It had been three days since homecoming but it felt like forever. The police searched Toby's house the next day and there was now a warrant out for his arrest. On Monday the girls were all mad that Toby had fled town and I defended him which led to another argument. So today things were tense and awkward between us to say the least. I didn't feel right sitting with them at lunch and the old chemistry lab was the last place I wanted to be. So I decided to spend lunch in Jason's office and that's where I was headed when I heard my name.
"Spencer!" A girl's voice called out and I recognized it almost immediately.
"Jenna." I replied as politely as I could.
"Where is he?" She demanded.
"Wow, you really don't like small talk, do you." I stated sarcastically.
"Not when I need answers. Now, where is he, Spencer?"
"How can I answer the question if I don't who you're asking about?"
"Cut the crap, Spencer, you know exactly who I'm talking about. And you know exactly where he is too because you were the one that helped him get out of town."
"What makes you think I'm the one that helped him? And even if it was me, what makes you think I know where he is?" I asked her continuing to play dumb.
"Toby drove my mom's car to homecoming on Saturday night. After the dance the car was still in the lot but Toby was gone and so was Jason's car. But Jason never left the dance so he must have given Toby his car." She stated. "And don't ask another stupid question. Jason helped because I know how close the two of you are. Now, where is Toby?"
"Now, you're the one asking stupid questions. You seem to be forgetting that Jason's car was found abandoned two blocks from your house and Toby's motorcycle is missing."
"You helped him, Spencer. You gave him Jason's car so that he could go home and get his motorcycle. That way he could get out of town faster and have a head start before the police started looking. But you made things worse because running away makes him look guilty. And that is not what Toby needs right now."
"How do you know what Toby needs? And why do you even care?" I questioned.
"I've always cared about Toby." She answered defensively.
"Yeah, I know exactly how you feel about Toby." I said and then started walking away but then I turned around. "Oh and, Jenna, all I did on Saturday night was drop my purse. I guess Jason's spare set fell out and somebody found them."
"Hey, Spencer," Mona greeted me as I took my seat in French which was beside hers.
"Hi, Mona," I replied.
Usually Mona and I made small talk until the class started but today I came in at the last second. The first thing the teacher addressed was our newest project and also who our partners would be. Mona and I had been paired together and after that we were told to spend the rest of class working on our project.
"So, you did help him didn't you?" Mona asked.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You know, for someone so smart, you've been playing dumb a lot today." She quipped. "I heard you and Jenna in the hallway during lunch. And no, I wasn't eavesdropping; you two were standing a few feet away from my locker, not exactly the most private place to be talking."
"I wasn't playing dumb. I really don't know where he is." I told her.
"But you did help him. Why?"
"Because he's my friend and I wasn't letting take the fall again for something that he didn't do." I answered.
"What about Alison? I don't know why but you were friends with her but you were. Don't you want the person who did this to be punished?"
"I do, but it wasn't him."
"I don't think it was him either, he's too sweet. And I believe that you don't know where he is. But why would you help him leave when you were so happy to have him back?"
"I'd rather him be far away but know for sure that he's safe than have him close by but in trouble. I know it sounds strange but…"
"No, I get it. You really are something, Spencer. You're always more concerned about others than yourself." She commented. "But when Toby comes back, do something for yourself for a change and tell him."
"Tell him what? And I assure you that I am not playing dumb."
"How you really feel about him." She replied and then changed the conversation to our project.
"Hi, Emily, Hanna." I greeted the two girls as I heard them walk into my room.
"Hey, Spence, thanks for letting us come over." Emily replied.
"Yeah we weren't sure if you were talking to us since you didn't sit with us at lunch." Hanna added and I felt her sit at the other end of the bed.
"I just didn't want to fight with you guys again." I sighed.
"That's why we're here, Spencer, to apologize for Monday." Emily stated as she sat beside me.
"It's okay, Em, I think we all said things that we shouldn't have." I shrugged.
"Well, either way we're all sorry. We know how much you care about Toby and if you believe him than so do I." Emily said and then gave me a quick hug.
"Thanks, Em, I appreciate that." I told her with a smile.
"And I'm sorry too, Spence. I never should have doubted that there was a good reason for you defending him. And I'm sorry for calling him the devil." Hanna mumbled.
"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to, but I forgive you anyway." I told her and opened up my arms for a hug.
"Thanks a million, Spencer; I hate it when you're mad at me." Hanna sighed in relief.
"I wasn't exactly mad but I was a little hurt. Toby means a lot to me, and so do all of you, but I don't want to be torn between two sets of friends." I admitted.
"Well, that won't be a problem anymore, because if you say that Toby didn't do it then we believe you." Hanna stated.
"And if he comes back we'll do a better job of being friends with him. That way you don't have to feel split between two sets of friends because we'll all be in one big group." Emily added.
"What about Aria? And Mona is part of the group too, right?" I asked.
"Oh, don't worry about Mona. She can relate to Toby because of Alison and she knows he would never do anything like that." Hanna assured me.
"And don't worry about Aria either, she'll come around eventually." Emily assured me as well.
"I'm not so sure about that. Out of everybody, she seemed the angriest at me for defending Toby."
"Well, she'll come around eventually. She's never been able to hold a grudge for more than a week." Emily said.
"Yeah, like the time she swore she'd never speak to me again when she found out I kissed Mike two years ago. A few days later we were laughing at some dumb story while shopping for necklaces." Hanna agreed.
"I remember that." I nodded. "So, since you guys came to apologize, and you've already done that, do you two want to do something together? And you could stay for dinner if you wanted."
"That sounds great; I'll just text my mom to let her know I'm staying." Hanna replied.
"Actually, there is another reason we're here, Spence." Emily admitted slowly. "Hanna, would you like to tell her?"
"No, no way, I am not telling!" Hanna yelled.
"Tell me what?" I asked them.
"Last week I left my jacket at Emily's, so I drove with her after school to get it. And when we got there we saw something." Hanna replied.
"What did you see?"
"Emily can tell you the rest." Hanna told me nervously.
"Hanna!" Emily yelled. "Fine, we saw two police officers talking to Mr. Cavanaugh and we sort of listened without them knowing. They were talking about Toby."
"Well?" I questioned when she didn't say anything after that.
"He…he's still missing, but the police found his motorcycle." Hanna answered.
"It was wrecked on the side of the highway." Emily whispered. "And we saw the wrecked motorcycle lying in the driveway."
"What? Is he okay? Is he hurt? Is he…" I asked quickly in panic.
"The police don't know how he is. All they found was the motorcycle, so he must have been okay enough to walk away. Apparently they're checking all the hospitals in the area because judging by the wreck he probably needs one. I'm really sorry, Spencer." Emily told me.
"This isn't happening, he can't be hurt or…he promised. He promised he'd stay safe. He promised he'd come back." I cried in disbelief into Hanna's shoulder.
"Okay, it's my turn." I stated excitedly. "If you could drive any car you wanted what would it be?"
"I have no idea." He laughed and shook his head.
"But you're a guy. Aren't you supposed to spend all your time playing video games and dreaming about owning some crazy expensive sports car?" I teased.
"Oh, I've definitely thought about cars, but it's too hard to choose just one. That's like asking a girl if she could own one designer dress what it would be." He replied. "But actually I think it would be cool to own a motorcycle."
"A motorcycle? Toby, do you know how dangerous those things can be? Or how many people die in motorcycle accidents each year?" I asked in concern.
"It's not dangerous if you know what you're doing and you follow traffic laws. And I promise that I'd be careful if I ever got one." He assured me.
"I know you'd be careful but what if somebody else wasn't? What if there was a reckless or drunk driver on the road?"
"Spencer, there's a chance of that even when I'm driving a normal car."
"Yeah, but in a car there's bumpers, seat belts, air bags. A motorcycle it's just a person sitting on two wheels." I argued. "Look, Toby, if that's what you want then go for it. But you mean a lot to me, so I want you to stay safe."
"Spencer, I'm not getting a motorcycle tomorrow, it's just a wild thought. But if I ever do get a motorcycle, I promise I'll stay safe. And I want you to promise to stay safe because you mean a lot to me too. Okay?"
"Okay, I promise to stay safe. And when I get my permit next year I assure you that I'll be the safest and most cautious driver in Pennsylvania." I nodded.
"I don't doubt that for a second." He told me. "Now, I believe it is my turn. If you could only drink one beverage for the rest of your life what would it be?"
"Really, Toby?" I asked rolling my eyes at him. "Do you not know me at all? Coffee is my favorite thing in the world."
"I know who you are, Spence. But you were so serious and I wanted to make you laugh." He replied. "Did it work?"
"Yeah, it worked." I told him and both of us ended up laughing.
I'm really sorry everyone. I know part of this chapter was really sad (sad might be an understatement) But Toby is FINE! And at least there was some Spoby fluff in the flashback. And Spencer made up with Hanna and Emily. How many of you liked the way Spencer handled Jenna? And will Spencer listen to Mona and tell Toby how she feels? Let me know your thoughts and 6 reviews for the Friday update. Next chapter has a sweet flashback and Spencer does something special for Toby.