Ephram only had one class that day so he decided he would go to the music building and practice the piano. They actually just got in a new keyboard, so he figured he would probably check it out. When he got there, a couple freshman were playing around with it, making it play "fart sounds", which made Ephram sort of chuckle.
"Do either of you know how to play that?" he asked with a half smile.
One kid looked up, "Definitely not, yo. But Kevin over here is in the music program, he's just learnin'. He said he was inspired by a dude named Eric Brown or sumthin like 'at." he said with a wave of his hand as if it wasn't important
Kevin, the shorter of the two replied, "Ephram…Brian, its Ephram Brown!" The kid's eyes lit up, "I mean, I chose to come here to this school because as a junior in high school we got to take a field trip to the Boulder Symphony and the person playing the piano rocked my world. I was floored."
Brian interrupted him, "Kev, I don't think this guy cares."
Kevin still spoke, "I mean, I was told he could play music even if he's only heard it once. Kinda like that guy in the movie Drumline."
Ephram smiled, then started playing the keyboard. He played a song he was sure the young man had heard before. When he finished, he looked up with a smile on his face, "I'm Ephram Brown…nice to meet you…Kevin?" he stuck out his hand to shake the kid's hand.
"No…Way…" replied Kevin as he shook Ephram's hand.
Brian pulled on Kevin's arm, "lets go loverboy." and he dragged him out of the music room. Before he left, he could be heard saying, "I like the name Eric better if I don't say so myself."
Ephram went back to the keyboard, gliding his hand over every inch of it as if it were the first keyboard he had ever seen. He had never played a keyboard quite like this one. He noticed it could record what he was playing, could repeat back what he played, and a few other interesting effects as well.
Just as he was admiring the keyboard, Madison walked up behind him, "hope you didn't find a new love." she said jokingly.
She startled him, making him hit his knee on the stand, "aw, shit!" he whispered loudly trying not to laugh at the same time out of pain. Instead of standing up, he sat down and rubbed his knee profusely since it hurt so much, making his face turn red, in turn making Madison laugh. She tried to muffle her laughter, but it didn't work.
After he regained his composure he smiled at her, glad to see her. She kissed him sweetly then sat down next to him on the bench.
"it's a close call," said Ephram, "but I think I still love you more."
"Well I'd hope so" she said smiling.
Ephram gazed at the keyboard, "its just…I mean…This keyboard fascinates me to no end, its just…breathtaking." He shook his head, "Does that sound crazy? I mean, it's an instrument, but…yet, so much more…"
Madison put her arm around his back, "I know how you feel. Maybe not on the same level, but I get it."
Ephram smiled at her, "Of course you do, you feel the same way about your music as I do with mine. It's a great way to connect with somebody."
Weeks went by and everything was going well. Classes were fine, things with Madison were great, nothing could be better. The two went to visit Delia one weekend, then the next weekend she visited them, hung out with Madison and Leah while Ephram was in class. At one point, he even took her to the music store right off campus to show her the new keyboards they had in stock. It was definitely out of his price range, but he figured as long as he could practice on the one in the music room, then he was all set.
*speed ahead to spring break* Madison and Jess decided to throw a little party at their place when Spring Break officially started. Besides, Ephram was only 20 years old, so its not like they'd be able to go to bars or clubs quite yet.
Leah seemed much more joyful during the last week of school before spring break, which Bright never thought could be possible. Everybody arrived at Madison's and Jess' place around 8pm, but Bright was told to bring Ephram a little later since everybody had a surprise for him.
(A/N; (sorry for the speediness of this chapt). hey, I need some help here…I've been debating on whether or not Bright should reveal that he is gay and that is why he and Jess haven't hooked up…(hence the lack of chapters for the last couple/few days.) I could go either way but I want to know what my readers think and he will reveal it at the party or he will hook up with Jess at the party….THOUGHTS WELCOME, thanks everybody!)
