Trust Taken and Given

Chapter 1:Ticci-Toby

Toby wasn't being his normal self today. I thought it could be because it was raining, but I've known Toby for years now and he's never like this when it rains. My name is Ashley. I am 14 years old and my best friend and almost only friend is Toby. Him and his family are some of the nicest people I have met, well other than his father.

"Toby what's wrong why do you look so upset today?" We were both in 8th grade and he only really talked to me. He didn't say anything,but I could tell what the problem was. Everyday Toby would get picked on and given new nicknames. Not because of his looks,but because of his twitching. He never felt pain physically,but I knew he could feel pain mentally. Toby usually stays quiet though and tries to just ignore them. I try to support him as much as I can even if that means I get picked on.

"Hey look who it is everyone.Its Ticci-Toby. Come on Toby we know you are just dying to twitch and make everyone know what's wrong with you." Great just what Toby needs. One of the seniors that picks on him everyday.

"Oh and look who he brought with him. His little girlfriend Ashley. She follows him like a puppy dog always worried about poor little Ticci-Toby." I looked down trying to hide my face and I could tell that Toby was more embarrassed than I was.

"She's not my girlfriend,Ethan. I think she's a great friend to have so go mess with someone your own size for once." I was about to say something,but Toby looked at me and shook his head. Ethan pushed Toby and walked off laughing with his friends.

"Sorry,Toby I didn't know I was always on your back being a problem." My eyes felt like they were hot and watery and it felt like my chest hurt. I actually had feelings for him,but I couldn't tell him. I just turned around,walked away and didn't talk to Toby for the rest of the day.

••••••••••••••••After Class••••••••••••••••

As soon as I was about to leave school to go home someone grabbed my arm and pulled me to the side. I tried to pull my arm away,but they just wouldn't let go.

"Stop, Ashley." It was Toby. What did he want all of a sudden that he had to pull me.

"What Toby? I want to go home."

"My mom wanted to invite you over for dinner tonight. My mom will come pick you up at 6 ok?" I didn't know what was going on. I just hoped his father wouldn't be there. I nodded and left school walking home since the rain had stopped.

I walked into my house and my mom and sister were discussing about my sister wanting to move out. My mom greeted me acting like nothing was wrong. It was very easy to tell she was upset anyways. I asked my mom if it was ok to go to Toby's house. Of course she said yes knowing that me and Toby have known each other almost forever.

I went upstairs and took a quick shower. My hair was naturally curly so I just left it how it was with my bangs on the side straightened. I put on a black dress that had an X on the back where the straps crossed and black tights with gold stripes. I then put on some black high heels. My makeup was basic just some mascara,eye liner,and some pink lipgloss. I sprayed some of my favorite perfume on and walked downstairs waiting for Toby's mom to come pick me up.

A while later at around 6 someone knocked on the front door. I opened the door and saw Toby wearing a suit with his hands in his pockets.

"I see you dressed up also. My mom planned a special dinner,but I don't know what's going on." He looked grown up. I could smell his cologne and it smelled like the one his mom gave him for Christmas last year. How I knew was because it was my favorite. It smelled nice and it made him seem older. His hair looked like it was naturally how it always is though just slightly combed. His hair was fluffy all the time going never in one direction though.

"You look nice Toby. I've never really seen you this dressed up."

"So do you Ashley I like your dress. Though I would have chosen the perfume I gave you for your birthday." I had forgotten about that,but I liked to keep that one for special occasions. This was an occasion though it wasn't one I would use that perfume for. It was special to me.

"I'll wear it next time. Sorry." He grabbed my hand and started walking towards his moms car. I closed the door behind me and walked with him. He opened the car door for me and I got in as he went over to his side and got in. I closed my door and just watched him.

His mom drove to their house,but stayed silent the whole time. She usually talks a lot though. When we arrived I got out of the car with Toby and his mom. We all went inside and Toby's mom told me to go to the backyard and sit at the picnic table and wait. The strange thing I started thinking about as I walked to the back yard was that his family wasn't dressed up just me and him.

When I got outside and sat down there was a candle on the picnic table and a checkered table cloth over the table. Toby came outside and sat on the other side of the table.

"What's going on Toby?" He looked at me and his face looked a little pink compared to his pale, almost gray skin. His twitching didn't bother me I just wanted an answer.

"I didn't tell you,but I actually like you, Ashley. Sorry I didn't tell you earlier." His mom brought us dinner and brought us drinks. We were silently eating until Toby soon started a conversation.

"Ashley, so your sister wants to move out soon?"

"Yeah her and my mom were discussing it when I got home. She thinks it will help her and also she wants to be with her boyfriend anyways." My sister loves our mom dearly,but she felt like she was responsible enough to be on her own now. She just turned 19 last month and had been talking about moving since she graduates high school. Me and Toby talked for a while and I tried to avoid the subject of his father. I knew how he didn't like his father too much though he still respected him.

"Toby, are you going to change schools or does your mom not know about the whole names and the other people messing with you?"

"I don't tell my mom. This is stuff I have to deal with not her. She has nothing to do with this." He started to look upset so I started feeling bad for asking him.

"Sorry I asked." I felt bad for Toby and I just wanted people to leave him alone.

•••••••••••••••After Dinner•••••••••••••••

Toby walked me home since we don't live far from each other. When we got to my door step he looked at me.

"Thanks for coming over to have dinner with me."

"I enjoyed it Toby hopefully we can do this again sometime I really like it." He hugged me and I hugged him back and we said our goodbyes. I went inside and saw that everyone was already asleep. I went to the bathroom and cleaned up and put my purple pajamas on. Then I went into my bedroom and lied down in my turquoise bed. I tossed and turned thinking about Toby. Slowly my eyes couldn't stayed open and I fell asleep.