Spencer's POV

The next morning I woke up to a stream of light shinning into my bedroom. I turned over from my side, so I was lying on my back. For a moment I just stayed there staring up at the ceiling. I can't stop thinking about last night. Last night turned out to be really fun. Even though all I did was go see a movie with Toby. It was fun, because for the first time I actually felt like I had somebody to talk to. I know that I can talk to my friends about anything, but it's different with Toby. It feels different with him.

I wanted to stay in bed all day, but I knew I had to get up. I climb out of bed and head for the shower. After my shower, I got dressed in a white and black dress with a black sweater and a gold belt. I had my hair wavy and had half of it clipped together in the back. Once I was happy with my appearance I walked out of my room. My black boots knock on the hardwood floor with every step I took.

When I walked into the living room I noticed the couch was empty. All the blankets were folded up nicely and the pillows were stacked on top of them. Toby's gone. He left. Why did he leave? Maybe he had to be at work early. I walked into the kitchen and found no sign of Toby being here. He didn't leave a note and there are no dishes in the sink. None of the coffee cups have been used.

I fixed myself some toast for breakfast and a cup of coffee. Then I had one cup of coffee to go. On my way to school I couldn't shake the feeling that Toby is gone. He left this morning. I don't know where he went. I need to stop over reacting about this. Maybe he really did have to go to work early. I'll probably see him at the diner tonight anyway.

I turned into the school parking lot and found a parking space. I shot off the engine then sat there for a few minutes. I'm about to go into that building and listen to more of everyone's hateful words. The sooner graduation comes the better. I grab my bag from the passengers seat and hop out of the car. As I was walking in people kept pointing and looking at me. That doesn't bother me anymore people always do that.

These two guys stopped me in the middle of the hallway. One of the guys was tall with saggy blonde hair. The guys next to him was slightly shorter with short shaggy brown hair. Both of them were wearing Rosewood jackets. The brown haired boy spoke up first.

"Hey Spencer I hear you're having some money trouble. If you're really desperate for money I pay you 30 dollars to go out with me."

Spencer's face scrunched up in confusion. The blonde one spoke up next this time.

"I'll give you 50 if you go all the way with me."

The two boys laughed then continued walking down the hall. I could feel the blood in my veins running cold. Oh no. Not another rumor. No. No. No. The whole school knows about Alison paying me to go out with Andrew. Alison told me she'd get me back for not agreeing to go out with Andrew again and this is her doing it.

I tried to contain myself as I walked passed everyone saying hurtful words to me. My friends were standing at my locker waiting for me. All four of them looked worried about me. I tried my best to smile, but failed.

"We just heard what Alison said about you," Emily said. "We're so sorry."

"Alison will pay for spreading more lies about you," Hanna said.

I shook my head as a tear ran down my cheek.

"I can't fight this one, because it's true."

"What's true?" Aria asked.

"Alison paid me to go out with Andrew."

"Yeah we know that Spence. Alison made you. She forced you into a corner," Aria said.

"She knows how much you need money and she knew you would go for the bate," Hanna added.

I ran a hand down my tear stand face.

"Oh my god, this is horrible. I can't believe everyone found out."

"Yeah first people thought you slept with the whole school last year and that's still being carried on this year. Now people thinking you're willing to go out with anyone for money," Emily said.

"At least that's better than everyone thinking you paid Andrew."

"Hanna!" Aria and Emily shouted.

"Oh god Toby!" I shouted, once I realized something.

"What?" The three girls said.

"Alison knows I ran off with Toby. God, she probably told everyone I made a double deal."

"You didn't pay Toby to do anything," Hanna said. "If anything he saved your ass for dying of boardem."

A group of boys laughed while walking passed my locker. One of the boys stopped and looked at me.

"Hey Spencer how about 10 for 50 huh? Ten dates for fifty dollars."

"Who lite the fuse in your tampon John!?" Hanna snapped back.

Their laughter died down a little as they made there way down the hall. The rest of the girls stood back in amusement by Hanna's comeback. Once the boys were gone, Spencer turned to Hanna.

"Fuse in your tampon?"

Hanna shrugged, "It seemed like something snappy to say."

"But they're boys," Aria said.

Hanna smirked, "Oh everybody knows Johnny sticks tampons up his butt to see what it feels like."

The girls laughed and said, "Oh Hanna." Then the four girls went on to class.

Work that night was tough for me. People from school would come in and mock me. A group of boys left a pretty good tip, but made some harsh remarks about me doing dirty deeds for them. I rolled my eyes and told them to go stuff their moms. They said more hurtful words then left. To make matters worse, Toby did not come in. I don't know why, but I felt like I really needed him here. I could really use him right now to make me feel better. If he was here right now he would have put those guys in there place.

"Hey Spencer," A boy at table five called me over.

"What do you want?"

"I heard what everyone's saying to you and it sucks. I'm really sorry people can't be more considerate about this."

"Thanks." I said.

The guys sincere smile turned into a cocky smirk.

"So instead of 50 dollars for a date, how about I pay you 80 dollars just to skip dinner and go straight for dessert?"

I put my hand on my hip and frowned.

"If I throw a stick, would you leave?"

"Why would I leave?" The guy asked.

"Because all dogs chase sticks."

"Spencer!" Mary shouted. Mary came over to my side. "That is no way to talk to a customer."

"Yeah Spencer," the guy said. "That's no way to talk to your CUSTOMER."

I felt the sting of tears pricking the corner of my eyes. I told Mary I needed a break, then ran into the back room. The guy got up and left. Mary came back to check on me. She found me in the back sitting on top of a closed box of ketchup, holding me hand over my mouth as I tried to hold back the tears. Mary crossed her arms and leaned against the door frame.

"You going to tell me what all that was about?"

"It's just another stupid rumor about me. I'm fine."

"Honey, look at yourself." "You're crying in the back room while sitting on top of a crate of ketchup and I don't think it's just the onions."

"I made a stupid deal with someone and it blew up in my face. It's horrible, because I can't argue with anyone about it. Before I could fight them on what people were saying, but this time it's true. I'm a horrible person."

"Spencer, honey." Mary sat down across from her. "You are many things. You're smart, stubborn, a total sass queen, a hella good worker. You can be rude and you get on my nervous sometimes. But listen here baby girl, you are many things, but a horrible person is not one of them."

I sniffled and whipped the tears off my face.

"Thanks Mary."

"I don't normally do this, but i'm going to let you head home early."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded, "Yeah, i'm closing early tonight anyway. It's me and my husbands 31st anniversary tonight."

"Really your 31st? I didn't know you were married, Mary."

"Yeah well, we learn things about each other everyday." She patted my shoulder. "Now get on home before I change my mind."

"Yes ma'am."

I sniffled as I got up from my spot. When I got home, my apartment was once again empty. Toby still isn't here. I guess he really is gone. I wonder where he went.

Toby's POV

I finished off my last cup of coffee then stood up from the table. Once I was finished, I set it in the sink, then walked over to the counter.

"Thanks for letting me stay here."

"Anytime," Caleb said.

Spencer's POV

Toby still wasn't back in the apartment the next morning. Hanna actually texted me and told me Toby is staying at Caleb's. Why is he staying there? I decided to go confront him at work today. Maybe I can get him to calmly explain to me why he left without telling me.

Toby's outside giving orders to some his construction crew. Then he walks over to mind the saw that's cutting sheets of wood. I pulled up in my car parking a few spaces away from all the construction. I get out of my car and carefully walk around every ones work to get to Toby. Toby is talking to some guy about the saw sounding weird. Then the guy points behind him.

Toby turns around and rolls his eyes once he see's me. He tries walking away, but I stop him.

"Can I talk to you?" I asked.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because i'm working," he snapped.

"Could you at least tell me why you pulled a disappearing act yesterday morning?"

Toby ignored me and went back to work digging up some hole. I'm waiting for an answer, but he won't reply. Getting angry, I turned him to face me.

"Toby!"

"What!?" He yelled.

"Will you stop working for a second and talk to me?"

"I can't stop working. If I stop working my boss will get mad. If my boss gets mad, I won't get paid. If I don't get paid, I won't have money and if I don't have money, I can't get out of this stupid town and get away from you!"

I stood back feeling hurt.

"S-so you're doing all of this to get away from me?"

He stopped digging to look at me.

"I'm not a stay in a one place kind of guy. I've been staying here too long and you are holding me back. Now could you please leave, so I can get back to work."

Toby turned away and went on digging. I stood frozen for a second then turned to walk back to my car. Great. Toby hates me now. He blames me for being stuck here for so long. This is what I get for trying to help people. I always end up getting burned.

The fallowing day Aria and I, took a walk along the Pine Trail. While we were walking, we could see the construction workers across the way. I glanced across the way and saw Toby. When Toby looked up and saw me, he quickly frowned then looked away. I felt a fraction of my heart shatter.

"What's the deal with you and Toby?" Aria asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Like are you two together or apart? What's going on?"

"We're not together. We're not even friends at this point."

"Why? What's going on?"

I sighed and said, "I don't know. He's different. He's so busy working and he's not talking to me."

"I get that he's busy with his job, but he can't even talk to you for a minute?"

"He says his job right now is to work to get away from me."

"He said that?"

"Basically. He implied it."

"What is his problem?"

"I don't know. He's just ready to get out of this town. He told me he doesn't stay in one place at a time. He say's i'm holding him back from moving on. I don't know. Maybe he's right."

"Woah Spence, slow down. You are not holding him back. He can leave whenever he wants to. If he's been staying here that's his choice, not yours."

"Thanks Aria, but if I was him I would want to get away from me too. Maybe I shouldn't have leaned on him."

"There has to be a reason why he stayed for this long. if what he said is true about coming then going. He stayed for a reason and I think I know why and he's starting to know why too. I know you're going to deny this Spence, but the reason he could be wanting to leave is because he's running from his feelings."

My eyebrows narrowed. "Why would he be running from his feelings?" Then my eyes widen. "Oh Aria. You don't think?"

Aria just simply shrugged and said, "I don't know."

I looked over at Toby and he was busy working. When I looked at him this time I felt different. It's a feeling I've felt before, but only when i'm around him. I'm just starting to notice this feeling. If what Aria is saying is true then Toby wanting to leave makes perfect since.

End

Ah when they start to realize. What did you all think of this chapter? Poor Spencer has to deal with more high school drama. Who else figured Toby would leave?

Next chapter Toby will struggle more with his feelings for Spencer. As he starts to realize these new strange feelings he will try even harder to deny it.

Question: Do you think Aria is right about why Toby wants to leave all of a sudden?"