Hi all I hope you enjoy this chapter! I know I promised more Spoby but it's coming really soon! As always I don't own these characters. Please review!

The next morning Spencer is surprised to be gently awoken by her mom, still in the same position as she fell asleep in the night before, curled up in her mother's lap. It is still early but she can tell her mom is uncomfortable by the her stiff movements so she removes herself from the safe and warmth of her mother's arms and states that she is going upstairs to take a shower and get dressed for school. Her shower is quick like it had been the last few days, after finding that scrubbing her body raw didn't change the way she felt, Spencer realised that it was easier to not look at the bruised, skinny mess that was her body for more than a few minutes. Once in her room she reluctantly changes the bandages that still encase her swollen torso and tries in vain to find an outfit that makes her look even close to normal. Settling for a pair of dark skinny jeans, a loose fitting shirt and a cardigan she then applies enough make up to hide her pale skin and darkened under-eye. Heading downstairs Spencer is relieved to find that her mom has repeated yesterday's breakfast extravaganza but is instead reading the newspaper over a cup of coffee and a bowl of fruit. Feeling optimistic she plumps for a bowl of sugary cereal and settles in to a seat beside her mom at the breakfast bar. Disappointingly, each spoonful settles like a hard lump in her throat but needing the energy, she defiantly forces half of the bowlful in her before packing her bag and asking her mom for a lift to school. They drive in silence but this time it is more hopeful than tension filled and as her mom gives her reassuring smile, Spencer hops out of the car feeling like maybe unlike the last time, she really will be able to get through the day at school.

The school hallway is comfortingly familiar and as Spencer walks towards her locker she is greeted by her friends who welcome her back and tell her they like her outfit. Aside from their quick enquires about how she's feeling and their protective stance around her as they walk, they're the just the same as ever and Spencer feels her heart explode with love for these three girls, who have been and will be at her side no matter what. She is filled with a sense of panic however, when the bell rings and she is forced to separate from them, AP French is a class she'll have to face on her own. Emily kindly walks her to the door of her classroom and as Spencer walks in, the teacher Mr Marchauex, a small, balding man in his sixties offers her a friendly smile.

As the day goes on Spencer has mixed feelings, on one hand she hasn't freaked out or panicked but on the other hand she can't seem to concentrate on any of her classes and having already fallen a bit behind she is understandably frustrated. At lunch she eats very little and says even less, her mind filled with thoughts of Ian still on the loose as well as all the work she's going to have to do to catch up. Her teachers will make allowances she knows, but she's never been the type of girl to need extensions and she's determined not to start now. Her phone beeps on the table, sure to be one of a hundred concerned texts her mom has sent throughout the day and as she reaches for it Spencer catches the worried glances of her friends and tries desperately to keep her emotion in check. She is making it through the day and that is all that matters so she sends her mom a quick message of reassurance and then engages in conversation with the girls for the rest of lunch.

The last class of the day is English literature with Mr Fitz and Spencer is relieved to have her friends by her side. The novel, ''To Kill a Mockingbird'' is one she's read before so Spencer feels confident enough to participate in class. The time passes quickly as the bell rings Spencer is overwhelmed to have made it through the day without issue. As she turns to leave with the girls however, she drops her notebook on the floor beside Mr Fitz's desk. Bending to pick it up she is struck with a searing pain shooting through her body from her bruised ribs and is forced to lean against the desk. Mr Fitz kindly moves to retrieve the notebook for the injured girl but Spencer loses her cool and snaps at him,

"I got it", she snarls

"Ok, ok sorry I was just trying to help", he replies and is relieved when she takes a deep breath to calm herself and then whispers'

"I know, I'm sorry Mr Fitz it's just been a long day"

The teacher is quick to assure her that it's understandable with everything that she's going through and she hastily exits the room with Aria, Emily and Hanna by her side. She accepts Emily's offer of a ride home and they head toward the car park, Spencer's gait slowed considerably by her sore and tired body. The drive home is too quiet and Spencer can sense that Emily is working up the courage to ask her about something so when they pull in to Spencer's driveway and Emily broaches the subject of Toby, she is reluctant to tell her friend to stay out of it. Emily says he just wants to know that she's doing ok and Spencer promises she'll speak to him soon.

That night as she lies in bed Spencer thinks that she doing better, that one step at a time she is going to make it through this. With a renewed sense of optimism she decides to give Toby a chance to help her, to love her and so before she falls asleep she sends him a quick text,

*Hi Toby, it's Spence, I'm doing better and I want to see u. Maybe u can give me a ride to school in the morning, let me know. Nite Toby, I love you.*