Static [Riley Mattews]

12 - The Truth

Noah, Riley, and Maya found Farkle lying down on the stage when they entered.

Noah looked at Farkle, sympathetically. He felt bad. Riley built up his confidence only to realize he was a terrible actor. 

"Farkle," Riley said, "I need to talk to you. I've been looking all over for you."

Maya picked up a spear and softly jabbed him with it.

"Farkle," she said.

"Farkle's gone," Farkle said. "He gave up the chess club. He gave up the chemistry club."

"What happened?" Riley asked.

"You happened," Farkle said. "You told me I was good. Well, I just auditioned for the next play."

"Are you gonna be in the next play?" Riley asked.

"I'm not even allowed to watch the next play," Farkle said.

"I'm sorry, Farkle," Noah said.

"Yeah," Maya agreed, "I'm sorry you stink."

"I'm sorry I could never hurt you," Riley apologized.

"I'm sorry you stink," Maya repeated.

"I heard you!" Farkle said.

"Well, it was very important," 

Noah nudged her.

"Hey!" she snapped at Noah.

Farkle sighed and sat up. 

"You made me think I was this great actor," Farkle told Riley. "You filled me up with confidence that I was really special. You made me think I could go after something unrealistic."

"Farkle..." Riley began.

Farkle stood up and gave Riley a big kiss.

"Mmmm.... mwuah!"

Farkle then walked off.

Noah stood in his spot, stunned.

"Well..." Maya said, "that happened."

"Is it over?" Riley said.

"Can we talk about this?"

"No," Riley said.

"Because that was your first kiss and it was with Farkle," Maya said.

"He missed," Riley said.

"Still counts," Maya said. " Now for the rest of your life when people ask you, 'Hey, Riley, who was your first kiss?' you're gonna have to say..."

"Eyes, look your last," a voice suddenly said.

Noah sighed.

It was Lucas.

"Oh, yeah!" Riley said, excitedly.

She laid down and folded her arms.

"Arms, take your last embrace," Lucas continued.

Noah took a step back.

The focus is on Lucas now. No one is going to notice if he leaves now.

"And, lips, oh..." 

Lucas's voice became more and more distant as he left. 

***

Noah lay on his bed and wondered and checked his phone.

No texts from Riley or Maya. 

He wondered if they even noticed he was even gone. It didn't even seem like it.

He wondered if they even cared about him. He wondered if began to distance himself from them, they would notice. He wondered if he just randomly stopped talking to them, they reach out to him and see what was going on.

Noah got off of bed and went to the kitchen to get a snack from the fridge. 

He heard the buzzer go off.

"Maya."

"Riley."

Noah's heart leaped. They did notice. At least he hoped that they did.

"Lucas."

He groaned.

Lucas is here.

"And Farkle."

Noah closed the fridge door and walked over to the intercom.

He pressed the button.

"Come up."

A minute later, the apartment door opened and Riley, Maya, Farkle, and Lucas came in.

"Where did you go, Noah?" Lucas asked.

"You were looking for me?" Noah said surprised.

"You sound surprised," Maya noticed.

"You guys could've texted me where I went off to," Noah said.

"Oh, that's right," Riley realized. "We could've called you."

"We're going to get sushi," Farkle told Noah. "Wanna come?"

They all looked hopeful that he would go with them.

"Um, yeah, sure," Noah said. "Alright. Um, just let me just put my shoes on and I'll... don't go anywhere."

Noah went back to his room put his shoes on and grabbed a zip-up hoodie and put it on as he walked out of his bedroom.

"Alright," Noah said, adjusting his hoodie, "I'm ready."

The group left the apartment and went to get sushi for dinner.