Truths of Life: Chapter Four
By: lizzie1986
Coupling: Eventual E/L
A/N: Sorry it took this long for the chapter to get out. I had writer's block for awhile and then the holidays happened.
Disclaimer: Don't own anything related to Everwood, though I do own Robin, who appeared in the last chapter.
Chapter Four: Just Friends?
Laynie stared at the bottle of pills in her hand. She had just walked out of the pharmacy and now debated what to actually do. Would she take them? Would she throw them out? She really didn't know. All she could do at the moment was stare at the bottle, knowing the impact her decision was going to make on her upcoming life. She sighed and quickly stuffed the pill bottle in her bag before walking away. She would save this decision for later.
* * * *
Andy walked into his son's room without knocking, a habit that annoyed Ephram to no end. He took his headphones off and raised an eyebrow expectantly.
"Anything I can help you with? Because in a cultured society, it's considered polite to knock before entering someone's personal space."
Andy chuckled as he leaned against the wall. "At least you're using better vocabulary than in the past."
Ephram glanced up for a moment. "I can always revert back to 'go away', if you want."
Andy let the comment slide and casually let his question slide out. "So what's going on with you and Laynie Hart?"
Ephram was surprised, not releasing that his father paid that much attention to his life. "We're friends. No big deal." He shrugged, but had the vague feeling that didn't exactly describe their relationship.
"Oh. Like you and the Abbott girl?" Andy asked, a smile on his face.
Ephram shook his head, rolling his eyes. "Amy and I are friends. Now what's with the big interest in my life all of a sudden?"
Andy shook his head. "Nothing." He vaguely said before walking away.
"Well, next time knock before entering!" Ephram called, feeling slightly unnerved by the conversation, yet not knowing why.
* * * *
Laynie fell back on her bed and listened to her parent's muffled shouts. She didn't even bother trying to block it out anymore, it was such a usual occurrence. How pathetic was her life? She could count the number of friends she had in Everwood on one hand. On two fingers actually. Amy Abbott and Ephram Brown. Her late brother's girlfriend and a fling she had. That summed up her life. A crash interrupted her thoughts as a crystal vase was thrown and broken. Laynie winced at the sound.
"I liked that vase." She muttered and the shouting increased in volumes. "Anyone living in this house needs drugs to survive."
That reminded her of the antidepressants in her bag. She took the bottle out and stared at it in her hand. Once little pill could change so much. But was it worth it? She heard and door slam below and made her decision. It was. She took a pill out and swallowed. There. It was done. But why did she have an inkling that it was the wrong decision?
* * *
Ephram nervously tapped his fingers as the phone rang. Finally someone picked up at the other end.
"Robin's House of Worship." A female voice came on the line.
Ephram chuckled at his friend's new greeting. "Hey Robin. When did you come up with that one?"
"Last night. Scug actually gave me the idea. But don't you ever tell me that. Or there will be serious consequences." She warned.
Ephram could already picture her planning out wicked revenge tactics. "I know your temper and how you hold grudges. I'll do anything to stay on your good side."
"Alright." Robing reluctantly said.
"You know, sometimes I think that you actually enjoy torturing people."
"Yeah, yeah Brown. So why did you call? To waste my precious time?" Robin asked.
This brought Ephram to the point of the call. "Well, I need some advice."
Ephram imagine Robin raising her eyebrows. "Intriguing. What about?"
"Females."
Robin let out a snort of laughter. "Me? You want advice about females from me? You know I can't stand most of them. Flirty, air headed, know noth-"
"Yea, I've heard this all before." Ephram cut her off before she could become really involved in her rant.
"So? Why didn't you call Scug? He'd probably be better to give advice to you than moi."
Ephram rolled his eyes. "Rob, you know what his advice always is…"
"Screw em and forget em." They said in unison and started to laugh.
"The ironic part is, he never seems to take it." Robin said, a hint of disgust evident in her voice.
"Yeah. So my problem… There are two girls…."
Ephram could hear Robin try to hold back a laugh. "Problem, Ferraras?"
"Nope, just never imagined… never mind. Continue with, what I'm sure, will be a fascinating story."
"Fine. So I was saying…"
* * * *
"So this seems to be a popular place for you." Laynie easily slid into the booth across from Ephram at Mama Joy's.
"Have you ever tasted what my father calls cooking? This place is my survival technique."
Laynie picked up Ephram's discarded menu and glanced through it, not really reading it at all.
"Hungry?" Ephram questioned, a slight smile on his face.
Laynie shut the menu and put it aside. "Not really. Just looking to see if anything's changed."
Ephram didn't buy it, but decided to let it slide. "You eat already?"
"Yeah. I managed to dig some stuff out at my house."
"I'm done here. You wanna go and do something?"
Laynie let out a slight smirk. "Why? Are you asking me out, Mr. Brown?"
Just wanted to see if you wanted to go to the mall with me, Miss Hart. So how about it?" Ephram got up and held out his hand to Laynie, waiting to see if she would take it.
Laynie made a split second decision. She put her hand in his and got up. "Lead the way."
* * *
End of Part Four