Chapter 12: How Things Change

THE NEXT EVENING

Alvin and Theodore were sitting in their room and doing some homework that had been delayed for a few days. The teacher had let it slide, due to the fact they were being reunited with their brother, Simon. Now that they had some time to catch up, Alvin and Theodore needed to finish up on their school work. In a couple of days they must go back to school, all three of them.

Earlier in the day the boys went with Dave to the zoo. It was defiantly a trip down memory lane for the Seville family. Later the Seville's met up with Renee and Tom and their families and joined them for dinner at a Chinese restaurant. Again, Simon, Tom, and Renee didn't eat anything. This concerned everyone at the table. Instead the three friends drank Chinese tea, water, and even juice during the entire dinner. The three teens assured their families that they were ok, just not really hungry.

When the Seville's came home they made some hot coco and sat in the living room. Dave, Alvin, and Theodore took this opportunity to try questioning Simon about his condition. Simon would only stare into his mug with a vacant look. He replied to each answer with an, 'I don't know'. Dave even suggested that maybe Simon would need to see a doctor about his problems with eating. Simon just shrugged at the idea and again muttered 'I don't know' then continued to sip his hot coco. They also noticed that Simon would tend to appear stressed when they asked him about the Island and figured he was still getting over that trauma. It was for that reason that they decided to give him some space for now.

After the boys finished their hot coco, the three of them headed up to their room to help clean up and go through some of Simon's old things. They did this while Dave decided to catch up on some paper work. Alvin, Simon, and Theodore each marvelled at all the models Simon once built and threw out his old small clothes that he couldn't wear anymore. The three of them carried on with this for almost an hour. Then Simon had the need to take a break. Reluctantly Alvin and Theodore nodded their heads to let Simon have his 'break'. They watched as he reached in his desk drawer and pulled out his package of cigarettes. He took one of the cigarettes out of the package and picked up his lighter.

"I'll be right back!" Simon then announced as he headed for the bedroom door.

"It's ok. We'll just work on some homework till you get back." Alvin said as he held up his math book. He then dropped his jaw in shock. Both Simon and Theodore raised an eyebrow at him. "I can't believe I just said that." Alvin said in disbelief.

Simon and Theodore started to laugh. "Boy, things have changed around here!" Simon laughed as he walked out the door and headed for the stairs.

Alvin and Theodore were not impressed with the idea that Simon took up smoking. They chose to forgive him because of Tom's explanation on why they had to start up in the first place.

The two boys were halfway done with their studies when the phone rings. Alvin and Theodore peered over to the clock and it said 8:45pm. They heard Dave's voice as he answered it. Shortly after they heard him called out Simon's name, when no one replied their dad opened the door to the boys' room and gave them a puzzled look. "Boys, have you seen Simon?"

"He said he needed a 'break'!" Alvin said placing his book in front of his face to hide his knowing look on the truth of what kind of 'break' it was. "He could be out in the back yard?"

Theodore threw his brother a look that said 'how could you betray our brother.'

"Ok, thanks!" Dave said. He closed the door and head back downstairs.

Alvin turned to Theodore and said. "What? Dave would most likely find out soon enough about Simon's new habit." Theodore shook his head and went back to his studies.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

Outside Simon sat in the old tree house, having a smoke. He remembers the good old days when he'd come up here and do his homework on the warm sunny days or play pirates or other games with his brothers. He missed those days so much. Simon took another drag of the cigarette and blew the smoke from between his lips. He closed his eyes for a brief moment and started to visualize himself back in the days of childhood. Just then he heard Dave calling out to him.

"Simon, are you out here?"

Simon quickly re-opened his eyes and stood up. He hid his cigarette behind his back and stuck his head out the window to let Dave know where he is.

"Right here, Dave!"

"What are you doing up there?" Dave asked with half a laugh.

"Oh, just reminiscing!" Simon thought quickly.

"Well, you have a phone call!"

"Who is it?"

"Tom, I think!"

"Tell him I'll be right there!"

Ok, don't be too long."

"I won't."

Simon waited until Dave was inside the house then took one last drag of his cigarette before disregarding it in an old soup can he found in the kitchen recycling bin. He hid the can behind some old toys that were still up there and walked up to the window. After, he looked around to see if anyone was watching. Without warning he crawled out the window. He had one foot on the sidewall of the tree house, while he still held the window railing. Then he kicked away from the tree house and did a back flip. Simon landing on the ground effortlessly, he then dusted himself off and with a proud smile on his face he looked up at the tree house window from which he jumped. 'Not as good as Renee, but not bad.' He thought to himself. Then he ran into the house and picked up the kitchen phone.

"Hello?" He said almost out of breath.

"Hey, what took you so long?" The voice at the other end replied.

"I had to go out for some fresh air, Tom!"

"Oh, anyway Renee and I want to do a 'uniform burning' tonight in celebration of our escape from that crazy island... you in?"

"Sure, let me go ask my dad first!" Simon places on of his hands on the speaker end of the phone and calls out to the living room where Dave sat. "Dave, is it ok if I go to Tom's place for a couple of hours?"

"What? Now? It's quarter to nine and we have a big day tomorrow!" Dave answered as he got up and walked over to Simon.

"But Dave, it's really important! Tom doesn't live to far away and I promise I won't be gone too long. I'll be home before twelve, what do you say?"

"All right, then! No later then twelve!" Dave warned.

"Great!" Simon cheered. He then uncovers the speaker piece and puts the phone back to his ear. "Tom, it's ok! I'll see you guys in five!"

"Cool! See ya!"

Simon hung up the phone and runs upstairs to get his bag that he left his uniform in. He started to walk back out of the room, but then remembered that the rest of the uniform were still in the little trash bin beside his desk. Simon walked back and pulled out the vest and tie that still sat on the bottom of the bin and stuffed them in the bag too. Before he had a chance to leave, Alvin called out to him. "And where do you think you're going?" He asked in a sharp tone that reminded Simon of Dave.

"I'm going to Tom's for a while!" Simon replied with a smirk.

"Now?" Alvin replied in shock.

"Yeah, don't wait up!" Simon said sarcastically and left his two brothers to their homework.

Alvin was green with envy. Dave would never let him go out with any of his friends at this hour. He felt Simon was acting worse then he himself would ever act, and getting away with it. The more he got to know this new Simon, the more he misses the old boring, reliable Simon. He turned towards Theodore and saw by the look in his chubby little brother that he felt the same way too. The both of them let out a deep sigh and shook their heads before going back to their homework.