Everybody sat in a thick, uncomfortable silence, only to be broken by the muffled sobs of Leah who was crying into Madison's shoulder.

Jess said drunkenly oblivious, "that was a great party!"

Bright finally said softly as they parked the car in the school parking lot, "will somebody please explain what just happened back there?"
Leah snapped, "Myka ki-kissed an-anoth-her girl! He-he che-cheated on me!"

Ephram replied, "Was it just a kiss? That's not too bad if he just kissed her?"

Madison lowered her eyebrows and her jaw dropped but before she could say anything, Leah broke in, "Just kissed her?!" retorted Leah, "just kissed her!? How would you feel if Madison made out with another guy!" but she didn't wait around to hear what anybody had to say, she quickly walked the other way.

Ephram, realizing what he had just said, quickly said, "Madison-"

Gritting her teeth, she raised her hand to stop him from talking, "don't. Just don't" and she nodded her head once then walked away to catch up with Leah.

"Smart move, dummy" chuckled Jess

Ephram sighed, shoving his hands in his pockets, "Great, now she's pissed off at me. Let me take you home."
"You don't have to"
"I want to, plus, after what I just said, I will need to talk to Madison when she gets there." he raised his eyebrows. They said goodbye to Bright then headed to his old beat up jalopy and made their way to Jess' and Madison's place.

About 40 minutes later, Madison's car pulled into the driveway and Ephram was waiting for her outside, sitting on the steps. Madison had the look of frustration and anger and it worsened when she saw Ephram standing up to greet her.

He looked at her inquisitively, "can we talk?"

She gritted her teeth, "You are such a jerk, do you know that!"

"I didn't mean to say what I did!" and he gave her a pleading look, "it came out wrong!"
"uh huh, and Myka was just a little drunk." she shook her head in disbelief.

"Madison that's not fair…" he said, raising his eyebrows.

"Put yourself in her place, Ephram!" she snapped, "how would you feel if you caught me kissing another guy?!" she put her hand on her forehead to try to calm herself as she breathed deeply.

Ephram said softly, "…he was wasted…"
"You have got to be kidding me! Being drunk is no excuse, Ephram! None!" her voice was angry. "What would you do if you caught me making out with another guy?" she was trying to make a point, "you wouldn't be like, 'oh, she was just drunk, its okay…no! You'd be pissed off, hurt and angry. Cheating is cheating and there is no way around it…." she shook her head and rolled her eyes, angry at how pissed off she was.

Ephram thought for a moment and realized he was being dense, then replied, "…I'm sorry…"

Madison rubbed her forehead, "I'm not angry at you, Ephram. Its more the situation than anything and you just happened to get in the way with a stupid comment."

He tried to make light of the situation, "I'm really not a jerk…"

Madison involuntarily smiled, "I know you aren't."

Ephram held out his hand, she took it, then he pulled her close to him and jokingly asked, "what would you do if you caught me making out with another girl? Drunk or not?"
Madison wasn't amused, "I'd beat you to an inch of your life then break up with you," she smiled, "seriously though, I'd break up with you in a heartbeat. I wouldn't be able to trust you again, and I couldn't be with somebody I can't trust."
Ephram blinked slowly, "I definitely understand. But I could never do that to you anyway," he took her in his arms, "I love you too much…"

"Now aint that just sweet" Madison said jokingly before kissing him sweetly. She slipped her tongue into his mouth, kissing him passionately. When she pulled away, Ephram's eyes were still closed, "uh, that was, um, unbelievable…Can you do that again?" Madison gladly obliged and kissed him again, touching his face. When she pulled away, Ephram could still taste her lips; it was a kiss that seemed to linger for some time. Ephram figured he would head back to his place since he had to work tomorrow. He was glad he got to set things straight. The two kissed again before Ephram had to leave, "oh, before I go," he said turning around to look at Madison, "…I had a good time tonight…despite what happened with Leah and Myka."
She bit her bottom lip, "me too."

They kissed one more time before Madison said, "now get your sexy ass out of here before I have to take advantage of you!" she pushed him playfully towards his car, "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Just for the record," he said as he opened his car door, "you can take advantage of me anytime you want." he smiled cleverly, winking at her. When he got in his car, he rolled down the window, "love you…"

Madison tilted her head and placed her hands in her pockets, "love you too." And the two departed for the night.