That Thing You Do
Summary: Martin's picked up the bad habit of smoking. Ruthie tries to stop him, but he drifts further and further away from her with every cigarette he smokes. It's breaking Ruthie's heart to see Martin in this state. R & R. : )
Ch. 1
Martin's New Habit
Ruthie coughed and waved her hand trying to impart the smoke surrounding her.
"Martin! Why are you doing this?" she asked worriedly.
"I can do whatever I want. Now leave me alone," he said blowing smoke out of his mouth. Martin coughed a terrible cough.
"Martin stop!" Ruthie yelled reaching gingerly for his dirty cigarette. In response Martin threw it on the ground and stepped on it, blowing smoke out through his teeth.
"Martin, why are you smoking?" Ruthie asked glad that he had finally extinguished the smoke.
"Do you want to get an ice cream?" he asked changing the subject.
"Don't change the subject," she said angrily, "Give me your packet of cigarettes," she said holding her hand out.
"Are you crazy? No, this is my only pack. Besides, smoking isn't that bad. It's not as bad as doing drugs."
"Martin, smoking is doing drugs. Please tell me you'll stop. You can die from smoking," Ruthie said, her hand still out waiting for the box. Martin looked intently into her eyes realizing how serious and hurt she was.
"Fine," he said and handed her the box.
"Thanks, Martin. Now do you want to go grab an ice cream?" she asked rejuvenating the happy mien.
"Sure, let's go," he answered forgetting about the previous moment. They walked towards the promenade and headed inside the store. After paying they took a seat outside on a bench. The sun was just exceeding the trees, leaving a beautiful site to look at.
Three guys Ruthie didn't recognize came up to Martin.
"Hey guy, what are you doing innocently eating an ice cream cone?" one of them asked.
"and whose your pretty friend?" asked another, winking at Ruthie.
"Guys, I'll catch up with you later," Martin said trying to get them away.
"So you can finish your ice cream cone?" asked one of the guys as they all laughed.
"Shut up. Just leave for now," Martin said, irked.
"You comin' to the party tonight?" asked the guy who had winked at Ruthie.
"Yah, I'll be there," said Martin, hoping they would leave at that.
"Party? Martin, what kind of party is this?" Ruthie stood up and asked worriedly.
"Don't worry pretty lady, you can come along," said the guy who had winked at her earlier. Ruthie made a disgusted look on her face as the guys left.
"Martin! Are those guys in college?" asked Ruthie.
"Yah, so what? They're cool," he said rolling his eyes at Ruthie's behavior.
"Oh yah, I can see how mature they are," said Ruthie sarcastically, "Where is this party? Is there going to be drinking and smoking?"
"You know what Ruthie, I don't know. Could you just get out of my face about it? It's just a party," Martin said throwing his ice cream away.
"Martin, no party is just a party, especially with immature college guys like that. Promise me you won't go."
"Promise me you won't smoke, Martin. Promise me you won't go to the party, Martin," Martin said imitating Ruthie's voice, "I'm sick of you looking out for me. I'm almost in college; I don't need a kid being my guardian."
"Oh, you think I'm a kid? Why do you hang out with me than? I'm going home," Ruthie said, frustrated, as she grabbed her jacket and walked away. Martin was angry and he kicked the trashcan.
Later that night, Martin was on his way to the party. He wanted a cigarette, and after checking his pocket he realized he had given them to Ruthie. After cursing at himself he walked inside the party house. The aroma around was smoke, stale alcohol, and bad cologne. His eyes watered at the stench.
Ruthie was at home sitting at the dinner table quietly. She couldn't believe Martin. What could cause him to do such stupid things? This wasn't like him. Ruthie had a bad feeling something was going to go wrong during this party, and she knew she had to go get him out. Her parents would never let her go though. Thinking of Martin made her sigh.
"Ruthie honey, are you alright? You're awfully quiet," asked a concerned Annie.
"No, I'm fine. I just had a rough day at school. I've got a lot on my mind," Ruthie answered as she played with her food.
I wish I had someone to confide in over this whole Martin deal. I wish Mary was here. She'd know what to do. I can't tell Mom; she'll get too worried. Lucy would tell Kevin. Martin's the only person I do confide in, and when I need to confide, he's not here. Well that's because it's about him. I guess my best bet is to call Simon.
Ruthie sat patiently on her bed waiting for Simon to pick up his phone.
"Hello?"
"Simon? It's Ruthie."
"Oh, hey Ruthie. What's up?"
"Well, today I saw Martin smoking near the promenade. I tried to get him to stop."
"Martin was smoking? Have you told mom?"
"Simon, I can't. He finally gave in after a while and handed me his cigarettes, and we headed over to the promenade to get an ice cream. Well, then a couple of college guys came up to us and started talking to Martin. They smelled like smoke and alcohol. Anyways, they were telling Martin about this college party they were having, and Martin said he would go."
"When is this party?"
"Tonight, right now. I think I should go over there and get him out, but Mom and Dad would never let me go. Plus, who knows what kind of trouble I could get in just by going?"
"I think you should tell Mom and Dad, or at least Lucy."
"Lucy would tell Kevin, and Kevin would go to the party and embarrass him. Martin would hate me."
"Well, Martin could be in trouble down there. Someone has to go, but you better not."
"Simon, promise you won't tell anybody, please."
"You know I won't, but I'm not making any promises."
"Fair enough."
"Look, Ruthie, I have to go. I have a test to make up and I need to study. Please listen to me Ruthie when I say not to go alone. Promise me."
"I promise."
"Bye."
Ruthie hung up the phone, knowing that now she had to do something, but she couldn't go alone. She needed someone to go with her, but whom?
"Hey man!" said one of the guys who Martin had seen earlier. Martin returned the greeting uncomfortably as he looked around. He wanted to leave, but he knew that was out of the question.
"What time does this party end?" asked Martin, although he tried not to sound babyish.
"Guy, you need to loosen up. Here," he said shoving a beer towards Martin.
"Uh, thanks," he said taking it.
"No problem man. I'll catch you later," he said making his way upstairs.
Martin started coughing and needed some water. Unsuccessful at finding any, he opened the beer and took a swig. This only made Martin cough even more.
Whoa, this stuff tastes terrible, but it's all they have.
Martin took another drink. Then he took another, and another. Soon he felt loose enough to start partying. But his head started hurting and he couldn't see straight. He collapsed on a couch nearby.
Ruthie couldn't think of anybody. She didn't want to bring any of her friends into it. Soon she found herself dialing Jack's number.
"Hello."
"Hi Jack. It's Ruthie. I need your help. Are you busy?"
"No. What's up?"
"Well, Martin's at a college party right now. And earlier I found him smoking near the promenade. I'm worried about him, and I need someone to go with me to get him out. I know you don't like Martin that much, but will you do it for me?
"I, uh, sure. Am I picking you up?" asked Jack, surprised.
"Yah, but I can't let my parents know, so go to Martin's and pick me up there."
"Okay."
"Thank you so much. I owe you."
Ruthie hung up and raced downstairs.
"Mom, can I go over to Martin's real quickly?" asked Ruthie.
"What for?" asked Eric who was sitting next to Annie.
"We want to get some ice cream at the promenade," Ruthie lied. She hated lying to her parents.
Annie and Eric reluctantly agreed to let their daughter go.
"Thanks."
"Be back by 9:30," they yelled.
"I will," Ruthie said running out the door and running across the street to Martin's. She glanced at her watch. She had an hour and a half to get Martin out safely.
Jack pulled up by the house, and she hopped in the car.
"Let's go," Ruthie said.
What do you think? I would love it if you told me in a review: )
- Jambaa