Alvin:

You gotta be kidding me! I had to be living some kind of nightmare. When Brittany and I returned from the kitchen with cookies and chips in hand I couldn't believe my eyes. My initial reaction was jealousy. Or maybe it was just the inconceivable scene playing out in front of me. Simon and Jeanette were kissing! But seeing it happen with my body in his place was the only thing preventing me from silently applauding him. The mix of my fiery red passion and Jeanette's mystical purple aura was a strange, if unnatural, theatric. As if that weren't enough – I didn't get to experience a single kiss! While Simon never explicitly told me about the dance and whatever Brittany put him through (God, that seemed so long ago now), it was easier for me to assume that dancing was the least of his worries. If he and Brit did in fact kiss, that would make two (TWO!) romantic endeavors meant for me. Two endeavors from TWO different women I might add! Simon was being a bigger player than I was! Like I said, this was my initial reaction.

Brittany, on the other hand, had a significant lack of receptivity. This was probably scarier than her being angry, in all honesty. I swear I heard her draw in a breath as she walked in. Now that she knew it was Simon in my body, I hoped she didn't feel as cheated as it seemed. If it were the other way around – if Brittany and Jeanette had switched, and I caught her and Simon kissing I probably wouldn't be the happiest camper. Even if I'd known. Sneaking a look at the chipette, I could tell she was awash in emotion. She could hide how she felt by not saying anything, or by not savagely tearing Simon apart, but her body betrayed her. A faded red spread across her cheeks, and her eyes were sad. The bag of chips she held crinkled as she balled her fists, and she tried too hard to hide it.

Something told me, however that this was more than just Simon (finally) making his move with Jeanette. I really got the sense that something bigger was in play when he dropped to the ground in the fetal position mumbling, "Simon Seville… My name is Simon Seville." Not gonna lie, I'm kinda glad my personality is safe from these sorts of attacks. Nothing's trying to make me into something I'm not. Becoming a weird astral projection that just disappears… I'd take that any day over what Simon had to go through. I'm sure I'll feel differently about my own problem around the one hundredth anniversary of my personality's separation from my body. Still, I wish I could take away his pain.

It's not often I have to be protective of Simon. Through all the school bullies that terrorize him on a weekly basis to the occasional crazy fan at a concert, or even problems at home, Simon usually fought his own battles. He was independent. We often joined together for Theodore's sake. If anything, Simon was more defensive over Theodore than his own well-being. Noble. But this wasn't some bully at school I could pick a fight with on his behalf. I was powerless in my brother's suffering.

Seeing Simon in this weakened pathetic state had to be rough on Jeanette too. Once Simon crumpled from their embrace, she seemed flustered. Now I'm sure a kiss from me would have that effect on anyone, but she was visibly upset. With good reason, I know. Simon had to have another episode, and this wasn't a kiss of passion, rather one of necessity. Not something Jeanette could ever have imagined – or wanted. His episodes are more frequent and stronger than yesterday. Fingers crossed mine don't get this bad for a while.

*SCENE*

Our morale is fading fast and there's not much that can be done about it. It's the bottom of the ninth with bases loaded, but our best player is out of commission. Simon can't work, and even though Jeanette's trying her best, she doesn't have the full understanding Simon had. Plus, I'm fairly sure her mind is on him while she tries to work. Simon's resting and our runner up has broken focus.

Simon didn't want to rest at first. It was a decision forced upon him by Jeanette, who insisted she could complete his work with me as her accomplice. He refused to sleep, though. Instead, he opted to be a consultant should we run into any issues. Personally, I think he was scared. Scared that if he went to sleep, he'd never wake up again. Not as himself anyway. We all had that thought, but in his state, rest was likely for the best. Although it's good he didn't sleep. Issues we had.

Turns out Simon's a surprisingly good leader. Even as a supervisor who no longer had to lift a finger. With Simon still at the helm, the machine was coming along nicely. Working with him alone was rough as he was, how shall I put it… slightly overbearing. But with Brittany and Jeanette to soak up his attention, he was actually tolerable. Of course, now the stress was getting to everyone. Time was almost up, and spirits were down.

Work was going smoothly for around another hour. The sugar had perked me up and I was following Jeanette's instructions, who in turn followed whatever Simon had to add. But right as our clock ticked 4:00, Simon had enough. He clamped his eyes shut and threw himself back on the pillow.

"I can't hear myself think." He complained, "I'm sorry, guys." If ever there was a time for me to step up and show Simon how dependable I could be, it was now.

"Simon," I said, clearing my throat. Approaching my brother, sickly sinking feeling sat in the pit of my stomach, as if I were saying my final goodbyes. Throughout the night I got in the habit of addressing him by name often. You never knew. "I think it's time for you to sleep and Jeanette and I finish the neuro-transmitter on our own. The hard parts are done, by now." If time weren't a factor, I was confident I could finish the machine myself. It wouldn't be pretty, but surely it would do the job. It looked as though there was only minor wiring left, connecting the helmets to the pods and the pods to the generator. "Jeanette knows what she's doing, and I know that I can help, and we can finish with time to spare. I do have experience ya know."

I don't know if it was exhaustion clouding his judgement, but he agreed! He agreed to get some sleep, but only on the condition that he be woken up every half hour to make sure he was still him. Even though I was the one to embark Simon on his desire for sleep, he spent much of our contract discussion looking at Jeanette with a somber expression. What I wouldn't give to know what he was thinking. Jeanette stared back at him. I don't know if it was longing in her gaze or what. They seemed to be having a telepathic conversation.

"Goodnight, bro." I said, breaking the unwieldy tension. Even now I didn't feel like I was speaking to the real Simon. Paranoia clawed at him like the tips of a bonfire did a starry night's sky. He was certain he didn't have long before another (possibly his last) episode. For once, couldn't he be wrong?

Simon waved, "Wake me up sooner rather than later, would you?" He didn't wait for a response. His head hit the pillow and he was out like a light.

*SCENE*

Watching Simon sleep offered little comfort, despite seeing him at peace. My face never looked good strained. I hope he doesn't give me worry lines. Examining my own chest rise and fall in such an even rhythm was calming. Keeping a steady grave tempo, Simon's breath was deep, yet melancholic. It sang the sad song of a desperate munk with nothing left to give. With him leaving us to our work, I did my best to fixate on the completion of what should have been a simple science fair project. Jeanette had just finished setting the pods up to the generator.

I hated thinking it, but now that Brittany finished the body her usefulness was dimming. A lot of the machine she'd never seen before and if I hadn't already helped Simon once I wouldn't be able to do anything either. I was trying hard enough not to hinder Jeanette's performance in her craft. As if reading my mind, Brittany sighed.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to do." She spun, looking for something to do, and ultimately settled on checking on Simon. She tended to him as if he were sick with a fever. Brushing his head to see if were warm and needed a cloth. Covering him with a blanket. Perfect little caretaker.

"You're going to get the chemical needed to operate the machine." Jeanette stated with a hint of uncertainty. Being a leader didn't come naturally to her. Listening to her give order was strange. Maybe she had switched bodies with Brittany. "Norepinephrine bitartrate. I'll write it down, so you don't forget. Mr. Crout's chemistry lab will have it."

"I have to go all the way to school?" Brittany let out another, much longer, sigh, "How much of this stuff do I have to lug home?" She propped open one of her many dressers, searched briefly and emerged with a cheaper looking leather handbag. This was probably something she'd use on an average day rather than a red-carpet event. I had to admit, her initiative was impressive. Even though she had complaints, she was secretly happy to contribute. Ready to grab whatever was needed in a heartbeat.

"Simon said half a vile," I piped in, proud I had retained something out of all this that proved useful, "And unless Mr. Crout moved it, the stuff should be in the top right cabinet. Careful," I laughed nervously, "There's another bottle labelled with very similar stuff." Brittany rolled her eyes and I'm sure Jeanette was silently judging me for getting us into this situation.

Jeanette handed Brittany the supplies needed to extract the norepi- the chemical, and looked lovingly at the sleeping Simon.

"Please come back as fast as you can." She said with the voice of a child asking its parent to check under the bed for monsters. Brittany gave her sister a reassuring look in addition to hug.

"You sure you got this?" I asked, remembering the trouble Simon and I went through when we broke into school.

Brittany winked, "Trust me. I'll be in and out in no time." With that, the confident chipette disappeared out the window. Even with her gone I still latched onto the lasting presence she abandoned. The last remnant of her ponytail as it whipped back while she hopped down the windowsill and onto the roof is a picture I'll never forget. Adventurous. Daring. My kind of chipette.

It was good long minute before I finally forced myself away from the window to help finish the machine when I noticed Jeanette sitting next to Simon, her hand resting on top of his. Though quiet, I could make out her humming a soft lullaby. She looked back and forth between me and my brother with distraught eyes and a neutral face.

"Something wrong?" I asked, averting my eyes, "Other than the obvious…" Looking at an upset Jeanette was like watching a lost kitten. You feel bad and want to help it find it's mother, but cats have their own language. In the same way Jeanette kind of lived in her own head, a cat could only communicate with another cat. Jeanette could only truly communicate with another Jeanette. And Simon was the closest the universe had come to making that. Either way, an outsider felt helpless, and I hated feeling that way.

"It's a weird feeling," She said, "I look at you and I see Simon, but then I look at your body and know it's him inside there, locked away in prison. All I can do is wait his life sentence, or help break him out. Either way, it's like there's two half Simons." Jeanette blushed, "Normally I'd think the more Simons in this world, the better it would be. He's smart and funny, and it's people like him who will really make a difference."

"Not to mention how handsome he is, right?" I joked, and Jeanette raised her hands in front of her face.

"That's not… I wasn't…" She stammered and awkwardly jumped off the bed, fumbling with a pair of wire-cutters.

"I'm just kidding, Jeanette." Mostly, "But if you really don't care, then I guess I won't tell you how head-over-heels he is for you." Jeanette didn't dare look my way. Her face was redder than my hoodie. "Of course, we are the ones who kissed - OW." I paid dearly for that little quip. Wire-cutters had bounced off my head and tumbled to the floor.

"S-Shut up," Jeanette said, letting a smile break through her misery, and hoping it would let her embarrassment slide, "It was Simon's… technique." She placed her hand over her chest, "And his heart."

"So, when things are back to normal," I continued, unable to hold myself back, "I shouldn't tell him to go for it? He doesn't stand a chance anyway, right?"

"No!" The chipette shot up, "I mean… You probably shouldn't do that." Just what I thought. Jeanette drooped back down to her feet, "No number of half Simons will equal a whole. There could be a billion Simon shells or a billion people with his personality…" She needn't say more.

"Let's get this piece of junk finished," I said, "We'll fix this and –" My vision crossed, and my mouth stopped. I leaned heavily on the generator of the machine as a dizzy sensation clouded my head. Fog slowly creeped its way into my field of vision and as soon as there were two Jeanettes, there was nothing at all.

"Alvin? Alvin!" I thought I heard Jeanette's voice echo. But as I stared at my brother's dirty reflection in the coarse metal of the generator, I let my corroded mind go blank. Simon's face had a dumbfounded, empty stare. Eyes droopy, almost lifeless. His body wobbled forward and back as if intoxicated. Before I knew it, I found myself staring up at the ceiling with my back bouncing off the ground.

To say fear gripped every fiber of my being wouldn't be inaccurate, but it didn't quite feel right. Was I incapable of fear? Of emotion? I knew what was happening but couldn't do anything about it. Yes, I felt my head hit the floor, but I had no discernable pain associated with it. How long did I stare up at that popcorn ceiling before I found myself no longer on the ground? Rather than looking up at an empty, colourless ceiling I was staring into the eyes of my own brother. Staring at the doll-like figure laying on the ground with glass eyes.

It was a bird's eye view of Jeanette clearing the clutter away from Simon's body and lying it on it's side. How scary it would be, I thought, to be alone and experiencing what could only be compared to a seizure or loss of consciousness. I was grateful to have someone around. If this had happened in a solitary location, where I might be hurt or dying in a cold yearning for company – I don't even want to think of it. I tried to look at my hands. My brain told my hands to raise in my field of vision, but no furry brown ligaments emerged. I couldn't feel them. I imagine this is similar to when an amputee has an itch on a leg that is no longer there.

I can't say I have any real concept of time right now either. I watched Jeanette tearfully do what she could to provide comfort for Simon's body. She had it's head resting on a pillow on her lap now. This could have taken several minutes or mere seconds – I wouldn't know. Without being entirely aware of my surroundings, Simon, who must have woken, joined Jeanette on the ground, caring for his body. They moved quick, but to me it was slow motion, like in a bad martial arts movie. I can hear the muffled sounds of the two talking, but I can't make out what they're saying. It was like my consciousness was floating away without actually changing my view.

Looks exchanged between Jeanette and Brittany (wait, where did she come from?). The sisters sat Simon down. He looked agitated. What were they saying? Jeanette cringed away from my brother. Something wasn't right? Why was she isolating him? Brittany held his hand and spoke with a broken inflection. I wanted to scream out, to let the others know I was alright. If something was wrong with Simon I needed to be there. And if he spoke the truth, as was the main concern, they were worried that both he and I were done for, weren't they? They feared I had been displaced and he discharged. I had to prove their apprehensions wrong. Prove to them all that I was still here. But I couldn't do anything without a physical body to do stuff! What did I do last time?

Wait, that's it!

Knowing I had beat this before, a spark of liberation overwhelmed my consciousness, and began willing myself closer. No, maybe I never moved to begin with, but my senses now overpowered me. I could once again smell the stale snacks Brittany and I brought up before.

"What if he's gone?" I could hear Brittany say. My hearing was crystal clear! Suddenly, I endured the sensation of being sucked towards Simon's body, as if he were a vacuum and I lowly dust-mite. WHAM!

*SCENE*

I sucked a sharp breath of air into my lungs and sat up immediately. Blood rushed to my head, making me woozy. I was greeted by a chipette in pink flinging herself at me.

"Alvin, you're okay!" She exclaimed and quickly sat back looking away. The absence of her warmth was noticeable. She coughed, "I'm glad you're still with us." Was that chagrin painting her eyes and bashfulness across her lips? I wanted desperately to kiss her. It wasn't often Brittany was this void of poise. To catch her off her guard with a kiss. Romantic, no? I felt myself leaning in when she spoke up again, "Alvin, Simon's in trouble." That brought me to my senses. This wasn't the time to think of romance.

"I'm glad you're okay, bro." My voice rang throughout my ears. It was hollow and somehow left a bad taste in my mouth. "Wouldn't want your big brain damaged from a fall like that." I couldn't acknowledge the chipmunk that spoke to me. That wasn't my brother. Not the way he was. We all understood what was at stake. I almost felt shame. Every time Simon switched was a higher likelihood that he was a goner. I let him down with every episode he experienced. And to add insult to injury, his punishment for my downfalls was to become that which failed him!

"Simon, please remember who you are." I said, holding back tears that insisted on welling in the corners of my eyes, "We're so close. You can't give up now." The first hints of daylight broke through the window (how long was out?). Birds chirped their cheery little tweet, and the morning air was layered with the smell of dew. I jerked towards my brother, "Listen, you!" The imposter listening to my words flinched, "Listen to the voice inside your head. Listen to Simon's voice and do as it says! Give it control!" 'Alvin' looked between me and the chipettes.

"Dude," He said, "The only Simon I hear is you shouting at me. Yeah I could hear him before – kinda creepy how you knew, by the way – but I have just been going nuts, huh?"

"You don't hear anything?" I whispered and he shook his head, "Simon…" I closed my eyes and lay my head on the shoulder of the imposter, praying this was all a dream. A joke. Simon wasn't really gone. He was playing a prank on me; payback for everything I put him through. I would open my eyes and find myself in MY body. I would be hugging Simon in HIS body and we'd both be happy life was normal. I'd be so happy I'd kiss him. Md kiss him. My ears pricked.

"A kiss…" I said, "Jeanette!" I turned to the chipette, who, until my outburst, seemed so lost, "Kiss him!"

"What?" She said, tripping over herself.

"Kiss Simon." I repeated, "He said before that you were the key. It saved him last time. Do it again!" I didn't mean to pressure her. And I knew what I said sounded crazy, but Simon HAD to be okay.

"Well… Um…" Jeanette avoided 'Alvin' and instead faced her sister with her face flushed. I knew then what she was thinking. And so did Brittany. Jeanette wasn't the one to initiate her first kiss. What was being asked of her would be embarrassing on all accounts. I was essentially asking her to kiss myself in front of Brittany.

"It's okay." Brittany said, feigning a smile, "Simon needs you."

"Isn't anyone going to ask if I'm okay with this?" 'Alvin' said, "Jeanette's cute, but really not my type." Let's just say he was ignored. And Brittany did her best to look past his assertive wink. Jeanette took deep breaths as she stepped up to the munk who stole my name and face. It was obvious she wasn't sure where to begin. She placed her hands on his chest, steadying her breath, and inhaled one last time.

"Please come back to me, Simon." She exhaled. Closing her eyes, Jeanette leaned in and pressed her lips to his. A hot red glow flooded her face as the chipmunk wrapped her in his embrace. The longer the kiss lasted, the more I thought I'd have to hold Brittany back. The two chipmunks bumped noses as they slid their lips against one another, leading Jeanette to inhale sharply. She quickly broke away from her partner, panting.

Uncomfortable silence filled the room as the bright rays of sunlight danced through the window, and only now did the exhaustion of staying up all night hit me. I stared 'Alvin' down while he regained his composure. He didn't appear dizzy or dazed as if someone inside was fighting. No signs of a headache or change.

"That was… Nice." He finally said, confirming my suspicions. Jeanette dropped her head and placed her hand on her chest like before. She let out a pitiful sob. I grabbed the imposter by his collar, letting my emotions roam.

"I know you're in there, Simon. Quit playing around!" Brittany rushed to my side, but I pushed her off, "Come on. I need my brother." My eyes watered as the realization of what I was implying hit me. "We aren't too late," I told myself, "I'm sorry I'm not what you deserve in a brother, Simon. Please give me another chance." My mind went fuzzy, though not from anger, nor sorrow. I could feel it happening again. My awareness of my surroundings was left vulnerable.

"What's wrong, Si?" 'Alvin' asked, holding me up. I would've thanked him, but I had other things on my mind. I shoved him away and spun to the machine.

"It's now or never," I huffed, gesturing to the girls. Jeanette lifted her face out of her hands and wiped away the tears. I clung to the first helmet of the machine. All that was left was understood by my simple brain. I thought back to the book Simon forced me to read. Twist these wires together. Connect this doohickey with that thingamajig. Was this it? Was it properly connected to the pod? Jeanette checked my work from thew other pod and nodded in affirmation. With a few more wires twisted, I believed our masterpiece to be done.

"Just step inside here," Jeanette pushed 'Alvin' into the second pod, much to his protest.

"Hey, whataya doin'?" He complained as Jeanette fought to strap his helmet on like a toddler. I grabbed the remote, dragged myself into my own pod, and had Brittany strap my helmet.

"Pour the stuff in that opening there." I instructed as the eerie haze began to cloud my mind all over. I could barely lift my finger to point at the compartment I was referring to. Before Brittany could do as she was told I gripped her shoulder and pulled her close, "Just in case." I smirked and planted my lips on hers, causing the chipette the let out an enthusiastic "eep".

Brittany's lips were soft and supple, and the little moan that escaped our grasp was enough to confide in me that no matter the outcome, I could die happy. Simon's glasses pressed against my face as we nuzzled closer. They didn't bother me as much as I thought they would. Maybe it was just timing. My hand briefly caressed Brittany's cheek before I dropped to my knees, weak and shaky. Brittany's breath was unsteady, but her determination clear. Pouring the liquid in the compartment, she flicked the switch on.

I slammed my fist on the button for the remote and readied for another explosion. But none came. I turned the remote in my hands and smacked it. Still nothing. My vision blurred and I could myself sinking. We failed. The machine didn't work. We were dumb to think we could accomplish it without Simon. I flipped the remote some more and noticed a rattling noise. Shaking the remote resulted in more rattling. I checked the "Ready for Use" indicator. No light. I harshly snapped open the battery pack and let out an exacerbated sigh.

"For the love of GOD, can someone go get batteries?" I groaned. Batteries! Some damn batteries were the only thing between me and possible salvation! Simon and his batteries…

Brittany bolted out of the room on the most important quest of her life.

"I am Alvin." I said, raising my voice to outdo the ringing in my ears. "I am Alvin, and nothing is going to change that!" Paralysis dropped me to the ground. "Alvin…" I whispered, "Alvin…" I was beginning to black out. "Alvinnn!" A bright light hurt my eyes, but I could make out the words "Ready for Use". With my last conscious action, I punched the activate button.

"Here we go…"