Five Years Forward - Spoby

7: Acting Like Strangers

A/N: Italic writing symbolises Spencer's flashback.

-

"Toby saw you and Andrew and stormed out in rage, could his feelings for you be stuck in his heart of a cage? But the real question is, can you save him in time? -A"

It's been just over a week since I arrived back in Rosewood. A few days after I had to tell Andrew about his adoption, A made me drop another bomb on people around me.

The elevators begin to close as I make my way down to Rosewood Mall, 'A' hasn't sent another text since Wednesday and it's now Friday. Maybe whoever it is will leave Toby alone, and me. The doors open to reveal the ground floor of the mall. Stepping out of the elevator, I begin to walk towards the food court when I'm stopped by a shrieking Hanna Marin.

"Spencer!! I can't believe you're back in Rosewood and you didn't tell me! How are you? Oh my gosh! We seriously need to catch up!" I listen to Hanna ramble before she pulls me into a hug, squishing me with her bags.

"Hey Hanna, to be honest with you, I'm surprised I'm back in town" I chuckle lightly, noticing a tall petite brunette standing next to Hanna patiently. I begin to scan her up and down.

I'm pretty sure Hanna noticed my confusion as she breaks the silence. "This is Yvonne, Toby's girlfriend" Hanna informs me, I notice the trailing of her voice once she mentioned Toby. I send her a nod telling her it's fine.

I put my hand out to shake Yvonne's hand when I'm interrupted by my phone vibrating loudly. "Sorry, I need to check this" I justify.

"Act like you and Toby are strangers, otherwise he's truly in danger -A"

"Spencer...Spence..You coming?" I'm interrupted by Hanna knocking me out of my daydream. I nod vigorously, as I follow Hanna and Yvonne who have already walked off.

After being dragged around most shops in the mall, Hanna runs into the final shop. I watch as she grabs random pieces of clothing from the stands and finds her way to the changing room. "Shall we follow?" I hear Yvonne ask me. Turning towards her, I nod and we begin to follow Hanna.

Making our way to the changing rooms, A's text is repeating itself in my head. As long as Hanna and Yvonne don't bring up Toby, I'll be fine.

Yvonne sits on the stool opposite Hanna's changing cubicle, taking a deep breath I walk and take a seat next to her.

Silence. But then again what could you expect from two strangers?

"So how do you know Hanna?" Yvonne asks, breaking the silence I was strangely enjoying.

"We were best friends in High School, along with Aria and Emily" I respond, praying Toby won't be brought into the conversation.

"Ah, so you're the famous Spencer Hastings" Yvonne replies.

I lightly chuckle at her statement. "How about you, how do you know Hanna?" I ask her, not that I don't already know the answer.

"When I first started dating Toby, Hanna was the only supporter of our relationship at first" Yvonne answers. Of course Toby was mentioned, obviously God's on vacation right now and isn't answering prayers.

"Toby? Am I suppose to know who Toby is?" I laugh, trying to kid Yvonne and myself.

"Toby Cavanaugh" Yvonne states. I shake my head, pretending that I've never heard of him. Glancing down at my wrist I begin to think of a way out of here.

"I really need to go, tell Hanna we'll catch up again before I go" I tell Yvonne before leaving the shop.

Toby's POV

Driving up to the Rosewood Mall entrance, I park my truck and wait for Yvonne. While I'm waiting for her, I begin to think about Wednesday, when I saw Spencer in the brew. I get that we haven't spoken recently, but it would of been nice to know she was coming back.

I'm knocked out of my daydream by Yvonne slamming the truck door shut and leaning over to kiss my cheek.

"How was shopping with Hanna?" I ask looking down at the bags on the floor.

"It was great actually, I met her friend Spencer"

Of course she would, Of course my ex girlfriend would spend the afternoon with my current girlfriend. But that's just the thing, Yvonne doesn't know about Spencer and I.

"She seemed really nice, Not very talkative but nice" Yvonne tells me her opinion of Spencer.

"You'll have to introduce us one day" I blurt out. I can't believe I just lied to her.