Alvin Two Point Oh and the Chipmunks: Mini Tales!

by AmbitiousAlvin

A collection of fun and short stories that are easy and fast to read. Imagine them like episodes of Alvinnn, but for my alternative universe instead. There will be comedy, drama, and plenty of heart! I hope this will gather some new readers who may not feel they have time in their busy schedules for my longer stories. Each chapter will be a different story with an "episode" title.

11. Britt and Run

I'm back! Did ya miss me!? Life's still kicking me around, but I found a way to motivate myself to work on stories more.

I put all my mini tale ideas (except seasonal ones) on a wheel and spun it. This was the next story chosen for the lineup.

And it was a CHALLENGE! Britt and I are an okay team, but the fact that this fic has so much THINKING about the ACTION proved to make it very tricky to get in writing.

This idea has been in my head for ages. I always wanted to do a PSA type story, but also make it super fun to read. I thought up this plot and then everything started to come together.

I hope ya like it!
Take it away, Brittany!

BRITT AND RUN

Brittany's POV

I am so annoyed that I have to write this story. It's not one of my greatest moments, that's for sure. Frankly, it's embarrassing as heck, but I guess, well, some parts of it are funny. Really, really funny.

Plus, this will give me more spotlight! I do LOVE when the spotlight is on me! Okay, yeah, I can definitely do this.

I folded my arms impatiently as I sat in the passenger seat of Alvin's hot rod. He'd offered to drive me home from school. I accepted it because it was a chance to spend time with him.

He'd been making good on his promise to hang out with me more, in general. However, the last couple weeks had gone by with barely ANY interaction between us. I was worried he'd started slipping into his old habit of forgetting that this friendship isn't going to just keep itself alive. We both have to WORK at it.

And so, it was up to me to remind him. I looked at the dorky redheaded boy who was gripping the steering wheel. He tapped his fingers on it quickly. His eyes darted around as he tried his best to focus on the sidewalk ahead. He doesn't drive on the road, because his car is technically a toy. A toy with a battery, but still a toy.

Clearing my throat, I spoke, having thought long and hard about how to say this delicately. "Are you free at all this week?"

"Huh?" His ear twitched, but his eyes remained looking ahead. "What do you mean by that?"

"What do you MEAN what do I mean by that?" I fumed, trying to keep my temper from, well, exploding.

"Britt, I need specifics." He replied rather coldly. "What do you mean by free?"

"I mean, do you have any time when we can DO SOMETHING TOGETHER?" I asked, raising my voice on the last three words.

"Not much, really." Alvin turned a corner sharply.

I sulked. Okay, time to remind him of something else, because I am sure his scatterbrain didn't know. "It's been a while since I've heard from you."

"No it hasn't." He looked confused. "We're talking right now."

"I mean, IN GENERAL." Oh my GOSH! It's like talking to a wall!

"We talk at school sometimes." He went on.

I looked down at my nails. "Well, I haven't gotten a text from you in two weeks."

The jerk rolled his eyes at me. "That's what you're upset about. Britt, most of my friends get a text from me once a month! We hang out once or twice a month! And, guess what! They're FINE with that. We can pick up talking like no time's passed at all."

"I'm not MOST of your friends." I told him sharply. "We agreed to stay in contact. I would love to hear about what's new in your life."

"What's new?" He laughed bitterly. "Same ol' same ol'. Homework, extracurriculars, chores, bullies, obligations, responsibilities, and constant ADHD management. I'm staying on top of it, but it's starting to feel impossible again. Might have to update my system."

"Here you go talking about your systems again." I sighed. "I guess I'm still the least important thing on your list."

"That's not true!" He squeaked in a rush. "You're super important!"

"THEN WHY DIDN'T YOU TEXT ME FOR TWO WEEKS!?" I shouted angrily.

"Because I didn't know I HAD to!" He replied, sounding scared.

I calmed myself back down. "I TOLD you to. We have been over this a dozen times. At least 3 or 4 texting sessions a week. I'd even be happy with a "how are you?" or a "sorry, I'm busy. Still thinking of you." I clenched my fists. "How HARD is that to understand!?"

"It's not hard to understand." Alvin admitted, as he drove faster. "It's hard to remember. If you want, I can add you to my to-do list."

I probably shouldn't have said the next thing, but I did anyway. "I bet you text Jeanette 3 or 4 times a week." I growled. "She doesn't have to go on your to-do list."

"I'm sorry. And no, by the way, I don't. She's pretty busy too. Green living club, volunteer stuff, taking care of her robot daughter and mouse daughter. It's more like 1 texting session a week."

"Still more than me." I muttered.

Alvin looked guilty. I guess I'd finally gotten through to him. Maybe I was too demanding. Maybe it was because my sense of time and Alvin's were completely different. To me, it felt like ages since he texted. To Alvin, it probably felt like we'd texted only a couple days ago. Maybe most of Alvin's friends experience time the way he does.

"You know what?" Alvin kept one hand on the wheel. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. "I'll remedy this situation right now." He declared.

I raised an eyebrow. "You will?"

"Yep." He handed me the phone while keeping his eyes fixed ahead. "Open my messenger app. Then, hand it back to me."

"You can't text and drive, dimwit." I told him. For a "genius," his smarts are nearly nonexistent sometimes.

He smiled wide. "No, YOU can't text and drive. I happen to be pretty good at it. I'm a natural born multitasker, on account of the ADHD."

"There's no way." I said forcefully.

He momentarily glanced at me with those blue eyes framed by ridiculous red hipster glasses. "Trust me! I can do it!"

"How?" I questioned.

"I've memorized the location of every single key on the keypad." He claimed, although that sounded like an exaggeration.

Whatever. I suppose I'll let him make a fool of himself. It'll be very entertaining.

I opened up his messenger app and handed him back the phone. "If you crash with me in this car…" I warned him.

Before I could finish my thought, he was texting! His eyes never left the sidewalk and his left hand never left the steering wheel. His right hand expertly began typing! This was so...so…IMPOSSIBLE!

And yet, he was doing it!? How could he focus on TWO things at once!?

He turned the corner, while still texting away. What a showoff! I folded my arms again as I waited patiently for him to finish. I didn't want to interrupt his multitasking.

"Almost done." He said cheerfully, as we neared the treehouse.

"Are you writing an entire book?" I teased. I was a lot less angry now. Alvin really can be sweet. He's so frustrating, but he DOES care. We are the best of frenemies.

He chuckled. "Nah, just a message. I'm sorry about my lack of communication lately. I'm gonna try and do better, you know, just like I said I would."

"Thank you, Alvie." I felt a small smile spread across my face.

I heard my phone make a small pinging sound. The message had been sent.

"And there ya go." The boy, in the red and cyan jacket with a letter A pin, put his phone back into his pocket. Both his hands were on the steering wheel now.

I reached into my purse to grab my own pink phone. It was in an adorable case with pink glitter and a giant bow decal. What had Alvin messaged me? I needed to know.

The hot rod came to a gentle stop. We'd arrived at the treehouse. Drat, I guess I would have to check the text later.

"Thank you for riding with The Alvin 2.0 Taxi Service." The chipmunk took his baseball cap off his head and held it out. "That'll be 20 dollars, please."

I socked him in the arm quite forcefully. "You better be joking, you dork."

He chuckled loudly. "Definitely joking, you know, leaning into that Classic Alvin side you love so much." He teased with a wink.

I grabbed the hat and shoved it onto his big ol nerdy egghead. Then, I opened the door and stepped out of the hot rod. I made sure my purse was with me. Wouldn't want to forget it. I needed to read that text as soon as possible.

"Anyway…" He adjusted his cap. "Gotta go. See ya soon, or, like, soon-ish."

I looked at Alvin sadly. "Are you sure you can't stay for a few minutes?" I asked tenderly.

He shook his head. "'Fraid not. I'm already runnin' late for my study party at the library with Kevin and Si. Been fun catchin' up though. I'll try to text more often. Have a great day, Brittany!"

And then he was gone. He revved the battery powered engine of the toy hot rod and zoomed away. Oh, how I STILL missed the way things used to be. It was getting easier to adapt, but the hole in my heart remained. I wanted to spend more time with my best friend.

I climbed the stairs to the treehouse balcony and then sat down at the patio table. The umbrella attached to the table gave me just enough shade to read Alvin's long winded message that he SOMEHOW typed out without looking at the keypad.

[Hey, Btittany, sorru aboit evrythig lately. Yoy arw the coolust! I acutlly lobe talling to yoy. I'lk texy ya morr! I promuse! I'm wilking tp put in the worj! I an a veru hzrd worjer! We're gobba stay froends no maffer whst! Ya see, Davr's bwen on my case agsin aboit possiblt dropinh Dr. Wilson'd class. He's agraid I can'y keeo up. I knoq I can! But, I unferstamd that's no resson to cit you ogf. I difn't evem know I was dping it. Homest! Gobba pin thid chat and kerp the notofibations for it turnef on! We'lk stay in conract wau more this week! And mauby eveb get to hang out nect weelend! Pleaze fotgibe me, Brott. I mixx hanhing our witj you roo and I misd our vhats. Simcereky, yoyr oal Alvin.]

Translation for anyone who can't read through all his massive typos. I guess his texting and driving system isn't so flawless. I could probably do a lot better, let's be honest.

[Hey, Brittany, sorry about everything lately. You are the coolest! I actually love talking to you. I'll text ya more! I promise! I'm willing to put in the work! I am a very hard worker! We're gonna stay friends no matter what! Ya see, Dave's been on my case again about possibly dropping Dr. Wilson's class. He's afraid I can't keep up. I know I can! But, I understand that's no reason to cut you off. I didn't even know I was doing it. Honest! Gonna pin this chat and keep the notifications for it turned on! We'll stay in contact way more this week! And maybe even get to hang out next weekend! Please forgive me, Britt. I miss hanging out with you too and I miss our chats. Sincerely, your pal Alvin.]

I smiled to myself as I started out my response. Then, I realized, I couldn't text him back right away! That seemed too needy. Oh drat, but he already read the message.

[I forgive you, Alvin. Looking forward to chatting again soon. Good luck at the study party thing. I'm not sure what a study party is. Maybe you could explain it. Anyway, thank you for the heartfelt message. It made me smile.]

There, short and sweet. I grabbed myself some of the lasagna Eleanor made, with no green ingredients of course, and then thought hopefully about the days ahead. Would Alvin keep his promise? Or leave me in the dust again?

To my surprise, Alvin kept his promise! We started to text each other a lot more!

The next day, I was just finishing cheer practice when I got a new message from him.

[How was school today, Britt?] He asked.

I sat on the bleachers and texted him back. [Wonderful! Thanks for asking! How did your study party yesterday go? Learn anything exciting?] I added the nerd emoji. It looks a lot like him, after all. It used to bug him, but these days he's warmed up to it.

I shouldn't have asked about the study party, because I knew I'd get back science gibberish. However, I wanted him to know that I'm taking an interest in his life. Every part of it.

And cue the science gibberish! [I did! If you substitute a phosphorus into a pyrrole ring it is called phosphole. The atom below phosphorus in the periodic table is arsenic. Precedent was already set for the naming of substituted pyrrole rings when arsenic was substituted into the ring. The molecule was given the name…arsole. When you fuse arsole and benzene it's called benzarsole. And, guess what! The original publication on this was titled "studies on the chemistry of arsoles". HOW FUNNY IS THAT!?] He added a laughing emoji.

I sent him a laughing emoji back too. [I'm sure you were laughing for hours.]

[I was! The Chemistry Of ARSOLES! It sounds like, you know! Arsehole!] He replied.

[I got it, Alvin.] I wrote. [You really need to stop explaining things so much.]

He texted back that weird smile emoji with the teardrop on its forehead. [My bad. Oops, gotta run. Dave is informing me that I forgot to do the dishes. Then, I have math homework to review…for the test.]

Aw no! He couldn't go so soon! Sigh. At least we got to talk a tiny bit.

[It's alright. Good luck on your equations, little nerd.] I finished my thought with a wink emoji. I have to always remind him that I support him.

[Thanks!] Was his last message of that day.

He reached out to me for a few more days, then it was radio silence again. I decided that I should reach out, but I shouldn't say anything that implied I was mad he hadn't texted. It had only been three days of no texts at this point.

[Busy again today?] I asked. Short, simple. Very to the point. It gave him an option to talk to me if he wanted, or to tell me yes and that he would text another day.

He replied a few hours later, while I was doing my makeup routine. [Always. I feel like the homework is attacking me.] He added a deep frown emoji.

[Anything I can help with?] I offered.

[Not unless you know how to balance chemical equations. I'm sorta sick of school stuff. Can we talk about something else?] OH THANK GOODNESS!

[ABSOLUTELY!] I texted. [I wanted to ask you that, but I didn't want to seem rude.]

He seemed very down in the dumps. [Nah. It's totally okay. I know I've been stuck in boring mode lately.] Another frown emoji. Not a good sign.

We needed something FUN to chat about. [Got any plans for Halloween?] I asked.

[I might do a couples costume with you know who.] He responded. Urgh. I knew he meant Jeanette.

[It would be fun to all go trick or treating as a group.] I selected a pumpkin emoji and put it next to a boo hoo eyes emoji.

I think he picked up on what I was trying to imply, but I couldn't be sure. [Totally would be! But, Ellie's got some solo plans. She's building her own haunted house. I think. I'm not sure on the details.] He informed me.

[Yeah.] I chose a sad face emoji.

OH MY GOSH! He actually realized why I was sad without me telling him. I was really counting on us being a group.

[I'm sure the other 5 of us can still go trick or treating though.] He assured me. [Maybe we'll even get to check out Ellie's Haunted House!] A happy face emoji! I guess he was less sad!

I was VERY HOPEFUL! [Sounds fun!]

[Maybe Simon would like to wear a couples costume too.] He added a cheeky smirk emoji.

I giggled to myself as I finished applying my lipgloss. [Hmmm. I'll have to think about it.] I responded.

[Welp. My timer just went off.] Drat. That meant the end of this conversation. [Gotta eat something and then it's back to the grind. Talk tomorrow!]

It's okay. I trusted him to remember to text again…soon. No idea how soon.

[Love you, Alvin. Platonically. Of course.] I sent a hug emoji.

He copied me. Now there were two hug emojis decorating our chat. [Right back atcha!]

I slipped the phone away and added some glittery fuchsia eyeshadow to complete my look. Gorgeous, as always.

More days passed with a few texts a day. I was satisfied. I still missed seeing Alvin though. I wanted to have time to go somewhere or do something with him. I had plans! I'd thought of a lot of places I wanted to go with Alvin. And sure, I could go with Simon or Theodore. They were easier to get a hold of than Alvin. IT WASN'T THE SAME!

Simon and I recently went out for pumpkin spice lattes, we went for a walk through the woods to see all the pretty fall colors, and he helped me work out some fall outfits for my ever growing fashion portfolio. I loved it. I'm not saying I didn't.

Theodore and I saw each other to rehearse for drama class, we went out for pizza together, and we got cute earrings from Claire's. I enjoyed all of that too.

But I still missed ALVIN.

Then, as if my prayers had finally been answered, I got the very text I'd waited a month for.

[Great news, Britt! This weekend just opened up! Simon told me I deserve a day off! In fact, he's demanding I take the day off! No rigorous study sessions on Saturday!] Alvin told me.

I jumped up and down on my bed. It was happening! It was finally happening!

[FABULOUS! Where should we go? What should we do?] A added a star eye emoji.

[Pretty sure I picked last time. We went to the arcade and then the videogame rental place. At least, according to the notes I took.] He replied.

I raised an eyebrow as I read the message. [You take notes on our hangouts?]

[I take notes on everything.] He explained. [It combats my executive dysfunction. Although, the notes could be organized better.]

Interesting. I sat cross legged on my bed and sent another text. [Ah gotcha. So, if it's my turn to pick, then I want to go to that new shoe store. After that, we can get ice cream and I'll let you have double the gummy bears as a topping.]

He sent an emoji that looked like it was licking its lips. [OHOHO! You spoil me!]

[Is that a yes?] I asked.

[YUP! Can't wait! Seriously! I am going stir crazy in here!] He typed out.

"Brittany!" Eleanor peered into our bedroom. "Did you forget about me already?"

I hadn't forgotten. I just didn't want to do what she asked. I knew I had to though. It was a real drag.

"No, sis." I said, sliding off the bed. "I'll come downstairs in three minutes."

"I'll be waiting." Eleanor's green eyes narrowed with irritation. She closed the bedroom door.

I sighed as I told Alvin what was happening. It annoyed me that now I was the busy one who had to end our chat.

[Oh, hey, I have to go soon. Eleanor wants me to help make dinner. There's one more thing I wanna ask you though. How are you feeling about the concert tomorrow? Any jitters?] This was important! Why did my sister pick NOW to interrupt?

[Tons. My 2.0 side is wigging out.] Alvin texted back. [Classic Alvin's excited. As for me, the weird blend of them, I'm just…neutral, I guess. I really am excited, but also scared because we all know how close I keep coming to being exposed.] He chose a scared face emoji to convey his anxiety.

I felt so bad for him. I knew that his stage fright flicked on and off like a switch. [Yeah. That makes sense. I won't let any of the fans hurt you…if you happen to slip up. Your brothers, my sisters and I will ALL be there for you.] I reminded him.

[Thanks, Britt. I'm gonna just go for it and hope for the best.] He replied.

He needed a lot of support. [You'll get through it. I believe in you!]

[Wish I did too.] A sad face emoji accompanied that message.

[Use Classic's confidence!] A sent a wink emoji.

[Oh right. I keep forgetting I have better access to that now. FINALLY.] Oh, he is such a funny little dude.

"BRITTANY! IT'S BEEN THREE MINUTES!" My youngest sister's voice echoed from the kitchen. "DON'T MAKE ME COME UP THERE AGAIN!" Even through the closed door, I could hear her no problem.

[Talk soon! Eleanor is screaming at me now.] I told Alvin. [Super hyped for Saturday! Bye!] I added a big smile emoji.

[Later!] He responded.

I put the phone on my vanity and hurried down to the kitchen. Eleanor and I made a delicious casserole together. She did most of the hard work, honestly. I just chopped up the ingredients and did some mixing. Still, it turned out beautifully! It definitely needed my special touches.

The next day, a Friday to be exact, I was driving Alvin's hot rod home from school. Are you surprised I know how to drive? Well, I do. I just would PREFER to be chauffeured around, you know, like a famous superstar.

[Thank you so much for letting me borrow your car.] I had texted Alvin, before leaving Santa Barbara High.

I cruised along the sidewalk in style. My heart-shaped sunglasses were on and my strawberry blonde ponytail was blowing in the wind. I felt amazing!

I heard the text tone on my phone chime. I wondered if that was Alvin returning my text.

It couldn't hurt to just…check, right? The sidewalk was pretty quiet.

I pulled the phone from my purse and read the text.

IT WAS FROM ALVIN! [You're welcome! I've been in more of a walking mood lately. Gotta save up all my concentration for the concert tonight.]

Against my better judgment, I absolutely HAD to text him back right away. Besides, if Alvin could text while driving, I was pretty sure I also had that ability.

[If you're leaning into Classic mode, doesn't that require LESS concentration?] I asked him.

[You would think so, but no.] He sent a laugh emoji.

I gripped the steering wheel with my left hand. [You are so weird.] I texted with my right. I switched my eyes from the sidewalk to the phone. It was exhausting. But it was WORTH IT!

[I ain't denyin' it.] He replied.

[I hope you have an amazing day and I'll see you tonight for the concert.] I texted expertly.

[Still kind of half dreading it.] I didn't realize it, but as he was texting, he was walking down the sidewalk toward me, listening to music through his earbuds.

At this point, I wasn't paying a lick of attention to where I was going. [You'll be okay. Remember CONFID…..] Before my text was finished, I heard a THUNK! and felt a JOLT! I hit the brake as hard as I could. The hot rod screeched to a stop.

"Oh crap! Oh crap! Crap crap crap!" I cursed under my breath. I knew I had hit someone or something. How could I have been so STUPID!?

I cautiously got out of the car. I felt sick to my stomach when I saw who it was I'd hit. He was on his back, red hair sticking out all over, his glasses crooked on his face, and his earbuds were still in his ears. He was wearing a red shirt with a football fused with the planet saturn on it, a cyan vest, and purple and blue galaxy leggings. His cap was off and lying in the grass next to him.

In case it isn't already obvious, I HIT ALVIN!

I didn't know what to do! I knelt down beside the chipmunk. "No." I whispered. "No no no no noooo noooo!" I got louder and louder. "Wake up, Alvin. Please, wake up."

His nose twitched. He was definitely still alive. Phew. He was unconscious, but alive.

Mustering all of my strength, (and I was a very strong girl) I picked Alvin up and put his cap back on. I set him down in the backseat of the hot rod. He slumped like a lifeless doll.

"Don't worry, Alvie." I promised. "I'll get you help."

I jumped back into the hot rod and slammed my foot on the gas. I sped past several houses and turned the corner. It wasn't long before I parked Alvin's car in the Seville's driveway and then carried the limp boy up into the treehouse.

"ELEANOR!" I screamed. "ELEANOR, ARE YOU HOME!?"

I knew Jeanette wasn't. She was still at school, staying after to help shelve library books. I had no idea what Eleanor was doing, so I hoped she'd be home.

I heard footsteps coming down the stairs. Eleanor rubbed her eyes. "Yeah, I'm here." She yawned. "I was taking a nap before the concert. What's going on?"

I didn't know what to say. I just stood there, frozen, holding the unconscious red and cyan clad chipmunk. I had the most terrified and guilty look on my face.

Eleanor noticed Alvin and her green eyes widened. "HOLY NUTS! WHAT DID YOU DO!?"

"It….It was an accident." I squeaked.

My sister was wide awake now. She rushed down the stairs and put her hand on Alvin's head. "What kind of accident?"

I winced. "A….car accident."

"He got hit by a car!?" She gasped. "Oh no!"

"Not….Not in the way you're thinking." I set the poor limp boy on the couch and adjusted his glasses, not that he needed them with his eyes shut. "Let me explain." I sat down in a chair and proceeded to tell Eleanor everything that happened.

Apparently, she thought that it was hilarious. "Wait wait wait, you were texting HIM!? And then you hit him with his car!?" She laughed. "THAT'S SO FUNNY!"

"No it isn't!" I insisted. "He might have another concussion! He won't wake up!" I pointed to Alvin, who was uncomfortably still.

"Eh, maybe you'll luck out and it'll knock off some IQ points." My sister joked.

"Eleanor!" I snapped.

She frowned. The laughter stopped. "Okay, okay. In all seriousness, I hope he's alright."

I clasped my hands together. "You're like a doctor, right?" I asked. "Can you check him out?"

The pigtailed Chipette looked Alvin over and then reported back to me. "No sign of any bumps, lumps, or bruises aside from this one on his side where you hit him." She took off his vest and lifted his shirt to show me.

"Ewwww." I gagged at the sight of the small bruise. "Gross."

"He's gonna be fine, Britt. He's just in shock." She responded as she pulled his shirt back down.

I smoothed down my ruffled pink skirt. "When will he wake up?"

"I dunno." Eleanor shrugged. "Does it matter? We'll just keep him here until he does. I'm sure he'll wake up in a couple hours, tops."

I put a hand on Alvin's cheek. "We'll take good care of you." I promised.

"And Brittany…." Eleanor glared at me angrily.

I felt the urge to hide in my cerise pink turtleneck, but my head was too large for that. "What?" I gulped.

"No more texting and driving." She finished sharply.

"I knooow." I said miserably.

Eleanor and I spent a couple hours playing some crazy 8s and eating potato chips. We moved Alvin into our bedroom and set him down in Eleanor's bed. I wondered if making him more comfortable would wake him up faster.

It did not.

"Jeanette's going to be home any minute!" I said, starting to freak out. "He's still not up!"

"Don't worry." Eleanor smirked. "I know how to deal with this. I have a plan."

"It better be a GOOD plan." I folded my arms and pouted.

The girl in the teal jacket and mint skull design T-shirt rubbed her hands together. "Not sure if it'll work, but that ain't gonna stop me from tryin'."

I groaned. I hate it when she says that. Seriously.

My little sister pushed the button on Alvin's glasses to turn them into sunglasses.

"And how is that supposed to help?" I asked, leaning against my vanity and tapping one of my stylish pink glitter boots against the floor.

She sat Alvin up in the bed and waved his arm at me. "Now nobody can tell his eyes are closed."

I rolled my eyes. "Fabulous idea." I snarked sarcastically. "What if she wants to talk to him?"

"Uhhhh…." Eleanor's ears drooped, but her smile remained. "We say he's not feeling chatty?" She suggested.

I groaned again. "This is never going to work." I frowned. "How am I supposed to tell my sister I hit her boyfriend with his own car!?"

"Wait!" The girl in mint and teal jumped off her bed and grabbed her laptop. Then she connected her phone to it. "I've got another idea. You stall Jeanette. I'll be right back." She opened up the window and then climbed onto the zipline.

"Stall Jeanette?" I echoed in disbelief. "How am I supposed to do that?"

No answer. Eleanor was already too far away.

I heard the front door creak open and hurried downstairs. My feet missed the bottom step and I tumbled. Luckily, I didn't rip the knees of my black glitter leggings, even though I landed on them and slid across the floor.

"Are you alright, Brittany?" Jeanette helped me to my feet.

I nodded. "Yep. Totally. Just fine." I lied. "Want some potato chips?"

My taller sister tilted her head. "I'm not really a potato chip kind of person."

Drat! I forgot that! Why was this so hard!? "Uhhh…." What else does Jeanette like? "There's also…uhhh…some rice and beans…and a smoothie."

She sat down at the kitchen island. "That sounds…nice." I could tell she knew I was acting weird, but she had no idea why.

I fetched her the things from inside the fridge and warmed up the rice and beans for her. I needed to think of something else to keep the conversation going. "I had a great day." I babbled. "I just love Fridays so much."

"I am looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend." Jeanette responded, as she chewed a spoonful of beans and rice. "Especially after tonight."

OH NO! THE CONCERT! WE HAD TO WAKE ALVIN UP IN TIME FOR THE CONCERT SOMEHOW!

"Me too." I forced a smile. "I spent all week picking out the perfect concert outfit."

"I bet it looks lovely." Jeanette told me sweetly.

She finished her beans and rice as I continued to try and stall her. But, eventually, she washed her bowl out and started to walk toward the stairs.

I hurried around and jumped in front of her. "Oh, don't go up there yet. We have so much more to talk about."

"But…my journal is upstairs." The girl with the round purple glasses squeaked softly. "I wanted to write a little before the show."

"Just write on your notes app on your phone." I suggested in a rush.

Her midnight blue eyes narrowed slightly. "Brittany, is there something upstairs you don't want me to see?"

"No." I lied again.

She brushed past me. "Then I'm going up there to get my journal."

I started to panic! I raced after my taller sister and tried to pull her back. "Jeanette, WAIT!"

I was too late. She opened the bedroom door and walked inside, only to be met with….absolutely nothing out of the ordinary.

Alvin was no longer in Eleanor's bed. The room looked as if it hadn't been touched, aside from Eleanor's covers being messed up.

"Geez, Brittany." Jeanette pulled her journal off her bookshelf. "What has gotten into you today?"

"I, uh, I thought there was a ghost up here." I tried to think of what ridiculous lie Eleanor or Alvin would say in this situation.

My taller sister frowned. "It's a little early for Halloween pranks, isn't it?" She tucked a purple pen behind her ear and then walked back downstairs.

"Yeah, I guess so." I leaned awkwardly against the doorframe. "But, it never hurts to get in the spirit!"

I closed the bedroom door and then hissed under my breath. "Eleanor? Are you in here?"

My closet door creaked open and Eleanor poked her pigtailed head out. "Just got back. You stink at stalling people, by the way."

"Whatever." I grumbled. "Where is he?"

"Right here." My youngest sister dragged Alvin's limp body out of the closet with her and adjusted his sunglasses.

I grimaced. "Be careful with him!"

"I'm plenty careful." She insisted. "Besides, I can't do any worse than running into him with a car." Another joke and another stupid giggle.

"Eleanorrrrr." I growled.

"Fine fine." She set Alvin back on the bed and propped him up with a pillow. Then, she set both his limp hands in his lap. "Check out what I've got." She held her phone up and pressed the touch screen.

"Helloooo, gorgeous!" Said Alvin's voice, coming directly from the phone.

I rolled my eyes. "So impressive." I said sarcastically.

"Hold on! Wait! It gets better!" She played more recordings of Alvin's voice.

"A splendid day, is it not?"

"Stupendous!"

"Live your dreams!"

"Absolutely not."

"Let's rock and roll."

I was confused. What was her plan? "Where did you get these on such short notice?" I asked, to avoid outright telling her I was completely lost. I'm not a schemer, but I do sometimes enjoy going along with a scheme.

"From the Talking 2.0 Doll Jeanette made for him." She explained enthusiastically. "I made a copy of its voice box, and uploaded the audio to my phone."

She played another voice clip. "I am a GENIUS!" Alvin 2.0's voice boasted.

Hmm. Maybe that might come in handy. "How many lines have we got to work with?"

"Only about 15." Eleanor frowned.

"Drat." I cursed. "That's not enough."

"Well, I could comb through a lot of recordings of Alvin and grab more audio, but we're kinda on a time crunch, so…this is what we've got."

I sat down on my bed. "At least it's better than nothing." I murmured.

To my surprise, Alvin's body came walking over to me like a zombie who just learned how. It sat on the bed and put an arm around my shoulder.

And I screamed, because I KNEW he was still unconscious. Yet, he was MOVING! "AHHHHH!"

Eleanor laughed again. "Relax." She held up a fancy looking remote. "It was just me."

"What the…? How did you…!?" I sputtered, squirming away from Alvin and watching him flop to the side on the bed.

"I repurposed some of the invisible wiring Simon used for Jeanette's birthday party that one year." Eleanor squeaked. "You know, the time we tried to convince her she had magic powers?"

"Oh." I felt my heart rate slow down again. Back to the usual speed for a chipmunk.

My sister was having the time of her life. "Check it out! He's like a puppet!" She exclaimed. "I can even make him dance!"

She proceeded to make Alvin do an Irish jig around our bedroom.

"Check out my sweet moves!" Alvin's voice said, from the clip on Eleanor's phone.

This entire situation gave me the heebie jeebies. It was so…wrong. And yet, it was definitely better than admitting I was an idiot who tried to text and drive and hit her best friend with a car.

"One, one little issue with your brilliant puppet plan." I pointed out. "His mouth doesn't move."

"Yeah…" Eleanor frowned. "Not sure what to do about that."

Suddenly, I had an idea. I tied one of my pale yellow scarves around Alvin's mouth. "There we go. We'll just say he's helping me model my fall fashion line."

"Love it!" Eleanor high fived me.

Then, she puppeted Alvin down the stairs. I walked behind her. It was time to fool Jeanette.

The girl with the purple paw print patterned sweater sat at our dining room table, scribbling away in her journal. I sat down next to her and Eleanor puppeted Alvin into the third seat. He flopped face down on the table and I quickly propped his head back up before Jeanette could notice.

She lifted her head up from the journal. "Oh, hi, Alvin."

Eleanor hid behind the kitchen counter and played a voice clip. "Helloooo, gorgeous!"

Jeanette giggled. "So what brings you here today?" She asked, turning her attention back to her writing.

I shot a glance at Eleanor.

She frantically scrolled through the options for audio clips and then shrugged at me with a worried expression.

Great. (Sarcasm) Now, I had to think of something and FAST.

"Alvin just had some free time and dropped by." I fumbled out. "Needed to kill some time before the concert."

"Totally!" Alvin's voice added.

Eleanor, hiding the remote in her jacket pocket, sat down at the table with us. "Britt also needed another model for her autumn fashion line." She said, "And Alvin volunteered."

Oh yeah! I had already forgotten that excuse. Thank goodness my youngest sister was here.

"He's just the best, isn't he?" I kept an arm around Alvin so he wouldn't flop forward again.

Jeanette looked at us both strangely. "Yeah. He sure is." She frowned. "Is there a reason why he's so….still?"

"He's saving his energy for the concert." I lied.

"Oh." She seemed content with that explanation. "That must be why he's less chatty too."

"Yeah!" Eleanor squeaked. "He's worried his voice will crack if he doesn't limit himself to just a few short phrases."

Wow. That was a nice save. Covered our tails nicely.

"Oh Alvin." Jeanette shook her head in exasperation. "What are we gonna do with you?"

I waved my right hand awkwardly while still keeping the left around Alvin. "I know, right? He is such an oddball."

Jeanette went back to her writing. Phew. I can't believe we actually fooled her.

Eleanor stood up from the table. "Well, we should probably get back to that fashion show. Right, Brittany?"

I gently took my arm off of Alvin as Eleanor puppeted him out of his chair. "Oh, yes, the fashion show. A..Absolutely."

"Have fun, you three!" Jeanette waved us away with a smile.

I watched Eleanor puppet Alvin up the stairs. His movements were so lifelike, yet just slightly off. It was so unsettling.

I followed Eleanor and Alvin's body into the bedroom once again. "That was close." I murmured.

"Nah, that was easy mode." The shorter Chipette rubbed her chin. "If we want a challenge, we should try and fool Simon and Theo."

"What!?" I gasped. "There's no way we'll pull that off!"

"Says who?" My sister argued, making Alvin's body cross its arms.

I put my hands on my hips. "Says common sense." I growled.

Suddenly, Alvin's phone started to ring. I picked it up and tossed it at Eleanor once I saw who was calling.

"It's Dave! What do we do!? What do we do!?" I shrieked.

"We answer it." She responded, looking at me like I was crazy.

I grimaced. "But what do we saaaay!?"

"Urgh." My sister rolled her eyes. "Guess I'll handle this too."

I listened in on her talk with Dave. I only heard her, but I could kind of read between the lines to piece together what Dave was saying.

Eleanor held Alvin's phone to her ear and remained calm. "Hey, Dave….yeah, Alvin's here….he's not up to talking, he's resting….no, he hasn't forgotten the concert….uh huh….yeah….we'll bring him over in 5 minutes to get ready….see ya soon." She hung up.

"He can't get through the concert like this!" I gestured wildly to the limp noodle of a chipmunk.

"He might be awake before then." Eleanor tried to look on the bright side.

I poked at the boy attached to the invisible wiring. "He doesn't look very awake to me." I sighed. "And how are we going to fool his family if the invisible wiring only works in our treehouse?"

"I can probably rig it up over there." She responded with a grin. "While you get him dressed."

I felt my face get warmer. "What!? I can't do that, Ellie. He's always complaining about how I invade his privacy. This is….so inappropriate."

"Yeah. I guess he'll have to get dressed himself." She stared at me with half lidded eyes. "Oh wait, he can't!"

I groaned as I took the invisible wiring off of my ex-boyfriend turned bestie. Then, I picked him up in my arms and hurried to the zipline, strapping him into a harness.

"Are you cozy?" I asked, not that he could answer.

Eleanor laughed. "Man, you think he'd wake up by now. You musta really hit him hard."

"Shut up, Eleanor." I grumbled.

Nobody was around when we entered the boys' room, which was for the best. I won't go into detail, but I wrestled Alvin into his baggy jeans and old ripped and tattered red hoodie with a golden A. I took the scarf off his neck and replaced it with a hands free microphone, which helped to block his mouth so nobody could tell it wasn't moving.

While I was doing that, my stealthy sister was rigging up invisible wiring so she could puppet Alvin inside the Seville house. Then, she brought our concert outfits over and we changed in the closet.

I wore a glittery bubblegum-pink crop top, with a fuschia tank top underneath. I kept my black glittery leggings and added a bubblegum-pink and soft pale pink tulle skirt with layers underneath. My shoes were also bubblegum-pink and the heels were shaped like hearts. They were VERY trendy.

Eleanor's concert outfit consisted of a sparkly deep teal sweatshirt with a V neck, a mint striped shirt, a mint skirt, and deep teal leggings with glitter on them too. Her shoes were satiny mint Mary Janes with a single strap. She always dresses more feminine for concerts. It's a good look on her.

"He's ready." I showed her the unconscious chipmunk in the sunglasses. "But I'm not sure I am." I added miserably.

"Oh well." Eleanor puppeted Alvin across the room and down the stairs as I followed her. "It's showtime."

This was going to crash and burn. I could feel it.

Dave was standing by the door, packing up things for the concert.

"Ready to go?" He asked.

Jeanette was in her concert outfit now. Just a simple, but glittery, indigo sweater and a purple ruffled skirt with some pale blue glitter leggings. She was helping Dave take inventory of everything we needed to bring along.

"Yeah." I looked up at the human man who had asked the question. "Just about."

"Totally." Eleanor added, before scrolling through her phone.

"It's gonna be fun!" Theodore chimed in, bouncing into the hallway cheerfully, wearing his green hoodie and faded cuffed-up jeans.

"Hopefully." Simon stood next to Jeanette wearing a two-toned blue shirt and navy blue jeans. It's so weird seeing him in his old outfit. Simon looks much better in, well, anything but that bland thing.

Dave turned his attention to Alvin, who Eleanor was making pace around with crazy hand gestures.

"How are you feeling, Alvin?" His father asked calmly, with concern. He knew concerts, especially THIS particular concert, were hard on the kid.

Eleanor made Alvin answer using her limited audio clips. "Stupendous!"

"Really?" Theodore raised an eyebrow. "Cuz it looks more like you're panicking."

"He's not panicking." Eleanor passed the remote to me discreetly. "He's just excited."

I scrolled through the options to find something for Alvin to "say."

"Let's rock and roll." There. That should do it.

"You heard him, guys." I forced a smile to hide my guilt and fear. "Let's rock and roll!"

"Race you to the car, Alvin!" Theodore sped away.

Alvin's body remained in one place, Eleanor made him slump his shoulders.

"He, uh, he doesn't feel much like racing today." I said with a nervous laugh.

"He told us he wants to sleep for the entire ride there." Eleanor took her phone back from me. "To save his energy."

"That's right." Alvin's voice confirmed.

"Alright then." Simon looked suspicious. "If that's what he wants."

"Must have been a rough week at school." Dave commented.

"He says they're all rough." I replied, which wasn't actually a lie.

We all walked out to the car. Eleanor and I held Alvin up once we were outside the house and couldn't rely on the remote-controlled invisible wiring attached to the ceiling anymore.

During the car ride, Alvin flopped onto Eleanor's head. She pushed him toward me, so his head could rest on my shoulder. Dave went over all the rules to follow for the venue and Theodore talked about his ideas for making a new album cover. It was a decent car ride, I guess.

At last, we arrived. Eleanor and I put our arms around Alvin to keep him from falling to the ground. I don't know if anyone suspected a thing. It seemed they didn't. They were all too busy worrying about concert prep.

"The Chipettes will be performing first, followed by us." Simon declared. "There's no group performance this time around."

"I don't like the song choice." Theodore complained. "It's not fair to Alvin."

"What song are you guys singing?" Eleanor asked. I knew she was making note of it, just in case.

"Thinking Of You by NSYNC." The chubby boy answered. "It's also sometimes called I Drive Myself Crazy."

At the mention of driving, I felt my throat tighten up. I've been driving myself crazy for hours now.

"Watch out for the paparazzi." Simon frowned and adjusted his glasses. "The fans seem very restless today. Even more so than usual."

"Oh dear." Jeanette murmured.

Theodore looked at his red clad brother. "How're you holding up, Alvin?" He asked, as we all started to walk into the venue.

"Ookay!" Eleanor made the limp puppet speak again.

But now his youngest brother looked concerned. "Just okay? Are you getting the jitters?"

"Maybe Alvin needs a pep talk." Jeanette suggested, fidgeting with her hair ribbon.

Eleanor smiled. "Great idea! Britt and I will get him to the dressing room and give him a nice LONG pep talk." She started to walk faster.

I struggled to keep up. "Yeah! We will!"

We broke away from the others, before they could protest and headed for the dressing rooms.

Along the way, we dealt with the usual. Screaming fans, reporters, people begging us for photos and autographs. We tried our best to ignore them, but eventually wound up posing with the unconscious Alvin for some photos with fans. Eleanor forced Alvin's lips into a smile so he wouldn't look so out of place. The sunglasses kept wanting to slip off, but I made sure they didn't.

"Alvin! Alvin!" A young girl squealed. "Over here!"

I grabbed his arm and made it look like he was blowing a kiss to her. Then, I made him wave. This was actually working!

"Sign my T-shirt!" A guy shouted.

"Sorry." I said sweetly. "Alvin's not up for autographs today, but he would LOVE to take a photo with you."

"And so would I!" Eleanor squeezed into the photo too, though half of her was cut off, leaving the focus mainly on me and Alvin.

We'd almost made it to the dressing room, when a rude reporter with an ugly bob haircut thrust a microphone in Alvin's face, bumping his sunglasses.

I stopped them from falling off. "Uh, excuse me." I said politely.

The woman didn't waste a second before bombarding us with questions. "Brittany, how are you feeling about tonight's show? Alvin, is it true that you regret breaking Brittany's heart? Do you think you'll get back together? Or is Albrittina done for good?"

"Uhhh…." I choked out. I didn't know what to say. Albrittina was done for good, but if the truth got out…our career might be too.

Alvin was, of course, dead silent.

It was all up to my sister. "Those are super personal questions." Eleanor said to the woman. "And PRIVATE questions. You really think they'd tell ya?"

"Y…Y…Yes." I stammered.

The obnoxious lady would not stop. "I heard a rumor that Alvin will be addressing his feelings about Brittany during the show tonight. Is that true?"

"I dunno." Eleanor said. "Maybe." She glared at the lady. "Now, scram."

"Yeah." I kept a tight grip on Alvin. "If we can't get to the stage, there won't BE a show tonight." I reminded her.

"Sorry, sorry, I'm just such a big fan of you two." She patted my head and then Alvin's cap.

I kept Alvin's head from slumping to the side. Boy, this was hard work.

The lady let us hurry past and we scurried to the dressing room and closed the door.

"I'm such a big fan of you two." Eleanor mocked the reporter's voice. "What about me!? What am I!? Chopped liver!?"

I decided my sister needed a pep talk. "You're a lot less gross than chopped liver." I assured her.

Eleanor and I set Alvin down in a chair and my sister folded her arms. "So, now what do we do with him?" She asked, pointing at the ragdoll boy.

That was the LAST thing I wanted to hear right now. "I thought you had a plan!" I dug my manicured nails into the dressing room vanity. Boy, they were sharp. Oops.

"I thought he'd be up by now!" She shouted. "This place is so loud!"

I started to tremble. "Well, clearly he isn't. Maybe I hurt him worse than I thought." I started to panic again. "Maybe he'll NEVER wake up."

"Or…." Eleanor bit her lip and then gave Alvin a large SMACK across his freckled cheek.

He still didn't move.

"Okay. Cold water time." Eleanor grabbed a spray bottle from the dressing room table and used it to squirt him.

No luck.

My sister set the bottle down. "Nope. Nothin." She sighed. "We're cooked."

I was not giving up without a fight. I grabbed Alvin and started shaking him furiously. "Come on! You have to wake up! Wake up now!"

Still nothing, he slumped back down in the chair.

"That worked." Eleanor commented sarcastically, observing me from a short distance.

"We are running out of options!" I yelped frantically.

My sister snapped her fingers. "I got it. I got it." She stood on her tip toes and spoke directly into Alvin's ear. "Hey, Alvin, wanna hear some news about physics?"

His nose twitched, but nothing else.

"Well, if that didn't get him up, nothing will." I said sadly.

Eleanor gently tapped her fist against his head. "Knock knock, dummy. Get up. Get up now."

I sunk to my knees. "Ohhhh. How is he going to make it through the concert? Someone's bound to notice!"

"Eh, you'd be surprised what people in this town ignore." My sister replied with a hint of irritation.

"We can't just rig the invisible wiring onstage and have him…like…lip sync." I moaned.

Eleanor's eyebrows shot up and she grinned widely. "Why not? Pretty sure I could rig that."

"We only have ten minutes until we perform." I reminded her.

"I can do it in five." She winked at me. "You stay here with the corpse."

I felt my fur bristle. "He's not dead, Ellie." I muttered. "I hope." I added softly under my breath.

She scampered away to work her stealthy magic and somehow save the day. That left me alone with the biggest reminder of my mistake.

I took Alvin's limp hand and stroked the fur on it. "Come back to me, Alvie. Please, come back." My lips trembled as small tears gathered in my eyes. "My life would suck without you."

I got up and dried my eyes. I didn't want anyone to see me crying. Goodness knows the fans would have a field day with that.

I maneuvered Alvin into a curled up ball on the chair and tilted his hat down over his eyes. There. Now he looked like he was having one of his pre-concert anxiety attacks.

Eleanor returned to the dressing room and then we met up with Jeanette and the others backstage.

"It's showtime." I squeaked.

"Did the pep talk work?" Theodore asked me, looking worried.

"It did, mostly. Alvin just wants to be left alone in the dressing room until your song. Okay?" I quickly replied, my tail drooping from the guilt. I prayed Theo didn't notice.

"Why is Alvin letting you and Eleanor talk for him?" Simon asked skeptically.

Jeanette rested a hand on Simon's arm sweetly. "He wants to save his voice." She repeated the lie from earlier…not that she knew it was a lie.

"Ah." The boy in blue nodded. "That explains it."

"I'm sure all that vocal rest will pay off." Dave added. "Girls,.." He looked down at the three of us. "You're up."

And so, the three of us leapt onto the stage and launched into that beautiful song by Kelly Clarkson that I foreshadowed a few paragraphs earlier!

"Maybe I was stupid for telling you goodbye

Maybe I was wrong for trying to pick a fight

I know that I've got issues

But you're pretty messed up too

Either way I found out

I'm nothing without you"

I had chosen this song specifically for Alvin, but unfortunately he wasn't awake to hear it. He'd get to watch the concert through recordings later. The song could be taken as either friendship or romance, which is why the management team allowed me to pick it. We really really need a new management team.

"'Cause we belong together now, yeah

Forever united here somehow, yeah

You got a piece of me

And honestly

My life (my life) would suck (would suck) without you"

My sisters and I chorused loudly, our voices echoed throughout the auditorium. I loved being onstage with my sisters so much.

"Being with you is so dysfunctional

I really shouldn't miss you

But I can't let you go

Oh, yeah"

As I was singing, I didn't have the ability to really think much about my guilt. I was purely focused on the performance and nothing more. Remembering all the dance steps was tricky! Plus, I had to get the timing just right, and sing every note on key.

"'Cause we belong together now, yeah

Forever united here somehow, yeah

You got a piece of me

And honestly

My life (my life) would suck (would suck) without you"

The song ended, and my sisters and I took a bow. I blew kisses to the audience until Eleanor pulled me off the stage. How rude of her. I wasn't finished basking in the spotlight and listening to all my adoring fans.

"Brittany!" My youngest sister snapped. "Did you forget about something?"

My mind immediately snapped back to thinking about the main problem. I was finished with the song, and now I could concentrate on it again.

"No, I didn't." Which wasn't a lie, it was at the back of my mind, even if it wasn't popping into present thought. "Let's get him."

We hurried back to the dressing room to grab Alvin and drag his body with us backstage. Eleanor hooked up more invisible wires and then climbed into the rafters above the stage to puppet him.

Why did I have the feeling this was going to go horribly wrong? I mean, using the invisible wires inside our houses was one thing, but onstage!? And she didn't even know all the dance steps Alvin needed to do! She'd have to improvise it all!

"I can't look." I murmured quietly.

"Simon, Theodore, Alvin." Dave called each one of his boys. "You're up."

"Ready to rock and roll?" Theodore asked his brothers.

Simon ran his hand through his messy brown hair, looking irresistible. "More or less."

"Indubitably!" Alvin's voice finished...because I was once again in charge of Eleanor's phone.

"Good luck, boys!" Jeanette and I chorused.

Here went nothing. I went back to the dressing room with Dave and Jeanette. I looked at the TV that was broadcasting the recording of what was happening onstage.

Come on, Eleanor. I thought to myself. Please pull this off without a hitch. Please!

The Chipmunks took their places onstage. I watched intently. I knew Eleanor was controlling Alvin's every movement and had somehow rigged up a solo version of Alvin singing to accompany Simon and Theodore. But honestly, if I didn't know, I wouldn't have realized anything was off. She was doing incredible! As for Alvin, he was probably the first person to ever lip sync without moving his lips. That's a fun fact he'll probably appreciate when he's conscious again.

"I was such a fool, I couldn't see it

Just how good you were to me

You confessed your love

Undying devotion

I confessed my need to be free

And now I'm left with all this pain

I've only got myself to blame, yeah"

Wait a second! Were these the words? Sheesh, no wonder Alvin didn't want to sing this song. What was management doing? Trying to force us back together? At least, on the bright side, Alvin didn't HAVE to sing this song onstage after all. He should thank me for that, really. I'm kidding. I know he's not going to thank me for hitting him with a car.

"I lie awake

I drive myself crazy

Drive myself crazy

Thinking of you"

Eleanor kept up really well, even as the boys' did some complex choreography that mirrored NSYNC's famous moves. My sister really was something special. I owed her bigtime for this.

"Made a mistake (oh yeah)

Let you down, baby

I drive myself crazy

Wanting you the way that I do

(Wanting you the way that I do)"

Uh oh. Simon and Theodore were starting to look at Alvin with strange expressions. Maybe Eleanor wasn't doing as good a job as I thought. Or, maybe it was just easier to tell something was wrong for those closer to Alvin.

"Why didn't I know it?

How much I loved you, baby

Why couldn't I show it?

If I had only told you"

This song was a horrible choice and I absolutely intend to chew the management team out about it. I did not like what the lyrics implied. I was over Alvin now. He was just a friend. This wasn't a song about friendship. This stupid song implied that he regretted dumping me and wanted me back, which I KNOW he didn't.

"I lie awake

I drive myself crazy

I drive myself crazy

Thinking of you"

Simon and Theodore turned their eyes up to the rafters. Yep. We were officially cooked. I knew they'd figured it out. The jig was up. We'd have to confess everything. I imagined Eleanor was looking down at them at that exact moment with a sheepish grin on her face and an awkward wave.

"Made a mistake (Mistake)

Let you go, baby

I drive myself crazy

Wanting you the way that I do"

The boys finished dancing and singing together and then took a bow. One or two of the invisible threads must have broken because when Alvin bowed, he sort of flopped onto the stage. Thunk! Flat on his furry face.

I covered my face with my hands and sunk down in the dressing room chair. This was NOT going to end well. So much for getting away with it. I knew I had to come clean…if Eleanor hadn't already told Theo and Simon. I watched the brothers help Alvin up to his feet.

"It's okay, everyone." Simon announced. "He just tripped over his…ego."

The whole crowd laughed. I did not.

Needless to say, it was a very, very awkward ride home from the concert. The pieces had been put together to form the full picture. Everyone knew Eleanor and I were up to something.

"So…" Dave gripped the steering wheel angrily. "Do you girls want to explain why Alvin has completely passed out?"

Jeanette furrowed her brows. "How long has he been like this?"

"Since Brittany hit him with a car." Eleanor blurted out suddenly.

I felt my face flush. "ELEANOR!"

"She was texting and driving." My pigtailed sister added.

"Yeah, well, Eleanor was in on it too!" I shouted. "She came up with the idea to use him like some kind of creepy marionette!"

"What were you thinking!?" Simon scolded us.

"I'm sorry, okay! I'm sorry!" I blurted out. "I've learned my lesson! No more texting and driving! It's dangerous and people could get hurt! I get it!"

"And for cripe's sake, no turning an unconscious person into a puppet and fooling people into thinking they're awake." Simon deactivated Alvin's sunglasses.

"I won't do that either." I promised.

Eleanor touched Alvin's shoulder. "It was kinda funny though."

"It's not funny." Theodore whimpered. "I thought my brother was dead. He never sits still this long!"

"You're lucky he's only unconscious. You could have broken his bones." Dave pointed out.

"Here." I handed Dave my phone as he was stopped at a red light. "You can have this. That's how sorry I am."

He handed it back to me. "Keep it, Brittany."

I smiled. I guess I was getting off with just a warning after all.

"You can do extra chores instead." The human man finished.

I slumped my shoulders. Crud. So close! But, on the bright side, at least I get to keep my phone.

"And Eleanor can join you." Dave added.

Eleanor just grinned like that weird cat from Alice In Wonderland.

"Why are you so happy?" I asked. "You got in trouble too."

She leaned against the window. "At least he noticed me. That's a great sign."

I rolled my eyes. Sisters can be so confusing.

"How did you make Alvin talk to us?" Jeanette wondered, staring out the car window.

"Like this." Eleanor held up her phone and pressed a few buttons.

"BAM! That's what I'm talkin' 'bout." Alvin's voice said.

My taller sister looked equal parts impressed and concerned. "Wow. Clever."

"What's going on?" Alvin's voice said again.

I rubbed my temples. I needed out of this car. "Cut it out, Eleanor." I snapped.

"That wasn't me." My sister scrolled through her phone. "That's not even one of the options."

I turned my head and looked into familiar squinty blue eyes. Alvin was awake!

"Welcome back, bro." Simon teased.

"Back from where?" Alvin asked, rubbing his sore and bruised side.

"Alvie!" I exclaimed, throwing my arms around him. "You're okay! Thank goodness you're okay! You really scared me!"

"Uhhh…" Alvin scratched his head, trying to make sense of what was going on. "Yeah. I'm fine." He blinked and pushed his glasses up his nose. "When are we leaving for the concert?"

We all exchanged glances with each other. Oh boy. How to explain this?

Don't worry, we all caught him up on everything. He was a little wobbly on his feet as we walked into the house. After a night of sleep, he was his usual self again…as usual as Alvin 2.0 ever is.

We spent a wonderful Saturday together just like we planned. I picked out three new pairs of shoes at the shoe store. Some cute ballet flats with rhinestones all over, some pink and black sneakers, and some strappy heels with flowers on the straps. After that, I got him ice cream, just like I promised. I enjoyed my strawberry cheesecake ice cream and he dined on blue moon with gummy bears sprinkled on top.

As we were walking back to our houses together, Eleanor ran up to us.

"Dude, I just wanted to say sorry again." She told Alvin. "I know how much you hate feeling like a puppet. I made you a literal one, which I shouldn't have."

"It's cool." Alvin responded nonchalantly.

"I shouldn't have dragged Eleanor into that mess." I added, looking at my feet and my super cute heels with the heart wedge. "I should have just told everyone what happened and waited for you to wake up."

Alvin rubbed his chin. "Maybe, but then you might have had to cancel the show. I think everything really worked out for the best."

"Well, I'm sorry again. For running into you, for getting mad at you when you forget to text me, all of it." I told my best friend sincerely.

"I forgive you, Britt." He nudged me with his elbow.

"I'll never EVER text and drive again." I promised, placing a hand over my heart.

"Wouldn't want you caught in another Britt and Run!" Eleanor joked.

I rolled my eyes. "Don't you have somewhere else to be?"

"Not today." She smiled a devious smirk.

"Hahaha." Alvin laughed and tossed his head back. "Britt and Run! I love it!"

"Of course you do." I muttered, cracking a small smile.

"You know, I've been thinking…." The dorky chipmunk continued.

"And?" I tilted my head.

He looked guilty, his ears drooped. "I don't think I should be texting and driving either. My ADHD multitasking abilities are no excuse. Sure, I had a good brain day that day, but it won't always be the case." He reasoned. "Bottom line, texting and driving is dangerous even if you can multitask."

"Thanks for the PSA, Alvin." Eleanor commented, walking beside us.

I just stared at Alvin with my jaw dropped open.

"What?" Alvin 2.0 asked, not sure why I was staring.

"Nothing…Nothing. I'm just shocked you…suddenly aren't making yourself the exception to the rules." I explained.

The significance of his choice finally dawned on him. "Wow, thanks to Jeanette's "reprogramming," I've learned to recognize consequences even when I'm not the guy who has to suffer them." He said in disbelief. Then, he started to jump in the air and raise his fists to the sky. "New level unlocked. UPGRADE! Whooooo!"

Eleanor observed the nutjob of a chipmunk. "You call being hit with a car hard enough to knock you unconscious…."not suffering?" She asked.

Alvin stopped jumping and celebrating his win. He just waved a hand at Eleanor, as if her question was silly. "As far as I'm concerned, I closed my eyes and woke up a few hours later. I'm barely even sore, just disoriented."

"Uh huh…" I wasn't sure what else to say.

"Hey, do you guys wanna hear about the amazing dream I had while I was knocked out?" He asked, wagging his tail.

"Text it to me." I told him, patting his cap. "Just not while driving." I winked. "I've gotta get home now. Saturday night is spa night!"

"Haha, okay." Alvin started to scamper toward his house. "I think I'm gonna go buff the me dent out of my hot rod."

I giggled. "Good luck."

"What about you, Ells?" The boy in the baseball cap and red and cyan layered shirts stopped in his tracks. "Ells?" He looked around. "ELLS?"

"And she's gone." I shook my head in exasperation. "Typical."

I climbed the staircase to the treehouse. Then, I remembered one more thing to say. "Thanks for making time for me, Alvin."

"You're welcome, Britt." He grinned up at me, tipping his cap. "Night, best friend."

"Sweet dreams, Two Point Weirdo." I smiled warmly.

I wish I could say that was the end of my car accidents, but there was a close call a few days later. The most important part was, I was not texting!

I cruised around in Alvin's hot rod once again. This time, applying some beautiful fuchsia lipstick to my gorgeous lips. I was very confident that I could do this and still pay attention. After all, it required less focus than texting. It was practically instinct at this point.

"Fantastic." Simon's voice said sarcastically as I pulled into the driveway of the boys' house. "She's learned not to text and drive, but nobody said anything about putting on makeup!"

"I didn't know we had to." Jeanette commented. "The same principle applies."

"Well, clearly she has a tough time connecting the concepts." He fumed.

I slammed on the breaks. "You know I can hear you!" I shouted, turning my head.

WHAM! I crashed Alvin's hot rod into the side of the house.

Simon dropped the basketball he'd been holding so that he could facepalm. I guess he'd been playing basketball with Eleanor and Theodore and Jeanette was watching.

I carefully climbed out of the car. "Oopsie. My bad."

Alvin arrived on the scene, with a half drawn comic in his hand and a pen behind his ear. "Oh COME ON!" He shouted, annoyed. "I just fixed all the dents!"

"Can I interest you in more gummy bears?" I asked, batting my eyelashes.

He put a hand on his hip. The other hand still held the comic. "Nice try."

"It was an accident." I exclaimed. "Your stupid house came out of nowhere!"

Eleanor snickered and grabbed the basketball. "Wow, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree even if the tree is like 80 years old."

"Huh?" Theodore looked at her, wondering what she meant.

Luckily, my youngest sister explained it to him. "It seems like Miss. Miller taught Brittany to drive."

How dare she! I am not THAT bad! Our mother runs into lampposts! I just gently grazed the side of their house.

"When did Miss. Miller become a tree?" The chubby boy in the green vest and lime green shirt asked. "Did one of Simon's inventions go crazy?"

Simon chuckled. "It is a privilege to watch your mind at work."

"Oh I get it! It's one of those funny sayings." Theodore squeaked, looking proud.

Simon ruffled his brother's dirty blonde hair. "I knew you'd get there eventually."

"Brittany!" Alvin cupped his hands around his mouth. "You know it's not safe to put on makeup while driving either, right!?"

"I didn't." I admitted, feeling embarrassed. "But now I know."

"Maybe I should stick to driving my hot rod for a while." Alvin helped me out of the car, since the door was jammed…for some reason.

I sighed. "Yeah. That would be best."

"But, you know, on the bright side…" The nerdy boy beamed at me. "That means you get to be chauffeured again."

I sank into Alvin's arms, feeling better about this situation. "I'd love that."

"Awww." Eleanor teased. "Look at that. Platonic Albrittina is flourishing!"

"ELEANOR!" Alvin and I both screamed.

She started running and we both chased after her.

"Toss me!" The red capped boy said. "I can get her!"

I grabbed him and threw him as hard as I could. He tackled Eleanor to the ground and then they wrestled each other.

"Okay, okay…I surrender." My sister said at last.

"Nice throw, pal." Alvin told me.

"It was nothing." I flipped my hair.

We both high fived each other.

"I….will never understand their relationship." Simon commented, while looking at us strangely.

Alvin and I looked at each other and laughed. "Neither will we."

"I don't think they have to understand it." Jeanette noted. "It simply…is. And it's a beautiful thing."

And that's the end! It wasn't actually as humiliating to write as I feared. It was an interesting one, that's for sure. I like to think of it as a testament to my friendship with Alvin. It's truly unbreakable. It keeps getting tested, but we always bounce back stronger than before. And someday, someday, we might be able to be friends without management convincing everyone that there's something more to it.

As for Eleanor, she sure is irreplaceable. She's my foil, as Jeanette says. The wild card to my predictable routine, the rough and tumble girl while I'm pretty and poised. The one who is waaaay too obsessed with horror movies, if you ask me. Still, I love her. I love both my sisters. I hope that Eleanor continues to be noticed more, and to have her chance to bask in the spotlight alongside me. It is a very nice warm spotlight.

I don't have much else to say. Eleanor and I did the extra chores. Alvin still brings up the time I hit him with his car quite a lot, neither of us text and drive anymore. We kept that promise. I don't put on makeup while driving either. I don't drive often, but when I do I am very careful about it. I swear. I hope this story doesn't sound too preachy. It was supposed to be funny and heartfelt with a little bit of a lesson. Let me know if I succeeded in that.

Hopefully, the next story I narrate will be less embarrassing and I can be the hero, instead of the anti-hero. I totally deserve to be a hero. I've come a long way! I'm not the best writer. I'm not my sister Jeanette. I'm not as entertaining as Alvin. But, I hope that, well, with practice, maybe someday I can be as confident in my writing as I am in my fashion designs. That's what I'll keep striving for.

Stay beautiful, you guys. I love all my fans!

Another mini tale in the story archive now! Whoooo! Special thanks to Weekend At Bernie's, The Simpsons episode Weekend At Burnsie's, and the Drake and Josh episode Little Diva for inspiring this fic!

And let's give Brittany a big hand for struggling through it! She did amazing and I'm so proud of her!

SQUEEEEE! I THINK I ACTUALLY LOVE WRITING PLATONIC ALVITTANY! This duo is so adorable and they play off each other so well. The little texts they sent to each other warm my heart.

I wanted to show that they are both still trying really hard to grow accustomed to their new dynamic. Ever since the events of Winner Winner Chipmunk Dinner, Alvin has continued to work Britt into his busy schedule the best he can.

Ellie is her usual self and she serves as 90% of the comedy in this fic. Gotta love her! It made total sense for her to be the one to go and Weekend At Bernie's the entire situation.

This fic has Halloween vibes, but it's not my Halloween fic, though it does have some foreshadowing for the Halloween fic!

I so wanted the Halloween fic to be #13, but I think it might have to be 12. I'll try to get another fic squeezed in between, but that's a tall order.

I look forward to updating again soon! Thanks for reading! Please leave a review! They are like extra motivation!