I Remember You... (COMPLETE)

Chapter Ten

I really tried not to get distracted, but twenty minutes after eating, we were sitting there and hanging out. I had to ask about the drawings, but I don't want to forget another question I had. "Hey, Toby?" I asked as I took a sip from my soda.

Toby made a slight noise to let me know I had his attention.

"Have you ever thought... Have you ever wondered if people from your past still miss you...?" I questioned softly. I'm not good at asking really personal questions because I'm not good at answering really personal questions.

When he heard the word "miss," Toby froze. He looked somewhat upset and just sort of stared through me.

"S-sorry," I interrupted myself with a slight jolt "Sorry if this is a touchy subject. I didn't mean to bother..." I said as I let my eyes sink to the floor. I felt Toby's gaze locked on me and I was starting to get nervous.

"It's okay..." Toby answered.

I nodded in response. "Was he a close friend?" I asked. I don't know why, but I got a pit in my stomach when I asked that question. Almost as if I didn't want to hear the answer.

"They were a girl. I honestly wonder where or what she might be up to now, or even if she's still alive at this point. It clouds my mind constantly..." He sighed at the thought.

I was right. I didn't want to hear that answer. Ugh. Why did Toby have so many girls in his life that were so much cooler than me? Wait... is that... Jealousy? I'm not jealous, *AM* I? Oh god, don't tell me... The weird feeling I have when I'm around him is a *CRUSH?!* Omfg, No, no, no, no, no. I have no time to deal with this mental agitation, my best *FRIEND* is pouring his heart out to me. "Do you think telling me more about her will help alleviate some of the pain?" I ask, purely out of politeness.

Toby shrugged his shoulders. "You sure you wanna hear about my sappy stories about my old best friend?" He asked. "I only question your motive because you kind of made a face when I answered you." He chuckled.

My face went the most pellucid shade of red and I was stammering for an answer. "Just- just- Shut up about that and tell me your stories so you can feel better you dummy!!" I fussed.

Toby put up his hands in defeat. "Okay, okay. Well, she was a girl I'd known since I was little. We used to play hopscotch and she would have me draw pictures for her to color. Then everyone at school started picking on me for my Tourettes and I had to get homeschooled."

I gave my cru-BEST FRIEND my undivided attention. "Did she ever find you?" I asked.

"Yeah, It only took about two weeks for her to come back, and she was over at my house every day from the moment she got home from school up until my curfew at 10. She was there for me in the hospital when the car accident happened." Toby drew to silence.

I remained silent as to not interrupt anything.

Toby took a deep breath and continued. "One day, I was in the living room with Mom and the news came on that she went missing. I was aware that she was gone, she hadn't shown up at my house for about three days and I was worried. When I saw the news post, I knew something bad happened." He started to tap at his fingers as a way to calm himself down.

"Did you ever find out what happened to her?" I asked, fully invested in this story now. Seeing Toby's reaction made my heart fall.

Trying to fight his tears, a single one let out. This didn't stop him though. "No, unfortunately. It was when I realized that my support system had crumbled to nothing that I had snapped. I remember killing my dad, then there was a really hazy period, and then the next thing I know I'm working for Slendy." He had continued. "That's why I grew so attached to you. You remind me of her in all the best ways, but you're unique in your way. It's like I was given another chance to have that kind of joy in my life. I'm so glad to have you as my best friend." Toby finished.

When Toby said "Friend," my heart sank.

I think it was noticeable because Toby tilted his head to the side. "You know, We found you about four months after the last time I saw her. I can remember wandering old abandoned neighborhoods with Hoodie looking for new proxies and I found hers. It was in ruins, several houses burned black. Then I noticed the one that was charred the most was my friend's. I ran through the collapsing doorways and up the rickety stairs and found her room."

Something about that story sounded interesting, I made sure to pay extra attention to what Toby was saying now.

"The only thing that wasn't destroyed was a metal chest with no lock. I opened the lid and found the remnants of a well-loved teddy bear with a brown ribbon around its neck. I took the bow and left the bear, sort of like if my friend ever was to come back, at least the bear survived the fire. I keep the ribbon in a shoebox full of old doodles I drew." My brunette best friend finished his story.

In my head, a little flag popped up. Doodles? DOODLES! Gotta ask Toby about the drawings of my doppelganger! "Doodles, you say? Can I see them?" In hopes of getting some answers along with a slight subject change.

"Yeah, c'mon. They're in my room." Toby said as he got up.

Getting up off the floor with him, I followed as we left for his room.

At the bottom of his closet doorway, Toby picked up the same shoebox that I found.

Hm... I guess there are more surprises to unfold here...?