A few days later was the New Years eve party that the whole town went to. Ephram was complaining the whole day, he didn't want to get dressed up and parade around with people he didn't like. He liked it better when he lived in New York because he never had to go to these stupid things. When his mom died two years ago his father moved the family out to Everwood, a tiny little town in Colorado. "Oh come ON, Eph!" Madison exaggerated, "just dress up a little? It wont kill ya. Besides, we'll get there at 10pm and stay 'til a bit after midnight?" She smiled as she knew that she would get what she wanted. Ephram playfully glared at her. "Fine, fine! You win, happy! I'm not putting on a tux though…not like I own one anyway".
Nina came over with a couple friends and was talking to Andy who was almost ready. They were all leaving for the party early, around 9pm, about an hour away. In the mean time Madison was upstairs helping Ephram pick out his clothes. Ephram was shirtless, still not sure what to wear. He was wearing khaki pants that Madison thought looked really good. She was wearing a red turtleneck with semi dressy pants and a jean jacket. She was laying on her stomach on Ephram's bed as he was choosing his top. "Ok…Which one?" He showed her two styles, "this one" shaking his right hand, "the buttoned down black mesh shirt, or this one" shaking his left hand, "the pullover long sleeve shirt with Metallica on the front?" He smiled as Madison shook her head, "I hope you're kidding. Let me see what you have in your closet." She got up and looked through his closet. She came upon a really nice sweater and thought it would go well with the pants he had on. She pulled it out and asked him to model it for him. At first he didn't want to but then gave in. She whistled and cat-called when he turned around and showed off his outfit. He figured since she liked it then he would wear it. Madison took some lip gloss out of her jacket pocket and spread some on her lips. Ephram walked over and sat down next to her, "let me try some of that", Madison stuck out her hand to give him the lip gloss, "ok, but its pink, not really your color." He looked down at the lip gloss that was in her hand and said, "not that…this" and he leaned towards her and kissed her lips gently. "That was good, Ephram Brown, didn't see it comin'." She smiled at him then kissed him again. "So," she continued, "what shall we do for the next hour?" Ephram thought for a moment, then replied, "well, since we know what I'm going to be wearing then how about we just lay here and canoodle?" Madison pulled him towards her and kissed him, which meant a yes. They lay together, talking and joking, for a half hour then finally got ready to leave for the party.
They got to the party and spotted Andy, Nina and the rest of the gang and went over to mingle. An hour later Madison spots the dessert tray and says to Ephram, "shall we binge?" Ephram grabs her hand and heads for the buffet, "we so shall!" Linda Abbot comes up to the dessert buffet as well and starts talking to them, "having a good time? Madison, you look so good tonight!" Ephram excuses himself to go the bathroom.
When he is on his way back he sees Amy standing next to the spiral staircase and heads over to her. "Amy, how are you" he says as she spots him. She says slowly, "Hi Ephram. Having a good time?" She decided to sit on the stairs of the spiral staircase, which overlooked the whole ballroom but private enough to have a conversation if need be. Ephram sat next to her and they caught up on how things have been. While she was talking, Ephram leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees and interlocking his fingers as he watched Madison from across the room. She was mingling and having a great time. She looked so good. Amy said softly, "hey, look, a mistletoe" she smiled hoping that Ephram would kiss her. He was still focused on Madison, shook his head then said, "sorry, Amy, what? I didn't hear you?" She looked at him, "nothing, forget it. Can you meet me outside tonight at 11:30?" Ephram nodded then looked at Madison again, this time she was smiling and waving at him to come over. "Well, it was nice talking with you Amy! See you" he replied as he got up and moved towards the opposite side of the room. He reached Madison and gave her a discreet kiss. "Lets dance!" Replied Madison as she lead him out on the floor. He replied, "you are so lucky this is a slow song!" She put her arms around his neck as he placed his hands on her waist. Bright and his date made their way over to them, "hey guys! Nice digs Ephram." Bright said before he introduced his date. "Well, we gots to mingle, have a great night you two love birds" Bright smiled as he and his date made their way to some of the other people they knew.
Around 11:45pm Ephram decided to go outside to find Amy. Bright kept Madison company and danced with her and his date to a couple fast songs. Amy met him outside and started talking to him. She told him how much she cared about him, "I cant give you what you want right now, but, if you give me a chance then I'm sure that, in time, I will be able to. Ephram, I don't want to be alone, I want you in my life." She paused and Ephram was speechless, he couldn't say anything, all he could do was stare at her. "They say the person you kiss at midnight is the person you'll be with for the rest of the year--" before she could finish her sentence, Ephram put his hand up and shook it as if to say something. He blinked and scratched his head for a second, then slowly replied, "Amy…You have no idea how long I have dreamed of this moment, for you to tell me that you feel the same way about me that I do you," Amy stepped closer and they were only a foot apart now. Ephram paused, looked up at the sky and tried to think of what to say next. He took her hand and held it as he continued, "We've had some good times, but…I can't…I will always be here for you, and as much as I would love to be in your life, it wouldn't be fair to walk away from the other people in my life…" He paused and looked into Amy's teary eyes, then continued further, "I just cant walk away from Madison…I hope…I hope that you can understand what I'm trying to say to you. You told me once, not to let you and I get in the way of me and somebody else. I took that to heart, Amy. You cant just play games with me…I've found somebody who cares about me. I love you Amy, I do…But…" the countdown to midnight was beginning and Ephram leaned closer to Amy and gave her a kiss on the cheek before backing away from her, "you have to find somebody else to be happy with…" He let go of her hand and headed into the ballroom to find Madison. Everybody was shouting, "5!, 4!, 3!" Ephram found Madison and kissed her neck from behind. When everybody shouted it was midnight he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her lovingly, passionately. When he was done, Madison smiled, "not that I'm complaining, but, what was that for?" and she placed her arms around his neck. Ephram replied, "I'm glad you're in my life…" Ephram pulled her close, kissed her again then whispered something sweet. She whispered back, "you still take my breath away," They ended the night in each other's arms, oblivious to everybody around them, nothing else mattered.
They headed to the parking lot around 2am, Madison was going to her apartment and Ephram was going home with his dad. He had a lot on his mind and Madison could tell. "What's up, Ephram?" He took a deep breath, then told her what Amy told him. "Amy told me tonight that….that, she wanted me in her life." He paused and looked up at the sky, sort of confused. "If she told me any other time, it would have been great news, I mean, for two years she was all I ever wanted…but…" Madison looked at him, smiled and tilted her head, "Why are you telling me this?" He grabbed her hand, "because, I want us to have an open relationship, I want to be able to tell you everything, I want you to be able to trust me. As much as I care for Amy, I care so much more for you, and I…I don't know…I don't, I don't, want her to get in the way of you and I." He was going to say something else but Madison pulled him close and kissed him, then whispered, "shut up" with a smile. He pulled himself together and nodded. They hugged then went their separate ways for the night.