Well, I've thought about it, and I decided to re-write Grasping for Life.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, although I wish I did.

Genre: Romance/General

Rating: PG-13

Grasping for Life (re-write)

Ruthie Camden closed on her best friend's fingers; this was it. This was good-bye, forever.

"I love you, Ruthie," Peter said, kissing his girlfriend, now ex-girlfriend, gently on the lips. It was perhaps their most meaningful kiss, and they had shared quite a few. Ruthie dared not to pull away; she only wanted him closer.

But eventually, he had to. "Good-bye, Ruthie," he whispered, stroking her cheek. And then he turned and fled into woods, with Ruthie watching, her heart only wanting him more and more…

And she let the tears fall just as there was a clap of thunder and it began to pour, sliding down her cheeks, landing on the broken branches and twigs beneath her feet, and she didn't move.

"Ruthie?" A hand was suddenly felt upon her shoulder. She turned, her face tear-stained.

"I didn't want him to go," she sobbed, burying her face in his chest.

"I know you didn't Ruthie," Simon said, stroking his sister's hair. They had been best friends when they were younger, and then their lives had drifted…now Simon was able to feel the pain with his sister, and hurt along with her.

"I really didn't want him to leave," she repeated.

"He had to," Simon whispered, his face pale. "Ruthie, he had to move on, and his mistake will leave with him forever."

"But why couldn't he have stayed here?" Ruthie asked, pulling away. "Dad and Chandler could have helped him…"

"And what good with that do, Ruthie? He did what he did. Things would only be worse for him here."

And in that one week, her life had changed. She was boyfriend less, miserable and worried about the upcoming year…junior year was coming to an end, and Ruthie was glad. She hated seeing those cold, painful faces as Ruthie walked by to her locker. Ruthie had been the girlfriend of a traitor. Of a killer.

"Come on, Ruthie. Let's go home," Simon said, as he stood, brushing his pants off from the dirt.

And Ruthie followed Simon, as he led her out of the woods, out of danger…but danger would only haunt her until she let go.

Let me know what you think of this re-write!