Hi everyone! Thank you sarahschneider2012 and Pllrevenge for reviewing. Speaking of reviews, just like last time, if I get 5 reviews I'll update on Friday. So this chapter has on of my favorite flashbacks so far. It ended up being longer than I expected but I don't think I'll be getting any complaints about that. So I hope you enjoy the chapter including the flashback and enjoy tonight's episode.
The next day at school I entered the cafeteria and was immediately approached by Hanna.
"Hey, Spencer, I'm glad I found you. I already got Aria and Emily to sit with Mona and me so please say that you'll sit with all of us. We've been apart for too long and my goal for junior year is to reunite all of us." Hanna said very quickly and excitedly.
"I'd love to, Han." I smiled and I could imagine that she was smiling too.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you, I promise you won't regret this. It's going to be so much fun and there won't be any Alison to ruin things." She said sounding even more excited than before as she lead me over to the table where the others were seated.
"Hey, Spence," Emily greeted me as I sat down beside her.
"Yeah, it's so good to see you." Aria said.
"Okay, Spencer, so Emily is to your right and Aria is on Emily's right. I'm across from you and Mona is to my right but your left." Hanna stated, it was a change to hear her take the lead.
"Hi, Spencer, and Hanna meant to that I'm next to her on her left and your right." Mona clarified.
"Left right, this that, whatever." Hanna mumbled. "Who cares anyway? We're both sitting across from her."
"So, Spencer, how was dinner with your sister's fiancé last night?" Emily asked trying to start some conversation.
"It was good. But how did you know about that?"
"Because your parents have been calling everyone in town and gushing about how lucky Melissa is and how happy they are." Emily replied bluntly.
"Yeah, and Melissa is definitely making sure that everyone knows. I saw her walking around town this morning on my way to school and it's impossible to miss her gigantic rock of an engagement ring." Aria added.
"Sadly, none of that is surprising." I mumbled sarcastically. "Melissa says that she loves Wren but part of me thinks it's just because he's going to be a doctor which means maintaining her rich and luxurious lifestyle."
"I met him in the Grille this morning and he didn't seem like one of Melissa's typical boyfriends." Hanna commented.
"I know what you mean, Hanna. And that's exactly one of the reasons that I think she's just with him for his money."
"Hey, speaking of being with people, is it true that you're dating Jason DiLaurentis?" Mona asked speaking for the first time since clarifying Hanna's mistake.
"Excuse me, what?" I asked raising my voice.
"There's a rumor going around that you two are dating." Mona told me.
"I don't know how that rumor got started but like most rumors, it's not true. Jason and I are just friends." I clarified.
I would have told them that Jason is my brother, because Jason and I don't care about who knows. But his parents and my parents act like the world would end if anybody knew.
"And some of the best ships are set sailing by the winds of being friends first." Aria stated poetically.
"Yeah, what she just said." Hanna agreed. "Just look at me and Sean. For years I had that huge crush on him. Then one day we just started hanging as friends and now we're together and things are great."
"And don't forget that the two of you are going to be Homecoming King and Queen." Mona added.
"Really, Mona, it's the second day of school and you're already thinking about Homecoming?" Emily teased.
"Homecoming and prom are the only exciting things that happen in this small town. So forgive me for being a little over excited." Mona defended herself.
"So you're really dating Sean? Congratulations, Han." I said truly happy for her.
"Thanks, but don't you dare use that as a way to change the subject. Now tell us what's really going on between you and Ali's weird older brother." Hanna stated with determination.
"And don't say that it's nothing, Spence, because several people saw him bring you to school today and yesterday and walk you to some of your classes." Emily told me.
"Yeah, and I heard from Noel that he saw you two leave school together yesterday." Aria added.
"You actually believe something that you heard from Noel Kahn?" I questioned in surprise.
"I didn't believe him when I heard it, but since the others heard that Jason also brought you to school, I'm starting to." Aria admitted.
"Well, those things are true. But we're not dating. Like Hanna said, he's Ali's weird older brother, and that would be very strange. He's a great friend but I wouldn't date him if you dared me to."
And that was true. Except it wasn't about Jason being Ali's older brother, it's because he's my older brother.
"I wish you were. I feel like Hanna, Mona, and I, are leaving you and Aria out because we have boyfriends and you two don't." Emily said.
"Don't worry, Em. I'm perfectly happy with my single status for now." I assured her.
"And I am too, so you don't have to worry about me either." Aria added.
"Is that code for you're waiting patiently for the perfect guy to walk into your life?" Hanna teased.
"I can believe that Aria is a hopeless romantic, but I have a hard time believing that about Spencer." Mona commented.
"I'm not really, but I like the idea of finding the perfect guy." I shrugged.
"Or maybe you've already found the perfect guy and either he doesn't like you back or you're afraid to tell him you like him." Mona suggested.
It surprised me how perceptive Mona was. I once thought that Toby and I could be together but I never said anything and thought things would be better if we stayed friends.
"That was a close call." Toby sighed as he leaned against the bookshelf.
"Yeah, a little too close if you ask me." I agreed as I also leaned against the shelf. "I wish Alison would just leave you alone."
"I do too, but I know she's never going to change. And I guess I've just gotten used to it."
"That's the saddest and most horrible thing I think I've ever heard. Nobody should have to get used to Alison and the way she treats you, Mona, and all the others."
"And I thought you were the smart one." He teased.
"I am the smart one." I declared as I playfully smacked him.
"Yeah, then how come you contradict yourself?"
"What do you mean? I do not."
"Yes, you do, Spencer. You just said that nobody should have to get used to Alison and the way she treats people, but haven't you?"
"That's different." I whisper shouted defensively since we were hiding in an empty classroom.
"How?" He continued to question without the slightest hint of letting up until he got an answer.
"It just is, Toby." I told him, hoping that he would let it go even though I knew he wouldn't.
"Spencer, I've seen the way she treats you, Emily, Hanna, and Aria. Personally I think Alison treats the four of you worse than she does people like me. You want to know how I've gotten used to Alison; well I want to know why you put up with her."
"Because she's my friend, Toby, even though it might not always seem like it. And despite how much I want to sometimes, I don't turn my back on my friends. Kind of like I'll never turn my back on you, even though we have to hide our friendship because things will get ugly fast if Alison or Jenna ever find out."
"You are the most amazing person I have ever met, Spencer. Not everyone is willing to stick with their friends when things get tough the way you do. You've given Alison and I more chances then most people would and definitely more than we deserve." He stated with an admiring smile.
It was when Toby said things like that that made me wonder. Wonder what it would be like to have a relationship as more than friends. Toby understood me better than anyone else in my life ever had. And he wasn't afraid to challenge me, just like he had moments before. We both had similar issues in our lives, we had similar personalities and opinions, and both of us were more stubborn than mules. Toby was even brave enough to drink my coffee every once in a while. He brought out the best in me and I liked to think that I made his life a little happier.
"Stop comparing yourself with Alison. You two are nothing alike." I told him changing the subject.
As much as I liked to think about it, I knew Toby and I couldn't be more than friends. First, because it was hard enough trying to hide what we had now. Second, nobody, not even sweet, amazing, and underappreciated Toby Cavanaugh, wanted to date someone like me. I had gone on two dates in my whole life and neither of them turned out pretty. Guys thought I was weird and nothing but a bookworm. And even though Toby was a great friend there was no way that he could ever think of me as more than a friend.
"I'm not I promise. I just want you to know that I'm glad that you're willing to give undeserving people a lot of chances."
"You're not undeserving, Toby. You just got dealt a bunch of really crappy hands."
"You can say that again."
"You just got dealt a bunch of really crappy hands." I said jokingly but then turned serious. "But don't let that discourage you. Everyone's luck has to change for the better some time. At some point you have to get dealt at least one good hand, it's a statistical fact."
"Well, I guess I have to believe you since you're Spencer Hastings and you know every statistical fact there is, especially when it comes to winning things." He teased.
"I am the smart one." I said repeating what I had told him earlier, only I was far less serious this time.
"I guess lunch is over. We should head to class." Toby said a little disappointedly and I felt the same.
"Yeah, that would probably be a good idea. We wouldn't want Alison looking for me or getting suspicious after she almost caught us talking in the hallway earlier." I agreed as I grabbed my books.
Toby nodded as he grabbed his stuff and then we walked out of the empty classroom together. We said a quick goodbye then headed our separate ways.
I could never be sure but I thought that I heard him whisper something after saying bye to me that day. It sounded a lot like, "I got dealt my good hand the day I met you."