Chapter 3, 07:43

A red triumph drives down the road, it has one human and five chipmunks. "Yeah it'll probably be gone soon." Jeanette said

"The doctor said it would have cleared up yesterday." Said Brittany

"That medicine we gave him yesterday should've rid him of it, perhaps he'll better when we get out of school" Simon added

"Hey guys can we uh… walk fast when we get out?" Eleanor asked nervously

"Why? Something the matter?" Brittany asked

"No no! Nothing at all… I just… wanna get to class on time."

"I heard that." Simon agreed

"Alright we're here." Dave said as he pulled up to the school. West Eastman high had become a much better place after Ryan and his posse stopped bothering the chipmunks. They all hopped out of the car and said their goodbyes to Dave and he drove off. Brittany noticed her sister Eleanor had a worried look on her face and was looking at something in the crowd of high schoolers, but she couldn't pin down what it was.

"hey Simon?"

"hm?"

"You studied for the exam in Fourth Period, right?"

"Of course i studied, why?"

"Well i uh... kind of forgot a couple questions..."

"Really? why didn't you tell me sooner? I'll help refresh your memory before fourth period, don't worry."

Brittany wasn't listening to what they were saying, nor did she care as she was more curious about what had Eleanor so nervous. As the group advanced towards the school and the gaps in the crowd increased she was able to see what her sister was looking at.

Four boys wearing matching black bomber jackets sitting on the stone wall were looking at the group, all of them were talking except the one in the middle. "That's who she's looking at? What's up with them?" She wondered

"Umm I have to go!" Eleanor said as she ran in the opposite direction of the boys.

"Elly wait! Where are you going?" Jeanette yelled, but Eleanor was already out of sight.

"I guess she's using the side entrance." Theodore said a little confused,

"I'll go see what's going with her." Said Jeanette, she walked off in the direction Eleanor took leaving just Simon, Theodore and Brittany.

"We'd better get to our lockers." Said Simon, with that they went in the school, After putting their backpacks in their lockers Theodore and Simon hurried to class leaving Brittany who was still unloading her backpack. Just then Jeanette caught up with Brittany.

"Brittany! I caught up with Eleanor and she wouldn't tell me anything! I think she was about to cry!"

"What!? She nearly cried? Why?

"Like I said she wouldn't tell me! She won't even come to class!"

"Hmm, wait, Eleanor was looking a little scared when she saw some guys outside."

"That does seem suspicious, there's something we aren't seeing."

Brittany then sees the principal Dr. Ruben a few lockers down. "Let's ask Dr. Ruben if she knows anything about them." Jeanette nodded and they walked over.

"Ah the chipettes! Where's your sister?"

"Actually about that… we wanted to know about some boys, they wear black bomber jackets?"

"Oh them… yes I know them, they call themselves Bobcats. They're a bit of a nuisance. Ever since they showed up a few months ago I've seen them in my office weekly, from theft to fights they've caused trouble everyday. I hear the police are even more familiar with them. Why are you curious about them anyway?"

"I don't know, our sister Eleanor doesn't like them, she nearly cried after seeing them." Jeanette replied

"That doesn't sound good. I'll have the recourse officer pay extra attention to them. you two best get to class, you'll be late!"

"Oh! C'mon Jeanette! Thank you Dr Ruben!" They both hurried to class, albeit late. Much to the surprise of Simon

The teacher, Mr. Rothstein had already begun teaching but stopped when he noticed the two sisters enter "Ah! Look who it is, Brittany and Jeanette." He pointed at his watch "Did you know the bell rang two and a half minutes ago without either of you in this room?" He asked sarcastically.

"We were talking with Dr. Ruben, if you a–"

"I take it she gave you both a pass then?"

"Shit, I should've asked for one!" Jeanette thought, "We don't have one…" she said looking down

"Well I'm afraid without a proper excuse I'll have to remove three points from each of your class participation grades. I noticed Eleanor is still late, will she be joining us?" The teacher asked

"She's… not coming." Jeanette said quietly.

"That's quite a shame… is she sick like Alvin? No… I would have been told."

"Um… well she… Damnit, I need to think of something quick!" Brittany thought

"She's in the study hall. She had to make up work in geometry." Jeanette answered seeing her sister struggling

"Oh, understandable. Mr. Loft Is pretty hard on his students. You may sit now." The sisters walked to their desks embarrassed. Jeanette held her head down not wanting to see Simon's face. They sat down "we're on page 132 by the way." They both opened their books but only Jeanette read hers

"What do we do?" Brittany whispered while Mr. Rothstein taught his lesson

"I don't know, How long do you think this has been going on for?"

"We should try asking Eleanor."

"Good luck with that. She wouldn't tell me any–"

"Jeanette did you hear me?" The teacher asked

"Uh no I-I was… daydreaming."

"Did I hear that right? You daydreaming? Well perhaps you could tell me how much you learned daydreaming: Define Brownian Motion."

"Ha Easy. Brownian Motion is the random movement of particles suspended in either a liquid or gas."

"Very good. I should've known a scholar like you would get it right. Moving on can anyone tell me by using Brownian Motion, all matter Is composed of what?"

"We'll talk about this after class, I've already missed enough of physics." Jeanette whispered to her sister

Brittany silently nodded and focused on class

After class the two sisters as well as Simon and Theodore met outside.

"What were you whispering about?" Simon asked

"We think someone might be messing with Eleanor." Brittany Answered

"What?! Who?" Theodore asked, very surprised.

"Well well! Look who it is!" A voice said, they all looked to see Four boys wearing matching black bomber jackets. One had Black fringed hair, the next had black spikey hair and didn't look too happy. The next had a buzzcut and had his hand in his jacket pocket. The source of the voice came from the final who had a blond mullet and heterochromia "The rest of the squirrels!"

"Them…" Brittany and Jeanette whispered in unison

"The names Vance, We been meaning to meet you guys for a bit now." He looked at The two sisters and smirked "You two must be Eleanor's sisters! We're already acquainted with her." Brittany and Jeanette both narrowed their eyes

"What have you been doing with our sister?" Brittany asked with anger seeping out of her mouth

"Nothing of your concern. If you must know, we just get cash from her. She's very charitable."

Simon finally spoke up "Quick question, when did you guys meet Eleanor?" Vance's smile disappeared and he didn't answer

"Just a few months ago, it was–" the one with fringed hair spoke but was cut off by the one with a buzzcut

"Names Ray, don't mind my cousin Mason, his Elevator doesn't stop at every floor."

"A few months ago? Could it have been them?!" Jeanette thought and looked over to Brittany and saw she must have thought of something similar because her fists were now clenched and her eyes were filled with fury.

"Calm down Brittany, be smart about this." Jeanette advised

"Sigh Leave Eleanor alone." There was a good ten seconds of tension and silence from both parties until Mason broke the Ice

"Ay Vance, aren't there supposed to be three boy ones?"

"Hmm… you're right! The one with the red hoodie isn't here. I think his name was… Alan?"

"He's sick." Brittany said, visibly angry.

"Gee that's really too bad. Lucky him."

Simon raised an eyebrow "How is he lucky?" Vance's face grew cold and blank

"Because he's the only one who's gonna remain unscathed today." Vance snapped his fingers and Ray pulled his hand out of his pocket to reveal his hand clenching a net. Every chipmunk but Brittany grew uneasy, Brittany was still very angry and stood her ground as the Bobcats began to advance toward the group.

"Is there a problem here?" A stern voice asked from behind the Bobcats, they whipped around to see the school resource officer standing behind them, very angry.

"Answer the question." Ray quickly shoves the net in his pocket

"Everything's just fine here officer." Answered Vance

"Then get hell outta my sight before I stuff all four of you in the back of my car!"

"C'mon boys this aint worth it." They all walk away "At least not now" he says under his breath as they leave for their next classes

After they left the officer knelt down, "Are you four alright?"

"Yes, just a little shaken." Brittany said, Although she was the only chipmunk not shaking.

"Good to hear. I just heard from Dr. Ruben to keep a good eye on those uh Bobcats, As if I wasn't already! Somehow my colleagues on the streets see them more often than me. Steer clear of them alright? They're nothing but trouble."

Simon walked beside Brittany

"Duly noted, if you'll excuse us officer we're gonna be late for our next class." Simon stated

"Of course, I have to get back to my patrols anyway. You guys stay safe."

The officer then leaves and the chipmunks do so as well.

"Where's Eleanor?" Theodore asked with a tinge of worry

"It's best we give her space, it sounds like there's something stopping her from telling us anything." Simon Answered "We'll ask her when we get home."