A/N: I really enjoyed writing this chapter, especially the scene with Spencer alone (prior to the Spoby scene). I really loved writing that. In my TV writing class, our teachers told us that it's our job to put our characters through a torture chamber, and I did that. :P I incorporated one of my all time favourite Spoby scenes into it. And the next chapter is something you all have been waiting for. :)

And I put in a LOT of Harry Potter references in this haha! ;)

I regret going on that long hiatus with this story, because I can see that the interest in it has stopped, but I'm grateful to those who stuck around. Thank you. 3

I don't ever see the day that
I won't catch you when you fall
Cause it's us against the world tonight

Chapter 13: Catch Me When I Fall

Spencer was happily rambling on about the perfect skirt she'd found for her Halloween costume, when Toby looked past her for a split second and noticed Andrew glare at the two of them, with rage and hatred in his eyes.

"Why is your boyfriend glaring at us?" Toby asked curiously.

"What do you mean –?" She broke off mid sentence and turned around, and looked at Andrew for a few seconds before sitting up straight with an annoyed expression on her face. "Oh."

"Is this because of the dance?" he asked, gently touching her shoulder. "Did he tell you –"

"Can we not talk about this? I have no intention of ruining my perfectly good mood."

Surprised at her snappy tone, Toby hesitantly lifted his hand from her shoulder and flexed it awkwardly.

"Look, I'm sorry," she said, turning to face him. "I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. It's just, I'm in a good mood, and I really don't want to talk about things that are going to mess it up."

"Spencer –"

"And I know you're going to tell me that I can tell you anything and I know that," Spencer said quickly. "But we have two weeks worth of events to catch up on, and we have a Halloween carnival to prepare for. So, shall we focus on the good stuff?"

Toby nodded genially, finding it hard to refuse her.

"Awesome!" Spencer exclaimed, a grin forming on her face. "So...do you want to hang out after school?"

Toby felt butterflies in his stomach, and couldn't help but grin like a fool. "Yes!"

"You're the best," she said sincerely, giving him what he could only see as a carefree, happy smile.

Xxx

They spent almost every evening after school together, going to their little spot up the mountain. Sometimes they'd head over to Spencer's place to make themselves some grilled cheese sandwiches to take with them, so they could have a picnic lunch of sorts. Other times, they just grabbed some food from the cafeteria before they headed out.

Since their midterms were during the week following Halloween, Spencer would insist that they spend their evenings studying. After just hanging out at their spot, she'd drag him to her house, where they would sit and prepare for their exams. She'd drawn out organized timetables for both of them, and used to make sure that they always finished their required portion for the day everyday.

"Are you sure you want to go as Hermione?" Toby joked, after she had finished helping him with a particularly hard chapter in Math. "You are her. It wouldn't really be a costume."

Spencer rolled her eyes, and playfully hit him with her textbook. "Ha ha ha. Very funny."

Toby laughed at her mock annoyance, and leaned forward to tuck a loose strand of her hand behind her ear. The physical contact did strange things to his body, and he pulled away awkwardly. Why had he done that? Do 'friends' do that?

"Speaking of Halloween," Spencer said, clearing her throat, though she looked a little ruffled herself. "I have started working on our Gryffindor scarves and ties, just so they match. I mean, Ron and Hermione are...well, they are a...couple, so it would be ideal to match."

The mention of the 'C' word birthed a thousand butterflies in Toby's stomach, but he did his best to ignore that. Surely she didn't mean anything in particular by that.

"You're working so hard on this," he said, deciding to focus on other things. "Please tell me how I can contribute to our costumes."

"Focus on getting the right colored hair dye," she said immediately. "I've been doing a bit of research, and I could tell you a few of the brands –"

"Wait, what? Hair dye?"

"Have you forgotten that your Ron would need to have the trademark Weasley hair?" Spencer asked.

"Well...I was thinking of a wig, actually."

"A wig?" Spencer shrieked. "But it'll look so artificial!"

"That's the point...it's a costume," Toby pointed out.

"Don't you care about authenticity?" Spencer asked, aghast. "I've actually worked out how to get my hair to look like Hermione's. My actual hair!"

"While I think that's great, I'm not dyeing my hair," Toby said. "I don't want to be a redhead for the rest of my life."

"It's not the rest of your life," Spencer said. "It's just for a few weeks...or months."

"Spencer," he said, narrowing his eyes and looking at her pointedly. "I lo – you're one of my closest friends, but I'm really not dyeing my hair red."

"Fiiiinee," Spencer, slapping his shoulder playfully. "But we're going wig hunting tomorrow. I'll pick you up at 10."

"I'll be ready."

Spencer looked away for a few seconds, before turning back towards him. She looked so much more vulnerable than she did a few moments ago. "You must think I'm crazy...obsessing over something as silly as a Halloween costume!"

"No, I think it's amazing," Toby said sincerely. "I really think it's great that you put so much effort into all of this. Everything is so important to you. It's...great."

"Really?" Spencer asked with a chuckle. "Andrew thought I was a neurotic, obsessive freak when I went nuts trying to put together the perfect Mary Queen of Scots costume for last year's Halloween."

"Well, Screw Andrew," Toby said. Noticing the amused expression on her face, he shrugged his shoulders. "I mean I know he's your boyfriend and all...but –"

"He's not. He's not my boyfriend. We broke up the day after the dance, before I'd come over to your house when you were with Emily."

"Oh," Toby said, taken aback. Even though he'd noticed the growing hostility between her and Andrew over the week, he hadn't actually thought they were broken up. "Are you...are you okay?"

"Never been better," Spencer said with a grin. "I didn't even realize how much that relationship was holding me down until I finally ended it. It's like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders."

Seeing a silent Toby, Spencer continued. "I never really loved him, so I don't feel a deep sense of loss or anything. I just feel so free and so much happier. My parents are okay with it – well, at least my mother is. My father hasn't reacted to the news yet. But still, it's good."

"I'm happy that you're doing well," Toby said, reaching out to take her hand in his. Doing his best to ignore the immediate reaction it had on his body, he gently squeezed her hand, smiling warmly at her.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you before. I've been meaning too...but I just never found the right time. English period somehow didn't seem right."

"Spencer, please don't ever say that you are sorry," Toby said, making her give him one of her beautiful smiles that drove him crazy.

"I like having you here," she said, scooting closer to him.

"Because it makes a statement to Andrew?"

"No," Spencer said incrudelously. "Because I like having you here."

"I like being here," he said as she leaned into his chest, draping an arm around him. His own hand went around her automatically, and he marveled over just how natural and right it felt. Her warm body fitted against his perfectly, like they were pieces of a puzzle. Toby mentally chided himself for having such thoughts, not wanting his feelings to grow in intensity. He'd almost slipped up and told her that he loved her, but had stopped himself on time. He really hoped that she didn't notice anything, because he didn't want her to behave any differently with him just because she suspected that he had feelings for her.

Her cell phone rang loudly, and she broke apart from him, the loss contact making him feel really, really cold.

"It's Aria," she said checking her phone, and walked upstairs to her bedroom.

Toby looked around awkwardly, before he picked up his textbooks and stuffed them inside his backpack. He slipped his leather jacket on, and slung the backpack on his shoulder, when Spencer came down the stairs.

"You're leaving?" she asked, clearly disappointed.

"Yeah...I think we should call it a night. It is getting pretty late."

Spencer nodded, and gave him a quick hug. "I'll see you at ten."

"Goodnight Spencer," he said, once he outside her house.

"Goodnight Toby," she said with a smile, leaning against the door frame.

Xxx

It was Halloween day. The past week had sped by quickly, with classes, studying hard for midterms, and working on her costume. Spencer stood in front of the mirror, holding a bottle of hair gel, styling her hair to look as bushy and unmanageable as possible. It had taken her a while to get right, but right now, it looked pretty close to book!Hermione's hair, and she was pleased.

"Bad hair day?"

Spencer cringed, not wanting to spoil this day with a fight with her sister. "What are you doing here, Melissa?"

She looked over her shoulder and saw her sister leaning against the doorway, an unreadable expression on her face. "Mom said you were getting ready for your costume. Are you sure you can go with your crazy hair?"

"I'm going as Hermione, the hair is the point," Spencer snapped. "What do you want from me?"

"Of course you are," Melissa said mockingly. "I'm going to the carnival with a...friend of mine from Philly. His name is Jared."

"Good for you, Melissa," Spencer said.

"I thought you'd be happy for me," Melissa said, straightening up. "Since you said you really do love me and regret all that happened."

"I am happy," Spencer insisted. "I'm just really busy right now, trying to get everything right for my costume."

Melissa nodded. "Jared's my neighbor. I kept borrowing sugar from him, until one day it turned into something else."

"You didn't stock sugar in your house?" Spencer asked with a chuckle. She felt slightly apprehensive. It was not very in character of Melissa to be this nice to her. "Did you get a personality transplant?"

"Well...when I first saw him, I thought he was pretty cute," Melissa said coyly. "And it was totally worth it. He is so different from all the other guys –"

"Melissa, why are you being so nice to me?" Spencer asked rather tiredly, turning around to face her. "Last time we spoke, I was the slut that ruined your life. And now you're telling me about your neighbor that you have a crush on?"

"Maybe you can make up for that."

"Make up for that?" Spencer asked, throwing away the bottle of hair gel onto the bed. "I've apologized for what has happened so many times, but you never believed me, not once. I'm done trying."

"Mom told Mrs. Ackard that I'd volunteer at the Church booth for a while at the carnival, but now that I'm bringing Jared...it's going to be a little difficult."

"So?"

"Can you fill in for me? Jared's coming to Rosewood for the first time. It won't be fair to make him to go around the place by himself."

"Forget about it! I'm going with my friend, and we've been planning this for two weeks!"

"Spencer, can't you just understand? Besides, you owe me!"

"Melissa, I've tried a lot to make it upto you, but I am not doing this."

"Honey, I think your sister is right. It's a good idea."

Her mother entered the room, with a patronising look on her face. She looked sympathetically towards Melissa – who gave her mother the same, annoying look, and Spencer was filled with a surge of hatred towards both of them. Just when she was thinking that things were getting better with her family...

"Mom, I'm going with my friend Toby. I can't cancel on him. I don't want to!"

"You're not cancelling on anything, Spencer," her mother said. "It's just for three hours."

"Three hours? No way! Let Melissa go. Why can't your date come by later?"

"You're the younger one, you have to compromise!" Melissa said pointedly.

"And you owe it to her. You were part reason why her previous relationship fell apart. So help her make this one work."

"I am not doing it," Spencer said stubbornly.

"Yes, you are," Veronica said, walking up to her. "Now get into your costumes and be there by 4 pm. Mrs. Ackard told me the next person in the shift would be there by 7. It's just three hours, Spencer. Do it for your sister."

"Some sister," Spencer grumbled angrily.

She couldn't believe this was happening. After the nearly perfect two weeks, it was all getting ruined by her perfect little sister who was holding her biggest mistake over her head. Of course she'd been nice to her just to get her to do something.

"Don't be like that Spencer," Veronica said sternly. "Melissa, will you help me with this batch of cookies? I have to drop it off at the country club."

Before Spencer could say anything else, her mother walked out of the room, her smugly smiling sister behind her. Frustration and annoyance overtook Spencer, and she felt like pulling her hair apart. Why was it that each time her relationship with her family took two steps forward, they took five steps backwards right after that? Would it ever get better?

It was sort of hopeless, the way she strived to make them feel better, and they never really saw it. Her parents always told her that they really want to protect both their daughters, but she always felt like they only ever truly protected Melissa. On the other hand, she was just a mere complication or an obligation for them.

Her cell phone beeped loudly, and she pulled it out of her pant pocket. It was from Toby.

Do I come to your house by 5?

Seeing his text only made her feel worse. She had been really looking forward to spending the evening with Toby. After her break up with Andrew, she'd been feeling a whole lot better. Freer, happier, more relieved, but there was something different about her relationship with Toby as well. The comfort level they had always had seemed to have multiplied, and she felt like she couldn't have enough of his company.

Each moment she was around him made her feel more happier, and more alive. She didn't feel like she had to be good enough in front of him. He never expected anything of her, and that made her feel so much at ease with her own self, and with him. Toby just made her feel...different. In a good manner, in a way no one else had. Hating to have to cut down on the amount of time she spent with him, she texted him back.

Sorry, family stuff has come up. I have to volunteer at the Church booth. See you there at 7?

He sent an immediate reply.

Is everything okay? Are you okay?

I'm fine. It's just some stupid voluntary work. I'll see you by the Fun House at 7?

See you then. :)

Seeing the tiny little smiley face at the end of the text made her grin like a little girl, and she felt a little embarassed when she saw her face in the mirror. Why in the world was she behaving like that? It was so uncharacteristic of her to smile like that about a silly smiley face on a text message!

Putting her phone aside, she decided to work on her costume and get ready for the evening, no matter how it was going to go about.

Xxx

Working with Mrs. Ackard was the most boring, dragging thing ever. Spencer felt herself tuning out to the middle aged lady's rambles about the founders committee's plans for the holiday season. Having had to spend every single Christmas at a cabin in Lake Underwood up north for a Hastings family reunion, Spencer was far from interested in the idea of a Christmas celebration. It wasn't like the reunion was one big merry event. All her relatives did was talk about their own achievements and proving to her that she'd been in born in the most pompous famly to exist. Even with so many people around, nothing made Spencer feel lonelier.

"Spencer! Spencer! Isn't that your friend, what was her name...Emma?"

Spencer looked out at the crowd, and noticed Emily walking up to her with someone else.

"Can you tend to them, Spencer? I have to check on something."

"Sure, Mrs. Ackard," Spencer said in her mock polite tone. She smiled up to Emily and her friend as they walked upto her. Emily looked gorgeous, and if she guessed right, she was dressed up as Cleopatra.

"Great costume," Spencer said with a grin. She nodded at Emily's friend as well.

"Spencer, this is Maya. Maya, Spencer."

Maya reached over the counter to give Spencer a warm hug. While this surprised the tall beauty, she returned the gesture. She looked at Maya's costume.

"If I'm not wrong, you are dressed up as Mark Antony," Spencer observed. "A female version of it, at least."

Maya laughed. "When Emily suggested these costumes, I told her that I was so not going to dress up as a dude!"

Emily looked really uncomfortable for a moment, before determination flashed across her face, and she entwined her hand in Maya's. "She's my...date for tonight."

Understanding register inside her, and she smiled widely. "You guys look great together!"

Emily seemed relieved, and she giggled. "Thank you. Where's Toby? Weren't you guys supposed to come together?"

Spencer frowned. "Melissa made me take her place at this booth in exchange for some sisterly love. But my shift ends in half an hour, so I'll see him soon."

"That's rough," Emily said sympathetically.

"Well, you know her," Spencer said. "If a Hastings has a shot, she takes it."

"Is that a drinking game?" Maya asked teasingly.

"It should be,"

"Spencer dear!" Mrs. Ackard called out, coming back into the booth. "Your replacement, Dennise, has arrived, which means you can leave early."

Spencer felt like she could die of relief. "Really?" Luck rarely did favour her.

"Yes, thank you so much for your help, dear," Mrs. Ackard said.

Spencer smiled at her graciously, before she grabbed her purse – identical to Hermione's enchanted purse in the final book – and stepped out of the booth. She walked on with Maya and Emily. Spencer decided that she liked Maya. The girl was bold and feisty, without being arrogant, and it was a good change. Soon they reached the Fun House, and Spencer stopped in her tracks.

"I'm supposed to meet Toby here," Spencer said. "I'll see you guys around!"

Spencer hoped that she wasn't being rude, but she really wanted to spend some time alone with Toby. She couldn't even rationalize why she wanted it, but she enjoyed his company so much, and just the thought of it made her feel really happy.

The two girls gave her quick hugs and walked off hand in hand. With a smile on her face, she turned around, and saw two of her least favourite people standing close together, just a few feet away from her. Andrew and Alison, dressed up as Bonnie and Clyde were deep in conversation, when they looked up and saw her. Alison leaned in to whisper something into his ears, her eyes constantly on Spencer.

Not wanting to know what the two were upto, Spencer walked upto the entrance of the Fun House, pulled out her cell phone, and called Toby. He picked up on the first ring.

"Hey Spence, I'm so sorry. I'll be there in fifteen minutes."

"That's fine. I'm just heading into the Fun House. Call me when you're here, okay?"

"Okay."

She pressed the end button, and bought herself a ticket, before making her way inside. It took her a few moments to get accustomed to the sudden darkness, but she used the light of her cell phone screen to guide her. Even though Spencer didn't believe in ghosts or monsters, she didn't really like going to haunted mansions or fun houses, because it was full of loud and giggly people who shrieked at the smallest noise.

She let the group behind her pass, as they fell over each other and laughed annoyingly as they walked ahead, the smell of beer on them nauseating.

"Morons," Spencer muttered under her breath.

Not wanting to stick to the obviously drunk group of people, Spencer let herself trail behind, and ended up being quite by herself. She felt around the wall in order to take the right twists and turns, and soon was in a bright red, dimly lit room. Right then, she felt as though someone was behind her, so she turned around and flashed her cell phone to see who it was. Not a single soul. It was probably some of the 'monsters' in there, ready to jump onto to the shrieking victims of the inside.

"Stay away from me," she warned. "Unless you want a court case on your head. I'm warning you."

Another reason why she disliked things like these were because of how many people basically jumped out at her (and others). She hated physical contact from random people, and it made her highly uncomfortable. Besides, she found the whole thing really juvenile.

She walked towards the exit of the room and saw a cylindrical sliding door. Sighing heavily, she slid it aside, and stepped inside. It shut in after her, and she stood inside, waiting for it to turn around and open, leading her to the next room.

Even after a few moments when it didn't turn around, Spencer started panicking. "Is anybody out there?"

Suddenly, she heard a few muffled voices talking and a loud, jamming sound to the door. "Toby, is that you?"

No answer.

Anxiety getting the better of her, she started banging on the door, calling out for whoever was out there. She just then realized how cramped the space was, and this made it difficult for her to breathe. She had never been a fan of small spaces.

She pulled out her cell phone and started dialing Toby's number, when it slipped out from her sweaty fingers, and fell at her feet. Spencer tried reaching for it, but there was not enough space for her to bend down and get it. Tears stung her eyes, as a dreaded feeling of helplessness overtook her, and she began banging on the door with more force.

"Is anybody out there? Somebody please help me!" She was screaming as loudly as she could, but she doubted anybody really heard over the commotion and noises outside.

Why wasn't anybody coming in after her? What if they had shut down the Fun House? What would happen if nobody ever came in, and they dismantled the whole set up, with her inside it? Spencer found it hard to think, reason and logic slipping away from her...

She was leaning against the door now, still screaming, when it suddenly slid open, and she stumbled outside.

Someone helped her get a grip, and she was extremely grateful for that. A group of people were huddled around her, talking, and she really couldn't make out much of what was going on. She blinked a few times, and took in her surroundings, relief slowly spreading inside her.

"My phone," she murmured, and somebody gave it to her. "Thank you."

"Are you okay?" a male voice asked. She looked up and saw someone in a zombie costume, holding up a crowbar.

"Just a little claustrophobic," Spencer said, nodding. "You needed a crowbar to get me out?"

"It was what was keeping you in," the man said gravely.

What in the world?

Fear and paranoia increasing inside of her, Spencer thanked the group of people, and excused herself. She didn't think she could be inside the fun house any longer. Her breathing still hadn't gotten normal, and she desperately craved for some fresh air.

As she reached the entrance of the tent, her cell phone beeped. It was a text from Toby.

I'm here. Where can I find you?

She stepped out of there, took a deep breath, and looked around. Toby was standing in the far left end. He took a few steps towards her, and Spencer didn't know what took over her, but she ran. Ran like she hadn't run before – towards Toby, towards the safety and comfort she desperately needed.

Never in her life had she craved human contact as much as she did right now, and she wanted it from Toby. No. She needed it to be Toby.

His arms opened wide on seeing her, and pulled her into him, holding her tighter than before. She rested her head on his shoulder and he rested his on hers. Spencer let herself bask in the comfort of Toby's arms, so strong, so wonderful, giving her something no one ever had before. She didn't know how long they stood like that, but she didn't want to let go. She never wanted to part from him.

She held onto him with desperation, feeling her breathing finally calm down, and her heartbeat return to normal. Toby didn't pull away from her either, and she felt grateful for that. She needed him in that moment more than she'd ever needed someone in her life.

"Are you okay?" he murmured.

She started nodding into his shoulder, before she decided to just let him know how she felt. She shook her head, and he slowly pulled apart from her.

"Can we go somewhere else to talk?"

xxx

They were sitting on a bench, at the other end of the carnival. She didn't think she could be around that Fun House at the moment. She'd just finished telling Toby what had happened, and his whole body had stiffened up.

"I'm going to go and talk to...talk to somebody! I can't believe somebody just locked you up in there. Aren't they supposed to monitor the place?"

"Hey, calm down," Spencer said, touching his hand gently.

"How can I calm down? I can't just...I need to do something! Somebody hurt you."

"Toby, I don't want you to go around being an alpha male," Spencer said. "Just stay with me. Please."

Toby sighed. He looked unconvinced, but put an arm around her. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I will be," Spencer said. "I just...don't want to go home. Is your dad at home tonight?"

"Unfortunately, yes," Toby said shaking his head.

"Oh." Spencer felt disappointed. She really didn't want to be away from Toby, but she also knew she had to be practical. You couldn't be around your friend 24/7.

"But I know somewhere else we could go," Toby said with a smile. "I would just need to make a pit stop at my house first."

Spencer smiled. She simply couldn't wait.

I hope you guys enjoyed it. The next chapter is the one all of you have been waiting for. ;)

PS: The part where Spencer threatened the 'monsters' inside is something I did once, and I felt like writing it in, hahaha.

Do review.

Love,

N.