Chapter Six: Hidden Messages
~Ephram~
December 5, 2001
It's really amazing how quickly you can go from being absolutely ecstatic to having your whole world suddenly turned upside down . . . you're heart thrown in the dirt and stomped on. Okay, maybe I'm being a little melodramatic right now, but I'm honestly too depressed to care. It's been three weeks since Amy kissed me. It's also been three weeks since Amy has spoken to me. It seems like it was 3 hours ago. The first week, I was so happy it didn't matter the look of horror that had been on Amy's face when she had pulled away. I mean, Amy Abbot, the most beautiful girl I've ever laid eyes on, had kissed me. It was all I could think about. The second week, reality started kicking in. I started to worry that maybe kissing Amy was going to ruin our entire friendship. And since she's really the only friend I have here in Everwood, that could be a problem. But still, she had kissed me! I was still too happy to be overly concerned that she was obviously avoiding me. Then the third week rolled around. Amy still hasn't spoken to me. I'm really starting to get worried ... and pissed off. My happiness is starting to fade, and I'm thinking, "Wait, I didn't do anything wrong here. She kissed me, for crying out loud!' Of course, I probably should have thought it through a little better before I decided to point that little fact out to her . . .
Did I mention what a bad day I had?
*****
Ephram squinted against the bright morning light and groaned when he saw what time it was. He had set his alarm clock 15 minutes early, and he was still going to be late for school. Muttering to himself, he rummaged through the kitchen cabinet in search of a pop tart, or a granola bar. He quickly came to the conclusion that there was nothing edible in the house, and decided he would just have to wait until lunch to get something decent to eat. That is, if you call County High's cafeteria food decent.
"Why the hell is it so bright in the morning, anyway?" he muttered to himself, heading towards the front door.
"You know, Ephram, most people enjoy the sunshine in the mornings. Helps them wake up, start the day," Andy Brown said with a cheerful smile, rounding the corner and entering the kitchen.
"Well, I guess I'm just not most people," Ephram replied, opening the front door.
"Do you think we could talk for a minute?" Andy asked.
"I'm already late."
"I know, it's just you seem a little off lately. You're not really acting like yourself."
"And you would know this how?" Ephram said, not quite believing his father's nerve. How the hell would he know what Ephram usually acted like?
"It's just . . . Never mind. You're right, you need to get to school. But if you ever want to talk . . . " Andy left the invitation open, smiling at his son.
"Yeah, I'll keep that in mind," Ephram said with a sarcastic smirk. Shaking his head he stepped outside into the frigid Colorado morning, slamming the door shut behind him. It would be a cold day in hell before Ephram decided to confide in the great Dr. Brown.
*****
"And there inlays the brilliance of Shakespeare's works. His capability to entwine romance, tragedy, comedy, and so much more into a variety of masterpieces that have somehow been able to endure through centuries of changing styles in literature and theory is quite an accomplishment . . . Don't you agree, Miss Abbot?" Mr. McLeod said.
Ephram glanced over in surprise to where Amy was very obviously staring out the window. She jumped at the sound of her name, her blank face quickly coloring with embarrassment. Ephram frowned, wondering what was wrong with her. Mr. McLeod's unit on Shakespeare certainly wasn't the most fascinating topic, by far, but it was still unusual for Amy not to paying close attention, taking notes, making comments . . . living up to her perfect reputation. Now that Ephram thought about it, Amy had been acting kind of distracted lately. Of course, he had no idea what was wrong with her. She had been avoiding him ever since the little "incident" at the Fall Thaw Festival.
"Wha- I," Amy started, "I'm sorry, What I mean to say is . . . Shakespeare . . . wow, umm, definitely . . . a smart guy," she finished lamely. Snickers were heard around the room.
"Really, and can you defend your opinion, Amy?" Mr. McLeod said, vague amusement on his weathered and friendly face.
"Well, he is credited with some of the most timeless pieces of literature ever written. He wrote about things hundreds of years ago that we can still relate to our lives today. I definitely wouldn't call him stupid."
There was more laughter, but Amy smiled this time. The color in her cheeks began to fade and she started to look more comfortable. More like the Amy that Ephram was used to seeing.
"I mean, take for instance what we're reading now, Romeo and Juliet. You said yourself it's considered to be one of the less complex and more well-known of Shakespeare's plays, which is why it's selected for freshmen read. But even Romeo and Juliet is full of all these complex ideas that naturally appeal to people. People love reading about a love that is truly worth dying for. The theme of eternal love is something that's never really going to die out, and I think Shakespeare knew that."
"Well, I think he was an idealistic old romantic who most likely wrote his plays trying to make a living, not a legacy," the words slipped out of Ephram's mouth, and the room fell deadly silent. He hadn't meant to make the comment, but once he had said it, there was no taking it back. He realized it was probably one of the first opinions he had willingly offered up since he had been at Country High. Maybe that's why everyone was looking so surprised.
Mr. McLeod opened his mouth to reply but Amy beat him to it, "That's an awfully cynical thing to say," she said quietly.
"Well it's pretty quixotic to think that Shakespeare was really trying to make a point of saying, 'Hey if you really love someone, it's okay to kill their cousin, their fiancé, cause your mother to supposedly 'die of grief', and commit suicide.' I mean, hey, it's all for the cause, right? You're going to be together for eternity in heaven, anyway."
"You're getting to caught up in the details, Ephram. Sure, Shakespeare probably made all those people die to add to the drama effect, get people interested. But when you look at the big picture, the whole story is really pretty simple. It's just about two people who loved each other enough to make the ultimate sacrifice," Amy sounded emphatic in her statement.
"Do you really believe such a love exists?" Ephram said, his stare boring into her wide, clear eyes.
"Do you really believe it doesn't?" Amy shot back, defiance in her gaze.
'I don't know Amy . . . I don't know anything, anymore,' Ephram thought, confused and frustrated. The room lapsed into silence, and it wouldn't have taken a rocket scientist to figure out that Amy and Ephram had been arguing about more than Shakespeare. The truth was, though, that Ephram didn't really know what they had been arguing about. He had just felt the urge . . . no, the need, to prove some point to her. Now he was just more confused that ever.
Ephram shook his head at Amy, silently telling her he wasn't going to reply. He slid back down into his usual slumped position.
Amy sighed, and slowly the room turned back to where Mr. McLeod was leaning against his desk, an smug look on his face.
"Well, Amy, Ephram, you both make very interesting points. I must say, that was the most rousing debate I do believe I've ever had on Shakespeare in this class. I'm sure you're strong points of view will make writing your essays so much easier," Mr. McLeod smiled at the collective groans that were heard around the classroom, "But now, I'd like to take this opportunity to talk more about the Renaissance Festival that's coming up in a few weeks. I believe I mentioned earlier that all the Honors English classes are going to be responsible for performing a skit from one of Shakespeare's plays, and we're responsible for Romeo and Juliet."
The class nodded obediently. Ephram began to tune out. . . he had already spent too much energy on this class, and the last thing he cared about was the stupid Renaissance Festival. Everwood had too many damn festivals, and it wasn't like he was going to volunteer to be in the stupid skit anyway . .
"Now, I realize that I'm probably not going to get too many volunteers to be in the skit, and for this reason, I've decided to make it mandatory. You've all already been assigned some role, either acting or backstage. I was a little worried about my casting decisions, but after today's lesson, I think the skit will be a grand success. I've posted a list on the back door. Make sure to check it on the way out. Our first meeting will be next week after school."
The bell rang, and Ephram stood up gathering his things. He noticed the kids swarming around the list on the back door, and promptly headed for the front one. It wasn't like he was going to get an important role anyway. If Mr. McLeod wanted his little skit to be a success, then he would stick Ephram in lights or scenery or something like that.
He had just stepped out into the hall when he heard his name float out of the classroom. He stuck his head back through the doorway, and saw Amy motioning towards him. Curious he walked towards her, "Yeah?" he asked.
"I think you might want to see this," she said pointing to the list.
Ephram glanced at the paper on the door, reading the top two names on the list.
ROMEO MONTAGUE EPHRAM BROWN
JULIET CAPULET AMY ABBOT
Ephram shook his head, not believing Mr. McLeod would be stupid enough to stick him with the lead role. "Well, this is just great isn't it," he said, glancing back up.
He looked up just in time to see Amy disappearing out the front door.
*****
Ephram pushed open the heavy front doors of Everwood County High, relieved that the day was over. He started walking towards where he had parked his bike, when he suddenly noticed Amy talking to Colin. His gaze promptly darkened.
He knew Amy had make up with Colin about whatever fight they had had at the festival. But every time he saw them together, it still made him mad. One, because he was jealous, but more importantly, because Amy deserved so much better than Colin. He was such a jerk . . . and Amy just didn't deserve to be treated that way.
He started to ride away, but then changed his mind. If he and Amy were going to have to do this whole Romeo and Juliet thing, then they needed to get over whatever awkwardness that was obviously between them. He waited until Colin had walked off, wincing when Amy kissed him on the cheek, and then walked over to her.
"Amy," he called.
She looked back, startled. She tossed her long hair over her shoulder, "Ephram, hey." She looked more than a little uncomfortable.
"Could we talk?" he asked.
"I'm not so sure now is a great time," she said, waving at a random girl who walked past.
"Well, when will be a good time? After three weeks, I'm starting to think that time isn't coming," Ephram said, careful to keep his voice low.
Amy's head shot up, "Can't we please just forget that?" she asked, sounding almost desperate.
Ephram shook his head, trying not to feel hurt. He already knew Amy regretted the kiss, none of this should come as a shock. "Okay, so you want to forget it? Fine, it's forgotten. I just don't understand why you're avoiding me. As far as I'm concerned the kiss never happened, so why can't we just be friends again?"
Amy finally stopped walking, and turned to give Ephram her full attention. He was surprised to see how distressed she looked. "Ephram, you don't understand. I just . . I don't think being friends is such a great idea anymore."
"What?" he said, suddenly angry, "Why are you being like this. You're acting like I did something wrong. Well, newsflash, Amy, I haven't done anything. You kissed me."
"Would you be quiet!" she said, her voice a fiery whisper. "Look, Ephram, I'm sorry it had to be this way. You'll never know how sorry. . . but, you're just going to have to trust me on this. It has to be this way. I'm sorry."
With that she turned, her boots digging into the frozen earth, and walked away as quickly as she could.
"Well, I think that went well . . ." Ephram muttered to himself. Climbing on his bike, he headed home.
*****
Ephram flung open the door to his house, anxious to be alone in the comfort of his room. He immediately noticed something different, but was to preoccupied to care. He was about halfway up the stairs when his father's voice stopped him.
"Ephram, you're home," he said, something different in his usually cheerful tone, "There's a surprise for you in the kitchen."
"Well, this may come as a complete shock to you, but I could really care less," Ephram said, continuing towards his bedroom.
"There's someone here to see you," Andy said.
Ephram sighed. He didn't really care who was in the kitchen, but he figured they wouldn't go away until he went in and saw them. Grumbling he receded back down the stairs, shooting a glare at his father.
"What's that smell, anyway?" he asked, "It smells almost . . ."
" . . . Good?" a familiar voice supplied.
Ephram looked up in surprise, "Nonni? Grandpa? What are you guys doing here?!"
A/N" Alright, so not my greatest chapter, but I promise that the best is yet to come. Sorry it took so long for the update *grins apologetically* But anyway, please REVIEW . . . c'mon, you know you want to . . .