Ok so I updated. LATE!!! I know. X_X I totally have an excuse though. A herd of angry chipmunks attacked me and held me hostage for 2 weeks feeding me only walnuts and dried fruit and unfortunately I'm allergic to walnuts. Ok. On a more serious note... I'm SO excited about this chapter because of what happens in the next one. Dudes and dudettes, your going to love it! PROMISE!!! :D

Flocks of noisy students rushed past her like cattle being herded down a dry path, leaving clouds of dust in their wake. Brittany Miller stood with her back to wall of one of the busy hallways at Philip Brew High School. She inhaled deeply before slowly letting it out, struggling to reclaim her smooth composure. She'd left Stephen only moments ago, leaving him outside of his science class… telling him that there was something she forgot at her locker. He offered to go with her but she firmly shook her head.

"You don't have to do that," Brittany insisted, promising to meet up with him after school like they always did.

Stephen was hesitant at first but finally agreed."Alright, I'll see you later." Then softly adding "I love you".

His feet were slowly pedaling backwards, one foot after the other as he made his way into the classroom, one eyes gazing back at her.

"Yeah…" Brittany had murmured before quickly rushing off.

Now she was fought off the remorseful feeling that traveled up her and down her spine. She had to focus. Brittany pursed her lips, counting down the seconds carefully in her head. She gathered her books to her chest and took a step forward into the trafficked hall. She felt like a car pacing itself through the over populated freeway… switching lanes… zooming in and out of traffic. When she got to the corner of an intersection she turned quickly… And as if a bulldozer had suddenly come plowing against her sending Brittany tumbling back her books leapt from her arms; throwing themselves into the air as if they had wings of their own, before falling limp before her feet.

"What is your problem?!!" Brittany cried.

"Oops… my bad" She heard the culprit call out.

She knew who he was before she even turned to glare at him. Her face was already red with a mixture of anger and anxiousness. Alvin stared back at her with an apologetic smile written on his face. He had been surprised when he'd run into her for the fifth time that day… but Brittany wasn't. She'd memorized his schedule to a T. Knowing exactly when she'd have to leave Stephen in order to accidently run into Alvin. Or even when how much time she could have with Alvin before running to meet Stephen. This was no accident.

"Sorry, Brittany. I didn't-"

"You didn't think." Brittany interrupted. "You just came bounding around the corner like some kind of… of… of…" Brittany groaned, struggling to come up with the right word. "Just watch where you're going!!"

Alvin glared at her. "Don't tell me what to do!" He exclaimed. "You're not the boss-a-me!"

Brittany huffed and Alvin slid to the side, pushing his way past her with a soft shove. "Why don't you watch where YOU'RE going!" He yelled back at her.

Brittany rolled her eyes, quickly bending down, gathering her forgotten books in her open arms. She sighed, a soft smile playing on her lips. It wasn't like she was picking on him or anything. Maybe teasing… but just a little. Brittany smirked before taking off into a run, counting down the seconds until the bell rang, signaling the start of class. If she was late to class, she'd get a detention. If she got a detention then she wouldn't be able to meet Stephen after school. If she couldn't meet Stephen after school then he'd want to know why… and if she told him about the detention he'd want to know how… and that would lead back to Alvin.

Maybe it would be easier just to tell Stephen the truth… but Brittany was never one for taking the easy route.

The long tail of her thin brown hair, tied up that day with elastic rushed behind her as Brittany ran forward. Her thoughts rushed to Alvin, thinking about things she knew she shouldn't have been thinking about. Memories of the past and ones she hoped to make flashed before her eyes.

As Brittany shimmied to her classroom, falling into her seat just as the bell sounded, signaling the start of class she imagined Alvin. She wanted to see him again, talk to him again, if only for a moment. If Brittany closed her eyes she could almost see the scene unfolding before her eyes.

It would be a bright sunny day (even if they were almost at the end of December). She and Alvin would be walking down the street together, their steps slow and casual… their shoulders drifting back and forth as they purposely collided with each other. Brittany would be wearing a pleated pink baby doll top with spaghetti straps that drifted to her waist elongating her figure. Alvin would say something and she'd laugh, carelessly tucking a strange of wavy auburn hair behind her right ear. She'd turn to her left to look at him, her lips pursed, her baby blue eyes shining in the sun. He'd meet her eyes and slowly reach his hand up to touch her face. They'd both halt their steps and she'd watch him carefully… as he leaned in her eyes would close… then softly he'd- he'd kiss her… and just as they slowly pulled away from each other she'd look up… and… and…

Stephen would be standing there… a horrified expression on his face. Her eyes would widen in dismay. Time would freeze, both staring at each other for what would seem like hours. She'd watch as his face crumbled. Stephen would turn away; his eyes clenched shut in pain. Before Brittany could think what to do he'd be on his feet… quickly running away from the two. Brittany would reach out to him, calling his name but he wouldn't look back… and-

Brittany blinked, shaking her head free of the daydream. She couldn't do this to him. She couldn't. She just- just couldn't. She'd crush him… she'd break his heart. He didn't deserve that. Stephen was a great guy… an amazing guy… and she did like him… a lot. It wasn't as if she was actually thinking about choosing Alvin over him. The guy who broke her own heart for the one who had picked up the pieces… That was just stupid.

Brittany took in a deep breath through her nose before letting in slip slowly from her lips. If she drew up a list naming all the good things about Stephen then it would overfill a page. Brittany could even star all the ones she loved, all the ones that made her smile. But if she listed all the good things about Alvin… it would fill a novel. But maybe that didn't count. Half of the great things about Alvin could double as terrible, annoying, and frustrating. She never really knew how she was going to feel about Alvin till she actually was with him, talking to him. Sometimes he said something that made her laugh so hard milk squirted out of her nose… and other times…

She wanted someone to tell her what to do, who to choose. She wanted them to tell her exactly what she needed to do to be happy. Brittany wanted Alvin but… she wanted Stephen too. Wasn't it possible to have both?

Brittany gazed up at the head of the classroom for the first time since she'd entered it. Class was almost over and her English teacher, Mrs. Michaels was telling them to enjoy their winter break. Her brilliant impossibly curly red hair bounced with her laughter as she made a small joke. She talked about the weather, one of Brittany's classmates mentioned that it hadn't snowed all year. Mrs. Michaels declared that "Jack Frost probably wouldn't be visiting them this year".

Brittany thought of home. Spending some more time with her sisters… The boys came over every year to play in the snow, drink hot chocolate, and in Theodore's case bake cookies. But would things be different this year? They were all best friends two years ago, one year ago they were all paired up as couples, and this year Brittany and Alvin had barely spoken. Would he still come? Would she still invite him to go ice skating? Would Stephen be joining them?

Mrs. Michaels clasped her hands loudly, shaking Brittany from her thoughts. "So have a great holiday and come back prepared to learn!!"

Brittany climbed from her chair and quickly joined the flood of kids who were quickly escaping through the open classroom door. She had to find Alvin to ask him what he was doing during the break. Maybe they'd be able to meet up with the others and hang out for a while. Maybe they'd even get to write a song together like they used to. Like they used to… She repeated it, hanging on to the words before they slipped away.

Nothing stayed the same forever. Things were constantly building up, constantly changing, and not always for the better. She just wished things weren't so awkward between them. She just wished she could come out and talk to him… and tell him things like she used to. He held everything; her hopes, dreams, wants, and even nightmares. Probably because he'd actually been there when so many of those things happened, so talking to him about it just seemed natural. But now…

"Hey! Alvin!" Brittany called out.

Her heart pounded in her ears as she hurried towards his locker, glad to find him there, pulling his coat on. Alvin turned quickly, looking up at her as he slide his right arm into his coat sleeve. The ends of his mouth turned up slightly.

"Hi, Brittany." Alvin greeted. "What's up?"

She wasn't really sure what was so special about what he said. The way the words rolled off his tongue… that cocky smile that always seemed to drift to his lips… the way his deep blue seemed to pull her in like a fish on a hook… But it left her speechless.

"Hey um…" Brittany murmured, suddenly she couldn't think of what to say to him. Why had she even come over here? Was there a reason?

Alvin tilted his head to side, he blinked twice. "Brittany?" He asked. "Hey, Brittany?"

She was stone silent. Her lips wouldn't work; or rather she couldn't make any sounds come out.

"Brittany?" Alvin asked again. "Anybody in there?" he called, knocking twice on her forehead.

The chipette was instantly pulled out of her thoughts. She blinked twice before quickly drawing back, pushing Alvin away.

"What's the big idea!" she demanded.

"You tell me!" Alvin declared. "You were the one spacing out over there."

Brittany rolled her eyes. "I probably went into shock from smelling your stinky gym socks." She told him. "Do you ever clean out your locker?"

"I'll clean it out when I'm good and ready!" He exclaimed. "And not when the likes of YOU tell me to!"

"Whatever!" Brittany cried. She rolled her eyes up to the ceiling in annoyance.

With that he slammed his locker door shut and turned in an about-face towards the front of school. He didn't look back once as if he knew that Brittany would immediately follow him. That or he didn't care. Brittany watched him walk off, debating whether she should even pursue him. She waited several long seconds before making a few carefully paced steps towards Alvin.

They were always fighting. It's what they did… it came natural. Sometimes it was the only way they could reach each other. But sometimes… she hated it. Why did their voices always clash? Why couldn't they be happy just sitting together and talking… why did everything lead or end with a fight. Why could they be more like… like she was with Stephen.

They never fought.

They never argued.

Stephen always listened to her even if he didn't like what she was saying. He didn't cut her off, except in a playful manner and he never raised his voice.

"What did you want anyway?" Alvin finally asked her.

Brittany broke free of thoughts. "I was going to ask you what you were doing over the break."

"What do you mean 'What am I doing'?" Alvin asked. "The same thing we always do!"

"But- Isn't it different this year?" Brittany questioned.

"Why?" Alvin asked. Then his eyes widened slightly before shrinking slowly, whispering, "Oh…" in understanding.

"Yeah," Brittany said. "Are we still…" Her voice trailed off.

"Did you talk to HIM about it?" Alvin asked.

"That's- That's none of your business!!" Brittany stormed.

"You didn't talk to him about it yet… did you?" Alvin asked.

"Once again" Brittany declared. "NONE of your business"

"You two aren't fighting are you?" Alvin questioned, a tiny smirk playing at the edges of his lips.

"No!" Brittany exclaimed. "We're cool! We're great! It's way better than me and you ever were!"

"Then why do things have to change between us?" Alvin put in. "If you and HIM are so great together then why does it matter if we stay friends?"

"It- it doesn't!" Brittany cried.

"Doesn't he trust you? I trusted you." Alvin reminded her. "Does he have to keep all these tabs on you? So much that your lying to him?!"

"NO! Stephen trusts me! And he gives me my space. You don't even know him." Brittany declared.

"I don't want to know him!" Alvin stormed.

Brittany let out a groan. Alvin growled back. He looked down, almost in deep thought…. That is… if Alvin ever had any deep thoughts. He finally looked back up at her.

"Why do you keep playing these games?" Alvin wanted to know.

"What games?" Brittany asked.

"You said you still had feeling for me but you wanted to try things out with him, yeah?" Alvin said. "Then why are you doing this!"

"Doing what?!"

"You said we could only be friends. You let me know right away that we couldn't be together."

"Yeah," Brittany agreed. "So?"

"Then why are you doing this!!!" Alvin demanded. "It's not fair!"

"Doing what!!!" Brittany exclaimed.

"You can't just keep stringing me along like this." Alvin continued. "It's not fair."

"I'm not!" Brittany protested. "Don't flatter yourself!"

"I want to know what you want." Alvin told her.

"I told you I can't do that to him. We can't be more than friends. "Brittany said. "I don't want to be more than friends."

Alvin; who had been walking a few steps ahead of her up until now, turned abruptly, sliding in front of her. Brittany had been so focused with keeping up with Alvin that she almost ran smack into him. She stopped herself just barely a centimeter away. Brittany's eyes washed into Alvin's, his nose nearly touching hers.

"You don't even believe yourself when you say that." Alvin said.

He smirked at her. She felt his hand move, resting on her shoulder. Then his head drew closer if that was even possible. She heard the soft wind whistling around them, blowing about her hair. For a full minute Brittany didn't think she even breathed. His lips edged closer to hers and she felt herself close her eyes.

And then…

Nothing.

Alvin's hand fell from her shoulder… she felt the weight of his shadow disappear. Brittany blinked open her eyes and he was walking away from her, towards his own house.

Without even pausing to turn around or even glance over his shoulder, he called back. "Let me know when you make up your mind." Leaving Brittany standing there alone, the December breeze whipping at her skin and hair; and her lips abandoned, dancing in the wind.

She was in trouble. That much was obvious.

And whatever she was going to do… whenever she was going to do… it had to be quick. Brittany sighed, shutting her eyes in a mixture of confusion and frustration. It wasn't until she opened them that her thoughts were suddenly drawn all back to the school…

Just in front of the doors to Phillip Brew High School, a full 3 blocks away from where Brittany stood now. Stephen stood, his eyes darting around slowly, carefully looking for someone… looking for her….waiting…

The way he was stood there; his back leaning against the school's outer wall, his fingers drumming against its cement boards, it was painfully obvious that he had been waiting there a while. Probably wondering where his girlfriend was… where had she gone to that she had forgotten about him. What was she doing that she had completely forgotten about him.

Stephen finally sighed, shoving his hands into his pockets. It had to have been something important, he told himself. There's no way Brittany would have just stood him up like that. Stephen let his head fall, his golden eyes locked on the ground as he slowly walking away. ..