Chapter 14

Epilogue


He watched as the blue and white mortar boards flew through the air all around him. The cheers and screams of all of the students, family, and staff caused a smile to break out on his face. He joined the others and threw his cap into the air, before yelling out a victorious cheer. He had finally done it. He had graduated high school, but he couldn't have done it without his girlfriend/favorite tutor, Spencer.

Toby's eyes scanned the crowd for the love of his life. He spotted his parents talking with Spencer's parents. Things were a little strained when he met Spencer's folks because if the whole Vegas thing. They eventually forgave them and came to love Toby because they saw that he was truly a good guy. The best part was that her parents finally stopped fighting with one another started paying more attention to there daughter. He smiled when he saw Hanna run and jump into Caleb's arms for a celebratory kiss. His eyes next found Aria snapping pictures of there friend Holden as he danced around happily yelling, but she was also getting a few pics in of her secret boyfriend, Ezra Fitz. He laughed when he saw Emily and Paige embracing, but was eventually interrupted by their swim team jumping all over them.

His breath hitched in his throat and he swore his hearts stopped because he found her. In the sea of people the class valedictorian and Toby's girlfriend, was standing there smiling and with some of her other friends. Almost like magnets, her eyes met his and her smile grew wider. She said something to the girl next to her before breaking there circle and heading in the direction of him.

She'd changed a lot from the first time they'd met to now. She went from a lonely with only her books to keep her company to a girl with more confidence, more friends, and more...happiness. She ditched the geeky glasses, plaid skirts, sweaters, and knee high socks to change to a more stylish and edgier style that was still classy. He was proud that she made those decisions to change on her own and not because anyone told her.

Alison stayed true to her word and tried to get back at Toby by hurting Spencer. But when Alison started bullying Spencer when she was alone, Spencer stood up for herself and Mona, Kate, Noel, and Sean stood up for her too. He knew that was their way of giving an apology toward him and her, Toby accepted and him and his old friends were finally starting to reconnect. After that, Alison was basically shunned by everyone because they were sick of her bullying and manipulating. Things got so bad for Alison that she left school and nobody's seen her since, it was probably for the better.

He smiled like a love stricken fool when he and Spencer were finally face to face."Hey."

She smiled at him and lightly giggled."Hey, you. I've been looking for you. Where have you been?"

"I was looking for you," he pulled her closer to him and slowly nuzzled her nose with his."and now I've found you. I really loved your speech."

"Did you? You didn't think it was too much or too boring?"

"Nope, it was just perfect. Perfect like you." He flirted and she blushed at his sweet words.

"You are quite the charmer, Toby Cavanaugh." She said as she wrapped her arms around his neck."Congratulations, Toby. You finished high school, you did it."

He shook his head."No, we did it. We both did."

She smirked at him before she pulled him by the back of the neck down to her where she kissed him passionately. At that moment nothing else matter. The only thing important was them right now in each others arms.


It's been a few days after graduation and Toby and Spencer were alone at her house lounging around. They were in her bedroom on the bed with their bodies completely intertwined together as they just laid in the quiet. He used his fingers to run them through her beautiful thick brown hair. She wrapped her arms around him and held him close, hoping that the peace could last forever.

"We still haven't talked about it." Spencer whispered to him and he knew what she was talking about."We still haven't talk about college."

"Spencer..." He groaned as he sat up and she sat up too to look him in the eye.

"Toby, come on this is serious." She said and looked at him with tears in her eyes."I got accepted into UPenn. And I'm gonna go."

"Spencer, that's great! Why are you crying? I thought this was your dream school?" He asked as he reached over to gently wipe away tears and kiss her cheeks.

"I'm crying because I'm happy. I got into my dream school and I'm just worried about you. Us. Have you even applied to colleges?"

He knew that a few weeks back that Spencer wouldn't stop stressing about how important it was. So he did apply to some colleges, but nothing seemed right.

"I have." He got up from the bed to got to his jacket and retrieve something."Read it."

As she opened the envelope, he could feel his heart breaking. She smiled as she read the letter and when she was done, she jumped into his arms.

"Toby, you got in! And not just any college, but an arts school."

It was true that Toby was musically talented and had a few skills with photography. It wasn't until, he showed up one night outside of Spencer's window and serenaded her with a guitar and his voice to be romantic that his secret was uncovered. It was true that he loved music and could play various instruments, so Spencer pushed him to be more out with his music and he was glad she did. It wasn't until he was recruited to play the piano for a school play that on the night of the show one of the teachers from the art institute saw him and basically handed over the scholarship.

"Spence, look at what the letter says." He took it from her and pointed to the top of the letter." It's the Valencia California Institute of the Arts."

"Oh. Wow, that's...wow." She said as she removed herself from his arms and planted her feet back on the floor."California is..."

"California is 2,730.8 miles away from here." He said meekly and took a deep breath before he said."2,730.8 miles away from you."

"Yeah, that's a lot of miles." She said and tried her best to smile, but he knew it was a forced smile that wasn't sincere.

"I'm not gonna go." He said when he saw the tears starting to form in her eyes and he knew that these weren't more happy tears.

"No! You have to go. This is an amazing opportunity for you. We'll just have to..."

He knew this was going to be a tough subject to discuss. They had to talk about their relationship and where it was going to go after they make these big decisions. It was gonna be hard being in a long distance relationship or maybe they weren't going to be in a relationship at all.

"Let's not talk about. We have all summer to make decisions." He stepped closer to he and cupped her face in his hands before he gently kissed her."For right now let's just enjoy us being together. Okay?"

"Okay."


Summer had come and gone in Rosewood, now Spencer and Toby had to get back to the real world. They made a decision to try and make it work long distance. He helped Spencer move into her dorm room a few weeks back and he couldn't help the heart ache he felt when he had to leave. He left for California the following week and got himself a very moderate apartment with the help of his parents. Spencer and Toby would talk all the time on the phone, video chat, and texting. But it didn't compare to the being face to face with each other and in each others arms.

"I really miss you. I couldn't even focus in class today because I couldn't stop thinking about calling you when I got home." Toby said to Spencer over the phone as he walked into his apartment.

"I miss you too. But just think, winter break is coming up in a few months and then you'll be able to come back and see me."

"Actually, I've been meaning to tell you something. I can't come home for winter break."

"Oh." She said simply, but Toby could hear the disappoint in her voice."If you can't come here, then I'll come to you. It'll just be us for the holidays."

"No, Spencer you need to be at home with your family and friends. If you stay here you'll never see me because I'll be busy with work or with a project I have for school. Just stay home and I'll see you on the next break."

"Sure, I'll stay here and I'll see you whenever it's convenient for you." She said sharply and he knew that he pissed her off.

"Spencer, it's not like that-"

"I gotta go, Toby. I'm going out with some friends. I'll text you soon."

"You'll text me soon? What does that mean?" He asked, but he didn't get an answer because she hung up on him.


Being in college wasn't easy, but Toby wanted to do it because he wanted to prove to others and himself that he could succeed. He knew that Spencer was doing phenomenal in school, he only found out because Aria told him because Spencer was still upset with him about the winter break thing.

She hadn't been calling him or texting him as often as she used to and that worried him. He recruited his friends to check up on her and keep an eye on her because he couldn't. She was still upset with him, but he had a way to fix that. All he needed was a plan ticket and a few important documents.


It was Christmas Day and Spencer wanted to call Toby badly, but had too much pride to make that call. Her family was all gathered downstairs opening gifts. It was great to see her parents and siblings getting along, but something was missing. Someone was missing.

"Spencer?" Her mother called her name and that snapped Spencer out of her thoughts."Are you alright?"

She put on her best smile and nodded."I'm fine. I'm really happy to be here with everyone."

Her parents looked at her other with a knowing smile and nodded to her brother. She knew they were up to something, but didn't know what.

"Spencer, Merry Christmas." Her father said simply before Jason stood out and extended his hand out to her.

"Come on, we've got a surprise gift for you." Jason said.

"What is it?" Spencer asked cautiously.

"It's a surprise." Melissa said and winked at her."Trust us, you'll love it."

Spencer stood up and reluctantly followed Jason outside to the backyard. He told her to cover her eyes as he lead her into the barn.

"Merry Christmas, Spence." Jason whispered in her ear before she heard his footsteps and the door close behind her.

She immediacy turned around when the door closed, but when she tried to open it, it was locked."Jason, open the door!"

"He wanted us to talk." His voice scared her and at the same time it soothed her. She turned and saw him standing there in the middle of the room, holding a rose. He still looked the same from the last time she saw him three months ago, but for some reason he looked even more handsome.

"Toby," He never knew how much he missed her voice until now."what are you doing here?"

He stepped closer to her, so that they were only inches apart."I'm here to tell my stubborn girlfriend that I love her and miss her."

She knew those words were supposed to make her forgive him, but he called her stubborn."I am not stubborn-"

He interrupted her yelling because he couldn't take it anymore. He covered her mouth with his. He knew she wasn't upset when he heard the soft moan slip from her throat. He missed this, he missed the love and warmth that she provided with just a simple kiss.

"Can we talk now?" He asked with a smirk playing on his lips. The kiss left her speechless, so she just nodded her head. He handed her the red rose and pulled an envelope out of his pocket to give her."Read it."

"You know, every time you hand me an envelope it ends with bad news." She said sarcastically as she opened the envelope and all Toby did was chuckle.

He watched as he digested the words in the letter. He watched her face turn from a frown to a look of surprise.

"Toby, you transferred?" She asked in disbelief."The school you were going to was great. Why would you do that?"

He took the envelope from her hands and placed it on the table next to them, so he could hold her hands."It is great school, but nothing is great without you. When I got my first A on an exam, you were the first person I wanted to go see and tell, but I couldn't because you were here and I had to send it in a text."

"Toby, you didn't have to do this because of me."

"I didn't. I did it for us." He said and could see the small smile on her lips."You are now looking at the new college student of Maryland Institute College of Art , which is only 197.8 miles away from here."

She quickly wiped the tears away from her eyes."You've been planning this haven't you?"

He chuckled before he said."Yes, when I said that I couldn't come for winter break I lied. I was getting some stuff worked out, so I could transfer and it was going to be a surprise."

"I hate surprises." She said before she leaned up to gently peck his lips."But I'm a really big fan of this one."

"The best part is that I got a new apartment in Harrisburg which is in the middle of Pennsylvania and Maryland." He said as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close to him, so that she could never get away again."So...I'm in the market for a new roommate. Can you think of anyone?"

She knew what he was asking."I know a girl who would probably love to live with you. But be careful because she is a sucker for blue eyes."

"Hmmm, sounds like my kind of roommate." He murmured as he kissed along he neck and smiled when he heard her laugh because of his lips tickling her neck.

"So, it's gonna be you and me?"

"Yep, you and me to the very end because you're the one piece that completes my puzzle." He said and looked into her brown eyes to say."I love you, Spencer."

"I love you too."