Then I got mad at him because I felt he was trying to control my future and was being a total ass.

Things were extremely prickly between us and we ignored each other the entire break. But we eventually made up.

However the seed of animosity had been planted and I think that I was feeling too big for Farkle. He had the same dreams as he had when we first dated and disagreed with change.