Chapter 6
See Me
Life used to be simple. Toby would go to school, spend time with his friends and family, have some fun, and then try to do a little bit of school work to keep him afloat. It all changed when a curve ball was thrown into the mix and her name was Spencer. Now almost every one of his thoughts would consist of what he could do to get next to her or what he could find that they had in common. Something to get her to actually pay him some kind of attention.
Even now as they drove in his truck in the middle of the night it remained dead silent in the truck. He would glance at her from time to time for some odd reason he just had the urge to look. When he wasn't looking he'd feel her eyes on him too and he'd just smirk, pretending like he didn't even notice. He couldn't believe that she actually agreed to go with him and he couldn't believe that he was about to actually share something so important with her.
"If you brought me out here to kill me then don't drag it along just get it over with." She said and he couldn't hold back his laughter.
"We're here." He parked his truck in the middle of a vacant road. She looked around in confusion before turning to him.
"Ummm."
"Let me explain. It was about two years ago and I had just gotten my first motorcycle for a birthday present. It needed a lot of work, but I still loved it anyway. My dad told me it wasn't a good idea to be riding it until it was completely restored, but I didn't listen. So one night it was raining and I was running home late because I was out with some girl, so I'm coming down this road and the light turns red. I go to hit my brakes, but I don't stop."
"What happened?"
"Without any brakes I couldn't stop and there was a car coming and the next thing I know I'm flying through the air, but I felt...so calm. Anyway, I wake up in the hospital a day later and I learned that I almost didn't make it, but I pulled through. It turns out the woman, who ran into me, tried to swerve and not hit me, but she still did and in the process she lost control of her car. She was pregnant...and she died."
"Toby-" She surprisingly reached over and held his hand.
"The look on that woman's husbands face when he found out his wife and kid didn't make it is something that will be stuck with me forever. I never told anyone about the accident so everyone really thought I was sick with the flu for a couple of weeks." He wiped away the few tears that had fallen down his face."Being an asshole is the only protection I have for people who want to get close to me. If I do something stupid like that again I never want anyone close to me to experience that kind of pain or sadness."
"It was accident, Toby."
"My dad told me not to ride it and I did it anyway. It was completely my fault-" He stopped his rambling when Spencer pulled him into her arms. And he just broke down. So they sat there in his truck, in middle of the street, with her holding him as he let go some of the pain he had been feeling for a long time.
"You were out pretty late last night." Toby glanced up at his dad before going back to working on his truck."So you're just going to ignore me, Toby?"
"I'm sorry, dad."
"Where'd you go last night?"
He thought back to him and Spencer just sitting his truck as she held him. He'd never cried in front of a girl before. Honestly, he'd never cried in front of anyone before. After he let it all out he offered to take her back home and he drove her back in silence. He said goodnight and waited until she got inside before heading home.
"I, uh, went to go see Noel. Apparently, he was having some trouble with his car."
"Right. What's her name."
Toby accidentally banged his head on the hood of truck."Who?"
"Okay, you're not ready to tell me yet, but when you are I'll be here to listen."
"Thanks, dad, but there's no girl and besides you know having a girlfriend isn't my style."
"Alright, but next time you go to help Noel be sure to tell us that you're leaving. You had us worried sick last night."
"I will. I promise." His dad gave him a nod of the head before turning and leaving Toby to continue working on his truck.
"I'm starting to think that Spencer and I are connecting." Andrew said out of the blue to Toby and Noel.
They were sitting at Toby's mothers are bakery after school, studying. A few days had passed since Toby's night out with Spencer. She didn't mention it and neither did he. It was almost like that night never happened and that was sorta okay to him. He'd shared a secret with her and that's what he wanted his secret to stay. A secret.
"Oh really?" Questioned Noel.
"I've never meet someone more like me. It's almost strange, but she's so perfect."
"You sure she feels the same way about you? Because she could easily feel something for me or Toby-" Noel looked in Toby's direction."Scratch that. She could easily feel something for me."
"Hey, why couldn't she feel anything for me?"
"Because she literally hates your guts, Toby."
"Noel's right, Tobes. Out of all of us you're probably the one she hates the most."
"Speak of the devil." Toby muttered when he noticed Spencer and Hanna walking into the bakery, then head straight for the front counter.
Noel jumped up on his feet."If you'll excuse me I have a bet to win."
"Man, I hope she doesn't fall for his garbage." Andrew said before turning back to his textbook.
Toby watched as Noel made his up to Spencer. She smiled when she saw him and they engaged in conversation. Noel turned his attention to Hanna for a moment and Toby watched as Spencer's eyes searched the room looking for someone. Her eyes landed on him and he expected a frown or a dirty look, but she did something that surprised him. She smiled.
He smiled back at her and thought about going over to her, but he remembered the rule that no one can interfere when one of them was with Spencer. Still, his eyes stayed locked on her until Noel broke their connection by stepping in front of her. He stood up and began gathering up his books.
"Where are you going?" Andrew asked.
"I think I'm gonna go home I'm starting feel a little funny."
"Okay, hope you feel better, man."
"Thanks, Andrew. I'll see you later."
He made his way to the door, but he made sure to stop at the front counter to let the cashier know that anything Spencer or Hanna wanted was free of charge. He didn't bother to say anything to them, so he continued out the door and to his truck.
Toby made his way home a few hours later. When he got there the house was empty. He parents were out somewhere and Jenna was probably off somewhere with Shana. He thought about going to visit his mom and stepdad, but remembered that they were still out of town. So he was going to have to spend the evening solo.
He made his way into the kitchen to get a snack. He had just opened the fridge when the doorbell rang. Sure, he didn't really want to be alone, but he didn't want to be hungry either. He made his way back to front door and he was surprised to see a certain brunette standing on his doorstep.
"Hi."
"Hey."
"Well, are you going to invite me in?"
"Right, sorry." He stepped back so that she could come inside and he shut the door after she was in."What are you doing here?"
"Would you believe me if I said I was just in the neighborhood?"
"No, but since you're here, would you like to join me for a snack?"
"Sure."
"Follow me." He led the way to the kitchen and the funny feeling was starting to resurface."What do you have a taste for?"
"I don't care I'll just have what you have."
His eyes scanned the fridge before finally settling on a decision."Fruit salad?"
"Sounds good."
"Here sit up here." He patted a spot on the island counter and she hopped on it before he joined her."So what really brings you to my humble abode?"
"I honestly don't know. I just dropped Hanna off and I was on my way home, but I ended up here."
"Uh huh." He watched her for a moment as he watched her it the strawberries from the bowl in between them. He like a creep."You coming here wouldn't happen to do with what happened the other night?"
"No...maybe."
"Okay, so what do you have questions? Did you want me to tell you how it felt to almost die? What did you want to know?"
"I didn't want to know anything. I juse wanted to let you know that if you ever needed to talk to someone or a shoulder to even cry on then I'm here."
"Seriously?"
"Seriously."
"Does this mean we're friends now or something."
"No, but I don't hate you anymore, so that's a start."
"I guess it is." He chuckled as he hopped off the counter, taking the bowl of fruit with him."How good are you at catching fruit with you mouth?"
"I'm there best there is."
"Alright, catch." He tossed up at a berry which bounced off her nose and of course she made up an excuse and calmed she wasn't ready.
The next couple of times were just him having bad aim. Then she finally caught, proclaiming she was still the best and the best there ever will be. He got back her with that by throwing a couple of berries at her, then making a run for it. Before, he knew it there were various pieces of fruit leading a trail from the kitchen to the living room.
"Okay, okay I'm sorry. I would like to call a truce."
"You're only saying that now because you're being held down by a girl." Technically, he'd slipped and fallen in his socks will trying to run out of the living room. She just made her move and sat on top of him while pinning his arms to his sides. Cheater.
"I'm being nice and letting this girl think she's holding me down, but in reality I could get out of this if I wanted to."
"Whateve-" Her words were cut short when Toby suddenly flipped them over, having her pinned to the ground with his body while holding her arms above her head.
"See," His eyes were locked on hers."I win."
"Um, hello." Toby and Spencer both looked over to see two people Spencer presumed to be his parents, standing in the living room archway."What's going on here?"
Toby let go of Spencer and helped her up as they stood."Look, I can explain. She started it."
"Hey, you liar!" She hit him on his arm and he just let his laughter escape. Soon she was laughing with him."You're the one who attacked me with berries."
"Totally not true. Who are you going to believe? Your own son or a girl you just met?"
"Well, how about we get to know her? Won't you stay for dinner..."
"Spencer."
"Yes, Spencer will you stay for dinner?" His stepmom asked and Spencer looked to Toby to make sure it was okay.
"I'd love to stay."
"Good, then you can help me make a new bowl of fruit salad." Toby's stepmom led Spencer away towards the kitchen, leaving him and his dad alone.
"She's pretty."
"Beautiful." Toby muttered out and as soon it escaped his lips he couldn't believe what he was even saying."I mean-"
"It's okay, Toby. I know what you mean." His dad gave him a knowing wink."And son get these berries cleaned up."
"Yes, sir."
