Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me.

Author's Note: Because Everwood returned with two fabulous and not to mention new, episodes, I have decided to call off my self-proclaimed hiatus. Things needed to be known: this is in response to Amy's bitch fest to Hannah on the street, where Amy told Hannah that Hannah and Bright would not have the white picket fence and all that; also, this is meant to be a short story, not a one-shot, but certainly not a full length feature-maybe two or three chapters. Hopefully, you'll enjoy this!

Idyllic Perception

It had been a whole week since Amy's mini rant on all things social, including her brother's relationship with her best friend. Simple words, yes; spoken in the heat of the moment, yes; but still, extremely painful. Hannah had thought that she and Bright would get married and have that white picketed fence with the two point five children. Apparently, she had been wrong.

'She did apologize and did wish you the best,' Hannah though, as she doodled on the blank page that lay beneath her, tuning out her history teacher. 'Yeah, but people don't tell the truth until they are angry or upset, or whatever she was.' Another doodle and her thoughts returned. 'No, Bright loves you and you love him.'

She had decided that three days ago, but of course, something just had to destroy the happy bubble she was living in.

Bright was being his wonderful usual self, always trying to include her in his life, even if it meant that she ended up sitting on the couch at some party, coke cup, nursed in her hand. This time though, Bright had taken to being his fun and loving self, as he took her out to the simple, but extremely appreciated, dinner and movie. Dinner consisted of hamburgers, served with delicious French fries, both smothered in ketchup; the movie, she really could care less for, as she let Bright pick and of course, being the boy that he is, he chose a horrific gore movie, which she somewhat enjoyed, but only because, the entire time, she cuddled to Bright's side. It was moments like these that made her fall in love with the nineteen year old boy all over again; she appreciated the grand gestures, such as the prom or the sweep me off my feet kiss on Nina's porch, but really, she would be content in just lounging around with him, talking about everything and nothing at all.

She thought that Bright had felt the same way as well, but apparently she had been wrong. Hannah could tell that he was becoming increasingly frustrated with her and her beliefs on sex and drinking and overall, badness, to use such a term. He was trying, really he was. He would hold back from letting his hands linger too long on her breasts or her hips, pulling away when things got too heated, never letting his "downstairs" do all the thinking. Despite that, Hannah could tell that Bright was frustrated and getting impatient, but because he loved her, he was willing to pull through. She understood this, but still, she couldn't help but think that maybe she wasn't what he needed.

It was these thoughts that landed her in even more unhappiness.

Anna Herring, school socialite, homecoming queen three years running and overall popular person, decided that she would now take an interest in Bright and Hannah's relationship, despite the fact that Anna had never once spoken a single syllable to Hannah and vice versa.

Grabbing her lunch tray of the lunch line, Hannah set out to look for her usual seat, but was deterred, as she heard the sound of her name.

"Hannah, over here!"

Looking around for the speaker of the voice, Hannah spotted Anna waving her over, pearly whites plastered and shining, flanked by her two lackeys.

"Come on Hans, we don't bite."

Wearily, Hannah made her way over to the three girls and eventually sat down.

"Hi, I'm Hannah."

"Oh. There's no need for introductions sweetie we know who you are," spoke Anna.

"Oh," repeated Hannah. And after a few seconds, elaborated, "so no offense, but I'm quite wary as to why you invited me to sit with you guys."

"Okay, well, Courtney, here to my left, heard from Becca, to my right, who heard from Alex, who was on her double date with her boyfriend John and her sister and her date, who got the news from Kristina that you are dating Bright Abbot."

"Umm, I didn't follow any of that, but yeah, Bright and I are dating," Hannah replied, not really liking where the conversation could head.

"So, what's it like? I hear he's an animal in the sack," piped Becca.

"Becca, shut up, that's not what we want to know," spoke Courtney.

"Okay, then what is this impromptu meeting about," questioned Hannah.

"We just wanted to meet the girl who stole Bright's heart and well, to say, if he ever gets tired of you, he knows where to find me," said Anna, fake smile still in place as Hannah went back to her regular seat.

That, however, wasn't the worst of it, as Hannah later found out in the girl's bathroom.

"Ew, I can't believe he's going out with her. She's like a Bible freak and we all know Bright Abbot is anything but. It'll be no longer until he gets sick of her virginal ass and dumps her. And who of course, will be there? I will," came Anna's voice through the stall, loud and clear.

"Oh sweetie we know he should be with you. You two should have totally been together. Too bad Collin had to get into that accident, making Bright mix with that loner loser piano player that went out with his sister, F something or other," added Becca.

"Totally sweetie. He'll be yours in no time. Just make yourself available to him. I can ask my cousin Tina to get us into the ECC parties," said Courtney.

Unbeknown to them, Hannah was sitting in the stall, tears running down her face.

'So that's all they wanted I guess.'

With Amy and Anna's thoughts floating around in her head, Hannah made her choice, and set about doing the right thing.

---

Her trip to Bright's apartment was a silent one, no music blasting from her new car's radio; thoughts still going haywire in her head.

Not expecting her tonight, Bright was more than happy to see her, greeting her with and enthusiastic hug, followed by a hug.

"Okay, so you know how Ephram sold back my Pac-Man machine, well I think I might hit up my parents for cash so I can buy a foosball table. This kid on campus is looking for extra cash, so he's willing to sell it for like way cheap and-"

"I think we should break up."