Jack's POV

I watched Ruthie walked away. She had an infallible and glossy essence about her. A polished and ideal girl she was. Could I be making a mistake by not dating her? No. I'm too old for her. Last night I felt I couldn't even talk about things in front of her. I turned around and tried to forget about her, but she remained in my mind all day.

Ruthie's POV

I walked away from Jack, feeling impassive. Butterflies no longer lingered in my stomach when he was in my presence. My cheeks wouldn't get hot and turn rosy red. I was actually over Jack. It was a great feeling, like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I glided through the hallway, beaming.

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The clock that hung on the wall of Mr. Thomas's room was ticking and tocking. Ruthie wanted to get to lunch and tell Meredith that she was finally over Jack. Imagining her reaction made her smile. "You're over Jack? Or was it your father who told you he was too old to go out with you?" She watched in anticipation as the ticking hand crept up the numbers making its way to the pinnacle of the clock, finishing the minute that would release the sound of the bell. "RING!"

Ruthie jumped from her seat after retrieving her backpack and headed towards her locker. On the way she ran into Martin.

"Hey Ruthie," said Martin as he stopped in the hallway to say hello.

"Hi Martin," she said. Things had been awkward between them ever since she thought he had said he loved her when he really meant, 'I got Sandy pregnant.'

"I saw you talking to Jack earlier. So, you guys going out tonight?"

"What do you think?" she asked wishing to hear his opinion on the matter.

"I already told you. Previously, you got mad at me," Martin paused, "He's too old for you. And don't get mad at me for saying that, you asked."

"Oh, I'm not mad. We're not going out. We both decided, after, well, you know, the talk, that he was too old for me."

Martin's eyes gleamed in surprise.

"Wow. I didn't see that coming," Martin paused once more, "Even after your dad said you could go on a date with him, you don't want to?"

"I think Jack's a great guy. Like you, my dad, and I now think, he's too old for me. He even said it himself."

"Ruthie, I'm glad you made that decision. I'll see you later."

"Bye, Martin."

Ruthie let a smile overcome her face. As soon as she made it to her locker, she grabbed her lunch and headed for the lunch room.

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After school Ruthie ran up to her room to record her thoughts in her diary.

Ruthie's POV

I wonder if Martin is starting to like me. I wish. Hmm. If going out with Jack won't get him to like me… Then again, I shouldn't want to be with him. He got Sandy pregnant. What a mistake on his part.

Ruthie shook her head.

Martin's POV

Life sucks. I hate being an expectant father. It shouldn't be my responsibility. I didn't mean to do it.

Martin sat on his bed and cupped his hands over his chin and shook his head.

What have I done?

Jack's POV

It was a mistake. I want to be in a relationship. I don't want to just always be breaking up and hooking up. I want Ruthie to be my girlfriend. I want Ruthie…but she doesn't want me…does she?

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"Ruthie, can you get the boys for dinner?" asked Annie who was preparing the table for a warm family dinner consisting of ham, a spinach salad, Hawaiian bread rolls, and some mashed potatoes.

"Sam, David, it's time for dinner," called Ruthie as she continued up the last few steps.

"Ruthie! Guess what!" yelled Sam.

"Yah Ruthie! Guess what!" yelled David.

"Mom said we could have a sleepover this week," said Sam.

"Yah, with all of our friends. You can come if you want to Ruthie," added David.

"Wow, that sounds fun. What do you say we talk about it during dinner?" asked Ruthie encouraging the boys downstairs.

"Okay," said Sam and David at different times.

Everybody gathered around the table and took their seats. The dinner table was filled by Eric, Annie, Ruthie, Sam and David. The Kinkirks were eating out for the night while Sandy volunteered to baby-sit Savanah.

"Shall we pray?" asked Eric. The family nodded in mutual concession.

"Dear God, today was a wonderful day to show your love for us. We thank you that we have family to surround us, and a warm dinner to share. Bless this food in our bodies. Amen."

The Camdens dug into the meal in front of them.

"So, Ruthie, how are you and Jack. Why aren't you going out tonight?" asked Eric in a happily suspicious tone hoping for a certain outcome of an answer.

"Oh, we decided, together, that Jack is just too old for me. And don't you dare say 'I told you so,' I'm working this out on my own. He is a nice guy, and perhaps in the future we could get to know each other better, but for now friends is a good key level for a relationship at our age."

Eric and Annie shared a glance and a smile, knowing that their daughter had been raised right.