Chapter 4: It's really important

As Martin walked down the hall to his room after dinner, he noticed he hadn't stopped smiling since he left Ruthie's room. He opened his door and flopped down happily in to the chair in front of his desk. "I can't believe how I'm acting. I was never like this with Cecilia." Without realizing it he turned on his computer and saw he had 3 new E-mails. After a quick battle in his mind about weather or not he should wait to read them till morning he clicked open his mailbox.The first message was from his friend Mac.

Hey man, where were you tonight? You were supposed to meet me at 6:00 at the pool hall.Where were you? All I know is you better have a good excuse for not showing up like that man. Anyway, I met this girl while I was waiting, she thinks she might have a friend you might like. So uh, call me.

Mac

"I can't believe I forgot. I got so caught up with Ruthie ... Ruthie ... what am I going to do about her? Should I tell her?No I can't ... why can't I? I don't know." He closed off his mailbox not bothering to check the other two e-mails. And went to take a shower before going to bed.

Downstairs

"So ... your in a much better mood." Lucy smiled at her younger sister knowingly.
"What are you talking about?What kind of mood was I in?" She knew what she was talking about ... but she wasn't about to tell her why she was in a good mood.
"You know exactly what kind of mood you were in. But fine don't tell me. We can talk about something else." Handing another dish to her sister, to dry off, she saw Ruthie slightly blush."This is going to be fun."
"Umm Ok.What do you want to talk about?" Ruthie said while she took another dish.
"How was school today?" Lucy asked.
"Good. ... How was your day?" Was Ruthie's atomatic reply.
"Good. So uh ... what were you and Martin fighting about?" She thought she would try and catch Ruthie off gaurd.
"I already told you we're not fighting." Knowing what Lucy was trying to do, Ruthie shook her head and looked down at the counter.
"Ok sorry. I just thought maybe ... because he was so sad when you got home ... that maybe you two had a fight, that's all." Ruthie's head shot up instantly after that last statement.
"He was sad?" The worry in her voice was evident.And Lucy caught on to it before she even finished her question, and her smile grew.
"Yeah, I haven't seen him like that since ... well ever. Even after he broke up with Cecilia." At the mention of Cecilia she saw her sister suddenly become very interested in the plate she had been drying ."Ruthie?"
"Hmm?" Asked Ruthie quietly.
"You Ook?" Lucy asked, starting to feel bad for making Ruthie look so sad..
"Yeah fine why?" She repled just as quietly as before.
"Well you've been drying the same plate for like 5 minutes already." She let out a soft laugh, when Ruthie quickly put the plate away.
"So uh ... I'm going to go to bed ... Can you finish this?" Ruthie was beginning to stammer again. Lucy knew she only did this when she was either nervous or lying.
"Ruthie do you need---" Rinnnnnng Rinnnnnng! She was cut off by the phone.
"Hold on."She smiled at her sister and turned to get the phone, silently thanking god for the interruption. "Hello Camden residence."
"Ruthie? Hi! It's Cecilia. How are you?" Came the realived voice from the other end of the cordless phone Ruthie held in her hand.

She felt her heart stop.
Lucy saw the look on her sisters face and became worried about who was on the other end.
"Cecilia ... h-hi. I'm um ... I'm doing good." 'Or at least I was.' Her words came out choked and She new Lucy was watching "How uh ... how are you?" She turned around and leaned against the counter.And just as she had suspected Lucy's eye's were glued on her.She gave her a slight smile then looked down to the floor.
"I'm ... good. ... Is Martin there?He never called me back.I really need to talk to him Ruthie ... it's really important." Cecilia replied desperately.
" Oh umm ... yeah hold on I'll go get him." Ruthie became a bit hesatint about giving Martin the phone, but quickly overcame thoes feelings when she remembered her and Martins conversation.
"Thanks." Was all she said.
Ruthie put the phone down and looked at Lucy before walking up the stairs. Lucy looked at the phone laying on the counter, bit her lower lip, and went back to washing the dishes.

Martin's Bedroom

Martin had just gotten out of the shower and was back sitting in front of his computer, getting ready to finish checking his mail, when he herd knocking.

"It's open.!" When the door opened and Ruthie walked in he couldn't help but smile. "Ruthie. Hey what's up?"
"Hey uh ... there's a phone call for you downstairs."
He noticed the seriousness in her voice and quickly became worried.
"Who is it?"
"Cecilia."
"Oh. Umm. Ok. I'll be right down."
Ruthie smiled slightly in acknowledgment, and turned to walk away.
"Ooh and Ruth ... "
She turned back to see him now standing.
"Hmm?"
"Thanks for telling me." He smiled at her.
Laughing lightly she smiled back at him.
"No problem."
She then turned and walked away.