A broken relationship, A new trusted friend, A life changing night, A worried family, A deep dark secret...

LOST INNOCENCE

Rated PG 13

Ruthie Camden was walking to school one bright day with her ex-boyfriend Peter Petrowski. They had broken up 3 weeks ago but still remained friends. Everything was perfectly normal, with no sign that today would be any different than the rest. Peter and Ruthie arrived at school at 8;45 and walked over to their friends, Katie, Dylan, Lissa, Lauren and Tyler, who were all standing with someone they'd never seen before.

"Hey Ruthie! Peter!" Katie called. "Have you met the new kid?"

They both shook their heads.

"Hey, my name is Jason" The new kid introduced himself.

"Hey Jason, I'm Peter"

"I'm Ruthie, where are you from?"

"I'm from Buffalo" Jason answered.

"Why'd you move here?" Peter asked.

"My dad used to beat my mom, and then he left, but he came back so we had to leave." Jason replied.

"Woah. Why here? If you don't mind me asking." Lauren said.

"It's fine, my Mom's old boyfriend once came here and told her it was nice so she decided we'd move here"

Just then the bell rang and they all ran in.

"Who's class are you in Jason?" Ruthie asked.

"Mrs. Morgan's" He replied.

"Cool!" Tyler said. "You're in me and Ruthie's class."

*Lunch*

The group got their trays and sat at their usual table. The were just about to start eating when they spotted Jason, who was wandering around looking lost.

"Hey Jason!" Lissa shouted. "Over here."

Jason walked over and took a seat beside Ruthie. Then Lauren invited Jason to sit with them everyday. They talked some more and then the bell rang. Ruthie was about to put her tray away when Jason grabbed her arm.

"Ruthie! Wait. I wanted to ask you something."

"What is it?" She asked and sat back down beside him.

"Are you dating anyone?"

"No.."

"Good. Do you want to come over tonight?"

"I don't know if that's such a good idea."

"Why not?"

"Well, Uh... I don't know where you live."

"I can walk you home and then we can walk over to my house."

"Well, Okay. I guess so."

"Great" He said and they walked out of the cafeteria together.

The rest of the day went by fast and before Ruthie knew it, it was the end of the day. She hadn't told Peter about Jason and she just planned on saying he lived that way.

Ruthie ran out of class. She ran right in to Peter.

"Uh, hey Ruthie. I won't be able to walk home with you tonight, I have a detention."

"Oh, okay" Ruthie said and then walked away. Could this day get any better? She spotted Jason coming down the hall and ran over to meet him.

"Hey Ruthie"

"Hey. Ready to go?" Ruthie asked.

"Yeah. Where do you live anyway?" Jason asked.

"527 Maple Ave. You?"

"145 Dalton Rd."

"Cool, That's only 5 minutes away from my house." Ruthie said.

They walked a bit more, talking and laughing, and then they arrived at Ruthie's house. They went in the back door. Annie was feeding the twins.

"Hi mom! This is Jason, he's new at school."

"Hello Jason." Annie said. "I'm Annie Camden, and these two are Sam and David"

"Hi everybody" Jason said.

"Hi Ruthie. Hi Jason." Sam and David said.

"Hey guys!" Ruthie said.

"Mom, I was wondering if I can go to Jason's house." Ruthie asked.

"Hmm... I don't know Ruthie. Where does he live?"

"Dalton Rd." Ruthie Answered.

"I see. I'd feel more comfortable if you two stayed here. I'm sorry Jason, I'm not trying to be rude."

"It's okay Mrs. Camden, I understand." Jason replied.

"Would you be allowed to stay here?" Ruthie asked.

"I don't know, can I phone my mom?" Jason asked.

"Sure. The phone's over there." Ruthie told him.

He walked over and 5 minutes later came back.

"I'm allowed to stay."

"Great!" Ruthie exclaimed.

They went upstairs to Ruthie's room and Jason sat on a chair and Ruthie on her bed. She put on some music and they talked.

"So, how do you like our school so far?" Ruthie asked.

"Oh, It's okay. You and your friends are nice." Jason replied.

Ruthie smiled. "Your nice too.What was your old school like"

"Oh, It was alright. I didn't have many friends though." Jason said.

"Oh.. " Ruthie said.

"Oh, it's okay. It doesn't bother me."

"Ruthie, Jason! Dinner!" Annie called from downstairs. Ruthie and Jason jumped up and ran downstairs

All through dinner Ruthie and Jason secretly held hands under the table. They had Ruthie's favourite food, which turned out to be Jason's too. Spaghetti and Meatballs. After dinner they took their ice cream up to Ruthie's room.

"Your mom's a really good cook. And she's really nice." Jason said.

"Yeah" Ruthie replied.

"So who was the last guy you dated?" Jason asked.

"Peter, and that was three weeks ago."

"Why'd you break up?"

"We just didn't like each other anymore. What about you?"

"I was dating someone a week before we came here. We broke up because she liked my friend."

"What was her name?"

"Katie."

"Did you still like her after you broke up?"

"A little, but not anymore."

"Jason! Your mom is here!" Annie called up to them.

"Gotta go! Bye Ruthie"

"Bye Jason"

He leaned over and kissed her cheek and then left. Ruthie ran over to her bed and pulled out a diary and wrote all about Jason and her wonderful night.