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.

"Bright, lets go! Stop playing with your hair! We're going to be late!"

"Chill out, bro." replied Bright, fixing his hair, "these blonde curls don't just get pretty on their own."

"I cant believe I agreed to ride with you. It takes 10 minutes to get to their house, its already 8:15pm."
Bright ambled his way out of the bathroom and winked at Ephram, "We can go. I mean, who wants to get to a party just as its starting, where's the fun in that?"
"all the more to see my girlfriend, Bright." Ephram said, not amused.

Around 8:30pm they got to the house and everybody was having a good time. About 10 minutes later, Leah said, "Play us a song there Ephy."
Ephram looked at her as if she had two songs, "with what, the air?"

She pulled him to the living room where everybody followed and pushed him on the couch, "of course not, goofy. Well…We all pitched in and…" she uncovered the keyboard, which made Ephram's jaw drop to the floor.

"Is this for real!?" asked Ephram, flummoxed.

"Well, what'dya think bro!" asked Bright as he slapped him on the back.

Ephram slowly made his way towards the keyboard and looked at it fondly, tracing it with his fingers, "I think I love you all very much…"

"Thank Madison" replied Jess, "it was her idea and we all just pitched in."

Ephram reached for Madison's hand and pulled her to him, embracing her in a hug. He was still speechless and hugging her was the only way he could express his emotions at that current time.

"By golly! I think he likes it!" replied Leah as she flopped on the couch, "remember the little people, Ephy, remember the little people."

Madison whispered in his ear, "you deserve it, you know."

"this means so much, Madison…Thank you." He pulled away, "thank you everybody." He kissed Madison sweetly before everybody asked him to play a couple songs as they drank happily through the night. Everybody but Ephram and Bright were drinking, and after a couple of hours, Ephram asked, "Bright, why aren't your drinking? You know, to think of it, you haven't been yourself lately, what's up?"

Bright looked at the floor and sighed.

"Bright? You know you can tell me…" Ephram looked at him helplessly as Bright still looked at the floor.
"You're the first person that I will have told…This is hard for me" he said as he leaned forward and put his elbows on his knees, shaking his head.

"You're my best friend, Bright…I'm here for you, no matter what…"

Bright looked up at Ephram who sat down next to him. Everybody else was in the other room dancing and drinking to the music.

Bright finally said, "…I'm gay, Ephram…"

"What?" Ephram didn't know what to say, he was taken aback. Over the several years he has known Bright, he never showed the signs, he always chased girls. Ephram tilted his head and squinted his eyes, "are you sure?"
Bright chuckled, "yeah, I'm sure…since Sophomore year…I'm completely fine with who I am, it's just that, I'm scared of how my family will react." he hung his head and shook it again, "you know what's funny…" he looked up, "Leah and I have been going out sometimes to pick up some guys. She even took me a to a couple gay bars around here. They are pretty cool."

"Its about time!" Yelled Leah stumbling into where the boys were, "I've told him to tell you for about a year now, but he decides to pick a night when I'm not coherent!"

Bright looked around and smiled at Leah, "yeah…she's my girl…"

Jess came in and sat next to him, "now I know why I have never seen you out with any other girl! Because I cant have you, it makes you that much more desirable."

"Cute, Jess…really" he replied trying not to laugh.

Ephram changed the subject, "You guys graduate this term, that sucks!"

"Oh, dog," replied Bright, "Didn't I tell you? I'm working up here in Boulder, got a teaching job at a private high school. We should get an apartment together, you know, that'd be cool!

"Definitely!" Ephram thought about it, "no more surprise room inspections!"

"Or having to sign in guests!"

Around 2:30am, everybody passed out in various parts of the house. Jess was in Madison's bed, Leah was in Jess' bed, Madison was on the couch opposite from Bright who was in the recliner. Ephram decided to grab a pillow from the couch and fall asleep on the floor beside the couch, hopefully Madison wouldn't fall on him or step on him when she woke up.

Graduation came around and Bright and Leah were in the same class. Madison had graduated the semester before that. Ephram was the last one, he would be graduating next spring, then heading to Julliard not too long afterwards. He figured out what Madison meant about the whole internship thing. It was sort of pointless since he was already working for the Boulder Symphony, but sort of good at the same time since he got credit.