nine; tuesday

M A Y A

The way they look at each other? Obvious. Their chemistry? Obvious.

I smiled as I looked over at my best friends; this view I saw constantly, science class. I always knew that they would be together forever, but I guess I only assumed that in a friendship way.

Lucas was sitting next to me, staring at the floor. I pat his shoulder, "You okay, cowboy?"

He looked up, startled. "Hm? What? Oh yeah, I'm fine. Just tired."

I chuckled, but he just looked away again. "I know it's hard for you."

He looked up at me, tears striking his green eyes. "Yeah, it is. I feel so awful how I treated her at times, but I really did love her. I am so glad they have each other, but, yeah, it still is hard."

"I understand, Lucas." I agreed, giving him a sympathetic smile.

He scratched the back of his neck nervously, "You know my name, huh?"

"Always have; only used for emotional moments." I grinned.

"Thanks, Maya. That means a lo-"

"You're welcome, Sundance."

He smirked and turned to face the teacher again. I grabbed my pen and began to doodle.

F A R K L EThe lunch bell rang and all of the students erupted from their seats.

I caught up with Riley who was walking by Maya and I grabbed her hand.

"Hey, babe." I said with a smirk and I caught her blush. "How are you today?"

"I have a cold, so that stinks. But, I am fine." She said with a shrug.

Yes, now this will work! Girls like to be treated well when they don't feel well, so that's what I'll do.

"I'm sorry, Riles." I said as I squeezed her hand. "Want to hang out after school at your house, maybe four?"

She smiled, "Yeah, that sounds good."

"Okay, well sit down! I am going to get your lunch!" I said in a rush and ran off.

R I L E Y

"That boy, Riles. He will do anything for you, I tell you. He really loves you, and he is trying so hard!" Maya said.

"He really is amazing." I blushed. Riley, Riley, Riley, stop! You can't do this!

"Lunch for my lady." Farkle said as he set my tray down in front of me. "I asked for extra chocolate icing."

A few 'aw's exploded across the table and I smiled. "Thanks, love."

F A R K L E

I rushed to a floral shop downtown, my backpack swinging. I needed roses, Riley's favorite flower.

I chose a bouquet of roses and headed to the counter. A young guy bagged the flowers and laughed, "girlfriend?"

"Hopefully." was all I could say. I paid and was out of there. Now, the shop.

I grabbed her favorite movie, which was love, rosie along with candy, some chips and two cokes.

My feet couldn't carry me fast enough; I was bursting with excitement just to see her.

R I L E Y

I opened my window because it was so nice outside, which blew a few papers onto the floor. I sat down to pick them up when..

Oomph

Farkle came in the window, slipped and fell right on me. He quickly moved and I just chuckled, "You did that on purpose!" I declared.

He smirked. "Maybe I did, maybe I didn't."

I spotted the bag in his hand, full, and put my hands on my hip. "Farkle, what did you bring?"

"A surprise for my girlfriend. You said you were sick, so-"

"Farkle, I said I was fine. You didn't have to."

He pulled me close, "No, Riley! I want to treat you the way I would for the rest of our lives."

"Okay." I said, stuttering. The term 'rest of our lives' shook me up a little. Not in a bad way, but in a way that made me realize that he was serious. He loved me.

"Sit down, I want to show you what I brought." He instructed. I did and he began to pull out things that melted my heart.

"Your favorite flowers: roses. Your favorite movie: Love, Rosie." He said and handed them to me.

"Aw!" I said as I put my hand to my heart.

He smirked as he held up the food. "Plus, chips, cokes, and.." he paused, wiggling his eyebrows. "chocolate!"

"Come 'ere!" I said as I pulled him into a hug.

F A R K L E

I kissed her and then stepped back. "This is what you would get daily, Riley: someone who would cherish you and take care of you."

Tears welled up in her eyes and I took a step back. I felt awful. She sighed, "Farkle, I know. You're amazing; but, I feel like all these emotions are so overwhelming. Like I don't want to feel them again and be hurt."

"I wouldn't hurt you."

"I know, and I know that I broke up with Lucas, not the other way around. But I'm scared." she sighed, face palming into her hands.

"I don't want you to be scared, Riley." I was dead serious. "I want to show you how much I love you; and not the way he loved you, the way I'd love you. A best friend, just as much as a girlfriend."

She smiled and we went to the living room and turned on the movie.

Tears, everywhere. The movie ended and Riley had tears smeared across her gorgeous face.

"Best friends in love? Wow wow wow! He must have loved her all along, could you imagine that?" She asked, naively.

"I could." I said bluntly and she scrunched up here eyebrows in confusion. "Riley, I have always loved you."

She looked at me blankly and I searched her eyes for signs. She giggled, "Wow, I guess I never realized how you must have felt. I-I'm sorry."

"It's okay; but, yeah, it's been hard."

We sat in a comfortable silence and then all of a sudden, Riley broke out.

"Farkle?"

She snapped me into reality. "Hm?"

"Do you, uh, remember our first date? The pink hippo, the smoothie?" She asked with a nervous raise of her brow.

"Of course."

"Well, you, oh, began to tell me why you have been in love with me since first grade. Never did; Maya stole you."

I smirked, "Oh, right, would you like to know why then?"

"Yes yes yes!" She cheered, jumping on the couch.

"Once upon a time," I began, a fairytale not so much. "I met two girls, best friends. A fierce blonde and a quirky brunette. The brunette didn't laugh at my name, but I promised to love them equally and I did. Until I started realizing just how much I loved that brown eyed, spunky brunette best friend of mine. I loved her although she was blinded by her crushes, until one day I had the nerve to do something."

"Farkle," she began. "I'm truly sorry."

"For what? Me falling for you? Don't be. I don't regret it a bit." I said, a smile on my face. I kissed her cheek and stood up. "Riles, I gotta go. But, I'll see you tomorrow. Okay?"

She smiled and followed me to the door. "Okay, boyfriend, day two complete. Lo- I mean, see ya."

She almost said love you. Yes!

R I L E Y

I almost blew it; I almost said the three words that could potentially ruin our friendship.

Snap outta it, Matthews. Best friends. B-e-s-t-F-r-i-e-n-d-s. That's all we are.

(a/n; okay, i didn't want Lucas to seem like a jerk so I wanted you to see his side of it a bit: a good guy, not a compatible relationship.)