Riarkle One Shots

We Don't Leave

Tears filled my eyes as Riley said her goodbyes to all of us. She's moving to Arizona to be closer to some of her mom's family that is having a hard time right now. Even though she doesn't leave until tomorrow morning we have to say goodbye tonight because they'll be going to the airport early.

We're sitting in the bay window one last time together. All six of us anyways since Maya's family is going to move in here upon the Matthew's request. Now on it'll mostly be the five of us in this special place.

"And you better visit every chance you get, understand me?" Maya commanded and they hugged one final time.

Riles laughed at her. "Yes ma'am. And you guys call and text me whenever you can."

We all told her we would.

We got up and had our last group hug for a long time, assuming their family gets to come back and visit. Everyone slowly went out to the living room to wait until they had to go home. I couldn't bring myself to leave though. My feet stayed glued to the spot in which I stood.

The brunette stared at me. Her tears haven't stopped all night, but right now they seem to be coming down a bit faster. She walked over to me and took my hand without saying a word.

"Friends don't leave each other, Riley," I barely whispered.

She smiled. "I'm not leaving. I'm just moving away for a bit."

I looked deep into her beautiful eyes. "You can't leave me. I can't lose my best friend. I love you too much to let you go."

"I don't want to go," she choked out. "But you have the other part of our childhood trio. Maya."

I shook my head. "That's not the same," I tried to tell her.

She tilted her head trying to figure out what I meant. "Of course it is Farkle. How is it different?"

"I -uh. Well, it just is."

She gave me a confused look. "Please don't tell me you don't love Maya anymore," the girl pleaded. "You promised to always love us!"

"And I do," I quickly reassured her taking both her hands.

"Then you'll be fine."

I couldn't help myself. I hugged her as tightly as I could, hoping this was all just a bad dream.

"Riley, I do love her it's just-," I hesitated.

She waited for me to say something and when I didn't she asked, "Just what? If she did something you have to tell me."

"No it's not that."

She gave me a sad smile. "Then you'll be fine."

She reached over giving me one last quick hug and a small peck my cheek. "Thank you for always being there for me Farkle. I know you won't see me everyday, but I promise not to lose touch if you promise you won't either."

"I promise," I told her.

She squeezed my hand and walked out of her now empty room. I looked around one last time remembering all the good times all of us had together in this very room. From first grade all the way to now. This room will still be here when she's gone, yet I know it'll never be the same.

Not without her hopeful outlook on life and bright smile. All the optimism and cheerfulness of hers will be gone from our presence for a long, long time. More than that, I won't get to see the way she gets flustered when she realizes she says something silly. Or how she gets embarrassed when she trips over her own two feet. Or the way her face lights up when she finally figured something out, as if her whole world finally makes sense.

I sat in the window. It's the only part of the room everyone left untouched because Maya decided to keep it that way. I think it's to remind us that our sunshine's spirit will always be here.

I rubbed my eyes and took a deep breath. "Yeah Riles, I know I'll be fine, but I don't want to be. Because with you I'm more than fine. I'm king of the world and, of course, you are my queen. Now I'm just okay, but I don't think you get that I'm not even fully okay," I quietly tell the bare walls. "It's that I don't love Maya anymore, just that I love her differently than I do you. I love you so much, even more than just friend, and you are leaving me behind. Not that you want to, but you are. I just hope one day, when things are less complicated, we can be together. Or I can at least work up the courage to tell you how I feel in person."

After I let everything out I went to the living room to take pictures and go home to wait for the day my queen will return.