Thanks for the reviews guys!
Enjoy this chapter. I hope it makes sense. =/
Rehearsal is… different today.
Usually, I would spend half the time arguing with Alvin, or telling him to stop singing so loud because you can't hear me or Theodore. But he is quiet today. No arguments, no belting (singing loudly), no glaring.
Of course, all throughout rehearsal, I keep watching his every move. The way his hands shake, the way his voice wavers, the way I have to strain my ears in order to hear him…
When Dave tells us that we should rehearse 'Three Little Birds', Alvin steps back with Theodore, looking relatively relieved to be out of the spotlight.
Maybe this is just an act of his. A prank.
I can only hope that he snaps out of it sometime soon.
"Alvin. Are you sure you're feeling alright?" Dave asks, looking concerned.
"I'm fine." He sighs, barely audible.
"Maybe that's enough for today, boys."
When we get home, I wait for Dave and Theodore to be out of earshot before halting Alvin in his tracks.
"What's going on?" I question, grabbing his arm as he tries to move around me.
"Nothing's going on." He answers dimly, face clear of emotions.
"Alvin, you lie a lot, and you never get any better at it. I know that something's bothering you. What did you see on the way to the recording studio?"
"I didn't see anything!" He snaps suddenly, angrily wrenching his arm out of my grasp.
"Okay! Okay!" I defensively put my hands up. I watch as he heatedly stalks up the stairs.
That night
I drowsily walk up the stairs, my only thoughts being about how much I need a good night sleep.
I freeze outside the bedroom door, struggling to hear what's being said on the other side.
"Theodore, please. I'm fine. Would you stop staring at me? It's creeping me out."
"I'm sorry. I'm just worried about you! Why won't you tell me what's wrong?"
"There's nothing wrong. I promise."
"Why would you promise something that is so obviously not true? I know something's wrong, Alvin. I can help you! Brothers tell each other everything."
"I don't want to tell you."
Ha! So there is something to tell… At least I know that much.
"Why not?"
"Because."
"Come on, Alvin. I'm your brother! You can tell me anything!"
"Theodore, you're such a hypocrite!"
There's silence, and for the second time in two days I find myself wondering when on earth Alvin had learned such a word. I make a mental note not to underestimate Alvin's vocabulary.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You have your own problems, Theodore! Problems that you're hiding!"
"I'm not hiding anything. You're the one-"
I open the door, deciding that this argument has gone far enough. Alvin is glaring at Theodore, while Theodore looks as if he's going to blow up.
Theodore never argues with either of us! He's supposed to be the peacekeeper!
"Did I miss something?" I ask innocently, walking past Theodore and Alvin and onto my bed.
I don't get a reply, as I presumed. I flip open a book and lay back against my pillows, waiting for my brothers to calm down.
After about five minutes, Theodore speaks up. "I'm sorry I blew up at you, Alvin. You can tell me when you're ready."
"I'm sorry, too." Alvin says, looking at the floor. "I just- I can't- I guess I just need some time alone." He gets up and leaves the room.
Theodore sighs and leans against the headboard of his bed. "He won't tell me."
"I didn't think he would." I say. "You know how stubborn he is."
"I know. I shouldn't have gotten so angry. I don't know what made me do that. I'm so stupid."
Stupid. The word strikes me. I instantly think of those bullies that have been making fun of Theo. They had called him stupid. Theodore has never called himself stupid before.
"You're not stupid." I growl. Theodore looks at me with surprise when he hears the infuriation in my tone. "I can't believe anyone would call you that! What else did those guys call you?"
Theodore stares at me with confusion and horror. "What are you talking about, Simon?"
"I know that you're being bullied, Theodore." I reply calmly. "Alvin saw it. He told me last night."
The confusion on his face amplifies. "I'm not being bullied!"
"Theodore. You don't have to lie."
Now I know what Alvin meant when he called Theodore a hypocrite. Theo was trying to get Alvin to speak about his problems, when he won't even admit to his own.
"No, really!" He says, sitting up straight. "I'm not."
"Then who were those kids who called you stupid and fat?"
I notice a quick flash of pain run through my little brother's eyes, but it vanishes and he laughs. "Oh, them? They were just kidding. They're my friends."
I shake my head disbelievingly. "Friends? Why would you let them treat you like that? Even Alvin wouldn't say that to you."
"It's just their way of life." He shrugs. "They don't mean it."
"Still, doesn't it hurt your feelings?"
"No." He answers quickly.
"Well, I don't know about you, but if I had a group of friends who called me four-eyes or a geek, I'd reconsider hanging around them."
"Simon, they're really nice most of the time." He declares, smiling reassuringly at me.
I know it's supposed to be a great thing for a person to see the good in people, but Theodore's completely blind to see any of the bad. And it's going to get him hurt.
The Next Morning
"Are you boys ready for school?" Dave asks as we finish our cereal.
"Yes, Dave." The three of us reply in unison.
"Ummm… Dave?" Alvin nervously calls Dave's attention. "Can you drive us to school?"
"How come?"
"I…"
"I thought you loved walking to school." I mention.
"I don't think it's entirely… safe." He replies sheepishly. "Six kids walking out in the open isn't a bright idea."
Is he worrying about being abducted?
"Our town is completely secure. " Dave affirms, patting Alvin on the head. "You're out of harm's way."
Alvin nods uneasily and the three of us grab our backpacks and head out the door to the Chippette's house.
"Have a nice day at school!" Dave calls out to us. Theodore and I wave back to him but Alvin looks straight ahead, his hands shaking and his eyes frightened. He stays by our sides the whole time, instead of running ahead like he usually does.
When we meet up with the Chippettes, I give them each a greeting, and I jump to Jeanette's side.
No longer having his brothers at his side, Alvin jumps next to Brittany, looking around warily.
"How was your weekend?" Jeanette asks me politely.
"Different." I answer lightly. "Very different."
Whew…. This chapter's not as long as the last, but it's the best I can do right now.
Please review and tell me what you think. If this chapter was confusing, tell me.
Thanks for reading!
~Jamie
