Loving Toby (Completed)

Chapter 16

After Moonlight sang their first song for the night, Dear Maria, Count Me In by All Time Low followed by Paramore's freshly released song, Ain't it Fun that made the whole crowd go wilder, and Luna's about to lose her voice with all the screaming and singing that she's been doing with Athena as they kept on jumping until the whole song ended.

"Oh my god, I feel so alive tonight!" Athena exclaimed and she couldn't agree more.

"How's everyone doing tonight!?" Toby asked in a voice that Luna barely recognized, it was as if it's not her shy and dorky Toby on the stage tonight. His voice sounded manlier and full of life like he's really having a good time. 

The crowd replied enthusiastically making him chuckled softly on stage, the sound of his laughter reverberating into her ears. Toby tousled his now messy hair as sweat dripped down his neck. Luna was hyper aware of his every move, fighting the urge to jump on stage and wipe his sweats away with her hands. 

"Let's slow down for bit," Luna watched him attentively as Toby traded his bass guitar for an acoustic one; she just couldn't keep her eyes away from him, too eager to engrave every memory of this night in her head. 

"This song is actually not part of the set list for tonight, but this will be the last time I'll be doing this so who cares if Pres will scold me later?" His words sending the crowd in a fit of laughter as he throws a playful look at Lexus who just dismissed him with a knowing grin.

(A/N: PLAY MUSIC HERE!!! Shout out to all Mayday Parade fans out there!)

"This is I Swear This Time I Mean It by Mayday Parade," Hearing the title of her favorite song from his lips rendered her speechless. The crowded room and the noise around her seem too irrelevant as she let herself be lost in Toby's eyes who was looking intently at her. A nervous smile on his lips as he sings the lyrics that she knew by heart.

If Luck is on my side tonight, 

My clumsy tongue will make it right,

That wispy touch, it isn't much, 

But it's enough. 

To form imaginary lines, 

Forget your scars and forget mine

The hours change so fast,

Oh God, please make this last. Toby closed his eyes as the lyrics sounded more of a plea than a serenade when he sang the second verse of the song. There was a certain hint of desperation and sadness in his voice that pained her in a way that she couldn't fathomed. Her heart ache for him without knowing why, the urge to wrapped him safely in her arms was never felt this strong before but seeing him looking so painstakingly beautiful on stage was just too much for her to take. 

You're confusing me, Toby. Luna felt lost as he gave her a small smile when the song ended. There were times when Luna would dwell on the thought that maybe Toby likes her too, but her pessimistic self when it comes to Toby would shatter her hope of even thinking about such things in an instant. And in\ the darkness of the school gymnasium, in a crowd that she could barely count, and her heart beating loudly on her chest, everything screams that Tobias Amadeus Cooper likes her too. But she wasn't brave enough to believed it. 

The showcase ended with a bang as they sang Helena by My Chemical Romance as the outro, but Luna can't still wrap her head about everything that happened in the span of the last four hours of her life.  

Athena and Luna were drenched in sweat as they change into Lexus and France trainers. The boys were changing inside the locker room, Lexus would be the one to drop everyone tonight and despite the exhaustion that wearing her down, Luna doesn't want the night to end yet.

The desperation to see and talk to Toby was enough to keep her up all night, she wanted to ask him questions that's been bugging her head since the showcase ended. 

"Sorry for the wait ladies," Lexus pulled them in a bear hug that they gladly accepted.

"I still can't believe that my friends just did that showcase!" Athena exclaimed as she gave Lexus a peck on his cheek.

"Well, we tried," France added as he snatched the two girls away from Lexus gripped.

"Where's Toby?" Luna asked curiously.

"Oh, he said we should go home first,"

"Does her mom will pick him up?" Usually, France would be the one to drop him off, the boy lives near the outskirt of the town much to her knowledge.

"Maybe? He left before we made it to the shower,"

"Where did he go?"

"Classroom, he said something about picking his books or something like that,"

"Can I see him for a while before we head out?"

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Luna shoved Lexus out of her way as she made her way back to their classroom.

"Fine. We'll come with you,"

In the end, the four of them made their way back to the classroom. The lights were out and it's a little creepy walking this late in the corridor of Sheldon's. Mentally thanking the three of them for joining her little adventure to see Toby.

"Anyway, I didn't know Toby can sing,"

"Tell me about it babe," she added, still thinking how come she never knew that Toby could sing when she practically stalked him since freshman year.

"Oh, we didn't know either. But he volunteered when we're searching for anyone in the council as lead vocalist,"

"He did? Toby? The same timid Toby volunteered?" Athena's surprised was justifiable enough that she didn't even stop her from bombarding Lexus and France with questions.

"Yeah, we thought he was joking but that boy nailed it,"

The four of them reached the classroom, Lexus opened the lights. But the room was empty and no sign of Toby anywhere.

"Toby? Are you here?" Luna called as she walked towards their seat.

"Luna he's n-"

But Athena's words were cut off with Luna's frantic cry at the sight of Toby's body lying unconsciously on the floor.

"France get the fucking car! We're going to the hospital!"

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Just to remind you that this story was set in the year 2014-2015, just in case you feel confused about the song choices. :) 

Love,

- Vivi