To Be Accepted

Chapter Three: Because of a Stupid Dream

No One's Point of View

David Seville was walking home from school, carrying his guitar and his sheet music. He wanted to be a famous musician when he grew up, but everyone didn't think he could do it. His dad wanted him to be an accountant, like he was. His mother said that music was a waste of time and energy. Everyone at school teased him about it, and the band teacher hated him. He didn't have any friends, but he had enemies. All because of music.

"Hey, David! Where's my homework? Oh yeah, you were probably too busy failing your so-called music career!" Brandon White taunted him. Dave braced himself for the teasing to start. This happened everyday on his way home from school. Brandon thought it was his job to tease and torment him.

"Just leave me alone, Brandon! I'm tired of your bullying! I can like music if I want to!" Dave snapped, turning on Brandon. Brandon was at least six inches taller than Dave and a whole lot stronger. And Brandon was on the football team.

Brandon only laughed. "You think you could beat me up, kid? A scrawny musical shrimp like you? Don't make me laugh, David." This only made Dave more angry, but he'd have no chance in a fight with Brandon.

You can take him, Dave. You can't let him push you around anymore. Show him who you really are. An inner voice told Dave. Dave agreed with that voice.

Then, without warning, Dave lunged at Brandon, taking him off guard and shoving him down into the dirt. Brandon shoved Dave off of him and started punching him for all he was worth. Dave realized, too late, his mistake. What was he thinking trying to fight Brandon? Dave pleaded for him to stop.

Brandon paused his attacks to let poor Dave get a hold of himself. He had several bruises and cuts and a black eye, but none were too bad. Except for a big gash on his chin that was bleeding pretty badly.

"Follow me, Shrimp-Face." Brandon said as he dragged him by the ear. Dave protested in pain, which only made Brandon laugh and pull harder. It was all Dave could do to not cry. He sniffled as he held his bleeding chin.

"Where are you taking me?" Dave asked, trying to sound tough, but failed. Brandon didn't answer until they got to an abandoned alley.

"I'm just taking out the trash." Brandon laughed. So did his followers, which Dave didn't even notice were there until now; they were so quiet.

"What are you talking about. . ." Dave started to ask, but then he saw the sinister looks on the boys' faces. "Wait, you aren't talking about me, are you?"

Brandon and his friends chuckled. "Oh, yeah, we mean you. C'mon, boys, let's throw him in." Brandon bade his followers while he stood back and watched. Dave screamed as the boys lifted the lid of the dumpster and threw him in, closing it. Dave heard the leave. They were mocking him. Dave let a single tear slide down his cheek.

Alvin's Point of View

I must have fallen asleep, because when I woke up, a boy, who looked about twelve, fell on top of me, squashing me. I wiggled out from underneath him, grunting. "Hey, what's your problem, kid?" I asked him indignantly. I don't appreciate being fallen on. But then I realized what I had done. I wasn't supposed to talk out loud around humans. Then, the scientists would know where we were. They were trying to find us for years after we escaped, but finally presumed us as dead. I don't know what we were thinking, going to the Miller's mansion. They would take us away and experiment on us again!

The boy turned to look at me, probably in a state of shock. I mean, it's not everyday a chipmunk talks to you. "Whoa, did you just talk?" He asked. He didn't look scared, like the first human my brothers and I came across was. He seemed excited, happy, hopeful almost.

"Uh, no." I lied, realizing as I said it that I just made my decision worse. I mentally face-palmed myself for that one. No wonder Simon kept telling me not to lie. As annoying as he was sometimes, I missed him. Now, I've just revealed to a human boy that I could talk.

"Yeah you can. You just did." The boy said bluntly. I smiled. He seemed a lot like my brother, Theodore, in some ways.

"OK, you got me. I can talk, but you can't tell anyone! Especially not anyone in any position of authority! Otherwise, well, let's not mention the trouble for me." I was a little on edge, but anyone would be with that kind of threat over your head. I don't even want to think about what those scientists did to me and my brothers.

"OK, OK, chill! I'm not going to tell anybody if you don't want me to!" He put his hands in front of him, to show me he meant no harm. But I couldn't trust him yet.

"Yeah, coming from a kid inside a dumpster. How can I trust you?" I asked him warily. Simon taught me never to trust any human. They're evil. I guess Simon just got his hopes up when he saw the newspaper article.

"Believe me, if you knew my story, you'd trust me. I've had a hard life, you know." The boy started to sound kind of sad about something.

"So do I. I'm an orphaned talking chipmunk, experimented on by scientists, and just lost my only family I had left, my brothers! Your life couldn't possibly be harder than mine is!" I shouted. The boy looked hurt. Oh crap, I didn't mean to make him feel bad. Any memories of my past life just makes me want to destroy those stupid scientists, but it's not the boy's fault.

"You're right, it probably doesn't even compare to yours. But I just got thrown in a dumpster by some stupid kid who hates me just because I love music." The boy said quietly. In human terms, that seems like a pretty awful life.

We sat in silence for a while, feeling bad for ourselves and each other. It seems like we understand each other. I wanted to become friends with him, but he was a human. Didn't Simon always say to never trust humans? But maybe he was wrong. After all, Simon tried to kill me last night. Simon and Theodore abandoned me. Maybe this was my chance to get accepted. Maybe we could help each other.

"My name's Alvin." I said, breaking the awkward silence.

"I'm Dave." The boy smiled. "Nice to meet you."

Simon's Point of View

I am so stupid. Because of my stupid and impulsive actions, we could all go back to the scientists. What on Earth was I thinking? Now, Theodore is gone. I forgot to get him when I went after Alvin. And now, he's gone. And what was I thinking, trying to kill Alvin. He's my brother! I just let my anger get the best of me. I should probably go find him. Hopefully, he'll forgive me.

Then, I felt a pair of human hands grab me. Scientists. How did they know? My glasses? But why would they look for us? They presumed us as dead! Maybe they found Theodore? No, that's unlikely. I had no time to think anymore, because they injected something into my leg, making the world go fuzzy and fade into darkness. What was I going to do?