____Chapter six____

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

[NOTHING CAN TAKE YOU AWAY FROM MY HEART]

It was a dark and cozy morning, the sound of early birds singing had awoken the male with a startle. Toby had slept the whole night, surprisingly without waking up once. He moved around the comfortable bed, slowly sitting himself up. Toby rubbed his eyes, his short brown hair pointed in different directions. The room he had slept in was clean and simple. The tired male remembered you saying it was a guest room, explaining why it was so empty feeling. Toby soon left the bed heading over to a window, he gazed outside seeing that the sky was covered with dark clouds. This town really was depressing... There was rarely ever any sun and rained half the time. No wonder everyone on this town looks so grey.

Shaking off his thoughts Toby had soon caught the scent of food in the air. It smelled great! The brunette followed the smell out of the room, leading him to your kitchen. Toby quietly walked, eventually seeing that your two sorry excuses for friends were still passed out on your couch. Toby stared at them in what felt like disgust but he was pulled out of his thoughts when he heard you.
"Oh! Good morning Toby! I hope you slept well."
The sound of your voice was mesmerising. He felt like he had turned into mush when you said his name. "I made some food if you're hungry." You said with a smile. Toby walked into the kitchen where you stood at the black electric stove, stirring what he guessed was eggs. "Y-You cook?" He questioned. You shyly looked away "I'm not great at it but I can make basic things like breakfast..." you said with a hint of red cheeks. Toby tenderly smiled. "Do you want some?" You asked. Toby eagerly nodded, curious to taste your food. Even if it was going to taste horrible he was sure he'd like it or at least make himself like it just to make you feel happy.
Before Toby knew it you prepared a plate of eggs, bacon and pancakes before placing the plate of food on the table. You forced Toby to sit, hoping he would like your food. You went back to the stove preparing other plates, silently hoping Toby would enjoy the food you made.

Toby stared at the steaming plate for a bit. It reminded him of something he couldn't quite pin, a feeling he had long forgotten. It wasn't till Toby picked up the fork that he bit into the eggs. His lips curled into a smile as he chewed and swallowed. There was no doubt you had a passion for cooking. The eggs were well made and it tasted just like home. "T-This is r-really good!" Toby exclaimed. You turned your head towards him and grinned with a hit of red in your cheeks. "Really? You think it's good?" You asked, wanting to know if that was your friend's honest opinion. Toby nodded as he continued to eat. "You m-must cook a lot for you to be this good." He complimented. You laughed a bit "Suck up." You jokingly said. Toby smiled "R-Really I mean it!" He laughed. You kept your happy smile as you spoke, rubbing the back of your neck, feeling a bit flustered "Thank you though. You should tell me what your favorite food is. Next time you come over I can make it." You happily suggested. "C-Can you make waffles..?" He shyly asked with a bit of a mumble. You nodded "Of course! If I had known I would have made that instead!" You spoke. Who knew you could cook, it probably explained the baked cake in your fridge that one time.

A groan was suddenly heard, causing both Toby's and your attention to shift to the living room. Effie had awoken with messy hair, she rubbed her temple standing up without a word. "Good Morning Effie!" You happily greeted. Effie lazily waved you off, too hungover to wanna say anything. Toby watched as Effie sat at your table with a gloomy look. You placed a plate in front of her. Was this a normal thing? "I'm surprised I didn't find you by the toilet last night." You laughed. Effie rubbed her head "Yeah, I just have a horrible headache. Hopefully Nate's not too sick to drive us home." She said, picking at her food. Toby kept his eyes on his half empty plate, he tried to ignore your pathetic friend but he couldn't help but wonder how you got stuck with her as a friend. From what Toby could tell the girl you called Effie was annoying, slutty, unreliable and over all just a bad friend.... Not to mention your other friend. The one that irritated Toby the most. Unlucky for Toby, the moron had finally woken up.
The itching irritation on his skin came back. Nate seemed like a fair guy but Toby couldn't seem to help not wanting to punch him in the face... "Nate! Usually you're the first to wake up." You suddenly said. Nate lazily smiled as he walked over to the table "Yeah, I drank a lot last night, more than I usually do." He mentioned. "I guess me and Toby were the only sensible one's last night." You said. Toby kept quiet as he listened. The time soon came when it was finally his turn to speak.
"So Toby, I see you stayed, why didn't you have (Y/n) just drop you off at your place?" Nate asked, the question coming from out of nowhere. "(Y-Y/n) w-was too tired t-to take me h-home." Toby answered. Effie butted in "Where do you live, Toby? Did you just move here?" She asked resting her head on her hand. "Y-Yeah...." Toby answers feeling a bit overwhelmed by the questions "Really? Where'd you move from?" Nate interrogated. Toby wasn't sure how to answer that, of course he knew where he came from but what could he say that could make him sound normal and believable? "I-It's f-far." He said without a second thought. Nate continued to quiz him "How far? Like out of town or state?"
You soon put the interrogation to an end.
"Guys! Quit your shit! Leave the guy alone, he's not a criminal or something."
.As far as you know.
Toby relaxed a bit feeling the pressure of his chest finally go away. Effie laughed "Awe, c'mon sugar~ we're only playing! Besides we wanted to know something about him, he hardly talks when we're around!" Effie complained. 'That's because I don't like you' Toby annoyingly thought. Nate nodded "Plus, we wanted to invite him to our small bonfire. We wanted you to come but we also wanted to see if Toby was interested. He's a friend of yours so he's a friend of ours." Nate grinned, Toby noticing something off with his smile. You on the other hand did find it strange that Nate and Effie took a sudden interest into Toby. But Toby didn't mind, it just meant more time with you and he definitely liked that idea.
You soon rubbed the back of your neck "I don't know guys, I'm not really feeling it today." You said. You were suddenly booed by your two friends catching you by surprise "Don't be a loser (Y/n)! It'll be fun!" Effie exclaimed. You continued to look away while Toby read you like a book, knowing very well they were going to peer pressure you into going. You let out a sigh of defeat. You weren't going to bother to fight back this time, you'll probably end up going in the end. "Fine. Just please control your drinking this time..." you replied.
It wasn't long till Effie and Nate finished their food soon grabbing their things "Thanks for the food (Y/n)!" Effie yelled as she left out the door Nate smiled "See you tonight (Y/n)." he said, his smile slightly flattened when he looked at Toby "Oh and you too, Toby." And with that, Nate and Effie left out the door. You exhaled.
"T-They were... n-nice" Toby said breaking the silence but you softly smiled in response "Yeah. You learn to love 'em though." You replied sitting at the table. "So what's your plans for today?" You questioned. Toby's eyes strayed away. If he were being honest his answer would most likely be 'Follow you around like a fucking creep.' But...
Yeah.
That would obviously result with you screaming and running away from him, but who would blame you? If someone had said that to him Toby would be beyond concerned, not to mention how fast he'd be gone... Toby soon shrugged "N-Nothing." He uttered. A grin grew on your lips "You wanna come and help me go grocery shopping? I could really use a hand." You mentioned, hoping the boy would say yes. Toby thought for a moment wondering if he would even be useful to you. When was the last time he's been to the grocery store, anyway? Toby remembered going with his mom all the time. He wouldn't do much though, he would just follow her around while being bored and annoying the whole time.
"S-Sure." He said with more concern. Joy filled up within you. You were excited to hang out with your new friend again. "Here I'm gonna go get dressed! You can use my shower if you'd like, unless we take a bus to your house so you can change." You said soon standing up. Toby grew nervous, he didn't have a house! He lived deep the woods in a large abandoned shed that was burned down a while back. "I-I.. Uh, a-are you s-sure you wanna g-go to my h-house? I-It's a little f-far." He said trying to make up an excuse. You thought for a moment, you really didn't want to have to take the bus if it really was that far... "Oh wait! I think I still have some clothes Nate left!" You ran to your room. Toby sat in silence, questioning why you had Nates clothes... Now that he thought about it, who was Nate to you? It was obvious where your friend Effie stood but for some reason Toby couldn't tell where Nate stood. He could obviously tell Nate was a friend of yours but did you two have some type of romantic history?
"Here. I found a white shirt and grey sweater Nate left here, you can wear it to keep warm while we go out." You said handing him the two. Toby took it in his hands. He didn't want to wear anything of Nate's. "I'm gonna go get dressed, feel free to use my shower." You said, heading back to your room. Toby nodded and stayed motionless until he heard your bedroom door shut. The boy looked around your home taking in its normal and plain look. He might as well hurry and take a shower.
The sound of the water splashing on the floor and his head made him stare into space. The water was ice cold and for some strange reason his mind jumped to the others. Had they noticed Toby was gone yet? It has been a week since he left without a word, surely one of his proxy partners must have noticed his disappearance. Toby continued to think, soon enough turning the shower off as he stepped out ready to dry himself.
You on the other hand patiently waited on the couch, having your cat Gris on your lap. You stroked the cat's fur, his purring was loud and comforting. You were lost in thought just like Toby. You weren't thinking about much in particular, you were just thinking about your rent, bills and the groceries you needed to buy. You know "grown up stuff." As your guardian would say.
The sound of your restroom door opening automatically caught your attention. You gently held your cat in your arms making sure Gris wouldn't start attacking your guest. Toby walked out with wet hair, he wore the grey sweater you gave him and he held a folded towel you let him use. You stood up from your couch and smiled. "We should probably blow dry your hair." You suggested. Toby gave you a confused look. Your cat began squirming in your arms until you finally let go. Gris ran away looking for a place to hide. You took Toby's cold hand "C'mon, if you go out with wet hair you'll get sick. I have a hair dryer we could use." You mentioned. Toby felt that gushing feeling he loved so much, the one where his stomach felt funny and his cold heart felt warm.
You brought Toby to your room. You quickly brought him to your dressing table soon sitting him on a small stool. You rushed around your room digging around for your hair dryer. Toby waited silently for awhile not bothering to mutter a word, he looked around your room it was messy/organized but that didn't surprise him. Eventually you had found the hair dryer quickly plugging it in. You grabbed a comb and began brushing through Toby's long brown hair. "Wow! You have crazy soft hair!" You exclaimed feeling a bit envious. "T-Thanks." Toby laughed. You turned the hair dryer on low, combing through Toby hair as you moved the dryer around. His eyes grew heavy, it felt so nice and warm! In fact he would have started drooling if you had continued. Sadly though, you stopped. Placing the comb and hair dryer on your dress table. "All done!"
Toby ran his fingers through his hair. It really was soft! It dried really fast, most likely because his hair was thin. Why didn't he do this more often? "So, now that we're ready we should start heading out." You smiled. Toby agreed standing up and following you out the door.

* * * * * *
The day was spent with you. No doubt Toby had a lot of fun. It was odd, you two were supposed to be buying groceries but instead you guys goofed off the whole time. Toby made you laugh way too much and way too hard. He was just so silly and surprisingly wild for his own good. In fact you weren't even able to buy any food, the manager had told you two to leave. Apparently you and Toby were "disturbing the peace" you couldn't exactly blame the manger for kicking you both out. You kind of figured that would happen. On the bright side Toby was able to buy some cool goggles/glasses!
But now you two found yourselves walking down town. You offered to go to a coffee shop which Toby agreed to go in. You both sat across from each other in a booth now sipping [drink] and Toby a coffee, though you were sure he didn't need that. You two sat quietly enjoying your drinks. You gazed out the window the booth was next to. Toby couldn't help but admire the way you looked away. You were so... Pretty? For some reason he felt like he could never find the right word to describe you or the way he felt about you. And that warm feeling went straight to his pale face, his blush burning only a little this time.
"Toby?"
Goosebumps rose upon his skin. And how could he forget the feeling you gave him when you said his name. "Y-Yeah?" He stuttered. You continued to stare out your window "Why did you move here?" You randomly asked, you were sure you had asked before but you never got a straight answer. This was such a boring and lifeless town! How the hell did Toby decide he was going to settle down here? Of all the wonderful places in the world he chose here... And for some reason, it bugged you. "I-I like it here." He answered, not too far from the truth. You shook your head in response "No but, why did you choose such a lame town?" You asked him, hoping you weren't being offensive. "T-To be honest, the town kinda chose me. I w-wanted a new life, a f-fresh start. O-One that wasn't too e-exciting." He explained. You couldn't help but raise a brow at him. "I would honestly pay top dollar just to have even a little bit of excitement in my life. I hate this stupid town. I just wanna go somewhere far away..." You were now lost in your thoughts. Toby wanted to disagree with you about having an exciting life but who was he to say anything? "Why haven't you l-left then?" He asked. You shrugged "It takes guts and money to just get up and leave. Plus, wouldn't know where to go or what to do. I'm stuck here for now I guess." Toby couldn't help but grow a bit sad for you. Were you really that miserable living here? Before Toby could open his mouth your phone began to buzz. You quickly grabbed it from your pocket. You had received a text and by the look of your slightly annoyed face it was your friends. You looked up at Toby "Effie said they'll be coming by to pick us up soon." You spoke. Toby nodded. Let's see what your pathetic friends have for you tonight...
* * * * *
You now found yourself in Nate's car. You and Toby sat in the back this time while Effie and Nate blasted some classic Rock. Rock was something the three of you could all enjoy together, when you three were in high school you guys would cruise around with blasting music. You were a bit more wild and free in those days. You weren't old or anything after all you were only in your early twenties. You just grew up and became responsible. Effie and Nate on the other hand always tried to recreate those young and wild high school moments, it just never really worked for you.
"So are we heading to our spot?" Effie excitedly asked through the music. Nate grinned and nodded as he lowered the music. "Yeah, but we're heading through the back roads, if that's okay with you (Y/n)!" Nate asked with a smirk. You grew alarmed, quickly scooching yourself upwards to the front seats. Toby noticed the look of fear in your eyes. "You guys! I'm really not up for anything wild right now!" You said with and panicked tone. The two little devils laughed, ignoring what you said.

The music was suddenly turned back up as car began to speed up. Nate pressed the gas and in an instant you flew back into your seat. Toby could feel his weight press back for a moment. Toby grew anxious too but when he looked over at you a feeling of hate began to fuel him. You were scared, you looked so pale and you were practically trembling in your seat. Nate kept driving down the dirt roads almost going past the speed of 60. You kept your eyes covered afraid of crashing into a tree or worst. The blaring music wasn't helping your nerves either and your friend screaming with excitement made you more afraid for your life. Toby was a anxious but knew these idiots wouldn't kill him. He was more worried about you. And out of instinct, Toby took your hand. You looked over at him with big (e/c) eyes, you smiled softly at him knowing he was only trying to calm you. And that smile of yours was so refreshing and sweet.
The moment was ruined when Nate stopped the speeding car, causing you and Toby to be forcefully pushed forward. You ended up hitting your head on the front seat, hissing in pain "What the hell Nathan!" You yelled rubbing your head. Effie and Nate laughed insanely as you grew red from embarrassment. There laughs reminding Toby of two demons toying with a helpless angel. "Sorry (Y/n), you should know how I drive!" He giggled. You crossed your arms and rolled your eyes. "But at least we're at our spot!" Effie gleamed. The four of you exited the vehicle, the sound of constant beeping sounding out from the car until you four shut the doors. Toby looked around the place. They were in the woods except, this place had a bonfire pit and a few logs around it. "Hey Toby, wanna start the fire while I grab the beer?" Nate asked. Toby nodded grabbing wood from the trunk. He placed it into the pit soon pouring gasoline on the wood. Effie sat on a log, watching as Toby lit the fire. She didn't like the strange look he gave the flame as it blew up. "You're pretty good at that." Effie mentioned. Toby tuned his body seeing your whore friend sitting on a log. "T-Thanks." Effie and Nate had already discussed how they felt about Toby.
They didn't like him
He was weird, quiet and overall just unsettling. Effie even remembered joking about how Toby had the traits of a serial killer. Of course, that was only a joke they felt a bit bad for judging him and wanted to give him a chance. They were just too naive to believe the Toby could ever be some sort of killer.
"Okay, who wants a beer?" Nate asked holding a case. Effie excitedly raised her hand. Nate handed her one before handing one to Toby. Toby didn't really want to drink but he might as well let loose. "Here you go (Y/n)" he said, offering a cold beer to you. You shook your head. "No thanks." You denied, Nate tsked "Don't be a square!" He pressured. Toby could honestly kill this guy. But eventually he stopped bothering after the third no.
The four of you sat around the fire chatting and laughing. After awhile Nate stood up gulping down from his glass bottle "So. Who wants to hear something scary?" He asked with a bit of a slur. You all stayed silent, too scared to answer "Have you ever heard of a tall man who roams around these woods?" He asked having a

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net