Oh my God. Did I ever tell you guys how much I love you? Because if not, I so do. lol. :D

So me and this chapter have sort of a love/hate relationship. Love this chapter but hate it all the same. It was a joy to write but also a pain.

I could so be a poet. Alright. READ ON!


Brittany stood in the living room, her left hand clutching a wireless phone to her ear. Her right hand cupped over the mouth piece. She felt sick to her stomach… she could barely breathe… gradually forcing the air in and out of her lungs. Her face was inches away from the frosty glass window facing the house across the street.

"Hi" she almost whispered."Is… Alvin there?"

The voice on the other line sounded surprised. "B-Brittany?!" The little voice asked.

Brittany almost sighed in relief, immediately recognizing the other voice... glad that it wasn't HIS voice. "Theodore?" Brittany asked. "Hi"

"How are you?" Theodore wanted to know. "You haven't been over in a while"

"I'm good." Brittany stammered. "Is- is Alvin there?"

"Ah…. Yeah" Theodore answered after a moment. "Hold on just a minute. It's great to hear from you."

"Same here"

Brittany was clutching the phone so tightly her knuckles were turning white. Her breathing had turned short and ragged. And then… she couldn't breathe at all. Her head suddenly felt incredibly heavy like she couldn't bareto hold it up any longer. Her heart was pounding so hard… so loud… in her chest she couldn't even think. Brittany hardly registered when she heard Alvin's voice in her ear.

"Hello?"

Brittany blinked. She tried to speak but no words came out.

"Hello?" Alvin asked again. "Brittany? I know you're there"

Brittany opened her mouth again and took in a deep breath.

"HEL-LO?!" Alvin asked again.

Maybe this was a mistake. Brittany contemplated just slamming the phone back down in his ear. But no- he deserved to know. A part of her argued that it wasn't Alvin true. ALVIN didn't deserve anything… let alone the truth. But holding it in wasn't doing her any good either. She'd explode soon if she didn't tell him.

"If you shut up for a second I could tell you!" Brittany exclaimed.

"Ok, then. What did you want?" Alvin snapped. "I'm listening…"

"I called to tell you that I did miss you" Brittany retorted. "But I have NO IDEA why!"

There was a soft silence then…

"Who wouldn't," Alvin remarked. Brittany could practically see him smirking on the other side. She heard him inhale, his voice suddenly becoming serious. "But… really? You did?"

Brittany smiled, "…Yeah… I did… I didn't think I would… but…"

"Where does that put us then?" Alvin asked.

Brittany sighed. "I guess the same place we are right now."

"But-"

"I can't do this to him, Alvin." Brittany whispered.

"Do this to who?!" Alvin exclaimed in confusion before adding, "That guy??" in surprise.

"THAT GUY was there for me when you weren't" Brittany cried.

"That was your choice!" Alvin said. "You dumped ME! Did you forget that?!"

"But I didn't ask you to stay away…" Brittany said.

"You acted like you wanted me too. " Alvin said. "You told your sisters that you didn't care about me anymore…"

"How do you know?!"

"Just because we didn't talk doesn't mean I didn't try talking to the others" Alvin said. "I missed you… And you were fine with it. You walked around school like nothing had happened… like you didn't even care."

"Alvin…" Her voice came out in a soft whisper.

She'd known him for years… and she never heard him talk like that. Was he actually admitting that he was hurt... that she'd caused him pain? That maybe he was just as upset as she'd been… This was crazy. This was insane. Alvin wasn't this open… he never actually told her what was on his mind. But maybe… maybe now it was time to tell him what was on hers.

"I- I never stopped caring about you" Brittany told him. "I told myself I did… and I tried to act like I did so everyone would think so but… I never stopped." Brittany took a deep breath, her attitude suddenly changing. "So? What do you want me to say? That I love you? That I want you back or something?! DREAM ON!"

"I love you too" Alvin with a small squeak.

Brittany smiled… she grinned… it felt like the first time they said it all over again. She was nervous… elated, nauseous and anxious all at the same time. The two were quieted to a dull hush for a moment… taking it all in before Alvin finally broke through the silence.

"I want you to break up with him" Alvin announced.

Brittany blinked several times. What? Break up with him? Stephen? Alvin wanted her to- It seemed ridiculously obvious but at the same time… she just couldn't. Alvin was great… but he sadly… admitting it to herself… he wasn't her everything anymore. She loved him but… Stephen. You broke up with someone when feelings became unshared… and she wasn't sure she was at that point with Stephen yet. She didn't want to give up on him… especially for a guy who she spent weeks crying over.

"I can't" Brittany said. "I… I can't."

"Why not? You broke up with me." Alvin said. "What's so different?"

"Nothing." Brittany said. "Everything. He's different. And I'm not going to hurt him"

"You had no problem hurting me" Alvin pointed out.

"That's not true." Brittany said. "And you know it."

"So what?" Alvin asked. "What happens?"

"Nothing… "Brittany shook her head as if he could see her. " Nothing happens with us. I'm with Stephen now and I'm not going to ruin it. I'm not gonna break his heart"

"So what? You called me just to tell me exactly what you told me early today?" Alvin asked.

"No." Brittany said. "I called you because I wanted to talk to you. I missed talking to you…"

"I'm not getting this." Alvin said.

"What else is new?" Brittany remarked, with a roll of her eyes.

"I… I still like you and you still like me…. But we can't be together because you don't want to hurt this guy's feeling?!" Alvin exclaimed.

"It's not just that!" Brittany protested. "I care about him!"

"Like how?"

"What do you mean, 'how'?" Brittany asked. "I just do! He's a great guy!"

"He's not your type" Alvin pointed out.

"How would you know what my type is?!" Brittany demanded.

"What kind of question is that?!" Alvin demanded. "Because I know you!"

"Obviously not" Brittany retorted. "Because I do like him, so get OVER it! You lost your chance"

Brittany heard Alvin groan into the phone. She rolled her eyes and sighed.

"What about friends?" Brittany offered. "We'll be friends"

"Friends?" Alvin repeated. The way he said it… it was as if she had just suggest that they roll around in dog poo or jump off The Empire State Building…

"We can be friends!" Brittany cried. "What's wrong with that?! We started off that way anyway."

"Friends." Alvin said again.

"I didn't stutter."

There was a sigh followed by soft static then "Ok..." Alvin agreed. "That means we can start actually talking now right?"

Brittany shrugged as if he could actually see her. "I guess…"

They drifted back into silence. Brittany figured this could work. She could be friends with Alvin… and still be with Stephen. She could see Alvin everyday… without hurting anyone…

"Hey, friend? Want to walk with me to school tomorrow?" Alvin asked.

Brittany swallowed. She almost said yes, almost. "You? As in… just you and me?" Brittany asked. Just the two of them? They were broken up… it would seem like a date… and Stephen…

"No…" Alvin answered. "I mean… we can walk with Simon, Eleanor and everybody."

"Oh," Brittany whispered.

"Yeah, so can you?" Alvin questioned.

Brittany inhaled sharply. She was stepping on dangerous territory and she knew it… but a part of her didn't care…

"Yeah." Brittany answered quickly. "I'd love- I mean… I'll be there. "

"Cool" Alvin said.

"Yeah…" Brittany murmured.

"So…" Alvin's voice trailed off.

"So… bye…" Brittany shrugged.

"Bye..." Alvin squeaked.

"Bye" Brittany repeated.

Brittany almost stumbled back a bit as she put the phone down. Her heart was high with excitement and anticipation even though she knew it shouldn't have been. She was about to walk off when she realized something. Every morning for the past few months…

Stephen had walked her to school.

So now…

What was she going to tell him?

Brittany bit her lip. Playing out what she would say in her head. Brittany wasn't stupid. She knew what to say to him… or rather what NOT to say to him. For example:

"Hey, I can't walk to school with you today because I'm going with Alvin. You know, that guy who I've known almost my entire life… the one who I was dating before you… The one who I swore to you I didn't even talk to. YEAH! That one!"

That was defiantly, without a doubt, something she should keep to herself.

Brittany was still contemplating everything as she dialed his number… listening silently as it rang… then smiling even brighter when he didn't pick up. That meant she could leave a message. A message that he wouldn't get until the next morning… which meant she didn't have to even think of a reply to his obvious questions. Brittany listened as his answering machine picked up and Stephen's voice chimed in her ear. She waited for the BEEP then spoke.

"Hey, Stephen? It's Brittany." She announced. "I'm walking to school with my sisters and some neighbors tomorrow so you don't have to come pick me up, alright? I'll see you at school, baby. Bye!"

*********

Brittany stood in the corner of the shared Chipette bedroom in front of a large rectangular shaped, gold framed wall mirror fiddling with her bangs. She felt nervous… anxious… her heart kept doubling over at the thought of what she was about to do. Of course maybe she wouldn't do it. Maybe she'd chicken out at the last minute. But she promised. It wasn't right to go back on a promise was it? Brittany sighed, brushing her bangs to the side with a sweep of her hand. So that's what she was doing right? Just keeping a promise to an old friend.

The sound of the front door opening snapped Brittany from her thoughts. She quickly reached for her coat with one hand, her book bag with the other and turned to leave the room. Soon she was bounding down the staircase and into the downstairs' hallway calling out to her sisters.

"WAIT!!" she screamed, running for the front door.

Jeanette Miller had just stepped out into the brisk December day sending her straight maple brown hair flying in the wind. Eleanor was right behind her; one foot stuck outside, her right hand still clutching the doorknob. But when they heard their eldest sister calling out both paused to turn back.

"Yeah, Brittany?" Eleanor asked.

"I thought I'd walk with you guys today" Brittany quickly explained.

"Why?" Eleanor asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Stephen's not picking you up?" Jeanette added.

"He has something to do…" Brittany lied. "And what's with the third degree?! I can't walk with you guys anymore?!"

Eleanor studied Brittany face for a moment before sighing. "I know you're up to something" she said with a yawn. "But... you'll tell us eventually so I won't push"

"I'm not up to anything" Brittany protested.

Eleanor shrugged. "Whatever you say, Brittany."

Brittany rolled her eyes, slowly closing the door behind her. The three girls made their way down the little pathway that led to the sidewalk and then into and across the quiet suburban street. It wasn't until they were gradually nearing the Seville household that a thought finally occurred to Brittany.

What if Stephen didn't get her message in time? What if he actually showed up? Or worse, what if he… what if he saw her walking with Alvin instead of him. Walking with the boy she claimed she had no other feelings for. Walking with the boy she swore she never talked to. It wouldn't go well either way you turn it. Brittany realized she couldn't be seen with Alvin. That's all there was to it.

Anything could happen. If someone from school or one of Stephen's neighbors or friends saw them together they could relay the message to him. And if Stephen were to find out… He'd be hurt… Not because she was with her ex-boyfriend… her best friend… (he'd get over that) but because she lied to him. If Brittany had just told Stephen she was talking to Alvin again this would be simple. Stephen might be bothered by it but he wouldn't show it much… because he trusted her. He trusted her.

Maybe… maybe this wasn't such a good idea.

Brittany blinked. She shouldn't be here… She shouldn't be standing on her ex-boyfriend's porch waiting for him. Even a best guy friend's porch who she was certain without a doubt she had feelings for, whom she knew still held feelings for her. And then she'd lied to her boyfriend to get here. She'd lied like a dog. It seemed like she was hiding something… and if they weren't going to do anything… if this meeting was completely innocent then why did she lie? This was bad.

Brittany took a step back and was about to make a run for it but suddenly the Seville's front door came flying open. She scarcely had time to step out of the way before Theodore came plummeting through it. He grinned up at the group then his smile grew even wider when his eyes fell on her.

"Brittany!" Theodore exclaimed.

Brittany opened her mouth to greet him but instead found her bottom lip clattering to the ground. She couldn't breath as she watched Alvin walking towards the door, his head turned, not facing them as he shouted something back at someone who must have been Dave. Her heart stopped and she sure she was about to go under cardiac arrest when he whipped around to face them. Alvin saw her and kind of paused in mid-step. He blinked at her several times before finally reaching for the screen door and pushing it open.

"Hey, guys. Hey, Brittany" He called out casually.

Brittany was still frozen. It wasn't that she was shocked that he was there. It WAS his house. He'd HAD asked her to meet him there just the night before. She KNEW he was coming. So if that was all true why couldn't she speak? What was wrong with her? Her body wasn't working!!

"Brittany?" Jeanette asked. "Are you alright?"

"I-"Brittany stuttered. She quickly turned her head, avoiding Alvin's careful stare. "I'm fine."

"You sure?" Alvin asked. "You looked like you swallowed a frog. Nervous about seeing me?"

Brittany rolled her eyes, quickly recovering. "As if!" she exclaimed. "PLEASE!! Don't flatter yourself!"

Eleanor sighed, rolling her own eyes up to the sky but silently she smiled. It was about time. She had almost missed the sounds of the two bickering. The six chipmunks started on their walk, the group drifting into soft conversation. Brittany's shoulders relaxed; her body gradually unwinding; her worries temporally forgotten.

"I actually didn't think you were going to show up" Alvin said to her.

"Why wouldn't I?" Brittany snapped. "I'm not afraid of you."

"Could have fooled me!" Alvin exclaimed. "You've been avoiding me for months now."

"Yeah, right!" Brittany cried. "You're not really worth the effort."

"Sure…" Alvin said with a roll of his eyes. "Does HE know you're here?"

"Who?"

"Your boyfriend or something?"

"How is that YOUR business again?" Brittany demanded.

"Brittany," Jeanette called out. "I thought you said that Stephen had something to do today."

"He- He does!" Brittany protested. She turned to Alvin. "But it's still none of your business. And that's the ONLY reason why I decided to come."

"The only reason?" Alvin asked.

"The ONLY reason" Brittany said.

Brittany rolled her eyes to the left. She sighed. So she hadn't told Stephen about Alvin but he hadn't really asked. She wasn't doing anything wrong. She didn't really lie… She told Stephen she was walking to school with her sisters… and that's exactly what she was doing. Eleanor and Jeanette were there. It wasn't her fault if Stephen never called back to ask who else was coming. It wasn't her fault if he never asked if Alvin was going to be there. What was she supposed to do? Read his mind?

Brittany smiled. Yeah, that would work. She couldn't read minds. And there wasn't some rule that said she had to tell her boyfriend all expects of her life. He couldn't control her. And Stephen wasn't even the type to try. She would be fine. And she shouldn't feel guilty, because you see… none of this was really HER fault.

************

Brittany was rummaging through her locker, the meeting with Alvin still fresh in her mind. She should be happy. She should be overjoyed. Alvin still had feeling for her. And when she was with him she could still feel the chemistry practically pooling around them. So why did she feel guilty? She'd really done nothing wrong.

Things were over with Alvin. And maybe if she told herself that enough times she'd actually believe it herself. She had to believe. She was with Stephen now. Stephen. Brittany promised herself she wouldn't go down this road anymore.

"You have fun with your sisters?"

The voice forced Brittany out of her own thoughts.

"What!" she shouted out from the confines of her locker.

It took her a few more moments for the voice to register in her mind. Stephen. It was just Stephen. He didn't know anything… or maybe… maybe he was just testing her… Maybe he knew all that had happened since last night and was testing her to see if she was going to tell him the truth.

"Your sisters." Stephen repeated. "That's why you wanted to walk without me right? To catch up with your sisters?"

A shiver ran down her spine. What was she supposed to do? Admit everything here and now… spill it all out of the floor for him to see? Or should she play along with her little lie… pretend nothing out of the ordinary was happening.

"Yeah," Brittany nodded. "Yeah, we um… caught up." Brittany answered as she pulled back, slamming her locker door shut. Brittany turned around to face him and smiled.

"That's good to hear." Stephen said. "So does that mean I have you all to myself this afternoon?"

He leaned in to kiss her then. His lips tasting like a mixture of Chapstick and cherry Airheads. Her head spun leaving Brittany dizzy and confused. Stephen pulled away, and she was just muddled puddle on the floor.

"Yeah," Brittany murmured.

The butterflies in her stomach were almost comforting. It meant things hadn't changed. Her feelings for Stephen hadn't changed even with Alvin added into the factor. Which meant she made the right choice… Being friends with Alvin was fine and she could still have Stephen. And maybe the fact that he was so perfect was fault on its own. There had to be a reason why he was this way. No one was perfect… Stephen wasn't any different. She just had to figure out what his faults were… its funny… because usually that was the first thing a person would see. You're faults. And it would take a more observant onlooker to discover the good things about you.

But here she was … knowing all the good things about him… and finding pleasure in his faults. He did have faults. Brittany smiled up at him. If there was any hope of her ever completely getting over Alvin… she had to do this.

Then again… did she really even want to get over Alvin? Knowing what she knew… did she really not want to take this chance just to see where it got her?

"What did you have in mind?" Brittany asked him.

Stephen shrugged. "I just want to spend time with you"

Suddenly she remember exactly why she had fallen in… like with him in the first place. The way the words just rolled off his tongue. The way his smile lit up the world. It made you want to laugh along with him. He was a good guy… with the best intentions. He just wasn't-

Brittany pursed her lips, determined not to even think his name. Not when she was with Stephen.

"What did you and your sisters talk about?" Stephen asked.

Brittany shrugged. "Just… you know… stuff" She managed. "But what did you do?"

"Caught up with some of my friends… nothing really…" Stephen answered. "But if you really want to spend time with your sisters… you know I don't mind. You can walk with them to school every day and I'll just meet you here."

Brittany swallowed. She couldn't have heard that right. He couldn't really be saying what she thought he was saying.

"Wha-what?" She stammered.

"I'm saying you can walk with them from now on… and I'll just meet you here." Stephen explained. "Alright?"

If- if he was really saying this… then that meant that she could walk with Alvin to school every single day and Stephen would be none the wiser. Maybe if they started out early they'd have even more time together. Thirty minutes… that's how long she had between the walk from her house to school and then just before the warning bell was to ring. Thirty minutes… with Alvin. But that meant she'd have to lie. Everyday she'd be lying to Stephen. Or she could just tell him the truth.

"Really?" Brittany asked. "I mean… are you sure?"

If he told her no, then she wouldn't do it. If he told her he wanted to continue meeting her every morning then that would be it. She'd leave it just like that. She'd stop this crusade before it even started. But if he said yes…

"Yeah, of course I'm sure" Stephen answered.

Brittany gave him a nervous smile. "Thanks"

His eyebrow crinkled in surprised. "It's no big deal…" He said, confusion creeping into his voice. "It's not like you really need my permission to talk to someone anyway…"

Brittany sighed. She was almost disappointed. He hadn't asked if Alvin had been there… He didn't suspect anything… he couldn't read that she was any different from the last time he saw her. The words she said to Alvin weren't written all over her face. So that proved it then. She wasn't really doing anything wrong. But if that was true… why did she feel… almost… guilty.


And that's all she wrote. I planned on making the last part longer but honestly I didn't feel like it. I wanted to update today at the latest and since I'm going to work like... now that wasn't going to happen unless I just ended it. XD

Wanna know something weird? All my fictional stories... the ones that are based off some book I read or a movie I saw or a song I've heard or whatever... The plot lines start playing out like almost exactly between me and my friends. I mean.. whatever I orginally had planned out... almost the exact same thing will start happening to me or one of my friends weeks after I start writing. lol. It's wild!