A/N: Hey guys! So I know the Chipmunks/ettes supposedly live in California, apparently around the LA area, where there isn't usually much snow. But since this is a Christmas story (and fictional!), it is going to snow in my story. Because, really, what is a December story without snow? I know, right? Oh, and yes, this story IS based on the song "Last Christmas," originally performed by Wham! (and then re-made by like a thousand other people. Oh, and I tried to center the lyrics below, but for some reason, the stupid thing would not let me center it. Ugghhh... Anyway, enjoy chapter 2.
Once bitten and twice shy
I keep my distance
But you still catch my eye
Tell me baby, do you recognize me?
Well, it's been a year
It doesn't surprise me.
"Brittany!"
The eldest Chipette was suddenly facing with her two, smiling sisters.
Jeanette hadn't changed much since Brittany had last seen her; she was still tall and thin, and her long brown hair was pulled back into its usual messy bun. And in typical, sloppy Jeanette fashion, her violet sweater was wrinkled and her right sock had a hole in the toe. The main difference about the brainy Chipette was her glasses; she had gotten newer, more stylish ones sometime over the year.
Eleanor on the other hand looked a little different. She shortest sister had been shedding her baby fat for years now, but she was noticeably thinner than the year before. Her long eyelashes were coated in brown mascara and her lips were shiny with pink gloss. Brittany knew Eleanor usually hated wearing make-up, so she wondered what encouraged the sudden change.
Jeanette and Eleanor threw their arms around Brittany at the same time.
"We've missed you so much!" Eleanor said, squeezing her sister tighter.
Brittany returned the hug.
"I missed you girls too!" she said, suddenly overcome with emotion. She felt herself start to get a little teary-eyed.
After a long embrace, the girls led Brittany indoors. The house looked the same as it did when Brittany left it, which gave her a comforting feeling. As much as she dreaded coming home all these months, she realized how much she had missed it.
"Your hair got so long!" Eleanor admired, picking up a shiny strand of Brittany's mane.
"And dark," Jeanette observed.
"I stopped getting highlights," Brittany told them. "And you wouldn't believe the amazing shampoo they have in London. I bought like five bottles to take home with me."
"What a lovely outfit," Jeanette said, admiring Brittany's trendy clothes. "Just curious, but how did you afford it? It looks pretty expensive."
"I didn't tell you?" Brittany asked with wide eyes.
Eleanor blinked. "Tell us what?"
"I won a shopping spree in London," Brittany said, practically bursting with pride. She got excited every time she talked about it. "I entered a random drawing and won a bunch of money to spend at the shops. I was able to buy a whole new wardrobe."
The girls gasped in awe.
"That's awesome, Britt," Eleanor said with a smile.
"Oh, it was!" Brittany confirmed. "I can't believe I didn't tell you guys."
Jeanette bit her lip. "Well we haven't gotten a chance to talk in a long time, Brittany."
"I know," Brittany said with a sigh. "And I'm sorry about that, I really am. It's just, I've been really busy, and I…"
"It's okay, Brittany," Jeanette said with a small smile. "We understand."
Brittany glanced at Eleanor, who was staring at the wall on her left like she was in deep thought. Unlike Jeanette, Eleanor wasn't always so easily forgiving. Brittany figured she hadn't quite gotten over Brittany hardly speaking to them for a year. Not that she could blame her.
"So Ellie," Brittany said, desperate to change the subject, "you look great."
Eleanor looked at her and grinned. "Thanks."
"I don't recall you ever wearing make-up," Brittany said.
"Things change," Eleanor replied with a shrug. "I don't recall you ever using the word 'recall'."
Brittany giggled. "Well that's what I get for spending time around so many British accents."
The girls invited Brittany into the kitchen, where the sisters sipped coffee and fell into conversation. Brittany couldn't believe how formal they were acting toward each other. Usually when they talked, they were arguing about petty things, like if someone ate all the snacks or when someone was "hogging" the bathroom. And when they were getting along, they would gather in one of their rooms, lay on the bed, and share secrets, stories, and gossip.
But that wasn't the case on this cold December afternoon. Instead of giggly girl talk, the sisters were talking about school, weather, and things they did over the summer… things Brittany used to think of as lame and boring. Yet there she was, having a perfectly mature conversation with her sisters. It made her realize that this must have meant that they had really grown-up.
Or maybe they just weren't comfortable around each other anymore.
After some more uninteresting chit chat, Brittany decided to ask a question that had been nagging at her mind as soon as she entered the house: "Where's Miss Miller?"
Jeanette and Eleanor exchanged glances that Brittany couldn't quite read.
"She went out shopping," Eleanor told her.
"Why would she do that now?" Brittany asked, raising a brow. "I mean, she had to know I was coming home at this time. I clearly said…"
"She knew you were coming," Eleanor admitted.
"Oh," was all Brittany could say. "I see."
She knew Miss Miller didn't understand why Brittany had went pretty much MIA the last year. Eleanor lived at home and attended a local university, but Jeanette went to school at Stanford and still managed to visit home regularly. According the few conversations she'd had with her sisters, Brittany had gathered that Miss Miller was very angry at her for leaving. It was no surprise that Miss Miller, being her usual stubborn self, wasn't present for Brittany's homecoming.
"I think I'm going to unpack," Brittany announced.
"Do you need any help?" Jeanette asked.
"Thanks," Brittany said with a smile. "But I think I'll be okay."
Brittany carried her luggage up the stairs. When she hit the second to last step, it made a loud creaking noise. It reminded her of all the times she had to step over that noisy stair when sneaking in and out of the house at night. Brittany grinned at the memory.
She walked down the hall until she reached her bedroom, the last room on the left. Her door was still decorated in glittery heart stickers and small pink wooden letters that spelled at her name.
Brittany slowly turned the gold doorknob and entered the room. It was exactly how she had left it. The pale pink walls were covered in posters. Nail polish bottles, magazines, make-up, photographs, hair accessories, and other miscellaneous objects littered her desk. Even her flowery pink bedspread remained the same as the day she left.
Brittany opened the empty cream-colored dresser and started to fill it with clothes. When she was done, a picture frame on the top of the dresser caught her eye.
It was a photo of her and Alvin, probably taken last summer. Brittany couldn't believe how different she looked, even just a year ago. Her hair was shoulder length and lighter than it was now, her bangs pulled to the side with a star-shaped barrette. She wore a pastel pink tank top that showed sliver of tanned midriff and little denim shorts. She was smiling brightly, hugging Alvin as tight as she could. Alvin was flashing his usual cocky grin to the camera. Brittany couldn't help but wonder if she was cheating on her when that picture was taken.
She studied herself again. Brittany found it somewhat sad that she couldn't even relate to that girl in the photo anymore. Back then, she was so carefree, so conceited, so… naïve. She was just an immature, preppy little girl with no sense of reality. Alvin was her world, and she thought they would last forever. She had gotten too carried away in a silly teen romance.
Brittany laid the picture frame face down, as she couldn't stand seeing herself like that… so weak, so stupid. She was determined not to let some boy destroy her again; especially not Alvin Seville.
A knock at the door startled Brittany.
"Come in," Brittany said, turning toward the door. Jeanette entered the room.
"Do you need any help?" Jeanette offered again.
"Actually," Brittany said, "I'm done."
"Great," Jeanette said with a smile. "Um, so we didn't mention this earlier, but we were going to go over to the Seville's house for dinner tonight. They invited us."
Brittany blinked. "Oh."
"You don't have to go if you don't want to," Jeanette blurted. "I mean, it might be kind of weird going back after the whole, well, you know... Alvin Thing."
"No," Brittany said. "I'll go."
"Are you sure?" Jeanette asked. "Alvin will be there."
"Of course he will," Brittany said with a shrug. "It's his house."
"Okay, but if you want to…"
"Jeanette!" Brittany laughed. "I'll be fine. I'm totallyover Alvin." She almost cringed hearing her say the word "totally." It was something Old Brittany would have said. The overly pretty pink room must have triggered the phrase.
Jeanette raised her eyebrows. "Really? You're over him?"
"Of course," Brittany said matter-of-factly. "He's just a boy, Jeanette. And it happened a whole year ago, so I've had plenty of time to get over it. Besides, Alvin is a family friend, I can't avoid him forever."
"Um, okay," Jeanette said. "We'll leave around six."
"See you then," Brittany said with a smile.
Jeanette returned the smile and gently closed the door on her way out.
The second Jeanette left, Brittany collapsed on her fluffy pink bed and sighed. She knew she would have to face Alvin sometime over Christmas break, but she didn't think it would be so soon. She was hoping she'd have more than a few hours to prepare herself.
Not that she wasn't over him. She was definitely over him. But realistically speaking, she knew if he started flirting with her, one thing would lead to another and she would fall for him all over again. And she could not do that to herself again.
But Brittany was confident that she wouldn't fall under Alvin's spell this time. She was much more mature than the pink-wearing, self-absorbed brat she used to be. She would not let Alvin get the best of her. Those days were long gone.
…
It was six o'clock sharp, and Brittany found herself shivering on the Seville's porch.
"What's taking them so long to answer the door?" she grumbled as she wrapped her coat around her tighter. The weather was so much warmer on UCLA's campus.
"Maybe they didn't hear us knock," Eleanor suggested.
"Of course they didn't," Brittany said with her signature sigh and eye-roll. "Jeanette knocked on the door like her fingers were made of feathers."
Brittany pressed her French-manicured index figure onto the doorbell.
Ding Dong!
"Coming!" said a voice.
"And that's how it's done," Brittany said, grinning at her sisters. Suddenly it felt like old times; Brittany taking on the leader role, throwing in little put-downs. Brittany knew she was being mean, but it somehow felt… comforting.
Then she had to remind herself that she didn't want anything to feel like "old times," because old times were bad, stupid times. Where was New, Sophisticated Brittany?
The doorknob turned and Brittany stood up straighter.
You are not the same Brittany Miller you were when you were last here, she reminded herself. You are smarter, more mature, and more confident. And most importantly, you are not in love with Alvin.
"Hello girls!" Dave exclaimed, his warm, friendly smile lighting up his face.
"Hi Dave!" the Chipettes said in unison.
Dave invited them inside. The whole interior was decorated for Christmas, as it had always been during this time of the year. The railing on the stairs was wrapped in garland, the end tables were set with Christmas-themed figurines, and a big, beautiful Christmas tree was lit in the living room. Brittany noticed peppermint-scented candles were lit on the shelves, making the house smell like a big, mouth-watering candy cane. Dave always went all out for the holidays.
"Fellas!" Dave called, as he politely took the girls' coats to hang them in the closet. "The girls are here!"
Theodore came down the stairs first. Brittany swore he looked the same since he was eight, just a little taller. She hoped he was still as sweet as he always had been, but hopefully less of a push-over.
"Hi!" he said to the Miller girls, his green eyes lighting up.
He hugged Jeanette and Eleanor warmly, but hesitated when he got to Brittany.
"Hi Brittany," he said, his smile a little unsure. "I heard you went to London."
"I did," Brittany confirmed. "It was wonderful."
She hugged the shy Chipmunk and he hugged her back. Brittany could understand why Theodore wasn't sure how to handle her. She hadn't spoken to him or any of the Seville's since last year, except for…
Simon came down the stairs next. Brittany's smile widened. Besides Alvin's desperate attempts to apologize (which only lasted a week), Simon was the only Seville to call her within those long twelve months. She and Simon had never been particularly close while growing up, but it meant a lot to Brittany that he had called, even if it was just one time.
When Simon hugged Brittany, he softly asked in her ear, "How have you been doing?"
"Better," Brittany replied. "Much better."
Simon had called Brittany about a month after the break-up, and Brittany admitted to Simon that she was a complete mess. For some reason, she was particularly emotional about the situation the day he called, and once she started talking about it, she couldn't stop. She was very honest, saying that she felt stupid for being so in love with someone who obviously didn't love her back and that she felt even stupider because she still had feelings for him. Simon didn't offer much advice or comforting words; it was obvious he had little experience handling crying, recently dumped girls over the phone. But he did tell her that everything would work out, and that she wasn't stupid. Brittany didn't mind that the words were cliché, and that he was probably just saying all that stuff to be nice so she'd stop crying. All that mattered was that she got her feelings out and that Simon listened. All she wanted was for someone to listen, and that was exactly what Simon had done.
"Where's your brother?" Dave asked Simon.
Simon shrugged. "I thought he was downstairs."
Dave sighed. Everyone knew what was coming:
"ALVIN!"
Brittany smirked. Some things never change.
"Relax Dave," a voice said. "I'm here."
Brittany held her breath as she prepared to face Alvin. Last time she saw him he was underneath some tramp in his bedroom. She turned around, and sure enough there he was, leaning against the wall, his arms folded confidently across his chest. He had that smug grin on his face that Brittany hated, yet loved at the same time. Her heart skipped a beat when they locked eyes.
He looked even better than she had remembered; so confident, so good-looking, so…
Dangerous.
Get a grip, Brittany told herself. Don't fall into his trap.
"Hello ladies," Alvin greeted.
Jeanette gave a polite wave, while Eleanor didn't even acknowledge him. Instead, she was staring at her tennis shoes. Brittany wondered why Eleanor was acting so spacey that day.
As the Chipmunks, Chipettes, and Dave fell into conversation, Alvin made his way over to Brittany. She tried her hardest to look nonchalant; although her heart was beating so fast she thought it would beat right out of her chest.
"Hi Britt," he said. He made no effort to hide his eyes scanning Brittany head to toe.
"Alvin," Brittany greeted with a formal nod. Without thinking, she walked over toward Jeanette, who was talking about some science thing with Simon. She knew she couldn't avoid Alvin forever, but she figured she'd at least try. Maybe he'd back off if she made it clear that she didn't want to speak to him.
But Brittany knew that was wishful thinking.
Time went by, and soon dinner was served. Brittany did her best to sit as far away from Alvin as she could. She also tried not to pay any attention to him during supper, although that was impossible. Alvin, as usual, was the one doing most of the talking. But Brittany found out a very interesting fact when Alvin talked; he wasn't going to USC anymore. Apparently his grades were suffering, and he decided to transfer to a smaller, local school to get his grades up (well, it sounded like it was Dave who made the final decision).
Brittany was delighted to hear this, as she knew it was Alvin's dream to go to USC and he totally screwed it up. She was glad to see karma finally get the best of him.
After dinner, the kids sort of went off and did their own thing, playing video games together, watching TV, or simply just talking. Eventually Brittany found herself alone on the living room couch, absentmindedly flipping through channels on the large, flat screen television.
"Hey," said a voice that made Brittany freeze.
She looked over, and sure enough, Alvin was sitting next to her, smiling as if they were still dating.
"What do you want?" Brittany sighed. She knew she should get up and leave, but her legs wouldn't move.
"Can't a guy say hello to his old friend?" Alvin asked innocently.
Brittany stared straight ahead at the TV. Maybe he'd go away if she ignored him.
"You look really good," Alvin told her softly. She felt his eyes on her body. "Different, but good."
"Yes, well, I decided it was time for a change," Brittany said in a clipped voice.
Alvin chuckled. "Wow, she has a new formal way of talking too. Well I'll be damned."
The Chipette faced him. "Is that why you came over here? To make fun of me, as if you haven't humiliated me enough?"
"On the contrary," Alvin said. "I came over to tell you how amazing you look. Even though the dark color thing looks a little weird on you, I'll admit. But it's sexy."
Brittany felt anger rise inside of her. What the hell was he doing? He was acting like he had never cheated on her. Hell, he wasn't even acting like they had ever dated; he was treating her like some random hot girl he had just met at a bar. What was wrong with this guy?
"Knock it off, Alvin," Brittany snapped.
Alvin smirked. "Knock what off?"
"Stop treating me like I'm someone who is interested in you," she said with a frown.
"Well I'm still interested in you," Alvin said, his face getting serious for the first time that night.
Brittany actually laughed out loud. "Get real! You had me, and you blew it. And you aren't getting another chance.""
Alvin smiled. "We'll see about that."
"Like I said," Brittany said, getting even more annoyed. "You blew it. Besides, I'm sure you've hooked up with plenty easy girls in college and forgot all about me."
"You're more important than any of them," Alvin replied without thinking.
Brittany laughed again. Was he for real? How stupid did he think she was?
"Oh really?" Brittany exclaimed, still laughing. "Well I guess I wasn't more important than that blonde slut you were feeling up when I walked in your room on Christmas Eve."
"Yes you were," Alvin said. "She meant nothing."
Brittany had enough of this. She rolled her eyes and started to get up. But to her surprise, Alvin grabbed her arm and pulled her back down.
She glared at him. "Let go," she said through clenched teeth.
"Just listen, okay," Alvin said. "We need to talk."
Brittany wriggled her arm away from his grip. "I don't want to talk."
"Fine," Alvin said, nodding. "I'll talk and you listen." Brittany opened her mouth to speak, but Alvin cut her off. "I'm sorry about what happened on Christmas Eve."
"I'm sure you are," Brittany said, her voice thick with sarcasm.
"It didn't mean anything," Alvin assured her. "First of all, she came on to me. And there was alcohol involved. I wasn't myself that night."
"Yeah, I'm sure you were completely innocent in the whole thing," Brittany said, her voice getting louder. She had to remind herself to calm down. Old, temperamental Brittany was starting to come out. "I'm sure Blondie poured the alcohol down your throat, held a gun to your head, and threatened to shoot if you didn't kiss her. Yeah, it all makes sense now. I'm sorry I ever doubted you."
Alvin raised his eyebrows. "So we're cool?"
Brittany's jaw dropped. Had Alvin always been so stupid?
"No!" she cried. "The only reason I'm even here right now is that your family is friends with my family. If it wasn't for that connection, I'd never want to see you again!"
"You don't mean that," Alvin told her. There was no doubt in his voice.
Brittany groaned. "God. You're unbelievable, you know that?"
"Yes," Alvin said, smirking. "I know."
Brittany stared at him. Why was he acting like this? Why was he being such a jerk? And why did she find all this bickering so… sexy?
"Don't fight it Brittany," Alvin said, switching his tone to serious again. "We both know there's something still there between us. There always has been, ever since we were kids. I admit it, I screwed up. And you know how much I hate admitting that, but it's true." He scooted closer to her and smiled suggestively. "So let's just put this behind us and start over."
The old Brittany would have bought it. She would squeal with joy, throw her arms around Alvin, and yell, "It's okay! I love you too!"
But not New Brittany. New Brittany was smarter than that.
"Sorry," she said with a condescending smile. "But it's over, Alvin. I'm too good for you."
Alvin's grin never wavered. "I know, you still think you're mad," he said. "And that's okay. I admire you for trying to be strong. But you won't be able to resist me."
"Dream on," Brittany said, hoping she didn't sound too flirtatious, even though she obviously did because Alvin was still smiling at her.
Alvin took a piece of Brittany's long hair and twirled it around his index finger. She didn't dare move; she felt a blush creep up her cheeks.
"We're going to work this out," Alvin said, playing with her hair, a move he knew drove Brittany wild.
"We're done," Brittany tried to sound strong, but she suddenly felt so weak. "You lost me the second you kissed her."
"I know," Alvin said. His blue eyes met hers. "But now I found you, and I'm not letting you go this time."
Brittany snapped out of his evil spell and pulled away.
"Leave me alone," Brittany spat, as she got up from the couch. She started to walk out of the living room. She walked quickly so she didn't have to hear him say anything else.
Brittany hurried into the hallway bathroom and closed the door. She looked in the mirror and her worst fear was confirmed: her face was flushed.
He had her exactly where he wanted her. He wanted her back, and Alvin Seville always gets what he wants.
"Not this time," Brittany told her reflection in the mirror. "He's not going to put me through this again."
Brittany splashed some cool water on her cheeks and did a quick lip gloss touch-up. She grinned in the mirror, satisfied.
She was beautiful. She was confident. She was smart. She was not some pawn in Alvin's stupid little game.
She was Brittany Miller.
Brittany exited the bathroom and unsurprisingly ran right into Alvin.
"So," he said. "What did you decide?"
Brittany pretended to think.
"I decided that I'm done with you," she said, making sure her voice was loud and clear. "I'm done with you and your stupid little mind games. I'm done with you acting like a complete asshole, thinking that cheating is forgivable…"
"I said I was sorry," Alvin reminded her.
"You just don't get it, do you?" Brittany rolled her eyes. "You destroyed me, Alvin. Do you know how many hours I spent crying alone in my dorm room? Do you how many times I got physically sick just thinking of the moment I walked in on you making out with another girl? Do you know how many times I blamed myself because I thought I wasn't good enough for you?"
Alvin blinked. It was one of the few moments she had ever seen him speechless.
"No?" Brittany asked. "You didn't know? Well I'd love to tell you the actual number, but I lost count. So maybe your cheating isn't a big deal to you, but it certainly was a big deal to me. And I'm sure as hell not putting myself through that again."
"Brittany, I…"
"So leave me alone, Alvin," Brittany said, feeling surer of herself every time she spoke. "Stop acting like I forgot what you did to me. Stop sweet-talking me, because I know you're just doing it to get in my pants. Don't speak to me. Don't look at me. Don't even think about me. We are done, got it? Leave. Me. Alone."
Before Alvin could speak, Brittany turned on her heel and walked down the hall.
"Britt!" Alvin called. "Wait!"
Still walking, Brittany stuck up her middle finger and proudly pointed it at Alvin over her shoulder. She had waited so long to give him that gesture. Her heart swelled with pride.
Watch out World, Brittany thought as she strutted into the foyer. New Brittany is here to stay.
Ok, survey time... when/if you leave a review, tell me who YOU want Brittany to end up with. Do you think she should get back together with Alvin, even after he broke her heart? Or do you think she should find someone new? I already know what the answer is going to be, but I want to know what you guys think... who knows, maybe you'll change my mind. (Not likely, but you can try lol).