Losing Hope (Markle)

Chapter 8

"Wow" Farkle heard Maya say with a sigh when the movie ended.

"You liked it?" He asked, turning to look at her. 

"Yes!" She said with a smile. It was a genuine smile, but it wasn't as full force as he was used to getting from Maya. She was holding back, she had been acting distant ever since her talk with Riley. Farkle knew he shouldn't pry and that it was none of his business, but it was driving him crazy. Maya had opened up to him so much in the past day and he couldn't stand to see her close herself off again.

"I told you that you would enjoy it." He said, returned the smile and trying to keep his voice even. Maya stood up and Farkle's shoulder felt cold where hers had been touching his.

"Good movies Auggie" Maya said, ruffling the boy's hair.

"Now, we can watch the Hobbit trilogy!" Auggie exclaimed and Maya looked slightly alarmed. She turned to Cory for help.

"There's more?"

"There is a prequel series during the time when Bilbo got the ring. It was made recently and isn't as good as the original trilogy, but it's pretty good."

"We'll save that for our next marathon, how's that sound?" Farkle suggested, standing up and stretching his legs.

"Well, what are we supposed to do now?" Auggie complained.

"How about pizza and a game night?" Topanga suggested

"Ohh I have been craving pizza for ages." Katy put in

"You had cold pizza for breakfast this morning!" Protested Shawn

"Exactly, that's a lot of pizza deprived hours." Katy stuck her tongue out at Shawn who simply laughed.

"If my woman wants pizza, then I say let's do it." He said to the cheers of Auggie, the teenagers, and Cory. Topanga went to order pizza and Auggie and Riley went to pick out a game. Farkle tried to catch Maya's eye, but the girl appeared to be in deep in conversation with Zay. There was something about the way she so determinedly stared at Zay that told him that was determined not to look elsewhere, not to look at him he suspected. What had happened during Riley and Maya's Bay Window time? Maybe Riley told Maya that Farkle liked her and that was why Maya was freaking out. The thought alarmed Farkle greatly. He went over to where Riley and Auggie were picking out the games and asked if he could speak to Riley. Riley looked at him, but must've noticed his urgency because she told Auggie that he could pick any game and drew Farkle into her room.

"What's going on Farke?" She asked once she had shut the door behind them.

"Did you tell Maya that I lo...I mean liked her?" Farkle stumbled

"You mean love, and no I didn't tell her" Riley said simply

"Did you hint or try to be sneaky or subtle, because Riley you know that you can't be subtle." Farkle heard his voice begin to rise and attempted to calm himself down. Riley stepped forward and put a hand on his arm.

"What's going on Farkle?"

"Ever since your talk she had been distant. I mean the first movie she sat on my lap and the next she barely seemed to want to sit next to me."

"Oh dear" Riley dropped her hand and walked over to the Bay Window. Farkle followed and sat down next to her. "Maya's actions have everything to do with her feelings and nothing to do with yours Farkle, I didn't tell her how you feel. I simply tried to get how she feels out, because I think she returns your feelings, but is too scared to admit it, even to herself."

"So to try and convince herself that we're just friends she is going to distance herself from me?" Farkle wrinkled his forehead in confusion.

"I don't attempt to know Maya's mind, but please just give her time. Feelings of love don't come easy for her and she hates putting herself out there in fear that she might get hurt."