Chapter 15: The Week

Monday

Dave was now watching Simon and Jeanette like a hawk. At school, everybody was still laughing at the photos of Marcus in his cream covered suit. Dave was officially a school hero by now, getting high fives from random students since he was one of the reasons Marni was expelled, Ryan and Xander had been downgraded to losers and now Marcus had been cut off from becoming the new school bully. He was also infamous for the guitar solo he did at the Ball.

Not much happened on Monday to make a big deal out of; although Dave found out that he had received full marks on a mini quiz in Music on the Romantic Period. Music was easily his favourite subject. It amused him to watch the other students struggle while he finished the worksheet in a matter of minutes. Being the kind person he is though, he helped out the people who looked desperate. When he first adopted the boys, Dave had come up with an easy learning system, which all three chipmunks lapped up in a matter of weeks. Alvin could play Stairway on his guitar after only half an hour.

After school, Brittany threw a tantrum. She was so sick of lying around and she wasn't even in any pain (not counting when she had to use the loo). As much as he loved her, Alvin snapped back at her, telling her to shut up. No need to tell you that all hell went loose, they screamed at each other until they were hoarse. There had been a lot of tension between them since Brittany started complaining a few days before. In the end though, they settled down and agreed that things will be easier once Brittany can movie around again. They resolved their issues with a talk and a long nuzzling session.

Tuesday

Tuesday was a lot less eventful.

In fact, it was a complete bore-fest, unless you count the ever so fun lecture on the Industrial Revolution in History, or the amazingly compelling assignment on Surds in Maths. Dave felt like slamming his head on the desk every time he came across something that wants to make him scream, "When are we ever going to need this crap anyway?"

There were no Music or English classes to stop what felt like his brain leaking out through his ears. Simon and Jeanette were finding it all fascinating (of course), Dave was pretty sure Theodore had fallen asleep for a vast majority of the day and Eleanor was writing what he thought was a new recipe to try in the cooking class.

Wednesday was going to be a lot more interesting though...

Wednesday

"Is that too much pressure Brittany?" asked Dr. Chris.

It was time for Brittany to get her check up and possibly even her rib cast removed. The x-rays had already been taken and now they were just waiting for them to be developed. Toby and the chipmunks all sat patiently while Alvin sat by Brittany on the steel table in Dr. Chris's office. The vet was gently pressing on the rib cage to see if Brittany was still finding any pain.

"No, I'm just not hurting anymore," Brittany said confidently. Alvin smiled at the happy look on her face.

"That's good to hear," replied Chris. He really meant it too, "Hopefully I can cut that cast off today, but for now, let's get that silly bandage off your head. The bump has disappeared."

A few moments later, Brittany's forehead was both bandage and bump free. Alvin pushed her fringe back and kissed it. Chris caught Alvin's eye and winked knowingly. Alvin smirked and rolled his eyes. Of course, Chris ended up being right about him and Brittany. Smartass, Alvin thought savagely, taking Brittany's paw in his.

Soon enough, Dolores made her reappearance with the x-rays all developed. She strung them one by one on the lit up boards. Chris walked over to the wall and had a good look. Alvin looked over as well, not that he could tell anything by them, but he hadn't seen many x-rays down (that wasn't his own) and was curious. Everything looked just fine to him, a thought shared with the medical staff.

"Everything seems to be in order," grunted Dolores, who sounded like she had a head cold, "Looks completely fine."

"Definitely," agreed Chris, "It usually takes a little bit longer, but you've been well cared for, Brittany."

"I know," said Brittany, turning to Alvin again, "I have my sisters and my boyfriend to thank for that."

The three mentioned chipmunks grinned at that. Dolores had spun around in interest when Brittany had said 'boyfriend'. She saw the way Brittany was looking at her red clad counterpart. 'They'll be closer than that soon enough,' she predicted. She smiled to herself as she collected a mini-razor blade from one of the various drawers in the room.

"Here." Dolores passed the blade to Chris. Chris walked back over to Brittany, who looked a little weary at the sharpness of the blade. He was used to this sort of reaction from animals, but Brittany would be easier to deal with. On his instruction, Alvin helped slip Brittany's shirt over her head so she was wearing nothing but the cast over her torso. Without further ado, Chris got to work and sliced through the cast.

Still traumatised about Friday night, Dave found himself hoping that Alvin wouldn't be undressing Brittany anytime soon in future. He knew that it was a selfish thought for chipmunks not to do that sort of thing, but it's bad enough that he nearly walked in on one couple. Imagine trying to avoid two of them! Dave shuddered in his seat and turned his attention back to the scene in front of him.

Brittany was finally free of all restriction. Jeanette and Eleanor wrapped her in a hug. "I'm free! At last! Wooohoo!" Brittany cheered. She moonwalked backwards and flipped to land straight in front of Alvin. He was smiling warmly, pleased with how happy she was. She jumped in his arms and giggled.

'You okay there?" Alvin asked, half-laughing at her enthusiasm.

"Never better," she replied. Alvin gently pulled her closer and pecked her nose. She wrapped her arms around him and nearly squeezed him to death. "Oh, it's so good to able to give you a proper hug!"

"I'd enjoy it too if I could breathe!" wheezed Alvin. Everybody else watched in amusement as Brittany let go and Alvin gasped for air, clutching his chest. Dave chuckled as Alvin did his usual over-exaggeration routine. Chris was actually concerned, that is until Alvin started laughing as well.

Brittany wrapped her arms around his neck, "You're so silly sometimes! But...that's why I love you."

"I love you too." Alvin whispered back. They came together for a kiss.

Thursday

Despite Chris's insistence, Brittany returned to school the next day, but only with the promise that she wouldn't push herself too hard. She and Alvin's return caused a stir in the corridors between classes when they walked through the school paw in paw. The entire cheerleading squad greeted Brittany with excitement. Daisy Whitfield, the new captain of the squad brought great news with her at recess.

"I'm co-captain!" Brittany squealed as she leapt onto the lunch table, "Daisy like just told me! How amazing is this?"

"Well done Brittany," congratulated Dave proudly.

"This is fantastic!" Jeanette cried, joining her older sister in a victory dance, "Just don't let the power get to your head, Britt!"

"Oh, I wouldn't dream of it!" Brittany joked.

Dave walked over to Alvin, smirking, "So I hear you're dating the co-captain of the cheerleading squad."

"Yeah I guess so,"

"Good kisser?"

"Oh yeah, definitely."

"Awesome."

They fist-bumped.

By the end of the day, rumours were flying around like paper planes about Alvin and Brittany being together. For once though, they were happy to be talked about like this. While some of the tales were pathetic and way off the truth, they all had one thing right; they were happy together.

Friday

Alvin sat out on the porch step Friday night, deep in thought for once in his life. It wasn't the type of contemplating that would lead him into trouble; he had given that up months ago. Nope. He had something much more important in mind. It had been tugging at his brain since Valentine's Day. He couldn't believe he was actually at this stage in his life. It seems only yesterday that he was an immature 10 year old chipmunk, thinking that girls have cooties and dreading the age when he would do this.

He loved Brittany. That he was dead sure about that. But was he contemplating this too soon? He knew the law stated that courtship could only last 5 months without a 'Claiming' occurring. After that, the female was welcome to leave to search for a better male. That meant Theodore had two months left to make his move. But Alvin didn't think he could even wait one month. It had been two weeks since he had admitted his feelings for her. What should he do?

Alvin was so focused that he barely noticed Dave coming out through the cat flap. He laid eyes on Alvin. After a moment, he tilted his head from side to side in curiosity. What was Alvin thinking about that made him look like that? Dave stalked forward, still on all fours and joined Alvin on the step, his legs swinging over the edge.

"What's up, Al?"

Alvin's ear twitched, but it was almost two minutes before he gave a straight answer," I'm just really confused at the moment. I'm at a pivotal moment in my life and I don't know if I'm ready to take it on yet."

Dave looked confused, "Just how important is this 'pivotal moment'?"

"It's my passage into adulthood. It's the beginning of a whole new chain of events to follow," replied Alvin, never taking his eyes off the stars.

"Aha, I see," Dave said, now catching on with the conversation, "And I suppose you won't be taking this passage alone when you do follow it? Brittany will go with you?"

"Well, it can't exactly happen without her," Alvin murmured, chortling at the absurdity of the thought, "That would be a bit odd."

Dave chuckled too," Of course not."

Alvin turned serious again, "But seriously, I don't know what to do! My heart is telling me to go for it, but my brain can't make up its mind!"

"Well what are your instincts telling you to do?" enquired Dave, "You're the one who told me to trust them over everything else when you come to a crossroad in your path."

Alvin stayed silent for a long while. Dave waited patiently. This was obviously something a chipmunk can't rush. Finally, Alvin answered, "I'll do it. Brittany deserves to be protected and showered in love every day and I know I can make that a reality."

A proud smile graced Dave's features. He couldn't help it; the Alvin that had just looked at him didn't have the face of a 15 year old teenager. The Alvin that sat next to him now had somehow morphed into a young man within the space of a sentence. As a human, he wouldn't have noticed it, but instead it was a proud moment.

He even found himself fighting back tears as he said, "Alvin, you have come so far from being that little chipmunk who dropped a glass jar on my head in 2007. You've been a pain sometimes...well, most of the time...actually, all the time to be truthful, but that doesn't matter anymore. Just look at you now. I know I haven't said this nearly often enough, but...I'm proud of you, son."

"Thanks Dad," Alvin, whispered as they caught each other in a hug, "You never said it, but I knew. And you know what? I'm just as proud to call you my father."

For the sakes of their masculinity, they parted awkwardly and looked away to clear their throats and dry their eyes.

"So how are you feeling about all of this now?" asked Dave, once the awkwardness had worn off.

Alvin beamed, "Nervous. Happy, but nervous. "

Dave stood up, smirked and clapped him on the back, "Well, don't worry about it too much. If Simon can do it, you can to!"

"Say WHAT?" Alvin's jaw dropped to the ground. He jumped in front of Dave to stop him from walking away and shook him, "Are you freakin' serious? How did that happen, how do you know and why didn't he tell us?"

So much for looking like a young adult...

"Yes I am serious, I don't know, I almost walked in on them Friday night and again I don't know," Dave replied. Alvin looked shocked, admiring, proud and disgusted all at the same time. "Listen Alvin," Dave warned, "Don't go spreading this around, alright? Simon and Jeanette will tell everyone when they are good and ready."

"But!"

"Alvin!"

"Ugghhh, fine!"