"See you guys tomorrow!" Eleanor called out, waving goodbye to the boys as the chipettes made their way home.

"Bye!" Theodore waved, watching as they disappeared around the corner. Simon watched them also, then turned around and walked back inside the ice cream shop.

He and Theodore both sat in a booth doing their homework, until you could barely see the sun setting over the buildings around them. Alvin walked up to them, having removed his apron, with a mild surprised look on his face.

"You guys didn't have to wait for my shift to end, you could've gone home…"

Simon stopped him. "But then you would've gotten in trouble again."

Alvin shrugged, a smirk plastered on his face. "I get in trouble anyways, it wouldn't have mattered."

They made their way outside, and started up the sidewalk. Simon watched Alvin as he walked, noticing how he was having difficulties putting weight on his right foot.

"You okay, Alvin?"

"Huh?" Alvin looked up. "I'm fine. Why?"

Simon shook his head in response, and decided to change the subject. "So… All those times you got in trouble for getting detention, you were really washing dishes at Joe's Ice Cream Parlor?"

"Yup." Alvin replied.

"Are you going to quit?"

Alvin gave his brother a quizzical look. "Why would I quit?"

"Well," Simon hesitated slightly. "Why would you keep a job, if it causes you to get grounded all the time? And what if Blazer stops asking for money? It does seem weird that a national celebrity like you has to keep a job at an ice cream place."

"It's for a good reason," Alvin retorted. "And, yeah, it is a bit humiliating, but nobody ever goes in Joe's…"

"So you're not going to quit?"

Alvin thought for a moment. "Well… if Blazer ever stops, I might. But it's probably better to keep it for now."

Simon nodded, and they walked on in silence. When they got to their mailbox, Alvin gasped suddenly, and stopped in his tracks.

"What?" Simon asked, turning around.

"What are we going to tell Dave?" Alvin cried. Simon immediately understood what he was talking about, and began trying to brainstorm the best he could.

Theodore just looked confused. "Tell Dave about what?"

"My face, Theodore, my face! And the fact that I'm limping!"

"I got it!" Simon said, snapping his fingers. "We'll tell him that you got injured skateboarding!"

Alvin's face lit up. "Thanks Simon! You're a life-saver."

They walked up the driveway, and opened the door to find Dave—with his jacket on—about to walk out the door himself.

"Uhh… H-Hi Dave." Simon said, already aware that they were in deep trouble.

"Where the heck have you three been? I've been worried sick!"

"Sorry, we—we went to get ice cream." Alvin said, smiling sheepishly.

"Ice cream?! I told you that you were grou—" Dave cut off when he got a good look at Alvin, and sputtered for a second before he finally asked, "What...? how? Alvin, how did you get so beat up?"

"Skateboarding," Alvin lied.

Dave blinked, his anger returning. "Alvin, I told you that you were grounded for the weekend. You're now grounded next weekend, too."

Alvin stared at him in disbelief. "B-but, Dave!"

"No 'buts', Alvin. Do you want to make it worse than it already is?"

Alvin frowned, storming past Dave and up the stairs. They flinched as they heard the bedroom door slam, and fell into a brief silence.

"I just don't know what to do with him anymore," Dave said finally, shaking his head.

Simon lowered his gaze to the floor. "He's just been having a rough time here lately, Dave."

Surprised that Simon actually stood up for his brother for once, Dave looked down at the eldest chipmunk. "Simon, what did you mean by that?"

"Nothing, I just mean… Well… He's been having a bad day."

Dave nodded, still not fully understanding. "Well, okay then… You boys go up and do your homework."

Simon nodded, grabbing Theodore's hand and starting up the stairs, not mentioning that they had finished their homework earlier.

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They entered the bedroom to find Alvin laying on his bed, with his back to them.

"Alvin? Are—are you okay?" Theodore asked worriedly.

Alvin ignored him, not even acknowledging that someone had came into the room. Simon walked around to his side of the room—the side that Alvin was facing—and sat down on his bed. Alvin ignored him too, and continued to past him and out the window.

Simon knew that when Alvin was mad or upset over something, it was best to let him cool off first before communicating with him. So instead, he opened up a book and started reading.

Theodore on the other hand, was way too worried about his brother. He crawled up on the end of Alvin's bed, staring at his brother intently.

"Alvin? Are you mad at Dave?" He asked finally.

Alvin sighed angrily, closing his eyes tightly. "Not just Dave, Theodore. I'm mad at my whole life! Why was I even born?"

Simon looked up from his book. "Why be mad at yourself? You should be mad at Blazer."

Alvin didn't respond, but continued to glare at the floor.

"Why did you just let that guy beat you up, Alvin?" Theodore asked quietly. The room fell silent for a moment, and Simon looked up from his book again, wondering the same thing. Alvin's face softened a little, and he actually looked—sad—for a moment.

"Theodore, he's not like one of those bullies on TV that take your lunch money, and when you stand up to them they back down. It's not that easy…" Alvin replied, his voice growing softer.

Theodore frowned. "Then, what is he like?"

Alvin slowly sat up, this time looking his brother in the face. "Imagine getting your money stolen from some guy who looks like he broke out of prison, and getting your guts beat out for no reason. And there's no telling what he'll do if I try to say something about it."

Theodore looked positively frightened. "He... he really does that to you?"

Alvin nodded, looking down at the bed sheets. Simon slid off of his bed, and walked over to his brothers, putting a hand on Alvin's shoulder.

"Is that why you don't want to tell anyone? You're scared that he'll beat you up again?"

Alvin shrugged Simon's hand off of his shoulder, blushing a little. "I'm not scared. I'm just very aware that the guy can pummel my face in with just one finger."

Simon smirked. "So you're scared."

"No, I just don't want to tell anyone, okay?!" Alvin suddenly snapped. He noticed the look on his brothers' faces and quickly regretted it. "Okay, okay... look, I'm sorry… I'm just in a bad mood, I guess…" He said, rubbing his eyes.

Simon nodded slightly, feeling a little sorry for him. "Don't be sorry. It's perfectly understandable."

Theodore merely nodded, just as Dave's voice was heard being called up the stairs;

"Simon! Theodore! Alvin! Dinner's ready!"

"Coming, Dave!" Theodore yelled back, jumping off Alvin's bed and heading to the door. Simon followed him, and turned back when he realized Alvin hadn't followed them.

"Aren't you coming?"

Alvin shook his head, still looking down at the bed sheets. "You guys go ahead without me, I'm not hungry."

Simon nodded, giving his brother a concerned look, before heading downstairs after Theodore.

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Okay… That may have been touching, it may have been boring, but don't worry! The next few chapter's ARE going to be better!