Disclaimer: I don't own Everwood, the town, or it's characters. I'm just a
college student.
Chapter 2 uses "We're Going To Be Friends" by The White Stripes. It's a cute song, and although it's about little kids, it still works, I think.
Chapter 2: We're Going To Be Friends
It had been 2 weeks since the party, and everyone was getting excited about the class trip to the ski lodge. Almost everyone. In a few days they'd be on their way. For some, the trip was an escape from ordinary life, for others, and obligation. Amy had wanted to go ever since she heard about it. Her parents were starting to get to her and Bright, well, Bright was Bright. He never changed.
Ephram, on the other hand, wasn't looking forward to going at all. It would be nice to get away from his dad's cooking for awhile, and from Madison, but the downfalls seemed to outweigh the benefits. He was about to spend an entire weekend with Amy. He couldn't AFFORD to spend an entire weekend with Amy; not if he was going to take things slowly. It was easy to avoid her in school. They only had a few classes together, and saying "hi" wasn't a big deal. He didn't think he was ready for a one on one conversation with her quite yet though. Not after the party.
It didn't matter though, his dad had been so angered by his condition when he came back that he wasn't even sure if Ephram would be allowed to go.
"Come on, Amy! Would you hurry up? We're gonna be late for school!" Bright shouted up the stairs.
"Since when have you cared about that?" she asked, brushing her hair in the mirror.
"Since Jodie started talking to me. I have to get in good with her before the trip!"
"Ugh, I am not helping you take advantage of some girl," she said purposely brushing her hair more slowly.
"It's not taking advantage of her. It's simply getting to know her." He said. "Which, I won't be able to do if you don't hurry up!" he said practically walking up the stairs.
"Fine, I'm coming." She said grabbing her bag and running down to the car.
Meanwhile, Ephram had taken one bite out of the charred piece of toast his father called 'breakfast' and was out the door. Hoping in his not so wonderful looking car, he blasted his music and drove through the snowy streets. *Today is a great day* he thought, not having a reason for feeling that way. He slowed early at each stop sign so not to slide into someone else's car, and proceeded just as slowly.
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ```````````````````````````
"Fall is here, hear the yell
back to school, ring the bell
brand new shoes, walking blues
climb the fence, books and pens
I can tell that we're going to be friends"
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ``````````````````````````
"I'm driving!" Amy said taking her keys out of her purse and running to her car.
"Oh HEELLLLL no," he said, "Just because they got you a car for your birthday doesn't mean I don't get to drive. I'm older." He said.
"What does that have to do with anything?" she said starting her engine.
"Fine, but just this once!" he said getting in the car angrily. "And we're listening to MY music!"
"Whatever, let's just go so you don't miss your little 'opportunity.'" She said sarcastically. He put his cd in, causing Amy to laugh hysterically in surprise.
"Mandy Moore, Bright?" she asked through laughs.
"What? She puts me in the mood." He said starting to sing along.
"Oooookay. Too much information. Just . . . just sing in you head . . ." she said still laughing.
Ephram drove along cautiously and as he came to a stop light he belted out "BOYS WILL LAUGH AT GIRLS WHEN THEY'RE NOT FUN . . . NY" he stopped singing as he heard laughter coming from the car next to him. He hadn't even noticed it was Bright and Amy. *Why now?* he thought, severely embarrassed.
"Good Charlotte, eh?" Bright shouted over his own music. Amy just stared straight ahead waiting for the light to change, fighting back a smile. *Boys are such nerds. They act all macho when they get caught singing*
"Yeah . . . well, it's um . . . Delia's CD. She left it in the car. I was just . . . making fun of it . . . you know." He stuttered.
"I'm more of a Mandy guy myself . . .oh, hey gotta go, light's changin'" he yelled as Amy started pulling away. Ephram hadn't even noticed that the light was green. He rolled up his window so it wouldn't happen again.
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ```````````````````````````
"Walk with me, Suzy Lee
through the park and by the tree
we will rest upon the ground
and look at all the bugs we found
then safely walk to school
without a sound"
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ````````````````````````````
The roads were icy and Ephram's car had seen better days. As he tried to pull away from the stop light, his car wouldn't budge. "DAMN IT. I REALLY DON'T NEED YOU TO CRAP OUT ON ME NOW!" he yelled at the car. He turned the engine off, and tried restarting it, but to no avail. He slammed his head down on the steering wheel, leaning on the horn. "BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPP"
"Oh WHAT the HELL? Why do people always LEAN on the horn?" Amy asked still driving. She didn't notice where the annoying sound was coming from until she looked in her rearview mirror. "Is that Ephram?" she asked in shock.
"I'M CRAVING FOR YOU. I'M MISSING YOU LIKE CANDY!!!" Bright was wrapped up in the moment.
"BRIGHT? Hey!" she said waving her hand in front of his face, "Look back there, is Ephram's car stalled?"
"Sure looks like it. I told him he needed a better car."
"Well we can't just leave him there. We have a big English test today. If we miss it our grades are lowered by a whole letter."
"That's extreme. Glad I never had your teacher," he started then panicked when he saw Amy turning the car around. "What are you doing turning around?"
"We're gonna see if he needs a ride."
"No we're not! Amy, I have places to be. People to see. Jodie's waiting."
"You're Ephram's friend too you know. He needs us."
"I'll stay here, you go see what he needs. It'll save time if you just walk instead of doubling back."
"Oh, what a concerned brother you are," she said sarcastically, leaving Bright there to sing.
Ephram still hadn't taken his head off the horn when he heard someone approaching. He didn't look up, but heard a familiar, soft, voice.
"Eprham, is . . . is everything okay?" It was Amy. *Kill me now* he thought lifting his head.
"No. Everything WAS okay until this piece of shit car died on me."
"Here, put it in neutral and step out for a second. We'll push it to the curb and you can just ride with us. I wouldn't want you to miss the test."
"Yeah, okay . . ." he said impressed by her thoughtfulness. Together they worked to push his car to the side of the road.
"I thought having a license would save me time, not cause me more problems," he started as they had just finished pushing.
"One would think," she said smiling at him.
"This was really nice of you, Amy. Thanks." He said slowly, not wanting to make it obvious that he was freaking out from her being there talking to him again. He thought for sure she was angry since they hadn't spoken in a few weeks. Of course, he was the one who had that brilliant idea in the first place. He was kicking himself for it now.
"Yeah, no problem, I figure if one of us has to be late, both of us should . . ." she started then panicked as she heard a car driving off in the distance, blaring music.
"BRIGHT! GOD! THAT'S MY CAR!" she said as her brother had already turned the corner. She looked back at Ephram who was fighting back a smile. "Be glad you have a sister." She said seriously.
"Looks like we're gonna have to walk to school. It's only another 6 minutes by car . . . so maybe like half an hour walking in this snow and ice?" he said trying to think positively.
"That's not enough time, we'll still be late." She said trying to think. He knew she couldn't stand the thought of having a grade lowered.
"Well we could run, I mean, I don't know how fast you run or anything, but we could make it in like 15 minutes if we hurried." He suggested trying to calm her down.
"Run? In the snow? Ephram, there's no way!"
"But it's EVERWOOD snow. I thought you said it was special."
"Just because it looks pretty doesn't mean the idea trudging through it is special."
"Come on, we better start now," he said starting to jog in place.
"You're insane." She said jokingly, happy to see that he was actually being nice to her for the first time in a long time.
"I may be insane, but I won't be late!" he said running quickly now. She sighed trying to catch up to him. Being with him like this made her feel happy, like she could do anything and it would be okay. She missed that, and while she didn't understand why he was being nice to her now, she wasn't going to complain.
They ran as quickly as they could and only stopped every now and then to catch their breath. "I guess this is good practice for the trip, huh? Being in so much snow and all," Amy said trying to make casual conversation while gasping for air.
"I'm not going," he said seriously, "Come on, we should keep running!"
"Wait, Ephram, stop," she said grabbing his arm lightly. "I thought you were going, what happened?"
"My dad kinda . . . saw me that night."
"Well did you tell him the truth?" she said as they started running lightly again.
"Not the whole truth, just the part about the drinking. I said I got the bump on my head and bruise from fighting, which . . . wasn't a complete lie . . ." he said realizing that fighting with Amy only worsened his condition that night.
"I'm sorry, Ephram. It's my fault. And now you can't go."
"No big deal. It's just a trip, right?" he said trying to put on a smile.
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` `````````````````````````````
Well here we are, no one else
we walked to school all by ourselves
there's dirt on our uniforms
from chasing all the ants and worms
we clean up and now its time to learn
Numbers, letters, learn to spell
nouns, and books, and show and tell
at playtime we will throw the ball
back to class, through the hall
teacher marks our height
against the wall" ```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ````````````````````````````````
They had reached the school just a minute before the test would begin. Amy was heartbroken that Ephram was unable to go to the ski lodge, so much so that she didn't know how she would concentrate on the test. They were supposed to strengthen their friendship during that weekend, now he wouldn't be there.
As the teacher passed out the tests, Ephram sat behind Amy and watched her put her head down on her desk. He poked her back with his pencil and whispered,
"Good luck on the test," he smiled.
"Yeah, Ephram, you too." She said and turned back around. There was no way he was staying home from that trip, not if she could help it. Something had to be done; and something would be.
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ``````````````````````````````
And we don't notice any time pass
we don't notice anything
we sit side by side in every class
teacher thinks that I sound funny
but she likes the way you sing
Tonight I'll dream while I'm in bed
when silly thoughts go through my head
about the bugs and alphabet
and when I wake tomorrow I'll bet
that you and I will walk together again
cause I can tell that we're going to be friends"
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ````````````````````````````
Chapter 2 uses "We're Going To Be Friends" by The White Stripes. It's a cute song, and although it's about little kids, it still works, I think.
Chapter 2: We're Going To Be Friends
It had been 2 weeks since the party, and everyone was getting excited about the class trip to the ski lodge. Almost everyone. In a few days they'd be on their way. For some, the trip was an escape from ordinary life, for others, and obligation. Amy had wanted to go ever since she heard about it. Her parents were starting to get to her and Bright, well, Bright was Bright. He never changed.
Ephram, on the other hand, wasn't looking forward to going at all. It would be nice to get away from his dad's cooking for awhile, and from Madison, but the downfalls seemed to outweigh the benefits. He was about to spend an entire weekend with Amy. He couldn't AFFORD to spend an entire weekend with Amy; not if he was going to take things slowly. It was easy to avoid her in school. They only had a few classes together, and saying "hi" wasn't a big deal. He didn't think he was ready for a one on one conversation with her quite yet though. Not after the party.
It didn't matter though, his dad had been so angered by his condition when he came back that he wasn't even sure if Ephram would be allowed to go.
"Come on, Amy! Would you hurry up? We're gonna be late for school!" Bright shouted up the stairs.
"Since when have you cared about that?" she asked, brushing her hair in the mirror.
"Since Jodie started talking to me. I have to get in good with her before the trip!"
"Ugh, I am not helping you take advantage of some girl," she said purposely brushing her hair more slowly.
"It's not taking advantage of her. It's simply getting to know her." He said. "Which, I won't be able to do if you don't hurry up!" he said practically walking up the stairs.
"Fine, I'm coming." She said grabbing her bag and running down to the car.
Meanwhile, Ephram had taken one bite out of the charred piece of toast his father called 'breakfast' and was out the door. Hoping in his not so wonderful looking car, he blasted his music and drove through the snowy streets. *Today is a great day* he thought, not having a reason for feeling that way. He slowed early at each stop sign so not to slide into someone else's car, and proceeded just as slowly.
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ```````````````````````````
"Fall is here, hear the yell
back to school, ring the bell
brand new shoes, walking blues
climb the fence, books and pens
I can tell that we're going to be friends"
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ``````````````````````````
"I'm driving!" Amy said taking her keys out of her purse and running to her car.
"Oh HEELLLLL no," he said, "Just because they got you a car for your birthday doesn't mean I don't get to drive. I'm older." He said.
"What does that have to do with anything?" she said starting her engine.
"Fine, but just this once!" he said getting in the car angrily. "And we're listening to MY music!"
"Whatever, let's just go so you don't miss your little 'opportunity.'" She said sarcastically. He put his cd in, causing Amy to laugh hysterically in surprise.
"Mandy Moore, Bright?" she asked through laughs.
"What? She puts me in the mood." He said starting to sing along.
"Oooookay. Too much information. Just . . . just sing in you head . . ." she said still laughing.
Ephram drove along cautiously and as he came to a stop light he belted out "BOYS WILL LAUGH AT GIRLS WHEN THEY'RE NOT FUN . . . NY" he stopped singing as he heard laughter coming from the car next to him. He hadn't even noticed it was Bright and Amy. *Why now?* he thought, severely embarrassed.
"Good Charlotte, eh?" Bright shouted over his own music. Amy just stared straight ahead waiting for the light to change, fighting back a smile. *Boys are such nerds. They act all macho when they get caught singing*
"Yeah . . . well, it's um . . . Delia's CD. She left it in the car. I was just . . . making fun of it . . . you know." He stuttered.
"I'm more of a Mandy guy myself . . .oh, hey gotta go, light's changin'" he yelled as Amy started pulling away. Ephram hadn't even noticed that the light was green. He rolled up his window so it wouldn't happen again.
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ```````````````````````````
"Walk with me, Suzy Lee
through the park and by the tree
we will rest upon the ground
and look at all the bugs we found
then safely walk to school
without a sound"
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ````````````````````````````
The roads were icy and Ephram's car had seen better days. As he tried to pull away from the stop light, his car wouldn't budge. "DAMN IT. I REALLY DON'T NEED YOU TO CRAP OUT ON ME NOW!" he yelled at the car. He turned the engine off, and tried restarting it, but to no avail. He slammed his head down on the steering wheel, leaning on the horn. "BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPP"
"Oh WHAT the HELL? Why do people always LEAN on the horn?" Amy asked still driving. She didn't notice where the annoying sound was coming from until she looked in her rearview mirror. "Is that Ephram?" she asked in shock.
"I'M CRAVING FOR YOU. I'M MISSING YOU LIKE CANDY!!!" Bright was wrapped up in the moment.
"BRIGHT? Hey!" she said waving her hand in front of his face, "Look back there, is Ephram's car stalled?"
"Sure looks like it. I told him he needed a better car."
"Well we can't just leave him there. We have a big English test today. If we miss it our grades are lowered by a whole letter."
"That's extreme. Glad I never had your teacher," he started then panicked when he saw Amy turning the car around. "What are you doing turning around?"
"We're gonna see if he needs a ride."
"No we're not! Amy, I have places to be. People to see. Jodie's waiting."
"You're Ephram's friend too you know. He needs us."
"I'll stay here, you go see what he needs. It'll save time if you just walk instead of doubling back."
"Oh, what a concerned brother you are," she said sarcastically, leaving Bright there to sing.
Ephram still hadn't taken his head off the horn when he heard someone approaching. He didn't look up, but heard a familiar, soft, voice.
"Eprham, is . . . is everything okay?" It was Amy. *Kill me now* he thought lifting his head.
"No. Everything WAS okay until this piece of shit car died on me."
"Here, put it in neutral and step out for a second. We'll push it to the curb and you can just ride with us. I wouldn't want you to miss the test."
"Yeah, okay . . ." he said impressed by her thoughtfulness. Together they worked to push his car to the side of the road.
"I thought having a license would save me time, not cause me more problems," he started as they had just finished pushing.
"One would think," she said smiling at him.
"This was really nice of you, Amy. Thanks." He said slowly, not wanting to make it obvious that he was freaking out from her being there talking to him again. He thought for sure she was angry since they hadn't spoken in a few weeks. Of course, he was the one who had that brilliant idea in the first place. He was kicking himself for it now.
"Yeah, no problem, I figure if one of us has to be late, both of us should . . ." she started then panicked as she heard a car driving off in the distance, blaring music.
"BRIGHT! GOD! THAT'S MY CAR!" she said as her brother had already turned the corner. She looked back at Ephram who was fighting back a smile. "Be glad you have a sister." She said seriously.
"Looks like we're gonna have to walk to school. It's only another 6 minutes by car . . . so maybe like half an hour walking in this snow and ice?" he said trying to think positively.
"That's not enough time, we'll still be late." She said trying to think. He knew she couldn't stand the thought of having a grade lowered.
"Well we could run, I mean, I don't know how fast you run or anything, but we could make it in like 15 minutes if we hurried." He suggested trying to calm her down.
"Run? In the snow? Ephram, there's no way!"
"But it's EVERWOOD snow. I thought you said it was special."
"Just because it looks pretty doesn't mean the idea trudging through it is special."
"Come on, we better start now," he said starting to jog in place.
"You're insane." She said jokingly, happy to see that he was actually being nice to her for the first time in a long time.
"I may be insane, but I won't be late!" he said running quickly now. She sighed trying to catch up to him. Being with him like this made her feel happy, like she could do anything and it would be okay. She missed that, and while she didn't understand why he was being nice to her now, she wasn't going to complain.
They ran as quickly as they could and only stopped every now and then to catch their breath. "I guess this is good practice for the trip, huh? Being in so much snow and all," Amy said trying to make casual conversation while gasping for air.
"I'm not going," he said seriously, "Come on, we should keep running!"
"Wait, Ephram, stop," she said grabbing his arm lightly. "I thought you were going, what happened?"
"My dad kinda . . . saw me that night."
"Well did you tell him the truth?" she said as they started running lightly again.
"Not the whole truth, just the part about the drinking. I said I got the bump on my head and bruise from fighting, which . . . wasn't a complete lie . . ." he said realizing that fighting with Amy only worsened his condition that night.
"I'm sorry, Ephram. It's my fault. And now you can't go."
"No big deal. It's just a trip, right?" he said trying to put on a smile.
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` `````````````````````````````
Well here we are, no one else
we walked to school all by ourselves
there's dirt on our uniforms
from chasing all the ants and worms
we clean up and now its time to learn
Numbers, letters, learn to spell
nouns, and books, and show and tell
at playtime we will throw the ball
back to class, through the hall
teacher marks our height
against the wall" ```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ````````````````````````````````
They had reached the school just a minute before the test would begin. Amy was heartbroken that Ephram was unable to go to the ski lodge, so much so that she didn't know how she would concentrate on the test. They were supposed to strengthen their friendship during that weekend, now he wouldn't be there.
As the teacher passed out the tests, Ephram sat behind Amy and watched her put her head down on her desk. He poked her back with his pencil and whispered,
"Good luck on the test," he smiled.
"Yeah, Ephram, you too." She said and turned back around. There was no way he was staying home from that trip, not if she could help it. Something had to be done; and something would be.
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ``````````````````````````````
And we don't notice any time pass
we don't notice anything
we sit side by side in every class
teacher thinks that I sound funny
but she likes the way you sing
Tonight I'll dream while I'm in bed
when silly thoughts go through my head
about the bugs and alphabet
and when I wake tomorrow I'll bet
that you and I will walk together again
cause I can tell that we're going to be friends"
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ````````````````````````````