Chapter 19

The news of what had happened spread through the school like wildfire with the group being hounded by everyone about the details of the night and sifting through fact and fiction.

Not only was the school talking about it but the whole neighbourhood was intrigued.

The media were having a field day – "Teen Rocker Stabbed during Break and Enter from Crazed Stalker" – the entertainment shows were lapping up the story and everyday Dave fought a battle with the paparazzi and other media icons who wanted to hear the latest on Alvin's recovery.

They followed the story all the way to the civil courts where Kevin had to stand trial. Thankfully it was a closed case and the media were banned from reporting.

It didn't stop the mobbing outside the courts however.

The biggest relief came when the final verdict was given, where Kevin and his family had keep a 3km distance between the Seville and Miller families. He was also sentenced to jail for 5 weeks for break and entering, grievous bodily harm and intent to corrupt as well as ongoing intense psychological treatment.

Everyone was relieved by the verdict, including the parents of Kevin, who were surprisingly apologetic and sympathetic towards Alvin and Brittany, and offered to pay for damages and Alvin's hospital fees and ongoing medical bills.

Now although relieved by the verdict, the trial did taint the one day Alvin, in particular was looking forward to – his 18th birthday.

Because of the trial, and all the legal mumbo-jumbo that came afterwards, as well as the ongoing medical appointments and some media rounds, the boys had a less than exciting birthday. Sure they got presents and had cake, and memories were made; but for all the wrong reasons.

This then put Alvin in a bad mood.

Which is never good for anyone.

After the trial, Dave was spending a tremendous amount of time in the Den making and receiving phone calls to and from their lawyer; sending and replying to emails and faxes from the media and trying to remain calm about the whole ordeal.

He'd apologised to the boys for the lack of celebrations, and reassured them he'd make it up to them.

The boys, mainly Simon and Theodore, tried to calm Dave's conscience by then reassuring him that they were fine with the lack of celebration and simply tried to stay out of his way, and make life at home as "normal" as possible –even Alvin was pulling his weight, as much as he could given his injuries, albeit reluctantly.

Although he'd been at home for a few weeks, in the later weeks that passed, Alvin had to undergo minor shoulder surgery to repair the torn tendons in his shoulder. He'd since been in a sling and given strict rules to keep his shoulder still, and when released from surgery again the message was hammered in to, under no circumstances move his shoulder until he'd seen the doctor post surgery.

Needless to say this was a difficult task for Alvin, as it meant he had to rely on everyone else for every little detail of his day, and occasionally needed to ask for help; from getting dressed in the morning (he quite 'happily' took 10 frustrating minutes to put his underwear on himself before allowing anyone to come help him with the rest of getting dressed), to packing his bag for school (everything takes so much longer one handed!) to even getting out of the car.

When he was released from the hospital, he was put on a rigorous physiotherapy schedule that saw him having to go through painful exercises multiple times a day to strengthen his torso and shoulder muscles.

So now Alvin was at home lifting a 3kg hand weight perpendicular to his body. He stood in the lounge room with his shirt off in a pair of red designer sweatpants.

He was frustrated.

He'd been at these exercises for weeks now, and although the weight had increased, he was still frustrated at how long it was actually taking.

That and it hurt like hell.

Simon came in and watched him a moment.

Alvin had his eyes closed, concentrating, and was listening to his iPod.

He was mumbling something under his breath.

Simon couldn't understand what he was saying.

He leant up against the lounge.

Alvin heard the lounge squeak a little; he jumped and opened his eyes.

"Simon!"

Simon looked at him, "What? Sorry, didn't mean to scare you, how's it going?"

Alvin rolled his eyes and grunted out sarcastically, "&%$#ing fantastic"

Simon lowered his tone, but still sounded calm, "Alvin..."

Alvin shook his head and held the weight out, "Sorry Si, I'm just over this"

Simon came round and sat on the lounge, "Doctor said in a few more weeks you should be fine to do whatever you want again" he added, "Obviously within reason, of course"

Alvin shook his head again, "Not what I meant, but yeah I'm over this too" he gestured his head toward the weight, "I mean this whole deal; the break in, the injuries and recovery, the aftermath of the whole thing"

He sighed and slowly lowered the weight.

Theodore walked in from the kitchen eating an apple and dropped a tube of Deep Heat® on the coffee table, "Thought you might need this" He smiled.

Alvin gave a smile back and put the weight on the coffee table, picking up the tube. He read the back and unscrewed the lid, squeezing some of the cream onto his fingertips, "Cheers Theo" he rubbed the cream into his shoulder and wrinkled his nose, "Ugh, it reeks though"

He continued to rub the cream in, "Ahh but the relief is instant and that's all that matters"

Alvin sat down next to Simon and picked his shirt up from the floor and began putting it on as Dave entered the room, "Oh good your all here"

Alvin shrugged, "Where else would we be?"

Dave looked flustered, but somewhat relieved, "Um, ok" he sat on the armchair just as there was a knock on the door.

The boys twisted their heads as they watched Dave stand up and open the door smiling, "Oh girls, good, good come in"

The girls smiled and greeted Dave and came to sit in the lounge room with the boys.

Alvin looked at Dave, after giving Brittany a welcoming kiss, "Ok Dave, what's going on?"

Dave smiled and clasped his hands together, "Well first things first, I know you were all disappointed about the fact that your 18th birthday was somewhat non-existent. So I wanted to make it up to you by-"

"You're buying us all cars?" Alvin interrupted, sitting upright.

Dave looked at him, "What? No! Alvin let me finish"

Alvin slumped back down, "Dammit"

Theodore gave a giggle as Brittany patted Alvin on the leg.

Dave continued, "As I was trying to say, you all know your 18th birthday wasn't able to be celebrated properly and so I've organised a double surprise for you all"

He paused as means of dramatic effect, "We've got a few concerts coming up in the summer holidays"

Alvin rolled his eyes, and whispered to Brittany "That's the freakin' surprise?"

Brittany giggled a little and nudged him.

Dave continued, "And they're in Las Vegas"

At this everyone's eyes lit up.

"I also thought we could do a bit of a road trip type deal before we get to Las Vegas, how's that sound?"

Brittany spoke up, "You mean like rent an RV, all of us?"

Dave nodded, "Well yeah"

Brittany shook her head folded her arms firmly, "Oh no...I am NOT road tripping in an RV"

Simon rolled his eyes, "What would you prefer then?"

Brittany thought for a moment and smiled, "Jet plane?"

Eleanor smirked a little, "That defeats the purpose of it being a 'road trip' though Brittany"

She pouted.

Jeanette added, "A road trip could be a lot of fun though"

Theodore nodded, "Yeah think of all the cafes and truck stops and roadside diners we can stop off at" he laughed as Eleanor poked him gently in his stomach.

Alvin thought and whispered to himself, "All the places we could visit on the way...hmmm"

Alvin leant forward and asked, "Could we just road trip and meet you in Vegas, Dave?"

Dave looked at his eldest son, "Well, I suppose so...but, wait you don't have anything planned do you?"

Alvin held his hands up, "Dave please, who do you take me for?"

Dave gave Alvin a look.

Alvin smiled back, "Ok, ok, point taken, but seriously. I mean what 18 year old on a road trip, wants their parent hanging with them?"

Dave looked a little hurt, but nodded, "OK fair enough. You'll all be 18 by then, I suppose you can all go on a little road trip, and I'll meet you in Vegas. You'll need to let me know your means of getting there so if I need to book anything I can"

The teens nodded, slightly excitedly.

Dave stood up and pointed his finger, like he'd remembered something, "Oh yes, and you need to get to Vegas before July 17th; the first concert is on the 18th and I want you all to rest up a bit before the show, ok? Plus I want a full itinerary of where you'll be just in case" they all nodded as Dave continued, "And most importantly, if you're planning on staying in motels, there is to be no co-ed rooms" he said this last part very sternly, looking directly at Alvin and Brittany.

Alvin shrugged and played the innocent, "What?"

Dave raised an eyebrow.

Alvin ignored this and said, "Fine whatever. So if we wanna leave like soon into the summer holidays that's fine, so long as we're back in Vegas by the 17th right?"

Dave nodded, "Well yes, but you need to realise I'm not going to continually stock your bank balance, so you need to be wise with your spending and travel expenses" he looked at Simon, who gave him a reassuring nod as Dave headed back towards the Den.

Alvin called out as Dave walked down the hall, "Can Steph and Alex tag along?"

Dave called back, "If it's ok with their parents, I suppose it should be fine!"

Alvin wrung his hands, "Excellent"

He looked at the others, "We're gonna party Chipmunk style in Vegas baby"

They all laughed as Simon went into the kitchen and came back with a pad of paper and a pen, "Ok, we should figure out where we want to stop at for the nights, and then we can work out the details that way. And we need to figure how to get there since little 'Miss' over here doesn't want to take an RV" he lowered his glare at Brittany, who simply huffed and folded her arms.

Alvin rolled his shoulder a little, "Pfft, stupid idea. Let's just find the craziest, most bizarre tourist spots and plan our trip that way"

Eleanor shook her head, "Uh-uh, I'm not going anywhere crazy that you suggest, Alvin"

He laughed, "Aw c'mon"

Eleanor added, "We'd probably end up at either some tacky strip joint or worthless haunted house"

Alvin pondered this and laughed again, "I wouldn't subject you all to a tacky strip joint, only the best for you guys" he winked.

"No!"

Theodore added, "Maybe we should all pick at least one spot each, that interest us, to stop at on the way"

Alvin nodded, "Actually that's not a bad idea Theo"

Theodore beamed.

Brittany whipped her phone out, "Well if we want Steph and Alex to come along, we should get them to contribute to the plan right?" she dialled in Steph's number.

Soon it was all sorted that they'd meet up at Alex's place to discuss the plans for the road trip.

Steph was over the moon at the idea and wasted no time convincing Ron that a) it was going to be fine, b) she'd be safe and c) she wouldn't do anything "stupid".

"I know you'll be eighteen by then Stephi, but even so" Ron had warned.

Steph simply gave him a loving smile to restore his confidence in her, "Daddy, there's gonna be six others, we're not gonna get up to anything but fun. Trust me"

Ron scoffed, "That's what I'm worried about"

Steph hugged him, "Please daddy?"

Ron sighed and wrapped his arm round her, "Fine"

Steph started dancing a little, "Ha ha! Yes!"

Tahlia took a little more convincing. She had a chat to Dave over the phone and another to Ron and finally caved in; although she still wasn't fully convinced it was a good idea for eight 18 year olds to venture to Las Vegas on their own.

Alex comforted her with the idea he'd ask his uncle for a suitable vehicle they could travel in and said he'd message her every day.

So there they all were sitting around the pool at Alex's house.

Alvin, Brittany, Steph and Eleanor had their feet dipped in the pool, while Alex, Theodore, Simon and Jeanette chose to lounge in the deck chairs.

"Can I just add again how freaking awesome your place is Alex?" Alvin said, waving his feet gently in the pool.

Alex just nodded and replied, "At least you liked me before you all saw my place"

They all laughed as Simon coughed for attention, "OK so we need to figure this out then" he turned to Alex, "You said your uncle can hook us up with transport?"

Alex nodded again, "Yeah, shouldn't be a problem"

Steph added, "His uncle is freakin' loaded!"

Alex looked at Brittany, "It's gonna be an RV though"

Brittany sighed.

Steph patted her on the back, "Suck it up princess"

Brittany pouted at her as Alex reassured her, "It'll be a top model one though, so no fret, we'll have plenty of room"

Simon adjusted his glasses, "Ah, but if it's so big, how do we drive it? Pretty sure our licences won't allow us to drive an RV that big"

Alex shrugged, "Hmm didn't think bout that...uhh, ok well maybe if we get two smaller ones, rotate the drivers and sleep 4 an RV?"

Everyone nodded as Theodore asked, "Who's the drivers then?"

Alvin smiled, "ME!"

Simon wrote this down, "OK, but you gotta be sensible"

Alvin rolled his eyes, "Yes Dave!"

Simon ignored him and wrote his name down too, "I can be a driver too"

Alex held a finger up, "Put me down, Steph you can drive too"

Steph looked back at him, "Oh can I now?"

Alvin flicked water at her, "Yeah cause no one else will"

She splashed him back, "Fine, put me down too"

Eleanor kicked her feet gently in the pool, "I'll drive if we need me to, but I've never driven something that big before"

Simon shook his head, "We should be fine with the four of us Eleanor, you can sit back and relax in the RV, but thanks for the offer"

Alvin added, "If we're rotating, I am not sharing the load with Simon, he drives like a grandpa"

Simon rolled his eyes, "You're over exaggerating Alvin"

Alvin raised an eyebrow, "Oh am I? Really?"
Steph held her hands up, "Geez guys, Alex and I will swap round then" she turned to Alvin, "I take it you won't wanna bunk with Simon either then?"

Alvin shook his head, "Uh-uh, there's a reason why we all have our own rooms now"

Simon looked at Alvin and sighed, "Well I was going to suggest that we have guys and girls sharing RV's together"

Steph snorted, "We're all adults...almost, I think we'll be fine two couples to an RV and you can sort out sleeping arrangements amongst yourselves"

Jeanette smiled shyly, "That might be nice Simon"

He looked at her with slightly widened eyes as Alvin hollered.

Simon ignored him and whispered to Jeanette, "What are you suggesting, Jeanette?"

Jeanette looked into her lap and whispered back, "I'm not suggesting anything, but..." her voice trailed off.

Simon sighed and looked back at the pad of paper, "OK so we have transport and drivers. And it looks like we've got couples in RV's. I assume since Alvin over here doesn't want to share with me,"

"Simon you know we'll end up in a punch up" Alvin added.

Simon nodded a little (he knew they probably would) and continued, "It'll be Eleanor, Theodore, Jeanette and myself and then you four in the other ok?"

They all nodded as Alvin slipped Steph a high five.

Simon too was a little relieved to share with Eleanor and Theodore. He thought things could become uncomfortable if they shared with Steph and Alex and there was no way, actually, he'd want to share with Alvin and Brittany.

Not the way they'd been acting lately; that and the fact they all knew where Alvin and Brittany's relationship now stood.

Simon looked back at the paper, "Next item on the agenda, where are we going to stop at? Any suggestions of places we'll all enjoy?" he looked at Alvin and Steph for the last part.

They simply looked at each other and laughed.

Simon ignored them and opened a map up.

Jeanette leant closer and examined it with him, "Well, we could make our way down here" she traced a route with her finger, "And then cut over here and finally make our way back to Vegas this way"

Simon nodded and quickly scrawled down a few townships and cities to stop at along the way.

Theodore and Alex leant over and looked where Jeanette had traced, and nodded.

"Sounds good Jeanette" Theodore added.

Brittany put her hands on her hips, "Well can you explain to those of us who don't have the map in front of us?"

Jeanette looked up, "Huh? Oh sorry" she blushed slightly as Simon spoke again, "OK major stop off points; Palm Springs, Phoenix, then off to Tucson, make our way up to Albuquerque, over to Santa Fe, Colorado Springs, Denver, Cheyenne, Salt Lake City and then the big leg to Vegas. Obviously we'll find places along the way to stop, break at and explore"

Alvin looked up and nodded his head slightly going back over the places, "Yeah I guess that'll work. How long you reckon it'd take?"

Simon looked at the map again and did some number crunching, "We should be able to do the whole trip in three weeks, I mean nonstop we could do it in just under 2 days. That should also give us enough time to explore places if we want to, but we can't over stay at places or we'll be pushing for time to get back to Vegas"

Everyone nodded as Steph asked, "Any ideas where to stop?"

Alvin piped up, "We can play the billboard game"

The girls and Alex looked at him confused, as Simon and Theodore shook their heads with a smile.

Alex asked, "I'm a little reluctant but curiosity is getting the better of me; what the hell is the 'billboard game'?"

Alvin swung his legs out of the pool and sat with his back facing the pool, "We used to play it when we'd travel when we were kids. Ok so the aim is that when you see a billboard you have a few directions of what to do next. If it's advertising a product that's unique or weird, you have to buy it, even if it means seeking it out, even if you don't need it"

"How many crappy things you end up buying as kids?" Steph asked curiously.

Alvin looked at her, "Ha! Half of it, trust me you don't wanna know. Ok, so then if it's advertising a particular place or tourist location, well we go visit it and a new one if its advertising sex, well each to their own I guess" he winked and laughed as Steph pushed him jokingly.

Alvin however lost his balance and fell backwards into the pool.

Steph lost it in laughter as Brittany and Eleanor gasped.

Simon, Jeanette, Theodore and Alex all stood up and came to the pool edge as Alvin resurfaced, spurting water and glaring at Steph. He grabbed Steph's wrist, attempting to pull her in too.

"No! No! Piss off Alvin!" she screamed, trying to remain on the pool edge.

But Alvin had a firm grip and pushed his feet against the pool wall, resulting in pulling Steph in, and kicked his way to the middle of the pool, still holding onto Steph.

Everyone started laughing as Brittany and Eleanor quickly stood up so as to not be pulled in too.

They both resurfaced as Steph swept her arm in the water, creating a wave of water to cascade over Alvin.

He laughed and began stroke towards the pool wall, he ducked under the water and took his shirt off, slapping it on the pool edge before resting his arms on the edge and treating water.

Alvin wiped his face with his hand and ran it through his hair, flicking it slightly.

He looked back at Steph still treading water in the middle of the pool.

His eyes widened a little and a smile crept over his face, "Uh, Steph?"

She stood up a little and ran her hands through her hair, "What?"

By now Steph was standing up, and everyone could see why Alvin was now in hysterics. Simon and Theodore turned politely; Eleanor and Brittany muffled a giggle, while Jeanette turned to fetch a towel.

Alex wolf whistled, "Looking good baby"

Steph looked down.

She had been wearing a white baby doll top, which was now completely soaked, and completely see-through. Her bra too had become slightly see-through, but not completely, although it was enough to leave nothing to the imagination.

She started laughing and sunk back down in the water, "&%$# you Alvin, this is your fault!"

Alvin meanwhile was trying to haul himself out of the water, but due to his shoulder and the fact that he was laughing so much, he couldn't manage.

Jeanette came to the pool side with two towels.

Alvin had swum over to the ladder and pulled himself out of the pool.

Jeanette tosses him a towel.

He fumbled a little, but held onto it and started rubbing his hair and chest; still laughing.

Steph swam over to the ladder where Jeanette met her and wrapped her in a towel as she stood up.

Steph too was doubled over in laugher, especially looking at everyone's faces.

"Ok so now I'm kinda glad I don't have to share the RV with you guys" Simon added.

At this Alvin and Steph both collapsed onto the lounge chair in a fit of laughter.

The next few weeks passed by slowly as everyone was waiting in anticipation til the start of summer vacation – as it meant the start of their summer road trip.

The girls celebrated their 18th with a fairly tame party – just a few friends (most of which were Brittany's), a DJ, a Disco floor, personalised cupcakes...just a small event.

They then followed it with the next day doing the big room shuffle, amongst the big clean up from the night before, which thankfully the boys came to help with.

Like Simon, Jeanette stayed in their old room, while Eleanor took the one of the spare rooms two doors down.

Miss Miller had said she'd organise for the attic to be refurbished and remodelled so Brittany could have that as her room, but in the meantime she'd have to settle for the guest room, which wasn't too bad. It was bigger than their old room, and it had a walk in wardrobe.

Perfect for Miss Vanity.

Alex too turned 18 and they held a small party at his place, knowing the following week they'd be travelling, they all promised to celebrate properly once on the road.

Alvin said he'd take Alex out for a "special birthday treat".

Thankfully Tahlia hadn't heard.

Alex's uncle gave them a treat of fully stocking up the RV's with drinks and snacks, plus money to spend on food to keep the RVs stocked and petrol money.

The only one left to celebrate was Steph; she'd have to wait a week into the trip until she could officially claim to be an adult, (despite having already done certain things that come with being an adult)

The night before they were all about to head off, the girls, Steph and Alex were all staying over to make the start of the trip much smoother.

They were all sitting in the lounge room watching a cheesy DVD, when Dave poked his head in, "Alvin, a word in the Den?"

Alvin looked at Dave and then to the others.

He shrugged and stood up, following Dave towards the Den.

Alvin tried to think back; he was sure he hadn't done anything terribly bad recently; in fact he was having a really good run, so he thought.

He was a little confused coming into the Den and taking his seat on the lounge.

His heart raced a little faster when Dave closed the door behind them, and Alvin began panicking a little, "Sh*t what the hell have I done?" he racked his brains trying to think.

Dave sat down in his chair and looked a little nervous, "Um, do you want something to drink Alvin?"

Alvin looked sideways at him, "Ahh, no...what's this about? I swear I didn't do anything wrong"

Dave gave a nervous laugh, "Oh no, no nothing like that" he took a breath in and shifted a little.

Alvin could tell this was going to be uncomfortable; he shifted a little too.

Dave ran his hands through his hair and clasped them in front of him, "Now Alvin, before you all embark on this little road trip, there's, uh, something I wanted to chat to you about"

Alvin raised an eyebrow.

Where was Dave heading with this conversation?

"I, as well as the others couldn't help but notice something on the night of the break in that I need clarification of"

Alvin looked down to the coffee table.

He thought to himself, "Huh? What the hell could it..."

He stopped mid though.

Brittany.

In his shirt.

With not much underneath.

Sh*t.

His eyes shot up to meet Dave's.

They were wide and he looked slightly horrified, "Ah Dave?"

Dave interrupted, "No Alvin let me finish"

Alvin groaned and slumped in the lounge.

Dave continued, "Now, I haven't mentioned this for a while, because, well let's face it we've all been a little busy lately, but seeing as how you're all going on this road trip, I wanted to"

"We didn't do anything Dave" Alvin tried to save them both the awkwardness of the conversation.

Dave nodded slightly, "Well, you must have done something, because I later found out that Brittany, while only wearing your shirt, was not wearing much underneath" he leaned in closer a little, "Now is this true?"

Alvin loosened his collar a little and wiped his brow, "Uh well..."

Dave gave him a look.

He threw his arms in the air, "Ok, so we may have fooled around a bit, but that's all, there was no...you know" he rubbed the back of his neck.

Dave coughed a little, uncomfortably, "OK. Well thank you for telling me the truth"

Alvin felt a little flustered.

Man this conversation sucked.

"So we're done? I can go now?" Alvin started to stand up, as Dave pointed for him to sit back down.

Alvin sat and sighed.

Dave looked at his eldest, "Alvin I know this is not the most pleasant of conversations, but it's my responsibility to prepare you for certain...situations"

Alvin groaned again and smacked his hands on his head.

Dave looked down and then back up, "Now I know you're 18 now, and therefore legally an adult, and I suppose I can't really do anything to stop you anyway seeing as how you're going to be travelling and-"

"Dave get to the freakin point, please?" Alvin begged from behind his hands.

Dave blinked at him and fished for a small box from his top drawer.

He tossed it to Alvin, who caught it and looked down.

It was a box of condoms.

Alvin looked a little slyly at Dave, "You keep these in the top drawer of the Den?"

Dave frowned, "No, I just put them there for now...for this conversation" Dave began to colour a nice shade of red.

Alvin looked at the box; a cheeky smile crept on his face, "These won't fit me, too small"

Dave groaned, "Alvin! Really, please! I do not need to know...Alvin!"

Alvin laughed a little.

Dave coughed, "Just, if you're thinking or planning anything, just...be protected ok?"

Alvin saluted him, "You got it chief"

He turned the box in his hands, "So I take it Simon and Theodore won't be getting this talk then?"

Dave looked at Alvin, "Do you think I need to talk to them?"

Alvin thought and laughed to himself, "Ahh Simon? Definitely not, Theodore, I think you're fine there...so now we're done?"

Dave waved him away, "Yes, off you go"

Alvin left the Den and wandered down the hall.

He looked at the box again and stuffed them in his pocket and joined everyone back in the lounge room.

Taking his seat back on the lounge between Brittany and Simon he reached for the bowl of cheese balls and crammed a handful into his mouth.

Everyone, meanwhile, was staring at him, wondering what he'd been called away for.

He paused and looked at them all, then with his mouth full asked, "What?"

"What'd you do?" Eleanor asked.

He looked at her and finished his mouthful, grabbing another with his hands, "Nothin'"

Simon looked blankly at him, "Nothing? Then why'd you get called to the Den?"

Alvin looked at him and popped a cheese ball in his mouth, "Nothing you need to worry about for a very long time" he smiled and popped another in his mouth.

Simon rolled his eyes, and sipped his drink.

Steph narrowed her eyes and looked at Alvin, "Hmmm"

He looked at her, hands up, "What?"

Steph smiled, "You got the sex talk"

Simon chocked and tried to swallow his drink.

He started coughing as Jeanette patted him on the back.

Theodore said matter-of-factly, "No we all got that years ago...Alvin was there"

Alvin nodded, "Yep and nope that wasn't exactly it"

Alex reclined back in the beanbag, "Ha! You got part 2!"

The others looked at him, a little confused, as Alex continued, "You got the 'be prepared' talk"

Alvin blushed a little, as the others laughed.

Brittany sat a little straighter and leant on the arm of the lounge.

She too could feel her face getting red and hot.

Alvin pulled his cap down a bit, "Just shut up"

Brittany nudged his side and felt the box, "What's that?"

The others stopped and looked curiously at Alvin, who glared at Brittany and leant over to fish the box out of his pocket.

He tossed it to Alex, "Here, they won't fit me" he laughed.

Simon groaned.

Alex looked at the box, "Nah dude, not my brand" he tossed them back.

Alvin caught them and stuffed them back in his pocket.

Theodore suddenly looked horrified and looked in the direction of the Den, "Dave doesn't want to talk to all of us does he?"

Alvin smiled at his little brother, "Nah you're all off the hook"

Brittany stood and went to the kitchen; Alvin watched her, but remained on the lounge.

Brittany stood at the sink, getting herself a drink of water from the tap when Jeanette entered, "Brittany? You ok?"

Brittany gulped down the glass of water and turned the tap on again to refill her glass, "Oh yeah" she rested the cool glass on her cheeks, "Just needed a drink, that's all. Too many cheese balls I guess"

Jeanette leant on the bench, "Nothing to do with the conversation at hand?"

Brittany looked at Jeanette, "Oh my goodness, Jeanette! Dave knew what we were gonna do"

Jeanette looked down, "We all kinda knew Britt"

Brittany felt her face become hotter, "Oh crap"

Jeanette looked up at her, "You left nothing to the imagination Britt"

Brittany stomped her foot, and said defensively "But we didn't do anything!"

She walked round and sat on the stool.

Jeanette sat on one next to her and wrapped her arm lovingly around her sister, "We know, but, well I guess it's no secret what you two are prepared to do"

Brittany looked at Jeanette and asked, "And what if we did...what would you think of me then?"

Jeanette giggled a little, "Well, I guess I'd never talk to you again"

Brittany flipped, "JEANETTE!"

Jeanette patted her leg, "Sorry Britt...no I wouldn't think any less of you. If that's what you and Alvin decide to do, then, well you're still my sister"

She leant over and hugged Brittany, "And I'll love you no matter what" she pulled away and held Brittany's hands, "And I'll bet Ellie would feel the same"

Brittany exhaled deeply, "OK, thank Jean"

Jeanette smiled, then had a serious tone and look on her face, "But promise me you won't do anything unless you're really ready. Don't let Alvin talk you into something if you're not ready ok?"

Brittany slid off the stool, and smiled, "Ok Jeanette, I promise" she picked up her glass and went back into the lounge room, settling herself back on the lounge next to Alvin, who wrapped his arm round her.

"You ok baby?" he whispered.

She smiled and snuggled into him, "All good"

He looked at her a moment then shrugged and looked back at the movie as it came to an end and the credits began running.

Dave poked his head in again and looked at his watch, "OK you lot, you've got a big day of driving tomorrow, I want you all in bed in 20mins. Girls, you're all in Simon's room, Simon, you'll be in with Theodore, Alex you'll share with Alvin"

Alex and Alvin exchanged a smile, as they all stood and began getting ready for bed

Upstairs, after getting changed, Alvin and Alex wandered down towards the bathroom to brush their teeth.

Alvin wore red (naturally) cotton boxer shorts with AK (Alvin Kleins) all over them, while Alex wore black sweatpants.

They both chose not to wear tops and laughed as Alvin strutted down the landing and knocked on the door, "Yo, who's in there?"

Steph and Brittany replied, "We are"

Alex asked, "Both of you?"

Brittany answered, "Actually all us girls are in here"

There was a small squeal.

Alvin looked at Alex then asked, "Doing what?"

He never understood why it was necessary for girls to go the bathroom together, let alone what they actually did in there as a group.

Steph answered, "Uh...probably better if you didn't know, sorry Eleanor"

They could hear Eleanor, "Ow, ow, ow – you said it wouldn't hurt, Steph"

Alvin looked curiously at Alex and knocked again, "Well, whatever you're doin, hurry up, we got teeth to brush"

Simon and Theodore came to the bathroom door; they were both dressed a little more moderately due to the company in the house and each wore a shirt (Theo) and singlet (Simon).

Simon looked the door and then at the guys, "What's going on?"

There was another squeal, followed by a "Dammit Steph!"

They could hear steph laugh, "I'm sorry, seriously Ellie, one more then you're done"

Theodore asked through the door, "Ellie? You ok?"

Eleanor replied through clenched teeth, "Fine Theodore, Steph's just – AAHH!"

The guys all stood back a little and looked blankly at each other.

Alex went up to the door and enquired, "Steph, what are you doing to those girls?"

Steph was still laughing, and poked her head out the door, "We're just gussying up before our trip" she held up a small pot and a wooden stick, "I'm on hair removal"

They guys all reeled back a little and flinched.

She ducked back into the bathroom, before popping her head back out again, "Which on a Chipette is no easy feat, but I'm managing" she laughed as Alvin tried to see what was going on, but Steph glared at him, "Unless you want some hair removed yourself, I suggest you wait out here" she smiled and winked.

Alvin took a step back and leant up against the banister, "Freakin' women"

The other guys joined him and they all stood and waited for their turn, listening to the painful squeals coming from the bathroom and flinching occasionally.

Eventually the girls emerged one by one from the bathroom.

Eleanor and Jeanette walked a little oddly, like they'd been riding a horse too long. They each came out in their dressing gowns.

Simon and Theodore approached them for a goodnight kiss, but Eleanor just glared at them, "The things we go through for you men" and pulled Jeanette into the bedroom.

Simon and Theodore looked at the door that'd been shut in their faces, then at each other and then turned to look at Alvin and Alex who were muffling laughs and shrugging at them. Brittany and Steph were next to emerge from the bathroom; Brittany wore a short satin pink chemise which could be seen under her pink fluffy robe. She also had her pink fluffy slippers on and walked a little better than Eleanor and Jeanette did. She came and kissed Alvin before heading back to the bedroom.

Steph came out and the guys all looked at her.

She didn't wear a robe.

Or a bra.

She had a bright orange tank top with a monkey on it and blue cheeky shorts, which curved round her butt cheeks.

She spotted Alex and sauntered over, wrapping her arms round his neck and planting a big kiss on his lips.

He wrapped his arms round her and ran them up her back a little.

Steph announced proudly, after pulling from Alex, "Who wants to feel my legs?"

Simon coughed as Theodore went red; Alvin looked at Steph and shook his head as Alex just stood there, slightly stunned.

She looked at them smiling, "No really, I did an awesome job waxing my legs" she grabbed Alvin and Alex's hands and ran them over her thighs.

Brittany opened the door, "Steph get in here! They're not listening; they're just ogling your boobs"

Steph looked back at her, "Huh?" and looked down, "Oh, pfft, silly me" she winked, let go of the boy's hands and skipped into the bedroom.

Simon shook his head, "Gosh I hope she's not in my bed"

Alvin looked at his hand and shook his head and wandered into the bathroom, "C'mon guys, our turn"

The boys took a total of 5mins getting themselves washed up before bed and each said their goodnights before heading to where each was sleeping.

Needless to say, it didn't take long for them all to fall asleep.