Chapter 1
Ruthie had learned about Sandy and Martin's baby news to say she was shocked was an understatement. She was hurt because she had started liking Martin but she was more hurt that Martin never told her anything. Her mother kept shooting her sympathetic looks but she ignored them. She was determined not to let this bother her. She knew what she had to do.
Ruthie walked into the hospital smiling at the patients. She walked into room 301 and smiled at the person inside.
"Hey Ruthie it's great to see you today", said the young girl.
"Hey Sam, how you feeling today?" asked Ruthie coming into the room.
"It's been hard but I'll live", said Sam answering in her usually way.
Ruthie had decided to volunteer at the hospital where she met Sam and her older sister. Her sister was her guardian since their mother died last year and their father walked out on them when they were younger, a little after Sam was born.
"Oh Ruthie they showing Brad Pitt", said Sam smiling.
Ruthie took a seat to laugh and giggle like normal teens do. Sam was in the hospital usually because she had cancer just like her mother did. Her sister was in college and she worked so she would come by the hospital usually at 6 at night when Ruthie almost was leaving.
"Brad Pitt is so hot", said Sam.
Ruthie and her giggled.
"But I can think of someone that is hotter", said Sam giving Ruthie a knowing look.
"Can we not talk about him?" asked Ruthie.
"No Ruthie when are you going to tell him?" asked Sam looking at Ruthie that looked sad and worn out really.
She wondered if she was getting any sleep lately.
"I'm not telling him anything because he is going to be a father, I can't get in the way of that", said Ruthie.
"You don't know that until the paternity test comes in, his dad was right in making him get one, since that girl is so so loose", said Sam.
Ruthie smiled at her friend.
"I know it hurts being around him, how do you make the pain go away?" asked Ruthie looking at her friend with tears streaming down her face.
"You don't you just deal with it", said a voice behind them.
"Harmony", squealed Sam smiling at her older sister.
Harmony just smiled walking up to her and hugging her tightly. She went to Ruthie next hugging her tightly as well.
"Ruthie, if it were meant to be trust me it will be", said Harmony.
Ruthie nodded her head.
"If it doesn't hurt then it's not real", said Sam.
"When did you get so smart", smiled Harmony looking at her little sister.
Harmony was so scared sometimes that she was going to lose her like they lost their mother. Their father wasn't even in the picture; she was just scared to be alone. They mother planned ahead though and made sure that the girls were taken care of. She left trust funds for them and paid off the house they were living in. She left a good amount of money for emergencies, so all Harmony had to do was pay for utilities. Her job as a pharmacy technician did that, but things were tight though. Her sister's hospital bills were killing her. Even though they had health insurance because of her job it was still hard to make payments. She never let her sister see her struggling though. She wanted her sister to feel that everything was working out.
"I heard some great news", said Harmony.
"What?" asked Sam and Ruthie at the same time.
"You get to leave this place and come home and go to normal school", said Harmony smiling.
Both girls squealed loudly.
"Is she going to my school?" asked Ruthie.
"Yeah she should be there on Monday", said Harmony smiling.
It was 6:30 time for Ruthie to go home.
"Let me drop you off, I'll be back munchkin", said Harmony kissing Sam's forehead.
"Bye Ruthie", said Sam.
Ruthie hugged her then followed Harmony out. Harmony drove to the Camden's home, and listened to Ruthie singing to a song on the radio.
"Wow your voice is amazing, you should join our band", said Harmony.
"You have a band?" asked Ruthie looking at the older girl.
She was Simon's age. She wished that Harmony was with Simon instead of that Rose girl.
"Well kind of Sam and I play instruments and fool around, I write music and Sam writes the lyrics", said Harmony.
"Oh that's totally cool", said Ruthie.
"Yeah so I was thinking, since Sam is getting out of the hospital tomorrow, I want to through her a surprise party, kind of like a welcome home, but since she hasn't been in school for that long she never got to have many friends, I was wondering if you wanted to invite some people that you know and like and we could have a party at my house", said Harmony parking in front of the Camden's home.
"I'll ask your parents if it's a problem", said Harmony shutting off the car.
"I think you might have to", said Ruthie getting out of the car.
"I could ask them now, I really want Sam to have her first boy/girl party you know, she deserves some fun especially with all the things she has been going through lately", said Harmony.
"Oh I know come in and talk to them", said Ruthie.
Harmony got out of the car following Ruthie into her house.
"Mom, Dad", yelled Ruthie shutting the door.
Annie and Eric walked out of the kitchen.
"Hey Harmony, how you doing how's Sam doing?" asked Eric.
They all knew of Ruthie's friend and Harmony's situation.
"She is doing fine in fact she gets out the hospital tomorrow, that's why I wanted to talk to you", said Harmony.
Annie and Eric followed her to the living room. Harmony explained what she wanted to do.
"Are you sure that you want all those teens in your home", said Eric.
"It's fine, any one that is invited will know the ground rules, plus I'll Chaparone, I'm not worried about that, its mainly getting people to come, not many people know Sam and I want her first boy/girl party to be great you know. She has been in the place for so long I just wanted to give her some peace you know", said Harmony.
Annie and Eric nodded their heads.
"We understand, but if you need more people to help, you could always ask our older kids", said Annie.
Eric was going to suggest them but Annie knew that it wouldn't be cool as the young kids say to have parental units around.
"Thank you this means a lot to me and I know Sam will love it, well I have to go back to the hospital Sammie is waiting for me", said Harmony putting on her coat.
Simon walked in then slamming the door making Harmony jump up in surprise.
"Mom Dad I need to talk to you", said Simon coming into the living room.
He almost gasped when he saw the beautiful girl standing in his living room. She had long dark hair that reached way past her shoulders. She looked like that Victoria Secret's model Adriana something. She looked Brazilian she was beautiful.
"Ruthie, I'll see you later, By Mr. and Mrs. Camden, thanks again", said Harmony.
She gave Simon and little shy smile before heading out the door.
"Wipe the drool from your mouth dear brother", said Ruthie giggling.
Simon came out of his trance to glare at his younger sister.
"What is it Simon?", asked Annie sitting down once more.
He shook his head and went to his parents.
"Who was that?", asked Simon.
"Oh that's Harmony, her sister and her are friends of Ruthie's she meet them when volunteering at the hospital, so what news do you have for us", said Annie.
"I broke off my engagement to Rose", said Simon.
Annie and Eric tried not to rejoice at this but it was so hard.
"Can I ask why?", asked Eric.
"Yeah I realize she was too into getting married, I told her that if she pushed me that I wouldn't marry her at all", said Simon.
"Oh what did she say?", asked Annie trying to keep her joy down.
" She was mad at first but she said she understood and that we will take it slow", said Simon.
Simon didn't notice his parents disappointment when he told them that he didn't actually break it off with Rose because he was now staring at the beautiful girl again.
"Umm I forgot my wallet, it must have fell out of my coat pocket, excuse me", whispered Harmony next to Simon.
Simon moved a little so she could get her wallet. She gave him a shy smile once more before leaving. Simon had a goofy smile on his face as well. Annie and Eric looked at their son that was staring at Harmony and smiled. They like Harmony. She was hard working she was going to be a doctor. She was responsible and she was friendly. She always drove Ruthie home, even if it was out of her way. She told them she didn't want Ruthie waking home late like that.
"Bye", said Harmony finally leaving.
Later on that night Ruthie was on the phone with Sammie.
"I know I can't believe, I finally get to see the outside of this place", said Sam smiling on the phone.
"I have to show you all your classes in school, this is going to be so much fun hanging out with you in school", said Ruthie giggling.
Simon walked into her room and Ruthie smiled at her brother.
"Sammie can I talk to you tomorrow, my brother wants to talk to me, alright see ya", said Ruthie hanging up the phone.
"What's up?", asked Ruthie moving to the edge of her bed.
"Nothing really I just was wondering how you were doing, we haven't talked in a while", said Simon.
"I'm okay, Sam and Harmony have been this saving grace you know, I like having girlfriends, its been a while since I had them", said Ruthie smiling.
Simon smiled at his sister. He hadn't seeing her happy in a while. He had always wondered what made the light in sister's eyes go out.
"What about you, Rose still pressuring you to get married?", asked Ruthie.
"Yeah she was but I put a stop to that", said Simon.
Ruthie sat and talked to her brother for a long time. They hadn't done that in years. They had slowly drifted apart but it was good to talk to her big brother again, it's been a while.
"Let me let you get some sleep okay", said Simon kissing her forehead.
He walked to the door and turned around when he head her call out his name.
"This talk was nice, I missed it", said Ruthie.
Simon nodded his head.
"Oh by the way, yes she is single", said Ruthie giggling.
Simon blushed and glared at his sister before walking out of the door. Ruthie lay back on her bed before her phone rang. She answered.
"Hello", said Ruthie.
"Ruthie?", asked Martin.
Ruthie's heart stop beating. They haven't talked in while.
"Hey Martin", said Ruthie.
"Hey", whispered Martin.
"Do you want to talk to my dad?", asked Ruthie.
"Umm yeah", said Martin.
He closed his eyes trying to keep his own heart from beating too fast. He hadn't spoken to Ruthie in a while. He hated to admit it but he was missing her something fierce. He would stop by all the time but she never seemed to home.
"Oh okay, I'll get him for you, wait Martin?", asked Ruthie. "Yeah Ruthie?", said Martin.
"Umm my friend is throwing this party you know for her little sister, she wanted me to ask some friends to come since her sister didn't know a lot of people, I was wondering if you wanted to come", said Ruthie biting her lips.
"Umm Sure I would love to come, when is it?", asked Martin.
"It's this Saturday", said Ruthie.
"Sure, I'll come, thanks for asking", said Martin wiping his sweaty hands on his jeans.
God he was only talking to her on the phone.
"No problem, let me pass you to my dad", said Ruthie walking down the stairs to get her dad.
"Phone Dad", said Ruthie handing Eric the phone.
"Who is it?", asked Eric.
"Martin", said Ruthie before leaving the room.
Eric sighed. He knew that his little girl was hurting. That's why he was so happy when Ruthie met Harmony and Sam. His little girl seemed more happy. Ruthie walked back up the stairs. She passed Simon in the hallway.
"Hey Simon my friend Harmony is having a party for her little sister, like a welcome home type thing you know since she has been the hospital for so long anyway, you want to come? You could invited Rose if you want", said Ruthie.
"Sure I'll like that when is it?", asked Simon.
"Saturday, well goodnight Simon", said Ruthie kissing him on the cheeks before going up the stairs to her room.
She sighed trying to get to sleep but thoughts of Martin running through her head made her want to cry. She sighed again closing her eyes.
