Chapter 2- Big Trouble
Just moments ago DJ was on top of the world. Not only did he impress his entire school, but he finally got the girl of his dreams. But now he was here sitting in the principal's office as he just heard his father yell his first name. A sound all too familiar to the chipmunk, which indicated that the wrath of his parents was underway.
The once famous rockstars Alvin and Brittany Seville entered the office with faces as red as his father's tie. His dad looked a lot like DJ, but you could clearly tell who had been on this earth longer ; also Alvin was slightly taller. He wore a black suit with a red tie with a yellow A on it, his hair was slicked back, and even after all these years, he still wore his iconic red cap. His mom also shared quite a resemblance to his sister Carol, but her auburn hair was short and combed neatly. She was roughly as tall as DJ. She wore pink lipstick, blue mascara, and a pink skirt suit, a yellow collar, a yellow B pin, and pink high heels. On both of their left hands were wedding rings.
"Thank you for coming, Mr. and Mrs. Seville" said Principal Talbot.
"Sorry if we kept you waiting, I had to leave in the middle of an important meeting" greeted Alvin as he sat down in one of the empty chairs.
"And I had to pick up my husband as I had the car" added Brittany, taking the last chair "Franklin's parents couldn't come because their restaurant is packed at the moment".
"My apologies for the inconvenience" answered Principal Talbot "I must inform you that your children and nephew have caused quite a commotion in the auditorium earlier".
The two adult chipmunks gasped as the children shifted in their seats. "What exactly did they do?" Alvin asked.
"Well you see our last school meeting was supposed to be concluded with a performance from our acapella group. But your son decided to blast horrible music and steal the stage from the performers, while being joined by your daughter, nephew, and their friend!" the principal announced in strong voice. DJ stared at the ground, not wanting to face anyone, especially his parents. "And may I remind you that this is not the first time David J. Seville has caused trouble in school! Causing a riot at the book fair, constantly getting into fights with Jacque Glouton, the disaster that was the Valentine's dance. Your son has spent the entirety of his freshman year causing chaos in West Eastman! Sometimes bringing in his family members to help…". When Principal Talbot started to list times where DJ got in trouble, he sank down into his seat more. It was apparent that the weight of this situation was getting heavier and heavier.
"And we're deeply sorry about DJ's behavior" answered Brittany, with a hint of shame.
Alvin quickly chimed in after his wife's apology, "DJ is at that time in his life where he feels like he needs to act out. We'll promise to try harder to get him under control".
Principal Talbot then stuck up his nose at the suited chipmunk "Oh I have not forgotten how you behaved when you attended here Mr. Seville. You were as out of control as your son is now!".
Alvin's cheeks burned with embarrassment as he hung his head. The feeling of Talbot's glare had quickly returned to him, making him feel like a child again, and not in a good way. "I know, Principal Talbot" muttered Alvin.
Principal Talbot didn't hold back, he leaned in and shot glares at both of the two adult chipmunks. "Listen HERE Mr. and Mrs. Seville" Principal Talbot spat "You ought to do a better job disciplining your children, or god help me I will EXPEL them! DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?!". Everyone was taken aback by the Principal's volume, as he banged his first on his desk.
"Y...Y… Yes Principal Talbot" nodded Alvin and Brittany, equally as afraid as the teens.
Principal Talbot then straighten his tie "Carol, David, and Franklin Seville are suspended for the first two weeks of the next school year. Have a good summer…". The chipmunks nodded as they exited the office.
The walk out of the school was nothing but silence. The children just moped as the adults had stern looks on their faces. Once they left West Eastman high, they walked up to the family car. Alvin took the driver's seat as Brittany sat in the passenger's seat. DJ, Carol, and Franklin sat in the back and Alvin started to drive down the road. Alvin took a deep breath and looked up to the mirror to see the children "okay…. Can you please tell me WHY IN THE LIVING HELL DID YOU DO THAT?!".
"We're sorry dad!" Carol quickly replied "We were just helping DJ to live his dream!".
"IS HIS DREAM TO GET SUSPENDED?!" Brittany angrily asked.
"No Auntie Brittany!" pleaded Franklin "He just wanted to show the school a good time!".
"And we definitely succeeded in that" DJ said confidently.
"I don't want to hear it, mister!" Alvin demanded "Did you hear the part where I said I had to leave in the middle of an important meeting?". The kids didn't know how to answer, so they simply nodded their heads. "Well because I had to leave for your little fiasco, I'm going to be in big trouble with my boss!". DJ knew this was bad as his father took his job very seriously. He felt a pang of guilt knowing how much hell it can bring to his father.
"Look dad, I'm really sorry" DJ sighed "To be totally honest I just wanted to impress a girl".
Alvin looked back up to his son through the mirror "This is about MC, isn't it". DJ nodded and then his mother lit up.
"Oh my baby boy, bitten by the love bug!" Brittany sang "Oh doesn't that bring me back". Brittany had seemed to have forgotten about the incident for a moment as she walked down memory lane. "You kids want to hear about how your farther and I fell in love?" she cooed.
"Yeah, how did you and uncle Alvin fall in love?" Franklin asked "mom and dad always talk about how you two fought a lot as kids". Carol and DJ quickly covered Franklin's mouth, they knew the story quite well and weren't in the mood to hear it again.
"That is true Franklin" Brittany continued "Why me and your uncle would argue over every little thing. We were rivals. Leaders of the two biggest bands in the world. Though we didn't admit it, we deeply cared for one another. Sure your uncle could be a jerk, but we were best of friends! We would do everything together! And when we were around your age, we both went to the old roller skating rink and were attacked by a gang. He saved me from those crooks and after that day I realized I was in love with him. Eventually he grew the confidence to ask me out on a date to the Venice Beach boardwalk. Then as the sunset, he leaned in and we kissed lovingly. Though we fought a lot, I knew that day I was going to spend the rest of my life with him!".
Franklin was deeply moved by his aunt's story and he wiped tears out of his eyes "That story is so beautiful". DJ and Carol rolled their eyes and looked out each window beside them.
"Oh thank you, Franklin! You're such a doll. I'll never forget that day for the rest of my life, right sweetie?" Brittany turned her head to Alvin, but was disappointed to see that he wasn't even paying attention since he was talking on his phone. Brittany groaned and then she stared out of her window.
"Look, look, just tell them I'll make it up to them tomorrow, okay?" Alvin spoke into his phone, still ignorant of what just transpired. "Yep… Uh huh… Alright see you tomorrow". Alvin then hung up and put his phone in his pocket as the car grew closer to their home. He then parked the car in the driveway and everyone soon began to exit the vehicle. "Franklin, your parents are coming to pick you up soon" Alvin said as he unlocked the front door. Franklin just nodded as everyone entered the house and sat in the living room. DJ, Carol, and Franklin sat on the couch as the adults sat on two separate chairs facing them. After sitting in silence for 20 minutes the doorbell rang and Alvin went to open the door. There Franklin's parents, Theodore and Eleanor entered.
Theodore was chubby and short and had a mustache, he was still in his chef clothing and was wearing a green apron. Eleanor was blonde and slightly shorter than her husband, but also thinner. She wore a light green knitted sweater and a pair of light blue mom jeans. "How's it going, Alvin" greeted Theodore.
"I'm alright, Theo" Alvin answered "but I won't lie, I've been having a rough day".
"Oh, sorry to hear that" Eleanor sympathized "our day hasn't been that great either. Our restaurant got three parties booked around the same time and we had to take a lot of orders".
"Sorry we couldn't show up for the Principal's meeting" Theodore apologized.
"Oh, it's fine" Brittany said as she got up to greet the other adults "that sounds like a real handful. I don't how you two do it".
Eleanor smiled at her sister, but then her face turned to a frown as she turned to the children. "Now what is this I heard about you kids causing trouble in the school auditorium?" she asked as she put her hands on her hips.
The kids just turned their heads away from Eleanor with looks of guilt on their face. "Apparently they stole the stage from the acapella group and started to play loud music through the speakers, causing a ruckus" Alvin answered, looking quite crossed.
"Franklin, how could you?" Theodore said sternly to his son.
"We raised you better than that!" Eleanor yelled "We're very disappointed in you!" Franklin saw the looks of disappointment on his parents' faces, and it caused him to feel a rush of shame. The yellow green-clad chipmunk got so overwhelmed that he started to tear up.
"I'm sorry mommy and daddy!" Franklin cried "I didn't know what I was doing. Please don't hate meeeeee!". DJ sighed at the sight of his cousin's childishness. Even though he was already in high school, Franklin still acted like an elementary schooler. In contrast to DJ's apathy, Franklin's crying had seemed to have an effect on his mother. All of sudden, Eleanor's eyes started to water as well.
"Oh Frankie, we could never hate you!" Eleanor said shankingly.
And right on cue, Theodore started to cry himself "Guys don't cry. Because when you cry, I CRY!".
Eleanor then took out a handkerchief and blew her nose "Come here dear!". Eleanor and Theodore then opened their arms as Franklin ran towards them in a loving embrace. The three plump chipmunks continue to sob and hug, while DJ and Carol just turned to each other with blank expressions.
Eventually, Franklin and his parents released each other from their hug and smiled. "Did you learn your lesson, Franklin?" Eleanor asked her son like you would talk to an eight-year old child.
"Mmm hm!" Franklin muttered, who had finally calmed down.
"Let's head home son!" Theodore announced "how about we have apple pie with vanilla ice cream for dinner?". Franklin cheered as he grabbed each of his parent's hand as they went outside and head to their car. "Bye guys!" Theodore waved.
"Later, bro!" Alvin yelled back. Once they were gone, Alvin and Brittany turned to their own children with displeased faces. That's when the twins started to whimper, while covering their faces.
"Yeah, that's not going to work on us" Brittany stated blankly. Her children then sighed.
"It was worth a shot..." Carol muttered.
"Now that your cousin's gone" Alvin continued "We can finally have a serious conversation about today. You know…".
But at that moment Alvin paused as he spotted a black limousine coming. It stopped right outside the house, and then a chauffeur came out and walked over to open the back door. Alvin gulped, having a good idea who it was. The chauffeur opened the car door as a figure in an expensive white suit emerged. He was a bald old man wearing rectangular glasses, an expensive white suit and a fedora. He also wore various expensive rings on each hand. He lit a cigar and took out a cane as he made his way towards the family, who were still standing at the door. It was the president of Jett Records. "Good afternoon, Sevilles" he greeted while puffing smoke.
"Mr. Hawke, what brings you here?" Alvin asked nervously.
"Well, Alvin. I was enjoying my time at the spa, which was the first time I visited in a week by the way, when I get a call from the Chinese investors that my secretary left in the middle of the big meeting. You know, the same one I left you in charge of?" Mr. Hawke answered in a condescending tone "Now they are mad at us, and we have to convince them to come back! You know how much money we lost because of that Seville!".
"I'm deeply sorry, Mr. Hawke." Alvin pleaded "My kids got into trouble in school and the principal insisted that me and my wife should come!".
"I don't want to hear it!" Mr. Hawke yelled "You know this will come out of your paycheck". The news hit the family like a truck, Alvin's boss was underpaying him as it is, but now he won't make enough money to provide for his family for a month.
"You wouldn't dare!" Alvin growled.
Mr. Hawke then waved his finger at him "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Remember our agreement, Alvin? Unless you want me to release those photos, now that it's easier than ever for information to spread". DJ spotted the old man smirking as he said that last part. The young chipmunk was confused about what photos Mr. Hawke could be talking about. Is this why his father kept working for this A-hole? Alvin face shrank as shook his head silently as he backed away from his boss. "Listen here, Seville" Mr. Hawke said in a serious manner "If something like this ever happens again, you'll regret it! Understand?!".
"Yes, sir…" Alvin whispered.
"Good" Mr. Hawke spat "And for god's sake, take off that damn cap! It's unprofessional". Mr. Hawke then grabbed Alvin's iconic red cap and threw it on the ground. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm late for a cocktail party". The old man then walked back to his limo and drove away.
DJ was still trying to piece things together. He knew that back in the day Mr. Hawke used to be the record producer of the Chipmunks and the Chipettes until his father decided to start a solo career. But eventually he gave up on that and he got the job of Mr. Hawke's secretary once he became president.
Alvin leaned down and picked up his cap and then turned around to face his son with eyes like daggers "This needs to stop, now!"
"W...What needs to stop?" DJ asked.
"Your act, that's what!" Alvin yelled "You need to stop causing trouble! You need to learn that your actions have consequences!".
"I wasn't trying to do anything wrong, I was just doing what I love!" DJ argued.
"Oh, and what is it, exactly?" Alvin asked.
DJ walked over to his bag and took out his dj table "This, I want to be a dj".
Alvin walked over and yanked the dj table from his son's hands "well as punishment, I will be throwing this away! You're forbidden from dj-ing ever again! Oh, and your grounded for a month".
This made the young chipmunk furious "You can't do that! It's my dream to become a professional dj! I'm destined to be one! For god sakes, my name's DJ!".
"YOUR NAME is David Jonathon Seville II. Unless you're saying that grandpa Dave is destined to be a dj too? Plus didn't I make it clear that no one in this house is allowed to pursue music!".
"What," asked DJ as he folded his arms "Are you afraid that I have what it takes and everyone will forget about the great Alvin Seville?".
"No," his father answered "I know that the industry is punishing and that it will grab you by the balls like it did with me! I learned it the hard way, and you will too!". Alvin then threw the dj table in the trash and slammed the front door as everyone else stood in shock.
Finally a nerve struck in DJ "I'm sick and tired of everyone comparing me to you! All my life, every little thing I do, people love to freaking point out how you did something similar! Every time I feel like I accomplished something, everyone undermines it by saying crap like "Like father like son" or "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree". I'm tired of simply being an extension of you". Carol and Brittany covered their mouth when DJ said that. "But I found one thing I am good at that you can't do, dad. Something that I love to do, something that defines ME!".
Alvin then shot back "David, I have raised you for 15 years, and I tried with all of my power to make sure you didn't end up like me. But here you are, getting into trouble like I did! This wouldn't have happened if you just listen to me. I wish you acted responsible for once in your life!".
"Yeah?" DJ spat "AND I WISH YOU WEREN'T MY DAD!".
After releasing that bombshell, DJ ran upstairs to his room and slammed the door shut. Alvin was still as a statue. His wife walked over and comforted him, who was upset about her son's last comment as well.
DJ collapsed on his bed, still filled with rage. He then heard a knock on the door. "DJ?" it was Carol "Are you alright?". DJ stayed silent as he was not in the mood to talk to anyone. "DJ, you should apologize to dad. He is really hurt over what you said". DJ continued to ignore his sister. He then heard her walk away. The maroon-clad chipmunk continued to lie in his bed, he didn't feel like doing anything. He then looked up at the time, it was now 4:30pm. DJ remembered that he was supposed to help his uncle with an experiment at 1:15 am. He dad said he was grounded. But why should he respect his dad when he didn't respect him?
"I'll just sneak out" the chipmunk thought to himself. He loved helping his Uncle Simon and it was the perfect thing to cheer him up after such a stressful day. "Heck, maybe I'll ask uncle Simon if I can stay with him. He lives alone, I'm sure he wouldn't mind". So DJ decided to take a nap so he will be fully awake later.
The chipmunk slept like a rock until he was woken up by his alarm. He looked around and saw it was dark outside. He unplugged his phone from its charger and looked at the time, it was 12:45 am. He then got a text message from Simon saying "Wake up and hurry to the Bagdasarian Mall parking lot! This is going to be a big one!".
DJ texted "I'm on my way" and got out of bed. He placed his headphones back on his head and put his Nikes back on his feet as well. He quickly tip-toed out of his room and gently walked down the stairs. It seemed like everyone else had gone to sleep until DJ spotted his dad sitting alone in the living room. He was plucking away at his old guitar. DJ then saw him take out his phone and started to call someone.
"Hey Dave, it's me" Alvin spoke into his phone. Dave was DJ's grandfather, his dad's adopted father, the man whom he was named after. "How's the retirement home?... good, good. '' Alvin then sighed loudly, "Look, me and DJ got in a big fight today, and we said some hurtful things to each other…. The fight was about his reckless behavior… and also about him wanting to be a dj". Alvin then chuckled "I know, he even said it was his destiny… I can't let him become a dj, what if he gets himself hurt?...What if he comes across people like Ian?". DJ leaned in closer, Ian was Mr. Hawke's first name. Alvin then shook his head "Trust me I do miss the days when I was a rockstar… man, I wish I never signed that contract…".
DJ lean in some more at the mention of the contract, but then he accidentally knocked over something on the table beside him. It made a loud crash as DJ quickly picked up the item and hid himself behind the stairs. Luckily his dad didn't seem to hear it. He looked down to see what he picked up: it was a picture frame of him and his sister when they were 8. They were standing with their parents with the backdrop of New York City behind them. On the top of the photo there was text saying "Happy New Year, 2013". That was from when his father happened to have a business trip in New York around New Years and decided to bring the whole family. DJ smirked at the picture, remembering how fun the Big Apple was. He then placed the picture in his flannel's pocket. "Well have a good night Dave" Alvin finished as he hung up.
DJ watched as watched as his dad got up from his chair and made his way to the kitchen. DJ saw his chance as he ran to get his backpack and his one wheeler as he made his way out the door. As he entered the quiet suburban night, DJ looked back at his house before placing down his one wheeler and rode off to see his uncle.
That chapter was quite spicy, wasn't it. Yes, Ian Hawke is in this story, if anything good came out of those movies it was him. He has always been my favorite chipmunks villain so expect to see more of him. Now it's "time" for the moment you've been waiting for. Onward to chapter 3!