A/N: Thank you to all who read the last chapter and story all together. 30 Chapters in the book and the story is getting closer to the end, how is it all going to pan out? Let's find out! As usual, All rights go to their respective owners. Without further adu, here's Chapter 31, let's go!
Chapter 31: The Hard Feelings Remain
It was an early to mid Tuesday morning in L.A., but it wasn't a typical Tuesday for the Chipmunks and Chipettes. It was July 31st, the day before their final concert. To some of them, the day they felt their lives would end, but Dave made clear to them that they shouldn't be sad about what was ending, but be excited for what was beginning in their lives. The five kids had all surprisingly got a good night sleep considering the circumstances and they were all ready to head to the arena to begin planning, rehearsing, the whole nine yards. As all five kids got buckled in, Dave then entered the car as well.
"So where is our concert at Dave?" Alvin asked to his dad to clarification.
"It's at the Convention Center." Dave slightly paused before giving an answer, Brittany was a bit irked by the answer to say the least.
"Dave...why couldn't we get Staples?" She asked. It was a reasonable question to them, The Staples Center held twice as many people as the old L.A. Convention, but Brittany could easily tell what the reason was just by Dave's facial reaction to the question.
"Well...That's where Theodore's performing Brittany." Sure enough, Dave said exactly what she and the others had though. Brittany just sat back in the seat and sighed with her arms crossed.
"Pfft...figures..." She moaned aloud.
They others knew it clearly bugged Brittany that all the attention was going to Theodore. It was his first show by himself, he would have hundreds of solo shows if Ian had anything to do with, it was their last show together. And they did all wonder why they couldn't get that bigger spotlight going out; it was just what amazed them at how popular their sibling had gotten. The whole city was talking about him, he was the talk of the town...the country...the world.
XXX
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the L.A. city limits at said Staples Center, another chipmunk was preparing to take the next step in his life as Theodore was being driven via limo to the arena parking dock. Theodore had never been in Staples Center himself, but he had heard so much about it from causal people and stars alike. He was always told that once you perform in this arena, your life would change forever. Some of the all time greats in all fasits of entertainment performed here, and he was going to add his name to that star-studded list.
After while, the young chipmunk was walking along with Ian gazing at the enormous hallways, the place was gigantic even to human standerds. Theodore and Ian walked along until they approach a set of double doors which Ian proceeded to walk ahead of Theo and looked down to him, the young chipmunk wondered what was behind the steel doors until Ian spoke.
"Theo...this...is where journey beings!" Ian pushed the doors open with both hands and inside was the most amazing sight you could imagine. The entire indoor arena was set up in booming green light, titantrons, smoke machines, firework sparklers, and a big neon flashing, yellow "T" over the main stage where little Theodore would perform. The kid just gazed upon the sight with his mouth.
This was all his.
"Woah..." He complemented in amazement. "Thought you might like it." Ian responded to him as both looked around at the sight. It almost looked like Christmas in July, only Santa Claus wasn't in town; someone smaller, furried, but maybe as chubby. (Don't tell Theo take though ;)
"After tomorrow night, the only thing anyone will be talking about is you. The new biggest singer in the world...Theodore Seville." Ian proudly proclaimed. Theodore knew it was true, but he wished they would be talking about his siblings going out, as well as he wished they could be here for him, or he could be there for them.
"I should feel happy...but I don't." The chipmunk said which made Ian look down to him. "Ian...I should be enjoying this moment, why do you want me to feel so bad doing this?" Theodore asked him. Ian sighed and put his hand on his glasses. He wasn't sure if he knew he should do what he was about to do, but he felt he owed it to Theodore to tell him something.
"Theo...I'm gonna be straight with ya." He clasped his hand together and and Ian took a deep breath. "I did what I did...because I needed you."
He needed him? Theodore couldn't believe those words. Or maybe not that he didn't believe them, but rather that Ian would actually said it. Theodore briefly shook his head as if he needed a reality check.
"You needed me?" Theodore repeated Ian's words. Theodore didn't understand, and Ian felt he needed to let the cat out of the bag.
"You were my only chance to make a living, without you I was done." Ian told him as he sat down on a stool, most likely where the crew would place stage equipment. Theodore was all ears at what Ian was telling him. "When you told me that you didn't want any of this anymore...I needed to do anything I could to make you stay." Ian drooped his head in shame as Theodore tilted his head to the side at Ian's words.
"But why Ian?" He asked again to see if Ian would tell him more.
"I don't know Theo," Ian said in remorseful frustration as he turned to him, pointing to the little green clad. "...but don't think for one second that I didn't believe in ya kid, cause I did. Trust me, I needed to believe in you. I did everything I could to make you feel confident in yourself." Those words made Theodore deep down smile as he knew Ian did have pride in him, if only he only didn't do any of the dasterdly things to cancel them out, Ian then stood back up and looked around at the arena that was before them. "And now you're here, tommorow night you'll be the talk of the world." Ian proudly told, but there was one thing that Theodore still didn't understand.
"Ian...if you needed me, why didn't you just tell me...I would've helped you." He told Ian with sweetness and care. But Ian just scoffed as he just couldn't take him seriously.
"Yeah...why would you have helped me after everything I did to you guys?" Ian sourly called him from behind.
"Cause that's what a friend would do Ian..." Stated the chipmunk, but all Ian did was laugh and chuckle.
"You? My friend? Yeah right..." Ian shot down Theodore's words which offended him which the chipmunk got offensive by.
"You didn't try to be a friend." Theodore scolded the bigger Ian. "Maybe that's why you've never had one, you don't even know when someone wants to be one with you." Theodore then proceeded to storm out of the arena visibly upset which Ian noticed. Ian knew that Theodore was never one to put on an acting job, and wanted the whole truth.
"Theo!" Ian called him, but not in a demanding way. More a requesting manner. Theodore could tell by the tone also and stopped turning his head slighty back to Ian, but enough to make eye contact. "You serious about what you said?" Ian asked.
"Of course I was...I wouldn't have ever come with you if I didn't want to...doesn't matter now though." He said with a sigh. "I'll be in my dressing room...alone." Theodore told him and with that he slowly walked off as he left Ian on the arena stage to gather his thoughts. With Theodore was out of sight, Ian sat back down in the stool behind him and put his fist over his mouth to gather his thoughts. He thought long and hard about Theodore told and he began to wonder...was what he did a mistake?
XXX
It was about midday back at the Convention Center and Simon, Alvin, and the Chipettes had set up the arena to their liking. Dave gave them total freedom for their last show. After a couple hours of work, the stage was set and all was ready.
"Alright Dave we're all set!" Brittany called out to Dave as they had all finished up. Almost on cue, Dave came out with a box that looked to have clothing in it; chipmunk sized clothing. Dave had gone and ordered some new attires for the kids per their request.
"Alright guys, here's the outfits each of you wanted, Sparkle dresses for the girls..." Dave announced as he walked up and held three gliter dresses shaded in pink, purple, and lime green. The girls quickly ran over and grabbed their dresses, gazing at how beautiful they were.
"Thanks Dave." Eleanor said spinning around with her dress.
"Oh Dave, they look beautiful." Brittany lamented, her eyes shining almost as much as her dress. It put a smile on Dave seeing how excited they were at the work Dave went to give them what they wanted.
"Here's yours Simon..." Dave then continued as Simon walked up. Simon's shirt was a silk blue slip on that gleemed in the lights. Simon pulled it pull over to try it on and Jeanette looked on with joy and amazement as she walked up to Simon.
"Ooh, that's looks great on you Simon." Jeanette claimed with her hands together which made Simon.
"Uh...Thanks Jeanette." He stuttered which made her blush as well. Dave then pulled out the last piece of clothing for Alvin.
"And Alvin..." Dave started as he dug into the box... "Your hat." Pulling out Alvin signature hat which Alvin took from Dave with great pride, "Awesome!" Alvin hollared almost being extremely careful with it not wanting to drop it which Brittany couldn't believe.
"Alvin...really? This is our last show, you couldn't put a little more effort into what you're wearing?" Brittany bashing Alvin every chance he could. But Alvin wasn't phased by Brittany's ridiculing as he just chuckled.
"You don't mess with perfection, and nothing...beats the hat." As he slipped it on wand gave a goofy little pose that got a laugh from everyone, even Brittany couldn't help but smile.
"Perfection? What a laugher..." Brittany still said with a smile on.
"Alright guys, just tell me when you're ready to start." Dave told them as he finished setting up his gear. Then a thought came to Alvin's head, Dave never even told them what they were singing for the show.
"But Dave, what are we singing?" Alvin asked him. Dave smiled almost waiting for one of them to ask him. "Yeah, you didn't give us anything." Brittany followed up.
"Well, since this is your last show for the public, I'm gonna let you guys choose what you want to sing." When Dave told, they all jumped for joy with excited enthuse. Dave had never let them do this, even though they thought he might one day when they were older. "Let me know when you've decided." And Dave then walked off to let them gather their opinions.
XXX
About an hour had passed and the kids had just about finished their song choices. They were all huddled together in a circle still tossing out ideas.
"This show's going to be perfect." Jeanette said so giddy as the others looked at her. Upon observing the list of songs they had come up with, Simon came up to tell them something.
"Well, we have room for one more song." Simon told the group, Eleanor raised her hand out of politeness which Simon called upon her.
"Let Alvin choose, he hasn't said one in a while." Eleanor pointed over to him as he didn't seem to notice though. Simon nodded in agreement.
"Fair enough, Alvin...Alvin?" Simon told Alvin who was in la la land. He hadn't said anything for the past couple minutes much less any song suggestions. "Alvin!" Simon yelled in his ear which snapped Alvin from his funk.
"Huh? Oh, what's up Si?" Alvin asked not even paying attention to the matter at hand anymore which Simon sighed at.
"Alvin, we're letting you choose the last song." Simon tol ,clear that he had no clue of what they were talking about.
"So make it good." Brittany told him in almost a polite threat, Alvin pondered again and after about ten seconds looked back up.
"Guys...I've been thinking..." Alvin stated, that was quickly cut out by Brittany.
"Usually when you think of something, someone gets hurt." Brittany followed up to Alvin's comment.
"Or something blows up..." Eleanor added on.
"Or both..." Simon added on also, Alvin just blankly stared at them showing that he was serious and they backed off their words and let him finish.
"Guys...I think we should do a song for Theo." He said rubbing his arm with unease in his voice.
"Do a song for Theodore?" Brittany repeated his words which he nodded, but not directly answering. The others looked around to each other, but hesitant looks were on all their faces. SImon decided he should tell Alvin his thoughts.
"I don't know if we should Alvin. Theodore is doing a show at the time we are. People that will be here will be because they chose to see us over him. I'm sure there are some of our fans that don't like what's happened between us." Simon comforted his brother with an arm on his shoulder, but Alvin stood stead fast and confronted them all on the matter.
"Which is why we need to tell them what happened...what really happened." Alvin called them out. Then they all contemplated again, but they shook their heads. Now Eleanor spoke up.
"Alvin...I know you mean well, but honestly, I really don't think we should do it." Calling from Eleanor meant something, Alvin knew she cared about him and she must have known that spilling the beans on all that happened would damage all their careers, especially with Theodore's just starting. They felt they shouldn't risk any anger from any of their fans. Alvin sighed at their responce, but he wouldn't take a "no" and give up on himself.
"I understand why you guys feel like that...but I'm doing it anyway. If you don't want to, I understand, but I need to do this." He told them stomping his foot down, they could tell he meant. Alvin felt he owed it to Theodore for all he felt he did to him since the start. Eleanor looked over to Simon and smiled and nodded, Simon then looked over to Jeanette who did like wise and the three of them walked up to Alvin.
"If you feel it's right, then count me in." Simon told Alvin, which put a smile on his face.
"Me too." Jeanette also.
"And me." And Eleanor too.
"Thanks guys." Alvin told them, but one of them wasn't with them, Alvin looked up as did the others as Brittany dropped her head with arms cradled around her body. Alvin walked over slowly to talk to her. "Brittany? What about you?" He asked her softly as the others looked on.
"I'm sorry Alvin...but I can't do it." Remorsefully Brittany said.
"Come on Britt, it's just one song." Eleanor walked over and said, but Brittany shook her head.
"I'm not going to sing our last song of our last show together celebrating the only one of us that isn't here. If you want to do it fine, but I don't want any part of it." Brittany stated.
Alvin just stood there by her side, he knew she wasn't going to change her mind, but at the same time...
"I understand." Alvin told her, she perched up her head looking at him with a sincere look on his face.
"You do...really?" She said to him. He nodded to her, it pained all of them to go through this. And they knew they all needed to get through this in whatever way they felt they should.
"I said I would, and I do." Alvin held out his hand as she looked down to it and then back to him, after a delay she took his hand and Alvin turned to the others. "So let's get the show all finished up." Alvin walked Brittany back over to the others. She felt sad for what she said, even if to her she needed to say it.
"I'm sorry Alvin." She apoligized as they still held hands heading back over.
"It's alright Brit, you don't have to be sorry...if you don't want to do it, you don't have to." She had to admit, she was shocked by his forgiveness to her and it truely made her feel happy inside that she had Alvin as a friend.
Just like Alvin said he would be.
There is Chapter 31, The concerts are getting all set up, but how will all this follow up? Is Ian beginning to regret his actions? Will the others be able to put all their differences aside and put the best show they can for their fans? We'll find out together in the next chapter, or if not then, then soon! Until then, thanks for reading and take care. :)
