Chapter 4
It's Nice To Have A Friend
Toby and Spencer played an intense game of Scrabble. When Toby won the first time, Spencer insisted that they play again, they did and she won. They played one final game to see who won and it was Toby. Spencer couldn't believe it and actually thought he cheated her. Toby laughed at how rilled up she got when she lost, it was pretty entertaining. Spencer gave him the silent treatment for ten minutes until Toby kept poking her in her side, making her laugh.
Toby didn't know when or how it happened, but he had fallen asleep on her living room floor. He groaned as the sun shined into his eyes, waking him up. His muscles were sore from sleeping on the floor. He sat up groggily and looked around the room. Spencer was nowhere in sight.
"Just because I let you win in Scrabble doesn't mean you get to spend the night." Toby snapped his head over to the stairs to see Spencer's in her blue pajama shorts and matching tank top.
"I wouldn't have fallen asleep if you just would have gotten over the fact that I bet you the first time. But no, you couldn't handle it, so you kept me out all night just to play scrabble." Toby gasped and put his hands on his face."God, what would my parents think?"
Spencer caught on that he was teasing and she shoved his shoulder as she walked past him. He watched her go into the kitchen and head straight for the coffee pot.
"Are you like some crazed coffee fiend? Because I've never met someone who just has coffee for breakfast."
"If I don't have my coffee than I won't be happy or friendly."
"Jeez, you must not have had coffee in years considering how bossy you are." Toby said to bug her as he stood up and mad his way into the kitchen.
"I am not bossy. I'm just showing leadership. Do you want coffee?"
"Yes, I would like coffee. Alright, buddy, what's the plan for today."
Spencer turned around from the coffee pot and raised an eyebrow at him."Who said I was your buddy?"
"Me, because last night I bet you fair and square."
"You didn't bet me, I let you win."
"Spence, I kicked your ass at Scrabble, just deal with it bud." Toby winked at her and grabbed the coffee that she handed to him.
"How are you? I know sleeping on that floor couldn't be comfortable."
"I'm fine, expect for my aching back, but other than that I'm alright. How did I end up asleep?"
Spencer went around and sat on the barstool next to Toby."We were talking. I was lying on the couch and you were lying on the floor. You just fell asleep. I tried to wake you, I even put your hand in warm water, but you didn't wake up."
"I can't believe to tried to get me to wet myself." Toby said pretending to be hurt, but laughed when Spencer started laughing.
"I didn't try to do that. I was trying to wake up, but you wouldn't get up. So, I went upstairs to my comfortable bed and went to sleep."
"You could have at least offered me the chance to sleep in a bed, a guest room or something."
"I'll think about that for next time."
Toby turned his head to her and smiled."So, there will be a next time? Does that mean we're friends now?"
"Well, I like talking to you. You're nice and funny, besides who else am I gonna talk to."
Toby held up his coffee mug and said."To friends."
Spencer held up her mug and clanked it against his."To friends."
"Can I join in on the friendship toast?." Toby heard a voice from behind him and it scared him so badly, that he almost spit out his coffee. Toby turned around to see an older looking guy in his mid-twenties standing in the living room, holding a newspaper.
"Jason, hey. Toby, this is my brother Jason." Spencer introduced them and Jason went over to shake Toby's hand.
"I know him. He's Toby Cavanaugh, yeah I heard all about you." Jason said and tighten his grip on Toby's hand, but Toby just smiled and hid the pain from Spencer.
"It's nice to meet you, Jason." Toby said politely as he could and Jason loosened his grip on Toby's hand, then hugged Spencer.
"Where were you last night?" Spencer asked Jason.
"I'm sorry, CeCe wanted to out last night and I ended up spending the night. What did you do last night?"
Spencer looked at Toby and smirked at him before turning her attention back to Jason."We played Scrabble and talked."
"You played Scrabble and...talked, that's it?"
"Yep, she just forgot to mention the part where I kicked her ass at Scrabble and won her friendship." Toby said and Spencer giggled and playfully hit him on the arm.
"You guys sound like you had fun last night." Jason said with his negative attitude towards Toby started to halt when he saw the smile on his sisters face.
"I did. It's...nice to have a friend." Spencer said and sent a smile over to Toby, which he returned with one of his own.
"Well, you guys better get out of here and head to school or else you'll be late."
"Hey, Spence, I left my motorcycle at the Grill, so do you think you could give me a ride home?"
"Sure, just give me a few minutes to change." Spencer hopped off the stool to put her mug in the sink and then headed for her room.
"Toby, I've heard all about you and your reputation." Jason said breaking the awkward silence in the kitchen.
"You shouldn't believe everything you hear, Jason. I really am a nice guy and I promise you I'll do nothing to disrespect your sister, she's my friend."
"Why do you want to be her friend so badly?"
"Because, I see the way people treat her and its wrong. If they just got to know her then they'd see how great she is. Besides I could use a friend right now myself, my other friends are pissing me off."
"You say you're a good guy, Toby. I want to believe that, but I also know that it's your friends that are the ones that pick on my sister-"
"That won't happen when I'm around. Nobody is going to mess with my friends." Toby said in a determined tone. He saw the corners of Jason's mouth turn up into a smile. Jason reached across the island and fist bumped with Toby.
"You're not so bad, Toby."
"Thanks, Jason."
"I'm ready." Spencer said as she came down the stairs. Toby stood up and placed his mug in the sink, then waited by the door. Spencer hugged Jason and then went outside with Toby following behind her.
"So, what did you and Jason talk about?"
"He threatened to kill me if I messed with you because I'm some big jerk." Toby said as a joke, but Spencer looked sad and shamed.
"I'm sorry about him, he just doesn't like people messing with me and he goes all alpha male big bro, even when I can defend myself."
"Don't apologize, I'd do the same thing if it were my step-sister. Just know that I'm going to be the greatest friend you've ever had."
"You're the only friend I've ever had, so looks like I'm stuck with you." Spencer smiled at him before getting in her car. Toby finally caught on that she was messing with him.
"Hey! I am a great person to be stuck being friends with because I know how to have fun and I'm going to teach you how to have fun."
"What kind of fun? Nothing dangerous or stupid?"
"If it's not dangerous or stupid, then where's the fun in that." Toby said with a sly grin as he buckled himself in. Spencer laughed at his joke, but in the back of her mind, she knew he wasn't kidding.
"Let's just get to school and afterwards we can have dangerously stupid fun."
"Deal."
They pulled up into the parking lot of the high school ten minutes later. Spencer stopped by Toby's house, so that he could shower and change, but they still made it in time. Toby spotted his friends in the parking lot and instantly felt angry and nervous at the same time. The one thing wrong was that Alison was with them and he knew things were about to get bad as soon as he stepped out of the car.
"Toby, are you okay? You look like you're going to be sick." Spencer said making Toby snapped out his gaze.
"Uh, yeah, sorry. I'm just nervous about English class. I keep think you're gonna punk me in front of the class again."
"I wouldn't do that to you. I also know that you're lying to me," Spencer said and Toby opened his mouth to protest, but Spencer held up her hand to stop him. She pointed out of the car window over to his friends."you're worried about being seen with me."
Toby's chest ached when he saw the sad look on her face."Spence, no that's not it. I'm just worried about what they'll say to you and if I'll have to crack a few skulls."
"So, you aren't embarrassed about being seen with geek Hastings?"
"I'm not embarrassed to be seen with Spencer because the girl I know is not a geek or a nerd, but a cool person. Come on let's get to class before we're late." Toby patted her leg and then opened the door to step out of the car.
As soon as his feet hit the pavement, the eyes turned to him and who he was with. Toby's felt the eyes of his friends burning into his skull, but he didn't care. He walked around to the driver side to get Spencer. She looked afraid of all of the attention, so Toby playfully nudged her to get her unfrozen. She laughed a little bit and then walked by Toby's side into the building. Toby ignored the stares they got as they walked the halls and concentrated on Spencer to make sure she was okay. He walked her to her locker and leaned up against the lockers next to hers.
"So, I'll see you at lunch?" Toby asked.
"Yeah, sure. But I'm not eating in the cafeteria."
"Okay, that's fine. We'll go one step at a time. I'll meet you in the library at lunch, okay?"
"Yeah, sure."
"Alright." Toby pushed himself of the lockers and walked down the hall to his locker.
Toby opened up his locker and searched for his English book. When he reached in to grab it, his fingers were almost broken when the locker door slammed shut. He was lucky he got his fingers out of the way in time. He looked over to see who slammed his locker, it was Alison and behind her was their friends.
"Jeez, Alison, you nearly broke off my freakin' hand." Toby said and went back to open up his locker.
"Toby, what is the hell is wrong with you? Why are you with Spencer Hastings? Why are you even speaking to it?"
"She's not an it and I'm speaking to her because she's my friend."
Alison scoffed and rolled her eyes."Noel told me how you went crazy on him over Spencer. He's your friend and you're going to try to fight him because of geek Hastings-"
"He was being a jerk!" Toby yells and slammed his locker shut with so much force that it almost came off the hinges. He saw that people were looking at him and his friends in the hallway, but didn't care because he needed to say these things."Noel was being an asshole to a girl who didn't do anything to him. Sean, Caleb, as Holden were doing it too and it pissed me off. She's a nice girl and you guys treat her like she's beneath you. I'm her friend and I'm not gonna let you do that to her. If you guys pick on her I swear to whatever god you believe in that you'll regret it."
Toby took a glance at his friends shocked faces, then he walked away from them and into his class.
Toby took his usual seat in English in the back of the class next to Caleb. He didn't want to seat there because he was still mad, but didn't have a choice because there was no more seats. He did his best to ignore Caleb, but Caleb kept poking him.
"What?" Toby growled through his clenched teeth.
"Dude, I'm sorry. I know it's wrong to treat a girl like that. I am really really sorry." Caleb said with sincerity in his eyes and Toby knew he was serious.
"Don't apologize to me. Apologize to Spencer."
Caleb didn't say anything for the rest of the class. Toby didn't either because he saw too distracted by Spencer when she looked back and smiled at him.
"Mr. Cavanaugh, you look very happy today, so you must know the answer to the question." Mr. Fitz said breaking the friendly moment that he and Spencer shared.
"What was the question Mr. Fitz?"
"Which of Claudius and Laertes' traps for Hamlet succeeds in killing him?"
Toby's eyes darted over to Spencer and she gave him a look saying you know this. He gave it some thought and the answer popped into his head.
"The poisoned sword. It was the poisoned sword, sir." Toby said with his voice a little shaky and that caused the students to snicker at him.
Mr. Fitz quieted down the class, then turned his attention back to Toby."That is correct, Mr. Cavanaugh. Looks like you've actually opened the book."
"Nah, it's not just that, I also had a really great tutor." Toby winked at Spencer and she smiled back at him before turning her attention back up front.
"Alright, class, let's get back to today's lesson." Mr. Fitz said and they dived back into their class work.
Toby was greatly anticipating for lunch to roll around. He actually missed talking with Spencer. She was like a real friend that he could be his real self with.
When the bell rang for lunch, Toby bolted out of the room and to his locker. He was putting away his economics book when he felt two arms circle around his waist. He felt lips press up against the back of his neck and they grew closer to his ear.
"I know you miss me and I know you wanna kiss me." Alison purred into his ear and Toby grinned at little.
"I do miss you and I do want to kiss you." Toby turned around and pulled Alison into his arms. He gave her a short kiss because she pulled back after a few minutes.
"I'm so glad that you're not hanging out with geek Hastings anymore. I thought you were going delirious or something."
Toby pushed Alison out his arms and turned his back to her."Alison, Spencer is my friend. And I don't like the way you've been talking to her. If you don't stop, then-"
"Then what? You'll break up with me? What is wrong with you? Are you trying to hook-up with gee-"
"Don't call her a geek!" Toby yelled loudly surprising himself and Alison, but he was fed up with everyone today."Alison, she's done nothing to you. I don't want her, so that I could hook-up with her. I want to be her friend because its you that's the reason she has nobody. She's a really great girl and you've been ruining her life."
"Toby, I think you need some time to think about what you're saying. This guy, he's not you. Where's the guy I feel in love with?" Alison asked and Toby turned to her anger, but still sadden face.
"Maybe, that's the problem with our relationship Alison. You never really knew me. If you'll excuse me, my friend is waiting for me." Toby closed his locker and brushed past Alison to head to the library.
Toby rounded the corner, leading to the library and saw Spencer leaning up against the walls next to the door. She smile when she saw him and he smiled back. Once he was up close to her, her smiled faded and her eyebrows furrowed.
"Toby, are you okay?"
"Yeah,...just...just girlfriend problems."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"Maybe later. Hey, do you want to get out of here?" Toby asked and Spencer looked at him like he was crazy.
"You want to leave school and go where?"
"It's lunch time. I'm hungry and you're hungry, so I thought we go off campus to get something to eat."
"But it's not allowed." Spencer said and Toby chuckled at her hesitations.
"Spence, no one will care. It's Friday and people skip all the time."
"Yeah, everyone, but me. I've never missed a day of school."
"That's why we're going to leave and have some fun. Please, I could use the distraction?"
Spencer thought it over and then looked at Toby's pleading face. She sighed and nodded her head.
"Alright, lets get out of here."
"Hey, Toby and Spencer!" Toby knew that voice calling then. He turned around to see Caleb, but didn't expect to see Hanna, Emily, Holden, Aria, Samara, and Paige with him.
The girls walked right up to Spencer, but Toby stepped in front of her incase they wanted trouble. Spencer nudged him over because she could handle herself.
"I'm Aria. This is Hanna, Paige, Samara, and Emily." Aria introduced herself to Spencer and pointed the rest of the girls out.
"Trust me, I know who you are." Spencer said coldly, but Toby knew his friends didn't automatically earn her kindness.
"I'm Holden and this Caleb." Holden said and smiled an awkward smile at Spencer.
"What are you guys doing here? If you're coming to start something-" Toby was caught off when Emily held up her hand to stop him.
"We came to apologize to Spencer. What we did to you was stupid, immature, and wrong. We would like to blame Alison for what we did, but we were the ones who listened to her. We were the ones who should have walked away. We are truly sorry." Emily said and you could see the sincerity and regret on everyone's faces, but Toby couldn't be more happy with his friends that decided to do the right thing.
"I accept your apology and thank you for apologizing."
"Alright, now that everyone is okay. Do you guys want to join us for a little off campus lunch and Friday night fun?" Toby asked his friends and turned to Spencer."Is that okay with you?"
"Sure, can we just get going? I am starving." Spencer said and Hanna smiled at her.
"A girl who likes to eat is my kinda girl." Hanna gestured for Spencer to walk with the girls and she walked with them.
Toby walked behind the girls with Caleb and Holden. He was surprised to see Spencer walking with the girls. He was also surprised to see her talking and occasionally laughing with them. Toby couldn't hold back the smile that was forming on his face, he had just taken the first step in helping Spencer.
Everyone arrived at the Grill a few minutes later. They were seated immediately because there were not a lot of people around at that time. Toby pulled out the seat next to Spencer and went to sent down, but Aria plopped in his seat before he could.
"Sorry, Tobes, but me and Spencer haven't finished talking." Aria winked at Toby and Spencer just smirked, but gave him an apologetic look.
Toby walked away defeated and took the empty seat in between Caleb and Samara.
"So, Toby, you still going to Sean's party, tomorrow?" Paige asked and Toby nearly forgot about the party. He was only going because Alison was sorta making him go.
"Actually, I don't know. I might not."
"Okay, Spencer, are you going?"
"I wasn't invited." Spencer said with a shrug because she really didn't care and Toby thought that was very Spencer of her. He liked it that she didn't care about partying because he wasn't a big partier himself.
"Well, you are now. Come on, Spencer, come out and have a good time." Holden suggested.
"You can't invite me. It's not your party."
"It's being held at my house, so I can invite anyone I want. So, if I want to invite a pretty girl I will." Holden winked at her and Spencer blushed a little.
"Whoa, there Hold. You better watch out because her brother will murder you if you mess with her." Toby warned.
"It's worth the risk." Holden said as he openly gawked at Spencer causing Toby to punch him in the arm because Spencer didn't say it, but he knew she was uncomfortable being stared at.
"You know what, Spencer, if you're going, then I can help you get an outfit?" Hanna suggested.
"Sure, that'd be great, Hanna."
"Well, I could help you with accessories, Emily could do your hair, and Aria could do your make-up." Samara offered and Spencer nodded her head in agreement.
"Spencer, with your complexion, eyes, cheekbones, and beautiful hair the guys will be all over you with a little help from us." Hanna said and winked at her, but for some reason turned her head to Toby.
"That'd be great, Spence. We need to get you out there on the market." Toby said and was going to continue, but she held up her finger to stop him.
"I will not talk about being...on the market with you, Toby."
"Exactly, that's what she has us for." Emily said.
"Alright, enough about this girly stuff. What are we going tonight?" Caleb asked and Hanna nudged him when he said the word girly.
"How about bowling? I hear down at one of the bowling alleys that on Fridays it glow in the dark bowling night." Toby said and everyone talked about it over, but came to an agreement that they would all go.
Everyone ate their lunch when it came out and talked amongst themselves. Spencer seemed to be having a really good time. Toby was just happy to see her smiling with her new possible friends. When everyone finished their lunch, they left, but Toby stayed behind to pay the bill and so that he and Spencer could have desert.
"So, what do you want? Chocolate cake or apple pie?" Toby asked his eyes scanned the desert menu.
"I want to thank you." Spencer asked and Toby looked away from the menu and into her eyes.
"For what?"
"I saw what you did in the hallway today. The way you told your friends off and...your girlfriend, Alison. I know I'm the who's causing a prob-"
"You're not causing a problem in my relationship. Alison is the one who is. I need her to learn how to respect people until then I can't be around her or her games. My friend is not going to be bullied."
"How aren't you like most conceited jerks? I mean you're just always so nice even when I was a little mean to you in the beginning."
"I was raised right. I have manners, I'm responsible, and I know how to treat a lady. My...mother did a wonderful job." Toby got choked up on the last sentence, but kept his emotions on check.
"She sounds like a wonderful woman."
"She was a wonderful woman." Toby knew that Spencer had caught on to the was part and was waiting for him to explain."My mother died a few years back due to...suicide because she was mentally ill."
Spencer reached across the table and placed her hand on top of his."Toby, I am so sorry. I had know then I would have never-"
"No, don't. People don't really talk about her, but it's nice when someone does. She was really sweet, gently, caring, friendly, and could always make me laugh when I would cry."
"I beat that's where you get your since of humor from."
"I have a good since of humor?"
"Well, I never said you were funny, but if you want to keep living in a fantasy, then yeah you are hilarious."
"Ha, Ha." Toby said and stuck is tongue out at Spencer making her laugh.
"My parents have had marital problems. My dad has a problem keeping his hands to himself. Now, all they do is yell and if they're not yelling, then their not home because they want to avoid each other." Spencer admitted and Toby guessed that she did it because he shared something about him.
"I hope your parents will work things out, but no matter what, your parents love you."
"I know I love them, too. And besides if I don't have them all the time then I've got you and Jason. Possibly your friends want to be my friends."
"Spence, I know they want to be your friends. Who wouldn't?"
"I like having a friend-I mean I like having friends."
Toby leaned over the table and closer to Spencer. He had a serious look on his face as he started into her eyes."Wanna share a chocolate cake for desert?"
"Split it in half?" Spencer asked ad Toby nodded his head.
Toby held out his hand and stuck up this thumb."Whoever wins at thumb war, then they get the bigger piece."
Spencer grabbed his hand and locked their fingers together, then stuck up her thumb."Deal, but don't be whinny when I break your thumb."
"Tough talk coming from a girl who's weighs possibly less than a feather. Have you not seen my muscles, Hastings? I could break your little fingers."
"Bring it on then, Cavanaugh."
"1...2...3...4...I declare a thumb war." Toby and Spencer said in unison, then worked their thumbs wildly, trying to get the upper hand of one another.
It took about two minutes, but Spencer used her brain to strategize. She pinned Toby's thumb down for the three count and then threw her hands up in victory. Toby groaned and slammed his head on the table.
"Please, don't tell the guys about this." Toby pleaded with her, but she just grinned at him wickedly.
"I don't know. My silence is going to cost you."
"Alright, I want you to pay for lunch, but I'll pay both of us when we go bowling."
"That's it? That's all you want?"
"Yep, take it or leave it."
Toby reached across the table and shook her hand."You've for yourself a deal. Excuse me, waiter."
The waiter came over to Toby to take the desert order. Toby smiled slyly at Spencer before he ordered.
"I take two chocolate cakes, please."
"Yes, sir." The waiter took seat the desert menus and went back to the kitchen.
"Two chocolate cakes?" Spencer asked confused.
"You wanted the bigger piece of one cake, so you can have it. I'll just take the other piece and add it to my other whole piece of chocolate cake."
"You are evil." Spencer said and Toby couldn't help the laugh that escaped his lips.
"I'm sorry, but I couldn't help myself. If you want I'll share my other piece of cake, but you'll have to take the small piece."
"Fine, but now I'm totally telling Caleb and Holden."
"Dammit! I just screwed myself." Toby muttered causing Toby and Spencer to bust up laughing.
"It's okay you can fix it."
"How?"
"You can help me out, tomorrow at the party. I really want to have a good time, but Alex, this guy I like, is going to be there. Do you think maybe you could help me out with what to do?"
"Sure, just don't do anything crazy at this party, Spencer or else Jason will hurt."
"You have my word that I will be on my best behavior at this party."
The waiter came back and placed both slices of chocolate cake in font of Spencer and Toby. Spencer cut her cake in half and gave Toby the smaller piece. Toby cut his cake in half and gave Spencer the bigger piece. She opened her mouth to say something, but Toby sent her a wink that just said eat the cake because I want you to have it.
