They were in her father's study, sprawled in the carpet as they sucked on some lollipops. It was one in the morning, and their little ritual was just beginning. They both decided that since they had big meal for dinner, courtesy of Mrs. Camden of course, they wouldn't have any late night snacks today, but as it came to be, while searching through her father's desk they found his 'secret' stash of candies.
Her knees were bent up as she rocked her hips side to side in a slowly motion to the beat of the music that played from his ipod. Ironically, it was a song about a lollipop. It was hip hop or maybe rap? OK, so it wasn't her style, and she didn't know the name of the artist, but it sounded movable enough and he seemed so excited to show her his favorite songs. So, she bopped her head and played along. Ruthie actually like the fast rhythm and tempo, it was fun and mindless.
He was looking up at the ceiling, playing his hands into his chest like an imaginary drum. Occasionally he would lip sync to the lyrics and she would laugh.
When the song ended he turned to her expectantly.
"How was it?" he said through a cheeky grin.
She tapped her chin, hesitating for a moment, as if deciding. She did eventually turn to face him and she broke into a smile. "Ok, ok. I admit you got decent taste Brewer. It wasn't has horrible as I thought."
He looked pleased by her response.
"And see, your ears aren't bleeding like you said they would." He pointed out.
He really did ask for the 'roll of the eyes' from her, didn't he? He was sure to make it a trademark move of hers, if he kept around. She quickly pushed that thought away. T-bone was back tomorrow.
He rolled his eyes at her too.
------
"Lindsey of Britney?" Ruthie asked with laughter in her voice.
He groaned. "Two crazies? Can't you pick like a normal chick? Say Angelina or that chick from Transformers?"
"No." she looked aggravated. "Don't call girls 'chicks' by the way." she warned with a stern finger. "And just so you know, the latter are not exactly sane. Come on pick."
"Explain to me why I have to chose between the two of them?"
She let out a heavy sigh, and started again. "Ok, so lets say that humankind was like wiped out. I Am Legend style minus the scary monster human things, but you know a disease or something killed the humans…just go along with it ok? So, Linds and Brit, because they are always on drugs developed this defense, immunity to the disease that has apparently spread and killed all humans, and you, for, I don't know what reason, survived. Hmm…lets say your dad, CIA, secret agent man, experimented with you with some drugs that made you unaffected…"
He interrupted quickly.
"Told you a million times my dad is not in the CIA," he tried to correct.
"Look denial doesn't make it not real." She noted. "But ok, lets go with your story."
He had to laugh at that.
"May I continue?" she asked irritated.
He gave her a curt nod for yes.
"Ok, were was I?" She attempted to place herself again. "Ah let me see…" she tried harder to recall where she had left of.
"Mankind died, the crazies survived, dad is CIA…sounds about right." He offered.
"Oh yeah. Ok, so your dad used you as a lab rat for one of his top secret experiments related to area 51…"
He had to cut in again.
"Ok, that's a military base, not CIA. And are you trying to make me an alien or something?"
She gave him an annoyed look.
"Sorry, go on."
" Did I mention that one of the side effects of the drug was that it gave you this annoying side effect of acting like a total smart ass?" she deadpanned.
He let out a humorless laugh.
"So, if I may continue. You survived. So now you are stuck with Britney and Lindsey. And since no human being can live with these two at the same time, you have to pick one. Kill the other. Just kidding, but remember the survival of mankind depends on this. Think Adam and Eve. Don't screw it up"
"You mean more than it is already?" he muttered before going silent.
He took a while to answer, and she didn't press him for one right away. He really seemed to be taking in the question, looking at the pros and cons of this imaginary world she painted.
"What happened to you?" he asked genuinely curious.
"What?" She asked confused.
"In this story you made up. Where are you?" he clarified.
"Probably dead like the rest of humanity." She said in a neutral voice, not giving it much thought.
"Hmm" he seemed to really consider this, he looked disturbed for a moment.
"So?" she pressed, "What's the answer?"
" That's the day mankind ceased to exist, I guess" He said decisively.
"What! Why? The choices are simple. So choose one," she said unpleased by his answer, almost bolting up from her spot.
"No, not simple. Don't you see…No Ruthie. No Martin. No life is worth living without you in it." He said with such serene conviction as he turned to her face her completely, she wasn't sure if he had actually said it.
Ruthie stiffened on the spot, tried to say something but closed her mouth instead.
-----
Twenty minutes, maybe more had passed. Ruthie had moved to her own respective corner of the office without saying a word.
Martin was still sprawled over the carpet with closed eyes as his chest rose up and down evenly. She wondered if he had fallen asleep. She couldn't really tell from where she was sitting.
After what he said, she was so mad, she fumed in silence. Annoyed at the liberties he took to say such things. Who did he think he was? First, he was the reason for her insomniac episodes every night, and now it seemed that in every chance he got, he threw one of those cheesy lines at her. What was she suppose to be? Smitten, Swoon? No, she was pissed. So angry she wanted to cry.
He cleared his throat, and took in a heavy intake of air.
She rolled her eyes at his action and looked away.
"I'm sorry ok?" he said quietly. "I'm sorry that I made you uncomfortable."
She huffed. "No you're not." She bit back angrily. "So don't say you are."
Ruthie could see him clench his jaw tight, nostrils flaring up in anger.
"Look" he brought himself up to a sitting position. "I can't help the way I feel. I like you a lot Ruthie. Damn, I think I love you, and if you're mad at me for that, fine. Be my guest. Be mad, lash out, make fun of me, but don't expect it go away just because you want it to."
Ruthie stood up quickly and Martin did the same.
"You are really something" she accused "After everything you have done. I can't believe you. I'm with T-bone, and when I tell him…you better watch out " She threaded as she tried to get pass him.
"Yeah…Ok." And he had to try his very best not to laugh at this because there was no way to look at this concept, in whatever angle you preferred to see it in, and say 'yeah, lanky, twiggy T-bone has the guns to bring you down'. She looked at him like she was about to bite his head off.
Martin blocked her way. "All I am saying is that if you didn't want to acknowledge the big elephant in the room, you shouldn't have ever asked me to come over."
"Get out" she growled.
"No" he said firmly. "Not until you tell me how you really feel."
It was a staring contest now. Battle of the wills. She had perfected the cold death stare long before he knew what was left and right. Sure he was taller, Ruthie thought, but she could take him. Well, in her mind she could, and if he didn't move within the next two seconds…
He stepped aside.
She moved to the door. "Don't bother coming anymore." She said through gritted teeth as she felt him following her from behind.
"I wont give up, not until you see…" Was all he could get out before she slammed the door in his face.