"Alvin. You're completely over reacting!" Simon tried to sound reasonable but ended up shouting.
"Over reacting? ME? She's the one over reacting! I mean, what was the big deal?"
"Let me see…" Simon began counting on his fingers. "You lied about sleeping with her to the entire school…"
"So?" Alvin interrupted. "It's not like we haven't come close. It's not much of a lie. More of an exaggeration."
"You might have warned her before making her out to be some kind of…" Simon struggled to find the words. "Some kind of easy woman."
"Easy woman? I didn't! I mean I never…" Simon pressed his momentary advantage.
"Your trouble Alvin, is you never consider the consequences of your actions."
"No-one would have expected this. I mean, do you really think it's fair of her to say I couldn't… you know?" Simon hesitated.
"Well… perhaps she over reacted as well. But that's why you make such a good pair."
"I'll never forgive her for this. I mean how will I ever live it down?" His shoulders sagged and he slumped down onto his bed. "I didn't mean to upset her. I just… I was proud to have her as my girlfriend… I wanted everyone to know how much she meant to me. I guess I got a little carried away."
Simon felt a twinge of pity for his brother. He was an idiot but his heart was really in the right place. He sat down next to him.
"You've got a funny way of showing how much you care." Alvin gave him a wry smile.
"You wouldn't understand Simon. All the guys were talking about their girls and how far they'd got… like if they hadn't let them… well it showed they didn't care. And if she doesn't care you're expected to find someone else. Someone who'll give you 'the proper respect'." He shook his head. "I didn't really mind that we hadn't done it yet… but I didn't want the guys pressing me to dump her. I love her Simon." He looked up at his brother but Simon could think of nothing to say to that. They sat together quietly before Alvin continued.
"Sometimes I wish we had your and Jeanette's kind of relationship."
"Really?" Simon couldn't hide the suspicion in his voice. Alvin nodded.
"We're always in the spotlight. Everyone's always evaluating us… judging us. Do you know what it's like to turn up at school Monday morning and find everyone's buzzing about your imminent break up?" Simon shook his head. He hadn't realised Alvin had worried about these things. "You and Jeanette don't worry about what anyone else thinks… yet everyone thinks of you as the perfect couple."
"They do?"
"Sure," Alvin shrugged. "The 'in' girls all think it's sweet how the two nerds have got each other." He grinned at Simon's expression. "And the boys are all impressed you scored with a hot girl like Jeanette… even though they all think she's too brainy."
"Scored?" Alvin rolled his eyes.
"I'm not a complete idiot Simon. I can see the looks you give each other. One of the reasons I was anxious to say I'd managed with Brittany was 'cause everyone was saying how you'd beaten me to it."
"But…" Simon tried to get his thoughts in order. "You kept teasing me about not having anything to hide!"
"Of course. I didn't want you to know I knew. I was kinda curious to see if you'd tell me yourself." He gave his brother a piercing look and Simon felt unable to meet his eyes.
"Actually," he mumbled. "We only did it after we thought you and Brittany had… the other night… when you were watching 300."
"Really? I was sure you'd done it before that." Simon met his eyes and shook his head.
"It wouldn't have been right… it'd have been too soon." Alvin nodded thoughtfully.
"Like me and Brittany." Simon nodded in agreement. After another mutual silence Simon coughed.
"Now. We just have to get her to realise you two were meant to be together." Alvin grinned.
"I bow to your superior knowledge." Simon rolled his eyes.