"Toby?" I asked as I carefully stood up from my seat.
I was ninety percent positive that it was him, but with the other ten percent I thought that this was all just a dream. A wonderful dream and I would wake up from when the bell rang or if one of the girls found me here.
"It's me, Spence, it's me." I heard him reply and immediately any doubts that I had about him really being here vanished.
Carefully, I took a few steps toward the direction I had heard his voice come from. Toby must have realized what I wanted and met me half way. And for the first time in over a year I felt the comfort and safety that I only felt when I was with him. His arms wrapped around me gently but tight enough to give me a sense of security.
"I've missed you so much." I whispered and I could feel tears running down my face as I smiled like an idiot.
"Me too, more than you know." He said as he wiped my tears.
For a few minutes we just stood together in silence, enjoying the sweet moment of finally being together. To be honest, even though I knew this was real it still hadn't sunk in that Toby was really here.
"You know, it's been over a year and I still haven't thanked you." He stated breaking the silence.
"For what, helping Ali set your garage on fire by being naïve and giving her the lighter?" I asked sarcastically not being able to help it.
"Really, Spencer, we've been together ten minutes and you're already being sarcastic?" He laughed and I could imagine him rolling his eyes.
"I know and I'm sorry." I sighed.
"You don't have to apologize. To be honest I really don't care because I've missed you so much, sarcasm and coffee addiction included."
"I'm not addicted to coffee; it's just my preferred beverage. I could drink something else just as much if I wanted to." I pointed out. "But seriously, what did you want to thank me for?"
"First let me say that you're not responsible for what happened no matter what you think." He stated leaving no room for argument. "But you are responsible for saving my life that night. I could have gotten out but I couldn't leave Jenna. If you hadn't come running in, Jenna and I probably would have been stuck in there. I know it's long overdue, but thank you, Spencer. And I'm so sorry about what happened to you because of it."
"I'm only going to say this because I know that it's pointless to argue. You're welcome, Toby. And I'm going to tell you the same thing you told me, you're not responsible for what happened to me not matter what you think. I'd do it again if it meant that you would be okay."
"And I would do the same for you, Spencer. You're the most important person in my life and I'll always do whatever I can to help you."
"Is that why you took the blame? Because Ali would frame me for it if you didn't?" I asked.
"H…how did you know about that?" He questioned and the shock in his voice was highly obvious.
"Jason told me. Ali planned it all and she told him what was going to happen and that I was responsible." I explained. "So, is that why did it?"
"Yeah, I just couldn't let her do that to you." He admitted in a whisper. "I didn't want to leave you, especially after I found out that you might not see again. But I want you to know that I didn't leave by choice."
"I guess I've always known that, but it's nice to hear. For the last year I was so worried that you wouldn't come back, and that if you did, you would hate me." I told him quietly, knowing that he wouldn't like me thinking that.
"Spencer, I could never hate you. In fact, what you did only made me appreciate you so much more. This past year showed me that I sort of started taking you granted as a friend, and I feel like the luckiest person in the world to have you back."
"You're the second luckiest person in world. I'm the first." I teased him.
"Of course you are, you're Spencer Hastings." He laughed. "But regardless of who's luckier, I know that I'm glad to have you back. And this time nothing is going to keep you away from me."
"I'm glad to have you back too, Tobes. I really, really am." I told him with a smile.
"Hey, thanks for picking me up." I said as I buckled my seat. "I hope it wasn't too much trouble."
"Spencer!" Jason raised his voice and then sighed with exaggeration. "You are my sister, you are never an inconvenience and you don't cause trouble. You might be a bit of a pain in the neck sometimes but that's just because you play the part of the annoying little sister so well sometimes."
"Shut up, Jason. You know you could have just said that I'm not a bother and left it at that." I told him.
I was trying to sound mad at him but he clearly saw through it.
"Wow, someone's in a good mood. What did I miss?"
"Nothing really, everyone was just gossiping about Jenna and Toby being back." I shrugged.
"See, I told you that something would happen and people would forget all about us." He teased and shook my shoulder playfully. "But how come you're so happy if that's all that happened?"
"Remember how I told you that Toby and I used to hide out in the old chemistry lab? You know the one that is used as storage since they added onto the school three years ago? Well, I don't know why but I skipped lunch today and sat in there and apparently Toby had the same idea. For the first time in a year I got to talk to him, in fact I hadn't realized how much I really missed him until he came in and hugged me."
"I take it that things went well."
"Yeah, things went great. We talked and it felt like old times and we agreed that we wouldn't feel responsible for anything the night of the fire."
"Finally, I don't have to hear you whine about how guilty you feel anymore." He sighed in fake annoyance. "And didn't I tell you that things would pick up right where you guys left off?"
"Yes, you did, Jason." I nodded and then mumbled the next part hoping he wouldn't hear. "You were right."
"I'm sorry, what did you say?" He asked and I knew what was coming.
"You were right." I mumbled a little louder.
"You know what; I think I must have water in my ears or something from my shower. Could you repeat that?"
"Don't push it, Jason." I warned and I could almost picture the smug and triumphant grin on his face.
"Alright, alright, I'll be glad that you said it twice. But seriously, aren't you glad I was right about this? You and I both know that you haven't been this happy in a long time."
"I am glad that you were right about this." I admitted and couldn't help but smile. "And I am happy, really happy."
"Hey, the birthday girl made it." Toby smiled as I came into his view.
"Toby, my birthday isn't until next Saturday." I laughed as I stepped into his open arms and hugged him.
"I know, but you said that you were doing something special with the girls all weekend. So I figured I'd surprise you and celebrate early. After all, the early bird gets the worm."
"Did you just call me a worm, Toby Cavanaugh?" I demanded trying to sound angry but I ended up smiling like an idiot.
"Uh, I guess I did. But you're not a long ugly worm that little kids tease each other with. You're a very pretty bookworm." He clarified trying to save himself.
"Well, I'll take that as a compliment then because I love to read. Reading comes as a close second to coffee." I laughed.
"I don't think you'll ever like anything better than coffee. Though, I'll never get why because I drank your coffee once and it's strong enough to kill most people." He said shaking his head as he sat down on the rock.
"Since when am I ever like most people?" I questioned as I sat down beside him
"I will agree that you definitely aren't like most people, but that's okay because neither am I." He assured me. "So, do want to open your present?"
"Toby, you didn't have to get me a present. Having you as a friend is all I want from you." I told him.
"Well, then don't think of it as a birthday present. Consider it payback because you got me a present on my birthday even though I told you not to." He stated firmly.
"First, you loved the present I got you. Second, you never said anything about not getting you a present. In fact you never even told me when your birthday was. And I wouldn't have found out if I hadn't overheard Jenna talking about how excited she was that you could drive her around." I argued.
"Alright, I did love your present, and I'm sorry that I didn't tell you when my birthday was. I just figured that it didn't matter and that you wouldn't really care." He apologized with a shrug.
"Of course your birthday matters, Toby. And once again, since when am I, ever, like most people?"
"I know you're different from other people, Spence, and I'm glad you are. Now, open your present because I know you're going to love it."
I reluctantly took the small gift bag and pulled out the tissue paper. I reached in and grabbed a velvet box and opened it up. Inside was a gold necklace with a gold, square pendant. It looked a lot like a Scrabble tile and was engraved with the letter 'S.'
"Toby, thank you so much, it's beautiful." I thanked him and gave him a hug.
"I'm glad you like it, Spence." He smiled as he pulled away from the short hug.
Even though it was short I was still happy because at least it wasn't awkward like it used to be and I was amazed at how far Toby and I had come in only a few months.
"Sorry, for not getting you a card by the way. I didn't know what to write and the ones at the store seemed too lame." He said as he held my hair back so I could clasp the necklace.
"That's alright, I understand. And the necklace as well as celebrating my birthday with you is all I need." I assured him.
"So, are you excited about turning fifteen on Saturday?"
"Yeah I guess. But fifteen seems insignificant compared to turning thirteen or sixteen. Although, I get to have you around for my birthday this year so that makes it pretty significant."
"Why does having me around make things significant?" Toby asked confused.
"Because you're one of my best friends, Toby, and I always enjoy being with my friends. But you understand me better than anyone else does, and when you're around Alison isn't, so being around you is especially enjoyable. I guess what I'm trying to say is that when I'm with you I'm relaxed and happy, really happy." I told him with a loving smile.
So they're finally back together! I hope this chapter makes up for how I left things on the last one. Also I hope I did their reunion justice and that it lived up to your expectations. Next chapter is pretty much all Spoby except for a small part. And Spencer tells someone the truth about Jason. Anybody want to take a guess as to who finds out? Let me know what you think and I'll see you soon with the next chapter.