Chapter 1
Toby sat down next to me and Emily as we waited for Ezra to walk in and start class. I couldn't stop thinking about how happy Ezra and Simone had looked talking to each other this morning.
"Can I borrow your chemistry notes?" He asked as Ezra came in and Toby went back to his seat, I nodded my head at him since Ezra came in before I could answer him before. Ezra placed his coffee down and stood in front of his desk.
"Good morning everyone. Since today is half a day, I'll let you guys just relax. But first I do want to talk about our next assignment." Ezra said and half the class started getting excited about the fact we didn't have to do anything in class.
"Ok, so since we finished To kill a mockingbird way earlier than planned, we'll start Romeo and Juliet on Wednesday. Throughout the next few weeks as we read through it, I want you and your partner to decide on what to do as your book project. It can be anything, BUT if you choose to do a scene on camera or live in the classroom, there CANNOT be actual weapons. I cannot stress that enough guys, no real weapons. And I'll let you pick your partners, BUT it does have to be someone you haven't worked with already. Find your partner." Ezra said and I felt someone take my hand in theirs, I could see Ezra staring and trying not to be obvious about it. Turning my head, I saw Toby trying not to laugh.
"Okay then. Hey Spence, Toby finally knows what's its like to hold a girl's hand." I said smirking at him and he rolled his eyes as Spencer started giggling.
"Are you always this annoying?" Toby asked as Ezra got his clipboard off his desk.
"Only for you." I said sweetly and Spencer held back her laughing as Dave came over towards her. She nodded and he sat down next to her.
"Ok, since everyone seems to have their partner. Let's go in order, so I can also take attendance. If your partner is called before you, I'm still also going to call and ask you. In case someone tries to partner up with a different person." Ezra said clearing his throat and Toby narrowed his eyes at me.
"Don't even think about it." He said and I could see Ezra trying not to stare at us, while trying to find the first person on his seating chart.
"Too late, already thinking." I said and he chuckled at me.
...
I watched from the corner of my eye, Ezra and Simone talking over by his desk. She had come in a few moments after Ezra finished his list of who were partners. After they met this morning while we had been setting up for the dance a thon, Simone kept mentioning how she thought they would make a cute couple. Ezra wasn't saying a thing about that isn't possible or that he had a girlfriend.
"We need to do something after school." Toby said after Ezra finished listing partners.
"Maybe something we haven't done in awhile." I said and they nodded.
"What about the beach?" Toby asked, Spencer and I looked at each other then raised our eyebrows at him. He chuckled at our reaction.
"You just wanna see girls in bathing suits, Besides the beach is closed now." Spencer reminded him and I happened to see Ezra glance over here as Simone laughed at something he said.
"What about the library? They have new encyclopedias!" Spencer said excitedly and I put my head in my hands.
"Emily, our friends are lame." I said and I could hear her and Maya laugh.
"Spencer thinks the library is fun. Spence, this is why Hanna and I think you're a little scary. You. Don't. Need. To. Know. Any. More. Words." I said and Spencer looked over to Toby.
"Do you think I'm scary?" Spencer asked him and I held back a snicker.
"I'm gonna respond the way I would when aria asks if she's pretty. No, I do not think you're scary." I nearly fell out of my chair laughing.
"You don't think Aria's pretty?" Spencer asked, getting Ezra and Simone to glance over.
"I think she's very pretty! I meant uh, ummm. I think... she's very very pretty!" Toby started stammering and I could see Emily silently dying of laughter over in the back corner with Maya and Hanna. Ezra just gave Toby the same stare he did earlier when Toby held my hand.
"He meant, he's giving you the answer you want to hear. He just worded it wrong, he values his life." I said patting Toby's arm.
"I love how Aria knew what Toby meant the whole time." Maya said laughing. I rested my head on his shoulder as Toby laughed.
"When you know someone for twelve years, you build a bond with that person." Toby told her and Spencer glared at us, I happened to see Ezra trying not to glare.
"I'm bonded to you for life babe." I said taking her hand, making her laugh.
"Cause you got me, and baby I got you." Spencer quietly sang, getting us to laugh a little. She has been singing that song by Sonny and Cher ever since we learned it in 2nd grade.
"Since we got off topic, what are we doing after school?" I asked and both of them shrugged, I was going to go over to Ezra's but he cancelled our suppose to be movie date because Simone wanted to get drinks with him and my parents. Spencer glanced over towards Ezra then looked down at her phone.
"Ugh, I cant hang out anymore. Melissa and Ian want to go to Philly for lunch and that means I have to go now." Spencer said groaning and I rubbed her back.
"So it's just you and me." Toby said and I smiled.
"Good, didn't want her coming anyway." I fake whispered and Spencer glared at me.
"You love me, we're bonded for life." I said getting her to laugh at me. Before anyone could anything else the bell rang.
"You know, I believe we have chemistry together." Toby said and I raised an eyebrow at him as I grabbed my backpack, I could see Ezra trying not to glare at Toby. But he was clearly failing at it, luckily for him no one had noticed.
"You're a dork. Emily's in chem with us, or did you just happen to forget about her?" I asked and he laughed.
"You two are ridiculous." Spencer said as we started walking out, normally I would stay behind to talk with Ezra. But that clearly wasn't going to happen today, since Simone is here.
"You wanna bake some cupcakes? I forgot that I have to bake them for home ed after school." I asked as we all separated to go to our own classes. Emily had to stop at her locker before heading to class, so it was just me and Toby now.
"Sure, do I get to lick the spoon?" Toby asked as we stopped at a vending machine, Toby pushed the button for packaged cookies.
"Don't you always? You better share those cookies with me Cavanugh." I said and he chuckled before offering me a couple.
"Come on, the sooner we get to class the sooner school will end." Toby said and we hurried towards chemistry.