(A/N; wow, sorry kids, whole buncha things goin' on 'round here! Hope this chapter is as good as the rest, dont wanna disappoint my Ephison shippers! Ha ha.)

"Looks like Kay is late yet again" Bright said as he came back from rolling a practice ball down the lane, "what, did you guys have a fight?" he chuckled, but came to find out that Ephram and Kay did have a fight.

"When dont we fight?" he asked sarcastically, "I thought things would change, but nothing has. I regret having called her tonight, I mean, we should have just stuck with you, me, Kya and Madison." he slouched in his chair and folded his arms.

Just then, Kay made her way over to the other bowlers and greeted them, giving Ephram a little hug. There was a familiar scent to her, which made Ephram do a double take, he then leaned forward and sniffed the air around her. Just as he figured out the scent, she smiled. Ephram's eyes grew big and he became concerned as he raised his voice to her in a whispering manner, "are you insane, Kay?! I thought you quit smoking?!" He stood up, "why'd you even come if you were going to be stoned?! GAH!"

She smiled that stoned smile, "I missed you" and she pressed her body to his. Ephram threw up his arms and stepped back, "oh my god! Kay..." he shook his head in disbelief. Kay definitely knew how to push the right buttons to upset Ephram, it seemed like a pastime of hers. Ephram decided to walk away and went to where the lockers were. Bright noticed this and he grabbed Kay's arm before she could follow him, "Kay...we're going to call a friend so you can get home, okay? You shouldn't be here right now. You do realize, every time you act like this, you upset Ephram?"

It struck Kay funny, "the gang is all here, why's he upset?" she said innocently

"You are the reason he's upset, Kay!" Bright said as he raised his voice slightly. Kya noticed that Bright was getting agitated, so she broke in and took Kay by the arm and took her outside to wait for her friend to take her home. During that time, Bright filled Madison in on the whole Kay pot smoking thing and why it angered Ephram so. "Ever see the movie, Trapped in a Purple Haze?" asked Bright to Madison, "granted, its based on a heroin addict, but just the same" he did a wave of his hand absentmindedly, "Kay hit rock bottom and Ephram helped her out with that, he was the one who convinced her to go into rehab. It was a huge deal for the both of them and Ephram hates it when she smokes. She was clean for several months..." he shook his head and looked towards the door, "but I guess she's not now...Poor Ephram, I dont think he could go through that again, ya know?"

"So..." Madison seemed confused, "what's the movie got to do with Kay's situation?"
Bright thought for a moment, "I dont know, actually...the whole drug thing mabye?" he laughed at himself before taking a couple more practice rolls. Madison decided to go find Ephram. He was sitting in the locker area with his chin on the palm of his hands and he seemed to be thinking deeply.

Madison sat next to him and bumped him with her shoulder, which seemed to get him out of his daze, "what's up?" she asked concerned, "Bright filled me in with the whole rehab thing, care to talk about it?"

Ephram sighed then wiped his mouth, "...I dont even know where to start..." he stood up and started slowly pacing around the locker area, "I give so much to people I care about, so much..." he paused, then raised his arms out of frustration, "why would she do this?! She was doing so well!" he grunted, "it's not like it only affects her, gaa-AWD! She's so selfish!" and he kicked the air. Madison could tell he seemed very frustrated to the point where he wanted to cry so she stood up and walked over to him. She embraced him in a hug, at first he protested and struggled a little bit to get free, but then embraced her back and hugged her tightly burying his face into her neck. "I'm sorry for dragging you into this, you probably think I'm just over reacting" he whispered.
"There's nothing to be sorry about, Ephram. Of course I dont think you're over reacting, this is a huge thing that means a lot to you."
The two stood there talking for a little bit longer when Kya came in, "Are we bowling or what?! Psychopath ex-girlfriend is gone, so we're all set."
Trying to make a joke, Ephram said, "what, you mean, you dated her too?"

"Funny smartass, lets go, I dont have all night!" and she lead the way back to the bowling lane where Bright was taking what seemed like his 50th practice ball.

They only bowled one game rather than their normal three because Ephram wasnt himself and didnt feel like being around people at the moment. They mingled in the parking lot for a little while before going their separate ways Ephram sat on the back of Bright's car and Madison stood in between his legs and the two wrapped their arms around each other as they all chitchatted for a little bit.. Bright decided to take Ephram home since Madison had to work the next morning and lived in the opposite direction. Before they left, Madison reminded Ephram that she had to go to Aspen for her job for a couple days. Ephram hugged her, "I hate when I'm away from you for so long..."
Bright laughed, "Dude, it's two days, you can deal! Besides you'll have me! We'll pick up hot chicks!"

Madison tried not to laugh at the stupid remark and at the 'whatever' face Ephram had given him. She then whispered, "save this for when I get back" and she kissed him deeply, teasing him with her tongue." When she pulled away, Ephram looked at her, "that's not funny."

They went off in their different directions for the night. 20 minutes later, as Ephram got to his apartment, he called Madison's home phone, but obviously she wasnt home, but he left a message anyway, "you take care of yourself while you're several hours away from me. I can't stand being away from you but I guess I have to deal...I love you" and with that, he hung up then called her cell phone. She picked up smiling, "Ephram Brown, I just saw you 20 minutes ago and I'll see you in two days, what do you want?"

"Just to hear your voice. Oh, and I left a mixed CD on your kitchen table and you should listen to it because it's got songs on it that remind me of you, of us, and I think you'll like it. It'll give you something to listen to on your way up there."

Well, Sweetie, I definitely appreciate it. I have to go, but I love you and we'll talk soon, okay?"

Ephram didnt say anything, which made Madison smile, "Ephram, okay? We'll talk later? Dont make me hang up without you not saying anything? Ephram!"

"I love you to" he laughed, "I miss you already..."

"Bye sweetie" and with that, the two hung up. About 10 minutes later, Madison got home and got the message that Ephram had left on her answering machine, it made her smile.