All Smiles

Happy New Year Riley

The boy was panting, he had never chased after anyone faster in his whole life. His beanie had even began to slide off, causing him to abruptly to remove it as he ran.

"Riley, please slow down." He repeated.

Riley, however, didn't show any signs of stopping for him. She had just seen Maya and Lucas kiss moments ago, when the clock struck midnight on New Year's Day.

Her own best friend and her long time crush. She knew she liked him. Ever since Texas Maya had been confiding in her all the time about what Huckleberry teased her about that day.

Riley couldn't ignore the flirting on his end either. She should have known it was only a matter of time that they finally give into their feelings for each other.

What she couldn't understand though, was why it hurt so bad. She had told the world and herself that she was fine with Maya and Lucas dating.

But her racing heart and sudden rise of jealousy proved that she she wasn't. Farkle was right after all.

Riley froze after turning a block onto an unknown street in New York. At this point even Farkle didn't know where they were. He figured she was lost too but in the heat of the moment probably hadn't realized it herself.

He took this opportunity to push her into an ally cornering her against the dumpster.

"Riley! Jesus, will you listen for a minute?" He tugged on her wrists forcing her to look him dead in the eyes.

She was only glaring at him, "What is it Farkle? What is, that's so important that you just had to chase me and shove me into this stupid ally."

He sighed.

"I'm sorry, about what happened back there." He apologized solemnly, "I honestly thought he still liked you."

She was about to shove him off out of spite for what sounded like such an inconsiderate comment but she noticed how concerned he looked. I mean running after someone for 5 minutes straight was a feat, especially for someone like Farkle who notably hates any form of physical activity.

He laid off.

"Me too." Was all she was able to say, it seemed she had just realized how much his company meant to her. She wouldn't be able to cry at home since she herself had given Maya the spare key and really anyone may enter through her window seat. Riley was sure Maya would try to look for her there and she didn't feel like seeing her now. Right now, what she needed was a hug.

Riley embraced him.

"Farkle." She mumbled as the tears fell down her cheeks. She couldn't hold in her emotions any longer.

It was nice being alone in a secluded part of New York City, even if it was beside a dumpster.

After moments of crying into Farkle's shoulders she finally gave a deep sigh and gently let go of him.

She leaned her back against the ally's brick wall and slid to down to a seated position on the floor.

"Thank you Farkle," She smiled weakly "I needed that."

Farkle sat down in front of her.

"No problem," Farkle responded but continued with an afterthought. "You know, I should say that I'd hate to see you cry. But honestly, I'm a little relieved."

She stared at him confused, "What do you-"

"It's unhealthy being so happy go lucky all the time. A person could go crazy doing that, especially the way you have been pretending to be these last couple of months." He responded.