Disclaimer: I don't own a thing apart from the plot.

Okay so here is the new update, wasn't to happy to find only 2 people had reviewed last time so if you are reading and you want to comment, even if it's a bad comment then please do. I really want to hear from the readers.

Once again thanks to these people for reviewing:

auggy1984:You have reviewed every chapter so far. This chapter is dedicated to you! I didn't want to have Andy disowning Madison because I don't think he would in the show. I like to add a bit of humour and hopefully I am doing the humour justice in this story. Even if it's a couple of lines that makes someone smile then that's enough. I wanted Madison to respect Ephram and the whole diary thing. I was going to have her kicking up a fuss but I decided that she wouldn't do that, not if she truly understood Ephram so I made her understand. Once again a big thank you and I hope you will accept my small gesture for such your wonderful reviews. I love every single one of them!

freak4wb:That is no problem at least you reviewed. I am so glad that you get involved in my story. That means so much to me hugs thanks so much!!! Your review made me smile with joy.

Go so without further ado the next chapter......

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Stolen Glances

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Ephram and Bright sat in the school hall looking out at the young teenagers, teachers and parents who sat listening to the speeches. In turn teachers and students would walk up to the microphone and talk about Amy and how much she contributed to their life. It was almost Ephram's turn and his nerves were getting the better of him. Looking down he rubbed his sweaty palms on his trousers and fiddled with the piece of paper he held in his hand. A teacher had just finished talking about Amy and had gone to sit down, now all eyes were on Ephram. Taking a reassuring glance from Bright he approached the microphone. Unfolding his piece of paper he watched his hands as they nervously shook. Looking up he began to speak to the crowd.

"There are many ways we could describe Amy she-she was funny, pretty, loveable, sweet, caring, kind she was a beautiful person and having her taken from us is a tragic and unforgivable thing. When I moved to Everwood I-I knew no one and I-I hated just about everything in my path, including my dad." Ephram looked up at Andy who was watching his son proudly from the bleaches. "When I first saw Amy I just saw her as the popular girl and that-that was that but it wasn't true. Even though she had her own problems to deal with she helped me through my grief and for that I will be forever in debt to her." Ephram paused and looked up at Dr Abbot and his wife Rose as they sat amongst the other parents and teachers. Tears were falling down their faces continually as they heard people's kind words. "One thing that keeps my own upset of this tragic loss is the fact that Amy wont be on her own in Heaven, she err will be with Colin. At least we know he will protect her, she was always happiest with Colin and now all I have is a vision of her smiling face looking upon us. Dr Abbot and Mrs Abbot your daughter maybe gone but never will she be forgotten, always remember that. Thank you."

Ephram sat down on his chair heavily and breathed a sigh of relief; letting the tears he had been fighting escape down his cheeks. Bright was next to deliver his speech but eventually it was too much for him and he wasn't able to go on. Apologising he ran out of the hall leaving the crowd stunned. Ephram sat there for a minute or two and contemplated going after Bright. Getting up out of the seat he hurried down the stage steps and out of the hall. Ephram found Bright hurrying along the car park and towards his car, quickening his pace Ephram stopped Bright before he got in to the vehicle.

"I can't do this anymore Ephram." Bright choked. "I can't stand my parents fighting! Or the fact my sister was practically murdered!"

Ephram put a hand upon Bright's shoulder. "Bright I know its tough but you have to try and be strong."

Bright turned around. "I just want my life to stop sucking. I want my best friend back. I want my sister back and I want my parents back! Ephram I am literally carrying them. Irv and Nan have tried to help me as much as they can but they don't live with us. There is only so much they can do!"

Ephram understood he felt the same when his mom had died. "Bright it will get better. I didn't think it would when my mom died but it did and my dad got better he stopped talking to someone who wasn't there and he learnt to live with his grief. Just like your parents will you just need to give it time."

Bright nodded before letting a sob escape his mouth. "I just don't know if I can be strong enough, I feel so alone."

Ephram pulled Bright in for a hug and watched as his best friend sobbed on his shoulder. "Your not alone Bright okay? You have me, you have me." Ephram whispered.

Ephram watched as Dr Abbot and Rose Abbot approached cautiously towards their son. "Bright?" Rose asked.

Bright slowly turned around and looked at his parents. "I can't take anymore, we need to deal with this, YOU need to deal with this."

Dr Abbot nodded. "We know son, we know. Come on lets get you home."

Bright let his father place his arm around him and walked with him back round to the car, opening the door for him Dr Abbot watched as his son sat in the chair. Walking round he joined his wife who at the time was thanking Ephram. "Mrs Abbot its fine just go home, get some rest and talk to your son." The Abbots thanked him once again and departed.

"Ephram? Honey you okay?"

Ephram sideways looked as he heard the voice of what he thought to be an angel. "I'm fine just helping Bright out."

Madison walked closer "Is he okay?"

Ephram shook his head. "Not at the moment but he will be."

"Come on baby lets get you home." Madison put out a hand and let Ephram place his hand in to hers. Sighing they walked towards Andy and the car.

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"I'll bring up some tea in a minute." Madison said as she left Ephram's room.

Andy sat on a kitchen stool reading the 'Everwood Pinecone' as he sipped on his coffee. "How's the soldier?" he asked Madison when he saw her enter.

"Well he's not hurt physically, I mean this whole situation would be a lot easier if it was just his ribs hurting but their not. Instead he is, which sucks. Greatly."

"I know its not easy is it? Today just brought everything back I think we just need to be there for him."

Madison nodded as she boiled the kettle, "I have been thinking actually I think I know what might cheer Ephram up."

Andy put down the paper. "I'm all ears." He said intrigued.

"Well we have all the painting supplies, toys and the cot. Why don't we surprise Ephram and do the nursery for him."

Andy looked impressed. "That's a great idea!"

"Okay I am a little concerned that you sound so surprised. The only problem is I was hoping Bright would take Ephram out for the day and do guy stuff but I think he has enough on his plate."

"Hmm its tricky who else could we ask?"

Just as the two were pondering the thought Nina knocked on the back door. The two shared a look and nodded.

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Nina arrived the next day ready and raring to go. Andy smiled as he saw her turn up at the back door. "Hey, you all set?" he asked.

Nina nodded. "Yep! Been meaning to kit out Sam's bedroom for a while. Does he know yet?"

Andy shook his head. "Nope we thought that, that should be your job."

Nina shrugged. "Okay, is he in the living room?"

Andy nodded to say yes and followed Nina as she headed towards there.

"Hey guys, how are you doing?" Nina asked as she entered the room.

Madison and Ephram turned their heads. "Yeah good thanks."

"Good because I have to ask you a big favour Ephram."

Ephram looked on at her curiously. "Okay but as long as it doesn't involve shopping for baby clothes."

Nina laughed. "Yeah well the not pregnant issue kind of stops that idea but I do need some help picking out some new furniture for Sam. As you're a young lad I am sure your expertise will be very handy."

Ephram didn't look to amused. "Okay I guess but furniture shopping isn't really my thing. Madison?"

Madison smiled at Nina and then at Ephram. "Morning sickness. Ugly." She lied; it was all part of the plan.

"Well maybe I should stay?" Ephram said concerned.

"No!" Madison said to quick. "I mean there is nothing you can do. Just go and help Nina, I'm fine."

Ephram jumped off the sofa and grabbed his jacket. "We will see you a bit. Delia you want to come and keep Sam company?" Nina said as she winked at Andy and Madison. "Sure!" the little girl said excitedly as she followed Ephram out the door.

"Good luck" Nina said smiling as she waved, walking out the door.

"Right I'll get the paint, you get the paint buckets." Andy said to Madison as he disappeared out of the room.

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Ephram and Nina walked round the furniture store "So what exactly are we looking for?" Ephram asked.

"That's a really good question, I'm not to sure. A new bed, desk, lamp, then we have to head over to the paint store."

"Okay well what sort of theme does Sam want?"

"Theme? Hadn't really thought about that one. I knew bringing you was a good idea! Well Sam likes Space?"

"Okay so were looking for a silver theme with lots of futuristic things?" Ephram asked.

Nina nodded. "Yeah he'll like that."

They watched as Delia and Sam sat on all of the beds to feel how springy they were and opened all the cupboards trying to find sneaky gadgets.

"Just think you have all of this to come."

Ephram smiled. "Yeah its weird. I'm only 16 and nearly a father."

"What were people like at school?"

"Not that great but I was expecting that. I was a 'toy boy' as some people put it. I just learnt to ignore it, it's died down now." Ephram said, making quotation movements with his fingers.

Nina sighed sympathetically. "So how are you?"

Ephram nodded. "Fine."

Nina shook her head. "This is me you're talking to Ephram. The woman who has lived next door to you for the past 2 years. I saw how your mother's death affected you and I am seeing the exact same thing with Amy's death. You hardly talk, you bottle up your emotions."

Ephram shrugged. "What do you want me to do? Breakdown and cry? I have already done that and I-I don't want to do it again. I'm dealing with it Nina and it, it may not be the best way but I-I am and-and it works for me."

"Okay I'm sorry if I have upset you Ephram. I am just worried about you."

Ephram nudged her. "I'm fine honestly. If there is anyone we should be worried about it's the Abbot family. You should of seen Bright today, I have never seen him so devastated."

Nina shared a look with Ephram "Bright will be okay, all we can do is be there for him."

Ephram pondered on the conversation and then looked up. "Hey what about this bed?" he asked as he pointed to a silver bed complete with a desk underneath."

"All in one? I like it! Hey Sam? What do you think about this one?"

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"Hmm so I am thinking that pink isn't going to work. I mean what if it's a boy?" Andy asked as he stood back and surveyed the pink wall he had just painted.

"Well it wont matter, as if the baby will be bothered about the colour of the room and besides I have a strong feeling it's a girl."

Andy laughed. "Oh really? How much do you want to bet its not?"

Madison giggled as she carried on to paint. "Can't really say I'm a betting person and personally Andy I am shocked that you are. I am thinking twenty dollars."

Andy nodded and held out his hand. "Your on!" The two shook hands and carried on to paint the wall.

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"Glad that's out the way. At least the bed and the cupboards and things all match.." Nina said as they pushed the trolley, which held the bed.

"Pretty expensive thought and how are you sure this is going to fit in the car?" Ephram asked.

"Yeah but I'm not picking up the bill Carl is. I have a big trunk, you would be surprised."

Once they had put the box into the boot they headed over to the paint store. "Right so its futuristic colours? Wait what are futuristic colours?" Nina enquired.

"I am thinking silvers, blacks and if you want planet colours then it would be reds, oranges, greens, blues."

"Right. Okay well I am thinking a blue colour. But not to light, so no sky blues but not as dark as a navy blue."

Ephram nodded. "Lets have a look then. Okay what about Blue Venom?"

"No that won't suit the metal of the bed and it doesn't seem very futuristic."

"Okay how about Bright Blue?"

"You know what I don't get is why call it Bright Blue when its not? That's pretty much perfect. Sam what about this colour?"

Sam and Delia were busy pulling out the borders and wrapping themselves up in it.

"Sam! Delia!" Nina giggled. "You guys are going to get us chucked out."

Sam nodded. "I like that one mommy."

Nina exhaled in relief. "This has been painless. Are the lamps at the other end of the store?"

"We already got the lamps at the other store?"

"I know but I figure that if Carl is paying for all of this I might aswell get some things for the house. For the befit of Sam of course."

Ephram laughed and thrust his hands in his pockets of his long jacket. "Of course."

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"I don't think that were going to be able to finish in time."

Andy nodded. "I think your right. "Well the painting is almost finished. Okay here is what were going to do. I am going to call Irv and Edna and hope they are free while you finish painting."

"Okay sounds like a plan."

After another twenty minutes had passed Irv and Edna arrived.

"Okay private I'm going to need a cup of tea stat. Irv and I are going to build this cot. While you and the young one finish painting and arranging the drawers with baby things."

Madison laughed. "Wow is she always like this?"

Andy nodded. "Yep and I have to work with her." They laughed as Andy exited towards the kitchen and Madison continued to paint the final wall.

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Ephram and Nina brought all the new things back to the car and managed to squeeze them into the boot. "Thanks so much for your help today Ephram."

"No worries. Nice to get out the house. It's taken my mind of everything."

Nina nodded. "Well anytime and if you feel like coming for a chat there will always be some coffee and food at my house."

Nina started up the car and looked to the two children in the back "Do you guys feel like ice cream?" Delia and Sam nodded in excitement. "Ephram?"

Ephram smiled. "I would love that but I wonder if it's okay that I give it a miss. I don't suppose you could drop me of at the Abbots."

"Do you think its wise?"

"Yeah I need to make sure Bright's alright."

"Okay no problem I will drop you off."

"Thanks."

Nina pulled up outside the house. Ephram looked up towards the door and thought for a few moments. "You don't have to go in."

"No I-I need to its-its just a bit weird."

Nina placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Take your time."

Ephram let out a breath and opened the door. "Okay I'm ready. Look thanks again for today. Can you explain to my dad just tell him I'll be back later depending on how things go."

Nina agreed. "I'll sort it."

Ephram let out another breath and got out the car without saying another word he walked up the driveway and towards the door.

Nina watched anxiously as he rang the doorbell when she saw doctor Abbot open the door and letting the young man in she drove off knowing he was okay.

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"Bright is upstairs Ephram if you want to go up."

"Thank you doctor Abbot. How are you all doing?"

"Were bearing up, how about you? You look worn out."

"I could say the same to you. I'm getting there."

Doctor Abbot shook his head and went back in to the living room leaving Ephram to head up the stairs. Ephram slowly went up the stairs and cautiously stepped on to landing. Passing Amy's room was going to be the hardest thing. Pausing before he stepped into the doorway he took a few deep breaths. Looking around he leaned on the doorframe. Everything was the same way it had been when Amy had been there. The make up was still out on the desk. Her television set still on the stand. Clothes were falling out of the drawers. Ephram was knocked out of his thoughts when he heard Bright call his name. Ephram turned around.

"Hey man."

Bright looked at him. "Its odd isn't it. Walking past her room I mean."

Ephram stole another sideways glance at her room. "Yeah just a bit. I don't think I could walk past it everyday."

"I don't really. I either walk really quickly or I run past it. Either way it's not good."

"Well I err I just came to see how you were. I was kind of freaked out beck there dude."

"Yeah I'm sorry about that man It just it all got to much. Do you want to play on the game console for a bit?"

Ephram smiled solemnly "I'd like that, thanks."

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Madison and Andy came out of the house when they heard Nina's car pull up but were disappointed to find Ephram wasn't with them.

Nina got out of the car and wandered up the drive. "Ephram wanted to go to Bright's, see how he was."

Andy and Madison looked at eachother disappointed. "Sorry." Nina said.

"No don't be silly, Ephram obviously needed to see Bright. I just hope their both okay."

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MCFLY LYRICS

"She Left Me"

She walked in and said she didn't wanna know
Anymore
Before I could ask why she was gone out the door
I didn't know, what I did wrong
But now I just can't move on

Since she left me

She told me
Don't worry
You'll be ok you don't need me
Believe me you'll be fine
Then I knew what she meant
And it's not what she said
Now I can't believe that she's gone
I tried calling her up on her phone

No one's there,
I've left messages after the tone...
Really?
Yeah man loads

I didn't know, what i did wrong
But now I just can't move on

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