Crossroads

Chapter 8:

Riley avoided Farkle for the rest of the week. He tried talking to her, but she just made up an excuse and walked away. Farkle found himself falling more out of love with Smackle but at the same time, he didn't want to leave her. Finally Farkle caught Riley at her locker.
"Riley!" He shouted running across the hall to her. She was about to walk away but Farkle grabbed her by the hand.
   "Farkle please let me go!" Riley begged.
   "No! I won't until I find out what's going on!" Farkle insisted.
   "Please Farkle..."
   "Riley, I have to know why your ignoring me! You are one of the most important people in my life and I care about you so much! If I lost you, I don't know what I'd do."
   "Farkle," Riley said near tears. "You shouldn't say things like that to me."
   "But Riley..."
    "No, Farkle! I have to go!" She tugged her hand away from him and ran down the hall. Farkle stood there, looking after her sadly. Maya walked up to him.
   "Hey, if you want to know what's going on with Riley, I can tell you." She said.
   "Please tell me!" Farkle begged.
   "Come with me." Maya ordered them dragged him into the janitors closet.
   "So... Riley's in love with me?" Farkle asked breathlessly after talking to Maya.
   "Yes she is." Maya responded.
   "Then why is she ignoring me?"
   "Because you and Smackle are together. And she doesn't want her heart broken."
   "She knows I would never break her heart!"
   "Really? Then how do you feel about her?" Maya questioned.
   "Riley? Well I... I... look it's complicated. I do love her as more than a friend but I can't imagine leaving Smackle." Farkle said with a sigh.
   "So you don't really love Smackle?"
   "No..."
   "Then aren't you hurting them both by lying?"
    "Well I guess so. But I can't break up with Smackle! I just can't."
   "Look, I'm not going to get involved in this mess. And I think you know what you need to do." Maya said. And with that, she left the closet, leaving Farkle behind her.