The next few days were crazy. I was still getting used to seeing again plus there was the huge shopping trip. Hanna told me about the party she was planning at the lake house this weekend. She insisted that we all go out and buy new bathing suits together. But of course with Hanna you can't just go in one store.
That was yesterday and today we were all in my room trying stuff on and deciding what we would wear tonight. To me it felt like getting ready for homecoming all over again. Two days ago Jason showed me a picture he took with his phone. The quality wasn't good but it was of me and Toby dancing outside. Part of me wanted to delete it permanently but the other part wanted to keep it forever to remember the friendship we used to have.
"Spencer!" Hanna shouted.
"What?" I asked snapping out of my thoughts of Toby and homecoming.
"You spaced out for a minute, Spence." Emily told me.
"Yeah, where did you go?" Aria asked.
"I was thinking about when Hanna and Mona helped me get ready for homecoming." I shrugged.
"This is kind of like that isn't." Mona commented.
"That was so much fun! Spencer, you have to let Mona and I do your hair and make up for tonight. Pretty, pretty please?" Hanna begged with a sad puppy-eyed look.
"Okay, but don't go too heavy on the makeup and something simple with my hair." I gave in.
"Simple isn't any fun!" Hanna whined.
"I know, but I don't want your hard work to go to waste if I go swimming. I did just buy a great new yellow and black polka dot bikini. It would be a shame for that to go to waste." I told her.
Truth be told, I doubted I would actually go swimming. But I knew mentioning the bikini I bought yesterday would help convince Hanna to do simple.
"She does have a point." Emily agreed with me.
"You know what. I just saw a hair tutorial online that would look so good on you." Mona told me. "Where's your curling iron?"
"Well, Mona, you start your hair magic since you know what you're wearing. I'll start the make up as soon as Aria, Emily, and I know." Hanna instructed. "Oh, Spencer, you have to wear that yellow sundress that matches the bikini."
"I will, Hanna." I assured her as I grabbed my curling iron and plugged it in.
The girls left a couple hours later after everyone decided what to wear and we had helped each other with hair and makeup. I honestly don't know why they were making such a big deal out of this. For Caleb's birthday we just went to the lake house and had fun. This seriously felt like a black tie event. But I didn't really care, I was just glad to be home, excited to see, and happy to spend time with my crazy but awesome friends.
I still had some time before Melissa and I left for the lake house. So I looked over my room for the thousandth time. It looked just the same as it had before the fire. But there were a few minor changes and one major change, the rocking by the window. I had asked Melissa to take the stuff that had to do with Toby and put it in the attic. But she didn't move the rocker and I was secretly glad.
I went to sit down on it when something caught my eyes. A box was sticking out of my closet and I was curious what was in it. I opened it and turns out Melissa didn't put the stuff in the attic. She must have hidden it in the closet and one of the girls uncovered it while we were picking clothes.
I wanted to put it back immediately but I couldn't help but look through it. Some things I had seen before like the necklace he got me on my birthday. And some things I hadn't like the picture of us with Hanna and Caleb on a double date. But the one thing I couldn't take my eyes off of was the silver key.
It was a Saturday afternoon and Toby and I were sitting on the tailgate of his truck. It had only been a couple weeks since I gave it to him and he wanted to take me somewhere for the weekend. We had gone to a park in Philly and know we were in the parking lot not quite ready to leave.
"Spencer, hold out your hand." Toby told me.
"Ooookaaaay," I dragged it out skeptically as I held out my right hand.
"What is it?" I asked as I felt the small piece of metal he placed in the palm of my hand.
"At homecoming you told me that you kept a set of Jason's keys with you in case he ever lost his. Well, this is a key to the truck. Just in case I ever lose mine and maybe someday you could actually use it yourself."
"That's sweet, Tobes, thank you. I'll keep it safe just in case you ever need it. Although I doubt you will considering how well you take care of the truck. You love it a lot I can tell."
"You're right, I do love the truck, and thank you again by the way." He told me.
"You're welcome, again. But when are you going to stop thanking me? You needed a truck for your job and I helped you get one. Would you be thanking Caleb this much if he was the one that helped you get it?"
"No, because Caleb is just my friend and he's a guy. With guys it's 'thanks man' and then you go about your business. But you are a girl, and not just any girl. Like I was saying I love the truck, but I really love you."
"I really love you too." I smiled and kissed him.
"So, you already know why I love you. Or at least I hope you do."
"Yes, I do." I nodded.
"But do you know why I love the truck?" He asked me.
"I guess." I shrugged wondering where he was going with this.
"Well, I'm going to tell you." He stated. "You bought it for me. You spent money on me and nobody's willing done that for me since my mom. And technically it's yours since I haven't paid you back. It's nice having something of yours with me all the time. Even if in ten years from now that truck breaks beyond repair, I'll still have a soft spot for it."
This time he gave me a kiss and I hoped things would stay this way between us. I didn't want this to be some high school relationship that ended when I went to college. Or even if it didn't end, I didn't want to be like my parents. They must have been in love like this sometime long ago, but at some point it faded.
Toby said it was nice to have something of mine with him and that he had a soft spot for the truck. And I promised to keep his spare key safe. I would be keeping safe something that he held close to him. In ten years I'd still keep it safe. And I hoped we'd still be together and still be like crazy in love teenagers. It might sound strange but this key gave me hope that we would. When it comes to Toby I was pretty sentimental, and in this case I hoped that was good.
Melissa and I arrived at the lake house and we were the first ones there. I took it as an opportunity to explore and see the changes. Actually not much had changed which wasn't surprising since my parents hardly ever came here. With the exception of Caleb's party and tonight, I don't know the last time anyone was here.
Aria, Mike, and Mona were the next ones to arrive and we enjoyed talking to each other. But the party really started when Hanna and Caleb arrived. Jason wasn't here yet but nobody was worried about that. Jason didn't get the 'always on time for everything' gene like Melissa and I did.
"This is a great party, Han." Emily told her as you stood on the dock talking.
"Yeah, not bad for someone that's been grounded from parties, her phone, and shopping." Aria commented.
"Thanks, but I did have help. Mona did a lot of organizing and decorating. And Mike and Aria got the food." Hanna replied.
"And Emily helped me with the decorating." Mona added.
"Well then, I owe everyone a big thank you. You are seriously the best." I told them.
"You know if you want to repay that I.O.U. I think speak for all of us when I say that we take payment in giant group hugs." Hanna told me.
"That's a pretty expensive price." I joked. "But you guys are totally worth it."
I hugged each of them individually and then we got together in our giant group hug.
"Oh my soul!" Hanna gasped when we pulled away.
"Spencer, whatever you do, do not look behind you." Aria stated.
"Why?" I asked.
"Come on, Spencer, let's go inside." Mona suggested.
"Too late!" Emily said nervously. "She's been spotted."
"Is he coming over here?" Mona asked.
"Yes," Aria replied and I saw her cringe.
"What's going on? Have you all gone crazy or something? Why can't I turn around? And who are you talking a…" I questioned them as I turned around. I trailed off once I saw who was behind me.
It was Toby. To say I was shocked that he was here was an understatement. Jason had arrived about ten minutes ago and we had talked. I assumed everybody that was invited was here. Judging by the girls reactions, Toby wasn't invited.
Without thinking I took a few steps forward, closer to him. I looked at him and saw his face for the first time in nearly two years. He looked a little older just like everybody else did. He had cut his hair and it was a little spiky on top. But his eyes were the same amazing blue they always had been. He was better looking than I ever thought or remembered. Not that looks mattered but he didn't give an accurate description of himself. And the last time I saw him we were just friends.
For a few seconds we just stood there staring at each other. And I knew the girls were staring at us wondering what would happen. After a few more seconds Toby walked towards me and stopped when there was only a foot of space between us.
"Pretending not to love you was the hardest the thing I've ever done." He finally spoke.
Pretending? Like a reflex my arm swung out to slap his face. But instead he caught it and used it to pull me forward. His other arm wrapped around my waist and then he kissed me.
I was surprised at first but then I thought about the rest of what he told me. He still loved me. I smiled and kissed him again, this time wrapping my arms around his neck. We kissed for a long time; the girls would probably make fun of us later for making out in front of them. But I didn't care, I was too happy.
He pulled away first and we both tried to catch our breath. While I concentrated on my breathing realization started to sink in. Toby was back and he implied he still loved me. But was this real? Was he going to stay or walk away again? He had openly admitted to pretending.
"You love me?" I whispered but I wasn't sure if I was stating it or asking it.
"I never stopped." He told me.
"But you pretended? Pretend…why the hell would you do that? And how do I know that this isn't just more acting and pretending?" I asked him blinking back a few tears.
"Spencer, what we had was real." He answered. "Come with me? I'll tell you everything, I swear."
I could see in his eyes that he meant it. And something I had said before came back to me. 'When Toby tells you something you believe him.' I really wanted to believe him now and have all the questions I had answered.
"Okay," I nodded and he took my hand in his.
So what do you think? Was it worth the wait? I hope so!
Originally I was going to make the chapter a lot longer and end the story here. But I decided to give you a little more. So there will be three more chapters and then it'll be over. :( I may do a short sequel to this but I haven't decided yet. Let me know what you think and thanks for sticking with this story. You all are amazing!