Chapter 11-Grounded

"What were you thinking?!" Dave shouted at Alvin. Alvin was sitting on the bottom bunk of the bed, nervously, he was used to getting yelled at, but that didn't mean he enjoyed it. "Alvin," Dave said sternly, "answer me."

"I-I don't know," Alvin said afraid to look his dad in the eyes.

"What do you mean, you don't know?!" Dave shouted angrily, "Alvin look at me, for heaven's sake!" Alvin nervously looked up into Dave's angry blue eyes and swallowed hard.

"I'm s-sorry, Dave," he lied, just wanting Dave to take it easy on him. Dave's expression softened. He kneeled down, put a hand on Alvin's shoulder, and looked him in the eyes.

"Alvin," he said softly, "you really scared me. We don't know this area, you could've been killed, or taken, or…both." Now Alvin kinda was sorry. He hadn't realized how much Dave was worried about him.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, "am I grounded?" Dave sighed.

"Yes," he said sternly, "but since its our vacation, its only for today. You may not go to the beach or do anything fun outside this house for today." Alvin wanted to argue, but knew it could be worse, so he just kept his mouth shut and nodded in agreement. Without warning, Dave pulled him into a hug and began stroking his hair lovingly. Alvin hugged him back. "I'm so glad you're okay," Dave whispered.

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"Jeanette," Ms. Miller said sternly to her daughter sitting on the double bed in the room she'd slept, (NOT with Dave, there were TWO master bedrooms), "how could you do something like that?"

"A-Alvin wanted to hang out on the beach…and…w-well…I-I…" She really couldn't think of a good excuse for what she had done, she was just fighting a losing battle, she sighed, "I'm sorry," she said softly.

"Honey," Ms. Miller said softly, "you had us all so worried, don't do this ever again, this is just not like you." Jeanette nodded showing she understood.

"What's my p-punishment?" she asked afraid to know and on the verge of tears.

"I'll go ask David what Alvin's is," Ms. Miller said, "I think you two should have equal punishment." Ms. Miller left the room. Jeanette sat there on the bed, afraid to know what her punishment would be. She knew it had to be bad since Alvin gets in trouble a lot. She hid her face in her hands and began to cry. She just wasn't used to being in trouble. Ms. Miller walked back in the room and saw Jeanette crying. "Oh, sweetie," she said as she rushed over to her and hugged her, "its okay, you guys are only grounded for today." Jeanette sniffed.

"I-I'm sorry, Ms. Miller," she said through her tears. Ms. Miller stroked her hair and kissed her head gently.

"I know," she said, "I forgive you." They walked out to the living room after a few minutes. Simon noticed Jeanette's eyes were red as if she'd been crying.

"Are you okay, Jeanette?" he asked as she sat on the couch next to him.

"Yeah," Jeanette replied, "just not used to being in trouble." Simon nodded understandingly.

"Its okay," Simon said, "when I get in trouble with Dave I…" he stopped himself, realizing what he was about to say. Jeanette looked at him curiously.

"You what?" she asked. Simon looked her strait in they eyes, he couldn't lie to her if he tried, he blushed.

"Sometimes…I cry when I get in trouble with Dave," he admitted reluctantly. Jeanette grinned at his honesty.

"Oh," she said.

"Oh," he said, "and sorry about my brother getting you in trouble."

"Its okay," Jeanette said, "It's not his or your fault, I was willing to go." Simon nodded, with a little jealousy evident in his expression.

"Kids," Dave said, "why don't we all go down to the beach?" All the kids except Simon, Jeanette, and Alvin, got up and went to get changed excitedly.

"No thanks, Dave," Simon said, "I think I'll just stay here with Jeanette."

"Simon," Jeanette said, "you don't have to do that, go on and have fun."

"No," Simon said, "You shouldn't have to stay here all by yourself and listen to Alvin pout."

"Alvin's my friend," Jeanette responded, "it doesn't bother me, and besides, you shouldn't have to pay for what I did wrong. Go enjoy yourself."

"Jeanette," Simon said, "that's not…"

"I want you to enjoy yourself, Simon," Jeanette interrupted in an uncharacteristically stern tone. Simon sighed.

"Okay," he said giving in, "whatever you say." Simon went to go get changed. Jeanette smiled as she watched her crush walk away. She looked over and saw Alvin gasping at her.

"Teach me," he said. Jeanette looked confused.

"Teach you what?" she asked.

"How to make Simon do as I say," Alvin replied. Jeanette burst out laughing.

"Sorry," she said, "you're on your own."

"Aw, nuts," Alvin responded playfully, "well now I guess you see what I mean about…" Alvin stopped, "…Simon," he whispered. Jeanette nodded, blushing a little. Dave, Ms. Miller and the other four children were in their bating suits and ready to leave.

"Bye kids," Dave called as they walked out the door.

"Bye!" Alvin and Jeanette called back.

"Wanna play a game?" Alvin asked Jeanette.

"Sure," Jeanette replied, "there's a closet full of board games over their." She pointed to a small closet at the beginning of the hallway.

"Sweet," Alvin said. Jeanette walked up to the little closet and opened the door. A body of a young woman with dark brown hair fell out of the closet and onto the floor, covered in blood.

"AAAAAAAAAHHHH!" Jeanette screamed.

Hang on tight, its another cliffhanger!! lol. Chapter 12 will be up most likely tomorrow!! Please review!!!