Chapter 14
Brothers… And Sisters… in Arms
The Philippines, Summer 1943
BOOM! BOOM! RATATATATATAT!
Artillery and gunfire sent Alvin reeling. A bullet struck the metal side of the transport, sending sparks flying into the air. Water splashed with each impact, completely soaking his uniform in seconds.
"GO! GO! GO!" he shouted at the top of his lungs.
An artillery shell erupted just a few feet from the transport, sending it rocking as though it were on stormy seas. A pillar of water leapt high into the air. The American soldiers in their green uniforms stormed to the beach, their guns held above their heads to keep them dry.
The enemy were entrenched in pillboxes straight ahead. Alvin knew that the only way to save these soldiers was to take out those guns. Which meant they had to just keep moving forward.
Bullets zipped this way and that. Flashes of light marked where guns fired. He didn't dare raise his own gun until he could find some cover.
The water was up to his waist, then his thighs, then his ankles, and finally he reached the beach. He found one of his men cowering in a crater. With an iron fist, Alvin grabbed the man by his collar and shouted, "If you hold still, you won't get out! MOVE, SOLDIER! MOVE!"
The man nodded without saying a word and stood up, rushing forwards.
A machine gun somewhere fired and sent the sand flying just a few feet from Alvin's own toes.
He had to make it to the sandy ridge-line just ahead. It was the only way.
…
L.A.
Monday, June 9th, 1947
12:30
The chipettes were hanging out in Brittany's dressing room in Ian's. Brittany couldn't help but notice that her sisters seemed distracted.
"What is the matter with you two?" she asked. "You two look like you're on another planet!"
"Do you know what color is the best color?" Jeanette said, scribbling in a notebook.
"Green?" Eleanor asked dreamily, grabbing a chip from a bag beside her.
"No, blue!" Jeanette replied. "Like a blue tie… or blue eyes." She sighed.
"Oh no," Brittany said, starting to laugh. "I see what the problem is."
"What do you mean?" Jeanette answered.
"You're the one called doctor, sister. Look at your symptoms: daydreaming, distractions, I'm guessing your heart has been beating twice as fast since… I dunno, maybe last Friday?"
"Brittany Miller," Jeanette playfully scolded. "Are you suggesting I'm in love?"
"Not just you. You and our little Ellie right here."
"Well if those are my symptoms, then it must be true," Eleanor said, sitting upside-down on the couch. "I am in love with Officer Theodore!"
"Wow, you've both been won over by the chipmunks," Brittany shook her head. "I can hardly believe it."
"Can you blame me?" Jeanette said. "Simon is smart, and handsome, and brave. He fights crime, but he knows his math and science, not to mention how handsome he looks in that suit of his!" Her heart felt like it would burst. "I can't believe it!"
"If you want someone who looks good, how about Theodore in his uniform!" Eleanor added. "Who can resist a man like that! And don't forget that he knows how to cook! Obviously he knows the way to a chipette's heart."
"And what about you, Brittany?" Jeanette asked with a smile that could barely contain her enthusiasm.
"What about me?" Brittany pretended not to care as she did her mascara.
"Come on, sister. I've seen how you react just when we say the name… what is it, Eleanor?"
"Oh, you mean Allllvvvinnn?" Eleanor asked with a grin.
Brittany kept a straight face, but she could feel her cheeks go red.
"There it is!" Jeanette said. "You like Alvin!"
"I do not!" Brittany insisted.
"Why won't you admit it?" Jeanette insisted.
Brittany sighed, then began to sing.
(The song is "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" from "Hercules." I think you can imagine who is singing what parts.)
"Brit, if you like the guy —" Eleanor began.
"I don't," Brittany finished. "He doesn't like me. I wish I knew why."
"Well… I could always find out," Eleanor said.
"So could I," Jeanette added. "After all, we happen to know his brothers." She winked.
"Does it matter?" Brittany said. "After all, we're about to have quite a bit of fun with those boys, and they're never going to see it coming."
The chipettes smiled at each other.
"Honestly, Brittany, you deserve to find a great guy. You're so focused on that career of yours, you deserve someone to come home to at the end of the day." Jeanette sighed.
"You're one to talk," Brittany said with a laugh. "You went for a PhD and didn't date a single guy once the whole time!"
"Both of you are crazy," Eleanor shook her head with a smile. "But I think we all need some guys like those chipmunks in our lives."
"Agreed," Jeanette said.
"You both do," Brittany said. "But I don't need that Alvin."
And that's that chapter! A big thanks to "Simonette Dreaming" for the inspiration for this chapter!
Also, if you're waiting for another installment of my new story: "Indiana Jones and the Forbidden Eye" just wait, because I'll be working again on that one soon! Also, I'm plotting a new story taking place in a different fandom (hint: it's based on an anime that's adapted from a manga!)
I promised I'd update a lot more, so here's the next chapter already! I hope you enjoy! And sorry if I end up taking a week in between chapters again soon... college is starting up again soon and I've got a lot of classes ahead.