(A/N) This is my first fanfic for a TV show ever, so I hope you like it. Reviews are highly desired!
Spoilers: Not in this chapter, definitely to come
Disclaimer: I don't own Everwood, Ephram, Colin. I think I do own the grove of trees though. haha
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With his hands stuffed in his pockets and his head down, Ephram Brown walked across the Peat County High School campus. Noticing Amy Abbot surrounded by friends and talking excitedly, Ephram sighed and decided to head toward a grove of trees. It's not like she'll be looking for me. I'm sure Colin will be enough for her to think about, and I really don't feel friendly anyway. Oblivious to his surroundings, Ephram pushed his way past the first row of trees to a bench he had discovered the week before. Conflicting thoughts flew around in his mind while the cold air seemed to subside in the quiet shelter. To his surprise, someone was already sitting on the bench, his back to Ephram. It was the last person he ever expected to see: Colin Hart.
Ephram debated whether or not to just leave, but realized that the two of them would have to meet sometime.
"Hey." Ephram's casual yet cautious greeting seemed to startle Colin from deep thought. He turned around, studying Ephram carefully.
"Hi..." An awkwardly calm silence passed as Colin stared at Ephram, trying to recall anything he could. "Sorry, I don't remember you." Colin smirked. "Not that I remember anyone." Ephram was thrown off by the hint of bitterness in his voice.
"Well, you better not remember me. I only moved here four months ago." Colin's face took on a surprised look.
"Really?!? So I never knew you, and you never knew me?" Ephram nodded. Colin beamed and asserted, "This is great!!"
"Hey...I know most people weren't too excited about getting to know me, but no one's ever been that psyched about never knowing me. Am I that annoying?" With a mock sense of indignation, Ephram was pleased with the sense of friendliness that already filled the tiny grove.
"No, no! It's not that!" Colin realized he had been duped when he looked at Ephram's sarcastic grin, but he continued. "Everyone here knows me and assumes that I will be 'Colin Hart' when I don't even know who he really was. They have all of these expectations that I can't live up to. Almost no one will let me start over or re-create who I am." Colin paused, while Ephram stood, shocked at his openness. "But with you, I'll be able to just be me...whoever that is." Ephram shrugged and Colin stuck out his hand. "Sorry I went on like that. I'm Colin Hart."
"Ephram Brown."
"So what brought you to the tiny town of Everwood?"
The two guys talked for the rest of lunch. About families, parents, life in general. They spent the time just getting to know each other. Each gained so much from this seemingly coincidental experience. Colin, a fresh start; Ephram, a new friend. He wondered how it was possible to like the boyfriend of the girl he was in love with, but didn't care. For the first time, Ephram began to feel like he could possible belong in this town.