The following weekend Brittany was putting her plan into action. She was currently outside of the Seville's house. She took a deep breath as she stood outside the door and knocked.

A few moments later, Alvin opened the door. Once seeing it was Brittany, he just stared debating on whether or not he should just shut the door. Then he rolled his eyes. "What?" he stated with a hint of an attitude.

Brittany chuckled. "Hi, you're looking….like yourself," she said, smiling sweetly.

Alvin looked unmoved. "What do you want?" he said, staring at her with indifference.

Brittany just continued to smile at him cheerfully. "May I come in? I would really like to talk to you."

He furrowed his eye brows as he didn't understand. What could they possibly talk about? "For what?"

Brittany chuckled and shook her head. "My goodness, there is no need to be standoffish. Alvin you and I go way back. Please, it will only be a moment of your time dear," she said sweetly.

He continued to stare at her for a minute before blowing out a breath and stepping out of the way so she could come in.

Brittany walked in with triumphant smile. 'This might be easier than I thought,' she thought to herself. "Why thank you." She intended to stay polite for as long as she could so she could get what she wanted.

Alvin rolled his eyes, tired of her being there already. "Whatever you got to say, you better make it fast," he said as he closed the door.

"Well, first off I would just like to say that I'm sor…um…that I would like to apolo…" she cleared her throat. "…What I mean to say is, good job on a fight well fought, way to go slugger." She chuckled uncomfortably.

He simply arched an eye brow as he stared at her.

Brittany smiled. "And I really meant what I said the other day about a truce," she added.

He blew out an impatient breath as he rolled his eyes. "What do you want Brittany?" he asked, his patience wearing thin.

She then abruptly stopped smiling and stared at him for a moment. "Look, I need a favor," she finally said.

"What makes you think I want to do you a favor?"

"Um…because you're a good person, and you're in love with my sister. We're practically family," she tried, smiling weakly.

He sighed, giving in for the moment. "What do you want?"

"The annual Black and White Ball is coming up in a week, and you guys get invited every year, yet none of you ever go…" She sighed. "…I want to go."

He shifted his eyes. "Ok…and?"

She arched a brow at him knowing damn well he knew what she was getting at. "…And I'm going to let you have the honor of taking me," she stated as a matter-of-factly.

He almost laughed. "Now why would I do that?" he asked.

"I just told you, because you're a nice person," she said through grit teeth; it pained her to say it twice.

He rolled his eyes. "Yeah well even if I did like you at this point, sorry, but I'm not going. And I'm not changing my mind, so I guess you're fresh out of luck with me," he stated.

Brittany just stood there stunned. She had run out of things to say. She just stared blankly into space; she couldn't miss out this year too…

"Well if that's all…"

Brittany then abruptly fell to her knees and grabbed onto his leg. "PLEASE!" she screamed in desperation.

His eyes widened with shock. "Br…Brittany?" he stammered.

She wouldn't let go and continued to scream. "PLEASE TAKE ME!"

Theodore took that moment to walk in the room and stared at the scene with a raised brow. "Hm, kinky," he said.

Simon walked in behind Theodore and arched an eye brow at the scene as well. "I would have to agree," he said.

Alvin looked up at them. "Yo this is nothing what it looks like" he defended. He then looked down at Brittany. "Brittany, stop! Get up!"

"NOT UNTIL YOU AGREE!" she screamed defiantly.

Theodore smirked. "You better do what she says Alvin," he said.

Simon smiled at Theodore's words.

Alvin rolled his eyes at his comment. "Brittany. I am not taking you," he declared.

Simon shook his head. "How rude. Denying her of what she wants, what's she pleading for," he teased before chuckling.

Alvin glared at him.

Brittany was starting to get pissed overhearing the boys' smart comments. She then stood back up and glared at Alvin. "Screw you Alvin! Who needs you anyway when there are three other Seville men?"

Theodore's eyes widened a bit. "Uh Brittany, while I'm flattered…" he started.

Brittany glared at him. "…Shut up!" she yelled.

Simon smiled. "I don't think Dave would go for it," he said.

Theodore laughed then. "Oh he might," he replied.

Simon couldn't but to laugh then.

Alvin huffed, getting tired of hearing them. "Will you two shut up? It's not even like that. She wants to go to the Black and White Ball," he explained.

Theodore shifted his eyes. "Oh…hm. Um what's that?" he asked.

Brittany just stood there, ignoring them, in thought. "Okay, so I can still ask Dave, then there's the cute smart one, and that other one," she thought out loud.

Theodore raised a brow. "Careful, that other one might hear you," he deadpanned.

Brittany then ran off to go find Dave without another word.

Simon smirked. "Well she wasn't far off with the cute smart one."

Alvin and Theodore just stared at him.


Dave was sitting in the back room going over some paper work.

Brittany walked to the doorway a bit nervous. She stood there for a moment and then took a deep breath. "Um…excuse me, uh, Dave?" she asked meekly.

Dave looked toward the doorway. "Oh hi Brittany. I didn't know you were here. Can I help you?" he asked with a smile.

Brittany smiled sweetly and walked in. "Um as a matter of fact yes." She then stood in front of his desk. "…I'm so sorry to disturb you, but um…I heard all of you were invited to the Black and White Ball," she started.

He nodded. "Yes."

"Well I've wanted to go for the past three years, and the Chipettes never get invited to it, and anyone who's anyone when it comes to the fashion industry will be there. So I was wondering and hoping… if…if you're not busy next week, that you wouldn't mind…taking me?" she said in an embarrassed whisper; she could feel her face turning red.

He sighed. "I would love to Brittany, but I won't be in town that weekend. I'm sorry. But maybe you can ask one of the boys," he suggested.

Brittany looked down in dismay. "I see…" she then turned around and headed out with her head down. "Thank you anyway."


Theodore was currently in the living room watching TV and eating popcorn.

Brittany stood at the doorway watching him for a moment. 'Hm…ah what the hell I'm desperate at this point,' she thought. She then walked over to him and sat next to him on the couch. "Hi."

Theodore smiled and continued to watch TV. "He's going out of town right?"

Brittany narrowed her eyes. "Well if you knew that why did you let me!" she yelled in irritation. She then took a deep breath to calm her nerves. "…Listen, I really want to go to the ball, so will you please take me?"

Theodore finally looked at her. "Well I would…"

Brittany just watched him wondering what he would say.

"…But I threw my invitation away. I didn't know what it was," he finished.

At hearing that Brittany snapped and grabbed him around the neck. "YOU WHAT!"

Theodore dropped his popcorn and screamed as she choked him.

Just then Simon walked in with his own popcorn intending on watching TV with Theodore…when he saw him being choked by Brittany. "Whoa…" he then put his popcorn down on the table and then grabbed Brittany. "Hey, ok that's enough," he said while pulling her off.

Brittany let him go but continued to glare at him.

Theodore choked. "Man…she…she made me drop my popcorn," he choked out.

Simon shook his head. "Brittany is going to this really that important that you have to choke out my brother?" he asked with a raised brow.

Brittany looked at him in astonishment. "Well of course, and I choked him because he threw away his invitation." She then glared back at Theodore. "That was an abomination!"

Theodore rolled his eyes. "You're an abomination," he mumbled as he picked up his popcorn off the floor.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY!"

Theodore's eyes widened. "Uh, that you're a vision of loveliness," he lied, and then quickly left the room as something about Brittany truly unnerved him.

Simon blew out a breath. "Why is this so important to you?"

Brittany sat back down on the couch clearly feeling defeated. "…Because I want to go into fashion. I just know once I get a chance to mingle with the greats and show them my designs they'll love them…" She then stopped as she felt the tears starting for form in her eyes. "But I won't ever get the chance!" She then covered her face and started sobbing.

He sighed as he watched her. Then he sat next to her and rubbed her back. "Ssh, it's ok. Come on, don't cry." He sighed again. "I'll…I'll take you," he told her.

"Wha…what did you say?" she sniffled, her face still covered by her hands.

"I'll take you if it means that much to you," he said.

At hearing that again Brittany instantly perked up. "Oh my God!" She abruptly hugged him. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

He smiled slightly. "You're welcome."

Brittany squealed still not letting him go. "Oh, Simon you have no idea what this means to me!" She kissed him on the cheek, and then stood up. "Oh I have to put together an outfit and my hair…" She laughed just giddy. "This is great! Now I won't have to hurt someone!" She then looked down at Simon. "Can you pick me up at 9 next Saturday?"

He nodded. "Sure," he agreed.

Brittany smiled. "Awesome." She then headed out as she sang over and over, "I'm going to the Black and White Ball."

Simon watched her leave and laughed and shook his head.

Once Brittany left, Theodore poked his head back into the living room. "Is she gone?" he asked.

Simon looked at him. "Yes she's gone."

Theodore sighed in relief as he sat down on the couch. "Wow, that girl needs anger management," he said.

Simon just laughed.


The week passed and Simon was waiting on the Miller doorstep after ringing the bell.

Miss Miller came to the door and smiled when she saw Simon. "Oh my goodness, don't you look just handsome. Well come on in! Brittany will be down in a minute," she told him.

He smiled and stepped inside. "Thank you," he said.

Brittany was in her room primping in the mirror. She was wearing a long red evening gown the clung to her body. Her hair was in an upswept do, she couldn't help but smile as she looked at her mirrored image. "Wearing red to the Black and White Ball is pure genius. I'm sure to get noticed this way," she said to herself. It was called the black and white ball for a reason, everyone was to wear black and white, but she didn't care about that, all she cared about was networking.

Just then, Eleanor poked her head into Brittany's room. "Simon's here," she told her.

Brittany smiled. "Great," was all she said. She then grabbed a folder with her designs in them and headed out the room. But before she went downstairs she needed to ask Miss Miller a favor. So she walked in her room where she was. "Miss Miller, I was wondering…" she started.

Miss Miller shook her head, already knowing what she was going to ask. "No Brittany dear, my designer handbags are off limits," she said.

Brittany's jaw dropped. "But I can't show up at that black and white ball without one!" she argued.

"The Answer is NO!"

They then both started screaming back and forth about it, and the sound of them arguing could be heard throughout the house, though this was nothing new.

Downstairs, Simon blinked in surprise as he heard them. Then he glanced down at his watch, wondering how long it would go on. He and Brittany needed to get going.


"That doesn't make any sense! You have a whole slew of designer hand bags and I can't even borrow ONE!" Brittany continued.

Miss Miller went over to where she kept her handbags in a huff. "You want a handbag, then here!" She then tossed her a red 'payless' handbag.

Brittany caught it and looked at it. "This is a payless bag!" she exclaimed.

"Get out Brittany!"

Brittany stomped out of the room. "FINE! One day I'm going to have so much money I won't know what to do with, but I'll tell you one thing. I ain't buying you JACK!"

Simon just listened to them as he stood by the door. 'How strange…' he thought to himself. Never in his life had he seen or heard someone get so upset over a purse.

In the upstairs hall Brittany took a deep breath to calm down. She looked down at the bag she was given…and surprisingly to her, it was cute. She then smiled seeing that it was just big enough to fit her folder without looking gaudy. She then looked back at Miss Miller's door. "Thank you, Miss Miller," she said softly. 'How did she know?' she thought. She then placed the folder in the bag, and headed downstairs…

Simon heard footsteps and looked up and noticed Brittany was finally coming down the stairs…and she looked great. He couldn't help but smile. "Wow," he said softly to himself. He was so used to seeing her all diva-like; it was a very nice change to see her this way.

Brittany smiled as she came down the stairs. She looked him over. 'Hm, he cleans up real nice,' she thought to herself. She finally reached him. "Sorry for the wait," she said to him.

He arched an eye brow. "Oh it's uh, quite alright. Are you all set?"

She continued to look him over without even realizing it. "I am." She smiled.

He smiled as well. "Ok." He opened the door and let her leave first. Then he walked out and closed the door behind him. Soon they were on their way to the ball.

As they drove Brittany felt so anxious she closed her eyes and took small breaths to try and calm her nerves.

Simon glanced over at her. "You ok?"

She slowly opened her eyes and looked at him. "Oh…um, yes of course. This is just how I prepare myself before a big event," she told him. She smiled trying to make it seem like going to something like this was so typical.

He nodded slowly. "I see…So you're going to show some people your designs huh? How long have you been planning this?"

"Four and a half years," she said in a serious voice as she stared straight ahead.

His eyes widened slightly. "Really? That long?"

"Yeah and I realize that it's probably for the best that I didn't get a chance to go until now, as I clearly wasn't ready back then. I was just a kid, I hadn't refined my designs then, but now…I'm ready."

He smiled a bit. "Well I hope you get what you're after," he said sincerely.

Brittany looked at him. "I hope so too…Listen, I really want to thank you for doing this for me. I know you didn't want to go, but this means so much to me, as well as the future for…" She stopped and looked away fearing she was about to tell him too much.

He glanced at her again. "What?"

Brittany just continued to look away. "…Just know you're doing a great deed, and it's for more than…just me…" she stated softly.

"What do you mean?"

She didn't say anything as she continued to look out the passenger side window. It was true she had so many secrets, and she wasn't about to let him in. The truth was while she loved fashion her ultimate goal in life was to establish financial security for her family. While the music career was….going, she knew that it wouldn't last forever, and the Chipettes weren't nearly as big as she would have hoped; she ultimately knew that one day that would fade, so this was her plan B.

Soon enough, they arrived to the ball. Simon parked, and not long later they were walking inside. Almost instantly, Brittany was wide eyed in astonishment.

The venue was extremely elegant and posh, with marbled floors and pillars. A large crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling in the main corridor. As they walked in further, she could see tons of celebrities, singers, actors, directors, authors. Not just anyone that was anyone in fashion, but in all areas of the arts was there.

Looking right of them was where people were ball room dancing, and to the left is where the banquet as well as a runway fashion show was taking place. Brittany knew that's where she wanted to be.

Simon smiled as he looked around. "What do you think?" he asked her.

Brittany continued to stare in awe. "It's…it's more then I could have ever imagined," she said softly.

He then looked at her with the same smile. "Yes, it is amazing," he agreed.

Brittany then latched onto his arms. "Okay, let's go into the banquet hall. That's where the fashion show is taking place." She then began pulling him without waiting to hear his answer.

He chuckled slightly. "Ok, lead the way," he said as he allowed her to pull him.

Once inside they took a seat at a table. Brittany tried not look bright eyed and impressed, but she couldn't help it. The show was blowing her mind. The fashion, make-up, the entire atmosphere was amazing her. Yet everyone else seemed unfazed and bored.

Simon just watched the show with a slight smile. It was pretty good. He glanced over at Brittany and saw how into it she was. He laughed slightly and turned back to the show.

"Close your mouth dear, or you'll catch flies," laughed a woman as she sat next to Brittany at the table.

Brittany looked over to the woman and saw that sister brother design team Armando and Bianca Lombardi were sitting next to her laughing at her.

Brittany smiled sheepishly. "Oh…um ri..right," she laughed nervously as they were two of her idols.

"Darling you seem flustered. Are you feeling well?" Bianca asked with a condescending tone.

"Oh…um…well I…I'm fine, it's just that…" Brittany stammered.

Bianca nodded indifferently. "…Yes, yes, you aren't accustomed to such things, really it's written all over your face…that and that cheap handbag." She laughed.

Brittany looked away in embarrassment.

Simon looked over at the people Brittany was talking to. He didn't hear all of their conversation, but he did hear the last part. He arched an eye brow at woman's last statement. He then leaned over to Brittany. "Listen, I wouldn't even pay them any mind. Everything about you is beautiful," he said softly with a smile.

Brittany heard his words and couldn't help but to smile. She gave him a quick shy glance, and then looked back and the Lombardis. "Um, Ms. Lombardi…" she started.

Bianca shook her head. "Dear please call me Bianca; you're making me feel old."

Brittany smiled. "Oh of course, and we all know that is not the case."

Bianca glanced at her. "Dear no need to brownnose…" She sighed then. "…Well what would you like to show me? I'm sure it's something dull and mediocre, but my brother and I will humor you…"

Brittany just stared at her feeling like an idiot.

Simon just stared at the woman. He didn't get it. It seemed like when most people got money they got all uppity and felt as though they were better than everyone else. When most of the time, they were exactly where the other person was at one point. He then rolled his eyes and looked back at the show.

Brittany blinked a few times, before fumbling into her purse and took out the folder and handed it to Bianca.

Bianca and Armando looked through the several sketches and designs together. They were well drawn and colored, like a professional, and it was obvious Brittany had put a lot of thought and work into them. Yet they both looked through them in silence and stone cold expressions.

Brittany just watched them feeling the anxiety rise in her, waiting and hoping for a positive response.

And finally Bianca closed the folder and smiled.

Brittany smiled as well thinking that was a good sign.

Armando finally spoke. "Your designs are…" he started.

Brittany listened intently. "…Are?" she asked.

Armando looked up in thought. "…Are…how do you say?"

Bianca smirked. "…Crap," she finished for him.

Armando laughed. "…Right, crap," he agreed with a nod.

Brittany just stared at them in hurt; she could feel her heart shatter in her chest. She then cleared her throat. "Um…pardon?"

Bianca looked at her. "Dear, put it this way. Just because you take a dress from Target and sew some sequence on it, it does not make it fashion." They both laughed.

Brittany felt the anger starting to build up in her as she watched them laugh at her. "Target!" she exclaimed incredulously.

Simon looked over at them with slightly widened eyes as he had heard the whole thing.

Brittany began to glare at them as they continued to obnoxiously laugh at her. Yeah they were her idols but her pride was on the line here. "Fuck you!" she screamed suddenly

At hearing this they both abruptly stopped and stared at her. Even a few people nearby stared over at her.

Armando blinked. "I'm sorry…wha…what?"

"I said fuck you! Who the hell do you think you are? I understand that you both are big in the fashion industry but that gives you no right to disrespect me!" Brittany then looked around and saw that the man next to Simon had an alcoholic beverage. She abruptly reached over Simon and took the man's drink…

The man looked at her in shock. "Hey!"

Brittany ignored him and started drinking it.

Bianca and Armando just watched her in shock.

Brittany then picked up a lit candle from the table and spit out the drink on it causing the flames to triple in size from the alcohol giving off the illusion that she was breathing fire. She aimed the fire at her folder that was in front of them, watching them both scream as it burned.

Simon's eyes widened even more as he stood. "Whoa! Brittany, stop!" He was a bit hesitant to grab her with the flames.

Brittany spit the rest of the flames out and dropped the candle. "If the designs are that bad, they should burn in HELL! ALONG WITH THE BOTH OF YOU!" she shrieked at them.

Armando screamed, "SECURITY!"

Brittany immediately snapped out of her rage when she heard that, and grabbed Simon by the arm and started running out.

Simon couldn't believe what was happening. This evening started off so nice and calm, and now they were running out of the banquet away from security.

It didn't take long at all for them to get outside and to his car. They hurriedly got in and soon after he pulled away. After a moment, he looked at her in shock. "What was that?" he asked.

Brittany didn't answer him; she just sat there fuming.

"Hello? I asked you a question," he said. He looked back at the road. "Did you have to bring fire into that?"

Brittany looked out her window. "They had it coming. They're lucky I didn't set their asses on fire," was her angry reply.

"They had it coming? Seriously? They had flames a few inches from their bodies coming?"

Brittany still didn't look at him. Hearing his words were starting to make her feel a bit ashamed of her actions. "Well yes, they rejected me," she replied softly.

He sighed. "Brittany…I know what happened was not what you expected or what you wanted…but not everything is going to turn out like you want. And people's opinions are different. Just because they didn't like your designs, it doesn't mean someone else wouldn't have. And you could've had a chance to find out…if you didn't burn your designs," he explained.

Brittany continued to look away. She heard everything he said, and she couldn't help but to feel remorseful. She felt the tears trickle down her cheeks while she continued to stare out the window. "You're…you're right…" Her voice trembled in sorrow. "…I blew it…"

He glanced at her and sighed again. "You just need to learn to…control yourself."

"You think I don't know that?" she sobbed. "…This is nothing new, I've been struggling with this for a long time, I hate it…" She continued to cry.

He didn't say anything for a short while. "Well…maybe you just need someone to help you do that," he suggested.

She simply continued to sob as she covered her face in her hands. "I…I…"

He reached over and gently rubbed her back. "It's ok," he said softly. "What is it?"

"…I can't face my family a failure!" she cried.

"Brittany, you're not a failure. You hit a rocky part. It happens. But just as long as you don't quit, you are definitely not a failure."

She pulled away from her hands and looked up. "Oh God, but you don't understand…"

"Well then help me understand," he said.

She then wiped her tears and sighed. "Ok, but…can we go somewhere and park first? I don't feel like going home right now…it's way too early," she said.

He nodded and soon he parked near a boardwalk. Then he turned off the car and looked at her expectantly.

She took a deep breath. "Ok, here's the thing. This is not all about me, contrary to what most would think," she started.

He raised a brow. "Then who else is it about?" he asked.

"It's about …everyone. Jeanette, Miss Miller…" she then smiled slightly and looked down, "..and yes even Ellie," she finished.

He smiled slightly and waited for her to continue.

"They need someone to take care of them. I did the best that I could when we were younger before Miss Miller adopted us. Yet even then, I proved to be nothing more than a screw up with their lives in the balance. While we got out of an abusive situation, I seemed to lead them straight into poverty, something I never want them to live through again. To put it simply, Miss Miller will not always be there, and while she's here I have to pull my weight, I mean they were my responsibility first."

He watched her silently, even after she finished. Then finally he said, "Brittany, you're only 17 years old. Still a senior in high school. You're not expected to go out and provide for your entire family right now. And I know you still feel the need to take care them like you did before, and I'm not saying you shouldn't, but now you have help. There's no need to put all this on yourself. At least not right now. And while you still have Miss Miller, maybe you should finally try to be a teenager. Because from what you've told me, it doesn't seem like you had much of a childhood. You shouldn't stress yourself like this, especially at this age."

She sat there in silence for a moment soaking in all that he said. For some reason he made her feel…at ease. No one had ever made her feel that way before. A slight smile formed as she stared at the floor. "Simon, you seem to know the right things to say…" she trailed off.

He smiled. "I suppose…it's a gift," he said.

She laughed a little. She then looked at him with a smile. "Thank you."

He nodded. "I'm happy to help….If you ever need help with anything, you can come to me," he told her.

Her smile grew. "Oh, like a…special friend," she said.

He chuckled slightly. "Sure."


Alright, moving right along. How was that? Better huh? Told ya things would get more interesting. And it ain't over yet...