Sorry for that huge delay before update, we were so into work that we completely forgot about our beloved fanfic but now, we're back on track and there's only 4 chapters to go… so here's the chapter 16, and the others chapters will come soon, we promise. We hope you'll enjoy this one.

Thanks to everyone for your reviews

Kursk, you're really intuitive, that all I can say but it seems you guess what will happen next in our story before we even post it….

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Chapitre 16 Are we there yet ?

Bright & Ephram's appartment, the day after

(Ephram is in the kitchen, lunching something. Bright gets out of his room and walks toward the kitchen)

BRIGHT: hey dude. (Noticing what he's eating, surprised and disgusted) you're eating fish for break fast? Pretty weird you know.

EPHRAM: Bright, it's 12. Usually, people are having their lunch at this time of the day and that is exactly what I'm doing.

BRIGHT: right.

EPHRAM: Plus, I had 2 cookies and fat free milk last night for dinner: Delia's favourite meal. So now I'm starving. It actually made me miss your Saturday dinner.

BRIGHT: you're lucky for missing it anyway.

(He goes towards the fridge, getting a drink. Pause in which Ephram's waiting for Bright to explain what happened)

EPHRAM: you know, normally, this is the part where you're supposed to explain yourself about what you just said.

BRIGHT: what? Oh yeah, sorry I got distracted by the ketchup. Anyway, last night was pretty intense, if you know what I mean. (he drinks a little)

EPHRAM: Actually, I don't.

BRIGHT: well … dad and Amy got into this huge fight over Princeton all over again. Boring.

EPHRAM: she told him she was going to A&M?

BRIGHT: not exactly but anyway, it was like a bad remake of "war of the world" But Hannah and I got out before it turned out into the apocalypse.

EPHRAM: is she okay?

BRIGHT: Yeah, she's okay, we had a pretty good night after that, I took her to this pretty place and….

EPHRAM: I meant Amy, Bright.

BRIGHT: right. Well I don't think you should worry about her…on the other hand, maybe you should worry about you as you were one the main topic of the conversation….

EPHRAM: what do you mean?

BRIGHT: from what I understand, dad thinks she's not going because she's with you now.

EPHRAM: it's not -

BRIGHT: whatever dude. For him, you're the only reason she's going there. So now he's mad at her, she's mad at him for being mad at her. It's like déjà vu all over again, you know. It's like this old crappy soap opera reruns that Hannah made me watch last night. God I hate that soap.

(Bright notices Ephram's anxious)

BRIGHT: don't worry, it's nothing, the usual Dad and Amy routine. He'll get over it at some point. Dad and Amy fights never last… (pause) well, except when he lied about Colin …. Or when he didn't want her to date Tommy or…

EPHRAM: you're not helping…

BRIGHT: look, it's not gonna last forever, when she'll bat her eyelashes, he'll forgive her. (Noticing the time) god, I was supposed to meet Hannah 20 minutes ago. I gotta go. You're gonna be okay?

EPHRAM: yeah I think I'm just gonna call Amy… see if everything's okay.

BRIGHT: I was talking about the fish, can I grab it? I'm starving over here.

EPHRAM (laughing): get out.

(he leaves, smiling, letting E with his thoughts, worrying about Amy)

Everwood street, afternoon

(Ephram and Amy are getting out of MJ, coffee in hand. They're walking. Amy is obviously concerned about something.)

EPHRAM: so Bright told me about World War III. You wanna talk about it?

AMY: No, I'm fine.

EPHRAM: okay. (Trying to relieve her from her burden and entertain her to make her forget) So you know, I was thinking, maybe we could go out tonight, you know-

AMY: you know what. I think he just doesn't wanna see that I can make my own choices.

EPHRAM (okay, diversion didn't worked): okay……

AMY: he's always criticising my decisions, I mean he was okay with Bright not doing anything last year.

EPHRAM: by okay, you mean, forced him to move out of the house ? yeah, I guess you're right, he was okay with that.

AMY: it's just sometimes I don't get him, if he wants me to be happy, he should let me do what I wanna do and trust me on this, don't you think? (Turning her head towards him)

EPHRAM: yeah, I guess you're right. (A little bit sad)

AMY (noticing the guilt that Ephram feels): I'm sorry. Look, this has nothing to do with you, and I don't want you to think you have a part in this. I mean, it's great that were gonna be together but I do it for myself.

EPHRAM: I know. (Playing with her head)

AMY: And that's what he doesn't get. This is my choice and he has to deal with it, not me. God, my dad gets me out of my mood.

EPHRAM: join the club.

AMY (smiling, she sighs, relieving the anger, more softly): you know, maybe you should do something about it, your dad, I mean…

EPHRAM looks at her. Obviously, he doesn't like what he's hearing. Amy notices.

AMY: No, don't take this the wrong way. I know why you're mad and I'm not telling you to forgive him but are you gonna stay mad at him forever and avoid him in the streets ?

EPHRAM: I don't know. I really don't know. Part of me wants things to get back to normal but…

AMY: but what ?

(Silence)

EPHRAM: I don't know… I guess I just need more time.

AMY: I'm just saying…maybe you just need to cut him some slack… you know, before you leave…

EPHRAM (thinking): yeah, maybe… (changing the subject) You posted your application by the way?

AMY: I was waiting for you actually. You know about the accommodation and all. I figured I'd check with you first. Don't wanna end up too far from you.

(EPHRAM smiles.)

EPHRAM (sarcasticly): I don't think you should worry about that, A&M's so small I'm sure we'd find ourselves as roommate.

(They laugh, but at some point)

AMY (stops walking): Will that be so terrible? (Giving him a look that he can read easily)

EPHRAM: you're serious?

AMY: I don't know… (pause) what if I am?

EPHRAM (considering): Well, I don't know…this is huge, I haven't given it much thoughts… it might be a little too soon, don't you think?

AMY(unconvincingly): yeah, you're probably right. Whatever… (she's a little mad)

EPHRAM: Amy….

AMY: no, it's okay, I get it…

EPHRAM: obviously, you don't

AMY: yeah, you're right, I don't get it. I thought we were doing great, I thought this (pointing at them) was working…

EPHRAM: it is…working, it's great. But we're dating again for only a few months and you're already making plans for our whole future… I don't want to have my hopes up…look what happened last time…

AMY: what could possibly happen right now ? after the years we had…I think we pretty much covered all of the bad things that could happen… why are you so scared ?

EPHRAM: I…I just don't want to screw everything up like I always do. I love you. I just don't want to loose you again over something stupid.

AMY (smiles) : I love you too, you know that.

EPHRAM : you do ?

AMY : of course I do….

EPHRAM (smiles) : well… it's actually great to hear it…

(she kisses him, and as they break the kiss, they smile and hold each other in silence. And Then)

AMY: you know what, forget it. We don't have to decide right now in front of MJ's trash. Let's just think about it, okay?

Ephram (smile): Okay.

(She tends her hand towards him and he takes it, smiling. He makes her come closer to him and kisses her head and they keep walking, enjoying their time together.)

Bright & Ephram's place, night

Ephram is walking towards the door thinking about the conversation he has with Amy a few hours before.

As he opens the door, he's actually shocked to see a giant piano in the middle of the room.

BRIGHT : man, that's good you're here, your thing is taking all the space, I've been trying to access the TV for over an hour… now, I missed the rerun of 'Sex and the city' ….

Ephram still in shock, looks closely at the piano.

EPHRAM : when did it arrived ?

BRIGHT : This afternoon… you should have seen the guys trying to deliver it, it was really funny to watch… they didn't laugh when I told them I wasn't Ephram Brown and realized they'd had to wait for your signature or take back the piano into their truck… anyway, I told them I was joking and signed for you…I hope that's okay…

EPHRAM: do you have the receipt ?

BRIGHT : why ? you think I couldn't imitate your weird signature …come on!

EPHRAM(smile): no, I want to see it because I didn't bought any piano….

BRIGHT (giving him the receipt): Seriously ?

EPHRAM : Yeah …

(he looks at the paper and froze as he sees the name of the buyer…)

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Chapter 17 : Don't mess with my future