Chapter Nine
"Peter!" Ruthie gasped.
Peter realized that she had finally come back to the hotel.
"What are you doing here?" Ruthie asked him, totally surprised.
Peter stood up. "You look...amazing."
"Thanks," Ruthie said. "But that doesn't answer my question. What are you doing here?"
Peter walked over to her. "I moved back to Glenoak last week. Didn't see you."
Ruthie nodded. "I was here."
Peter went on. "I went to visit your house, and your parents told me that you were in Hawaii with two friends."
"That's right."
"You're mother mentioned that you are engaged. I didn't believe it. I mean, you're seventeen!"
Ruthie turned her head towards Peter. "Look, just tell me, what are you doing here?"
"Is it true?"
"Is what true?"
"That you're engaged."
"Yes!"
Peter was silent.
"Is that why you came out here?" Ruthie asked.
Peter nodded. "I thought...I don't know. I just thought that there might be hope for us. Guess there isn't. So, who is the lucky guy?"
"Martin Brewer."
"I think I know who you're talking about."
"Yeah. I think you met him."
"The baseball player?"
"Yep."
"He's great."
"I know."
Peter faced Ruthie. "Do you still have feelings for me?"
It was starting to rain, and pretty hard.
Ruthie sat down. "I used to. When you left, I was miserable. But after meeting Martin, those feelings, just, went away."
Peter sat down right next to Ruthie.
"You look different--in a good way." Peter smiled.
"So do you," Ruthie grinned.
"I can't take it Ruthie. I don't think that you and Martin are meant to be. We're meant to be. You and me."
Ruthie shook her head as she stood up. "You LEFT me!"
Peter stood up," I DIDN'T HAVE A CHOICE! I would NEVER have left you!"
Ruthie was sobbing uncontrollably. "Well you did. We're history."
"I love you, Ruthie Camden. I don't want to lose you again."
"It's too late, Peter. I've moved on."
"No you haven't," Peter insisted. "We weren't over, and we still aren't!"
He looked right at Ruthie and kissed her.
Ruthie didn't know why, but it just felt right.
Just like The Notebook!