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The Hospital

About a week later I was sitting in the cafeteria with the girls. Things were much happier since Caleb had come back yesterday. That meant Hanna was over the moon and her excitement and happiness was always contagious.

"So both you and Jenna are going to see again?" Aria asked.

"It's just a possibility, Aria." I corrected her. "And besides it'll be a few months before either of us have the eye surgery."

"You don't sound too excited. Jenna hasn't shut up about it. She was talking about it before and after the two classes I have with her." Hanna commented.

"I am excited. But I don't want to get my hopes up in case it doesn't work out. And you guys shouldn't either. Yes, it has a high success rate, but nothing's perfect." I told them.

"You are so stubborn, Spencer." Mona laughed.

"Yeah, if you want to be cautiously optimistic, that's fine. But don't spoil it for us. Let us be happy and hopeful for you." Hanna added.

"But remember that we'll love you no matter what, Spence. If it works, then good for you and if it doesn't that's still okay." Emily said sweetly.

"Thank, Em, I know. And thanks to the rest of you too." I nodded in appreciation.

"So, how come Jenna is having in April but you're not getting it done until the summer?" Aria asked curiously.

"Jenna is going to a different doctor than I am. And early June, right after school gets out, was the earliest appointment my parents could get. You know nothing but the best for the Hastings'."

"Well, this summer we're going to celebrate whether or works or not. We'll take a road trip to Florida or something." Hanna decided and she sounded really excited.

"Sorry to interrupt you girls." Jason budded in out of nowhere. "But I need Spencer to come with me right now."

"Jason, what's going on?" I asked feeling a little panicky.

Jason was talking fast and sounded really worried. Usually in bad situations Jason kept a level head so I knew this was bad.

"I'll tell you on the way. But we need to leave now. And don't worry; I already had you excused for the rest of the day." Jason stated and helped me gather my things.

Jason was speed walking and several steps ahead of me as we exited the school and went out to his car.

"Jason, what's wrong? Where are going?" I questioned him once he was driving.

"I got a call from Veronica and she wants us to come to the hospital." Jason stated and I could tell from his voice that he didn't want to be the one to tell me.

Since Jason and I were so close, other people often made him the bearer of bad news. If someone was afraid to tell me something or just didn't know how I'd react, Jason drew the short straw. Sometimes I couldn't grasp the concept of, don't shoot the messenger, and I sort of felt bad for Jason.

"Is she okay? What...what happened?"

As far as I knew, the only times my mom was ever in the hospital was when she was pregnant. I couldn't remember her ever getting sick, having allergies, or getting hurt.

"Your mom's fine. It's...its Toby." He answered and whispered the last part barely loud enough to hear.

But you could definitely hear my gasp when he said Toby. Tears immediately came to my eyes and I didn't dare ask if he was okay. I didn't want to know in case Jason gave an answer I didn't want to hear. The rest of the short ride to the hospital was silent except for the occasional sob that I couldn't hold back. Why did the bad stuff always happen to Toby? Why was he always the one getting hurt?