A/N: A month has now gone by (sorry, but I had to pass by some time or the story would be way too long). Martin and Sandy are busy preparing for their baby, but only as friends. Ruthie has been dating Jack, much to everyone's disappointment, especially Martin. Ruthie has completely stopped talking to Martin, given that he was obviously trying to "sabotage" her relationship with Jack (a la Ruthie angst of course).
"We never have anything in this house!" Martin yelled, throwing his geometry book across the living room, where it landed at his father's feet.
"Something wrong, son?" his father asked sarcastically.
"Sorry," Martin muttered. "I'm trying to get my homework done, so I can drive down and meet Sandy for her first prenatal class, but I can't find my stupid geometry set! There's never anything here when I need it!"
Martin was yelling again. His father, calmly, picked up the textbook and handed it back to his son. Taking a seat beside him on the couch, he said, "I'm real proud of you meeting Sandy for these classes."
"Yeah," Martin muttered.
His father touched his arm, forcing Martin to meet his eyes. "I know that this isn't how you wanted things to be, but stepping up to the plate the way you're doing, it's the right thing to do, Martin. You should be proud of yourself, but not too proud to ask for help when you need it. What can I do?"
"You have a geometry set?" he asked with a smile.
"No, but I can direct you to one," he replied, pointing to the Camden residence across the street. "A house with that many kids in it, they've probably got every kind of school supply you can think of."
Martin shook his head. "I'd rather take the failing grade."
"You and Ruthie still not talking?" his father asked.
"I've tried, but she gives me the cold shoulder every time. Besides, she's too 'cool' now with her new boyfriend!" Martin made a face. "It's disgusting the way Jack's always touching her and kissing her. It's like he can't keep his hands to himself."
Martin's father tried hard not to laugh. "Well Ruthie's a very attractive young lady."
Martin made a face at his father. "That's even more disgusting than watching her make out with her ass of a boyfriend."
Getting up from the couch, smile firmly in place, Martin's father slapped him on the back. "Sure it is. Do yourself a favor, go get the geometry set from the Camden's. It'll take your mind off of how 'gross' Ruthie is."
Martin hated what his father was implying and what Kevin had implied a month ago when he and Martin had talked. Everyone needed to understand that Martin's life was no longer about girls and dating and crushes. His reality now was homework and babies!
He rose, reluctantly, from the couch and made his way to the door. He walked across the street, the thought of fleeing back to the safety of his own house crossing his mind constantly, and rang the Camden's doorbell.
Fortunately, Annie Camden answered the door. She gave Martin a curious look, having not seen him for nearly a month, and definitely not used to him ringing their doorbell. "Martin?"
"Hi, Mrs. Camden. Do you have a geometry set I could borrow?" he asked quietly.
Annie wanted to laugh out loud, but didn't for fear of hurting the boy's feelings. Of all the reasons he chose to use to come over, a geometry set! Instead, Annie invited Martin in, escorting him into the kitchen. "Ruthie has one in her desk drawer. You can go ahead up and grab it."
Martin hesitated. "I better not."
Annie smiled and gently pushed Martin towards the stairs. "Ruthie's in the shower, Martin. She won't even know you've been there."
Martin looked at Annie Camden, knowing that she wouldn't be sending him into the lion's den. Annie, a mother figure extraordinaire, wouldn't hurt a fly. Martin trusted her. He began to walk up the stairs slowly. When he got to Ruthie's room, he paused at the open door. He stuck his head inside and looked around. No Ruthie.
Martin entered the room and looked around. Nothing had changed since the last time he'd been there, but yet everything felt different. He shook his head and walked further into the room. That's when he noticed the outfit lying out on Ruthie's bed. She's going out, he told himself, probably with Jack.
He examined the outfit carefully, deciding quickly that the skirt she had picked out was cut too high and the top cut too low. He shook his head and sighed. Get the geometry set and get out of here, he told himself.
He reached the desk and saw Jack's name scribbled all over Ruthie's desk calendar. He wanted to take a black marker and cross it all out, but knew he couldn't. Shaking his head again, he reached for the side drawer and pulled it open.
And that's when everything in Martin's world came crashing down…