Chapter 1

POV: Simon

It was a normal day for us chipmunks; we were at school, working in our various classes. I was trying, as hard as I could,
to get straight A-s. We were in year twelve at the time, with big plans for our futures. Alvin wanted to focus his life on football, Theodore was set on becoming the world's best chef, and I wanted a PhD by age 26, and a Nobel prize somewhere along the line.

"F equals; G, M one, M two over R squared," the teacher was writing on his whiteboard, "The formula for calculating force due to gravity, in Newtonian physics. Using this equation, I want you to answer questions one through five in your physics textbooks." I was taking notes as quickly as I could.

"Physics is, like, way too hard, don't you think?" the boy sitting next to me stated, more than asked, "Mr. Alekseev needs to slow down."

"Maybe you should speed up, remember General Relativity?" I retorted. He gave me a weird look.

"General Relativity?" He asked, confused.

"Never mind." I was too busy to play the part of teacher, since Einstein came after Newton in the textbook. I had more important things to worry about,
like writing down my homework.

When the lunch bell rang, I heard an audible sigh from the boy. I couldn't understand what he was doing in the class if he didn't want to be there.
Physics was an elective subject.

Everyone poured out of the class room, so I followed them out into the school yard. At the cafeteria, I grabbed up some corn chips and avocado dip, and sat down.

"Simon?" I heard a voice behind me, so I looked around.

"Hi Jeanette." I said after turning around and seeing who had said my name. She was wearing a purple dress, as usual, with spectacles in the shape of stars.
We both sat down to eat lunch at the table.

"So Simon, how has your morning been?" She asked, genuinely.

"Maths was a drag, and Physics was pretty straightforward," I replied, and grabbed a corn chip. "I already know most of the stuff they're teaching us.
How about you?" I asked out of interest.

"Oh. Um, my day was ok, I guess. Chemistry was fun, we got to test out electrolysis, and then burn the hydrogen to move a generator's turbine. Um, I'm having a bit of trouble with the homework, though." Jeanette avoided my eyes, and bit her sandwich.

I suddenly felt guilty about my earlier comment, about school being too easy, so I refrained from correcting her grammatical oversight.
I felt I had to do something to lighten the mood.

"I can help you after school, if you want." I offered, hoping my proposition would lift her spirits. It seemed to, and she smiled at me.

"Oh, uh... Thank you Simon."

The bell started ringing again, and I stood up.

"I'll see you after school then." Did her cheeks redden slightly? I couldn't tell.

"Um, Thanks, Simon. I mean it." She replied and walked towards her next class. I watched her walk, she stumbled slightly but recovered. She was blushing for sure this time.

After school, I walked out of the gates, to find Jeanette standing in the middle of the road, reading a book.

"Jeanette, you're not moving." I said, chuckling slightly.

"What? Oh, I got pulled into this book." She smiled sheepishly.

"So, I'll walk you home if you want. Then I can help you with your homework." I started to walk down the path with Jeanette.

"Ok," She smiled, "Thanks."

I smiled back. She was pretty cute, and smart. I was glad I could be of assistance to her, Alvin usually met my help with little gratitude.

I looked over at him, running home faster than a photon in a vacuum, as was to be expected. All he could think about was getting back to his beloved XBox, and, although he wouldn't admit it, Brittany.
They were always fighting. I didn't understand how they couldn't see that their arguing just caused much disquiet, and most of it was about nothing at all.

My contemplation was interrupted by Jeanette's voice.

"I don't understand how the electrolysis works, my homework is to explain the process in terms of the atoms," She asked, "Do you know how to explain it?"

"I can, but I also can't just give you the whole final product. I'll have to teach you how it works, so that you can understand it in its totality." I replied,

"Ok. Thanks, Simon. Your so helpful!" She started to look happier. Jeanette's house was around the corner. We could see that the door was open, Brittany was home.

"I hope Brittany doesn't want help with her homework. It would be too much work." I said, and Jeanette smiled and chuckled a bit.

"She's not that bad, Simon. She just doesn't take school as seriously as us." Jeanette jumped to the protection of her sister.

We walked into the house, and closed the door. We heard a loud noise coming from somewhere.

"Brittany? Simon and I are going to be doing homework, can you please turn down your music?" Jeanette asked politely. Her request was met with a pouting face, but Brittany subsequently complied.

"So, show me the exact question that you're having trouble with." I went on to explain to Jeanette how the interchange of electrons creates the effects of electrolysis, but since this is not a textbook, I will spare the reader my lecture.

"Thanks again for all your help, Simon," Jeanette reiterated. "It means a lot to me."

"That's OK, Jean, any time." I walked out of the house and towards my own. It was getting late, and my brothers, especially Theodore, would be wondering where I'd gotten off to.

When I got back home, Alvin was uncharacteristically curious about my daily happenings.

"Where've you been Simon?" He asked when he saw me come in.

"I've been helping Jeanette with her homework, for your information," I replied, raising an eyebrow, "Why do you ask?"

He ignored my question, and went on;

"Jeanette, eh? It took you all this time to help her with her homework?" Alvin smiled mischievously, "Are you sure you didn't go on a date?"

I looked over at Alvin with a dry expression.

"Me? Why would any girl want to date me?" I asked, rhetorically. Alvin shrugged and went back to his XBox.

"And He said; Let the hermit return to his cave." I muttered under my breath, smirking at Alvin. He was too engrossed to notice, so I walked towards the dining room, hoping to find some dinner. Instead, I found a letter, addressed to me.

"I wonder what this could be..." I said to myself. When I opened the envelope I almost jumped out of my seat. "Dave! Listen to this!" I walked excitedly to Dave, to tell him the great news.

To find out, read the next chapter. I promise this isn't Sheldon Cooper, and is, in fact, an older Simon. He may seem a bit out of character, but you'll see, he's likeable.