A/N – Here's the next chapter and amazingly, it's super-long! I hope you enjoy! Thanks again to Jenn and Kim who proofread it and all those who have reviewed past chapters. Please keep reviewing!
The next two days following Colin's second surgery were a blur to Amy. He stayed in stable condition and she was able to visit him frequently. His chances did not change and he was still in a great deal of pain. To make matters worse, his mood was very melancholy, and Amy had a horrible time trying to cope with it. Even though she didn't love him, she still cared about him as a friend and it hurt that he was in so much pain, both physically and emotionally.
Ephram was at her side 24/7, as was Bright. The two boys practically lived at the hospital, and were always there for Amy. When she came back from every visit, they were waiting for her.
Bright had been to see Colin a couple times, and had always come back disappointed. It seemed that even he couldn't get through to his best friend.
On the other hand, Ephram hadn't even thought about going to visit Colin. It would be so weird and uncomfortable to even say hello to him, considering what was going through his mind. He would feel horrible if he had to face Colin.
So when Amy came back from one of her daily visits to Colin and told him that he wanted to see Ephram, he was shocked and terrified.
"He what?!" Ephram exclaimed.
"Colin asked to see you," Amy replied calmly, "and I told him that I'd come get you."
"Oh my God…" Ephram muttered, falling into one of the hospital chairs.
"Oh man," Bright sighed, sitting beside him.
Amy looked bewildered and confused.
"What's the big deal?" she asked.
Bright laughed out loud, and then sobered, realizing that she had actually didn't know why it was a problem.
"Well, Colin and I were never close." Ephram replied, "I actually think that he hated me. How could I go see him?"
It was as close to the truth as it was going to get, Ephram decided. It's not like he could tell her in the middle of the hospital waiting room that he was in love with her and couldn't bear facing her dying boyfriend, because of the horrible guilt. Though that was the absolute truth.
"How could you say no? He asked to see you, Ephram!" Amy shouted angrily.
"I just don't want to see him!" Ephram yelled, standing up.
Bright was surprised at the heated argument between them, it had started so quickly. He decided that he had to do something to stop it, they both didn't need to be fighting right now.
"Guys, please, calm down!" he said, coming between them.
He looked at Amy pointedly, and saw that along with anger there were tears in her eyes.
"Amy, just give Ephram a couple minutes, alright? This was a surprise to him, and he just needs some time to deal with it." Bright turned around to face Ephram and continued, "And Ephram, calm down man, Amy hasn't done anything to you."
He nodded, looking at Amy and feeling sorry at once. She was an absolute mess and he was supposed to be helping her, not fighting with her.
"I'm sorry Amy, of course I'll go see Colin," he relented, stepping towards her.
"No, Ephram," she shook her head and spoke quietly, "If you don't want to you don't have to go see him, it's your decision."
"No, I'll go see him," Ephram replied softly, "You want me to, so I will."
A single tear ran down Amy's cheek, and Ephram pulled her into a hug.
"Come on," he whispered, "Positive, remember?"
She nodded, but he felt another tear slide down.
"What's wrong?" he asked, pulling away slightly so he could see her face.
"I don't like fighting with you," Amy admitted.
"Well, we're not fighting anymore, don't worry, okay?" Ephram glanced over at Bright, who was now sitting down again, looking quite pleased with himself. The older boy gave Ephram a smile.
"Okay," Amy replied quietly.
"Now I'm going to go see Colin," Ephram said, gently pulling out of the embrace completely, "Room 225, right?"
Amy nodded, giving way to a small smile.
"Alright," he said, making his way for the doorway, "I'll be back then."
Once he was gone, Amy sat down beside Bright and sighed.
"You alright, little sis?" Bright asked.
"Yeah, I guess." Amy replied, staring up at the ceiling.
There was silence, so Bright said the first thing that came to his mind.
"You're in love with Ephram, aren't u?"
Amy's face was one of shock and surprise.
"What?!" she exlaimed, "No! Of course not! I'm going out with Colin!"
Bright chuckled, "Come on, Grover. I know you! Even though you're going out with Colin, you're in love with Ephram. I can see it in your eyes, don't deny it."
Amy looked down at the floor, "Is it really that noticeable?"
"Nah, it's only 'cause I've been watching you guys." Bright replied, a grin on his face.
"I guess I better explain," Amy sighed, "But you gotta promise not to tell anyone!"
Bright nodded, "Of course."
"Alright," Amy started, "I love Colin, but not like a girlfriend/boyfriend love, I just love him as a really good friend."
"And Ephram?" Bright pushed, hoping it was what he wanted to hear.
"And Ephram…" Amy repeated, her eyes sparkling for the first time since the surgery, "I think I'm in love with Ephram, Bright."
Bright gave her a small hug, and smiled, "That's great!"
"No, it's not great right now!" she exclaimed, the sparkle in her eyes disappearing, "And what's with you and Ephram anyway? I thought that you hated him!"
"Yeah…well," Bright stammered, "I don't anymore. He's not that bad."
Amy laughed, "I'm glad you think so."
"So what are you going to do?" Bright asked, curious for the 'other side of the story'.
"I don't know, just leave things alone for now, I think. I really can't do much, can I?" Amy asked, getting up and pacing, a little relieved to finally be talking about this with someone.
"You're right, you really can't break up with Colin," Bright commented.
"Yeah. But I'm lying to him!" Amy exclaimed, sitting back down again.
"Which one?" Bright asked, "Colin?"
"Yeah, and Ephram. I'm lying to both of them!" Amy put her head in her hands.
"Don't worry, there's really nothing else you can do." Bright tried to comfort her, "You're doing the right thing."
"Am I?" Amy sighed.
"Yes, definitely." Bright replied, hugging her.
"I wonder why Colin wanted to see Ephram?" Amy asked.
"Yeah," Bright agreed.
* * *
Though he wouldn't admit it to Amy, Ephram was scared to go see Colin, for fear of letting anything slip. But she had gotten so upset when he had told her that he didn't want to go; he couldn't go against her wishes.
He tried to walk as slow as possible, fearing the point where he came to Colin's room. It came quicker than he thought, though, and he stopped outside.
"Here we go," he muttered, knocking on the door.
"Ephram?" he heard Colin call from inside, "Come on in."
Ephram sighed as he walked inside the room. This should prove to be interesting.
