Riley's driving now, and Farkle can't help but stare at her in the dim morning light. Her head is bobbing softly along to the music, and there's still a trace of a blush on her cheeks. She's gorgeous. There's nothing Farkle can do but look at her with immense longing and hope she's still thinking of him, wanting him too.

It's another hour, then they've crossed into New Jersey. "Farkle, I've always wanted to go to Atlantic City, what do you think?" She asks, looking over at him long enough to see the huge smile on his face. 

"Of course, Riles. Anything you want to do. As long as I'm with you, then I'm happy." 

"I-Okay." Riley doesn't exactly know what to say, and she's blushing madly.

They drive for another while until they reach Atlantic City, and the sky is split with lightning. It catches Riley with it's electric beauty, and Farkle's transfixed on her. The way she looks at the sky with wonder.

Farkle gets out even though it's pouring, and opens Riley's door for her and smiles at her. She grins back, and the two of them are captivated in each others' gaze. It's the most beautiful thing Farkle's ever seen when Riley's eyes light up with love when she looks at him. He can't believe he's lucky enough to have her, and he knows he could still lose her. 

He checks them into a hotel, and watches as Riley looks around in shock at the elegant paintings on the wall and the soaring ceilings decorated with glass chandeliers. She strides up the stairs, touching the delicate patterns around her on the walls and beams lightly at each embroidered flower on the intricate carpets. When Farkle takes her to her room, she jumps onto the bed with a flourish and rolls around, laughing uncontrollably. 

Farkle tackles her, kissing her on the nose and then holding her close to him. They snuggle against each other, watching the rain outside and whispering stories to one another until it's past time for dinner.

"Do you want to order in?" Riley asked, but Farkle shook his head. 

"It's our night in this city. Come on, I'm sure we can find some amazing food here. What are you in the mood for?" He asked, curious of her answer.

"I'm up for anything really, I'm so hungry and I'm not picky." Farkle nodded and grabbed his coat, then stood up, helping Riley off of the bed and hugging her tenderly.

He brings her to the car, opening her door for her and getting in himself. They drive around until Riley sees a place she likes the look of. Imperial Inn, the sign reads, and Riley squeals excitedly. "This looks amazing!" She exclaims, pulling Farkle towards the entrance and tumbling inside. 

The entire building is full of happy energy, and Farkle gets to the front counter, flashing a smile at the lady behind the counter, even though she's obviously at least thirty. "Hey, can we get a table for two, please?" He asks sweetly, a huge simpering grin on his face.

"Right away," She replies, leading us to a table near the windows and handing each of us a menu and a glass. "What can I get for you for beverages?" She queries, pulling out a small notepad from her back pocket and a pen.

"I'll have a sparkling lemonade." Riley tells her, taking Farkle's hand and readjusting her place settings.

"And I'll have a water, please." Farkle responds, smiling at her again. She bustles away from their table and back to the kitchens. "So what do you want, Riles?"

"The guy I'm here with to stop drooling over the waitress that is A) too old for him and B) not me!" She replies, glaring him down and raising her eyebrows.

"Alright, alright, fine." Farkle says back, laughing just a little. "I wasn't trying to anyway."

"I want the Chicken Chow Mein. What about you?" She changes the subject, refusing to keep going with this conversation.

"I think I'm gonna have the Shrimp Fried Rice." Farkle decides finally, setting the menu down and squeezing Riley's hand with vigor. "Riley, don't worry about that waitress, she could never compare with you anyway. I only like you."

The waitress comes back with their drinks, setting them in their respective places and then taking their orders. She rushes back to the kitchen and tells the cook. Riley and Farkle sit closer and smile shyly at one another. Riley brushes Farkle's hair out of his eyes and kisses his cheek.

"I only like you, too, Farkle. Thank you for this, for everything. It's been a ton of fun, being here with you." Riley tells him, smirking deeply when he blushes. 

The woman comes back with their food close to ten minutes later. Farkle takes his napkin and sets it over his lap, then takes his spoon and scoops some rice onto it. He takes it in a mouthful and chews slowly, closing his eyes. "This is amazing." He whispers.

Meanwhile, Riley takes a piece of the Chow Mein and nibbles on it carefully. Her eyes widen and she pops the entire bit of chicken into her mouth. She tries to grasp some noodles with her chop sticks but fails. 

"Here, Riles, come here." Riley scoots her chair closer to him and he wraps his hand around hers, moving her fingers to the correct position on the small wooden utensils. Her mouth forms an 'o' when she gets it, but she doesn't want to move away. She moves her plate to her, and starts eating with the chopsticks properly. Farkle pecks a kiss onto her temple gently and returns to his food. 

In a half hour, they're done eating and the waitress comes to get their plates. Farkle leaves the bill with a large tip and guides his arm around Riley, walking with her outside. 

"What about dessert?" Farkle looks to Riley with a pouty look on his features, and she laughs delicately. 

"I don't know, they obviously don't have it, we could look around."

Farkle gets back into the car and Riley takes her own seat, and they drive for a while before finding a little cafe on the edge of town. Riley "aww"s at the sight of it, and Farkle stops immediately. 

"Come on, this looks good." Riley skips inside, with Farkle following, and the two of them stop just inside the doors. It smells of sugary desserts and crispy waffle cones. The small brunette takes a deep breath in and exhales with a look of pure happiness etched on her facial features. Farkle laughs a little at her face and makes his own face of awe at the many choices of desserts in front of the both of them.

Riley orders two scoops of berry gelato in a waffle cone, and Farkle asks for a chocolate chunk cookie and chocolate gelato. Riley takes a lick of her dessert and smiles giddily. "This is so good!" She exclaims, and Farkle smiles widely at her response. Riley takes more of her gelato and giggles when she realizes she got some on her nose. Farkle wipes it off with his thumb and licks it, sighing with content. He kisses her chin and winks at her. She lays her head on his shoulder as she continues to eat her ice cream.

They sit in a booth and talk while they finish off their desserts and pay. "Farkle, why does your dad care so much that you take over the family business? If you don't want to do it, then why is he trying to make you?"

"Because he has no problem with pushing me around, he never has had a problem with it. And, because my mom's not here to stop him anymore. Ever since she left, he's gotten worse. She would at least hold him off for a bit, but now, he can do whatever he wants and get away with it." His voice is dangerously close to a whisper because he's scared he'll cry and though he trusts Riley, he doesn't want to cry in front of her.

"That's terrible, Farkle. So how does this work again? Your dad is just gonna cut you off completely?" She asks, looking so concerned for the guy she cares so much about.

"I guess. He hasn't really stated specifically the terms and conditions, but I'm assuming when he finds out that I've left here, and that I'm using money he gave me for this, he's not going to be happy. My best guess is that he'll probably disown me at the least." He laughs a little, and Riley wipes a tear from the corner of his eye.

"Farkle, it's going to be okay. He can't get to you now, and he can't hurt you. You're an adult now, you can take him up in court, if you want." 

"No, I just...don't want to deal with him at all anymore, Riley. He's hurt me for so long, I don't want to give him the chance to do it again. It's not worth it." He looks hurt, too, and Riley reaches for his arm, placing her hand on it and smiling at him gently.

It's dark outside when they finally finish, and Farkle hands Riley his jacket. She bundles it around herself and beams at the huge size of it. She twirls around as the rain pours down, and chuckles at the rain drops landing on her eyelashes and cheeks. Farkle looks on and smiles at her silliness. He loves her for it, maybe more than he should. She seemed like a different person from when he first met her. At first, she had been so cynical and critical of the world. 

But she had changed. Ever since she hadn't had to worry so much about her parents' divorce and had been able to talk to him, it seemed like she opened up and became her younger self, almost.

Farkle makes his way to the nearest store, looking for an umbrella, and gets one for cheap. He walks out to Riley, holding it over her head. Within seconds, the pouring rain collapses the poor frame of it and they're soaked once again. The two of them reopen it, only to find the same result. It's pouring even harder now, and all they can see is the rain drops like daggers falling to the ground. 

"Screw it." Farkle finally announces. "I don't mind the rain anyway." He winks at Riley, and she giggles gently. He grabs her hand and they race through the city, looking for the prettiest statues, the brightest lights, anything that can bring up their mood and help them to forget everything of home, everything of what is waiting for them when they go home.

YAY GUYS ANOTHER CHAPTER I'M SO PROUD OF MYSELF

Also, um, can we talk about how THEY'RE FLIPPING CANCELLING GIRL MEETS WORLD?!?!??! UNACCEPTABLE

Love you all, hope you enjoyed this!

LanaRae :)