Chapter 22

They pulled into a public car park and agreed to wander around.

Alvin spotted a billboard advertising 'Tiger Pete's Driving Range' and turned to the others, "Ok, who's up for whackin' a few golf balls round the driving range?"

Simon looked at him and noticed the billboard, "Alvin we've passed heaps of billboards and this is the first one you want to act upon?"

Alvin nodded his head, "Uh huh...I feel like whackin' the crap outta some golf balls, and hopefully the poor bastard inside the golf cart will be trailing around collecting golf balls"

Alex pointed out, to no one in particular, "Fail on the billboard game"

Theodore looked confused, "Why?"

Alvin wrapped his arm round his little brother's shoulder, "Because, my dear sweet Theodore, we can aim at the golf cart, hit the ball as hard as we can and scare the freakin' sh*t outta him" he smiled.

Theodore looked a little horrified.

Eleanor put her hands on her hips, "That sounds terrible Alvin, not to mention traumatising for the poor person"

Alvin laughed, "Hey I'm pretty sure it's in the job description" he put on a deep advertising type voice, "Come earn big buck collecting golf balls, drive your own cart. Warning may be subject to constant attacks from hurtling white objects at tremendous speed" he laughed again.

Brittany folded her arms, "I am not stopping somewhere to play golf"

Simon nodded, "Yeah I'm not very good at golf"

Alvin rolled his eyes at the two of them, "Simon it's not real golf, I told you, it's just whackin' a ball as far as you can; hardly counts as being 'golf'"

He turned to Brittany and steered her in the direction of a mall, "Lookit, shopping" he said mockingly excited, "Go play" and gave her a gentle push in that direction.

Jeanette looked at Eleanor then at Brittany, "Shopping sounds a lot better than playing at the driving range, I have to admit" and they walked over to stand next to Brittany.

Steph stomped her foot, "But I wanna go golfing! I like scaring golf cart dudes too"

Alex wrapped his arm round her waist, "Aww, well looks like the girls are shopping while us guys go hit golf balls around, so off you go" and started pushing her towards the girls.

Steph tried to protest, "Hey! Hey I can be one of the guys! C'mon!"

Alex shook his head, "Uh uh, you're with the girls" he smiled at her and headed off in the other direction with the guys.

Steph was then left, gobsmacked, as Jeanette and Eleanor came beside her and spun her in the direction of the mall, "Come on Steph, we'll have fun too"

At the driving range, the boys had chosen to play on the top level, as the range offered multi levels to play on.

Alvin and Alex were having a competition to see who could hit their ball the furthest.

Simon and Theodore were playing correctly, by trying to aim for the different markers set up across the range.

Alvin took another sip of beer, "Ok this time, you gotta get it past the 500 yard mark"

Alex put his hand up to shield over his eyes and whistled, "OK I'll give it a go" he too took a mouthful of beer and lined up his golf ball on the tee.

He then took a few steps back and did a step run up before cracking the ball full slog with the club sending the ball hurtling over the mark, "Ha! Beat that!"

Alvin smiled smugly and lowered his cap.

He licked his finger and held it in the air, as Simon laughed, "What are you doing?"

Alvin turned to him and smiled, "Checking wind direction"

Theodore at another nacho from his plate, "Does it help?"

Alvin shrugged, "Stuffed if I know, looked good though huh? Like I knew what I was doing and sh*t?" he stood and lined up his shot, wiggling his butt and looking out to the range and then to his ball and out to the range again.

"Oh c'mon, it's not that hard" Alex said, popping another nacho in his mouth and washing it down with beer.

Alvin looked back at him, and nodded, "That's what I need" he walked towards the guys.

"What?" Simon asked

Alvin picked his beer up again, nodding to the boys and downed a few mouthfuls, "OK now I'm ready"

Simon warned him, "Alvin, easy on the alcohol, you still need to drive"

Alvin waved him off, "I'll be fine, I've only had two, geez" he turned and ran up to the ball, hitting it just beyond Alex's ball, "HA HA!"

Alex stood and clapped him, "Well played sir"

Alvin bowed dramatically, flourishing his hand, "A thank yew"

Theodore also clapped happily, eating another few nachos.

Then, excitedly he pointed out, "Look, Alvin is that the golf cart?"

The guys all swung round to take a look at the little caged golf cart speed around the range picking up golf balls.

Alvin laughed and picked up his club, turned his cap round and placed a golf ball on the tee, "Oh yeah, now the real fun begins"

Simon tried to reason with them, "Guys, you can't seriously find enjoyment in aiming for a caged golf cart?"

Alvin and Alex looked at each other, and shrugged, "Yep"

Theodore took his stance, "It'll make for a challenge Simon, moving target and all" he looked at Alvin, "But it won't hurt him right?"

Alvin scoffed and got ready to take aim, "Pfft, no way" he leant and whispered loudly to Alex, "Scare the sh*t out of him, yes"

Alex smirked and took up his position.

Alvin swept his hand towards Simon, "Come on Si, it's no fun unless we all go at the same time"

Simon rolled his eyes and stood at his tee, "Fine"

Alvin and Alex each took a run up, while Simon and Theodore chose to just hit the ball as hard as they could, "FORE!"

There was a definite crack as they each connected with the golf balls, sending them hurtling towards the poor caged golf cart and its driver.

They all stood and watched their balls flying and listened for any definite hits.

Alex threw his arms in the air, "YEAH! Mine hit!"

Theodore was bouncing a little, "Mine too!"

Alvin poked Simon, "Come on, another round, I think I over shot"

Simon smiled, this was actually fun, and loaded his tee with another golf ball.

Together the brothers took aim and swung, watching eagerly and cheering when they heard the smack of the golf ball on the metal cage.

Alvin and Alex clinked beer bottles and drunk the rest of their beer in celebration, "Man I'll bet the girls are not having as much fun as us"

This was true.

While at the mall, Brittany had managed to buy another two outfits and three pairs of shoes, while wandering in and out of different stores.

They'd had lunch in between and had set off to wander around more clothing, bags and shoe stores.

And Steph was bored.

"This is not fun you guys, you said it'd be fun...I wanted to whack golf balls" she pouted and whinged, trailing behind the others as Brittany went to the cashier to pay for her latest purchase.

Eleanor sighed, "Yeah Britt, I have to agree with Steph"

Jeanette nodded, and adjusted her glasses, "As much fun as it is watching you shop and try on new clothes and shoes, there has to be something else we can do"

Brittany rolled her eyes; picked up her bags and headed out the store, "OK. You started this, you choose somewhere to go next" she looked at Steph.

Steph looked around the mall.

One shop caught her attention, "Any store?"

Brittany sighed and looked at her nails, "Yes, if it'll make you quit whining and 'make this more fun', according to you" she used her fingers to make quotation marks.

Steph smiled and set off towards a shop, "Follow me girls, you're in for a real treat"

As the girls followed Steph Jeanette whispered to Brittany, "Sure it was a good idea letting Steph choose?"

Brittany huffed and rolled her eyes, "Relax Jeanette, do you see any store that bad that Steph would take us into?"

Steph stopped confidently at the front of a shopfront, causing the other girls to bump into each other slightly.

It was mostly pink and black and had sultry lighting and in the window was displayed an array of sexy lingerie.

Jeanette read the name of the shop, "'Sugar & Spice'" then her eyes widened, "We can't go in there"

Steph turned to face her, "And why not?"

Jeanette flustered and looked at her shoes, "Um...uh..."

Steph smiled, "You got nothin' Jen, c'mon, can't hurt to have a looksee"

Eleanor tried to peek inside, then looked at Steph, "But isn't the point of buying lingerie so someone will see it?"

Steph looked blankly at her, "Well yeah"

Eleanor spoke, almost slowly to Steph, as if she were a child, "And what if we don't want to show anyone?"

Steph laughed her off, "Pfft, buy it for yourself then, make you feel sexy within, or whatever liberating reason you can come up with to buy something lacy, I don't care"

She took a step towards the store when she noticed something, "Where's Brittany?"

While they'd been arguing the reasons to enter the shop or not, Brittany had wandered in, intrigued at what she could find.

She pawed through racks of satin and lace clad bras and panties; skipped the leather and stud encrusted ones and found herself looking at the sexy costumes on display.

It was there that Steph, Jeanette and Eleanor found her, (Steph had managed to sway Eleanor to come in and pulled a reluctant Jeanette in also)

"Ahh, eyeing off the costumes then are we?" she asked, coming up behind Brittany.

Brittany jumped a little in fright, "Oh, no, not eyeing them off, just looking"

Eleanor had taken Jeanette to another section of the store, which left Brittany and Steph alone in the corner with the costumes.

Steph folded her arms and looked unbelieving at her, "Uh huh" she pointed to the nurse costume, "Could've used that while Al was in hospital hey?"

Brittany thought to herself; the memory of Alvin asking that very thing made her laugh a little.

Steph picked up the French maid, "Personally, I see you in the classics" she held the costume up to Brittany, "Oh you have to at least try it on"

Brittany went a little pink, "Steph I can't; I'm not that type of girl"

Steph raised an eyebrow, "The girl who fools around in the back of a moving RV while her friends are driving? Or the type of girl who shoves her boyfriend's hand up her top so he can cop a feel?"

Brittany looked horrified as Steph smiled, "Oh yeah, we talk...don't worry no one else knows"

She shook her head, "Noooo, of course you're not that type of girl" her voice was clearly filled with sarcasm.

She smiled at Brittany, "Just try it on; no one's asking you to buy it"

Brittany rolled her eyes and turned to head to the dressing rooms when Steph called her back, "Hey may as well find some other things to try out while you're there" she smiled and began cruising the racks.

Brittany followed at a close pace, and whispered, "You're not suggesting I actually buy any of these though are you?"

Steph turned, and said in a low voice, "Look, you love Alvin yeah?"

Brittany nodded, "Yeah"

"And you wanna...you know"

"...Ye-ah" Brittany said slowly

Steph smiled, "Then buy something that'll knock his socks off...and whatever else he happens to be wearing" she laughed loudly and continued to wander, "Now I'll leave you to find somethin', while I go check on those darling little sisters of yours"

Brittany nodded and started looking at a few lacy sets.

Jeanette and Eleanor had managed to wander towards the corsets and babydoll chemises; well Eleanor had been drawn, curiously, while Jeanette seemed to just tag along.

Eleanor sifted through the sizes of babydoll chemises to locate hers.

She picked up one that was of a teal satin with black lace.

It had see-through black material that formed a flowing bodice and was finished with the same teal coloured ribbon.

She held it up to her body and turned to Jeanette, "What do you think?"

Jeanette had meanwhile been looking nervously around the store, like it was a crime they were in there.

Needless to say she was surprised when Eleanor asked her a question, "Huh?"

Eleanor put her hand on her hip, "Jeanette, pay attention" she held the chemise up to her body again, "I said, what do you think?"

Jeanette studied it, lifting the flowing material and letting it flutter back down, "It's very pretty, I have to say"

Eleanor tapped her foot, "Not what I was asking Jeanette, I meant on me, what do you think it'll look like on me?"

Jeanette twirled her hair around her finger, "Um, nice I guess"

Steph managed to hear the conversation, "Just go try it on"

Eleanor turned and smiled at Steph.

Steph looked at the chemise and winked, "Ahh, a surprise for dear Teddy I see?"

Eleanor blushed a little, "I thought you said we can buy things to make ourselves feel sexy?"

Steph laughed, "Ha, you believed that bullsh*t of mine? Hell no, there's only one reason you buy lingerie! To show it off!"

Eleanor giggled a little and looked back at the item she held.

She'd never owned something this feminine...and lacy.

She didn't imagine showing it off to Theodore any time soon, but thought it might be a nice surprise for one day.

She could always use it as a tease for him.

"I'm gonna try it on" she beamed and headed towards the change rooms.

Steph smiled and turned her attention to Jeanette, "And now for you, my dear Jeanette", she grabbed Jeanette's hand.

Jeanette tried to protest, "Nonononono Steph I don't want anything"

Steph wasn't listening, "Ahh, see they have stuff in here that isn't so racy, more sweet and petite, like you"

She picked up an elegant white bra that had white lace and small frills on the edges.

It was accented with a lilac ribbon and had a single crystal charm in the centre.

"This is more you right?"

Jeanette had to admit; it did look elegant, "Well..."
Steph smiled, "Great, you have to try it on then" she studied Jeanette before picking the size and thrusting it into her hands, "I'm guessing this is your size?"

Jeanette twirled the bra round and checked the size on the tag, "Um, yeah...how'd you..."

Steph just smiled proudly, "I have a knack for these things...I can also tell what size a guy's-"

"I don't wanna know Steph" Jeanette said, quickly turning and walking towards the change rooms.

Steph looked gobsmacked, "I was gonna say shoe size!" she called out.

Jeanette turned back, "Which everyone knows is a euphemism for something else"

Steph laughed, "Haha Oh yeah...You know me too well"

Jeanette smiled a little and headed into a booth, with Steph following and sitting on a plush pink velvet chaise lounge.

"Come on you Chipettes, I want a fashion show, Victoria's Secret style" Steph said, clapping to hurry them along.

Brittany poked her head out from the behind a curtain, "Steph you can't be serious?"

Steph put her feet on the lounge and reclined a bit, "Oh come on, model it, vogue!" she laughed and held her hands us as a camera, "Work it!"

Eleanor poked her head out, "Well what about you?"
Jeanette poked her head out, "Yeah, how come we're in here, half naked practically, while you're out there?"

Steph shrugged, "Someone's gotta judge it"

Brittany smiled and pursed her lips, "Bet you can't find anything"

Steph stood up, "That sounds like a challenge...ok, gimme 5, I'll find something so hot and we'll all come out together"

The girls looked at one another and nodded, albeit a little reluctantly.

Sometimes with Steph, it was easier to just go with it than to fight against it.

Steph wandered quickly around the store and found a black lacy set with suspenders.

As she headed back to the change rooms she spotted some stiletto heels with black fluffy pom poms, "Oh hells yes!"

She stepped into a change room and after a while called out, "We all ready?"

Simultaneous replies came answering back

*Sigh* "Yes"

"I guess so"

"Um, no but-"

Steph counted aloud, "3, 2, 1, out ya come"

There was the whooshing sound as the Chipettes drew back their curtains.

Jeanette stepped out nervously in her white bra and regular matching panties, hands hugging round her waist, self consciously.

Eleanor peeked out before stepping out from her booth in the teal and black babydoll chemise and a pair of matching boy-legs, looking down at what she was wearing made her smile a little.

Brittany stepped out in a racy red bra full of lace and ribbons that made her cleavage plunge with low cut matching panties.

The girls took a second to register what everyone else was wearing.

Then Brittany, hands on hips called out, "Steph get out here!"

Steph drew the curtain back and stood provocatively, leaning against the doorway to the change room, "Reckon this little number would get a few heads turning?" she began parading down the length of the change room hallway, did a turn at the end and looked at the others, "Va, Va Voom! Seriously, you all look damn hot"

The other girls blushed slightly as Steph came to twirl them all round, "No really, you guys look great, have a look for yourself"

She invited them to the mirror.

Brittany stood, modelling her lingerie, "I do look hot huh?"

Steph stood next to her, and spun around looking at her butt in a pair of cheeky lacy black panties, "Do these make my butt look big?"

She spun and looked at Jeanette and Eleanor, "And you guys look great too, seriously, you gotta buy this" she pointed at each of them.

Jeanette noticed her reflection.

She actually looked...ok...better than she expected.

She had thought she'd look tacky or it just wouldn't work...but it did.

Granted it wasn't over the top, but that wasn't her.

She smiled, "Maybe I will get this"

Brittany turned looking at her, her hair flipping as she spun, and smiled at her sister, "Wow, really? Simon sure is lucky"

Jeanette's smiled faulted a little, "Brittany I'm not buying this for him...it's for me" she turned back to the mirror, and smiled again, "I deserve to have a confidence boost, right?"

Steph leant on her shoulder, "Sure you do, and if sexy bra and panties does that for ya, then kudos to you" she turned to the others, "Now as much as I love flaunting my damn hot, sexy body around, I reckon we should bag these babies and go see if the guys are done"

The girls nodded and they all headed back into their booths.

As soon as they'd got in there, they heard the definite click from a camera phone.

Brittany called out, "Who's taking pictures?"

Steph laughed, "I look hot as...plus I need a teaser to tempt Alex with" she hollered out laughing again and pushed send.

She then stopped laughing and gave a small shriek.

Eleanor asked nervously, "Steph you ok?"

They all came out of their booths, Steph was holding her hand to her head.

She looked at Brittany, "I am soooo sorry"

Brittany looked sideways at her, a little worried, "Steph...what'd you do?"

Steph looked a little panicky, "Ok so I took a photo of me in my sexy lingerie get up and I thought I scrolled through to send it to Alex...and I kinda sent it to Alvin"

She flinched back a little, waiting for the vocal onslaught.

"WHAT? What do you mean kinda? Either you did, or you didn't!" Brittany screamed.

Steph shrugged, "O-k...so I did...but it was not meant to go to him, I swear!"

Brittany frowned and grabbed her bags and lingerie and headed towards the front counter; the other girls following.

Steph tried reasoning, "Britt, I'm honestly really sorry. I mean Alex, Alvin, they're both next to each other on my contacts"

Brittany said nothing, grabbed the lingerie off her sisters and Steph and slapped them on the counter.

She flipped open her purse and flashed her pink credit card.

They exited the store and started walking back to the RVs.

Steph came round and stopped in front of Brittany, "Britt, stop. Listen to me"

Brittany stopped and rolled her eyes.

Steph sighed, "Britt, seriously, why are you so pissed for?"

Brittany snapped back, "Um, maybe cause you just sent a half naked picture of yourself to my boyfriend!" she started walking off.

But Steph grabbed her by the arm, "Ok...but, Brittany, you cannot seriously think I would deliberately send a photo like that to Alvin, can you?" she shuddered, "That's just creepy...he's like a brother for goodness sake...oh gosh I just sent a half naked photo to someone I consider my brother...that's like me sending one to Cameron...oh $#%"

At this Brittany laughed a little, "Well, I guess so...when you put it that way"

Steph smiled, "So, we good?"

Brittany smiled a little, "Yeah...I know you wouldn't send that on purpose" she looked questioningly, "You wouldn't would you?"

Steph looked shocked, "Oh hell no!" she shuddered again, then laughed, "Maybe on a dare, though"

Brittany frowned again.

Steph wrapped her arm round her, "Kidding!"

Jeanette and Eleanor looked at each other, thankful they'd avoided one of Brittany's telltale tantrums.

The guys were walking back from the driving range when Alvin felt his phone chime.

He clicked to unlock the message and stood dumbfounded as the others took a couple of steps forward.

Realising Alvin had stopped; they turned around, Alex asking, "You ok man?"

Alvin's eyes were wide and he had a grin on his face, and whistled, "Think I just found out what the girls have been up to"

The other's looked curious, Simon asked, "Oh yeah, how?"

Alvin looked at Alex and shook his head, "I think this one was meant for you" he passed his phone over.

Alex's eyes lit up, before looking at Alvin, "Dude you saw this?"

Alvin half laughed, "Yes I did"

Alex shook his head, as Simon and Theodore looked at each other, "What happened?"

Alvin couldn't help it; he burst out laughing, "I think Steph sent me a photo that was meant for Alex"

He was jumping around Alex laughing, "Dude, I'm sorry, if I'd have known I never would have opened it, seriously", Alvin put his fist up.

Alex gave a half smile and bumped it, "It's cool...damn I just wish she'd only have sent it to me though"

Simon and Theodore were still looking a little confused, although Simon was slowly piecing the puzzle together, "Sooo...I'm assuming Steph sent some kind of risqué type photo...to Alvin?"

Alvin nodded, "Uh huh"

Theodore asked the simple question, "Why?"

Alvin shrugged, "Stuffed if I know" he turned to Alex, "Maybe she likes me more?" he smiled a big stupid smile.

Alex punched him, playfully, but with some hidden force behind it also, in the arm.

Alvin rubbed it and laughed again, "Naw man, seriously she's like my sister...if I had one"

Simon smiled, "Ah yes, that annoying sibling who craves attention, is always getting into trouble and has the ego the size of the entire United States...oh wait, I already have one of those" he smiled at Alvin who mocked him by opening and closing his hand, "Yeah, yeah, blah, blah, blah and all that sh*t"

Alex pulled out his phone and sent the photo from Alvin's phone to his own, "Right. Mine now...and to delete the one from your phone"

Alvin whipped his head round, "What? No!"

Alex looked at him questioningly, as did Simon and Theodore, who looked equally confused, who asked, "Why do you want that photo of Steph on your phone?"

Alex folded his arms, "Yeah, why do you want a photo of my girlfriend, whom you pretty much just called a sister, on your phone?"

Alvin pleaded, "Blackmail? Steph has a lot of dirt on me from over the years; I need something big to keep her mouth shut"

The others looked blankly at him.

Alvin thought to himself, "Geez why do I want it? Ha, half naked chick that's why...Freakin' Britt holdin' out on me...causing a sh*tload of tension...crap"

He shook his head, "Just gimme the phone back, I'll delete it"

Alex looked at the phone and back at Alvin, "If you can reach it, it's all yours"

He held it high above his head.

Now Alex was a fair bit taller than Alvin (as most people were), which left Alvin whinging, "Oh come on!" he started trying to jump up and get the phone as Alex stood there laughing, occasionally passing it from one hand to the other.

Alvin stood and pouted, "Dude c'mon! I didn't think you, a mate, would use the fact I'm a shortass against me"

Alex simply shrugged and smiled and started walking back to the RV, as Simon and Theodore followed, laughing.

Alvin growled a little and followed after them, trying to pull Alex's arm down, but Alex was able to lock his arm in place and resist, or just managed to toss the phone to the other hand and held it up.

"Freakin' A!" Alvin called out; a little exhausted from walking and jumping and trying to get Alex to give up.

The guys got to the RV and saw the girls all waiting there (Alvin and Simon had the keys) outside with their bags.

Brittany, Jeanette and Eleanor were all leaning up against the RV.

Jeanette had hidden her gift bag part way under the RV; in a hope Simon wouldn't notice it.

Eleanor held hers behind her back, but couldn't stop giggling every time Theodore stole a glance at her.

Brittany had hidden hers in a larger bag.

She didn't care if Alvin knew if she'd bought anything, she just didn't want him snooping through it if he saw it, which she knew would be the first bag he'd rummage through.

Steph was sun baking on the roof of the RV.

She shielded her eyes as they guys got closer, propping herself up on her elbows.

The first thing they all noticed was Alvin looking really pissed off and the others laughing, as Alex had his arm in the air holding something.

Brittany cocked her head to one side, "Um...what's going on?"

Alex tossed Brittany the phone, "Check what Steph sent Alvin"

She caught it and scrolled through opening the message, "Wow...I mean I already knew she sent it, but wow" she looked up, as Steph looked over the edge of the roof, "Told ya I was hot"

Brittany giggled as Alvin came up to her, "OK gimme, I'm gettin' rid of it"

She turned her body and flicked it upwards, as Steph caught it, "I do look hot huh?"

Alvin grumbled, "Oh come on, give it back!"

Steph raised an eyebrow, "Why? What else is on here?" she started scrolling through the other photos and images on Alvin's phone.

Alvin rolled his eyes, and started towards the ladder, "Nothing, just gimme my phone back"

He was met by Steph on the roof.

She sat dangling the phone in front of her, "Sure there's nothing else on here?"

Alvin held his hand out, "Hand it over"

She judged his expression.

If there was anything incriminating, she couldn't read it in his eyes.

She smiled and deleted the photo of her before frowning and looking over the edge at Alex, "You kept a copy yeah?"

Alex nodded, "Surely I could get the real deal though?"

Steph winked at him, "You betcha baby"

Simon shook his head, as the others laughed a little.

She turned to Alvin and tossed him the phone back.

Alvin fumbled, but managed to keep hold of it before stuffing it in his pocket and heading back down the ladder, followed by Steph.

Brittany looked at him as he stepped down.

He looked back and rolled his eyes, "Yes, it's deleted, geez"

He pushed past and opened the RV, stepping inside.

Brittany looked at Steph, who nodded in confirmation, and began gathering her bags.

She carried them to the bedroom and dumped them on the bed, then came and sat at the dining table.

Steph walked in and dumped her little bag on the counter, and sat down next to Brittany.

Alex looked at it and went to have a peek inside.

Steph just shrugged, "It's exactly the same as what I got on in the photo, Alex"

Alex nodded in approval, "I was just seeing if there was any other surprises"

Steph smiled, "Oh they come later" she winked as Alex took his seat in the passenger's.

Alvin started the RV and drove 'Hot Stuff' out first, with Simon and 'Einstein' following.

They turned onto the main road and continued along.

Simon sat in the driver's seat, stretched his fingers and hands on the wheel and straightened his back a little.

Jeanette offered him a drink, which he sipped from and placed in the cup holder.

She looked over at him and put her hand on his knee, "Simon, are you sure you're ok to drive?"

Simon looked at her and nodded, "Yeah, we're only heading a little further, grabbing dinner and setting up for the night. We discussed it at the driving range

Theodore came up between them and leant on the driver's seat, "Um...I'm going to check our emails, just in case Dave sent anything through"

Simon nodded, "Great idea Theodore"

He watched as Theodore grabbed his laptop and headed into the bedroom.

Simon looked puzzled.

Why was Theodore going in there for?

He looked for Eleanor and noticed she wasn't at the dining table

He turned to Jeanette, "Where's Eleanor?"

Jeanette looked at him, "She said she was going to take a quick nap before we stopped for dinner"

Simon looked more confused, "Then why did Theodore go in there if Eleanor's asleep?"

Jeanette remembered the gift bag.

She had seen Eleanor exchange a look with Theodore when she saw him looking at it with interest, while Alvin and Steph had been on the roof.

Jeanette blushed a little and gave a small cough, "Maybe the reception is better back there?"

Simon shook his head, unaware at what Jeanette was trying to hide.

Theodore snuck into the bedroom and saw Eleanor lying on her stomach on the bed.

The little gift bag beside her.

He smiled and sat on the edge of the bed, placing the laptop beside him, and tried to peer into the bag.

Eleanor giggled and pushed it away.

He gave a small smirk, "Come on Ellie, you said you wanted to show me"

Eleanor twirled her hair on her finger and bit her bottom lip, smiling, "OK, but this is just a little looksee"

She reached next to her and pulled the gift bag in front of her, "Ready?"

Theodore nodded.

He couldn't stop grinning; he felt like an excitable puppy.

Eleanor sat up a little and pulled out the babydoll chemise she'd bought earlier that day.

Theodore's eyes grew wide, "Wow...I mean that's really something Ellie"

She turned it towards her, "Mmm, yeah I liked it...and I'm glad you do too" she leant forwards and kissed him on the nose.

Theodore sat there, looking down at the bedspread and tracing around Eleanor's fingers, "So...do I get to see you in it?"

Eleanor blushed a little, "Oh Teddy Bear, one day" she smiled and held his hand, leaning in to kiss him on the mouth.

Theodore moved in closer and pushed her gently onto the bed.

She giggled again, and ran her hands up his back and over his ticklish spots.

He laughed a little and flinched, "Ellie, stop it"

She pulled him closer and held him round the neck, kissing him on his mouth and cheeks.

He pulled away a little, "Not that I don't want to do this right now, cause I do, but I did say to Simon that I came in here to check emails...I better do that, cause you know he's gonna ask"

Eleanor gave a playful frown, "Aww, ok"

Theodore opened the laptop and booted it up.

He searched for Wi-Fi and logged onto a hotspot and accessed the email address between the boy's and Dave.

They boys all had their own email addresses (Alvin had several), but they still kept the one that linked them all to Dave, which was used mostly for publicity, media, concert tours and any correspondence Dave needed to relay that involved the three of them working together.

Theodore frowned, "Uh oh"

Eleanor crawled to sit next to him, "What's wrong?"

Theodore looked at her, "We've got a few emails from Dave"

He opened up the first one.

It basically explained what he'd said to them before they left and gave a few contact numbers for people on the crew.

The next was asking how the trip was going so far.

The third was reminding them about the song sets.

These were all set on the first day.

Eleanor read them alongside Theodore, "Well, they're not too bad"

Theodore nodded, "Yeah I suppose so" he clicked on the last email sent by Dave earlier this morning.

He was stressing the point he needed those song sets and was hoping they weren't having so much fun they'd forgotten.

The last email was sent around lunchtime; Dave was clearly annoyed he'd not had any ounce of a reply to his previous emails and was stating he knew he'd given them til the end of the week for the song sets, but now he wanted them by the next day.

Theodore frowned, "That's tomorrow"

Eleanor rubbed his back, "Well done Sherlock"

He gave her a look and logged out, "We better let Simon know" he closed the laptop as they both headed into the main part of the RV again.

When they emerged Simon smiled, "Ah Eleanor, good sleep?"

She cocked her head, "Huh?"

Simon smiled, "Jeanette said you went in the room to have a nap"

Eleanor looked at Jeanette, who went a little red, "Oh yeah" she pretended to stretch, "Yep, quick little power nap, and I'm good to go"

Simon nodded, "I hope Theodore didn't wake you"

She looked at Theodore, who was trying not to laugh, "Um, nope, he sat very quietly and checked emails"

Theodore added, "Yeah and speaking of which, we've been bombarded by Dave"

Simon looked concerned, "What's the problem?"

Theodore rested his hands on the table, and then his chin on his hands, "Well, we weren't answering emails, so Dave got a bit annoyed and he wants the song sets by tomorrow"

"Tomorrow?" Simon exclaimed

Theodore nodded, "Uh huh"

Simon sighed, "Ok, well, I guess we don't sleep tonight until we've got it sorted then"

Just then Simon looked ahead and saw Alvin indicating to enter a carpark.

He quickly buzzed Alvin via the CB, "Alvin where are you going?"

Alvin responded quickly back, "Just follow me in"

The two RVs pulled into a large car space and everyone piled out.

Simon shook his head when he saw the store they'd pulled up in front of, "Alvin, really? Camping?"

Alvin smiled and started towards the store.

Brittany had her hands on her hips, unamused, "He saw signs of a big sale leading up to here and hasn't shut up about it" she stomped her foot, "I don't do camping"

Alvin stopped, turned back to her and wrapped his arm round her, "Ahh, you said you don't do RVs. But here you are, c'mon, it's like 80% off! That's a steal" he turned and started towards the entrance again.

Theodore looked at Alvin, "But we have RVs...why do we need camping gear?"

Alvin, clearly frustrated, turned back around, "For a bit of variety, I don't know, who cares, it's 80% off, let's go" he turned on his heel and marched into the store, the others reluctantly following.

Inside Alvin felt like a little kid in a toy store, "Oh man, they got everything here...ok, we need tents, sleeping bags, fire starting stuff-"

"Let me interrupt you right there Alvin" Simon interjected, "You are not starting any fires...you don't exactly have the greatest track record when it comes to fire"

Alvin shrugged, "What? So I've had a few mishaps over the years"

Eleanor laughed a little, "32 fires isn't exactly a few mishaps, Alvin"

Simon rolled his eyes, "Yes well, I'll take charge of the fire, so I'll get what we need for that"

Steph raised her hand, "I want a blow up bed thingy, I'm not sleeping on the dirt"

Brittany raised her hand, "I second that"

Alvin rolled his eyes, "What the hell is wrong with you women?" he sighed, "Fine, go find some air mattresses; Theo you go with Eleanor and Jeanette and try and find some sleeping bags, Alex you come with me, we'll find tents"

Everyone nodded and separated around the store.

Steph and Brittany were testing the air mattresses.

They were both lying side by side on one when Steph sat up, "Oh this is no good, you're too small in comparison, I need a man"

Brittany sat up, "Yeah and who sleeps like this anyway?"

Steph scouted the store and spotted a sales guy, she stood up and skipped over, "Hi ya" she beamed.

He turned to her, "Hey, can I help you?"

Steph nodded, grabbed his hand and lead him to the air mattresses, "Yeah, I need some help with picking one of these"

He stood next to the one they had out and shrugged slightly, "What do you want to know? It's self inflating and deflating; goes up in about 10 seconds and deflates in about 15. It had an extra layer on top to provide warmth and comfort and comes with its own carry bag"

Steph rolled her eyes, "Duh, I know that, it says it here on the little taggie thingy"

The sales guy looked confused, "Then what's the problem?"

Steph smiled and kneeled on the bed, "I need a man to help me figure out if this is the one I need"

The sales guy looked a little shocked.

Brittany smiled a little at Steph, "I think you're scaring him Steph"

Steph shook her head, "Pfft, no way" she grabbed his hand and pulled him onto the bed, "See my boyfriend is roughly your height and build and I dunno, he's rampaging somewhere else in the store and I cannot be bothered to go find him, so, I saw you and thought 'he'll do', so lay down"

The guy was so confused he simply obliged and lay down.

Steph settled in next to him, curling up, "Hmm..."

The guy was petrified to touch Steph, and felt quite awkward.

Brittany couldn't help but laugh.

Steph smiled sweetly at the guy, "Ignore her, just pretend it's you and me bub" she picked his arm and wrapped it round her as she rolled away from him, "Ok, spoon me"

"What? Miss I don't think I..." he tried to pull his arm away.

"Oh shut up, just do it" she grabbed his arm back as he reluctantly followed through, feeling really uneasy.

Steph sat up, "Hmm, one more test"

Brittany was still laughing uncontrollably.

Steph got up on all fours and started bouncing on the mattress, "Come on, you too"

He sat up and looked at her, bewildered.

She rolled her eyes, "Geez, can't get good help these days" she knelt beside him and smiled, "Look I need to know if this bed is...um...sturdy enough, so quit whining and start bouncing" she looked menacingly at him until he conformed and started bouncing on all fours, "Good boy" she patted him on the head and knelt a little higher, "Hey lookit, Britt, I could be a queen dominatrix right now" and pretended to whip the poor guy.

She laughed as Brittany collapsed in laughter.

The guy stopped bouncing and stood up off the mattress, a little out of breath, "Please tell me you're going to buy this thing now?"

Steph 'hummed' and 'harred' over the decision.

Finally Brittany managed to catch her breath and blurt out, "Steph after what you made the guy do, you better buy it"

Steph smiled and shook the guy's hand, "Ok, we'll take four"

The sales guy gave a half smile and offered to carry the mattresses down to the counter.

Meanwhile over at the sleeping bags, Theodore and Eleanor were having fun playing sack races in them, while Jeanette was referee.

Simon came over with a basket of things to get a fire going (and some emergency items to put it out, if needed) and stood there watching as Theodore and Eleanor jumped and shuffled past him.

He looked further and saw Jeanette jumping excitedly at what was deemed the finish line.

Simon put the basket down and stood with his hands on his hips, "What's going on?"

Eleanor, who was in the lead, turned, but tripped on her own corner and fell.

Theodore was right behind her and tumbled on top of her.

Jeanette and Simon ran to their aid, but found them both laughing hysterically.

Together they helped them out of the sleeping bags and again Simon asked, "What are you doing?"

Theodore shrugged, "Testing sleeping bags" he said in a way that made it seem like it was obvious.

Simon ran his hand through his hair, "How is this testing them?"

Jeanette smiled, "Well, how else do you test them?"

Simon opened his mouth then closed it again and sighed.

Theodore handed him a sleeping bag, "Come on Simon, you know you wanna"

Simon looked at the sleeping bag.

It'd been a long time since he'd just had fun, for the sake of having fun with his brothers.

He looked at Theodore, smiling playfully at him and was sucked in, "Oh alright"

The others cheered, as Theodore took him to where they'd created a start line, "First one to the girls is winner"

Simon nodded and wiggled into the sleeping bag.

Theodore stepped into his and pulled it up around his shoulders.

At the other end, Jeanette and Eleanor called out, "Ready, set go!"

And cheered as the two guys jumped, shuffled, slid, fell, and crawled their way to them.

By the end, it was a tie and Theodore and Simon collapsed in a heap of laughter.

Alvin and Alex were over by the tents.

Alex was standing near a simple dome tent, enough for 2-3 people to sleep inside.

Meanwhile, Alvin had found the mother of all tents.

It was a mansion of a tent, capable of sleeping 14 and had four rooms to it.

"We should get this one" he said, marvelling at how big it was.

Alex shook his head, "I don't think there's room for it on the RV" he walked over and picked up the price tag, "And it's $1700"

Alvin shrugged, "Fine I'll get it just for me then"

Alex rolled his eyes and pulled Alvin by the arm over to the smaller tents, "These are what we need"

Alvin looked in disgust at them, "But they're tiny, and there's only one room"

Alex shook his head, "No they're compact, affordable, durable and cosy for two people"

He winked at Alvin, "Get my drift?"

Alvin laughed a little, "Bet they're not sound proof though"

Alex shrugged, "Learn to keep your mouth shut"

They looked at the price tag as Alvin smiled, "I guess I need more practice then"

Alex laughed and picked up two boxed tents, "Practice makes perfect, they say" and gave them to Alvin, and then picked up another two tent boxes.

They both made their way over to the counter, where they were met by Brittany and Steph.

Brittany took a look at the picture of the tent on the box, "Yuck, I don't like the colour, go get another one"

Alvin shook his head, "Babe, tents aren't a fashion statement, you get whatcha get"

She folded her arms and pouted, "But it's an ugly colour, I don't want to sleep in it"

Alvin rolled his eyes and picked the box up, trudging back to where the tents were and searched until he found one that was a different colour scheme.

He came back and presented it to Brittany, "This one better?"

She looked at the colour and shook her head, "No I don't like this one either"

Alvin groaned, "Britt, it's either this one, or the other one, that's all they got" she was still frowning, "Or you can sleep in the dirt"

She looked shocked then sighed and pointed to the second box, "Fine, that one then"

Alvin rolled his eyes, "Thank you, I see you got the mattresses then?"

Steph smiled, "Yep and they've been product tested too"

Alex looked curious, "Huh? Product tested?"

Steph kissed him on the cheek, "Yep, by me and some sales guy"

Alex gave her a look, "What'd you do?"

Brittany started laughing again.

Steph smiled at him, "Nothing too bad, on my part. But well, they're pretty sturdy, I'll say that"

Jeanette, Simon, Eleanor and Theodore came up with their arms full of sleeping bags.

They looked puffed out and their hair was all a mess.

Alvin raised an eyebrow, "So how goes the sleeping bags then? All tested out?"

The others looked at each other before laughing and fixing their hair up.

Theodore managed to say, amongst bursts of laughter, "We had a sleeping bag race, like a sack race"

Alvin nodded, "Ah, for a minute there it looked like you'd all-"

"But we didn't Alvin" Simon cut him off, smiling.

Alvin smiled back and helped them put the sleeping bags on the counter.

Brittany smiled, "Aww you got us all separate colours and everything"

Jeanette smiled, "We thought you'd appreciate that"

Alvin looked around and seeing no one, leant over the counter and picked up the store microphone, "Hello? Yeah we'd like some service here please?"

He pushed himself back onto the floor as a sales girl came to the counter, "Um, sir, the store microphone is not for customer use"

Alvin just shrugged at her, "Sorry toots, but there weren't no one here"

She smiled a little, "Hey you're Alvin"

Alvin gave her a slight nod, "Indeed I am" he swept his arm outwards, "And the rest of my posse"

She smiled at them all then turned to the pile of camping gear, "Um, sure you don't need any kitchen or bathroom gear? Chairs and tables? Torches?"

Steph shook her head, "Nah we got RVs"

The sales girl looked at Steph, "RVs?"

Eleanor nodded, "Yeah, you know like a house on wheels type thing?"

The sales girl shook her head, "Yeah I know what it is, but why do you need tents for?"

Simon adjusted his glasses, "Precisely what I said"

Alvin sighed, "We're just getting them for some variety, geez"

The sales girl started scanning the various items, "So you're going for a road trip?"

Alvin leant on the counter, "Yep, then headin' to Vegas baby!"

"We have a few concerts there" Simon added

The sales girl nodded, "Oh yeah, I saw that on the net a few days ago, that's great" she looked over at Steph and Alex, "And these are..."

"Groupies!" Steph shouted out.

"Just friends tagging along" Alex quickly added.

The sales girl smiled, "Ah, cool. Well hope the concerts go well then"

Alvin began picking up the camping supplies as the girl looked at him, "Um, so who'll be paying?"

Alvin looked at Simon, his arms full, "You heard her, pay the girl Simon" he flashed a smile and headed out to the RV, followed by Theodore and Alex, also carrying a few things and the girls.

Simon rolled his eyes and reached back for his wallet, pulling out his credit card.

At the RV, the guys piled the camping gear inside, then the girls followed inside.

Simon poked his head inside, "Thanks for leaving me with that Alvin"

Alvin smiled, "No sweat Sunshine"

Simon rolled his eyes and stood on the steps, "Anyway, before we head off to where we're staying tonight, we got a few emails from Dave"

Alvin groaned, "He's not checking up on us already is he?"

Simon ignored him, "No, he wants the sets by tomorrow"

"What?" Brittany slammed her fists on the dining table, "He said by the end of the week, why'd he change his mind for?"

Simon shrugged, "I'm not sure, Brittany, but that means we need to come up with the whole set by tonight, ready to email to Dave by tomorrow morning at the latest"

Brittany folded her arms, "So not fair"

Eleanor tapped the dining table, "How many songs do we need?"

Simon made some quick calculations in his head, "Well, I do recall Dave saying we needed at least 20...or 22 if we want to do an encore...which is highly likely we'll have to do"

Alvin scoffed, "We'll need 20...I'll need 22, seeing as how the encores will clearly be for moiré"

The others glared at him as Simon walked over to Alvin and slapped him on the head

"Ow! What was that for?" Alvin complained, rubbing his head.

Simon smiled, "Just deflating your ego" the others all laughed a little.

Steph hoisted herself onto the bench, "Seriously, it can't be that hard to come up with a couple of songs can it?"

Brittany answered dramatically, "Actually, it kinda is"

Jeanette nodded, "Yeah, you have to get the right balance between songs that involve a lot of dancing and routine, to ones that you just sit for, to ones where you, well the guys, play, and a balance between Chipmunk and Chipette sets"

Alex whistled, "Wow, never realised how difficult this could be...well, you got us" he nodded towards Steph, "We'll help out"

Simon smiled, "Thanks, that'd be great"

Brittany smiled at Steph, "Actually you could teach us the Beyonce dance to 'Single Ladies'"

Steph's head whipped up, "Huh?"

Alvin looked at Brittany, "You guys don't know it?"

Brittany flipped her hair, "We sing it, yes, but we've never had to perform it, live yet" she turned back to Steph, "It'd be great to do Beyonce's dance to it, and I know you know it"

Steph tried to speak.

Alex looked back and forth between Brittany and Steph, "And why are you asking Steph?"

Steph was trying to get Brittany's attention by waving her hands and mouthing the word, "No! No!"

Brittany smiled, ignoring her attempts, "Steph didn't mention she's a dancer?"

He turned to Steph, eyebrows raised, "Really?"

Steph sighed heavily, "Oh sh*t" she glared at Brittany, "Yes. I major in jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and ballet"

Alex tried not to laugh, "You? Ballet?"

Steph slid off the bench and sized him up, "Yes, ballet, with the leotards and the tutus and sh*t, not my best style, but I can pirouette enough to make it look pretty. I much prefer contemporary"

Alex narrowed his eyes, "Prove it"

Steph looked at him, "What?"

Alex shook his head, "When we find a place to stop, you give us a demo, put on a little performance"

Steph shook her head, "I don't perform"

Alex pleaded, "Aw c'mon, please? You'll be a star" he started slowly chanting, "Steph! Steph! Steph! Steph!"

The others slowly joined in, adding a slow building clap.

Steph closed her eyes and balled her hands into a fist, "I DON'T #$%ING PERFORM! I'M NOT YOUR GOLDEN STAR!" she shoved Alex out the way and pushed past Simon and stormed out the RV.

The others were all silent.

Alvin loosened his collar, "Reckon we hit a raw nerve?"

Alex looked at the girls, "Do you have any idea what that's about?"

they shook their heads as Brittany said softly, "No way, I seriously have no idea what that was all about"

Simon looked out the window to watch as Steph made her way down the road, "Well, someone better go convince her to come back, it'll be getting dark soon"

Alex rubbed his neck, "Maybe I should go after her"

Alvin stood up, "Uhh, you wanna live til Vegas? Best let her cool down"

Jeanette nodded, "Yeah, Steph has one of those tempers where if you're the cause of it, you'll want her well and truly calmed down before you face her again"

Alex looked out the window, "Well can someone go get her before she decides to leg it to Vegas?"

Alvin stood up, "I'll go get her"

Alex smiled.

He jumped down the steps out the door and ran after Steph.

Alex then took a seat in the booth, as Eleanor wrapped her arm round him, comforting him.

Steph had managed to walk a fair distance.

She was walking pretty fast.

she was pretty pissed off.

She felt so embarrassed, and she hated feeling embarrassed.

Why did Alex need to provoke her?

Wait, why was she so upset for, it wasn't Alex's fault, he didn't know.

Hell no one knew.

She heard footsteps pattering closer towards her.

She kept walking but turned her head to see Alvin come up next to her.

She sighed, "Piss off Alvin"

He pursed his lips, "Yeah, see I'd love to, but we kinda need you back, so let's go" he spun and started walking the other direction.

She rolled her eyes and walked faster.

Alvin turned and jogged to keep up, then walked briskly beside her.

Finally he grabbed her arm, "Steph, stop"

She stopped and turned to face him, "What?"

Alvin spotted a bus shelter up ahead, "Come on"

He took her by the hand and sat her down, "What the hell was that back there?"

Steph looked ahead, "I said I don't do performances, why push it?"

Alvin bounced his leg up and down a little, "Yeah, we got that...but why?"

Steph was still looking ahead.

She closed her eyes and a single tear rolled down her cheek.

Alvin gulped; he'd never, in his whole life knowing Steph, seen her cry.

She let the tear fall and opened her eyes, concentrating on something in the distance, "I know I can be a bit of a show pony"

"Preachin' to the choir babe" Alvin stated, trying to keep it light.

Steph gave a half smile, "Right, and I flirt...shamelessly, and guess I come across confident and strong willed and sh*t...but that does not mean I am a performer" she shuddered, "It's the association with the word that gets me"

She tapped her foot and looked up at the sky, clasping her hands in her lap, "Gosh I wish I could perform again. Being on stage. In the spotlight. Dancing. I miss it"

Alvin nodded, "So start small and build that up again, get back on the horse or whatever that saying is"

Steph looked at him, "I wish I could" she turned away and lowered her head, closing her eyes.

Softly, she began to sob.

Alvin was feeling pretty uncomfortable.

But he knew everyone in the RV was waiting for him and Steph to come back; he was the one who said he'd bring her back.

He reached out and held his hand out, saying softly, "Steph, what happened?"

Steph slowly opened her eyes and looked at him.

He looked genuinely concerned.

She took hold of his hand, squeezing it gently before clasping her own again.

Steph took a deep breath and wiped her eyes, "Ok, it all happened when I was about 14"

Alvin thought a moment, "Before you transferred to Eastman?"

Steph nodded, "Yeah, those years I was at Burlington Performing Arts"

(NB: Slight back story, the Chipmunks and Chipettes knew Steph from when they were young, from about 9 years old, they went to the same school, but then Steph was accepted into a performing arts school. They still kept in touch and saw each other after school and on weekends...then she transferred to Eastman...and continue...)

Alvin nodded, "Oh yeah, forgot it was a PA school"

Steph continued, "So I was in the dance troupe, and our dance teacher was a choreographer by the name of Mr Hunter"

She paused a bit before continuing, "We were getting ready for a huge performance in the coming weeks. We'd all practiced so hard and I'd been given a main role in some group dances and three solos" she smiled a little to herself, "I like to think it had something to do with my talent and style...but um..."

Alvin listened closely.

When there was silence he filled the void, "And then what?"

Steph looked out across to the distance, and exhaled heavily, "The night of the opening performance and we were given 20mins til curtains up. I was ready to go and just hanging...waiting...when one of the stage hands came into the dressing room in a panic. Julie, the girl to open the whole show was missing. I was the closest to the stage hand when they came in, so I was the one sent to go find her"

Alvin nodded, "So did you find her?"

Steph bit her bottom lip and looked out, watching the sun begin to set, "Oh I found her alright...and Mr Hunter...in the broom closet. His pants were round his ankles and he had her up leaning on the shelf grinding into her. He kept saying things like, "You're my little golden star" and "This is your best performance ever", you know, sh*t like that. At first glance she looked to be enjoying it, but as I watched, I saw her face was trying to get away from him, he cheeks were black from her mascara and she looked exhausted from putting up a fight. He was raping her"

Alvin, unknowingly clenched his fist.

She closed her eyes and continued, "So, I backed away slowly, unsure what to do...I mean do I stop him or tell someone or just run?"

Alvin's leg started involuntarily bouncing again, "What'd you do?"

She looked at him, her eyes all glassy, "The only thing I could, I legged it...but not back to the dressing room, I ran, I ran all the way home...I just left her...to fend for herself"

She looked away, "Daddy was at the concert and he had no idea I'd gone home. Cam was home though, studying or something. I bolted in the door and ran to my room. Later he came in and asked what happened, why I was home and not at the concert. I told him the whole story and begged him not to tell daddy. When daddy eventually came home, worries sick, mind you, I just said I wasn't feeling well and had to get home."

She looked at Alvin, "I later found out Mr Hunter liked to score with all his leading ladies, no matter how old they were" she turned slightly towards him, "I also overheard from a friend of mine how he'd come onto her too, but she kicked him in the shins and managed to get away from him, later telling me how lucky I was to have gotten away that night. I told her what I'd seen, we went to find Julie, where I confronted and comforted her and then we all went to the authorities and dobbed him in"

Steph felt another tear fall down her cheek.

She watched as it fell onto her leg.

Alvin felt angry his best friend had been subjected to this.

He wanted so badly to kick the crap outta this lowlife, or at least punch his fist through a brick wall, that'd help with releasing the frustration he felt.

She exhaled heavily, "I vowed never to perform again, I would never be anyone's 'golden star'...and I haven't really danced since"

They were both quiet for a moment, then Alvin broke the silence, "Steph, this creep isn't gonna get you anymore, you'll never, ever be his or anyone else's 'golden star'. Hell, he's probably having to take it in the showers at some jail for what he's done, by some butch dude who calls him Shirley or something"

Steph laughed out loud and covered her mouth quickly.

He thought for a moment, "I remember you dancing, you were good, really good"

Steph smiled, "Were? I still am; I'm freakin' awesome"

Alvin laughed a little, and sat up a little straighter, "And how are we supposed to know that?"

Steph sighed, "I guess you're right...I do miss dancing...and performing, even if it's not to a massive crowd" she held her head in her hands as she remembered, "Oh sh*t, poor Alex"

Alvin whistled, "Yeah you owe that guy a massive make up session"

Steph smiled, "Lucky you bought a tent today then, cause guess where you and Britt will be tonight?" she stood up, and wiped her eyes.

Alvin stood up and held his hands out, "Oh come on, it's getting dark already, I can't put a tent up in the dark"

Steph laughed and wrapped her arm round him, kissing him on the cheek, "Thanks Alvin"

Alvin shrugged and hugged her round her waist, "What are friends for, hey?"

They started the walk back to the RVs.

Inside everyone was quiet as Steph and Alvin entered.

Alex cautiously stepped closer, "Hey"

She came in a hugged him, burying her face in his chest, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry"

He squeezed her back, and kissed her on top of her head, smoothing her hair with his hand, "It's ok, and me too, I'm sorry too, but you're ok now?"

She looked at Alvin and smiled.

Alvin returned the gesture with a simple nod.

She looked back at Alex, "Yeah, I'm ok" she turned to everyone else, "I want to apologise for my slight outburst earlier...and to show how sorry I am, I will dedicate a small performance for you when we arrive at our stop over tonight"

Alex looked at her, "You sure? I mean you don't have to-"

Steph smiled at him, "No really, I'm ready...it's been a long time coming, I'm ready to get back on that horse"

Alvin smiled and winked at her.

After a short silence she piped up, "So, we heading off, or are we roughing it here in the camping store carpark?"

Simon, Jeanette, Eleanor and Theodore headed off to the other RV, leaving Steph, Alex, Alvin and Brittany in the other.

Alvin yawned and stretched, tossing the keys to Alex, "Do you mind driving? I'm kinda wiped now"

Alex nodded, "Sure" he slid into the driver's seat as Alvin slid into the dining booth and rested his head on his arms on the table.

Steph smiled and gestured towards the back room, "Actually, I reckon I could fit in a power nap before we stop" and headed to the bedroom, closing the door.

Brittany shrugged, "Guess I'm playing passenger then" she smiled at Alex, who returned the gesture.

Alex followed Simon out the driveway and onto their final stop over destination, driving through a fast food joint to grab dinner on the way.

When they finally got to their destination, Alex went to wake Steph, to find her crashed out on the bed.

Alvin too was wiped, sleeping on his arm and drooling a little.

Brittany and Alex went to eat with the others in 'Einstein', then came back to 'Hot Stuff'; Alex heading to the back room, saying goodnight to Brittany, "Alvin's a pretty decent friend to Steph huh?"

Brittany nodded and looked at him sleeping, "Yeah, he's there for you when you need him most"

Alex nodded, "Well, sleep tight then" he came in for a hug.

Brittany smiled and hugged him back before looking at her options, which was really only one option; she was left with the over cabin bed.

She left a note near Alvin in case he woke up and decided to wander to the back room.

She then realised her clothes were in the back room.

She hesitated then climbed back down and knocked softly on the door, "Alex?"

He poked his head out, "What's up?"

She pointed in the room, "Can you pass me my pjs? It's the pink chemise...should be on the top of my bag"

He nodded and ducked back into the room, coming back with the chemise in his hand, "Night then"

She smiled, "Night" and climbed back up to the over cabin bed.

She undressed, hoping Alex didn't need to use the bathroom, as it'd mean he'd have to come back out again, and slipped into her chemise and snuggled under the blankets.

It wasn't long before she too fell asleep.