On Friday my parents once again were out of town. And Jason was visiting his parents so I was home alone. Melissa and Ian were in the barn and they were supposed to check on me but I doubted they would. Toby knew I was by myself and came over with dinner for the two of us. We used to do this a lot before Alison found out about us and it was nice to have him around again.
"So where are your parents this time?" Toby asked as we put away the dishes we had just washed.
"Um, Boston, I think. Maybe Pittsburg, I'm not sure." I shrugged.
"Your parents leave town for a week and they don't tell you where they are? Why am I not surprised?" He questioned.
"But I do know where they are." I stated and then explained further. "They were going to Boston on business and if they had time they were going to visit my nana in Pittsburg."
"So you know but you don't know." He quipped as we sat down in front of the fireplace.
"Yeah, it's something like that." I nodded.
"Do your parents ever take you on trips with them?" He asked. "I mean wouldn't they take you with them if they were visiting your nana?"
"They used to take Melissa and me on trips with them. But we argued too much so they started taking us separately. We were supposed to have turns but then trips with me stopped altogether. My parents said that I needed to study harder and concentrate more on school." I admitted to him sadly.
"I'm sorry, Spencer. That must be pretty rough."
"Don't be, I've gotten used to it. You know, once when I was seven, I got into a fight with Melissa. My parents took her side so I decided that I was going to run away."
"You ran away from home?" Toby asked skeptically. It was probably hard to imagine Miss Perfect doing such a thing. "Where did you go?"
"To the movies, it was something animated." I sighed a little at remembering. "Afterwards I got lonely so I decided to go back home. But when I got back I almost wished I hadn't. They never noticed I was gone."
"How about another game of Scrabble?" He asked trying to cheer me up.
One of the things that made Toby and I such good friends was that he got me. I didn't have to speak a word but he knew. He knew how I felt about my family. He knew how I felt about school and my friends. He knew how I didn't like talking about certain things. He just knew me.
"Why do you play with me even though you know I'm going to win?" I asked as I stood up to get the game.
"Hey, one of these times I am going to win." He stated playfully.
"Oh yeah, that will be the day the sky falls, pigs fly, and it snows on the 4th of July." I mocked.
The game was in my room and I knew that Toby still wasn't comfortable going in there. Things had finally stopped with Jenna and her threats turned out to be empty, but Toby was still apprehensive about certain things. But I was okay with that, I was just glad that he felt comfortable around me.
"You know in some places it actually does snow on the 4th of July. Now, those places might be in countries that don't celebrate like we do, but it does snow." He commented and I glared. "What? You're the only one that's allowed to state random facts?"
"Being a wise guy really doesn't fit your personality."
"And weren't you the one that told me that 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." He quoted me perfectly with a smug grin and completely ignoring my comment.
I just rolled my eyes at him and then proceeded upstairs to get the game. But any irritation I felt for him disappeared when I heard him mumble to himself once I was out of sight.
"I will beat you one day, but that's not the only reason. It's because it makes you happy; that means more than who wins the game."
"So, you asked me about my day, but I didn't ask about yours." I commented as Toby led me to sit by the fireplace.
"It was okay. I met up with a friend of mine this afternoon." Toby replied as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders.
"Oh was it anybody I know?"
"No, he's new in town. But I met him a few times last year. His name is Caleb Rivers." He told me and I immediately started laughing.
"You're friends with Caleb Rivers?" I questioned in disbelief while still laughing. "I've not met him but I do know him. He's dating Hanna."
"Really? That's funny because he asked if I was going to the festival tomorrow. He wants me to meet his girlfriend." He said and started laughing as well.
"I guess it really is a small world."
"Speaking of the festival, do you want to go? I could take you and we could hang out with Hanna and Caleb." He offered.
"That sounds fun." I nodded in agreement. "It's a date."
"It's a date." Toby repeated quietly and I knew he was smiling even if I couldn't see it.
I felt his hand softly press against my cheek. I tilted my head to the side and leaned into his hand. Just like the first, Toby gently pressed his lips against mine. I returned the kiss and enjoyed the familiar feeling and pleasure.
"Spencer! I'm so glad you're here! I want you to meet Caleb." Hanna said excitedly when Toby and I met up with them. "And hey, Toby, you apparently already know Caleb."
"And apparently you already know my girlfriend too." I heard Caleb state. "And it looks like you've got one yourself."
"Nice to see you again, Caleb. And yes, this is Spencer, my girlfriend." Toby told him and I couldn't help but smile when he called me his girlfriend.
"Well, congratulations to you, Cavanaugh, about time something good happened to you." Caleb said to him. "It's nice to meet you, Spencer."
"Likewise, Caleb." I said politely. "Hanna's told me a lot about you."
"Yeah, Hanna's told me a lot about you and the others too." Caleb commented. "So, we're all here together, what do we want to do?"
"I need food before I can enjoy anything, and preferably food with a lot of sugar." Hanna stated and I shook my head.
"Food it is then." Toby said looping his arm with mine.
"Cool, let's go." Caleb said excitedly, he seemed like a typical guy that would never turn down food.
"Actually, there's something I need to do with Spencer real quick. You guys grab something for us. We'll meet up with you in a few minutes." Hanna suggested a sudden change of plans.
"Um, okay." Caleb agreed sounding a little unsure; I could tell he was still getting used to Hanna's personality and way of thinking.
"Great," Hanna said and I heard her clap her hands together before gently grabbing my arm.
Hanna led me away from the guys and to some quiet spot.
"Soooo, can you believe that you and I are on a double date!?" Hanna asked excitedly.
"No, because I never thought I would ever have a boyfriend." I shook my head.
"Oh, I knew that you would end up with someone. I never thought it would be Toby, but seeing you as a couple, I totally love you two together." Hanna stated. "Now, me on the other hand, I thought if things ended with Sean, I'd die single."
"Well, Caleb cares about you and he seems like a good guy. As far as guys wanting you, Caleb must get jealous every time a guy stares at you." I assured her.
"I know he does." She laughed. "And Toby must get jealous too. Speaking of boyfriends, when did things become official?"
"I don't really know." I shrugged. "Yesterday Toby talked to me about meeting up with Caleb and asked if I wanted to come here with him tonight. I said it's a date and then kissed me. Then just now he tells Caleb that I'm his girlfriend."
"Well, that's just how it is sometimes. You and Toby seem like the type that just knows without having to say anything." She commented hitting the nail on the head.
"That's exactly how things are with us." I nodded and laughed at her accurate observation.
"It's like that between me and Caleb sometimes, but never between me and Sean. I guess that's proof that Caleb and I are meant for each other. I mean who else out there is going to put up with my wackiness?" She said and we both laughed at the last part. "Now let's get back to those guys that are meant for us."
"So has Hanna dragged you around on shopping trips yet?" I asked Caleb.
"Not yet, but I've heard stories." Caleb replied and I could tell he dreaded what he knew was eventually coming.
"I haven't forced him into coming shopping with me yet. That's not an experience for the faint of heart. I want to make sure he's ready for it so I know he won't be scared off and leave me." Hanna added, slightly joking and slightly serious.
"Hanna, I have no intentions of leaving you just because you're…very passionate about shopping. I might not like it, but it won't scare me off." Caleb told her trying to be tactful and find the right words.
"You better not leave me, Rivers. I have friends that are really protective." Hanna told him with warning in her voice.
"And as one of her friends, I can back that up. But a word of warning, do not underestimate me. I may be blind but if you hurt Hanna, I will find a way to hurt you." I added with a slight sinister grin.
"I'll remember that." Caleb said a little uneasily and I heard Hanna and Toby laughing quietly.
"Don't worry; Spencer and the others won't do anything unless I ask them to." Hanna assured him. "And actually I have something similar to say to you, Toby. Spencer is my best friend, so you better take care of her. If you aren't there when she needs you, or you ever hurt her, I will make you pay."
"I assure you, Hanna, I know better than to cross you, Spencer, or the other girls. I promise I have absolutely no intentions of hurting Spencer. I'll do whatever I can to take care of her and be there for her." Toby stated sincerely as he wrapped his arm around my waist.
"I've heard that before. And sometimes you hurt someone whether you have the intentions to or not." Hanna told him.
"I completely agree with you, Hanna, you can hurt someone without intending to. And I know how that feels on both ends, so I would never want that to happen. If you ever find me hurting Spencer, you call me out on it because that's the last thing I want." Toby told her and I didn't doubt that he meant every word.
"Good answer and I will more than call you out for hurting Spencer. I'll kick your butt." Hanna threatened but I knew she was just having fun now. "I'm glad Spencer has you."
"I'm glad I have him too." I smiled and rested my head on his shoulder.
"Oh and, Toby, there's one more thing." Hanna added and her voice and mood changed. "I'm sorry for thinking that you hurt Ali. I know now that you didn't, but I still shouldn't have thought it in the first place. And I'm sorry for calling you the devil after you ran away from homecoming."
"It's okay, I understand. I was framed and someone did a really good and convincing job of doing it. As for the name calling, I've been called worse, believe it or not. There's no hard feelings, so don't beat yourself up about it." He said and I felt him shrug his shoulders.
"Thanks, Toby, I appreciate that." Hanna sighed in relief.
"Hey, not to ruin the moment, but I need to use the lady's room." I stated as I stood up. "Could you come with me, Han?"
"Sure, I could use a trip to the restrooms."
We made our way to the restrooms together and left the guys to watch our stuff. Hanna finished before I did then went to wait outside since she hated public restrooms.
I finished in the stall and went out to wash my hands. It was a similar set up to the school bathrooms so I found my way easily. I went to head out but something blocked my path. The door, which was always held open by a few bricks, was now closed. I should have been able to push it back open but something was keeping it shut.
"Is anybody in here?" I called out only to realize I was trapped in here by myself.
"Hanna!" I shouted hoping she would hear me outside.
Why did I leave my phone and purse on the bench with Toby and Caleb? Did some kids think it would be funny to jam the door or was this done on purpose? I tried my best to stay calm, but my fear got the best of me. I pounded on the door, hoping that someone would hear me.
Cliffhanger! I wasn't kidding when I told you that a lot happened in this chapter. How many of you liked the double date? So do you think someone locked Spencer in or was it just an accident? Who do you think will find her? And what did you think of the conversation between Hanna and Toby? Next chapter will be from Toby's POV and there will be some Taleb in it. So I hope you are looking forward to it and see you Friday.