A Ruse on the Red Carpet
Chapter 1 - Lights, Camera, and Chaos
The excitement in the air was palpable. It was a dazzling night in Los Angeles, and the city was alive with the glitter of fame. Celebrities, musicians, and filmmakers swarmed the annual Music and Movies Award Show, their footsteps echoing down the red carpet as fans cheered from every direction. Flashbulbs popped like fireworks, capturing every glamorous moment. The prestigious event was taking place in a massive theater, decked out in glimmering lights and bustling with energy.
Amid the sea of stars were Dave and the Chipmunks, accompanied by Miss Croaner and Charlene as their plus one. Charlene was practically bouncing with excitement, her eyes wide as she drank in the grandeur of the evening. She had never experienced anything like this before—being surrounded by so many famous faces she had only ever seen on TV was nothing short of a dream come true.
"I can't believe it!" Charlene squealed, clutching her sparkling gown. "I'm actually here! Look, there's the lead singer from Bad Hair Day! And Harmony Joy! And Dex Riffman! I can't believe I'm breathing the same air as all of them! This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment!"
In contrast, Miss Croaner stood stoically in her best red carpet gown, looking entirely unimpressed with the spectacle. Her lips were pressed into a thin line as if she were immune to the dazzle of fame. "It's just a bunch of over-dressed people in fancy outfits," she muttered, folding her arms.
Charlene, on the other hand, could hardly contain herself, practically bouncing up and down. She barely registered Miss Croaner's cold reaction as she scanned the crowd, her eyes full of wonder.
Meanwhile, Dave and the boys were more seasoned veterans at these events. They were no strangers to the limelight, having been nominated and performed at this award show for the past four years. Tonight, however, felt different. Dressed to the nines, they had their eyes on the big prize. With six nominations, including Breakout Star of the Year, they were hoping to sweep the night.
Alvin was decked out in a sharp baby blue and white tuxedo—topped with his signature red cap, of course. Simon sported a green velvet tuxedo that accentuated his composed nature, and Theodore wore his slim-fit dinner jacket, looking ready for the night. As the boys reminisced about their previous wins—Rising Star(s) of the Year and Best Summer Hit—there was a noticeable excitement in the air, especially from Alvin.
"Let me tell you something, guys, we are walking away with every award this time," Alvin said confidently, puffing out his chest. "Mark my words."
Simon sighed, adjusting his glasses. "I just hope you remember not to talk for 20 minutes like you did the last four years."
Alvin shot Simon a sly grin. "Hey, if they wanted a short speech, they wouldn't have invited a star."
Charlene, who was still starstruck, turned to the boys, her eyes wide with admiration. "You guys have been here before?! That's incredible! Uh, would It be too much to ask...could you introduce me to some of the celebrities?"
Alvin, ever the charmer, flashed a proud grin. "Of course! Just stick to my side, and soon you'll be familiar with some of the biggest stars today—well, besides me, obviously."
Charlene was so thrilled that she didn't even stop to think. Taking what Alvin said literally, she grabbed Alvin's arm and locked hers with his. "Okay, I'm ready!"
Alvin's confident smile faltered for just a split second as he felt Charlene's arm around his. His cheeks turned the faintest shade of pink, but he held his composure, refusing to let her see how flustered he felt. "Uh... right. No big deal. Just follow my lead."
Simon, walking slightly behind them, raised an eyebrow as he watched the scene unfold. "This should be interesting," he muttered under his breath.
Theodore, however, was more focused on something else entirely. "Free food!" he mumbled through a mouthful of hors d'oeuvres as he snapped pictures of the award show's extravagant decor.
Simon rolled his eyes. "Good thing you're wearing your dinner jacket," he said dryly, eyeing the crumbs Theodore had somehow managed to get on his immaculate suit.
As Alvin led Charlene toward the paparazzi section, they were instantly met with the flash of cameras and the murmurs of gossiping reporters. Alvin waved at the photographers like a seasoned pro, flashing his trademark grin and soaking up the attention. Charlene, however, was in awe. The flashbulbs, the crowd, the energy—it was all surreal.
"So, Charlene," Alvin continued as they neared the celebrity-filled lounge area, "if you're looking for someone specific to meet, just say the word. I've got connections."
Charlene's eyes sparkled as she scanned the room. "I—I can't believe it... I'm actually going to meet my favorite idols!" Her excitement was so genuine it made Alvin chuckle.
"Alright, alright. Let's go say hi," Alvin said, preparing himself to introduce Charlene to her idol.
But before they could get too far, a swarm of reporters rushed toward them, shouting questions.
"Alvin, Alvin! Who's your date tonight?" one of them yelled.
Alvin froze for a moment, glancing at Charlene. "She's Charlene, but we're just friends, promise," he blurted, his smile never faltering despite the confusion bubbling inside him.
Charlene didn't seem to mind the attention. In fact, she smiled sweetly at the cameras, oblivious to the potential storm that was brewing with every click of the camera.
Chapter 2 - On Stage and In the Spotlight
Later that night, the award show was in full swing. The theater was packed with celebrities, producers, and media personalities, all watching the performances and speeches unfold with anticipation. The stage lights flickered like stars in the night sky, and the energy was electric. Dave sat comfortably with The Chipmunks and Charlene in the audience. Miss Croaner, on the other hand, was far less impressed. She had nodded off into a peaceful nap, entirely uninterested in the glitz and glamour surrounding her.
The boys, who were used to the excitement of award shows, settled into their seats, chatting between performances. Charlene, still starstruck, was watching everything with wide-eyed wonder. She seemed to be enjoying herself immensely, though her occasional nervous glances at the big-name celebrities reminded the boys that this was her first time attending such an event.
Finally, after what felt like hours of anticipation, one of the major awards of the night was announced.
"And the winner for 'Breakout Star' goes to... The Chipmunks!"
The crowd erupted into thunderous applause, the lights flashing on the boys as they stood up from their seats, grinning from ear to ear. Dave clapped proudly, nudging Miss Croaner awake with a gentle shake, but she only grumbled and shifted in her seat. Charlene looked on, applauding loudly, her excitement radiating.
The boys made their way to the stage, with Alvin in the lead, and Simon and Theodore following close behind. As they ascended the stairs, Alvin, suddenly struck by an idea, stopped in his tracks and turned back toward Charlene, who was still seated.
Alvin quickly ran back to Charlene and held out his, clearly, wanting her onstage with him.
Charlene's eyes went wide with panic. "M-Me? No, no, I don't belong up there," she whispered under her breath, shaking her head nervously.
Alvin wasn't having any of that. "Oh, the heck you don't! You're our friend—you belong up here with us. Trust me!"
The spotlight was now on Charlene, her face flushed with embarrassment as everyone in the audience turned their gaze toward her. She hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do. The stage seemed a million miles away, and the thought of standing up there in front of so many important people was terrifying. But seeing Alvin's beaming smile and feeling the sincerity in his voice, she finally gave in and to his hand.
As she stood up and made her way toward the stage, the audience gave her a polite round of applause. She followed the boys onto the stage, standing awkwardly to the side as Alvin took the microphone. Charlene blushed furiously, feeling completely out of place, but Alvin gave her an encouraging smile before turning to address the crowd.
Alvin, never one to pass up a moment in the spotlight, launched into an enthusiastic and over-the-top thank-you speech. His voice was filled with excitement and confidence as he rattled off names, thanking everyone he could think of—from their manager to the fans, to the people who "made the chairs they were sitting in."
"And of course," Alvin continued, gesturing dramatically, "a big thank you to our amazing fans, without whom we wouldn't be here. And a special shoutout to my number one supporter, my friend Charlene!" He flashed her another wink.
Charlene's cheeks burned red as a few camera flashes went off, and the crowd clapped and laughed at Alvin's exuberance. She waved shyly, trying to blend into the background, but Alvin wasn't about to let her stay in the shadows. He seemed determined to make sure she had her moment under the spotlight.
As Alvin went on and on, thanking seemingly everyone under the sun, Simon's patience finally wore thin. "I think that's enough, Alvin," he whispered.
But Alvin ignored him and continued. "And I also just want to say—"
"Okay, time to go," Simon muttered through gritted teeth, tugging Alvin by the collar and yanking him away from the microphone.
The audience chuckled as Simon and Theodore both worked together to drag Alvin offstage. Alvin protested briefly but eventually relented, throwing one last wink to the crowd as they made their way down the steps.
As they walked backstage, Simon was still visibly annoyed. He turned to Alvin with a frown. "Alvin, do you think it was a good idea to bring Charlene up on stage with us like that?"
Alvin waved him off. "Relax, Si! Charlene's our friend. She deserved to be up there. I didn't want her to feel left out."
Simon raised an eyebrow. "That's not what I'm talking about. Not only have you brought her on stage, you've also been linked to her arm in front of the paparazzi all night, and you gave her a shoutout as your 'number one supporter.' You know how the media can twist things... this is going to cause rumors. You know how these things can get blown out of proportion."
Alvin just laughed it off. "Oh, come on! The media talks about me all the time, what's one more story?"
Simon crossed his arms. "The difference is, you're used to this. Charlene isn't. You might want to consider how this could affect her." Before he could say more, Dave joined them backstage, beaming with pride.
"Well, boys," Dave said, patting them on the back, "another award for the shelf! And Charlene, you looked great up there with them!"
Charlene, still blushing, smiled sheepishly. "Thanks, Dave..."
Theodore tugged at his sleeve, pointing to the catering table. "Can we grab some more of those mini tacos before we leave?"
Dave chuckled. "Sure, Theodore. Let's get a snack before we head home."
As they moved toward the catering section, Simon shot one last glance at Alvin, still wary of the media attention they'd attracted. He had a feeling that Alvin's carefree attitude would come back to bite them.
Alvin grinned, placing a reassuring arm around Simon's shoulder. "Don't worry. Charlene's a big girl, she can handle it. Besides, What's the worst that could happen?"
Chapter 3 - Rumors and Reactions
The next morning, Alvin's alarm blared loudly, shaking him from his slumber. Groggy and still sore from the late night, he blindly reached for his phone, only to be rudely awakened by a pillow smacking him square in the face.
"What the—?" Alvin groaned, rubbing his eyes, his voice thick with sleep.
"Read this!" Simon barked, standing at the edge of Alvin's bed, thrusting his phone in Alvin's face.
Still half-asleep, Alvin squinted at the screen, trying to make sense of the image in front of him. "This is a picture of that girl who has the locker next to yours at school... which is pretty weird, might I add," Alvin mumbled, yawning and rolling back over.
"Not that!" Simon snapped, scrolling past the random pictures in frustration.
Without another word, Simon forcefully shoved his phone back in Alvin's face, this time with a headline that made Alvin's heart skip a beat.
"Alvin Seville Stuns Fans with Mysterious Mistress," Theodore read aloud from his own phone, plopping down beside Alvin. "Rumors are spreading like wildfire as Alvin, and his presumed girlfriend, named Charlene, strut the red carpet, leaving many wondering what the future holds for this hot new couple."
Alvin groaned, rubbing his face in disbelief. "You've gotta be kidding me."
Simon, arms crossed and brow furrowed, shot a disapproving glance at Alvin. "I warned you this would happen."
"Alright, alright," Alvin grumbled, tossing the covers off in defeat. "So, I underestimated the public. It'll die down by tomorrow."
Simon rolled his eyes, then yanked the blanket off Alvin's bed for the second time. "And if it doesn't? You know how the media is! This could seriously mess things up for Charlene. Imagine what it'll do to her dreams of being on Broadway if people think she's dating you?"
Alvin sat up, offended. "Hey, what's wrong with dating me?" he huffed.
"Everything!," Simon replied in annoyance.
"Okay, okay!" Alvin relented, finally dragging himself out of bed. He grabbed his phone and quickly typed out a tweet.
"FYI, I'm not dating Charlene, we're just friends."
"There! Happy now?" Alvin said, holding up his phone triumphantly as if the single tweet would fix everything.
Simon stared at him, unamused. "Not even close. You need to apologize to Charlene for dragging her into this mess."
Alvin let out a groan, rolling his eyes. "Apologize?! Isn't this a bit of an overreaction? We're just having fun."
Simon raised an eyebrow and handed Alvin his phone, displaying the flood of comments and notifications he had been receiving. "Tell that to the flood of messages we've been getting since last night. If we're getting bombarded, imagine what kind of stuff she's dealing with."
Alvin's smirk faltered as he scrolled through his own phone. The notifications were endless—messages from fans, gossip blogs, and paparazzi asking about the "hot new couple." Some were congratulatory, but others were invasive and speculative.
Alvin's frown deepened. "Fine," he muttered, throwing on his jacket. "I'll go apologize, but this is ridiculous." He stomped out the door, heading toward the Big Kids Hangout, where Charlene worked and performed, muttering under his breath.
As Alvin made his way down the street toward the hangout, he began to notice something strange. People were pointing at him and whispering to each other. A few gave him thumbs up or winks, while some of the paparazzi snapped pictures from across the street.
"Hey, Alvin! Nice job, man!" one guy called out, offering him a high-five as he passed. "Bagged yourself a beauty, huh?"
Another person shouted from the corner, "Hey, Alvin! What's Charlene like in person?"
Alvin blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the attention. As he walked, more people offered him approving glances, making comments about how "lucky" he was to be dating Charlene.
Suddenly, Alvin's mind began racing with ideas. Maybe this whole thing wasn't so bad after all. Sure, the rumor mill was annoying, but it was getting him—and Charlene—more attention than ever before. If people were already this curious about her, maybe it could help boost her profile. If Charlene got more recognition, her Broadway dreams could come true sooner than she thought.
"Maybe... maybe I could play this to her advantage", Alvin thought. "She might even thank me later."
But just as quickly as the idea took root in his mind, a pang of guilt crept in. He was supposed to be making things right, not using the situation to his advantage. Shaking his head, Alvin pushed the thought aside. Right now, his main goal was to apologize to Charlene and smooth things over—whether she knew about the rumors yet or not.
Chapter 3 -
When Alvin arrived at the Big Kids Hangout, he found Charlene aggressively wiping down a table, her movements jerky and tense. She was clearly upset about something, her brows furrowed as she scrubbed at the table with unnecessary force.
"H-Hey, Charlene," Alvin said, his voice shaking a little as he approached.
Charlene stopped, glaring at him with her arms crossed. "Hey," she replied, her tone sharp.
"Uh, y-you seem upset," Alvin said cautiously, inching forward.
Charlene stopped scrubbing and threw the cloth down with a dramatic sigh. "Of course I'm upset!" she snapped, crossing her arms. First, I stepped on my phone and destroyed it. Then, work has been a nightmare because I'm cut off from the world!" She groaned, clearly overwhelmed by everything.
Alvin raised his hands in a calming gesture, trying to keep his cool. "Listen, I don't know what you've seen, yet, but—" he started until he caught what she just said. "Wait... what?"
Charlene groaned. "You remember! I accidentally stepped on it last night at the award show, and I haven't had time to get a new one."
"Oh... r-right, the phone," Alvin muttered, scratching his head. Then it dawned on him. Wait... if she hasn't had a phone since last night...
"So, just to clarify," Alvin said slowly, "you haven't seen anything online since the awards show?"
"No?" Charlene replied, her expression growing suspicious. "Why?"
Alvin froze for a moment, his mind racing as he realized Charlene had no idea about the rumors circulating online. She was completely oblivious to the media firestorm brewing around their supposed "relationship." Part of him felt relieved—she wasn't mad at him because she didn't know. But another part of him knew that this was a ticking time bomb, and when she did find out, things would get much, much worse.
"Uh... nothing!" Alvin said quickly, forcing a laugh. "Nothing important at all!"
Charlene raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced, but before she could press further, Alvin's mind kicked into overdrive. He needed a way to distract her—something to buy him more time to figure out how to handle the situation. And that's when the idea hit him again.
"Say," Alvin began, flashing her a wide smile, "how about I take you out after work today? There's this outlet mall down the block and..."
Charlene waved him off. "That's nice, Alvin, but I'm not in the mood to be out. Especially without my phone."
"That's exactly my point!" Alvin said, thinking on his feet. "We'll go out and look for a new phone for you. And if you're up for it, we can hang out afterward—maybe grab some food? do a little shopping? You know, to take your mind off things."
Charlene's expression softened as she considered the offer. "Really? That's actually really sweet of you, Alvin. Thank you!" Her frustration seemed to melt away as she smiled at him. "You're such a good friend."
She hugged him tightly, and Alvin's smile faltered for a brief second. Over her shoulder, he noticed a few paparazzi lingering outside, snapping pictures through the window. He chuckled nervously, knowing deep down that what he was doing wasn't exactly the most honest approach. But maybe this could turn out for the best—Charlene could get some good publicity out of this, and everything would blow over once people lost interest.
Right?
Back at the Seville house, Simon and Theodore were busy in Simon's basement lab. Theodore handed Simon small tools as they worked on Simon's latest project, a small robotic arm with various moving parts. The hum of machines filled the room, but their focus was slightly broken by a certain red-capped Chipmunk.
"So," Simon started, not looking up from his work, "you didn't tell Charlene the truth, did you?"
Alvin, who had just returned from his trip to the hangout, froze in the doorway. His usual swagger was gone, replaced by a slightly sheepish expression. "Well... no, not exactly. But get this—she doesn't even know what's happening online! Her phone's been broken since last night!"
Simon paused what he was doing and slowly turned to face Alvin, his expression deadpan. "And you think that makes it better?"
Theodore, holding a tiny screwdriver, paused in mid-air and looked up at Alvin curiously. "Isn't that worse?"
"No! Not worse!" Alvin said defensively, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "Look, I thought it through, and honestly, this could actually work in Charlene's favor. If people see her hanging out with me, it'll boost her profile. She'll get more attention, and the more people know her, the more they'll want to see her on Broadway."
Simon pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling slowly. "So your grand plan is to make her famous by pretending to be her boyfriend? Without telling her what's actually going on?"
Alvin puffed out his chest, trying to regain his confidence. "Exactly! It's a win-win. She gets the publicity, and we're just hanging out. No harm, no foul. Besides, it's not like she is my girlfriend or anything."
Simon crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow skeptically. "Or maybe you're too scared to ask her out for real, and you're using this as an excuse to stay close without the risk."
Alvin stiffened, his eyes widening slightly before he quickly recovered. "Wha—? Ask her out?" He scoffed, trying to brush it off with a laugh. "Come on, Simon. First off, I'm Alvin Seville. I don't get scared. Especially not over a girl like Charlene. Second, She's just a good friend and I'm just doing my part to help her with her dream."
"Right," Simon muttered under his breath, clearly unconvinced. "Well, I hope you're ready to deal with the consequences of your little stunt when it all blows up in your face."
Alvin waved him off. "Relax, Si. I've got everything under control. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got plans with Charlene... as friends!"
Simon watched him go, shaking his head as he turned to Theodore. "This is going to be a dumpster fire."
Hearing all of this, Theodore, lightly messing with Simon's project, was suddenly reminded of one of his favorite songs.
"...Ba ba da da..."
"...Ba ba da da..."
Musical Interlude - Mall Mischief
*Song: Gym Class Heroes - Cupid's Chokehold/Breakfast in America*
The Chipmunks:
Ba ba da da
Ba ba da da
Ba ba da da
True to his plan, Alvin grinned to himself, knowing the paparazzi were snapping away, capturing every moment of their "date." Alvin and Charlene coasted down the steepest hill he could find on his skateboard. Charlene, laughing nervously and hugging his waist tightly, had no idea Alvin had chosen the hill on purpose for a dramatic effect.
The wind whipped through Charlene's hair, and her laughter rang out as they picked up speed, weaving between pedestrians, Alvin steering expertly. His eyes darted around, ensuring the paparazzi were capturing the perfect action shot of the two of them. Charlene thought they were just having fun, but Alvin's mind was two steps ahead, picturing the headlines: "Alvin Seville's Heart Races With Charlene!"
As they glided down the hill, Alvin made a show of it. He leaned into the turns, narrowly dodging obstacles, showing off his signature tricks. Charlene screamed in excitement as they narrowly avoided an elderly couple crossing the street, her grip tightening around his waist. Alvin, ever the showman, winked at a passing photographer, ensuring they got the perfect shot of him "saving" Charlene from disaster.
The Chipmunks:
Take a look at my girlfriend
She's the only one I got (ba ba da da)
Not much of a girlfriend
I never seem to get a lot (ba ba da da, ba ba da da)
Once at the outlet mall, Alvin and Charlene strolled through the glass doors, still catching their breath from the ride. Charlene beamed, unaware of the paparazzi trailing behind them at a discreet distance. Alvin, ever the strategist, subtly directed their steps to ensure the photographers got a good angle.
Charlene spotted a store she liked and pulled Alvin along, and as they window-shopped, Alvin's eyes darted toward the reflection of photographers in the glass. He grinned as he pretended to admire the display. Every laugh Charlene let out, every playful shove she gave Alvin, he made sure to over-exaggerate, turning the simple interaction into something that would look perfect in the tabloids.
Alvin:
It's been some time since we last spoke
This is gonna sound like a bad joke
The Chipmunks:
But momma I fell in love again
It's safe to say I have a new girlfriend
Inside a boutique, Charlene dragged Alvin to the dressing rooms to try on some clothes. Charlene stepped out in different outfits, twirling playfully while Alvin sat nearby, giving her exaggerated thumbs-ups or "thinking poses" as if she were modeling. Each outfit change had a playful moment: Alvin mimicking a fashion photographer, snapping fake pictures with his phone; and Charlene pretending to be on a runway. The pair shared genuine laughter, and for a brief moment, even Alvin forgot about the paparazzi.
Alvin:
And I know it sounds so old
But Cupid got me in a chokehold
The Chipmunks:
And I'm afraid I might give in
Towels on the mat my white flag is wavin'
Grabbing lunch at the food court, Charlene and Alvin sat across from each other with a tray of fries between them. Charlene was happily munching away, oblivious to the swarm of cameras lurking just outside the glass. Alvin, however, had positioned them perfectly by a large window, making sure the photographers could see them through the reflection.
Charlene playfully tossed a fry at Alvin, which he caught in his mouth, grinning victoriously. He leaned back in his chair, looking as relaxed as ever while sneakily scanning the area for more photo opportunities. They continued laughing, unaware that Alvin was orchestrating the perfect public image.
Alvin:
I mean she even cooks me pancakes
And Alka Seltzer when my tummy aches
Simon and Theodore:
If that ain't love then I don't know what love is
As they left the food court, Alvin caught sight of a few paparazzi getting bolder, inching closer for a better shot. He knew they were about to hit gold. He slowed his pace, and, as expected, Charlene naturally looped her arm through his as they casually walked through the mall. Alvin tilted his head down, making it seem like a candid moment of whispering a joke to her. Charlene burst out laughing, unaware that the cameras were loving every second of it.
Alvin led Charlene into a store that sold phones, the very reason they were at the mall in the first place. Alvin opened the door for her, flashing a charming grin, and as Charlene passed by, he cast one last look over his shoulder, making sure the paparazzi got the perfect "gentlemanly" shot.
Alvin:
We even got a secret handshake
And she loves the music that my band makes
The Chipmunks:
I know I'm young but if I had to choose her or the sun
I'd be one nocturnal son of a gun
The sun was setting, and Alvin and Charlene were leaving the mall, shopping bags in hand. Charlene was positively glowing from the fun day she thought was just a friendly outing, while Alvin was secretly satisfied with the coverage they'd probably gotten.
"Thanks for today, Alvin," Charlene said with a wide smile as they walked toward the parking lot. "I really needed that."
Alvin chuckled, feeling a mix of pride and guilt. "Anytime, C.C.," he said, giving her a casual wink. He glanced over his shoulder one more time, ensuring the paparazzi had caught every moment.
The Chipmunks:
Take a look at my girlfriend
She's the only one I got (ba ba da da)
Not much of a girlfriend
I never seem to get a lot (ba ba da da, ba ba da da)
Take a look at my girlfriend
She's the only one I got (ba ba da da)
Not much of a girlfriend
I never seem to get a lot (ba ba da da, ba ba da da)
Chapter 6 - A Fanatical Encounter
It was a calm, uneventful morning at the Big Kids Hangout, where Charlene was working her usual shift. She hummed quietly to herself, wiping down the counter, the events of the previous day still fresh in her mind. The day at the mall with Alvin had been fun. She had no idea the media frenzy that had been brewing behind her back.
Just as Charlene was about to take a break, her phone buzzed loudly on the counter. Glancing down, she saw Miss Croaner's name and answered, her voice relaxed. "Hello~?"
"Miss Charlene Croaner!"
Before Charlene could say another word, Miss Croaner's stern voice boomed through the speaker, making Charlene flinch, almost dropping the phone.
"Yes, Miss Croaner?", said Charlene, holding the phone away from her ear.
"I've allowed you to go out into the public more often, I've let you run around with that troublemaker Alvin for a while now, I even allowed you two to be friends, but dating him? I won't tolerate that! We need to have a sit-down, young lady, and..."
" Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!" Charlene blinked, completely baffled. "Dating? What are you talking about? Alvin and I aren't dating."
Miss Croaner's tone was sharp, almost accusatory. "Then why are you and Alvin all over the tabloids, being called the hottest new couple in Teen Weekly?"
Charlene's brow furrowed in confusion. "Why are you on Teen Weekly?"
There was a pause. Then, Miss Croaner responded with a hint of embarrassment, "They keep me intact with the youth," she pouted defensively.
Ignoring Miss Croaner's protest, Charlene quickly pulled up the latest news feed. Sure enough, headline after headline flooded her screen: "Alvin Seville and His New Girl!" "Are Charlene and Alvin the Next Teen Power Couple?" "Alvin's Mystery Girl: A Look into Their Relationship!" "The Chipmunk's Romantic Skateboard Date Goes Viral!"
Her heart pounded in her chest as she scrolled through endless pictures from their day at the mall—the laughing, the arm-linking, the skateboarding—all captured in perfect, gossipy detail. There was no mistaking the narrative the media had spun.
Charlene's grip tightened on her phone, and her blood began to boil.
"ALLLLLLVVVIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNN!" she screeched, her voice echoing through the hangout as she ripped off her apron and threw it to the ground.
The customers in the hangout stopped and stared, but Charlene paid them no mind. She stormed out of the building, her face flushed with rage. Her head was spinning with anger, and she couldn't believe what she was seeing. How could Alvin let this happen? How could the media twist everything like this?
She muttered to herself, furiously, her footsteps heavy as she stomped through the streets. Her eyes were set on one destination—the Seville house. Alvin had a lot of explaining to do, and Charlene was ready to give him a piece of her mind.
"Wait until I get my claws on that conniving, little—"
As she marched down the sidewalk, lost in her own storm of thoughts, Charlene accidentally bumped into someone. The impact caused a small puff of dust to kick up between them, but she barely registered the collision.
"Sorry," she muttered distractedly, continuing her fast-paced walk.
However, the person she bumped into didn't keep walking. Instead, they stopped, turning slowly to watch Charlene as she hurried down the street. Their eyes were locked onto her retreating form, an eerie smile creeping onto their face.
Charlene didn't notice. She was too focused on her internal rant—too busy imagining the confrontation that awaited Alvin.
But then, something strange happened.
Her steps began to slow. Her thoughts grew fuzzy, and an odd sensation started washing over her body. Charlene blinked, her vision becoming slightly blurred. She felt... sleepy. Unnaturally sleepy. As if all the energy had been drained from her in an instant.
She stumbled, her feet dragging as she tried to shake the feeling off. "What... what's happening?" she whispered, confused. Her eyelids grew heavier by the second, and her mind struggled to stay clear.
Before she could make sense of what was going on, Charlene's legs buckled beneath her, and she collapsed onto the sidewalk, unconscious.
The mysterious figure that Charlene had bumped into stepped slowly approached her limp form. The girl had an unsettling, almost giddy smile spread across her face hidden by a face mask as she looked down at Charlene. She bent down, her long, dark hair falling over her face, but her eyes were alight with twisted delight.
"Well, well...," the girl murmured softly to herself. "It looks like things are falling into place."
She reached out, brushing a lock of hair from Charlene's face, her grin widening. "Sorry about this, sweetheart, but I couldn't let you ruin everything, now could I?"
Standing back up, the girl glanced around to make sure no one had seen what had happened. The street was unusually quiet. With no witnesses in sight, she bent down and gently picked Charlene up, propping her limp body against her shoulder.
As she walked away, carrying Charlene with ease, her lips curled into a knowing smirk. The girl, dressed in a red hoodie with a yellow "A" on the front, turned down a side street.
Chapter 7 - The Vanishing Act
Back at the Seville house, tension filled the air as Dave paced back and forth in the living room, frustration etched on his face. Alvin sat slumped on the couch, arms crossed defensively, but the guilt was clear in his eyes.
"Alvin!" Dave scolded, his voice stern. "I understand you meant well, but this whole publicity stunt you pulled with Charlene—did you even think about how it might affect her? You can't just drag people into your schemes without asking them first, especially when it comes to something as personal as their reputation!"
Alvin shifted uncomfortably. "I just thought it would help, you know? I didn't mean for things to get out of hand. And I didn't think Charlene would mind..."
"Alvin," Dave said, his tone softening slightly, "this isn't just about you. Charlene trusted you. You need to go apologize to her—for real this time."
Alvin sighed deeply, guilt finally settling in. "Alright, alright," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. "I'll go apologize. I just hope she's not too mad..."
With that, Alvin grabbed his jacket and headed out the door, his mind already racing with all the ways he'd try to smooth things over with Charlene.
When Alvin arrived at the Big Kids Hangout, he expected to find Charlene inside, maybe fuming or sulking, but at least there. To his surprise, the place was bustling as usual—customers chatting, waiters moving between tables—but Charlene was nowhere to be seen.
A confused frown tugged at his lips as he scanned the room. "That's weird," Alvin muttered to himself. "She's always here, even on her days off."
Feeling a bit uneasy, Alvin approached the counter and asked one of the servers, "Hey, have you seen Charlene?"
The server, who was busy balancing a tray of drinks, gave Alvin a puzzled look. "Charlene? Yeah, she was here earlier. She stormed out a little while ago—looked pretty upset."
Alvin's stomach dropped. "Did she say where she was going?"
The server shook his head. "Not that I heard. But I saw her with some girl—tall, dark hair, kind of... intense-looking. She was going on and on about being Alvin Seville's 'number one fan' or something like that."
Alvin froze, a chill running down his spine. His blood ran cold at the mention of a "number one fan." The server's description immediately conjured up an image in his mind—one that he hadn't thought about in a long time but was impossible to forget.
"Oh no," Alvin whispered, his face paling.
Without another word, Alvin bolted out of the hangout, his heart racing as he sprinted down the street. He had a sinking feeling he knew exactly who had Charlene. And there was only one place in the city that gave him that eerie chill.
Alvin's mind raced as he weaved through the streets, his feet pounding against the pavement. Memories of her—his "number one fan" who had once crossed the line from admiration into full-blown obsession—flooded back to him. She had always been a little... off. After kidnapping Alvin, leaving his brother to step in and save him, she was sent to a facility for psychological help.
Alvin hadn't heard from her since, and part of him had hoped she had gotten better. But now, all signs pointed to one fact.
Rita was back—and she had Charlene.
Chapter 8 - A Stalker's Obsession
Charlene woke up groggy, her head spinning as she blinked slowly, trying to make sense of her surroundings. The room was dimly lit, and the stale smell of dust filled the air. Her arms were sore—tied to the back of a chair—and as her vision cleared, her eyes widened in horror. The walls were covered with posters of The Chipmunks—no, mostly of Alvin. Photos, newspaper clippings, and even fan-made drawings filled every inch of the basement, creating an unsettling shrine to the red-capped star.
Memorabilia littered the floor: discarded ticket stubs, an old Chipmunks tour t-shirt, and more disturbingly, a notebook filled with obsessive scrawlings of "Mrs. Seville" repeated over and over again.
Suddenly, a figure stepped out from the shadows. A girl with wild, tangled hair, wearing a red hoodie with a yellow 'A' stitched on the front, approached Charlene with a twisted smile on her face.
"Hello, Charlene," the girl said, her voice filled with malicious glee. She removed her hood, revealing dark, crazed eyes that glinted with unhinged intensity. "I'm Rita. Rita De Luca. Alvin's number one fan."
Charlene's heart pounded in her chest. Her mind raced as she tried to remember who this girl was, but all she could focus on was the eerie way Rita stared at her, like a predator eyeing its prey.
Rita twirled a pocket knife in her hand casually, a smile playing on her lips. "You seem like a nice girl, Charlene, really, so I'll keep it brief. You see, me and Alvin... we have something special. A bond. And I can't have you ruining that with your bouncy personality and obnoxious energy."
Charlene struggled against the ropes tying her wrists. "Listen, Rita, I don't know what you've seen or heard, but Alvin and I are just friends. You don't have to do this."
Rita's face darkened. "Friends?" she spat, her voice laced with venom. She stepped closer, the knife glinting in the dim light. "I don't care if you're just acquaintances! Do you think you can just swoop in and take my Alvin from me? He's mine, you hear me? MINE!"
Charlene's eyes widened in fear as Rita approached, her face twisted with jealousy and madness.
Just as things seemed ready to escalate, a voice called from upstairs.
"Rita! Rita!" Alvin knocked on the door, his heart pounding in his chest. He'd never been more nervous, but he knew he had to keep calm. "
Rita froze, her entire demeanor shifting in an instant. "It's Alvin!" she whispered with glee, her voice soft and lovestruck. "He came for me!"
She shot a look at Charlene, a smug smile spreading across her face. "Don't go anywhere...C.C.," Rita cooed mockingly, as she waved the knife in Charlene's face before rushing out of the basement like a giddy schoolgirl.
Upstairs, Alvin kept knocking on the door, his heart racing as he tried to maintain his calm. "Rita!" he called out again. "I really need to talk to you."
The door creaked open, and there stood Rita, her long dark hair cascading over her shoulders. She was wearing that same red hoodie with the yellow "A" she had made to match Alvin's look. Her eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Alvin! If I had known you were coming, I would have worn something more... special," she said, a flirtatious tone creeping into her voice.
Alvin forced a smile, his skin crawling as he struggled to stay composed. "Yeah, hey, Rita... long time no see. Listen, I know you have Charlene somewhere and I want her free."
Rita's smile faltered, her head tilting in confusion. "Charlene? Oh, her. Yeah, she came over for a little girl talk, but you don't need to worry about her anymore. It's just us now, Alvin. Like it was always meant to be."
Rita leaned in closer, attempting to brush her fingers across Alvin's arm, but he subtly stepped back. His stomach churned, but he maintained his fake charm. "Rita, I need to see her. I promise I'll talk to you after, but please... let me make sure she's okay."
Rita's eyes darkened, her voice lowering to a chilling whisper. "You'll stay with me, won't you, Alvin? You won't leave me... like last time?"
Alvin swallowed hard, his instincts screaming at him to run, but he couldn't leave Charlene. "Of course, Rita. I'm not going anywhere. Would I disappoint my number one fan?"
For a moment, there was a flicker of doubt in Rita's eyes, but it quickly melted away as she smiled sweetly. "Okay, Alvin. I trust you."
As Alvin crossed the threshold into the house, the door creaked shut behind him. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever lay ahead. He had to be smart, he had to be quick, and most importantly—he had to get Charlene out of there before it was too late.
Chapter 9 - Reunited with true 'love'
Rita led Alvin down to the basement, where Charlene was still tied to the chair, her eyes filled with relief the moment she saw him.
"Alvin!" Charlene gasped.
"Charlene!" Alvin rushed toward her, but Rita stepped in front of him, raising the pocket knife to his throat.
"Ah-ah-ah," Rita said with a sickly sweet smile. "Don't make any sudden moves, Alvin. You're with me now. We can't let her get in the way."
Alvin took a cautious step back, his mind racing. He needed to defuse the situation, fast. "Rita, listen," Alvin started, his voice steady but gentle. "What you see between me and Charlene? It was all a publicity stunt. I thought that if people saw her hanging out with me, she'd get more attention. And in turn, the more people know her, the closer she'd get to her dream of being on Broadway."
Charlene, still tied up, shot a bewildered look at Alvin, but he pressed on.
"Though I... feel it'll be a different story after this, Me and Charlene are just friends, Rita," Alvin continued, glancing briefly at Charlene, then back to Rita. "That's all we'll ever be."
For a moment, it seemed like Alvin's words were getting through to Rita. Her grip on the knife loosened, and her crazed expression softened.
But then, her eyes sharpened again, and she leaned down next to Charlene. "Don't worry, Alvin," Rita whispered. "I'll make sure she's out of our lives for good."
Before she could do anything, Charlene acted quickly. With a burst of adrenaline, she kicked Rita square in the mouth, knocking the pocket knife from her hand. Stunned, Rita stumbled back.
Alvin seized the opportunity, quickly catching the knife and cutting Charlene free. "Let's get out of here!" he shouted, and they bolted for the stairs.
But Rita, recovering faster than expected, threw another knife that lodged into the door, slamming it shut before they could escape. She stood at the base of the stairs, breathing heavily, her eyes blazing with rage.
"You think you can just run away from me, again? You're MINE!" Rita screamed, her voice echoing through the basement.
With no other way out, Alvin's mind raced. He needed to distract her—and fast.
Taking a deep breath, Alvin turned to face Rita, then did something he hated but knew would work.
Without warning, Alvin kissed Rita right on the cheek.
Rita froze, her entire body stiffening in shock. Her eyes went wide, her face turning bright red as her brain struggled to process what had just happened.
Alvin and Charlene stood back, waiting in tense silence.
Suddenly, Rita's eyes rolled back, and she fainted, collapsing to the ground.
Alvin let out a sigh of relief, a smug grin spreading across his face. "I love being a heartthrob."
Charlene, still in shock, followed Alvin as they quickly dashed out of Rita's house, running all the way to the street where they finally stopped to catch their breath.
"Let's never speak of this again," Charlene muttered, shaking her head.
"Agreed," Alvin replied, though part of him knew this was a story that neither of them would forget anytime soon.
Chapter 10 - A Dramatic Ending
After putting enough distance between themselves and Rita's house, Alvin and Charlene slowed their pace, finally feeling safe. The adrenaline from their escape still coursed through their veins, but the relief of being out of danger was palpable. Charlene, however, was still fuming—not just at Rita, but at Alvin for everything that had led up to this bizarre situation.
Alvin, knowing he owed her a proper apology, took a deep breath and turned to face her. "Charlene... I'm really sorry. I never should've dragged you into that whole publicity stunt without asking you first."
Charlene folded her arms, clearly still upset. "Alvin, that was the dumbest thing you've ever done. I mean, really! You should've known better than to mess with the media like that. Not to mention, I almost got killed!" Her voice was sharp, but there was a tinge of concern beneath the anger.
"I know, I know! I wasn't thinking straight," Alvin admitted, running a hand through his hair. "It all got out of control way too fast. I just... I just wanted to help you get noticed, to help your Broadway dreams come true. I didn't mean for all this craziness to happen."
Charlene sighed, her frustration slowly ebbing. She could see the sincerity in Alvin's eyes, and despite everything, she knew he hadn't meant any harm. "Well, I can't be fully mad at you. It was definitely the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me that completely backfired," she muttered, unable to keep a small smile from tugging at her lips.
Alvin smiled sheepishly. "So... we're good?"
Charlene gave him a hard look for a moment, then softened. "Yeah, we're good." She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him in a sincere hug. Alvin hugged her back, relief flooding his chest.
However, as they pulled apart, the reality of their situation hit them.
"You know, we still have to clear up the issue of the media thinking they were a couple", said Charlene with a raised eyebrow, already sensing what Alvin was about to suggest.
"Oh, don't worry, I have a plan..." Alvin started, the mischievous glint in his eye already giving him away.
The very next day, In the middle of the mall, surrounded by shoppers and—more importantly—paparazzi, Charlene, with her best dramatic flair, stormed up to Alvin in the food court. She glared at him with fire in her eyes and raised her hand. "How dare you betray me like this, Alvin Seville!" she shouted for all to hear.
Before Alvin could react, Charlene slapped him hard across the face, the sharp sound echoing through the mall. Alvin played his part perfectly, stumbling backward and holding his cheek, looking devastated. "No, Charlene! Please! I'm so sorry!" he begged, loud enough for the cameras to catch every word.
The paparazzi went wild, snapping pictures left and right, capturing every angle of the dramatic "breakup." Shoppers gathered around, whispering to each other as they watched the scene unfold.
After the performance, Charlene stormed off, and Alvin chased after her, putting on the perfect show for the cameras.
Once they were safely out of sight from the prying eyes of the paparazzi, Charlene immediately dropped her angry act and turned to Alvin with wide eyes. "I'm so sorry, Alvin! I didn't mean to hit you that hard!"
Alvin, still rubbing his cheek, winced but chuckled. "It's fine! I've had worse. Besides, you totally nailed the acting. I think the whole mall bought it."
Charlene let out a relieved laugh, then gave him a playful nudge. "You sure? I really went for it back there."
"Yeah, well, the slap definitely stung," Alvin teased, "but hey, it was worth it. I think we finally got the paparazzi off our backs. No more dating rumors!"
With the mess finally behind them, the two laughed it off and decided to celebrate by heading to the arcade, like they'd planned. As they strolled toward their destination, the tension from the last few days melted away, and everything felt normal again.
But as they walked side by side, Alvin couldn't help but wonder. There was something he had been thinking about ever since the fake date, and now seemed like the right time to bring it up. He glanced at Charlene, trying to sound casual as he spoke.
"Hey, C.C. ... hypothetically speaking," Alvin began, his voice a little unsure. "What if... we did date for real? You know, not as a stunt or anything, but, like... if I asked you to be my girlfriend, what would you say?"
Charlene was slightly surprised by the question. She tilted her head, thinking about it seriously for a moment. Then, with a playful grin, she replied, "Hmm... that depends."
Alvin's heart skipped a beat. "Depends on what?" he asked, trying not to sound too eager.
Charlene smirked. "Do you have any more crazy stalker fans like Rita?"
Alvin let out a laugh, relieved by her teasing. "If I do, I'm sure me and my 'girlfriend' would take care of them together, no problem."
Charlene laughed and nudged him in the side. "In that case, maybe I'd think about it. But if it ends up being another one of your publicity stunts, Alvin, you're getting another slap—on the right cheek this time."
Alvin scoffed, grinning confidently. "Oh please, Your slap is like being hit by a feather wrapped in a napkin."
Charlene raised an eyebrow, her grin turning mischievous. "Oh yeah? Care to test that theory?"
Before Alvin could respond, Charlene playfully raised her hand to slap him again, and Alvin immediately jumped back, laughing.
Charlene chased after him, and Alvin sprinted ahead, both of them laughing as they ran through the mall. The tension from the past few days melted away completely, leaving only lighthearted fun in its place.
As they reached the arcade, they settled into their usual dynamic—just friends, teasing and competing in games. But as they played, Alvin couldn't help but glance at Charlene every now and then, wondering if maybe—just maybe—things could turn into something more.
For now, though, they were just friends.
~The End~