Im mela ar' naur   By: Jesse Drache

Disclaimers: I do not own Everwood or the characters…what a pity

Warning:  This is Ephram/Bright slash; if you don't like it, don't read it.

Rating: PG-13 but may get higher as time goes on

Chapter 10: Winya

The last bell rang and the hallways were suddenly filled with the sound of footsteps and people vacating the school.  Ephram walked out of his biology class and stopped long enough to drop off several of his books in his locker before walking towards the exit.

On his way to the brown double doors, he passed Bright's locker and he couldn't suppress the small smile that appeared on his face at the small wink that Bright shot him as he walked by. 

In the last couple of weeks, Bright had sought to make things up to Ephram by paying him unexpected visits at his home and although he did not make their relationship public, he no longer completely ignored Ephram.  In fact, he often found small ways of acknowledging his presence and making him feel more at ease at school. 

Walking out of the building, Ephram took a deep breath of the crisp winter air and looked up at the bare trees.  

Suddenly something hard bumped against him and he lost his balance, falling down into the ground and dropping the books that he held in his hands. 

Not bothering to look up he started to pick up his books, but was impeded from getting the last one by a large boot that had recently descended upon it and weighed it down. 

Ephram looked up to see Sam smirking at him from up above. 

"Still hanging around here, loser?  I heard a rumor that you might be leaving and gong back to that freak infested city that you come from." 

"I'd rather be around freaks than people with the I.Q. of a brick wall."  Ephram retorted before using all of his strength to move the boy and grab the remaining book. 

"What did you just say to me, asshole?" 

Ephram opened his mouth to let out a witty remark, but was impeded by the appearance of Bright behind Sam. 

"What's going on here?" Bright asked, stepping between Sam and an enraged Ephram. 

"Nothing, man, I'm just putting this loser in his place," Sam said, the distasteful tone leaving his voice as he extended his hand to give Bright a high five. 

Bright ignored the outstretched hand and looked to his left.

He noticed that Ephram was no longer looking at them, instead his seemed to have shrunk within himself and was gazing intently at the ground, his former assertive behavior quickly forgotten. 

"He's not a loser," Bright said, moving closer to Ephram who looked up, surprised that Bright had defended him in public. 

"What?  Since when are you friends with this loser?"  Sam asked, disbelief blatantly displayed on his face.

"Don't' ever call him a loser again," Bright said, menace in his voice. 

He met Sam's gaze for a moment until the smaller boy backed up a step.

He turned to his left once again to find amazement clouding Ephram's face.  Ignoring the people around him, he leaned down and captured his lips with his own. 

Bright kissed Ephram thoroughly before retreating and leaving the boy breathless with a dazed look on his face. 

With one last threatening look in Sam's direction, he turned around and strode away, deciding to forgo the bus ride and walk to his house instead. 

Ephram looked around him at the many stunned faces for a moment before a smile appeared on his face and he turned and ran after Bright who was already crossing the street. 

Catching up with the older boy, he moved into his line of vision and asked, "Why did you just do that?" 

"Because I want them all to know that you're important to me and that if they mess with you they'll have to deal with me.  And because I love to kiss you." 

"Oh," was all Ephram managed to get out before Bright put his hand on his chin and lifted his face up to give him a small kiss. 

Bright laughed softly as the dazed look returned to Ephram's face and he put his arm around the other boy's small waist, pulling him closer as they headed towards his house. 

***

Sorry to keep you waiting for so long.  Since most of you seem to want me to continue with this story I'll do it on one condition.  I really want to write the Ephram/Colin/Bright story that I've been thinking about and this story has run its course as far as my original idea went, so if you guys want me to continue, you're going to have to send me some ideas as to what you would like me to write on or what you'd like the boys to do or react to.  I'm afraid that if I'm left to my own devices, this fic and the new one will turn out sounding the same.  You guys can send me suggestions at tombe__ange@hotmail.com otherwise consider this the end of the fic.  Thanks for all of your comment and reviews; they were greatly appreciated and helpful.  The new fic should be up sometime between this and next weekend, hope you guys enjoyed reading this one as much as I enjoyed writing it.