Chapter 2 - Down The Memory Lane
Dawn found a certain Spencer Hastings cuddled up under a pale turquoise duvet, sleeping well past her self-appointed rising time of six thirty a.m. that applied for holidays and weekends. She tossed and turned and then woke up with a start, immediately reaching beside her for the comfort that only the touch of her beloved could provide. But her groping hands only met with empty sheets and the panic within her rose quickly. The nightmare that had plagued her usually peaceful sleep last night was a recurring one. It involved four friends that she strove to forget, and a mysterious stalker who had ruined her past.
"Toby, Toby?" she called out, fear's iron grip on her heart.
"Ta-dah!" came his reassuring voice, as he appeared at the door, carrying a tray piled with toast, sausages and waffles. "I made breakfast for my poor, overworked fiancée." He set the tray on her lap, and leaned in for a kiss.
Spencer grinned and backed away, gently pushing his chest. "I need to brush my teeth first. I feel icky making out with you without getting cleaned up", she mumbled, getting up and heading towards the bathroom.
Toby fake pouted, "But I don't mind!" he called out to her receding figure and she turned around, sticking her tongue out at him before closing the bathroom door behind her. She was really finicky about some things, but Toby loved that about her. It made her who she was. Strong and confident, Spencer Hastings. He glanced at the photo frame of the two of them that rested on the bedside table. It had been taken on one of their road trips, and Spencer had been driving, looking focused as she always did. Toby had tugged at her chin to make her face the camera at a traffic light, and before he could click the photo, she had pulled him into her, turning the camera effectively to snap a picture of the two of them. The picture was natural. Toby was almost falling into Spencer's shoulder, his neck craned uncomfortably, but the look of pleasant surprise made his eyes sparkle brighter than usual as he gazed lovingly at Spencer. And Spencer looked cheeky as she winked into the camera. He realized that being with him brought out a different side to Spencer and he loved that. He loved her.
"Spenceeeer! Your breakfast is getting cold. Come on out, I'm starving!" Toby yelled, settling back on the bed while he waited for her. Spencer appeared from the bathroom, wiping her face on a lilac towel, and then she threw it at him, grinning. "Do I have to house-train you again, darling?" she asked teasingly, smirking as she plopped down next to him and bit into a piece of sausage that Toby offered her. "This is yum. Go find your own breakfast. I'm finishing this off by myself, thank you very much" she giggled, grabbing the fork on which he had speared a sausage and placed it into her mouth.
"This is the thanks I get for waking up early and cooking for you. Ah, the trials and tribulations of being Spencer Hastings' love slave" Toby dramatically sighed, wiping invisible tears off his cheeks. Spencer flicked his nose and cut a piece of omelette to feed him, then snuggled into his chest. "You're the best", she mumbled into his chest. "You really do spoil me too much."
"No. I love you. All this travelling, living in a small town, instead of NYC, you do all of that for me. So I can't help but do something for you too", he whispered back, nuzzling into her hair. "Now eat like a good girl. We have lunch plans."
"We do?", Spencer asked, quirking an eyebrow at him and pulling back to check if he was being serious.
"Yep. Remember Arianna? That journalist whose study I renovated with nineteenth century themed furniture? She's kind of a friend of mine and she's throwing this little lunch party today. Not really sure why, but we're invited. Oh, and she just lives across the street, so I said yes without asking you..." he drifted off, suddenly unsure of himself. He wondered if it had been a good idea to accept an invitation without consulting Spencer. She was the one who usually made decisions regarding all their outings. He merely complied with them; not because he was forced to, but he just found it easier to follow her strict routines than make any of his.
Spencer grimaced, then rolled over, burying her face under pillows. "Do we have to go?" came her muffled voice from under layers of stuffing, sounding a little irritated.
"Not if you don't want to. I can always tell them you got sick." Toby's reply was quick and natural. He would never force her to attend anything just to be 'nice' or 'neighbourly'. Keeping Spencer happy was far more important to him than keeping up appearances.
Spencer raised her head and cracked a smile. "You're being too nice, really. We'll go. It can't be too bad, right? Just a simple lunch. And maybe we'll go for a drive afterwards", she smirked, her eyes twinkling mischievously. She hardly knew her neighbours, although she had lived in Holbrook for a while now. She'd had no interest in getting to know them either. Toby was all the emotional attachment that she needed right now. But it wouldn't be bad to see some people who weren't her clients. She could sit through a dull afternoon and still manage to look interested and lively. She'd done it all her life.
But little did she know that her lunch plans would be anything but dull.
Emily fidgeted with the hem of her dark purple lycra jacket that had a seal emblem emblazoned on the right, with the words 'Holbrook Seals' in gold lettering under them. A whistle hung from her neck, and she watched several purple-clad figures glide through the shimmering azure water. It was her first day at work, and she'd come early to catch the swim team of Holbrook High practicing. Being in such familiar surroundings made her suppressed thoughts and emotions resurface. She remembered how being the star of the Rosewood team had meant everything to her back when she was seventeen. How quickly priorities changed. She'd said no to the Olympics, and she didn't regret it. Not that much. Really. She wasn't even thinking about it.
Except now she was. And she felt something resembling regret begin to creep into her thoughts. But she just ignored it. She pushed it away. She focused on the splashing sounds of the water. She watched the lithe movements of the girls in the pool and allowed it to lull her into a trance.
And that unlocked her memories.
A seventeen year old Emily Fields was changing at her locker, tired but happy with the day's practice. Just as she was about to shut her locker, her phone buzzed loudly, signalling a text. She gulped, her good mood practically shattered. She keyed in her password and saw that she had a new message from a blocked number. She grit her teeth, opening it.
Seems like Little Mermaid is gonna get into trouble. Your HGH reports have been mailed to your parents and your coach. But don't fret. This Sea Witch can make it all go away. But it won't come for free. Just finish what you once started.
I'll be watching you - A
Attached to the text was a photo of Emily and Toby, standing on her porch. Emily gasped. It was old, and it had been taken on the night of Homecoming. It showed Emily hugging Toby right before leaving for school. It left Emily feeling confused and scared. What did this even mean? Toby was with Spencer now, and everyone knew she was gay. She couldn't, she wouldn't let A destroy her swimming career. She had to stop the mail somehow. But how? Her parents were in Texas. Maybe she could try and visit the post office. No. It wouldn't work.
Another text made her phone almost jump in her hands. She frowned and opened it.
Kiss him, or else. Tell anyone about this, and I upload the reports on the internet.
She felt like crying. But she knew what she had to do.
"Ehm, Coach?" A voice broke through Emily's reverie. A tall blonde swimmer stood in front of her. She had striking blue eyes. Emily glanced at her blankly before remembering that this particular student happened to be the swim-captain. Most of the team had been treating Emily with some kind of awed reverence, because they'd never had such a swim star coach them. But this girl hadn't been afraid to approach Emily without any reserve or shyness.
"Yes, Vivian?" She tried to smile, standing up and inhaling lungfuls of chlorine to clear her head. The memory of her betrayal still clung to the inside of her lids and she blinked rapidly, looking dazed. "Anything wrong?"
Vivian shook her head. "We were wondering if Principal Carter told you about the swim meet that's on for next week. I'd arranged an extra swim practice this afternoon. Could you give us some tips then?"
It was Saturday. It was supposed to be a day off. And Emily now had a headache. She sighed. "Sorry, Principal Carter only told me about the morning practice. How about we schedule one tomorrow? Let the team know as well, okay?" Suddenly she felt very, very tired. And not at all ready for a 'casual lunch to mingle with Holbrook society'. Arianna's words, not hers. She zipped up her jacket and walked towards the staff parking.
The school was just a short 10-minute drive from Ari's house. But it felt like hours to Emily as she sped across half-empty roads. Dregs of memories kept floating up no matter how much she tried to drown them.
"Toby?" Emily felt like fire ants were crawling all over her legs, and her insides felt like they had suddenly liquefied.
"Em" Toby looked surprised. He had been working behind Spencer's barn, working on some new furniture her parents had commissioned from him . "Spencer isn't here", he informed her with a shy smile. Emily calmed down, but only a little. At least Spencer wouldn't have to see.
"It's 'kay. I kinda wanted to just see you." She fidgeted with the bracelets that adorned her wrists and sidled up next to him. He was shirtless, and very sweaty from his exertions. Spencer would probably really enjoy the sight, but it made Emily feel kinda sick. Toby would have been attractive to her only if he'd been a girl. He didn't have a bad personality, and for a while, she'd kinda fooled herself into thinking she might fall for him. She shook her head. She couldn't bother to get sidetracked. A was probably watching them somewhere. She would kiss him quickly and leave.
"Oh. Okay." Toby didn't ask any questions, but looked a little flattered. He didn't have many friends. In fact, he only had Emily and Spencer. So any attention was welcome. He'd always had a soft spot for Emily anyways. Before he'd gotten to known Spencer, he'd thought Emily was the sweetest of Alison's clique and he still felt that she certainly was the nicest.
"I..eh..", Emily mumbled, wondering how she should proceed. "You have a great body" she blurted out, and reddened immediately. She tried to look aloof and perhaps...seductive? Before Toby could say anything, she stepped forward and kissed him.
Toby froze in shock but it didn't take him long to react. His hands moved to her shoulders and he gently, but firmly pushed her away. "What the hell, Emily?" he looked confused and hurt. "Is this some kind of a joke?"
"Yes, Emily. Why don't you tell us?", came Spencer's familiar drawl, which was tinged with obvious pain and anger.
Emily turned around, her eyes widening, and then becoming glassy as the impact of her actions registered on her. She felt guilt twist her gut at the expression on her best friend's face. "I'm so sorry, Spence. I didn't know you were here.."
"And therefore you proceeded to take advantage of my absence in the best possible manner? Yeah, real classy. I thought you..But you're into girls!" Spencer hissed through clenched teeth, unable to control her sense of betrayal and confusion. "I don't understand. Is this some prank? Something A put you up to?"
It would have been so easy to confess. 'Yes', Emily almost said, but stopped herself, looking around at the woods that surrounded them. She thought she saw a flicker of movement in her peripheral vision. A wouldn't be kind if she confessed everything and admitted that this was a ploy, it was A's new game plan. Divide and rule.
But she couldn't do it.
"I'm sorry, Spence. I really am." And with those words, she tried to brush past Spencer, wiping her tears.
Spencer grabbed hold of her arm, forcing the taller girl to bump against her shoulder. "Is this lesbian thing an act as well? Or just because you get rejected by every girl you fall for, now you're stealing everyone's boyfriends too?"
"Spencer, that's enough", Toby called out, his voice firm and his face stern.
Spencer sighed, and shoved Emily away from her, who ran all the way back to the Marin's, her tears blurring her vision and her guilt clouding her mind.
A text alerted her when she reached home. It was short and precise.
From Little Mermaid to Little Ho'. You get to keep your tail. Bye bye HGH.
- A
Instead of relief, only anguish filled her as she collapsed on her bed.
A phone started ringing and it jolted Emily out of her reverie. She was surprised to find that she was sitting in her car and it was parked outside Arianna's house. She had no idea when she'd gotten here and how long she'd been sitting here. It seemed like her body had gone into auto-pilot. Her girlfriend's name flashed on the display, and she picked up.
"Babe, where are you? You were supposed to be home fifteen minutes ago."
"I'm just outside, I'm coming right in-"
"No, don't. We're going shopping. I just realized I still have to get some supplies. I'm coming out." And the call got disconnected. Emily sighed for what felt like the millionth time that day and let her head drop to the steering wheel. The horn blared for a long couple of seconds before Emily realized she was the one making that atrocious noise. She jumped back and rubbed her nose, feeling dismayed. She really had to learn to let go of the past.
Across the street, a brunette head peeked through curtains, glaring at the silver car that was making an ungodly noise and ruining her afternoon of silent contemplation and unhurried reading. Even Toby knew not to disturb her. She wondered who the offending vehicle belonged to. She'd never seen it before and couldn't see who was sitting inside because the windows were dappled with reflections of flower-laden trees that lined their street. As soon as the horn stopped blaring and peaceful stillness slipped on like fitted glove onto the street, Spencer Hastings went back to the book she was reading, silently asking the heavens why it was illegal to kill some people.
A/N: I'm kinda writing this as it goes, so I apologize for any errors! Suggestions/feedback/criticisms are really welcome.
And thanks for all your lovely reviews. I've left the lunch off for the next chapter as I'm all written out right now. And I have lots of projects to do, so. Yeah. Keep reviewing!
LaughLoveLiveXx: Yeah, their careers are going to be plot devices in the chapters to come. And Emily's always been a little unsure and unlucky when it comes to love, in my opinion, so Arianna's there to define that.
Cha: I hope this chapter solved part of the mystery for you. I'm going to include little snippets of flashbacks to explain their past. I don't want to just explain it all in one go.
spinoza-off: Thanks so much. You're like my favourite Spemily writer, so it means a lot. And Toby's my favourite guy character on the show, I just think he's so adorable and understanding. He's kind of a male version of Emily really.
I do hope I can keep writing this because this is my first fanfic and I was a bit apprehensive about starting but I'm enjoying it so much.