Chapter Text
Farkle sighed to himself quietly as he sat at his desk, early to class for once. He leaned his chin on his hands, his elbows resting on his desk in empty classroom. As the minutes ticked by, more and more students started to file in as well.
He thought about his plans for the day, his schedule; first classes, then lunch, then more classes. Finally, after school it'd be that time. He was dreading it already.
Riley and Maya walked in Mr. Matthew's room and sat down at their respective desks. They seemed to be in the middle of a conversation about... sea turtles? Never mind, it wasn't important. They didn't seem to notice him so he just kept staring down at his desk in silent contemplation.
Finally, Mr. Matthews filed in and began unloading his briefcase to start class. Wait a second. Farkle checked his phone to see the time. It was 8:30am already.
He whipped around to his left to stare blankly at Lucas' desk. He wasn't here yet?
Riley's father began addressing the class but Farkle let his mind stay stuck on Lucas' absence. Maybe he was just running late?
After fifteen minutes however, Farkle decided the boy must not be coming. He felt a a sort of relief mixed with concern and worry. Riley spun around once her father began writing on the board, his back to the classroom.
Her brows knit with concern she asked, “Hey, Farkle, where's Lucas?”
“How should I know?” he blurted more aggressively than he meant to.
Her pupils grew to the size of saucers in surprise and she turned back around in confusion.
Farkle bit his lip wondering if their friend was just sick or if something worse had happened. At least he didn't have to worry about talking to him. He could put it off one day more, right? No harm done.
He sighed again. Eventually he'd have to bring it up to the guy. He couldn't keep the charade on forever. Or could he?
He slowly tuned back into his surroundings and just tried to pay attention to Mr. Matthews talking.
…
Just five minutes left till lunch. Farkle was anxiously watching the clock. As much as he enjoyed school, or most of it anyway, he really couldn't stand Gym class. Never mind the fact that he wasn't athletic and wasn't any good at any of the physical activity the teacher wanted them to do, mostly it just bored him.
He glanced across the gym and located Riley awkwardly trying to do a somersault. He laughed to himself just as the teacher blew his whistle and announced he was letting everyone go early.
Farkle quickly grabbed his things and headed down the hall towards the cafeteria. A thought floated through his mind reminded him that it was macaroni and cheese day. His stomach rejoiced.
Moving quickly through the hall wanting to beat the crowd his mind turned back to his plans for after school. Should he stop by Lucas'? He'd never been to Lucas' house before. In fact, he wasn't exactly sure where he lived even. Was that sad? They'd been friends for almost a year now.
Turning the corner a little too quickly he found himself almost run face first into someone else. Glancing up he noticed it was the man himself.
Lucas laughed. “Hey Farkle, what's the rush?”
Oh crap.
Farkle let out a sad excuse for a chuckle, an awkward and falsetto sounding laugh causing Lucas to raise his eyebrow questioningly.
Farkle shrugged it off. “Lunch. Where were you?”
“Oh, I had this dentist appointment. Then, my mom decided to treat me to lunch since I was missing most of the morning anyway.”
He changed direction and began walking side by side with Farkle towards the cafeteria they were right outside of.
Farkle nodded. “I see. Well, you didn't miss much. Gym sucked.”
Lucas smiled at him. “Well, I'm sure you were great.”
“I dunno, if you call great failing to make it all the way up the rope climb then falling 10 feet onto the mat below.”
Lucas grinned to himself as he followed Farkle into the lunch line. He glanced back at the taller boy. “What are you smiling at?”
“Nothing.” Lucas laughed.
Farkle rolled his eyes, grabbing a tray as they made their way down the cafeteria line. “I thought you already had lunch?”
“I did. But, no reason not to grab something to snack on.”
They paid and ventured over to an isolated table near the window. Sitting there on opposite sides of the table, Farkle began to get that nervous feeling in the pit of his stomach again.
He wondered where Riley and Maya had wandered off to. He cursed their timing for leaving him alone with Lucas after all. He really had thought the boy was sick. And now, now he'd have to talk to him.
Lucas munched on his bag of chips slowly letting his eyes drift around the busy room. Farkle jabbed at his mac n' cheese, no longer excited about his lunch but now just nervously staring into it.
“So... “ Lucas started, staring at his friend's downcast expression.
Farkle met his gaze. “So... “
“What's new?” the cowboy asked.
“Nothing's new. Why would you ask that? Nothing's new. I don't know what you mean.” Farkle blurted out all in one sentence barely taking a second to breathe.
He forced his eyes back down onto his food quietly. He couldn't do it here. Not now.
Lucas scrutinized the look on his best friend's face deciding that something was definitely new about his behavior. Finishing his bag of potato chips he set it aside and began to drum on the table lightly, rhythmically, to get his friend's attention. “Hey. I have a question.”
Farkle sighed and set his plastic fork down deciding to abandon his food altogether. He was too nauseous anyway. He met his pair of light green eyes in defeat. “What?”
“Would you like to go see a movie with me later?”
Farkle felt like someone had yanked on his chair just then, the feeling of gravity sucking him backwards suddenly was too much. He could have sworn there was some sort of tornado nearby too as all the sound in the room went rushing by his ears and he was left sitting there blankly staring at the boy. “Uh... what?”
Lucas smiled, that way he does, that cute way he does when he feels like the person he's talking to is just being ridiculous and repeated himself.
Farkle took a deep breath. “Uh, yeah, sure. What movie?”
“There's this great new horror flick out that I wanted to check out.”
“Horror? Well, I don't know-”
Lucas sat up straighter in his chair, playful grin on his face. “Why not? You wouldn't be too scared would you?”
Farkle felt himself start to blush but he was in control not his body and his brain commanded his cheeks to remain unrosy. He forced his gaze down at the table for a moment before allowing it to ricochet back up at his best friend. He smiled shyly, “I guess that sounds fun.”
“Good. Then, it's settled. How about I meet you at your place at like, 7?”
What was going on exactly? Was this real life? Was he still passed out on the mat in the gym?
Farkle felt himself nod quietly, unable to respond.
Lucas glanced past him then over towards one of the cafeteria doors. “Oh, there's Riley and Maya.”
He waved them over to their table as Farkle struggled to grasp the concept of what just happened.
…
After school ended Farkle found himself hurrying towards the subway in order to board the first train available heading home. He didn't want to run into Lucas or Maya or even Riley. He just wanted to get home so he could think.
The doors swished closed as the subway train beeped signaling it was pull away from the platform and heading down the line. Farkle stood next to one of the poles barely registering the movement of the train but hanging on anyway.
He thought about reasons why Lucas may ask him to the movies. Maybe he was asking all of them and just failed to mention it. But then why would he bother meeting him at his apartment?
Maybe it was just platonic, after all, the girls probably didn't want to go see a horror movie. Well, maybe Maya would.
Farkle felt claustrophobic for the first time in his life. The train wasn't even that full but something seemed to be clawing at his throat and he had to force himself to take a few deep breaths. He was nervous as hell. Why was he so nervous? This was just a normal, best friends going to the movies together, night.
And he still hadn't talked to him yet. All day long at school together and he hadn't talked to him yet. Why didn't he mention it at lunch? Well, he supposed, going to the movies together meant he could definitely bring it up provided they would be alone and Riley and Maya weren't coming along.
Finally at his stop, Farkle waited behind a few others who were also getting off the train before making his way onto the platform and up the stairs to the street above.
Only 3 hours of nervous tension to go. Oh boy.
…
As soon as Farkle had downed his 7th glass of ice water, the door bell rang to his parent's monstrous penthouse apartment. Abandoning the glass in the sink he slowly strolled through the living room and into the entrance way opening up the heavy wooden door to see Lucas standing on the other side.
He had a look of confusion and shock plastered across his normally serene expression. Farkle waved him inside before shutting the door behind them.
“Uh... buddy?”
“Yes?” the shorter boy asked trying to hide the fact that he was still nervous.
Lucas held out his arms in exaggeration and spun around. “You didn't tell me you lived in a palace!”
Farkle glanced around the penthouse before settling his gaze back on his best friend. He smiled shyly, “Oh. Well, my dad makes a lot of money. And, well, my mom has expensive taste.”
Lucas nodded. “I remember.”
He started to walk around to explore further before abruptly stopping. “Oh, uh, where are your parents?”
Farkle shrugged as he moved past him motioning for him to follow further inside. “I don't know. My mother is on some sort of business trip. My dad? Well, I think he's in Canada. Uh, don't hold me to that. He's been gone the last two weeks traveling.”
Farkle was busy making his way back towards his kitchen for more water. It was a habit he'd picked up somewhere. When he was nervous he drank water. Tons of it. It was strange but thankfully because of it he'd never suffered any bladder infections.
Lucas was surprised. “Oh. Is... that normal? Not knowing where your family is?”
Farkle sucked down another glass and filled it up again before facing him. “I guess. I mean, it is for us. Don't worry. They won't mind I'm going out.”
Lucas nodded somewhat reassured by his friend's nonchalance and glanced around some more.
It occurred to Farkle that his statement was accusatory or strange and he stumbled over his words to quickly try to correct it, again forgetting to stop to take a breath. “Not that they should. Because we're just friends. We're best friends. I don't know what I'm saying. Just that it's no big deal. It's Friday night. I'm a big boy. I can take care of myself. You're just a really nice guy. And, you're my best friend. Did I say that already?”
The taller boy smirked at his friend and began walking towards the kitchen.
“Why you comin' over here like that?” Farkle squeaked.
“You're my best friend. You know that, right?” Lucas smiled.
Farkle nodded sipping at his water some more.
“Come on, we should go or we're gonna be late and miss all the previews.”
“You like to watch the previews too?”
“Yeah, best part.” Lucas grinned and clapped him on the shoulder warmly.
Farkle felt his shoulders relax a bit as he once again abandoned his glass in the sink. He began following Lucas out towards the door when he stopped abruptly. “Uh... actually, can you give me a second? I gotta run to the rest room first.”
And with that he ran up stairs towards his bathroom while Lucas made himself at home on one of the couches to wait.