I was shocked to see how long it's been since I updated this story. I reread the last chapter and started this one. I know it's short and doesn't make up for the long delay but I think we're starting to make actual progress now. So here you all go!

-SawyerSeville19

The next afternoon, Alvin received a call from Brittany so they could discuss their date.

"I'm not doing anything right now, why don't we go to the mall or something?" Alvin suggested.

"Really?" Brittany asked, and Alvin could hear the smile in her voice. He was flattered that she was this excited to go out with him.

"Really. I'll go by and get you in half an hour. Is that enough time for you to get ready?" he teased.

"Plenty," she said confidently and they said their salutations before hanging up.

Alvin turned to head upstairs but he stopped when he saw Simon standing behind him.

"Plans with Brittany?" he asked. Alvin struggled to push the emotions he felt for his brother trying to reach the surface back down. He nodded.

"A date," he felt the need to say. Something flashed behind Simon's eyes but it was gone quickly.

"That's good. Well, I hope you have fun," he said with a nod before turning and heading upstairs to his room.

Alvin sighed heavily.

"I will," he said softly to himself. Heaving out another breath, he made his way to dress for a trip to the mall.

...AATC...

Brittany pulled out a knee-length pink dress and her pink flats. She had showered earlier in the morning so she just needed to change.

Moving quickly to her bathroom, she removed her homey clothes and pulled her dress on. She smoothed it out and took her hair down, grabbing her brush and brushing it out.

She was humming to herself as she tied it in a half up half down style. She put her chapstick on and a little perfume.

She rushed out of her bathroom and to her full body mirror. She examined herself at all angles, fluffing her hair to add more body to it.

She smiled when she heard the doorbell. She slipped her flats on and hurried downstairs, stopping by the door to fix any ruffles from her dress caused from her excitement and opened the door.

Alvin smiled at her before his jaw dropped slightly as he took in her appearance. Brittany smiled in return as she did the same.

He was wearing a plaid red and yellow shirt unbuttoned low enough to show his black tank top. His dark blue jeans brought out his eyes well.

"Wow, Brittany..." he breathed out in slight surprise, as though seeing her dressed nicely was a rare event.

Brittany beamed. "You're not too bad yourself, Alvin. Shall we go?"

Alvin shook his head to clear it, focusing more on their date. "Yeah, let's go."

...AATC...

Alvin wanted to see a movie. Brittany wanted to shop. No shock there. But Brittany was determined to focus on her plan and in order for that to work she had to get Alvin to like her. So that meant they'd have to compromise.

"Well, why don't we do both?" she suggested as they walked.

Alvin looked at her in curiosity. "I guess that could work too."

She frowned slightly. Could he be any less interested in their date? Her plan wasn't working out well so far. He seemed distracted. She glanced at him.

Alvin was indeed distracted. It seemed the more he tried not to think of his younger brother, the more thoughts of him he had. He even caught himself considering going to the bookstore and buying him a few new books and maybe a nice journal. Simon needed a new one for all those notes he takes for his experiments after all.

A hand suddenly grabbed his and he looked down at it before locking eyes with Brittany. Brittany, his date. The person he should be liking. Not Simon, his brother and person it's illegal to be romantically involved with. Er... um... physically, sexually involved with. Because he harbored absolutely no romantic feelings for his brother. It was simply platonic.

He sighed, troubled and horribly confused, looking away from her. "We'll get the tickets first and shop while we wait for the movie to start."

"Great idea, Alvie," she said, pulling him close by his hand and resting her head on his shoulder.

He tolerated that for all of five seconds before he moved away and pulled his hand free. "I told you I hate that nickname, Brittany."

The date was pretty much doomed. Brittany rolled her eyes and folded her arms. She'll be damned if she let Simon have any sort of hold on her Alvin's heart.

...AATC...

Alvin did end up buying a couple books and a journal for Simon. Getting those things as a surprise for him had greatly boosted his mood. All he was looking forward to now was finishing the date and giving the items to his brother.

Brittany was growing increasingly frustrated. Not only did she get no shopping time because Alvin spent their whole wait in the bookstore, but she knew he had been shopping for Simon. Alvin Seville doesn't just go book shopping for himself! Heck, up until now she's never seen him willingly going into a book place in general.

Her mood officially ruined, she grabbed his unoccupied hand and dragged him to the movie theater. She made sure he bought her popcorn and a box of candy. She'll work it off tomorrow. As long as he remembered who he was on a date with, dammit.

They took their seats and watched the previews.

Brittany was more or less glowering as they approached her front door. She felt incredibly disappointed. Alvin was basically not there throughout their date. In fact, he seemed completely distracted.

She had to look to make sure he hadn't continued down the street to his house. She was surprised he was still there. She huffed mentally, the least he could do was walk her home.

Alvin stopped on the sidewalk in front of her house and watched her walk to her door. "Okay, bye Brittany!" he said, waved and took off in a run.

Brittany watched him with her jaw hanging open. She growled in anger before opening the door and going inside, slamming it behind her. She definitely had some words for Simon Seville.

...AATC...

Alvin was excited to see Simon. The best part of his outing was purchasing his gifts for his love. He hurried to the front door and threw it open, he ran to the stairs before turning back around and shutting the door. He then rushed upstairs and to Simon's door. He knocked quickly.

It took longer than Alvin had liked, but the door finally opened. Simon blinked in surprise. "Hey, Alvin. Did you just get back?"

Alvin nodded and, to Simon's surprise, he blushed brightly before holding out a paper bag he recognized from the mall. "I got you something while I was out." Simon took it slowly and looked inside. He smiled.

"Thank you, Alvin. I've been wanting to get this book for a while now," he said as he took one of the books out to look at the cover.

"I know," came the shy reply. Simon looked at his brother upon hearing the tone. He examined Alvin closely. The way he was smiling, the blush, the way he was holding himself, and the look in his eyes. He furrowed his eyebrows thoughtfully.

He blinked before smiling again. "Thanks again, Alvin." Alvin nodded before heading to his room. Simon watched the door close and looked down at the book in his hand, contemplating. He backed up into his own room and closed his door.

He had always thought their relationship was platonic, purely physical. But, thinking back to that bizarre but endearing look in Alvin's eyes, he was seriously beginning to doubt it.

He wasn't sure how he felt about it. He was going to have some serious thinking time to figure out his own feelings before he confronted Alvin about his suspicions. If Alvin had gotten emotionally involved in what was supposed to be a physical relationship... well, at this moment, Simon wasn't sure what he'd say.

He sighed. He set the book on his bed and pulled out the other two from the bag. He smiled before picking up the journal which conveniently was decorated in multiple shades of blue. He flipped through the pages, excited to use it and overwhelmed with Alvin's sudden thoughtfulness.

He let out a breath, running his hand over the cover. What was he going to do?

Hurray! We're getting somewhere! Finally! I have a poll up on my profile I'd love for you guys to vote on. And please review for me!