Chapter Twenty-One: Confrontation

Ruthie sat on her bed fuming, her glaring holes through the door. She couldn't believe Martin, why did he have to come here just to upset her. It was like he had done it on purpose, he knew how she felt about him and he just pushed her and pushed her until she gave in. She lay backward on her bed and stared aimlessly up at the ceiling she thought back on the conversation she'd had with him a couple months back. She'd felt so stupid IMing him, just as vulnerable and naïve as she always had around him. For some reason he had this affect on her, this way of mesmerizing her so she couldn't think or feel about anything other than him. He was the magnet and she was the metal and she was powerless to him.

Ruthie sat up fuming with renewed anger for him. She looked around the room in disgust she hated being back here. Now she understood why she'd been so desperate to get away, the feelings being in Glenoak brought her were not the once happy and comforting ones they were. Now all she felt was hatred, resentment, denial, this wasn't her home as far as she was concerned. It was just where her family lived.

Ruthie ran her hand carelessly through her hair closing her eyes momentarily and trying hard to remember a time she'd been happy here. A time she'd called this place home. She could almost see a happy curly haired child running around the house carefree and happy, a genuine smile on her face, but the image quickly slipped away surrounded by the angry disappointed faces of her brothers and sisters. Of her mother and father. And she could only imagine what they would say if they found out, the thought alone cause panic to creep into her chest with an icy chill. But on some level she couldn't help but admit that they must at least suspect.

Tears sprang to her eyes at the thought of admitting that they might now or even suspect, her stomach churned and her heart raced. They could never know. They'd be so disappointed, and they'd try to stop her. It was her life, her decision and she'd made it six months ago when she stepped into the club. She knew exactly what she was getting herself into even if she hadn't wanted to admit it at the time. She'd wanted an escape and when the opportunity knocked she entered without a second glance back.

Now, here she was six months later not regretting a single thing except her decision to come home. She'd never once questioned herself in New York and within minutes of landing in Glenoak she began questioning every decision she'd made and thought of making. The fear and indecisiveness that filled her when she was home drove her crazy, she'd left that person behind and the moment she was back it consumed her once again.

Ruthie sat up and put her head in her hands roughly shaking her hair, hoping to shake herself out of these thoughts. The questions and thoughts that clouded her mind were unnerving her and she wasn't sure how much to take. Taking another look around her room she decided she needed to at least leave her room.

Getting up she crossed the room and headed downstairs for something to drink, all the screaming and crying she'd done with Martin had not only exhausted her mentally but physically. Life in New York wasn't a piece of cake but it was better than this, she didn't feel like there was a fight behind every corner. In New York she had at least one place she could feel safe, but here…she couldn't even feel safe in her own room. Driven out by the memories and thoughts it brought to her mind.

"Ruthie." Ruthie was pulled out of her self-destructive ramble by the sudden call of her name. She spun around to see not just one brother but two.

"Just what I needed." Ruthie mumbled crossing her arms and turning to study them.

"Actually it is." Matt said stepping towards her. Ruthie narrowed her eyes, watching his every movement for a threatening one.

"Really, cause in less I need medical help, which I don't," She added quickly seeing the look Matt and Simon exchanged. "Then I don't need your help."

"Ruthie, you promised that you would find another job. But you haven't. And since you've gotten here you've gotten meaner and meaner. It's frightening, your attitude, your language, everything about you." Ruthie rolled her eyes.

"You don't think this is serious? You have a problem—"Simon started.

"What do you know?" Ruthie laughed coldly.

"Simon." Matt warned. Simon bit his tongue but continued to glare at Ruthie. "We want you tell Mom and Dad. About your job—"

"And whatever else you're hiding." Simon interjected; Matt sighed and looked at Simon.

"Shut up Simon. I think Matt can corner me on his own. You're only here because you know where I work. Big deal." Ruthie snapped.

"You know what Ruthie—"

"Simon—"

"What, Simon? Are you finally going to grow some balls and confront me or continue to be passive aggressive like Matt." Ruthie said raising her voice just enough so that it wouldn't carry but was plenty loud for those in the vicinity.

"Go to hell!" Simon screamed losing his cool.

"So I'm not the only one with a mouth then, hm?" She said smiling evilly.

"Simon, she's doing it on purpose!" Matt said putting a hand on his chest and lowering his voice.

"I can hear you, you do know that right? I was the family snoop in case you don't remember I have good hearing." Ruthie said.

"I think it's you who doesn't remember." Matt said turning to face her again. "I think you're the one's whose forgotten who they are. What happened to you in New York?"

"It wasn't New York." Ruthie said frustrated at how annoying the constant banter about her dramatic change in New York was getting. "I changed long before I left, not that either of you would know you haven't lived here for years. New York was just a change of scenery; I could finally do what I wanted without being watched constantly because I was Eric and Annie Camden's daughter."

"Oh don't pull that!" Simon said annoyed by her whining. He glared at her. "We were all raised here in Glenoak, all raised PK's. You can't use that as an excuse! Your problem is your own, and whatever reason you won't let anyone help you. But we're going to whether you want it or not!"

"Hypocrite!" She screeched the moment he stopped speaking. Her face flushed red. "How dare you tell me not to use it as an excuse when that's exactly what you did to get away from the family six years ago!" Simon looked at her speechless, his eyes narrowed.

"I killed a kid, that's why I left." He said his voice dangerously low. They squared off, eyes locked in a glare.

"That's not the point—"Matt began.

"Ruthie we're giving you a chance to be the one to tell Mom and Dad, if you don't want to take it then we will." Fear flashed across her face, her eyes widening momentarily as her color drained. Matt and Simon both caught her reaction but before either one could say anything she was off.

"Do what you want. I don't give a fuck. By Saturday I'm gone anyway!" She hissed with that she turned on her heel and raced down the stairs and out of the house as fast as she could. If I could I'd be on the next flight home, and maybe I will…

"Let's go." Simon said his voice calm.

"Not yet." Matt said shaking his head.

"What do you mean?" Simon asked.

"I have to check something, make sure…" He trailed off and looked towards Ruthie's room. Simon's eyes followed but wasn't sure what Matt thought he'd find. Then it hit him and he nodded silently in agreement.

Author's Note: Hey everyone. My next update. Yay! I'm so close to being done and the tension is rising not only for Ruthie but me as well because I want the ending to be as spectacular as I imagined it. And trust me what I've imagined is spectacular and well worth the suspense. Let's hope I can pull it off. : ) Fingers crossed. Lol.

Anyway, by now I'm sure plenty of you have seen my trailer for this story and I have to admit that I am so pleased with how it turned out. I hope everyone else enjoyed it, and if you haven't already let me know what you thought because I made if for you guys my lovely readers. You have all been so patient and supportive and dedicated. Everytime I'm like I have to update I promised my readers, my brothers like what are you babbling on about lol. I do tend to babble lol.

I tried to make this chapter longer for you guys but it was still quite short, hopefully it was packed with enough energy that it will sustain you until my next update in a couple days. As always, read, enjoy and my favorite review! : )

Katie