Bake Sale Day!

SATURDAY

BRITTANY'S POV

Dear, Diary,

The bake sale I hosted was absolutely flawless. It went so much smoother than the process of setting up for it did. I'm sure banning Alvin from coming within 20 feet of it helped. Usually, I don't choose to spend my Saturdays at school, but this was a special occasion. I'll have to do it again a few Saturdays from now for the URGH science fair. Not looking forward to that at all. Why did I agree to help with it? Because that's what a good productive lady does. I set very high expectations for myself.

We managed to raise a lot of money to help pay for school clubs and field trips with our bake sale. Theodore kept trying to buy up all the desserts until Eleanor kindly invited him out to lunch. I bought a raspberry flavored cake pop for myself.

I saw a lot of familiar faces at the bake sale. Cheesy, Bruce, Annie, Amber, Vanessa, and even Derek. Miss. Smith showed up too. She said she didn't have anything else better to do with her Saturday.

After the bake sale was over, I went shopping at the mall and bought a new purse and some new colors of nail polish. I've been very into powder pink lately. I also stopped by the arcade and beat some random kid at a virtual paintball game. I prefer virtual paintball to the real thing. The real thing is so messy.

It was a productive day and I couldn't be happier.

While I was at the mall, I thought I saw Eleanor chasing this random man through the stores. I debated whether I should follow her and see what all the craziness was about, but I trust my sister to handle this on her own. Besides, I don't wanna get caught up in another one of her ridiculous attempts to prove she'd make a great detective. She's too obsessive about it. It isn't healthy.

I hope I can spend next Saturday just sitting at home reading my favorite magazines or coming up with new fashion ideas. I wish it was hotter outside so I could relax in my lawn chair. A busy girl deserves some free time, don't ya think?

JEANETTE'S POV

Dear, Diary,

Today was simply splendid! Brittany asked me to keep Alvin at least 20 feet away from the bake sale, so I got to spend the whole day with him. Well, ALMOST the whole day. Really, it was more like 6 hours, but it was so much fun!

First, we went to the comic book store and picked up some new Dr. Zap Vs. Electroboy comics. After that, Alvin suggested we spend some time at the local library. He picked out a lot of new books. He told me that reading is pretty much his only way of having fun without getting into trouble and that even his science fair ideas so far have caused trouble. I feel so bad for him. Maybe there's a way he can do things that boost his adrenaline without getting yelled at.

The next place on our list was the skatepark, where I cheered Alvin on as he taught me a bunch of cool moves. Unfortunately, just before we were ready to leave, he tripped over his skateboard and skinned his knees. That led to an outburst about him losing his athleticism because he hasn't kept up on practicing it. I tried to tell him that everyone has accidents, but he was having none of it.

I managed to cheer him up with some fruit smoothies from my favorite smoothie place and he mentioned something about me becoming his English tutor. That would be INCREDIBLE! I've always wanted to tutor someone in my best subject! I could show Alvin how much fun reading, even reading things that don't grab your attention right away, could be!

As we were on our way home, we passed by the school and spotted Simon shooting baskets in the courtyard. He was all alone, but he seemed to really be enjoying playing basketball with himself. I think he should try out for the team. He's never been on a sports team before, besides that one time Eleanor forced us all into soccer. Everyone needs some kind of exercise.

I'm home now and I think I'm going to read some more of those books I checked out.

I hope Alvin's okay, Diary. I'm a bit worried about his mood swings.

ELEANOR'S POV

This is the private journal of Eleanor Nichole Miller. Anyone caught touching this will be SORRY!

I woke up early to make sure everything was ready for the bake sale. I thought this would be the day I really got to shine! When it comes to creating delicious food, I am unmatched by everyone except Theo. Theodore hadn't made anything for the bake sale though, because he would much rather be the taster than the maker in this case.

I managed to make it through half of the bake sale today. Then, I had to get Theodore out of there before he ate everything….and I mean EVERYTHING. He was sucking up cookies and cupcakes like a deranged vacuum cleaner. I had planned to spend my Saturday on a stakeout at the grocery store or practicing baseball…not that I need the practice. Instead, I took Theo to the candy store in the local mall and let him go wild.

While I was in the candy store, I saw a guy steal a lady's purse! Time for some justice to be served! I ran through the mall chasing the guy left and right. I chased him through the food court, a videogame store, a shop that sells soap and shampoo, a sporting goods store, and finally….I caught him!

Turns out, the person he "stole" the purse from was his sister and they were just playing a game. SHE was supposed to be the one tracking him down. She showed up out of breath and praised my quick thinking and fast feet. I still felt kind of silly though.

When I returned to the candy store, Theodore was GONE. I should have expected that. Now I had to track him down in a huge shopping mall. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack! I called his phone and he didn't even answer!

I had to think like Theo if I ever wanted to find him. THE FOOD COURT! Of course! I managed to find him at the taco place an hour later. He was sitting at a table sobbing because he felt like I ditched him….which I kind of did.

I apologized and he forgave me and then I went home. At home, I soaked my sore feet while I read a Sports Illustrated magazine.

It was a stressful Saturday, journal, but it was exhilarating too! Until tomorrow!

THEODORE'S POV

Dear, Diary,

Breakfast today was a banana, an orange, some grape juice, and a cheese sandwich. I wanted more oatmeal, but we ran out cuz Alvin used it all for his failed science project idea. It was okay that I had a light breakfast cuz it gave me more room for all the yummy goodies at the bake sale.

Speaking of the bake sale, it was really really AMAZING! There was so much to pick from! I wanted to try everything! I didn't get to try everything cuz Eleanor invited me to the candy store before I could. I got to try a lot though! I bought so much that I'm broke now. Gonna have to get a job. I wonder if the ice cream parlor is hiring. Don't you think that would be a great job for me, diary?

Anyway, Eleanor took me to the mall and gave me her wallet! I tried to have self control, but I bought more candy than I should have. I couldn't help it! I love sweet chewy goodness so much! And chocolate! I LOOOOVE chocolate! They should make a super candy that mixes the best things about all the regular candies so that you don't have to choose between 100 different candies. I should talk to Alvin and Simon about that. Maybe it can be their science fair project!

When I left the candy store, with my arms overflowing with bags of candy, I looked around for Eleanor. She was gone! She had left me behind. It made me feel…really really bad. I was starting to think that she hadn't wanted to spend time with me at all. Brittany probably was worried I would wreck her bake sale. I'm much more aware of my surroundings than people think. I used to be real naive….I think that's the word Simon used. Now, I am good at detecting lies and mani…manipilation.

As I sat on a bench in the middle of the mall and snacked on my candy, I hoped Eleanor would return for me. It took a very very long time. I started to get hungry for stuff other than candy, so I went to the food court to get a few tacos. Then, I started crying because I'm usually a positive person, but even positive people have their limits.

But…JOY! HAPPINESS! Eleanor found me again! She apologized for leaving and explained everything! I was okay and I hugged her real tightly.

Once I got home, I went to watch some TV, but I was interrupted by Alvin and Simon arguing about something. I think they were in the upstairs lab. I didn't dare get in the middle of it.

That's all I have to say cuz my pen is running low on ink, but today was mostly positive…except for that one really bad part. Goodnight, Diary!

SIMON'S POV

This Journal is Property of Simon Oliver Seville

DO NOT TOUCH: ESPECIALLY YOU, ALVIN!

I woke up to a splatter of oatmeal all over my face. You think I'm joking? I'm not. Alvin was testing his invention for the science fair. An oatmeal catapult. The stupidest idea I have ever heard by far. And that's really saying something because my brother has had LOADS of stupid ideas. I cleaned myself off and got ready to spend my Saturday in the park doing some meditation and yoga.

The park was nice and quiet, until some rowdy children showed up and almost ran me over. I trekked deeper into the woods to avoid them and found myself on an impromptu nature hike. I saw some birds and kicked myself for not bringing my birdwatchers guide. I spread out my yoga mat by the lake, texting Brittany to see how the bake sale was going. Once she said everything was going smoothly, I completely allowed myself to relax.

After my rare hour or two of relaxation, I continued to hike until I came to a passage of trees that led me back into town. I decided to swing by the school and peer in the window at the bake sale, but by then the sale had ended and Brittany was there with some other students cleaning up.

I was about to help clean up when something in the courtyard caught my eye. The basketball hoop! There was even a basketball just sitting there next to the hoop, almost waiting…begging me to start dribbling it. No one else was around. It was the perfect opportunity to practice!

I quickly lost track of the time as I immersed myself in the game, playing one on one against…well…me. I'm not like Alvin, so I don't really talk to myself as if I'm another completely different person. So it was Simon 1 against Simon 2. Simon 2 won…not that it matters.

When I got home after basketball practice, I ran into Alvin who apparently HAD SEEN ME PLAYING! Uh oh! I decided I needed to explain so he wouldn't think aliens had replaced me with a body snatcher. It did not go well. In fact, it caused a huge fight. Alvin told me...imagine this in his voice now "Simon, just being taller than me and Theo, doesn't mean you can join the basketball team. You're still too short. You'd be crushed. It's my job to protect you, bro." Well, I told him "if you can be a scientist, I can be a basketball player." He left the room weeping. I guess I struck a nerve.

I guess I should probably sleep now…and focus more on the science fair. That's what everyone expects. Stick to the status quo. Why does life have to be so difficult?

ALVIN 2.0'S POV

Dear, weird book full of my own words,

I'm losing it. I think I'm losing it. Today I cried a total of 6 times! SIX!

It all started this morning when I debuted my new invention. My oatmeal catapult was a bust. Simon was all like, "That's not a science fair idea" So I told him, "Anything can be a science fair idea if you think outside of the box!" Long story short, Dave discovered oatmeal stuck to the TV and he told me to find a different idea…or else, so it's back to the drawing board. That caused me to cry. Cry counter: 1.

I wanted so badly to go to the bake sale, but I was rightfully banned after that stunt yesterday. I tried to force the fun and it isn't working. I have to let the fun come naturally, I guess. But...it doesn't feel natural anymore. Channeling classic Alvin is harder than it used to be. Should I accept the fact that I'm just...not fun anymore? This is what I thought about on my way to the Chipettes' house to meet up with Jeanette. Cry counter: 2.

Jeanette took me to the comic book store, which was admittedly pretty fun, for a nerd thing. I like hanging out with her a lot. I simply wish it had been under better circumstances. The new Dr. Zap comic was STUPENDOUS!

I heard there was a biography about the dude who created the Dr. Zap comics and I wanted to pick it up, since, you know, I make my own comics myself and it's neat to see behind the scenes concept art and stuff. Kinda interested in comparing him to me cuz…I bet he's a pretty cool dude.

Netta and I went to the library…which wasn't her idea, it was mine. Just more proof that I'm a different munk than I used to be. I checked out 10 different books, including the biography. The other nine were all science fiction books. My favorite genre. Escaping into my imagination through reading is pretty much what I do for fun now. Isn't that sad? After I told Jeanette how I was feeling, I ran to the bathroom so she wouldn't have to see me cry. Cry counter: 3

We left the library, went to the skatepark, and everything was great until I WIPED OUT! My knees still hurt. WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME!? Did I get so caught up in understanding the physics of skateboarding that now I'm out of practice on the real thing? This time, I sobbed my heart out in front of Netta. Cry counter: 4.

I found out Simon wants to be on the basketball team, and he's SERIOUS about it. Guess it's true. Our lives really have flipped around. Simon is the athletic one now and I'm just….a doofus genius who can't even think of a good science fair idea. Cry counter: 5

I had a nightmare about Simon becoming super cool and giving up science altogether so I could me the scientist of the family and woke up, you guessed it, crying. That's SIX! Now, I should probably go back to bed, but I don't feel tired at all. The science fair pressure is really on now. I hope a better idea comes to me.