I HAVE to say sorry for the extremely long delay (in my opinion) for this chapter and for "Journal" but now I'm back and ready for more writing! Enjoy; Happy reading and happy writing!

Simon's Point of View

I pushed my way through the locker door, welcomed the fresh air and tungsten lights, and caught my breath. Whatever just happened was a little fuzzy, and who knew how long I was in there! A quick glance at the clock told me it was five; the dance would be starting any moment, but I could care less right now. When Brittany told me she had a surprise to give, I didn't know what to expect, but if I had a billion guesses, I wouldn't have guessed what it really was. It wasn't a surprise she had in store for me, it was freaking torture! Two hours! Two freaking hours she had me cooped up inside that stuffy locker with her, kissing every part of my face she could find! Fortunately, not only was I able to dodge every attempted kiss aimed for my lips, but I was also capable of not kissing her back. Was that something Alvin would do? Heck no! But this was practically a felony and I had no intention of playing "two hours in heaven" or whatever that game is called. Heaven, ha! They should rename it two hours in the psychotic room of death! How did Brittany have the energy to kiss for two hours anyway? Who cares?! This sucked and the evening hadn't even started yet.

"Ready for the dance, Alvie?" Brittany cooed, stepping out of the locker in a (even I have to admit) stunning pink dress. She studied me as I nodded and she smirked, "That looks really good on you." A red hoodie looks good for a dance? I looked down and choked on a sharp breath of air. I wasn't wearing Alvin's hoodie anymore, I was now wearing a red and white tuxedo with a black bow-tie. Okay, I know it was dark, and I was preoccupied with keeping her lips away, but I think I would have remembered changing into something like this. It was set up so perfectly, so neat and tidy; what the heck happened?! At least now I know hat whatever happens at the dance it couldn't possibly be any worse than this. "Did you like your surprise?"

"Like it?" I laughed sarcastically, "It made me speechless!" I prayed that I'd never have to go through anything like that again for the rest of my life; the very next time I see Alvin, I'm going to slap him for underestimating this evening. I didn't sign up for this! Brittany clutched my hand and together we calmly walked down to the gym.

(Scene Change)

It didn't actually look that bad, I admit that I was impressed by the work put into this, even if balloons seemed a little farfetched for highschoolers. As we walked through the large gym doors, Theodore skittered over to us and handed each of us a card with questions on it.

"What's this?" I asked, but before Theodore could answer, his mouth agape, Brittany broke in, although I don't think she meant to.

"These are the questions we ask each other before the slow dance, right?" She confirmed and Theo smiled.

"Yup!" He exclaimed, "Isn't it fun?" Why is this the first I'm hearing of this?!

"Wait, questions? What questions?" I stammered, grasping my little brother's shoulders, "What are these for?!"

"You know," He gasped awkwardly, "so you can learn more about Brittany and so she can learn more about you." Come on! She lives with Alvin, doesn't she already know everything she needs to about him?

"Let's begin." She stated. Uh oh… I looked down at the writing on the card, freaking out over the first question, neatly printed with ink; Question number one: What is your date's favorite color? Brittany's was obviously pink, but what was Alvin's? He wears a lot of red, but was it really his favorite color? I recall him saying his new favorite color was pink.

"Well, Alvie?" Brittany asked, "What's your favorite color?"

"Um," I pondered, "Pink?" Idiot! The only time Alvin spoke of the color was when Brittany was around!

"Really?!" She practically screamed, "Mine too! Although I guess you already knew that. I didn't think that would be your sort of color." One question and she was already ecstatic, this would not be fun. "Okay, question two: 'What is your date's favorite book or movie?' That's a silly question." She looked at me expectantly. Oh good, a fun question!

"Oh, I absolutely love "To Kill a Mockingbird" and the literary classics of Mark Twain!" This was sadly the highlight of my night. I say sadly because, it was sad; my night's best moment involved me talking to Brittany at a dance about excellence.

"Huh?" She replied in a shocked state, "You like what?"

"Gah, I mean, er, 'Hello Lolly'?" Dang it!

"Aren't you a little old for that?" I shrugged my answer, "Heh, for a second you sounded like Simon."

"What?!" I exaggerated, "Simon? Heh, yeah, I mean it's not like we could switch bodies or anything and it's not like I'm trying to cover up that fact by trying to sound like myself or anything." I really need to learn to shut up more. I was losing it! I couldn't take the pressure that being Alvin came with and it took everything in me to hold back screaming. Rather than rationalizing everything, I'll just tell the truth… Okay, here's the deal: I suck at lying.

"Um, third question?"

"Please, no!"

"Wait, how about one more?" She pleaded after examining the card. "Question three: What does your date like to do for fun?" Oh, come on I should know this one!

"I like to cause havoc by doing things that seem innocent to me, but are clearly totally irresponsible even though I'm just trying to have a little fun inside."

"Okay, that's obviously not going anywhere," Brittany frowned, throwing the card away, "Alvin, are you okay? You're acting different, actually, you've been acting different all week." First of all: I so had that answer correct! Secondly, I wish I could tell her the truth, but I couldn't purposely cause more fighting between her and Alvin. He's doing so much for me, obeying my stupid, selfish rules about how to act like me, I could at least return the favor.

"I'm fine, Britt," I answered, somewhat happy I didn't mess up that answer too, "Just nervous."

"You're nervous to be here with me?" She went wide-eyed and I could hear her mutter under her breath, "Wow…" Was it really that simple to get out of trouble with Brittany? All these years and I'm just now figuring this out? She smiled, "Let's dance."

"Oh… I'd rather not." I'm not really nervous, but the more active we got, the more likely she'd want to kiss, a real kiss, right? This is fear, not anxiety.

"Sure you do," she assured me, "that's just the nervous jitters talking."

"No it isn't." I thought and was unwillingly dragged to the dance floor amongst the sweaty teenagers already through with their questions (or just ignoring them) and having the time of their lives popping balloons. I missed the side lines already; Brittany started dancing and I did the best that I could to just stand there and hope she wouldn't notice, but she didn't need to notice; with her eyes closed, she ripped me to her side, forcing me to follow along with her dance moves. A painful twist here, a flip there, the party music went perfectly and was kinda fun. We kept in beat with the tempo, and for a second I was enjoying myself. But then the music changed…

A slower tempo and judging by the sound of the music, there was no guitar, only softer instruments were being played like the flute, a piano, and softer taps on a drum. No lyrics were being sung, and the balloons from the teenagers ceased. The music alone was peaceful. I listened carefully to the calm serenity of the flute, keying into each individual whistle. That is, until I noticed everyone partnering up, a boy and a girl.

"It's time for the slow dance!" Theodore's voice echoed through the gymnasium. I located the source to be the announce table,"Partner up and-" He was cut off, pushed away from the microphone by Eleanor, who hugged him close as she began rocking in the so-called slow dance fashion.

"At least somebody's having a good time." I thought about Jeanette and upset she was when I first had Alvin turn her down. She didn't deserve that. I've been regretting my decision ever since; it was unfair to Alvin and unfair to Jeanette.

I flinched at the sudden contact of Brittany's hand interlocking with mine. I'd completely forgotten about "my" date! That was rude… Oops, although it's not like that was any different from the past week.

"Dance with me?" She whispered. I hesitantly agreed and halfheartedly placed my hands on her sides, silently groaning to myself. She smiled and inched herself closer, resting her head my shoulder. She started rocking, but I stood still as a rock. This was wrong, I shouldn't be in this position. Sure, Brittany was a good friend, one of my five roommates and practically family, but I shouldn't be her date. I was leading her on, portraying Alvin (terribly I might add) and that wasn't right. After a couple minutes of awkward "dancing" Brittany pulled away.

"You don't want to be here, do you?" She frowned. Aw, man, the jig is up! I was ready to stick my arms in the air and wait for handcuffs. Wait, was it really up?

"Why would you say that?" I nervously baffled, "Of course I want to be here." I could tell she wasn't convinced.

"You don't need to lie." She replied, "Besides I think you're getting worse at it anyway." Her eyes were forming little tear droplets. Was she actually crying? Had I hurt her that much? Who am I kidding?" She said, "I knew from the beginning you weren't interested, but I convinced myself to keep trying and-" I swiftly pushed a finger over her mouth and she squeaked. It was time to really be Alvin, to realize I'd done something wrong, but most of all, to turn on the charm, even if it was fake. Grabbing her paw, I spun her under my arm, brought her back, and dipped her exactly like Alvin had taught me. I brought her close, back to the "first position" of slow dancing and slowly rocked.

"I want to be here." I lied. It was wrong to lie, but Alvin broke the rules all the time, why shouldn't I to do this one thing so a hopeful chipette would feel better? I was doing this for my brother too, who was probably off destroying the transmitter again.

"Prove it." She said, catching me off guard. So much for my charm. What was she implying? Was my word not enough? I guess that asking that after I just lied to her was sort of redundant. She closed her eyes, "Prove you want to be here with me. You wouldn't in the locker…" What?! She pursed her lips a smidgen as if she was hoping for me to lean. Just because she was hoping for it didn't me she would expect it. I wouldn't if I were her. This was NOT part of the plan. Even when I didn't lean in she had her lips pursed with her pink nose tilted up on her muzzle. Her eyes were only slits, piercing into my own whether she meant them to or not. There was no way I was going to do this! Then again, there was no way out of this either. Not if I didn't want to hurt her… A kiss… one second with lips pressed against each other, that's all a kiss is, but why was it so hard to do?! My guess: you're never closer with someone unless you're kissing, but could simple friends kiss? Could I live with the fact that I'd know I kissed Brittany of all munks? It's not like anyone would know… I would, but that was beside the point.

"Physical contact," I thought, "That's all it is, like dancing or dodge ball…" Her position didn't change; she knew what she wanted, "Alvin, I swear you BETTER appreciate this…" I began to lean in, slowly closing my eyes waiting for the "big moment" to occur. If Brittany ever found out… What were the costs to doing this? Other than the medical bill from all the injuries I'd get. It was like I was internally breaking down, all for a stupid kiss. I was going through with this, but I had no clue if things would ever actually be the same again.

As I leaned in closer, I felt the warm air exhaling out of Brittany's nose. That wasn't helping. What the heck was I thinking?! This could cause more trouble than it's worth! But still I leaned closer, any more and we'd be touching. All for a kiss?

"What on Earth am I doing?"