'Oooh… Theodore… truth or dare?'
Theodore looks terrified as Brittany grins evilly at him. In the last half hour, he had learned that Jeanette had had a minor crush on him when they were kids (Simon hadn't been too pleased about that), that Eleanor's secret fantasy was to have strawberries dipped in milk chocolate fed to her by someone in a chef's uniform (he would have to remember that one), that Simon had found it sexy when Jeanette told him in front of the entire science class that she didn't want to be his lab partner; she had a perfect GPA to maintain and that Brittany had almost gotten kicked off the squad for cheering the wrong name at a football game last year (he didn't ask whose name she cheered instead of Reuben's… her blush made it pretty obvious, anyway). He also knows that among his brothers, he's the worst liar.
"D-D-dare…" Theodore gulps, hoping he won't regret his answers. Alvin and Brittany were known for giving the most… challenging dares all through elementary school. Simon could come up with some real doozies too when he wanted to. The three of them together just spelled trouble.
Flashback:
"OK Theodore… we dare you to… run through the street in nothing but your apron, carrying the bowl of popcorn, stop in the middle of the street, toss the popcorn in the air, and sing 'It's raining men…"
"OK Theodore.. we dare you balance the bowl of pudding mix on your head, hop up and down and sing Star Spangled Banner… on the Miller's doorstep"
'OK Theodore… we dare you to… call Juliet and tell her everything you didn't like about her, and how glad you are that you're not together anymore…'
At the thought of Brittany's last dare, Theodore can't help but chuckle slightly. At least he'd gotten some catharsis out of that one. The sight of her slightly evil smile causes him to swallow hard and grab Eleanor's hand for reassurance.
'I dare you to… serenade Eleanor with the song that most reminds you of her..'
Theodore sighs with relief… serenade Eleanor.. that sounded easy enough…
'Butt naked..' Brittany continues with a grin that makes even Alvin wince.
"Brittany… I don't think all of us want to see…everything…" Jeanette looks uncomfortable. Simon hadn't been too happy to hear about her girlhood mini crush on Theodore – it had only been because Theodore was so sweet to the girls, and hadn't lasted more than a week… the thought of seeing him completely naked did make her uncomfortable, though. She turns and looks at her younger sister, who seems mortified and is trying to protest on Theodore's behalf.
'Come on Brittany… he shouldn't have to do THAT… please…' Eleanor uses her most wheedling tone, blinking sweetly at her sister. It hasn't worked in awhile, but she knew that the 'old' Brittany had always been a sucker for her baby sister. Sure enough, Brittany soon found herself relenting slightly.
'Fine… he can keep his underwear on… but that's ALL…' Brittany's warning tone brooks no argument. Sighing, Theodore moves to the center of the circle, cursing whoever invented this stupid game in his head. Dropping to one knee, he kneels before a blushing Eleanor, whose eyes had widened slightly when she saw his green silk boxers with little cupcakes on them.
'Maybe it's intuition… But somethings you just don't question…' Theodore almost forgets his attire or lack thereof as he looks into her eyes..
'Like in your eyes… I see my future in an instant… and there it goes… I think I've found my best friend…'
Eleanors eyes start to mist as she recognizes the song. Simon and Jeanette smile encouragingly, while Alvin and Brittany just look amused.
'I know that it might sound more than a little crazy but I believe… I knew I loved you before I met you… I think I dreamed you into life… I knew I loved you before I met you… I have been waiting all my-'
Theodore finds himself interrupted by the pleasant feeling of a pair of soft lips on his. They break apart after a brief kiss, blushing at the claps and wolf whistles from their siblings. Theodore hurriedly puts on his clothes and sits down, squeezing Eleanor's hand lightly as he spins a ruler they are using as a makeshift bottle.
"OK, Brittany… truth or dare?"
'Truth..' Brittany looks prim. Alvin had already made her call up the entire cheerleading squad on her cell phone, telling each member that Alvin Seville was a sexy king. The responses of some of her friends had rankled her, although she would probably have died before she admitted it. Besides, Theodore's "truths" had all involved food. Brittany was perfectly willing to admit what her favorite kind of sundae was (although Alvin already knew that).
"Wait-" Brittany frowns as Alvin motions for Theodore to come towards him. As she sees him whispering in his brothers ear, Brittany begins to grow nervous. Alvin was having an uncanny knack today of ferreting out everyone's secrets.. and Brittany knew the twinkle in his eye to mean trouble.
'OK…um…Alvin wants to know… um I mean… Why did you break up with Reuben after you found out we were back in town?' Theodore can't help grinning slightly as Brittany's mouth drops open in shock. He may be the cuddly one, but revenge is still sweeeet.
'DAMN YOU ALVIN SEVILLE…' Brittany glares at the red capped chipmunk beside her, whose smile radiates innocence.
"It's a legitimate question, Britt…or you could do a dare…" Alvin's cheeky grin seems to infuriate her and make her smile at the same time.
'Fine… it was because I realized I was in love with someone else…'
"Who?"
'You're only allowed one question… wait your turn…' Brittany grins as she grips the ruler. It's not often that she manages to silence Alvin Seville, but when she does, she savors it. Spinning the ruler, her heart begins to thump wildly as it lands on Alvin.
"Come on… you did that on purpose…"
'Did not!'
"Did too!"
'Just ask him a question already…' Simon is growing irate. He loved his brother, but the endless arguments between him and Brittany were getting old. Fast.
"Fine… truth…" Alvin seems oddly serious when he answers, as if he's prepared for what she's going to ask,
'How many girls did you date when you guys were away, and what were their names?'
Alvin looks taken aback. That wasn't the question he was expecting.
"Just one…"
'And her name?'
"That's two questions…"
'Actually, she included it in the first question so it's technically one question with two parts..' For the first time in years, Jeanette speaks up for her sister. She's curious to know why Simon and Theodore look somewhat uncomfortable and Alvin is gulping and bracing himself.
"OK… but just remember… this was just after I came back from my surprised visit… and it didn't last very long because I, well none of us really were in the right place for a proper relationship… and…"
'Just spit it out…' Brittany finds Alvin's uncharacteristic nervousness cute, but his stalling is filling her with dread. She has a sinking feeling she won't like his answer.
"cough Charlene cough" Alvin speaks into his fist, hoping Brittany won't recognize the name.
'Charlene?'
"Er… yeah…"
'Crocodile rock Charlene?'
"Yeah…"
'The girl whose hotness you were going on and on about for six months after that stupid video aired…'
"Yes…"
'ALVIN SEVILLE YOU ARE DEAD… HOW DARE YOU??? AND BEHIND MY BACK!!! YOU TWO TIMING NO GOOD'
"Er… Britt?"
'WHAT?'
"We weren't dating… you were with Reuben… remember him?"
'BUT-BUT-BUT…' Brittany still looks ready to hit him. In the interest of safety, Alvin decides to abandon his 'too cool to care' demeanor and give her a hug. As he holds her, she seems to relax against his body, burying her head against his chest. Stroking her hair, he whispers to her.
"Even she could tell my mind was always somewhere else…"
Looking up into his sky blue eyes, Brittany is finally mollified, and smiles slightly at his expression.
'It's your turn…'
Spinning the ruler, his eyes widen slightly as it lands on Eleanor, who is absolutely terrified. Alvin is undoubtedly one of the two most 'dangerous' people in the room.
"Truth or dare, Ellie…" Alvin gives her what he hopes is a reassuring smile. He'd caught the pleading look in Theodore's eyes a minute before, and planned to go easy on her.
'T-t-ruth…' Eleanor is quaking. Theodore, on the other hand, is worried. Remembering how Eleanor had sobbed on the roof, he didn't want Alvin to upset her further. Casting another pleading look at his brother, he tensed, hoping fervently the mischievous chipmunk would have mercy.
"How'd you end up in detention?"
Simon and Jeanette break out in relieved smiles as Brittany glares at Alvin for wasting a question. Theodore, however, notices Eleanor tensing against him, her palm starting to sweat, and is starting to get worried again.
'I… I had a flare gun in my locker... and it went off… the janitor found it…' Eleanor's voice is low, her head hung as she speaks. Her sisters stare in shock, immobile, as Theodore holds her even more tightly than before.
'A… gun… Ellie, WHY??' Jeanette sounds tearful as she looks at her younger sister.
'I… was all alone for the last few years… no friends… no…family' Eleanor's voice cracks as she speaks, 'no one who could really be there for me, anyway. And… and I always had to pretend to be OK… and… I couldn't let go of how I was feeling… and then Theodore came back… and I didn't even dare to go to him because I was afraid you guys would break down again… and… I guess I broke down too… I'm… I'm sorry…' Eleanor speaks in between sobs as her sisters, also crying get up and rush to hug her, whispering their apologies into her ear. The boys are silent, until Simon speaks up.
'You should be sorry…'
'SIMON…' Jeanette is livid. It's not like Simon to be so insensitive. Alvin and Theodore, however, look alarmed.
'What… if she'd gone through with it… she'd have been gone… and you and Brittany would have been left behind rehashing every little conversation, every argument you'd ever had…'
"Simon…" Alvin's warning tone is ignored by his angry brother.
'Eleanor…do you KNOW what you would have put your sisters through? I know exactly what it's like to almost lose a sibling and- '
"SIMON" Alvin and Theodore yell simultaneously, yanking their brother out of the room, leaving three very confused, very upset chipettes behind them.