Chapter 4- Adoration

The rest of that break skated on smoothly. Alvin and Simon were doing more things together as an attempt to not bother Brittney and Jeanette respectively. They took a trip to San Diego for a few days in an attempt to straighten their thoughts out. Eleanor and Theodore spent most of their days together at the apartment back on campus. They returned a week early without their siblings.

"Eleanor, I don't understand why you are their right now. Is there anyone on campus right now?" Jeanette had been calling Eleanor the last few days out of boredom. Her and Brittney exhausted going out and random hook ups, so they spent the last few days of the break staying at home. The problem with this is that they were easy to bore with just the two of them and Miss Miller. Eleanor started loading Theodore's car up with various things from her apartment.

"Are you carrying things right now? It sound like you're straining with something," Eleanor handed Theodore the phone, who had an open hand at the time.

"Oh hey Jeanette, what's up?" Theodore put down the suitcase and motioned to Eleanor to do the same.

"What are you two doing up there? Are you re arranging our apartment because Brittney wouldn't be too happy with that…" Whenever Jeanette talked about Brittney and defying her will, she trailed off, thinking of what would possibly happen to her if she were to do the aforementioned act.

"Oh no, we're not re arranging anything," Theodore looked at Eleanor in a distressed manor, he wasn't a good liar. She took the phone from him.

"Well, what are you two doing?"

"It's me again, Jeanette. The thing is, well, we're moving my stuff out. Theodore and I got an apartment on 12th street together."

Jeanette went silent, "Wait, you two got an apartment together?"

Theodore grabbed the phone again, "Yeah, well, the thing is, we just needed some space and we thought this would be the best way to do it."

"Were you two planning on telling anyone?" Jeanette seemed hurt; she trailed off after all of her sentences.

Eleanor grabbed the phone and motioned for Theodore to grab the last of her things. He obliged and walked back to the apartment, "It was just never the right time. Everything that had been going on a school and at home; you two just couldn't be bothered."

"Well, not telling us isn't better than making us worry for a week."

"I know, we handled it poorly, but we honestly just didn't know what to tell you."

"You need more space?" she started to raise her voice, something odd for Jeanette," We have plenty of space here.

"You know what I mean, Theo and I have to sneak around all the time to get some alone time. It was just being a bother. Besides that, now you two have much more room now."

"Well, how are we going to pay rent without your contribution?"

"I already paid my year off, you can see it in the statements," Theodore had returned with the last of Eleanor's things, "we'll still be around all the time, we just wanted our own place to with it what we want, you know? It's the first time we've ever been able to have personal identity. It's always been The Chipmunks or The Chipettes with all of us. I want to be known for me now, not just a package deal."

Jeanette started tearing up, but silenced herself, "you make a valid point Ellie. I feel the same way sometimes. I'm still sad that you never told me."

"I'm sorry about that, Jeanette."

"I'll let you off only if you two have us over for dinner as soon as we get back."

Eleanor smiled, "We will."

Theodore and Eleanor hadn't much heard from their siblings since they left their apartments. Simon had gone abroad to Scotland for the semester, so they only heard from him once or twice a week. Alvin decided to let the contract with their leaseholder expire and he moved into his fraternity house. Brittney and Jeanette got another roommate in Eleanor's leave. Theodore and Eleanor had yet to meet her; all they knew was that she was Brittney's friend from a few classes. They we're both business majors and they worked on mutual assignments frequently previous to the move in. It was a move that just made sense.

Theodore and Eleanor's apartment always smelled of delicious food. Now that they were on their own, they were able to reconnect with their passion for cooking. The release of Theodore's album had brought in enough money for them to afford more of life's pleasures.

It was late on Saturday and Theodore got a call from a fellow band mate, the lead guitarist, Mark, "Theo, we just got a call about album sales."

"How are they doing?"

"They've done down the tank; our manger said that someone leaked the album and now the leak is allowing people to download it off of his website."

"Oh shit."

"Shit is right, Theo. We know you leaked the CD at an Islands concert," Theodore stood silence for a second. A million situations flashed through his mind in less than a second, but he concluded to what will happen.

"Theo, we have to kick you out if we want to keep our contract. You'll continue to receive checks for record sales but… I'm just sorry man," Mark hung up.

A chill went up Theodore's spine, then down his entire body. He stood completely shocked in the dining room. Eleanor was cooking dinner; she didn't notice Theodore for a while. She looked over; he was devastated.

"Teddy, what's going on?" he stood silent and put the phone down. She walked over to him and he sat down at the table.

"I just got kick out of the band for leaking the CD."

"They kicked you out? That's bullshit."

"It's not though, that's what makes it worse. Our sales dropped and they found out why. I became a liability. You know, my Chipmunk fame was what brought the fans originally. They wanted to see my new act. It's like when Kajagoogoo kicked out Limahl," he looked at her, "It's so surreal right now."

"What's next, then?" she sat down with him.

"Well, I pick up the pieces I guess. Maybe start a new band, but I'm not really feeling it right now."

Eleanor grabbed his hand, "how are you feeling?"

"Shocked and betrayed, but it will be fine."

"I guess we'll just focus on school this semester. Want to help me with dinner?"

He stood up and smiled, "That sounds like the perfect solution right now."

January came and went. Nothing out of the ordinary happened. Alvin was back together with Emily, although it wasn't an easy process. The shaky treaty that held them together was a part of her need to be with someone well known and his need to break free from his past. They appeared to be alright on the surface, but their close friends could see right through it.

Around the time they got back together, the heater in Theodore and Eleanor's apartment had broken. They went without heat for the second half of January, and by the beginning of February it still hadn't been turned on. They didn't mind, they just cuddled together in a lover's illusion. It wasn't cold at all when they were together; all outside distractions seemed to melt away when they were together. And they were together, something more than that can be said about their siblings, but that's how it had always been.

"I really can't stand not seeing everyone anymore. I'm a social being, Theo," She came from the kitchen into the living room where he was typing an essay.

"A social being? I would certainly say so," he took his laptop off of his lap and pull her down to him on the couch, "all other things considered, I agree."

"I'll call Alvin, maybe something's going on at the house tonight," Eleanor said this and quickly jumped up and grabbed her phone.

"Good call, I miss the guys and there's always something going down at his house," Theodore checked his phone. It was 6:37, February 3. They had been without heat for 18 days now, "It will be nice to get out of this frigid house."

Eleanor put down the phone, "When is that going to be fixed by the way?"

"The landlord said he would send somebody free of charge as soon as he could. I sent him another e-mail yesterday and he hasn't responded yet. If he doesn't by Monday, I'm going to pay him a visit personally."

Eleanor put grabbed the phone again and hugged Theodore, "Thanks, hopefully it will be soon."

He gave her a short peck, which prompted her to reciprocate. In between exchanges, he said, "It benefits me too, you know," Her phone rang; she stood up and answered it. It was Alvin calling her back.

"Oh hey… yeah it's going really well, we're having a great time…" She went back into the Kitchen. About a second later, Theodore followed her in.

"Teddy baby!" she turned the corner and bumped into him, "Oh! You're right there."

He laughed, "Yeah, I am. What did he say?"

"They're having a Beirut tournament tonight, want to do it?"

"That sounds awesome, if you're alright with carrying the weight of our team."

She laughed, "I only need one cup and I can handle the rest."

He smiled, "I can handle that."

They went over to the house at 9 pm, par Alvin's instructions. The house wasn't as packed as that party they went to before break, but it was still a good crowd. They were greeted by Alvin after they got in.

"Hey guys," He hugged both of them, "How are you two?"

"Fantastic, it's nice to see you again," It was hard to believe how far they drifted in such a short time. Talking to his older brother wasn't as easy as it once was.

Eleanor chimed in, "Where's Emily at?"

"She's home for the weekend with her parents. She lives in DC so it isn't an unreasonable drive," Alvin looked away, "Well, are you two ready for the tournament?"

"It's been too long, I'm not a freshman anymore," said Theodore as he stretched out in a joking manner.

"I just hope I find a partner in time, everyone that's signed up has a partner," he sighed, "I just want to play; it was a long week," Alvin handed off the roster to someone else, presumably a freshman, "I think Brittney and her new roommate are signed up together, you guys should try to find her," he excused himself and walked away.

"I can't even remember what her name is; we've never actually met her in person," Theodore searched his memory for a name after he said this.

"It's Mary; I've met her in person. She's really cool."

"When did you meet her?"

"It was like, three weeks ago. I go there every once and a while after my class on the south side of campus," after she said that, they saw someone fall over on the dance floor. Brittney was standing over the girl. They rushed over to her.

"Oh God, are you alright Mary?"

"Yeah, I just think sprained my ankle," She said it through the pain. It was later discussed that she played field hockey for 6 years and pain was no stranger for her. Overall she was a strong willed person.

"Wait," Eleanor said, "This is about to be some sitcom shit."

"What are you talking about?" Theodore said as he stopped.

"Let me quote what she's going to say," Eleanor turned toward the crowd of people huddled around her, "Brittney, I can't play."

She mirrored her right afterward, "Brittney, I can't play."

"Hmm," Eleanor paused and then said, "Are you sure? I can hold you up!"

"Are you sure, I can hold you up!" Brittney mirrored her too.

Eleanor turned to Theodore and said, "I just need to get back to the apartment and relax, you go ahead and play."

Mary mirrored, "I just need to chill at the apartment."

"Close enough."

Theodore looked stunned, "are our lives that cliché?"

Eleanor turned to him and started walking towards Brittney again, "You know what this means too, right?"

He laughed, "Alvin and Brittney will be partnered in the tournament."

They got to Brittney and helped her up, "The world is conspiring against them," Eleanor said underneath her breath.

"Theo and Ellie, it's been a while. What are you two doing here?"

Theodore helped Mary up, "we're here for the tournament."

Brittney looked distressed, "So was I, but it seems that I can't compete anymore."

Eleanor took her attention off of Mary and looked at Brittney again, "I'm sure there's another person signed up solo that will partner with you."

"Yeah that's probably true," Two frat guys helped Mary up and took her out of the house, Brittney yelled after them, "Don't hurt her anymore than she already is."

An anonymous voice announced to the crowd, "Hey check out the roster to see where and when you play. The tables are numbered, so find your number and get ready to play."

The three walked over to the table with the roster, the guy at the table handed them two ping pong balls. Brittney looked at the roster with horror and said, "I have to play with Alvin."

"This is when the laugh track would kick in."

"We really need to invest in a moveable TV show audience, Ellie. If we're going to keep getting into obvious situations like this, it will be an investment."

"Quickly, let's take our savings and invest in TV show audiences."

Theodore and Eleanor continued to indulge themselves in the hilarity of the situation and walked to their table. Alvin approached Brittney.

"Well, this was unexpected," he said to her, "how have you been?"

"You're telling me, and I've been fine thank you," She said despondently.

"You ready to win?" she perked up at hearing this. Alvin and Brittney hadn't had an air of normality in a long time and this was a good way to return it, with a friendly competition. Friendly is the most liberal usage imaginable of course.

"If you can keep up with me," she responded.

Alvin and Brittney were the perfect team. They were both trying to beat each other as much as the other team, prompting them to do fantastically.

"Brittney, I wasn't aware you knew how to play," Alvin said as he hit his third of the night.

"I was a player in the Pan Hel Olympics for Delta Zeta," She wasn't even looking as she hit her next shot.

"You aren't a DZ."

"Nobody they played against knew that. Rack em up!"

They got approached from behind by Theodore and Eleanor, who were beat in the first round.

"This would be the honeymoon of the sitcom. Set in Tahiti, the young lovers would find themselves in a high stakes game of BP," Theodore said to Eleanor.

"Ah yes, I can see it now. The game would be worth 100,000 Euros a cup. Sink them… or DIE!" She laughed.

Alvin and Brittney looked confused as they finished off another team; Alvin taunted them as Brittney talked to Eleanor and Theodore.

"What have you two been talking about all night?"

("Come on I'm so thirsty. I've been walking in the desert for forty days!")

Eleanor turned to her, "It's nothing really, just a joke about tonight. How are you two doing in the tournament?"

("You two could keep up with us if you were the captain of a Concord jet. It would totally crash too.")

"We're destroying, four rollbacks in a row to finish the game once. I think we're two games out of the finals at this point."

("Are you two wearing dresses under that polo and visor?")

"Well, I hope you two are getting a good buzz going, I know we are," Theodore stumbled a bit, "we're going to head home, later Brittney."

"Later guys, it was nice seeing you too," She turned to Alvin, "You ready for the next game?"

The night continued in a similar fashion. Their last games were close, only being separated by a cup, but they won in the end. The final match went by in a second, and people started to vacate. Alvin and Brittney went upstairs.

"Now you're the owner of our coveted Lebanese Destroyer trophy," Alvin said as they ascended the stairs.

"I get it, because it's called Beirut," She foaled slightly across the ground.

"Yeah," He helped her up the stairs by mere force of will. They got to his door.

Alvin opened the door, "So…"

"Alvin, I-"He interrupted her. Their lips pressed so hard together it hurt. In that moment all the pain and anger they had shared melted away like the winter's snow. Time seemed to stop as they were together again.

She backed off, "Wait," His faced stayed close to hers, "We shouldn't be doing this; it's a mistake."

"It's a mistake to finally make ours vulnerable to each other? Brittney, we've spent so much time fighting and keeping up a tough front. We could never be close to each other that way. I just want to be with you."

She looked up at him and pulled him into the darkness of the room.