Brittany's Point of View
"Mm, can you believe Eleanor set all this up?" Alvin spoke between small bites of the delicate souffle my sister graciously cooked for us.
"Yes, she's a really great cook." I smiled and took a small nibble. I really wasn't in the mood for food. My appetite escaped me right before I met up with Alvin and I swear I wasn't nervous, but if food was the way to Alvin's heart and the easiest way to have a conversation with him than I was all for it. The souffle was divine, light and fluffy, and the presentation of the dinner as a whole was outstanding. Elli really went all out. High candles of various colors burned with a calm, orange flame, and a vase with a single violet in it sat in the middle as the table masterpiece. Jeanette's violet. That simple flower has had more to do with love and relationships than I have. It was the whole reason my sister got her chance with Simon.
Alvin seemed more interested in the food than with me, but I couldn't really blame him, the food was great. Other than the delicious souffle, Eleanor laid out glasses filled with soda (she must have found where Dave hid it) and small bits of chocolate sat in a bowl on one side of the table and on the other a bowl of fruits and vegetables. No wonder Alvin was mesmerized by the food more than me… Or maybe he just didn't like me. After-all, the first date was meant to get to know one another; at least, that's what one of my magazines said. I was hoping it was just the food, but I had a plan to get his attention; the power of conversation.
"So, Alvin," I began and he looked up from his plate, "You smell really nice."
"You like it?" He questioned as if he didn't, "It's perfume for guys, not a big fan of it." I think he meant cologne, but I really did like it; it gave him a strong, masculine scent. One that stuck in my nose and made me think of him and how bold he could be. "You smell really nice, too." He added and inhaled through his nose deeply. It made me giggle, this wasn't the first time I wore this perfume and I wondered why he was just noticing it now. Oh well, not important; if I wanted this date to go well I had to focus on him, but it was so hard. I wanted to get to the point, I wanted to know if he would date me, make me the special one. I'd do anything for him. Well, almost anything… Maybe.
"Um, what do you look for in a girlfriend?" I asked and his first response was giving me a deranged look; I'd have thought he'd heard this question before.
"Well," He started and his eyes went wide like he had an idea in mind, "She has to be very pretty. And she needs a good sense of style and a caring heart." I blushed a little, I could feel it, my cheeks burning and I tried to hide it. I was certain I had those qualities; I was obviously pretty (surely pretty enough for him) and everyone usually came to me for fashion statements. "Why do you ask? And since we're on the subject, what made you ask me out so suddenly?"
"W-What?" I spat, getting caught by surprise with his sudden interest.
"Well," He sipped his soda, "we've known each other for, like, ever and not once have you shown any romantic interests in me. Why?"
"Maybe if you payed attention." I thought, "you'd realize my lust." I only smiled through my thought. "Oh, I, uh…" Think think think! "I made a bet." I lied. Ugh! Dummy! What was wrong with me? Lying was never the right thing to do on a date! It would get me absolutely nowhere. What was it that made me lie to this cute, masculine smelling chipmunk?
"Oh." His grin faded and his ears lowered. He was feeling something, but it wasn't joy. We both sipped at our drinks at the same time… Awkward… We sat there in silence and played with our food. Something was up, Alvin was never this quiet. His eyes were glassy and I could almost see the wheels in his head turning. Whatever he was thinking about, it took him away from our date.
"Are you okay, Alvin?" I asked when he stuffed his napkin in his mouth, jeez was he ever out of it. His cheeks puffed out and I don't think he even noticed until I pointed it out. What was on his mind? I needed to know, he usually said whatever popped into his head in one way or another, why was he quiet now? Was it something I did? Something I said?
"Hm?" He mumbled and swallowed, "Blah! I thought Eleanor was a great cook; what is this?" I couldn't help it, I burst out laughing.
"That was your napkin!" I laughed, gasping for air. Through my tear-filled eyes I could see him blush and I almost felt bad for him. Almost, but it was too funny. For the first time on the date I relaxed, my tense muscles soothing with each gasp of laughter. I didn't feel the need to make him mine, it was all going so well it was like I didn't need to. But did he think the same way? I laughed at his embarrassment and we made small talk. It wasn't really important, but it was still talk.
"Hey, Brit?" Alvin uttered and I did my best to calm any remaining laughter. He sounded so serious so suddenly, not something I heard from him often. "There's something that's been bothering me and I don't know how to solve it, can you help?"
"Um, okay," I said, "What is it?" What made his reaction change so suddenly? Was he having regrets or just the opposite; did he have a confession?
"I've been wanting-"
"ALVIN!" Dave yelled from upstairs and made me jump. Really? What the heck! NOW?
"Alvin, what did you do?" I asked, upset that we got interrupted.
"What do you mean 'what did you do'?" He retorted, "I've been here with you this entire time!"Duh! Why was Dave yelling then? Asked, and answered; Dave bolted down the steps and forced Alvin up like an officer at military school. I sighed and followed them up the stairs; so close to actually getting to hear what Alvin thought, discover what was going through his head, what he thought about me.
"Care to explain yourself?" Dave speculated and pushed open the door to the bathroom and in that instant, flowing water poured out. It flooded the floor and the mixed scents of Alvin's cologne and soap filled the air, powered by the muggy steam the fogged every smooth surface visible. It was like a sauna.
"Heh heh, whoops." Alvin hushed and then his voice rose into a shout, "SIMON! THEODORE!" At once, his brothers came down from the attic. My sisters followed behind them from the direction of our own room.
"What happened?" Eleanor asked and Simon's eyes went wide when he saw the bathroom, muttering something under his breath. His ocean eyes told the story, Alvin didn't do this, not alone at least. Either way, this was going to be a big punishment for the Chipmunks.
"I was getting ready with the help of Simon and Theo." Alvin grumbled. What on Earth did he do to get ready? What was wrong with a change of clothes and a spritz of cologne? Alvin and his brothers flooded the bathroom… Smooth.
"Inside. Now!" Dave demanded, getting the just of what happened, "You three will clean this room until it sparkles. Alvin gave me a solemn look, an apologetic look, his eyes said he was sorry, but they also showed annoyance. With his head down, he stumbled into the bathroom with his brothers (they could practically swim) and got to work. "Sorry, girls," Dave said, "You can talk to them later."
"Didn't you turn off the water when you were done rinsing?" I heard Simon contradict his older brother.
"You dragged me there in the first place!" Alvin argued, "Besides, you're so smart and I'm so irresponsible!"
"Alvin, it's common sense! You wash, you rinse, you turn OFF the water and then you dry off." I could hear splashing sounds. "Hey!" More splooshes.
"Girls, can you please go to your room? Dave asked politely, "And shut your door. Just for a few minutes while they… Work out their differences." We obliged, but I doubt any of us were happy about it.
"Ugh!" I groaned and dropped on my bed.
"So…" Jeanette started in her shy little way, "How did the date go?" I glared at my sister and did my best to speak softly.
"Perfectly awkward until he was FINALLY going to tell me something I actually wanted to know. The brainiac couldn't remember to turn the tap, could he? That's how the date went!" I ranted.
"Oh." Jeanette flinched, "Sorry I asked." She quietly lay on her bed with a book. I knew I should apologize, she didn't do anything, she didn't deserve to be yelled at. Jeanette was only trying to help get things off my mind. I'd apologize later, when my anger calmed. I couldn't help but wonder what Alvin was going to say. What was it he wanted? Was it me? Sure, he agreed to go on this date with me, but did that also mean he wanted me? Why were boys so confusing?
"Did you at least get to enjoy the food?" Eleanor asked. Up until now I'd completely ignored the fact that Alvin and I were actually having somewhat of a good time with great food. I smiled and nodded and she sighed happily. "Good, now to just clean it up." Was she kidding? I couldn't let her do that! She was great enough to prepare the whole meal and even set the table while I sat back and got ready. The least I could do was clean up after myself, something Alvin and his brothers needed to learn.
"Don't you dare, Elli!" I threatened, "It's my mess and I'll be the one to clean it up."She attempted to follow me out of our room and down the stairs, but I denied her any access. She would relax even if it was going to kill her.
The candles were short and their flames, out. Melted wax filled their small holders. Jeanette's violet was unmoving in it's vase as cold and dull as the date was now, but still standing tall.
"Whoops." I thought. Our plates were almost empty so I decided to just throw them into the sink. Luckily, Dave only let us use plastic dishes, and for this very reason too. I threw the bowls and cutlery and stuffed any extra food in the garbage. I noticed our drinks were still half full. Knowing Alvin, he'd have worked up a thirst by now even with all the fresh floor water for him to drink. I sighed, but I knew that if I didn't go back all the way upstairs, I'd miss a chance to speak with Alvin. I couldn't let this opportunity slip away. Back up the stairs, I took turns placing the glasses up on the next step before jumping. The bathroom door was open and the carpet was soaked. The steam in the bathroom was cleared and most of the scent had lingered out into the hallway. The bathroom floor was still flooded and I griped onto the glasses in my hands, thinking I'd slip any moment.
"Careful," Simon warned, noticing me first, "Alvin has yet to clean up the water."
"That was your fault and you know it!" Alvin snapped and chucked a bunch of small towels on the floor, "Hey, Brit. What are you doing up here?"
"I thought you'd be thirsty," I explained, "plus, we didn't exactly get to finish." I watched Alvin glare at his bespectacled brother and then refocus his attention back on me.
"Thanks." He accepted the drink. There was more, I knew he sensed it. We were not done talking.
"Alvin," I said, wondering where to begin, "what were you going to ask me before we were interrupted? What was it you wanted?"
"Oh." He chattered nervously, "I just wanted mmf." He burried his muzzle into his glass, muffling his words.
"Don't be so childish." Simon said and gave Alvin a brotherly shove. I don't think he intended for his brother to slip, but he did. Alvin slipped back and forth and finally glided towards me. I reflexively caught him in an embrace, all the while not trying to spill my drink. Even if the slip was an accident, I liked it, this turned into an Alvin hug and it was nice and warm. It was soft; hypnotizing. My head spun and I didn't want to let go.
"Thank you." Alvin coughed, "but I could have caught myself." Oh, I'm so sure!
"Aw, is your ego hurt?" I tormented, "You owe me an answer, Munk." I could see Simon laughing in the background. "And you, mister know-it-all, clean up your mess!" His smile faded, but never died, Simon began drying up all the water he could with Theodore's help. I turned back to Alvin, "Well?"
"I was going to ask if… If…"
"Spit it out!" I screamed in my head. This was absolute torture!
"Brittany…" He smiled nervously, he never did that, "Would you like to be my girlfriend?" Ask me in a bathroom, how charming, but I didn't care, Alvin wanted me! Excitement tried to take over my movements, I wanted to throw myself at him, but naturally, I kept my cool.
"Hmm," I said; it was his turn to be tortured. "I think… Maybe…" He twitched and I knew he had enough, "Yes." 'a giant smile creeped it's way onto my boyfriend's (EEK!) face.
"Really?" He asked simply, dumbfounded. Idiot probably thought he was dreaming.
"Are you trying to get me to turn you down?" I shot.
"No no!… It's just; I'm actually really happy right now. I can't speak," He shared, "You have no idea how happy I am." We both smiled and I raised my glass.
"A toast?" I asked. He linked our drinking arms like the bride and groom would at a wedding and raised his drink to is mouth.
"A toast." He said, and I drank the remainder of the bubbly soda.