Riarkle One Shots

Promised

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"So he picked Maya?"

Riley doesn't move. Her head stays still in my lap. The only reason she does move is to pull the blanket tighter around her body. I want to ask her again, but she answers me.

In a hushed tone she says, "He didn't get the chance to choose. I said I don't like him."

"Why would you lie?"

"I didn't," she says a little louder. "I haven't liked him for a long time."

Now I'm confused. "Then why are you crying?"

Her voice drops to the point that I can barely hear her. "Maya and Lucas are mad that I didn't end the triangle sooner."

I stroke her hair to comfort her. I get why they are mad, but that isn't entirely fair. She had a hard time with this too. "I'm not going to say that they are right to be mad because they aren't, but why didn't you end it?"

"I just couldn't face my feelings," she tries to explain.

I don't say anything because I don't want to push her. We just sit in silence trying to figure out what will happen next.

"Farkle?"

"Yeah," I reply looking into her eyes.

"Promise me you won't leave," she says with such fear in her eyes.

I give her the most serious look I can muster and promise.

She sits up and puts her head on my shoulder. She takes a deep breath before saying, "I knew that I liked someone else, but I wasn't sure if I still liked Lucas."

I furrow my eyebrows. It never occurred to me that she could like someone besides the Texan. I mean she has every right to like anyone she wants, I just didn't think she'd want that.

"May I ask who this other boy is? I mean if you two end up being together I want to have a talk with him. I may not be much, but I'm crazy protective when it comes to you."

She smiles. "You don't need to talk to him."

"And why not?"

"Well, he's a great guy who will never hurt me."

I sigh. "Riles, even good guys can end up hurting someone. Intentional or not."

Her voice drops yet again making me lean towards her to hear. "But I know you would never hurt me."

Wait what? Me? Is she serious? I mean Maya always teases us, but I thought that was just a joke. Wait if Maya got mad at Riley she probably didn't know either. Unless Maya guessed, but wasn't sure until today. I can't think about that right now. I need to think about my feelings towards Riley. Do I love this little ball of sunshine? Yes. But do I like her like that?

"Why didn't you tell me?" I ask.

"Well Smakle moved only a few weeks ago. I didn't want to make it seem like I was just waiting for the right opportunity or something."

That makes sense. Now what do I do?

"Riley, I'm not saying I don't like you, but I need time to figure out my feelings," I gently tell her.

She nods. "I know. Just please don't leave me."

I pull her into me. "I promised and I intend on keeping that promise."