(Simon's POV)

Nothing seems right with her gone. It happened only two days ago, but it feels like I'm still there at the airport, watching her plane take off. I guess it was the best for her. Certainly not for me, but at least she's happy.

Interrupting my thoughts was Theodore, who was knocking on my bedroom door. Still in my navy blue pajamas, I got up to get the door.

"Simon, Dave wants you downstairs," Theo told me. "Family meeting."

I groaned. "Fine. Just find me some clothes."

"Can do."

Practically, my entire life became a wreck since Ally left. My room is in a complete state of disaster, I couldn't go to school for the past two days, and I can't even think straight anymore. At least I still had my family and friends with me.

I changed into a pair of jeans and a clean t-shirt. I then ran downstairs to meet everyone in the living room.

Not one pair of eyes wasn't focused on me when I entered the room. I made my way over to the couch when suddenly everyone raced off and left the entire couch for me. Was I like a virus or something, or did everyone just over-react when I came over? Whatever it was, I just ignored it and sat down.

"So, why did you want to see us?" I asked Dave, still trying to keep myself awake.

"Well, I was hoping to talk to you guys about something," he answered. He managed to take a short pause before uttering his next sentence. "I know that all of you are missing Ally right now - some more than others - but I have a good feeling that what I'm about to say will cheer everyone up."

I could only imagine what Dave had to say.

"We're going on vacation," he said.

Oh, hell, I thought. Not vacation.

(Alvin's POV)

It was no secret that Simon was in a depressing state. We all knew that for a fact. But when we heard those words come out of Dave's mouth, I thought he was about to have a nervous breakdown.

Simon wasn't the same since Ally left. He hasn't read any of his books in the den's library. Hell, he barely even left his bed or his room most of the time. The only three people that have even gone near his room (at least before today) were Dave, Claire and our mom, Vinny. I keep worrying about him and wondering about how much he's suffering, but hopefully, I'll get the chance to find out just that.

"Everyone, start packing," Dave ordered. "We leave tomorrow." He made his way over to talk to me. "Alvin, we need to talk."

I followed Dave into the kitchen and sat with him at one of the smaller tables.

"Are you sure that doing this is going to help him?" I managed to ask before Dave could start addressing what he wanted to talk about... or so I thought.

He folded his hands. "Simon was the exact person I wanted to talk to you about. There needs to be someone that can help him get through this."

"Well, Theodore and Eleanor are almost as depressed as he is, so they won't be much help. And Brittany's just a wreck."

Dave sighed. "Get Jeanette on Simon patrol for at least the next week."

"You mean instead of Vinny or along with her?"

"Along with her."

I got up from my seat. "I can do that."

Walking out of the kitchen, I found Jeanette sitting on the living room couch, watching the news on Channel 3.

"Hey," I said. "Anything good on?"

She kept flipping through the channels after I sat down. "Nope. At least... not today, anyways."

Trying to choose my words carefully, I put my hand on her shoulder. "Listen, Jean... I wanted to know if you could maybe watch Simon with our mom.

Jeanette smiled. "Sure... and Alvin, there's something I've been meaning to tell you. Before Ally left for New Jersey, she asked me to do a favor for her."

I was suddenly confused. "And what was that?"

"She asked me to go out with Simon."

"You mean, like, being his new girlfriend?"

There came that smile again. "Yeah, kind of."

I smiled back. "That's great. Since Ally's gone, I think you're the only one that could help him out."

She got up. "I'll go help Simon pack up. Thanks, Alvin."

For the first time in a very long time, I finally felt like I did something right. I knew eventually it would pay off in the end, but I couldn't be too sure...

Knowing Simon, anything could happen.