It had been a few days since Ali's funeral but it felt like yesterday. The girls and I had been excused from school for a few days and Jason was given some time off. Today was my first day back and I got a ride with Emily since Jason wasn't returning to work for another week.
All morning I barely focused on my classes. Usually I was a very attentive student and got the highest grades but today my mind kept wandering. Actually it wasn't just today; my mind had been somewhere else ever since I found out that Toby was back in Rosewood. I wanted to talk to him so bad but I hadn't gotten a chance. And part of me hoped that if we did get a chance to talk that it would be like the last time he came back to Rosewood.
It was the last day of spring break and I was anxiously pacing around my bedroom. Toby's family had decided to go on vacation and today was the day that they were supposed to return. Finally I couldn't just stay in my room any longer so I decided to go to Emily's. That way I would know the second Toby got home since she lived closet to him and being with Emily would help me keep my sanity until then.
When I got there I felt a little guilty for not telling Emily my real reason for coming but I was too afraid that she wouldn't understand. So I told her it was because I missed her too much since she had been spending a lot of time swimming.
Half an hour later, I noticed a car pull into Toby's driveway. I stayed for a few more minutes, because I knew Toby needed a few minutes before he could get away, and then politely excused myself saying that I had to be home for dinner.
Once again I hated lying, because my parents were working late and told me to order something, but it was necessary. Mrs. Fields definitely wouldn't approve of me hanging out with Toby because she thought of him as a black sheep just like the rest of the town. And Emily believed everything Ali told her about Toby being a dangerous freak.
I walked about a block away from Emily's house and then texted Toby to meet me at the library. I got there about ten minutes later and Toby arrived right behind me. We casually walked over to our section of the library, before we acknowledged each other for the first time in a week. It was far enough in the back that no one would bother us but it wasn't as far back as the area where teens went to make out.
"Hi," I said quietly with a huge smile.
"Hey," He said with a smile as well.
"I think you should probably hold me right now or I'm going to explode and you'll have to explain that to the cranky library that's working today." I said teasingly.
"Well, we certainly can't have that happen." Toby laughed quietly as he embraced me in his strong arms.
"You can't leave for that long again." I told him with sad puppy dog eyes.
"It was only a week, Spencer."
"Yeah, but it felt like two. I've been so lonely since you left. Ali and I got in a fight, Emily's been busy swimming, Aria's family went on vacation, and Hanna has cut off contact with the world because she's upset about her dad."
"I'm sorry you've been lonely and I promise that I won't leave for that long again if I can help it. Will you give me a chance to try and make up for it?"
"What did you have in mind?" I asked with curiosity.
"If your parents aren't home, I was thinking we could have a movie marathon all night." He suggested.
"It just so happens that my parents are out of town, which means we're really lucky because that's such a rarity." I informed him sarcastically. "So I think a movie night sounds great. Any type of movie in mind?"
"It's up to you, but believe it or not I really want to watch To Have and Have Not."
"Yes! I told you those old classics and film noirs would grow on you." I said happily.
"And as usual, you are right." He laughed quietly. "So, do you want to check out a book or do you want to head straight for your place?"
"Actually there is this one book that I want to check out. I'll just be a minute but if you need me just whistle. You know how to whistle don't you?" I said imitating the character of Slim from To Have and Have Not on the last part.
"Oh, I know how to whistle." He assured me. "I'll wait outside while for you."
When the bell rang meaning that it was time for lunch I felt anything but hungry. And I also didn't want the girls to ask why I was so distracted. So I decided to skip lunch and study for my next class. Without even realizing it I ended up in an empty classroom and I was pretty sure it was the same one Toby and I used to hang out in. Part of me wanted to leave since I was already distracted with thoughts and memories but part of me wanted to stay in hopes that Toby would wander in here too.
"Wow, some things really do never change." I heard a male voice laugh as someone entered the classroom.
I slightly recognized the voice but I couldn't place it. It was like the first day of school when I barely recognized the girls' voices since it had been almost a year since I had seen them last. A few seconds later I realized who it was and gasped in surprise even though I had been hoping for this moment for a long time.
It had been a few days since Ali's funeral, which was also my first day back in Rosewood. And now today was my first day back in Rosewood High. I would be lying if I said I was excited because I never really cared about school. And I definitely wasn't happy that I had to help Jenna around. But the one good thing about coming back to Rosewood was that I got to see Spencer. Ever since I saw her and her friends at the funeral I haven't been able to take my mind off her. Not that I wanted to though.
I've never been known for paying attention to classes but it was even worse today because I kept hoping that Spencer would be in one of my classes. It had been over a year since I had last seen her on the hill before the fire and it was killing me. But I wasn't exactly surprised to find out that we had none of the same classes because even though Spencer had lost her sight she was still the smartest person in school. Maybe if I was lucky I could get a chance to finally talk to her at lunch. But until then I let my mind wander and remember all the times we spent together.
"I hate coming back to school after Christmas break." Spencer mumbled as we walked into the empty classroom we often hung out in during lunch.
"Did Spencer Hastings just admit to hating school?" I laughed in disbelief.
"I don't hate school; I just don't like coming back after the holidays. It's like you have all the excitement about what you're getting for Christmas and being with family, then the excitement of staying up late on New Year's Eve. And then wham! You get tossed back into school before you can really enjoy everything because the holidays go by so fast."
"You know what they say. Time flies when you're having fun."
"I wouldn't exactly say I had fun over the holidays. But it was nice to have a break from school and Christmas is the one time when my family can come somewhat close to being normal." She sighed as she sat down on one of the desks.
"Wow, in the time that I've known you I have never heard you refer to your family as anywhere near normal." I commented as I sat next to her.
"That's because my family sucks." She said with a little irritation in her voice. "But around Christmas time we all pretend to be one big happy family. Melissa and I decorate the tree, my mom bakes cookies with us, and my dad hires someone to decorate the house."
"Well, even if it is all for appearance, at least they try." I told her trying to make her feel better about things.
"Oh my goodness, I am such a horrible person." Spencer whispered as she hid her face in her hands.
"What are you talking about, Spencer? Why would you say that?" I asked her as I took her hands away from her face.
"It's because I'm complaining about my family, but you had to spend Christmas with your dad, your stepmom, and Jenna. And if that's not bad enough this was your second Christmas without your mom and I got to spend time with mine and didn't even care."
I wanted to tell her she was wrong and that everything was okay but that would've just been a lie. But what she said was true and part of me wanted to sit around feeling sorry for myself because of it.
"And I just made a huge idiot out of myself for bringing that up. I'm sorry, Toby, I shouldn't have…"
"You don't have to apologize, Spencer, you're right. The holidays were pretty hard this year. And having Jenna and her mom around didn't help." I admitted quietly. "But don't hate yourself because you didn't appreciate the time you had with your family. To be honest I don't blame you for getting mad at them for not really caring and just doing things for appearance sake. I'd rather be on my own than spend time with people like that."
"Well, you don't have to be alone. You've always got me." She told me with a smile that she rarely showed.
"It's not saying much, but you've got me too, Spencer. I don't know if I've ever said this, but I'm really glad we bumped into each other in the library that day."
"I'm really glad too, Toby, really, really glad." She nodded in agreement and her smile grew even bigger.
Finally the bell rang and it was time for lunch. I was glad for the short break in between classes but I wasn't that hungry and I definitely didn't want to sit with Jenna. So I decided to skip lunch and just sit in the car reading until it was time for my next class. As I headed towards exit I passed the classroom that Spencer and I used to hang out in and I couldn't help but look to see if she was there.
I peeked in and to my surprise she actually was there. She was seated at one of the desks with her back to me, but even though I couldn't see her face I just knew it was her. Nobody else in the world had hair as beautiful as her long brown waves. For over a year I had imagined what it would be like to see and talk to her again. And now that I had the chance I couldn't believe it, especially that it was here in the empty classroom we used to hang out it.
"Wow, some things really do never change." I laughed in disbelief as I walked into the classroom.
Cliffhanger! I know you guys probably think I'm mean since you've been waiting for their reunion. But I didn't do this on purpose it just worked out that way. I've been wanting to post this chapter since I wrote it and hopefully you guys loved it as much as I do. And I promise next chapter is what you've all been waiting for and there is a lot of sweet fluff. So if you want to read next chapter on Friday how about 6 reviews for chapter 6? I know that shouldn't be a problem for you guys, especially since next chapter finally has some present time Spoby. Happy PLL watching tonight!