A Whole New Light

Summery: My second fanfic – this one about Ephram and Bright. Hopefully love develops and Everwood learns to accept.

Disclaimer: This story is written for fun, and hopefully the entertainment of others. I make no money and make no profit except for the reviews people will hopefully give me. I love the WB and the writers of this show for making it.

Chapter 2

Ephram continued looking at Bright for a few more silent moments before shifting his gaze to the carpet.

"Wow," he whispered under his breathe as he looked back at Bright, then quickly to the carpet again.

"Look, I didn't mean for that to happen. Well, actually, I did, but I'm sorry about it." Bright tried to apologize, but Ephram didn't even seem to hear him.

"Ephram, are you all right? I really am sorry," Bright tried again, but still in vain.

They both continued to stare off in silence. Bright had begun to find the coffee brewer in the kitchen increasingly interesting, but he snuck quick glances at Ephram every once and a while. It was at his most recent glance that he saw what looked to be tears welling up in Ephram's eyes.

"Ephram? Is everything alright?" Bright asked, moving closer to him on the couch.

"No, no, this can't be happening," Ephram whispered under his breath again, slowly getting up from the couch.

"I swore her I wouldn't" he continued as he stood fully, starting to walk away from Bright.

"Ephram? Ephram, what is it!" Bright stood to follow, but Ephram kept walking faster, until he ran into the bathroom. Bright hurried as fast as he could behind him, but not before Ephram made it to the bathroom and slammed the door in his face.

"Ephram, what is wrong! I'm sorry for kissing you, but what's the deal!"

Bright started knocking on the door and continued yelling, but he could hear Ephram's sobs between pauses.

"Please Ephram! Tell me what's wrong! Please!" Bright yelled as he was getting both increasingly worried and angry.

"EPHRAM!" He yelled, almost ready to break down the door.

As Bright took a step back to do whatever he was planning to do, the door opened to reveal a sullen, red-eyed Ephram staring at his shoes looking extremely uncomfortable. His clothes had been ruffled for whatever reason, and the floor behind him was littered with crumpled tissues. He was shaking his hands, acting very nervous.

It struck Bright how much he looked like a little boy after being yelled at.

"I promised her I'd never think that way about another boy as long as I lived." Ephram whispered, avoiding eye contact with Bright.

"What do you mean? Promised who? Wait, you…..huh?"

"I'm sorry Bright. I've got issues." Ephram responded with a slight laugh.

"Ephram, come on. It's me. You could tell me anything," Bright said as he stepped forward towards Ephram.

"I promised," he sighed as another tear rolled down his cheek.

Bright stepped carefully behind Ephram and shut the bathroom door. He took Ephram by the shoulders, careful not to force him, and led him back to the couch.

He sat him down, grabbed the box of tissues on the coffee table and placed them on Ephram's lap, and sat down opposite him.

"What was that all about?" Bright asked as he gestured towards the bathroom. "Oh, and sorry about the," he paused and lowered his voice, "the, uh, kiss.

"It's ok. It's my fault."

"How the hell could that be your fault?" Bright asked, staring wide-eyed at the smaller boy sitting next to him.

"I've had this kind of, um…., small crush on you since you first made fun of me. I never thought anyone in this town would feel the same way as me – let alone………you."

Bright stared openmouthed at Ephram, not knowing what to say.

"You…..you like…..mmm mm, me?" he stuttered.

"Well, I don't know now. I mean, I've been with Amy for months. I love Amy. And I swore that when I left New York I would never feel what I felt for boys again."

"Why would you swear something like that? I mean, I don't really like guys you know. It's just you," and with that Bright smiled shyly, and Ephram finally looked up meeting Bright's gaze.

"It's nothing, really. But back in New York, I had this thing for this other guy I knew, but I wasn't sure what to do. So I asked my mom, and she got really angry. She told me that I wasn't gay and that I should never have thoughts like that. So when she died, I…I figured what I had said to her was the last thing in her mind. I decided that I w-w-would never let myself feel like that for another b..bbb…boy. Stupid right?" Ephram asked, as his crying became increasingly noticeable as he talked. Towards the end he started choking back tears, but Bright could see he had to finish what he was saying.

"No. of cour - , well yes. Ephram, it is stupid. You can't let another person dictate your feelings." Bright paused, searching for the right thing to say. But then, Ephram looked up into Bright's eyes, and somewhere inside him he knew.

"You are who you are. When you came her you had purple hair! You are your own person. So what. Your mom didn't like the fact that you were gay. Or you had feeling for another dude. Big deal. I bet if my parents found out I tried to kiss you they wouldn't exactly throw a party either. But we are who we are, Eph. I can't help the fact that when I see you walk down the street it pains me inside that I can't be with you; walk next to you holding your hand. I know it can never happen. Were from two totally different worlds and your dating my sister! But Ephram, just know that what happened here tonight goes to show that we are all individuals. Remember that."

"Thanks Bright." Ephram laughed, still crying, but smiling both inside and out. "How come we don't have more of these little motivational conversations?"

"I don't know. Probably because you'd end up crying every time, you little dork."

Ephram laughed again, and it made Bright swell inside seeing him happy again.

"Can you do me one favor though?" Bright asked.

"Sure. What?" Ephram responded, scooting closer to Bright on the couch, readying himself for something he wanted to do ever since Bright kissed him 30 minutes ago.

"Can you---" but Bright couldn't finish what he started to say because Ephram had leaned foreword, straddled Bright's waist and pressed his lips upon Bright's.

Alright, that's that. I hope everyone enjoyed. Please R & R so I know there are people out there reading!