Chapter 18: Hallway Confrontation

TWO DAYS LATER (Edison High)

Simon walked up to his locker and turned the dial on the lock to open it. Once opened, he began to exchange his books for the next class. He pondered on what he did the other day. Still feeling guilty for nearly hitting Dave's head with a beaker, he decided to be on his best behavior from now on. After Simon woke up from passing out on the couch and sobered up in the process, he walked back upstairs. He found Dave, whom was sitting back down in the living room, and apologizes, repeatedly for his actions.

Even though he thought school was such a waste of time it would be his duty to just play out the 'good old Simon' role. Although it did mean that he would spend less time with his friends, Tom and Renee, it didn't matter. Simon made a promise, and remembering himself as a child, he would always keep his promises.

It wasn't long till Jeanette quickly joined him. "Hi Simon! Are you ready for our next class?"

"I guess so." Simon answered with a sigh. His last class was just a boring time he figured. Soon after teacher finished a brief lesson, she then handed her students a quiz based on that lesson. The teacher said that the quiz would most likely take up the rest of the class. She figured that if anyone who would finish before the end of class that they could leave for a brief break before they would go to their next class. The teacher then went to Simon and told him that she would understand if he didn't get most of the answers right, due to the fact he re-started school just a few days ago.

Simon just gave her a smile and started to work on the quiz. He didn't even have to study for the test or anything; the answers came to him without even thinking about the questions. Thanks to his chemically enhanced brain, all tests that this school would give him were just too easy. Less then three minutes he got up and handed the teacher the finished quiz. She had looked over it and with a shock she saw that all the answers were not only complete, but they were also all correct. She just looked back up at Simon with a dumbfounded expression. Then Simon took full advantage of that break that the teacher promised and left the classroom. He had to smirk however, at the look on Alvin's face as he finished quiz and left room so quickly. Not to mention what the teacher must have thought. How was she to know that he'd be a mega wiz? What could Simon say? He was done, and the teacher said that if the students finished before the end of class that they could just leave.

Simon shook his head over the whole thing. 'Why am I even here? This is just a waist of time I know everything that this school has to teach!' He then looks over to Jeanette and into her bright green eyes and smiled. 'Even with glasses she has the most beautiful eyes,' Simon thought in a dreamy state. Then for some reason, he didn't mind going to his next class, because he knows that she will be there too.

"Simon I was just wondering if you would like to go to a movie with me this Friday?" She said as she began to blush. "Just the two of us?"

Simon swallowed hard, "Y-you mean, a date? Ah, s-s-sure. That…that sounds like fun!" He replied nervously.

"Great." Jeanette said with glee.

Just then Renee comes running up to Simon as he was about to reach for his books, she spins him around to face her and giving him a huge hug. "There you are, Simon! I've been looking all over for you!"

Simon had been so focused on Jeanette's presents that he was caught off guard by Renee sneaking up on him. He immediately noticed an interesting odor coming from his friend's clothes. It wasn't a cigarette or perfume smell; as far as Simon knew this was the first time Renee smelled like this. He also noticed that she was acting a little more cheerful and off balanced then usual.

"Oh, how I missed you so!" The red headed Chipette cooed again. She apparently was so out of it that she didn't even notice Jeanette standing two feet away. Renee then nuzzled her right cheek onto Simon's chest and started a slow dancing with him while stroking his back gently with her fingers. "Life is just not the same without the gang together."

From the corner of Simon's eye he could see Jeanette's disapproving look that she didn't like the way Renee was clinging to him. Simon began to feel very uncomfortable and tried to pry Renee off. "Aahhh, Renee…?"

"So where are you headed?" Renee asked as she finally loosened her grip and allowed Simon some breathing space.

"I'm, actually, going to my next class!" Simon replied in an almost proud tone. He turned around to his locker to finally grab his books.

"Now why would you want to do that? You know it is just pointless." Renee asked rolling her eyes.

"I have my reasons!" Simon looked past Renee and toward Jeanette and smiled from cheek to cheek. Jeanette looked up and saw Simon's reassuring smile and beamed with pride as she returned the smile.

When Renee noticed the look Simon and Jeanette were giving each other, she too grew a big smile on her face. "Well as long as you have a good reason!" She said before walking away. "I'm going to find Tom, I'll see you two later!"

"Bye," Simon waved to the red-head. He watched as she did a straggly dance down the hall. "Boy, she sure is a cheerful person." Jeanette said.

Simon frowned and muttered. "A little too cheerful."

"Pardon?" Asked Jeanette. Apparently she didn't catch the meaning of Simon's comment.

"Oh, nothing." Simon said, bringing his attention back to Jeanette. "Lets get to class, shell we?

"Yes, lets shell." Jeanette replies. As they head down the hall, Jeanette takes Simon's hand into hers.

The feeling of her warm hand in his made Simon experience a greater high then anything he'd ever felt before. The center of his chest began to get warmer; the feeling seemed to spread all over his body like wild fire. At the same time his heart started to beat a little faster, and butterflies began to flutter in his stomach. His cheeks, as well, began to feel warm; this had to be one of the greatest feelings Simon had ever felt in his life.

'So this is what 'falling in love' feels like?' He pondered in his thoughts. Never, even as a child had he ever thought about his true feelings before toward Jeanette. He figured, being on the Island caused him to become more aware of the great things he had from his youth. Again he looked over to Jeanette and she looked up at him. The both smiled in each other's eyes.

Simon's 'happy moment' suddenly turned into guilt. He turned head to look behind one last time in worry towards Renee…he could sense that something was really wrong with her. It was possible that she really needed a friend to talk to, and what did he do? Turn his back on her and walked away. What is happening to him and his friends? He then brought his attention back to Jeanette and noticed she looked concerned as she realized his attention was not at her anymore.

"Is everything alright?" She asked him.

"Um, I'm not sure. Just a little concerned about Renee and Tom."

"I'm sure they'll be ok. They do have each other, you know." Jeanette said to be encouraging for him.

Simon thought about it for a moment then smiled at Jeanette. "I guess your right. I just worry sometimes."

"You always did." Jeanette giggled as Simon raised an eyebrow at her. He then realized that she did have a point and started to chuckle. The both of them carried on till they reached the classroom.

Renee turned her head and smiled as she watched Simon walk in the opposite direction hand-to-hand with his girlfriend. She was glad that he had finally found true love, but a frown slowly over took the smile as she wondered how long it would last. Ever since they returned home she worried about their survival and she could tell that Simon was suffering as bad as her and Tom were. She also could sense Brian and Brenda suffering as well.

Even on the Island, Renee played out as the cheerful, encouraging friend of the group. She felt it was her duty to keep up everyone's hopes. How could she admit to her friends that all she ever does is worry about her companions? She had just gotten use to things on the Island and knew that Mary-Anne, Jeff, Rob, and Mark had big plans that included her and the other chipmunks. What happened to their human friends? Where did they go? It all didn't make sense. Did something go wrong? When did life produce such a turnabout way against their lives? And, how would things end up? Renee hugged herself for support and continued the search for Tom. Right now, he will be the only thing that would make her feel safe and secure.