Chapter 4

The first thing that Simon did once he arrived home was to bolt up to his room and he rummaged frantically in his cabinet. He wiped a sweat from his brow when he finally found his old cell phone. Then he took out the CC Book and read the guidelines for the phone game:

Drop It Like It's Hot

Most AFCs have completely the wrong idea about the phone and everything related to using it. Utilizing the phone in the wrong way can result in you ruining all of the great field work that you've done.

It's time to be set on the right track:

• Do NOT spend hours on the phone. You are a male of high status, and you have other things to do. If you don't, you don't need to project that to her. Get off the phone after no longer than ten minutes.

"I don't do that, thank goodness," Simon commented.

• Do NOT sit back, listen to and "comfort" her about her problems, especially about other guys! This is a one-way ticket to the friend zone. You're not Dr. Phil, an emotional tampon or her AFC best-friend. Don't act like it! She won't gain any attraction for you, despite what you think, when you act as a bitch for her problems. You're the alpha, and that's not what you do.

"Well," shrugged Simon, "it's time to change that attitude, then."

• Do NOT call her a million times a week for no reason at all. This is a sure-fire way to get on her nerves, display that you have no life and make her lose the attraction she has gained for you, simply because this is pure AFC behavior.

• Do NOT call her on the day you want to take her out (unless you are going on an instant date when you first meet her). Always give at least two or three days notice as this will lead to much better results.

• Do NOT leave a million and one messages begging her to hang out with you and saying how amazing she is. This will only chase her away, and it completely lowers your social value and gives her all of the power.

• Do NOT worry about the "three days to call rule". The true purpose of this rule is to keep AFCs from calling the instant they get the number and hanging all over her. If you wait at least two days, you will be fine. It doesn't really matter when you call, as long as it's not right after you've met her or too long and she's lost the initial excitement about you.

• Do NOT call a girl much more often if she's your "girlfriend". You can call her a couple of times more each week than you would a booty call or new girl, but don't bombard her or you will end up chasing her away.

• Do NOT bug the piss out of a girl when setting up the initial meeting. Call her twice with caller-id block, and a third without. If she doesn't answer the third time, leave a non-needy, funny message.

"Well, I think I can remember all that," he said.

Simon then switched gazes between the number Alvin gave him and his cell phone alternately, trying to decide if he should call or not. He eventually did and was surprised to recognize the voice from the other line.

"Hello?"

"Hi Anna, sorry to bother you at a moment's notice, but this will just take a quick second."

"What is it? And I'm glad to hear your voice again." Anna asked, sounding intrigued.

"Well, there's this girl that I picked to give a present to on Valentine's Day. I was wondering if you could give me some tips." He asked, eager for an answer.

"Here's what we'll do. Meet me at the mall at 10 am on Saturday. Then we'll browse for some gifts," she replied.

"Oh, I'm sorry; I'm not free till Thursday. But Monday at 4 is good for me." Simon answered back, remembering the rule of keeping in control

"Cool, I'll see you then. I got to go. Mom's calling for help in the kitchen,"Anna said before ending the call.

Simon slipped his phone into his pocket and sighed. For a conversation that awkward, at least it still went well.

"Simon, dinner's ready!" Dave called from downstairs.

"Yes, I'm coming!"

At the table:

"How have you been lately? Any problems?" Dave asked his middle son casually.

Simon locked eyes with his foster father and replied "None, dad," then he looked away and added in a whisper. "None that you can help me with."

"Hey Simon, care to join us at the Millers' house for a sleepover?" Theodore piped up.

"Sure, have you packed your things?" asked Simon.

"Not yet, I wanted us to prepare together," Theodore replied, with a smirk pasted on his lips.

"There's something fishy going on here… but he's my brother! He can't be up to something…" Simon pondered to himself.

"Well, let's eat. I made these myself," Dave said, gesturing to the food on the table. There were plates of spaghetti, chicken, a dip bowl, a pitcher of juice and of course, plates and spoons.

"Care to say grace?" Simon looked around the table.

"I'll do it!" Theodore said again, eager to dig in.

That being said, they prayed and ate.

30 Minutes later

"That was splendid! Next time call me when you cook, Dad! I want to know how you do it!" Theodore exclaimed, his eyes twinkling like stars.

"Of course, but right now, you should prepare your things." Dave glanced at his watch. It read 7:48 P.M. "And hurry up. I still have to walk you there."

"Come on… It's just a block away! What could happen? " Simon asked.

"Just hurry up! I'm excited to know what Ellie wanted to say to me!" Theodore said, anticipation radiating from his voice.

So that's what it was about, not some talk about me, Simon said to himself, relieved.

They entered their respective rooms and prepared themselves.

15 minutes and an impatient call from Dave later…

"Ok! I'm ready!" they both chorused.

"Let's go" Dave replied.

Five minutes later, they arrived at the Millers house. Dave rang the doorbell and almost immediately, Miss Miller opened it.

"Oh come on in boys. So glad to have you here," She said in an old but enthusiastic voice.

Dave looked at his boys for a bit then replied, "Well, I better get going. Claire's probably waiting for me on the front porch."

"Well good luck with her! Wish you success!" she called out as Dave set off running back home.

The boys and the chipettes gathered in the living room and laid down their things. Miss Miller told them that they were allowed to stay up till 11 pm. The chipmunks looked at the wall clock and saw that the time was still 9:00 pm. They had two hours left to kill.

"Geez, this will get super boring!" Alvin exclaimed.

"How about we play a game?" Eleanor suggested.

"I'm outta here. I'm going to go talk to Jeanette" Simon excused himself from the group and walked to the direction of the sofa.

"Go get her, Alpha…." Alvin whispered to him.

"I plan to." He replied, a smirk forming on the corner of his lips.

He proceeded to initiate a conversation with Jeanette.

Meanwhile, at the game...

"Yes!" Eleanor said when the bottle landed straight on Theodore.

"Soooo, Theodore, Truth or Dare?" Alvin asked, grinning maliciously.

"I'd go with dare," Theodore trembled, already thinking of about a dozen ways of torture from Alvin.

"I want you to sing a song that Ellie likes in front of her…" he said in an ending tone.

"That's easy" Theodore thought.

"…With nothing but your underpants on!" Alvin continued in a triumphant tone.

"Damn, spoke too soon"

Theodore shakily stood in front of Eleanor and then suddenly stooped his face toward her ear and asked "So, what's the surprise?"

"You'll know in due time. But for now, do what he says or else he'll throw a fit." She replied, glancing at Alvin's annoyed and bored face.

With that said, Theodore threw off his clothes and did what he was asked to do…

2 hours later

"Well, we better get going… it's time," Brittany said to the group.

"Yeah, yeah, just go already, ok?" Alvin yawned.

When they got to the bottom of the stairs they were surprised at what they saw.

"He's getting through." Alvin smiled.