Chapter 1

Simon's back gave a painful thud as he was pushed against his locker, its dial pressing on where he believes his spleen is located. 'That's going to be a horrible lesion to deal with tomorrow morning...', Simon thought to himself, his breath literally being knocked out of him by the usual four brutes at school. Unfortunately, this time, they were more 'hands-on' with Simon and the reason for their heightened aggression was entirely his fault.

"You better watch it, Simon." The persecutor practically spat at his name. "Another word out of you, and you'll be going home with your head in your ass."

"Oh, go right ahead. Maybe then I'll be able to see where you're coming from." Of course, despite having fuelled their anger already, Simon unwittingly decided to give himself a harder time. Whatever, what is a small insult to counter these idiots' persistent, day-to-day harassments? Apparently, to them, more than it's supposed to.

"What was that, nerd?", his assailant pushed him harder against the metal, stupidly making it difficult for him to utter a single syllable. "Wanna fucking say that again?", as if his appearance wasn't frightening enough from a distance, the big oaf loomed over Simon, invading his personal space and attempting to emphasise his hostile intentions.

"Maybe if you'd stop suffocating him, he'd say a thing or two about your butt-ugly mug being a little too close to his face there," everyone instantly turned to where the voice came from, save for Simon who had trouble moving his head as the fist holding onto his sweater tightened. Despite that, he knew all too well who that voice belonged to, and he felt relief wash over him.

Brent, the aforementioned oaf, hissed. "Alvin."

"Look, I'd tell you how I'd love to stay and chat, but that would be a lie," Alvin shrugged. "So let's skip to the part where you let my brother down." Simon wanted to tell Alvin to not provoke them any further but Alvin's never the type to listen anyway. If it weren't for the fact that he's part of - and friends with - the schools football team, they would both be sharing residence in a locker right about now.

Brent glared at Alvin before finally releasing Simon, letting him drop to the ground as he stepped back. The bespectacled chipmunk coughed and gasped for air, his whole body trembling as he tried to push himself up. Simon winced as his muscles shifted uncomfortably, his mind automatically taking note of where the wounds are located judging by the soreness in certain areas. Luckily for him, his condition wasn't that bad, he was more concerned about the bruise he got on his back from earlier.

Noticing Simon's bad shape, Alvin was instantly at Simons side, inspecting for any serious injuries.

"Woah, Simon, you okay?"

Simons heart beat rapidly - he reasoned it was most likely from the adrenaline coursing through his body. He gave a hoarse laugh, "Oh yeah, I feel great.", he rasped. He would say more, but his lungs are not supplying him with enough oxygen to be sarcastic at that moment. And though he did still receive a few hits and had sort of been strangled before Alvin arrived, Simon was still relieved and thankful that he came.

Ignoring the sass, Alvin glared up at Brent and his meat-headed lackeys. "What's your problem, jackass?" Simon frowned a little at Alvin's vulgar vocabulary, however, he'll let it slide this time. He did come to his aid, after all, and this is not the time for a lecture about social graces. Instead, Simon placed his hand on Alvin's shoulder both to keep himself stable and in case Alvin decided to charge at one of them. Yes, the brothers were small and far from threatening, but given the right reason things will get ugly. Alvin had proven that fact a handful of times from the detentions and bruises he had received this school year. Be that as it may, Simon would very much rather settle this calmly and rationally.

"My problem?" Brent scoffed. "Why don't you ask your homo of a brother?" He gestured to Simon who frowned at the slander, his shoulders tensing and anxiety rising. Alvin furrowed his brows before letting out a laugh.

"Nice one, Brent, but you and I both know that he's been head over tail for Jeanette for years." Alvin snickered at the idea and turned to Simon. "Right, Simon?"

"Simon?" Alvin called again, expecting him to respond with his usual irritated glare at how he should stop announcing something unnecessary like that. However, Simon didn't give him any confirmation. Instead, Alvin was met with nervous eyes before they quickly diverted themselves to the ground. The red cladded chipmunk continued to look at his clearly tense brother. He didn't expect this revelation, he honestly didn't know what to say but it didn't matter as Brent didn't give him a chance to.

"Oh, you didn't know?" Brent smirked before he let out a laugh. "Man, I'd hate to be in your shoes. Just imagining myself living with that dick loving nerd is making me sick." He makes a disgusted face before letting out another laugh, the three guys behind him laughing with him.

"Careful, he might end up jumping you if you get too close!" One of Brent's goons pitched in with a cackle, the other three responding with contempt at the idea.

Simon's arms trembled, losing the strength and his will to hold himself up. His eyes becoming glassy as an onslaught of pain racked his body and chest. This was so humiliating. For the first time, Simon felt utterly degraded and he couldn't think, feel or see...yet he could hear...it was almost disorienting.

"Shut up."

Simon blinked and everyone went quiet.

"What?" Brent raised a brow and turned towards Alvin.

"I said...shut the fuck up." Alvin repeated, emphasising every word as his usually lively blue eyes darkened and narrowed at the four thugs in front of them.

Brent, stunned, opened and closed his mouth before snickering at Alvin. "You're helping that freak?" Simon winced at the name. "What? So you're a homo too? Is that it?".

"No, do you want me to be?" Alvin raised a brow and crossed his arms across his chest.

"What? Fuck no! I-"

"Then why're you so obsessed with gays, huh?" Alvin smirked and shrugged his shoulders. "Gay this, homo that...for someone who hates gays, you do love talking about them a lot."

The three boys behind Brent glanced at one another while Brent spluttered, mortification and anger evidently growing as his face turned red. "You...!"

The situation wasn't looking too good. Frantic, Simon glanced between Alvin and Brent before feebly calling to the former. "A-Alvin."

"Well? You gonna start talking about dicks or are you gonna come over here and suck mine?" Simons eyes widened in shock at what his too reckless of a brother just said before sighing and placing his hands over his face. So much for settling this calmly and rationally.