Nobody's Perfect (7th Heaven(TM)) [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

Read how it all began in this official novelization based on the TV show. In Nobody's Perfect, Matt has his eye on a new girl, Lucy's trying out for cheerleading--with Mary trying to stop her--Simon's attempting to become invisible, and Ruthie's just scrambling to keep up. There's never a dull moment for America's favorite TV family.

Rev. Camden threw on his robe and rushed out of the bedroom. Mrs. Camden was right behind him until she saw where her husband was headed.

Rev. Camden flung open Matt's bedroom door. To his surprise and relief, Matt was sleeping soundly. He didn't even notice the intrusion.

As Rev. Camden quietly shut the door, he turned and faced his wife. He smiled reassuringly.

They headed downstairs. Rev. Camden checked the couch, but it was empty.

"Hey," Mrs. Camden said. "I think I found her."

In the driveway, in the front seat of a sporty black car, Tia was sleeping sitting up. The Camdens approached the car and saw a wad of tissue still clutched in her hand.

The car's interior lights went on once Mrs. Camden opened the door, and Tia woke up. She rubbed the sleep out of her swollen eyes and tried to smile.

"Are you okay?" Rev. Camden asked softly.

Tia nodded. "I'm fine," she said. "I just didn't feel like going back to my dad's tonight."

The reverend helped the girl to her feet. "Your dad just called. He was very worried about you," he said.

Tia sighed and checked her watch. Then she rolled her eyes. "So worried that it took him until two-thirty to notice I'm not there?"

The Camdens heard the sadness in the girl's voice.

"Come on, let's let him know you're okay," said Mrs. Camden.

Tia nodded. She began to shiver in the cool evening air. Mrs. Camden draped her robe over Tia's shoulders. Together, they went into the house.

When they got to the living room, Rev. Camden called Mr. Jackson, who answered after the first ring.

"Hello, Bob," he began. "It's Eric Camden. Tia's fine. She's right here."

"Oh, good," said the voice on the other end of the line. "I had a feeling she was." The reverend could hear relief in Mr. Jackson's voice. He also heard the woman in the background once again.

"I could drive her over there," Rev. Camden suggested. "Or we could put her up here for the rest of the night."

When Tia heard that, she smiled. Mrs. Camden smiled back, but cautiously. She was beginning to see Tia's situation more clearly.

"I don't want to put you out," Mr. Jackson said.

Rev. Camden looked up at his wife. She nodded uneasily. "No trouble at all," he said. "Shell be fine. Would you like to talk to her?" he added.

"No," Mr. Jackson replied. "That's fine. I'm sure she's in good hands."

"Well, good night, then," Rev. Camden said uncertainly. But Mr. Jackson had already hung up.

"Let me guess," Tia said, still smiling.  "It's okay with him if I stay here."

Rev. Camden nodded.

"Sorry if I scared you," apologized Tia. "I was going to drive home in the morning, before anyone woke up."

She turned and looked at Mrs. Camden. "His dates are always gone by then," she said.

Mrs. Camden put her arm around Tia's shoulder. "Don't worry about it," she soothed. "We'll make up a bed on the couch."

Tia gave Mrs. Camden a big hug. Over the girl's shoulder, Mrs. Camden shot her husband a meaningful look. The reverend nodded sadly, rubbing his eyes.

How could a father treat his daughter like that? he wondered.

"Thanks," Tia whispered. "To both of you."

"Tie, does your father know how you feel about his dating?" asked Rev. Camden.

"I don't think it makes a difference how I feel," she replied with a shrug.

He wouldn't take that as an answer. "It might, you know," he replied softly. "Maybe you should have a talk with him."

Tia hung her head for a moment. Then she looked up and smiled.

"You really do believe in miracles, don't you?" she replied.

"You kind of have to in my line of work," Rev. Camden replied.

He looked at her. She met his gaze with one of her own.

At least she's still fighting, he thought. Her spirit isn't broken. . .yet.


The reverend, Mrs. Camden, and Tia were just finishing breakfast the next morning when they heard Happy bark. The dog dashed into the kitchen, followed quickly by Simon. Matt brought up the rear, but stopped dead in his tracks when he saw his girlfriend. He noticed that she was still wearing the same clothes as last night, which meant she had never gone home.

"Tia!" Simon cried out in delight.

"Hey, Simon," Tia said, throwing her arms wide and giving the boy a hug.

Matt walked up to the table. "Are you okay?" he asked anxiously. "Did you have car trouble or something?"

Tia smiled at him. "It's a long story," she said evasively.

"Shell tell you all about it later," Mrs. Camden said. Then she looked at her younger son. "Simon," she announced, "it's time for breakfast."

"In a minute, Mom," Simon pleaded. "After I talk to Tia."

Simon grabbed Tia's arm and led her to the other side of the kitchen.

"I think I figured out why Happy follows me around, even when I'm invisible," Simon whispered in a serious tone.

"Really!" Tia said. "Why?"

'Well," Simon began. "According to the Ninjas, when I'm invisible, I don't really disappear--"

Tia raised her eyebrows in polite surprise. "No?"

"No," Simon continued. "I'm still there. All I did was use my mental powers so that you can't see me."

"Of course," Tia agreed instantly.

"But a dog has greater mental powers and can sense I'm still around."

"So Happy can still sense your presence," Tia said, nodding in mock understanding. "Good point."

"Yeah," Simon said. "Until school yesterday, I really thought I couldn't do it. Then I figured out that Happy was the problem."

'Well," Tia said, patting him on the back, "keep up the good work."

At that moment, Ruthie ran into the kitchen, followed by Mary and Lucy. Mary's eyes widened when she saw Tia.

"Was there a sleepover?" Ruthie asked innocently.

Mary leaned close to Lucy. "Doesn't she ever go home?" she whispered to her sister. Lucy held back a giggle.

"Morning," Tia said to the girls. Then she turned to Mrs. Camden. "Thanks for breakfast. Sorry to eat and run, but I should go home and change my clothes before school today."

"You don't have to go, Tia," Simon insisted. "You can wear something of Mary's".

Mary shot her brother a sour look, but he didn't see it.

"Did I hear something?" Mary asked Lucy. "A strange, stupid voice?"

"It's Simon," Ruthie insisted. "He's not invisible now."

"Too bad," Mary quipped. Then she looked at Matt's girlfriend. "Come on, Tia," she said. "Let's find you something to wear."

"Thanks," Tia said. "This is great. Almost like having real sisters."

Mrs. Camden looked over at her husband from the table. Rev. Camden already knew what she was thinking. He nodded, as if to say Don't worry, it's under control.

Mrs. Camden tilted her head and looked at her husband skeptically.

As Mary and Tia headed upstairs, Lucy followed behind. Simon raced to keep up with them.

"I'll go with you," he insisted. "I'll make sure she shows you the good stuff."

When the group...