Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. They are owned by the WB Network and the ingenious producer(s) of Everwood.

Author's Note: Finally! I cannot even begin to express my apologies for such a late update. But between the excessive amount of work I've been getting, computer problems (which included a complete hard drive wipeout) and writer's block, I wasn't able to put this chapter together exactly the way I wanted it. A sudden spur of inspiration last week allowed me to finish the nitpicky tweaks and conclude the chapter. I thank all of you who stopped and reviewed (some even twice) before and after my hiatus; I hope this chapter will suit your tastes! And as always: reviewers, please check my profile where my reviewing requests/instructions are listed (or just check chapter 1).

So, without further ado, I present to you: the third chapter. I hope you enjoy!

-roverjj

Chapter 3

After ten minutes of furious pedaling, Ephram decided to stop risking his neck on the icy road and squeezed his right-hand side brake. Almost immediately, his rear tire began skidding sideways, his bike moving in jagged semicircles as he tried to regain control. The slight downward incline of the street did nothing to aid his increasingly dangerous plight as the bike gradually accelerated. Muttering to himself briefly, he gave up and let go of the death-grip he had on the hand brake.

He shot forward, his precariously maintained balance threatened with each passing second. Unable to stop, he sped across the intersection and veered left amid a flurry of angry shouts and beeping horns. His momentum carried him too far towards the sidewalk that he had no chance of avoiding. Panicking, he squeezed both brakes and closed his eyes.

Whump.

Ephram remained motionless for a few seconds as he tried to regain his bearings. Icy slush began melting down the back of his collar, adding to the cold and wetness slowly seeping into his clothes. The shock of having his body planted so suddenly in such a viciously quick manner left him breathless and a bit—tired. He exhaled, feeling the rapidly chilled air rebound back into his face, and moved his head to the side as he began summoning up the energy to push himself to a standing position.

His fingers were seeking some sort of sturdy surface where it would be safe to apply his weight when he felt something grab the back of his shirt collars and yank him forcefully to a standing position. He wheezed in surprise, which caused whoever was behind him to pound forcefully between his shoulders, driving him forward a step with each hit. Ephram heard a female voice say, "Cut that out! Are you trying to kill him or something?"

The debilitating pounding stopped and he inhaled thankfully. A baritone voice muttered sullenly in reply, "Sor-ry. Jeez. You'd think I was committing a crime or something, trying to make sure someone's still breathing."

Ephram rolled his eyes and shook his head as he turned to face the speakers. A tall teenager with a red ski jacket and curly blond hair squinted at him, grinning.

"Bright. Just my luck," he deadpanned.

Bright ignored his sarcasm. "Dude, you know it's, like, the wrong season to go swimming—"

Amy slapped him lightly on the arm. "Bright! Stop it!" She turned to Ephram. "We were driving by and I saw your bike laying there, so Colin stopped the car so we could check to see if everything was okay. Are you alright?"

Ephram's eyes lightened up and he smiled, amused, as she began brushing snow off his clothes. "I'm fine."

Bright nodded. "Ri-ight. Yeah. So, Amy, he's fine. Amy. You can stop grooming him now."

She glared at him before smoothing down Ephram's neck collar. "There. That's better." She looked behind her at the boy walking towards her. "Colin was waiting for us in the car. I guess we should go, or else we're going to be late."

"Oh—right. School. All ready." He jogged over several yards to where his bike was embedded in the same snowdrift. He grabbed a hold of the mainframe and tugged. It wouldn't budge. He swore under his breath as he kept pulling, bracing himself against the seat. The bike popped out without warning, making him stagger back a few steps before he regained his balance. The body was miraculously unharmed, he noted, as he hurriedly wheeled the bike to the waiting truck.

Colin was leaning against the driver's seat door as Ephram came closer with the bike. He pushed himself off the door and walked towards him. "You alright, man? Looked like it was a nasty spill." He moved ahead of Ephram to unlock the back of the pickup.

"I'm fine." He muttered tersely, bending to acquire a more secure grip on the bike as he lifted it onto the bed. Colin jumped in next to it and moved a few lengths of rope and cord over to make more room. Ephram accepted his extended hand and pulled himself into the back. Colin reached down and, after firmly closing the back, slapped the roof of the truck. Ephram gripped the side of the truck as Bright sped off quickly, veering around a few slow cars and making several sharp turns before pulling into the school parking lot.

Colin vaulted off the side of the truck and unlocked the back once again. Ephram dragged off the bike and rolled it over to the side of the school. Removing his bike locks from the pouch secured on the rear wheel frame, he fiddled with them until the frame was secure. Straightening, he saw Bright squinting at him from the tree he was leaning against. "You know this isn't New York or anything. You don't have to be so anal about locking that up like it was your baby Lamborghini parked in enemy territory. Who's gonna want to steal—jeez! Feeling violent today?" His thumb moved against his forearm as he frowned.

"Shut up, Bright." The corner of Ephram's mouth lifted at Amy's antics. Colin snickered at Bright's annoyed expression as he was pulled away by her. "See you in history!" He called out over his shoulder, before turning and chasing lightheartedly after Amy with a quickly packed snowball in his hand. The boys watched as he cornered her wiggling body and rubbed the snow gently on her nose. They could see a smile light up her face as Colin leaned in and lightly kissed the tip of her nose.

Ephram jumped slightly as the warning bell rang. He reached down to pick up his bag—and stopped. "Where's my bag?" He hit his forehead and started pacing, looking around him while trying to remember whether or not he left it at the snowdrift.

"Yo." He looked up. Bright stretched out his hand, from which was dangling his damp bag. "You almost forgot it."

Ephram looked at him, then took the bag, shrugging it on quickly. "Thanks," he mumbled.

Another bell rang. Bright looked at his watch. "I'd love to chat, but I do believe we are about to be fashionably late." Ephram groaned silently and began walking over to the front doors, patches of his wet shirt chafing uncomfortably beneath his backpack. He crept into his first class quietly while the teacher's attention was diverted, almost making it to his seat before wincing at the sound of his misleadingly exuberant, baritone voice.

"Ephram Brown. How kind of you to join us." Muffled snickers escaped from several students around the room. "Due to the timely manner in which you decided to bless us with your presence, you have earned yourself detention. See me after class."

A buzz filled the room as the students pulled out their textbooks in preparation for the class. Ephram yanked out his work and a pencil, sighing bitterly. He rubbed at his wet collar and glared unseeingly at his textbook.

Great.