Summer break finally arrived, but Ephram decided to stay in the dorms since he was taking a couple summer courses. Bright went home to Everwood for the summer and took Wendell along with him. Leah decided to take a couple courses as well even though it was much to Myka's dismay since he wanted to go to Florida or California for part of the summer.
About a week into the summer, Madison reported to Ephram that she was needed in New York for 2 weeks and that her band was probably going to tour up and down the coasts for a month or so to help promote some bands she was supporting. Ephram didn't like the idea of being away from Madison so long but knew that her music meant the world to her, just like his music meant the world to him. He reluctantly said his goodbyes and said that he'd miss her. He realized he hadn't been with Madison for three summers and this would probably be the fourth even though they were together again.
While Madison was away, Ephram was immersed in his studies. When not at school or studying then he was playing summer concerts with the Boulder Symphony. He was kept busy and Leah was there to support him. A couple times when playing with the symphony, his dad and Delia and Nina and Bright would come down to hear him play. Ephram just couldn't help but wonder what Madison was up to, wondering if she missed him as much as he missed her. Their schedules were so different that they barely had time to call each other at all.
"Yo bro!" yelled Bright one night after a concert when Ephram met everybody in the parking lot, "Madison's band is playing at the concert hall next week!"
Ephram gritted his teeth.
"You're gonna go, right?!"
Ephram raised his eyebrows and took in a deep breath, "I cant…"
"did I just hear you correctly? What do you mean you cant?"
"I'm playing the same night." he shook his head, "I cant get out of it, I've already tried. Plus I have exams all day so I wouldn't be able to see her during the day either, and we're talking, exams that last 3 hours!" he kicked the ground, "But I'm sure we'll be able to see each other for an hour before she has to leave." he tried to smile convincingly.
Delia broke in, "Your music didn't put me to sleep this time!"
Ephram laughed, "shut up, squirt!"
"That was a compliment, dork."
Everybody talked and joked for a little while longer before heading back to Everwood, leaving Ephram to his studies.
