Spencer's Point of View
And I will always love you
I will always love you…
The music seemed faded around me, all of it melting into the blur that, evidently, my life had turned into. I nearly laughed at the irony this song was providing. My friends had been shooting me weird looks all night, but now they looked downright concerned.
"Spence?" Aria began, turning away from our former teacher Mr. Fitz, but still squeezing his hand. The happy couple had finally 'come out', so to speak, recently. Of course, all of us girls had known much longer than the rest of Rosewood's residents, but the advance knowledge came with the burden of secret keeping. "Do you maybe want to go home? We can all come over, or leave you alone if you don't want company. I did hear that there was a special at that Chinese restaurant though—if you don't feel like hanging around the school."
Honestly, his dance was keeping my pathetic mind off of my situation a lot better than being home would. I love Aria for trying, but I had to reply with, "thanks but no thanks. You dance away. I'm just going to go to the restroom."
No sooner had I spoken the words than Emily rushed up, also dateless. At least I wasn't the sole person without a significant other. Well, in all fairness, hers had skipped town and flown coach to California so it wasn't her fault. Mine was—I'd deliberately pushed Toby away and it felt awful.
The song changed to an upbeat, up-tempo number and, breathless, Emily stopped me in my tracks. "Spencer!" She blurted, panting heavily from her hustling over to me. "I think…you should stay here. Now. We should get some punch!"
She practically dragged me over to the punch bowl, which looked suspiciously neon red and reeking of artificial fruit. "Em? Can we slow down now? Some of us aren't varsity swimmers on scholarship you know!" I meant this jokingly, and she knew it. Just last week before her mom flew back to Texas to be with her dad, they had been ecstatic to find a scholarship promise from Danby, a swimmer's dream school.
Blushing, she responded with a "thanks". She kept glancing nervously up to the entrance stairs, and I wondered why, but didn't call her out on it. Was Emily expecting a guest? I knew her abrupt end with Maya was still a sensitive subject, so I remained silent.
With one more look at the door to our elaborately decorated gym, her face changed; relaxed. "OK, I'm gonna go request a song. Just stay…here." At this, she left me standing puzzled by the potentially toxic beverage bowl as she scurried as far away from me as possible.
"What gives?" I said aloud, to no one in particular. A familiar pair of strong arms wrapped themselves around my waist, and a comforting voice spoke.
"I don't know. I guess some people just leave for a reason they can't explain to some people."
I whirled around, not sure whether to be shocked, upset, or elated. I chose the latter. "Toby!" I exclaimed, hugging him tightly. "I really, really missed you. And I'm so sorry about the whole Wren thing. It wasn't true, you know that—I only saw him once and it was because I was so sad about losing you. Really you're the only one for me, even after Alex but forget him and I couldn't sleep when you were gone I hope you can forgive me and—"
He cut me off by planting a sweet kiss on my lips. Laughing, he said, "Spence, it's OK! You can stop rambling now. And who's this Alex kid?"
I should've been embarrassed but his smile was intoxicating. "No one, he's been gone for a long time now. Hey, wait, you never told me where you were!"
"That's because you never gave me a chance to! A person can't get a word in edgewise with you." He teased, still exhibiting his boyish smile.
"If you must know, come outside with me." Was I scared at these words? Sure. But it was Toby, and I trusted him with my life. I know he'd never hurt me, so hand in hand we started on our way out the door. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Emily watching us, a small smile playing on her face. The same knowing facial expression was on Hanna and Aria, who were also looking. It was then that I realized they'd known all along. Well, Emily had definitely known all along, and I wasn't sure about Hanna, but Aria probably didn't, as she offered to go home with me.
Home? Home is a joke. Toby is home. His arms are my castle, and I only feel safe when I'm around him. I know it sounds way sappy and very un-stereotypical to me, but I think Toby is more of a home than I've ever had.
We walked gingerly over to the benches outside the school, cool evening air brushing up against our bodies and the sky casting a pool of midnight blue on us. As we sat down our eyes met each other and we locked gazes. His baby blue, watery, deep orbs and my dark brown ones connected in such a way it can only be described as transcendental. No one else was outside, not even a few stray stragglers or kids who felt they were "too cool for school". Everyone else was inside, and we owned the night.
"So where were you?" I finally inquired, unable to suppress the question any longer. He grasped my hand in his warm, calloused ones. Butterflies rose to the surface of my stomach as I melted beneath this touch.
"I was thinking. I realized how much you meant to me, and that I couldn't let someone else have you. I couldn't lose you, because I love you so much. I realized how I need you and I would be heartbroken without you. I figured out that I had to find a way to show you that I want to be with you forever."
Hands slightly shaking, he reached into his pocket and produced a jewelry box. One fit for a ring—oh my gosh! Was he going to—no. He couldn't be. As I stared in disbelief, he opened the top of the velvet receptacle and my eyes must've widened. There lay the most breathtakingly beautiful, stunning sapphire band I'd ever seen. It was alternating the blue gems and diamonds in tiny patches with no stand alone stone. He knew me so well…how could he have known to pick just the perfect ring?
"Spencer Hastings, I love you so much. We don't have to do this anytime soon, but I need to be with you. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
I'm sure I just gawked at him for ages, Toby absolutely smoking in a light blue button up shirt and jeans. My mind was racing a mile a minute, but my heart's desire was clear. Say yes!
So I did. "Yes!" I cried, tears streaming down my face, I'm sure in an unattractive manner. "Toby, it's gorgeous. And I want to be with you always. I'm so sorry I made you feel like something had come between us. I love you, so much." We embraced for awhile until he pulled away and looked at me for the longest time. Then he brought me in again and our lips collided in the most fantastical kiss ever. I saw sparks dancing and the joy that filled me is indescribable. Somehow, without me knowing it, he had slipped the ring on my finger.
"I'm engaged!" I said, stating the obvious. I was numb. I was giddy. I was gleeful. Mrs. Cavanaugh…I mused, and laughed out loud much to Toby's confusion. He smiled at me, and we sat drinking in the moment for the longest time. Wordlessly, the two of us stood up and reentered the gym, receiving nothing but grins from the girls.
This world keeps spinning faster
Into a new disaster so I run to you
I run to you baby
And when it all starts coming undone
Baby you're the only one I run to
I run to you
There was a new song playing, one that really set the mood for the night. Forget about sorrows, and live in the moment. Good things can come out of it! I started formulating wedding plans in my head, already picturing the vows…
