Chapter Twenty Two

After his argument with Spencer, Toby felt lousy as shit. He made his way to the very busy bar, and got himself a drink. More than one actually. Most people were in groups of people, while Toby was alone sitting at the bar waiting for the barista to deliver his drink order. After a couple of minutes she finally did, while saying "I think you should probably stop there hun,." But, Toby didn't listen to the wise barista's words and got drunk, too drunk. By four a.m, he was completely drunk, and still up for another round. Just then, a familiar curly-headed girl, in a tight green dress to match her eyes took the stool next to him. She smiled at him and took away his drink.

"Hey," He said defensively, looking up at the girl. Although, he was drunk off his ass, he could recognize the girl anywhere. Holly.

"Hey." She smiled sweetly. " I think you've had too much." she advised.

"No," he mumbled sheepishly.

"Toby," She tilted her head knowingly.

"Holly go away." he slurred.

"And leave you here like this?" She scoffed. "Nuh uh." She clucked her tongue. Toby rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"You still with blondie?" She said after a minute of silence between the two former friends.

"Kind of." He mumbled sheepishly.

"How can you kind of be with some one?" She laughed.

"I don't know." He mumbled dumbly.

"Do you want a ride home Toby?" She sighed after a few minutes. She did truly care for her old friend, even if he didn't feel the same.

"I don't want to be home." He responded bitterly.

"Well, you're not driving anywhere." She narrowed her emerald-green eyes.

"Why?" He glared at her.

"You're drunk." She said flatly.

"Holly, I don't need your help." He slurred standing up. "I'll see you around." He gestured a salute. She followed his actions and stood up too, and made it so he couldn't pass.

"Give me your phone then." She demanded putting out her hand.

"No," He backed away from her defensively.

"Then you're going with me." She huffed grabbing his arm, after about thirty minutes of fighting with Holly, he finally hopped into her car and they made their way to Holly's apartment. Holly walked him to the couch, where he instantly passed out on. Holly sighed at the sleeping Toby. She missed her chance with him. He even hated her when his mind was completely out of it.

The night passed by, and the morning and the afternoon came. Toby woke up, his head throbbing horribly, he glanced around the big room he was in, instantly confused. There was a stair case behind him, not a big one, but a small one leading up to the upper level which looked to have three rooms. Next to the small old yellow sofa he was on, was a little table with books on it. In front of him was a coffee table, magazines scattered everywhere, also a pair of keys, his keys, on the edge of the table. Toby grabbed them and put them into his jeans pocket, while doing this he spotted his leather jacket on the floor and got up from the small yellow sofa and snatched it. He stood up, and looked around again. The kitchen was small, and painted orange and there was a distant smell of coffee. Toby shifted his eyes to the small wooden square table again, on it was a photograph of a blond with freckles, and brown eyes next to...Holly.

Holly? Toby became even more confused than he was before, which made his head hurt even more. Was he in Holly's apartment? Why was he in Holly's apartment... Toby thought back to last night, which seemed endless. He cringed at the thought of Spencer and Wren, also the fight with Spencer. After leaving Spencer in the hall, he went down to a bar. The closest one he could find. The last thing he remembered was the bartista with the thin blondish-red hair telling him to be safe, and then meeting the new bartender. Who seemed to be in his mid forties, with dark brown facial hair. When did Holly come into the picture? As if the universe was answering his questions, someone flew open the door.

It was the blond from the picture, she looked older now, and Holly. The blond shot Holly a look, and then smiled warmly at Toby. "I should go shower." She said quickly, not even introducing her self before running off. Toby looked flustered at Holly, as she dropped the multiple of bags in her hands next to a coat rack, and a yellow umbrella. She cleared her throat, and then perked up.

"Hey Toby." She said cheerfully. Too cheerful. Toby felt like he was going to explode, if he heard any thing one pitch higher than Holly.

"Holly." He said slowly, but solidly. "What-" He stuttered.

"Sit," She swallowed hardly moving towards the kitchen. "I'll make you some coffee." She offered. Toby kept his eyes on her, and sat. He only sat because of how tired he felt, and he knew that if he didn't take a seat, he would probably faint. As Holly started up the coffee, casually, like this was a normal situation. Which it wasn't, at all. It was quiet in between the two for a while, until Holly turned around and announced that it would take a few minutes.

"Holly, what? What happened?" He said confused looking at the short girl leaning against the counter.

"I ran into at the bar, you were so drunk." She emphasized widening her green eyes. "I had to practically wrestle you for your keys, and I finally got your phone, but I don't exactly know your friends." She said awkwardly looking down sheepishly. "I know Wren and Spencer, and I wasn't gonna call Wren cause, well you know." She shrugged tightening her face " You and Spencer seemed to still be close, but she didn't answer."

Of course. Toby thought.

"And then I thought of calling Hanna, but like when I asked you if you we're still with her, you kept telling me maybe or you don't know, or kind of." Her voice trailed. " I didn't know who else to call, so I brought you here." She bit her lip looking at the boy who sat on the couch.

"Oh," He mumbled ducking his head down. "Thank you Holly." he said genially, "I'm an idiot, i'm sorry." he added shamefully.

"Hey," She offered sweetly. "It's fine, I'm just glad I was there. If I hadn't been then, who knows what could have happened." She said her voice traveling anxiously, and her green eyes far away. It was pretty quiet between the two old friends, Holly got Toby and her self a cup of coffee, and walked over to the sofa. Took a seat next to Toby, and handed him the hot coffee filled brown mug.

"So, why we're you in bar all by your lonesome?" Holly finally asked curiously. "Is this about your girlfriend?"

Toby shook his head hesitantly, "It's a long story." He mumbled.

"So it is," she said solidly with a broad smile. Although Holly was wrong, he didn't feel like giving her details of why he was really there. "why we're you telling me that you didn't know, or think you and Hanna were still together? Are you?" She pried. Holly seemed more nosy since he had been friends with her.

"I think I'm gonna break up with her." He admitted sheepishly. He couldn't believe he actually told her, but at the same time he felt comfortable talking to her. Like it wasn't a big deal, in high school, they were best friends. They always talked about personal things.

"Oh," Holly nodded. "Well, for what ever reason I think you're making the right choice." She smiled brightly putting a warm hand on his arm.

"Why?" He asked curiously, as he slowly moved his arm away. It was just too weird.

"Dunno." She shrugged innocently. "I just think that you should be happy." She beamed at him. "You seemed happier with Spencer." Her voice trailed. This made Toby burst of a hearty laugh, him and Spencer were just pretending. Although, maybe she was right. It didn't matter any more, either way, he screwed things up.

"What?" She said her grin becoming wider and wider, until she too was laughing. "I'm serious."

"It's just," he licked his pink lips. "I don't know." he smiled as he finally looked into her deep green eyes. "You saw me and Hanna for like five seconds," he offered.

"Well, sometimes, a girl just knows things." She said matter-of-factually tilting her head up proudly.

"Well, I think I messed things up with her anyhow." He sighed his head dropping.

"So fix them." She stated after a pregnant pause. "Toby, you don't give up. Besides, you're a good guy, I doubt you did anything too bad." She encouraged. Toby just smiled and nodded. Holly's faith in him was far too over the top. Spencer probably hated him, and at this point he would be surprised if they made it out as friends.

After small talk with Holly, and her apologizing for her naive ways in high school. They both agreed to try and move on from high school, and re-lighten their friendship they once had. With that, Holly drove him to the small bar, they were at the night before, and he bid farewell to the green eyed girl, and hopped in his truck. He had one more stop before heading home, and confronting Spencer and Wren.

Meanwhile back at the apartment, Spencer and Wren sat across from each other at the round wooden table. Spencer twirled her fork multiple times, the noodles spiraling around the fork as the seconds moved by. The British man with the dark brown hair, and fair skin across from her sighed, and set his fork down. "Sorry i'm not the best cook, and sorry we're eating at four. I just wanted to have dinner with you before I head off to work," He rushed out. Spencer didn't even look at him, she simply just stared into space. "Spence," he cocked his head, about to grab her hand, but she pulled away before their fingers could even touch. Her eyes we're still away from Wren, as he looked at her upset. "Spencer," he said softly.

"I'm sorry." She said coldly. "But, I don't like when people think they can control what I do. You guys had no right to decide if I would be with either of you. I get a say in it too." She said coldly staring into his worried hazelnut eyes.

"I'm sorry." He said softly.

"Me too." She mumbled. "I think I just need some time," She bit her lip.

"Wait what?" Wren said confused, furrowing his eyebrows as he leaned in closer.

" I just-" She bit her lip. "Maybe," She swallowed hardly. "I think we should just slow down," She breathed. "Take a break, maybe."

"What!" He widened his eyes. "Why?"

"Because," She said firmly. "I don't like what you guys decided behind my back." She answered.

"Well, obviously neither of us followed that." He said, his british voice trailing with the obvious.

Spencer, opened her mouth apprehensively. Toby did apparently "I just," She fumbled on her words. " I need some time." She ducked her head down, her chestnut locks curtaining over her face.

"Okay," he sighed. "Look Spencer, I just hope this doesn't change how you feel about me." He said, practically pleading her.

After a short pause she spoke up again. "Instead of waiting another two months, I think I'm moving out sooner." Her voice trailed.

"How soon?" He asked anxiously.

"Like two weeks." She shrugged.

"Spencer, you don't have-"

"I should." She said sternly. "Wren," She sighed. "Aren't you worried about Toby? Didn't you see how mad he was?" She asked, a look of anger passing on her face as the word 'Toby' came out. She was still mad, but she couldn't deny she was curious, and... worried for where he had been all day, and the rest of last night. She was also curious, how Wren didn't say one word about Toby. It made no sense. She felt like she ruined their friendship, and she really hoped she didn't. She knew they had their point, in saving their friendship by being just friends with her. But, it still mad her mad, they shouldn't be able to just decide. Especially, when she felt the same way.

"I'm sure he's fine. He's a big boy." He said quickly.

"I just-" She fluttered her eyes.

"I'll deal with Toby." Wren said solidly.

"Okay," Her voice trailed.

"So," He said softly. "Are we over?" He asked glumly.

"I don't know." Spencer mumbled. "It isn't like we ever really were exclusive anyways," She rolled her head.

"So,"

"So, I just." She bit her lip. " I need some time. And I'll tell you then." She forced a smile.

"I'll wait." He said solemnly putting on a big sheepish grin.

The messy haired boy with the messier than usually fluffy brown hair stared at the blond, a worried look still covering his face. He still had his clothes on from the night before. He gulped staring into her innocent bright blue eyes, he moved his mouth open but, couldn't find the right words. This was his least favorite part of being in a relationship. He hated breaking girl's hearts, he never meant too.

"Hanna," He said his voice shaky. Her eyes were practically glued on him. "You're a great girl, you're everything a guy could ask for, beautiful, witty, kind, funny," His voice trailed nervously. Hanna looked dazzled, and glimpses of confusion flashed through her eyes. "and I'm just stupid," He bit his lip. "I'm sorry." He said sympathetically. Hanna was now catching on to what was about to happen. She stared at him in shock. "I just, I don't think we're going to work out." He admitted.

"What?" She breathed. "Why not?" She rushed out, the brims of her eyes already filling with tears. Toby didn't say anything, he just gulped nervously. "I thought everything was going-" Her voice broke out into a wail.

"I'm sorry Hanna." He said glumly, his eyes filling with hurt. He did care about Hanna, but just not as much as he did about Spencer. He knew that it wasn't fair to Hanna, she deserves some one who treats her right, and loves her fully.

"Is there someone else?" She said abruptly looking up at him, her eyes becoming pink. Toby didn't say anything, he let out a heavy sigh. "It's Spencer isn't it." She lowered her eyes, her nostrils flaring.

"Hanna-" And then Hanna's hand greeted Toby's face with a hard slap, before she yelled at him to get out of her apartment. Toby listened to her instructions, as he felt his face burn from Hanna's slap. Toby sighed. He wished she wasn't so strong as he looked at the red mark on his cheek in his small car mirror. Toby sighed again, as he turned on the heat for his car. He was going to miss Hanna, but it was for the best.

Toby opened the door hesitantly. He didn't know what he was going to do when he saw Wren, but he wasn't home much. Usually, the hospital he worked at had him on call almost always. Once, he got paged, he would practically sprint to the hospital. He honestly didn't even know if Spencer would be home, like Wren, on some days she would be extremely busy. Her shifts would last around fourteen to eighteen hours. He didn't know how they did it. but Spencer was home.

She came walking down the hall, and met eyes with him. She instantly became more guarded and tightened her posture, as he coffee bean eyes shot him a hard glare. Toby removed his eyes off of her and moved towards the kitchen. He barely had anything to eat today, Holly had made him a piece of toast, and that coffee, but that was it.

As Toby was preparing him self a grilled cheese, he heard Spencer's foot steps becoming closer, and a clearing of her throat. "Where have you been?" She asked indifferently. Toby sighed. No more lying.

"I got drunk last night, Holly found me, and brought me to her place, and I slept on her couch." He rushed out nonchalantly. Spencer, fluttered her eyes, in confusion but swallowed all of the information quickly. She wasn't planning into getting into a full conversation with Toby.

"Oh." She said flatly.

"Spencer," He looked up at her as he buttered his piece of bread. "I'm sorry that you think you had no say in all this-"

"Apparently I didn't!" She gritted through her teeth.

"You did." He said flatly. "You have made me insane for the past year." He pointed out bitterly. "I was trying to be a good friend to Wren, but in the process I was a shitty," He fumbled on his words. "Whatever we are, to you."

"Friends." She said harshly.

"We aren't just friends." He narrowed his eyes on her.

"You have a girl friend." She stated bitterly. "Why do you care if I'm with Wren!" She shouted her nostrils.

"Spencer,"

"No, listen." She yelled over the top of him. "You put me through hell, and I'm sorry i'm dating Wren. But, get over it." She snapped bitterly. "You may be the best guy I've ever met, but you're also the worst." She said her voice cracking. "When we first met, it's like you just got me. I felt like I didn't have to impress you, or be my best for you. And you don't know how good that feels." She smiled hesitantly wiping a falling tear. "But, then i find out that all this time you've been lying to me how you feel? That you had a fucking pact!" She raged. "On top of you breaking my heart, and deciding my future. What's next? Are you like the father of my sister's baby?" She joked harshly.

"Spencer I'm sorry. About all of that." He said solemnly. "Besides from Wren, I just didn't want to lose our friendship."

"Sometimes, when you lose something. Something better comes along, Toby." She shook her head glumly.

"I was stupid." He stated. "But, you make me stupid."

"What?" She snapped harshly, taking that as insult. Lowering her brown eyes on him.

"I always thought, guys who cheated on their girl friends were the biggest douche's in the world-"

"You did." She pointed out flatly looking at him with disgust.

"Just let me finish." He said rolling his eyes. "But, it was so easy with you to forget about Hanna. About everything." His voice trailed. "If it was any one else, I wouldn't have kissed them back, I would have pushed them away. But, it was you." He said boring in her hard mocha eyes. "And you're different from any one else because I love you. I'm in love with you," He said solemnly boring into her dark eyes. "and I'm sorry that I didn't tell you before. Because I've felt this way, for a long time." He said looking at her like she was some godess.

"Toby," She said as a tear came rolling down her cheek. "I can't okay?" She said ducking her head down, pulling a chestnut lock behind her ear. "You can't just tell me that. Now." She shouted. "It isn't fair." she huffed.

After a pregnant pause she wiped away her tears and looked up at Toby. "Don't you have a girlfriend?" She frowned. He shook his head slowly.

"I broke up with her." He said gloomily.

"Why?" She asked.

"I told you. I'm in love with you, I may have liked Hanna, but, I love you." He forced the words out.

Spencer sighed, and shook her head. "We have the ultimate worse timing." She declared with a small laugh. Toby chuckled along too.

"I know I don't deserve a second chance, but-"

"Toby." She clenched her jaw. "I don't know what you want me to say. When you told me that the kiss meant something but you were with Hanna." Her voice trailed. "I didn't understand." She stated looking into his oceanic eyes. "But now I do, I'm kind of with Wren, but" She shrugged. "I just need time." She breathed.

"I understand." he sighed looking down. And now she had a choice, a very hard one at that.

I feel like this chapter was So-So. But, um. I hope you don't hate me any more. (: It's moving along again. So woop Woop.

Thank you for the reviews! Honestly. Thank you for the readers, whom have been reading this story since the beginning. Thanks for the reviews, from the readers who just started. Just thank you! thank you for your patience too!

Please tell me what you think.

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