Hiya Guys!

So sorry for the late update! School's back in and I'm still adjusting to my scheduling!

This chapter's going to be a little shorter, but I hope you still like it. I have to break this up into smaller pieces so the ending will be perfecto! ;)

Also, coming soon, I am not only going to update my other stories, but I also will be adding some new fanfics and two-shot! :D Very exciting. I'll be busy around these parts!

Anyway, I hope you like this chapter even if it is quite short!

-Blythe

Chp 6: New Proposition

"Alvin," whined Simon after a prolonged period of silence, "If we don't get to class within the next few minutes, we're going to be late again! I can't afford to have any more tardies on my record or else I'll get detention!"

Alvin and his brothers had been waiting outside of Thomas Alba Edison Middle School for over fifteen minutes for the arrival of the Chipettes. Since he lost the bet he made with Brittany the week before, Alvin still hadn't recovered. His ego was injured; Brittany had won fair and square against the unmatched talents of Alvin Seville. This wasn't a natural feeling for Alvin - he was always the one who ended up on top. Though he wouldn't admit it, he spent the week following the concert wondering if he truly was as talented as he used to think he was. Why did she even have to challenge him in the first place and set him up to fail? He was the genuine article - the big cheese! Who did Brittany think she was for taking away his title so easily?

"Relax, Simon," Replied Alvin, more concentrated on the whereabouts of his Chipette opponent than the punctuality of their attendance, "detention is not that bad! It's not bad once you get yourself something to do! Trust me, I practically live there!"

"That's right," Simon grumbled, "YOU practically live there. Why can't you just sit out here and wait by yourself? Theodore and I have more important things to attend such as our core classes!"

"We skipped breakfast to get here early," complained Theodore, "And now we're going to be late!" The youngest Chipmunk stroked his empty tummy. Starting his day off without food was hard enough on the boy, but making him late on top of that was just so typical of Alvin.

Just then, Brittany and her sisters turned the corner. The two younger chipettes were in a hurry; Jeanette was practically falling over herself to keep from being late, and Eleanor was panting and struggling with her stack of textbooks. Brittany lingered behind them, a smug grin on her face. She was either unaware of the time, or couldn't care less. And why would she care? She was the hottest act of Rock and Roll. Who needs school when you've got unmatched talent?

Alvin had grown to dislike that look of overbearing self-esteem. How dare she be so confident! It was practically a crime!

"Just a second," assured Alvin to his brothers, stepping toward his female counterpart. Simon and Theodore responded with their usual groans of annoyance, seating themselves back on the ledge of the school's statue of Thomas A. Edison.

"It's about time you showed up!" reprimanded Alvin, nearing Brittany until they were an arms length apart, "Why are you late? Did you spend too much time this morning on your hair?"

"And why're you so early, Alvin?" She shot back, "You look tired! Did you run out of tears to cry yourself to sleep?"

"Oh you're quite a comedian," said Alvin dryly, "You won't be so fiery and filled to the brim with confidence once I tell you what my new challenge is going to be!"

"Dear me! I'm trembling!" she responded sarcastically, "Oh Alvin! Please go easy on li'l old me! My poor heart just can't take the pressure!"

"Well I'm glad you think you're so grand, Brittany, because I'm going not going easy on you this time!"

"What's wrong, Alvin? Afraid I'll bet you again at your own game again?"

"Fat chance!" Scoffed Alvin, the volume of his voice escalating. While the two were firing back at each other, they'd been drawing in a crowd. The heated discussion continued as voices from the gathering crowd mumbled incessantly in confusion.

"This time, we're doing things the way I want!" He declared, "I challenge you to a competition of athletics!"

"What kind of athletics, Mr. Has-Been? Because as I recall, I already beat you at that one when I proved I was a better quarterback! Have you forgotten that already?" Brittany mocked, her hands sassily rested on her hips.

The crowd of spectators responded immediately to her put-down with quiet chuckles and murmuring. Who could forget the day when it was official that beauty queen and mega-diva Brittany Miller was actually a far better quarterback than the lady-killing heartthrob Alvin Seville? Alvin held his breath, restraining himself from an insult spree, his face nearly purple with embarrassment. After taking his title of most talented performer, she still had the audacity to humiliate him by bringing up his shamefully shortcomings?

"Oh, it's SO on!" Alvin yelled over the jabbering of the crowd, "YOU. ME. The track field tomorrow after school! Be there or forfeit!"

"And what is it we'll be competing for, hm?" replied Brittany calmly, filing her nails casually.

"We're having a test to prove who's faster, stronger, and a more worthy athlete!"

"And what happens when I win? Oh wait! Let me choose my prize..."

Brittany examined Alvin and pondered silently to herself for a moment before the idea came upon her - she immediately lit up, "I got it! If I win, you have to buy me whatever I want and carry my bags while I go shopping for three months! Oh and also, if I win, you have to throw away those terrible shoes!" She declared, pointing to Alvin's rockstar shoes. The kids surrounding them responded with laughter and pointing, ridiculing Alvin with "Oh's" and "Ah's." Brittany was promoting more of his embarrassment by the minute! If Alvin was any angrier, he would've been blowing smoke out of his ears by now.

"Fine! Whatever you want!" Yelled Alvin, "But if I win, you won't be going shopping for three months! Oh, and during that shopping hiatus, you also won't be going to get any manicures!"

The crowd gasped. Brittany's eyes widened. Alvin wasn't done.

"Or pedicures!"

Gasp!

"Or hair styling!"

Gasp!

"Or facials!"

Gasp!

"...and lastly, you have to hand over all of your singing solos to ME in our upcoming concerts!"

GASP!

Brittany was taken aback! Not only was she in jeopardy of losing her beloved shopping and spa treatments, but she was also risking her spotlight privileges for a whole three months! On Brittany's clock, that was practically forever - especially since she'd brought the house down with her last solo performance!

She took a moment to think about his proposition. If she agreed to it and lost, she'd be sacrificing her dignity as an individual and a performer. If she didn't agree to it, Alvin was going to mock her and aggravate her for the rest of the time they're together; and they were together quite a bit. She could just see it now: the two of them will be eighty years old with one foot in the grave and Alvin will still be pointing his finger and taunting her for turning down his little wager back when they weren't even fully grown. It chilled Brittany to the core. How could she not accept the challenge? It was her nature - competition was in her blood.

"It's a DEAL!" She challenged, breaking the suspended silence, "tomorrow, after school! I'll be there, Alvin!"

"Good! I can't wait!" Snarled Alvin. With that, he picked up his backpack, slung it around his shoulder and stomped off to class, pushing through the crowd of stunned classmates.

"B-but Brittany! I-if Alvin wins, you won't be able to be representing us as the lead singer of the Chipettes!" Warned Eleanor, "Alvin will regain all of your popularity! I-it'll be like you didn't win the last contest of who's the better musician!"
"Brittany! Please! For your own sake, at least try to negotiate with Alvin!" Begged Jeanette. Simon and Theodore joined the girls on their way into the school's front entryway.
"Being his brother, I can safely say that won't work." Said Simon regretfully, "Once Alvin gets something in his head, he's too stubborn to let it go - he must go through with it with no exceptions."
"Alvin's still really upset about last week's competition..." sighed Theodore, "He's been planning this ever since then. I-i just hope he doesn't go overboard with it like he usually does!"
"Chances are he will, Theodore. This is Alvin we're talking about." replied Simon, adjusting his glasses.
"I don't CARE if he's upset about last week!" yelled Brittany defiantly, "I won fair and square! I don't care if his ego is bruised or not! I worked hard for my victory!"
Nobody could argue with that! Brittany certainly shined on stage that night and it was still something that none of them will ever forget! Brittany broke her own limits; defied her own boundaries.
However, so did Alvin...

Eleanor caught up with Brittany, juggling her books as they passed several homerooms, "That's true, Brittany, but don't you think that-"
"If you're trying to get me to back down, you can just forget about that! I refuse! What do you take me for, a wimp? I'm not- OW!"

Suddenly, Brittany stopped in the middle of the hallway, stumbling as she tried to continue down the hall. The two younger Chipettes flocked to her side.
"Brittany! A-are you alright?!" exclaimed Jeanette.
"What happened?!" Asked Eleanor, inspecting Brittany carefully.
"I-it's nothing. Really." lied Brittany. She bit her lips as pain rippled up each of her legs to her spine, "I-i'm just...uh...l-let's get to class, shall we? We're going to be late!"

Thanks for reading, you guys!

So what is Alvin planning to set up on the track field? What is wrong with Brittany? Who will win? It's time for round two!

Again, sorry for the late and short chapter!

Reviews are helpful and very appreciated!

-Blythe