Homecoming

Chapter 28

Author Note: Hey, guys! Only a few more chapters left! I can't believe this fic is almost over. I had so much fun writing this, so....I'm planning on writing another one.

I would love some suggestions from you guys. In the comments for the next few chapters, please put your ideas about characters, alternate universes, plot, type of fic, etc etc. All ideas are welcome. After the last chapter, I will post an update about what my next fic will be about using some of your ideas. Thanks for your help!

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 After Thanksgiving when classes resumed, Spencer and you drove Diana back to her care facility. You were sad to see her go, but she seemed much happier and healthier. After Spencer spoke to the nurses about his mom's concerns, it was time to make the trip back home. The two of you chatted for most of the way back, mostly about the upcoming study abroad trip and final exam week. You were glad you and Spencer were back on good terms, especially since you were travel partners for the Paris trip.

Spencer dropped you off at your place and thanked you profusely one last time for all your help. You nodded your head and gave him a send-off wave. You weren't sure what the future held for you and Spencer regarding your relationship, but you weren't worried. You were just grateful that he wasn't like your other friends or the past relationship that didn't need you. He really did need you, and his actions match up with his words. You were content with that for now. It felt good to be wanted and needed.

But, Diana's insight about Spencer still lingered in the back of your mind. You didn't want to get your hopes up, but it tugged at you.

Does he love me? More importantly, do I love him? Thanks a lot, Diana. I already have enough overthinking to do with finals next week.

........................

On Sunday, your phone lit up, showing a picture of you and Spencer. You clicked the accept call button.

"Hey there, Spence," you said.

"Hey, Y/N. Do you have a moment to talk?"

Your stomach dropped.

Oh, god. This is the "we need to talk" conversation. I guess Diana was wrong.

"Uh, sure, yeah. I can talk," you replied nervously.

"I know things have been crazy these past two weeks with us and my mom, so we didn't get another chance to talk after our last conversation."

Oh, yes, the conversation where you literally snapped my heart into pieces? Can't forget about that one.

"Okay..." you said wearily.

"I'm sorry about everything. I'm sorry I hurt you that night at the carnival. I'm sorry I hurt you again by saying we were better as friends. You didn't have to be a good friend and help me with my mom after I hurt you, but you did. I am eternally grateful for that. I hope you see how much I really do need you, Y/N."

You paused to soak in everything he said.

"Spencer, I forgive you. I don't want to hold this anger or hurt against you anymore, and you've shown me that you really are a man of your word. I didn't really trust you at first when you told me that you really did need me, but you proved to me that you were honest by coming to me for help with you mom. But, it doesn't have to be an emergency for you to need me. I want to be there for you with all my being, but you have to let me, okay? I'm not saying you have to be excessively dependent on me. I just want you to let me in. I don't want to feel like the relationship- or friendship now I guess- is one-sided- that I'm more into you than you are into me. You understand what I'm saying?"

"Thank you for your forgiveness. I'm glad you can be open about this with me. I didn't want these next few weeks to go by without saying something," Spencer responded.

"Yeah, this was on my mind, too. I'm glad I could get this off my chest. I finally feel like we can move on from this...anyway, I gotta go. See you tomorrow?"

"Yeah, yeah, see you."

.....................

The week before finals was packed with late-night study sessions in the library or your place. Both of you caught yourselves falling asleep at the table, your heads nestled in your textbooks. You swore your body was 90% caffeine by the end of the week. You couldn't study at Spencer's because Derek would always find a way to distract the both of you.

Despite all the information trying to cram into your head, you still thought about him. You would catch him looking at you sometimes. When you would look back up and meet his eyes, he didn't divert his eyes like he did before. He held his gaze with you, causing you to feel the unspoken, pent-up emotions between the two of you, connecting you both like an invisible string. Every time it happened, you could see the string close its distance; even though you were across the table from him, you never felt so intimate with him.

Finals week was stressful, as expected, but you felt confident about most of your exams. A wave of relief washed over you once the week ended, and you could finally focus on your excitement about the trip. Once you finished your last test, you raced home to pack. The next morning, Spencer was outside your apartment in his car, right on time, of course, to pick you up for the airport. You dashed outside, loaded your suitcase in the trunk, and hopped in the passenger seat.

"Paris, here we come!" you exclaimed as you threw your hands up in the air.