Underrated Intelligence || Toby McDonough

Stood Up or Ignored?

Arriving in California was the same old, but different with Piper. We grabbed our bags and belongings before making our way to the designated car sitting outside. We arrived at the hotel and settled in, Piper getting her own room since she was a girl and management wanted to make sure no funny business was happening.

Me: So we've got some studio time today, but after that I want to show you around Los Angeles' night life.

Piper: Ooh, is this another date?

She asked with a sly smirk.

Me: If you would like it to be -

Piper: Why is that a question?

Me: I wanted to make sure you were okay with it, first.

Piper: Of course I'm okay with it -

She replied with a small smile.

Me: We're going to get going - There's a small shopping center just a few blocks down if you want to go shopping and keep yourself entertained while we're out.

Connor: Toby, I'm sure she'll be fine.

Piper: it's not my first time in a strange city without you guys.

Connor: See - She'll be fine. Now let's go or we'll be late!

I smiled and waved to her before walking out and leaving her there in the hotel all by herself.

~Piper's POV~

Me: No, I understand, but I thought he said we were going somewhere.

Connor: I thought so, too - At least that's what I heard him say.

Me: So he's not coming back?

Connor: He said he wanted to stay longer, he's got stuff to worry about.

I nodded feeling a little offended that Toby would promise to come back and take me out and then just leave me alone.

Connor: Have you eaten?

He asked looking up at me with worry. I shook my head, seeing him grab his things.

Connor: Come on, let's get you some food and then we can talk about the situation at hand when we get back.

Me: We're just stalling -

Connor: Food helps your brain, don't you know that?

He asked with a slight laugh, questioning my intelligence. I smiled softly before I grabbed some shoes, throwing them on, and walking out of the hotel with Connor and Riley. We sat at some burger place downtown and ate, not talking as we tried not looking at each other from how awkward it seemed.

?: Hey guys, I thought I would find you here.

I looked up to see Toby scooting into the booth beside me. I scooted over, looking at him as he smiled.

Toby: What's wrong? What'd I do?

Me: Nothing, I just didn't think you were coming.

I replied softly, looking back down at my food and eating some. I could tell Riley and Connor were trying to talk to him silently while I looked away, but Toby could never read lips or understand hand signs. After eating, we walked around the downtown area together, looking at all of the pretty lights together.

Toby: Hey, I'm sorry about earlier.

He said, his arm resting over my shoulders. I looked up at him and shrugged, not thinking about it.

Me: It's fine - I don't care anymore.

Toby: Well I'm still sorry, I didn't want to leave you alone.

Me: And I told you it's fine.

I replied.

After being here for another few days, being blown off on another date from Toby, and seeing the sights and history with Ryan because he seemed more interested than the others I stood with Ryan waiting for a ferry. We had just took an audio tour together at Alcatraz, us standing on the dock and waiting for the ferry since we saw everything.

Ryan: Why are you angry?

Me: Toby told me he wanted to do this with me.

Ryan: Toby's got a lot on his mind.

Me: And I can't possibly understand what that's like, because?

I asked looking up at him.

Ryan: Just trust me when I say he needs some time to himself.

Me: If I ask him about it, do you think he'll talk to me?

Ryan: When is this damn ferry coming? We have a flight to catch.

Me: Why are you so worried about making our flight on time?

Ryan: If I miss this flight, I'm going to hurl something at someone.

Me: Calm down it's right there -

I pointed seeing it was just docking.

Ryan: Oh hell yeah -

He said grabbing my hand and pulling me to the ferry.

Me: Let's talk about you hurling something at someone -

Ryan: What about it?

Me: What would be your weapon of choice?

Ryan: What did we have out there? Rocks?

Me: You could fight them and throw them off the island.

Ryan: I'd be hurling someone instead of something?

Me: It seems ideal -

After we got off of the ferry, Ryan called an Uber to pick us up and take us to the airport. We sat at the small cafe just outside of the ferry dock and ate some bagels, because we weren't too hungry. Once we got back in Los Angeles, we were greeted by the boys.

Connor: You're back!

Riley: How was it?

Connor: Was it totally fun?

Me: Ryan thinks he saw a ghost.

Ryan: I don't think, Piper, I know.

Me: Ryan, the chances on seeing a superstition in that place is actually far too slim for one to count on their fingers.

Ryan: You heard how many times people were killed in that place, I saw a damn ghost!

He replied getting fired up about how I was fighting with him. I laughed some before shaking my head and turning to the boys.

Me: What? No Toby?

Connor: Toby was napping when we left.

Me: Is that what he's calling it these days?

I asked a little annoyed before getting my things. We got back to the hotel, the boys splitting ways with me as I came across Toby laying in one of my hotel beds.

Me: Hey douche bag -

I said getting him to look over at me.

Toby: Excuse me?

Me: Oh am I good enough to talk to now?