Ok, sorry I'm so late with this. I assume you guys were all waiting for this one: The Game, right? Well, you wont be disappointed.
(())
The thing about walking with someone you don't want to admit you like is that you always have to look at them. No matter what. You always have to sneak that subtle glance at them, a glance that you realize too late could become a stare. The only problem with said stare is that you always get caught.
"Liberty? You ok? You're spacing out." Liberty knew he thought she was spacing out. She was, in actuality, trying not to look at him.
"Huh? Oh, nothing. Just... hoping our little plan works." She said with a shrug. She was startled though, when Toby put a hand on her shoulder.
"It'll be fine. Remember: This Is A Date. We Like Each Other." He said in a monotone, imitating a zombie. Liberty laughed, knowing she had drilled this into his head all too many times.
He was funny. Kind of like JT.
Oh no... She thought, nearly tripping over her own feet. We're not going through this again.
She was again shocked when Toby grabbed her hand.
"Are you ok?" He asked, sounding a little more concerned than he should.
"Yeah, fine. Perfect. Why?" She asked, distractedly. She was still trying to stop herself from comparing the two again.
"Liberty, you're acting like a nutcase. What's wrong?" He asked, still holding her hand.
"Um..." Liberty sighed in defeat. "Oh, I'm just really nervous! Think about it! This is the first real thing we've done outside of school."
"So, this is like... your first mock-date, right?" He said, smiling. Liberty laughed.
"Yes, Isaacs, this happens to be my first mock-date. So you better treat me right! I want no wandering hands, Mister Isaacs, and if I catch you staring at some little blonde in a tube-top I... I'll be hurt." She said in a nagging voice. They both laughed, Liberty's joke breaking the tension. Toby put an arm around her shoulders, and smiled at her warmly.
"Don't worry, Libs, I'll make this the best mock-date you'll ever have."
Liberty smiled as they walked in silence. Unconsciously, she moved closer to her date, enjoying his presence. No, wait, this wasn't a DATE. This was a MOCK-date. She'd have to drill that into her own mind later.
They reached the school in silence, looking around to try and spot JT or Kendra. JT, in his mascot costume minus the head, was sitting on the steps with Paige and Hazel. Kendra was just walking out of the school, looking for Spinner. It was only then Liberty realized that she hadn't thought about her crush, JT, for most of the walk. She smiled at Toby, who appeared to be...
Staring at Kendra.
Wonderful.
She grabbed his arm and pulled him close. He looked at her and smiled. Then he...
Turned back to Kendra.
Just Great.
She started to semi-drag him up the stairs and when they reached the door, she turned to smile at him again. This time he was actually looking at her. He smiled back and mouthed "sorry". She shrugged. She knew he couldn't help it. Still...
It actually kind of hurt.
The way he was looking at her.
Like she was an angel.
She smiled back and put an arm around his waist, walking him into the school. She felt stares, but at the moment she didn't really care. She moved into the gym and sat down on the bleachers. Toby sat down next to her and wrapped his arm around her.
"Sorry, Lib. I couldn't help it." Toby apologized sheepishly.
"I understand, Tob. I just didn't want her to notice." She smiled at him. His face brightened, and he pulled her closer. Liberty was feeling very confused.
Her mind was in a tornado, it seemed. JT still made her heart stop and stomach flip... but now, Toby felt.... Warm. Comfortable. Right. As if his arms were made to hold her like that. As if his eyes were meant to look at her like that. As if she was meant to stay with him like that forever.
For the first time in her life, Liberty wished she wasn't in love with JT.
More than anything, she wished that Toby had felt that kiss. She wished he had known the fire it had left inside her. It was still burning, making her feel warm and fulfilled, as if she had just eaten a full three-course meal and was curled up on a couch under a blanket, snuggled up against... Toby.
Because the entire picture wouldn't be complete without Toby.
You couldn't feel that kiss without Toby.
It just felt like if Toby wasn't there, something about it wouldn't be the same.
The game started, and it seemed as if no one was really paying any attention to the game. They were all looking at Liberty and Toby. It was as if they couldn't grasp the two being together.
Liberty giggled, despite herself. Toby turned to her.
"What?" He asked, bewildered.
"People are staring." She said with a smirk. Toby laughed, smiling back.
"Good." He smirked. Liberty laughed, surprised that the usually cautious boy was so liberal about the attention he was now receiving from the Degrassi-supporting crowd.
"Toby," She laughed. "People are talking..." she just barely noticed JT and Kendra step through the door, immediately spotting them in their cozy position. JT's eyes immediately went wide, the way they only did when he couldn't in a million years believe what he was seeing. Kendra's eyes, however, were now narrowed into slits. She looked ready to charge, like an angry lion. Liberty turned her attention back to Toby, who was grinning. He saw her see them. It was time for drastic measures.
And with a smirk, Toby leaned closer.
"Then lets give them something to talk about..."
And he kissed her.
For the second time.
And it felt just as good.
(())
Toby had no idea what he was doing. Something about the night.... Liberty looked beautiful.... The night air felt still and cool.... He was in the school, in front of virtually everyone who mattered.... Or maybe it was just.... Everything...
Or none of the above. Maybe it was something else... Some unintelligible force that Liberty carried with her everywhere she went, that made him want to take a risk and have some fun for once.
It was supposed to be a light peck, that was it. But it didn't turn out that way.
It was tender... sweet... Liberty's lips moved so perfectly with his, they felt just right. They moved slowly. It was mare than anything they really knew at the moment. The word 'love' was too complicated. 'Love' can be taken so many ways... But this was simple... a simple, warm, tender... and so many other words that haven't been invented. It was like there was nothing else to be said or done. The feeling couldn't be compared. It was to itself an entirely new sensation.... but somehow, Toby knew he'd felt it the minute he met Liberty.
It was.... something....
More than something.....
Everything....
And in that moment, he said something he never thought he'd say...
(())
Liberty was in a dilemma.
She was falling head over heels in love, for the second time.
And this was bad.
But she didn't care.
She felt more than herself. She felt like an alternate person, as if she was changed with every move of his lips on hers. Like she was supposed to fly away, but Toby was holding her down, keeping her grounded. Making sure she was still here.
Making sure this sun didn't set...
Making sure this night never ended...
As if this was meant forever...
And then she heard it... and felt it....
Whispered against her lips...
"Liberty, I think I like you...."
She pulled away, stunned. Shocked. Nearly scared out of her wits. Toby looked stunned as well, as if he couldn't believe what he had just said. She brought her fingers against her lips, still feeling a little dizzy from that kiss...
She turned to see most of the gym looking in their direction. Especially a certain dirty-blonde class clown. And a black-haired ex-girlfriend. Both looking shocked, even a little angry.
JT looked... sad... angry... a little remorseful... He was staring straight at her with his blue-green eyes.... like a heart just broken.
Liberty couldn't take it. It was getting too hard. She was so confused...
She sent Toby a look that screamed more than sorrow, and stood. She walked quickly out of the school. As soon as she got outside, she felt the tears start falling.
What is WRONG with me?!?! What happened to the calm, rational, organized Liberty?! What happened?!
She got caught off guard. Cupid had to go play sniper. Me. Toby. JT. Never saw It coming. Thanks, Cupid. Thanks alot. I really appreciate it.
NO! NO! NONONONONO!!!! This can't be happening!!!!!
It is, get used to it.
She was in the schoolyard by now, crying her eyes out on a bench. The night air felt still and comforting, as if there was nothing to stop her from running away. The night was sympathizing with her. She nearly laughed at the thought.
"Liberty..." A voice behind her caught her attention. She wiped her eyes, and turned her head slowly.
JT....