Disclaimer: I do not own 7th heaven or any of its characters, though I wish I did.
" She has no idea what it feels like to be broken. No idea what it feels like to be dead inside." Ruthie said to the empty room.
With that last statement, Ruthie gathered her bathrobe, blue thong and matching bra in her hands, opened the door, and went to take a shower.
Ruthie sighed as she walked into the kitchen. Sam and David were eating pancakes, Eric was on the phone with one of his couples from therapy and Annie was packing the lunches. They all looked up, catching Ruthie's sigh and taking in her depressed state. She had been like this for the past week and they would all be lying if they said they weren't worried. Today, however, was different from that of the past week. For the past week, Ruthie had gone to school in sweat- suits in a variety of colors. Today, Ruthie walked into the kitchen in one of her loveliest ensembles. Her black mini-skirt swayed as she walked over to the counter.
"Morning Mom, Dad, Sam n' David."
"Good morning, Ruthie." They all replied.
Annie was happy to see her daughter dressed in her normal clothes, in comparison to her comfort clothes. Though Ruthie was dressed normally and looked beautiful, her black, lacy mini-skirt and pale blue off the shoulder sweater could not hide the pain evident in her face. 'Her eyes look dead.' Thought Annie. ' I pray to God that my baby girl comes back to life soon.'
"Sweetheart," Annie said, " Your father and I have something we would like to talk to you about."
"Sorry Mom, I'm late for school, but we'll talk later, O.K.?"
"But your mother and I really need to discuss this with you before school. Ruthie, this is import-," Eric was cut off.
"We'll talk later." Ruthie cut him off, in a tone of voice, which seemed to finalize their discussion.
" But Ruthie-," Annie tried.
"Later." And Ruthie was out the door.
School was a blur for Ruthie. She felt like everything was spinning. At the moment, Ruthie's friend Belle was attempting to discuss her latest boyfriend with Ruthie as they made their way to their lunch table.
" I think he's perfect. He could be the one. I mean I know with my past boyfriends I've said I was in love, but Jeff is just so different. I don't understand it, but Jeff makes me feel so special. He makes me feel like I'm the only girl in the world." Belle babbled, ignorant of the pale complexion that Ruthie's face had taken on.
" I feel so alive, you know? Jeff just makes me feel like everything is perfect. It's like he makes it worth waking up in the morning for school. He's here and that just makes the whole school thing seem O.K. Have you ever felt that way Ruthie?" Belle asked.
"Yeah, actually I have, but love, I don't know. I think that love and I don't mix at the moment. It's just that relationships don't seem to go my way. Love just leads to heartache and I've had enough of that to last me a life time, thank you very much." Ruthie replied.
After witnessing Belle's glowing face turn to one of sadness, Ruthie hastily added, "But I'm pretty sure that love only works that way for me. You and Jeff sound so right. I'm sorry. Please, go ahead, don't stop talking about Jeff for me." At this, Belle's smile returned and she continued to babble about Jeff throughout lunch.
Ruthie's second to last class was English Literature. Usually, she enjoyed this class because her favorite teacher, Ms. Caldwell taught it, but today Ruthie was miserable. Ruthie's misery stemmed from the literary work that they had been studying, Romeo and Juliet.
"Now class," Ms. Caldwell began, " Today we will be reading aloud one of the greatest love scenes from Shakespeare's novel, Romeo and Juliet."
'Just great,' thought Ruthie. 'It figures that this week of all weeks we start to read the most tragic love story ever told.'
"To start us off, let's all turn to page 223 in our Literature Books. Great. Now I will assign the roles. In this scene, the only characters we will need are Romeo and Juliet. The nurse will not enter until the next scene." Said Ms. Caldwell.
"Hmm," she sighed, " Brad, you can be our Romeo and for our Juliet, how about you Ruthie?"
"Well Ms. Caldwell, would you mind if I declined the offer?"
"Well no dear, if you feel strongly about not reciting the part, I suppose-"
"Why don't you want to read Camden? Still hung up on the school's baseball star? Martin Brewer." Brad rudely interrupted.
At the mention of Martin's name, Ruthie's eyes began to water slightly.
"Now Brad," Ms. Caldwell began to object, only to be cut off by Brad again.
"We all heard. He's having a baby with someone else. Get over it. Move on. He can't be yours."
"This has nothing to do with Martin," Ruthie stated in a cold voice. Her eyes were no longer watery, but blazing. She fiercely turned to Brad.
"The reason that I do not wish to read is you. I could not get into the character knowing that my Romeo was being played by a acne scarred bastard who thinks he's God's gift to women, when in reality the only thing I see is a loser who wants someone to think he fits. And as for me and Martin, that's none of your business."
"Ms. Caldwell! Did you hear what she said to me?" Brad whined.
"No, I'm sorry dear, I didn't hear a thing. I was too busy reviewing the play. You know how captivating Romeo and Juliet can be." Ms. Caldwell answered in a sickeningly sweet tone.
"Amanda, why don't you play Juliet. We haven't got any more time to waste!" Ms. Caldwell urged.
And so the lesson began.
School had finally ended. She had ridden the bus home from school. On her walk to the back door, leading to the kitchen, Ruthie's thoughts began to wander. Her thoughts rested on Martin. Ruthie had been avoiding Martin all day, though whenever she began to daze off in class, all she could see was a pair of beautiful, deep hazel eyes. Martin's eyes, to be exact. She missed those eyes and his smile. Her thoughts began to wander onto Martin's many wonderful attributes.
Before she knew it Ruthie had entered the kitchen. Her eyes widened in surprise and her mouth hung open at the sight she had been confronted with. Ruthie went to speak, but could not form the words. She opted to continue to wordlessly stare at the 'guest' who was having lunch with her parents. Ruthie then regained her voice and did the only thing she could think of. She screamed.
A/N : OK, well that's chapter two. I hope you enjoy. I know most of you are probably screaming about the fact that there is no Martin/Ruthie action in this chapter, but he will enter the story in the next chapter or two. Reviews keep me writing. Please let me know what you think. And, tell me who you want Ruthie to have seen in the kitchen. Next chapter is up to you.