Author's Note: AthenaWriter left a review the other day saying that Simon was older than Alvin. In the 2015 series Alvin is the middle child but this story is based on the 80s/90s series where Alvin is the oldest by 5 minutes. I just wanted to clear that up. :)

Chapter 16

Failing to Cope

Simon: HOW DARE YOU!

Alvin: How dare I what?

Simon: You know what! Runoff to see Dave! You forbid us but you can go see him all you want!

Alvin: Calm down Simon you will wake Theodore up.

Simon: Why should I calm down!

Alvin: For your information Simon, I had to go to the hospital to find something and I also found out that tomorrow they will be operating on Dave.

Simon: Oh. Sorry, Alvin, I should have known better.

Alvin: Tomorrow afternoon we will go down to the hospital. They plan on the surgery lasting 4 hours.

Simon: Thanks for letting me know Alvin. Hey, what do you have in that box?

Alvin: Some of Dave's things.

Simon: Why do you have that?

Alvin: I will explain later.

Simon: Alvin are you all right? You have not been acting like yourself.

Alvin: I am fine Simon. But I need to be alone for a bit. See you at dinner. He says walking off to his room.

Simon: Ok Alvin.

Alvin shuts the door to his room but does not lock it.

Alvin gets on his phone and starts looking up whatever he can find on Copyright, Pricing, and Royalties.

Alvin: I never thought I would have to learn all of this stuff at my age. I don't know how Dave does this all the time.

Before too long Theodore knocks on Alvin door.

Alvin: Come in.

Theodore: Alvin. Simon and I are ready for dinner.

Alvin: Ok.

Alvin and Theodore walk out to the living area of their suite.

Simon: So where are we going to eat?

Alvin: I guess we can ask someone downstairs were a good place to eat is.

Theodore: Sounds good to me! How about you Simon?

Simon: Works for me.

Alvin: Ok let's go downstairs.

The Chipmunks head downstairs.

Owner: I bet I know why you came down. Your hungry right!?

Theodore: Yes, we are! He says with a big smile on his face.

Owner: Then follow me!

The manager takes them into a private dining room.

Simon: Wow this is nice!

Owner: I'm glad you like it! We just had this added on. You are our first guests to use it.

Theodore: Wow what an honor!

Owner: The honor is having The Chipmunks be the first to use this room!

Alvin: Thank You for this.

Owner: Your welcome Alvin. I will send the waiter in.

Alvin: Ok.

The manager leaves and the waiter comes in.

Waiter: What can we get you this evening?

Theodore: I would like a roast beef sandwich.

Simon: I will have spaghetti.

Alvin: French Fries.

The Waiter along with Simon and Theodore just look at Alvin.

Waiter: Is that all you would like sir?

Alvin: Yes.

Waiter: Ok I will bring your food shortly.

Simon: Alvin are you ok?

Alvin: I keep telling you that I am fine. I am just not hungry.

Theodore: You have not eaten a real meal since Dave was in the accident.

Alvin clenches his fists

Alvin: I am just fine.

Simon notices Alvin is clenching his fists. But he decided not to ask him about it.

Waiter: Dinner is served!

Alvin, Simon, and Theodore thank the waiter and begin eating.

Simon begins thinking to himself while they eat.

Simon's Thoughts:

Alvin seems to be taking this whole thing about Dave way to hard. I know everyone deals with their emotions differently but I think Alvin is suppressing his. That's not going to benefit him in the long run. I am really starting to worry about him. He is barely eating. I know I will call my friend who is studying to be a psychiatrist tonight.

The Chipmunks finish dinner then head back up to their room.

Alvin: Goodnight everyone.

Simon: Going to bed so early?

Alvin: I have to do something tomorrow morning so I need you to watch Theodore.

Simon: Sure but what do you have to do.

Alvin: I will tell you tomorrow when I come back to pick you up for Dave's operation.

Simon: Ok Alvin.

Alvin then goes to bed.

Simon: Theodore I need to make a call I will be back in a little bit.

Theodore: Ok I will just watch some TV in my room.

Theodore heads to his room and Simon pulls out his cell phone and calls his friend.

Jake: Hey Simon I have not heard from you in a while what's going on?

Simon: Dave was in a car accident.

Jake: Oh wow is he ok!?

Simon: He is still in a coma.

Jake: I am so sorry to hear that.

Simon: Jake I called you because I need your expertise.

Jake: I am still just a student but I will help you the best I can. What do you need help with?

Simon: It's Alvin. He is acting different since Dave was in the accident.

Jake: Well that's to be expected, Simon.

Simon: I know but he is acting very different. Like he is not even the same person anymore.

Jake: Can you give me some more details?

Simon: Not sleeping, Not eating, Being secretive, He shows no emotion on his face but if we ask him how he is feeling he says he is ok but I see him clench his fists.

Jake: What is Alvin normally like?

Simon: A free-spirited, troublemaking, thrill-seeker.

Jake: I see. I think Alvin is suppressing his emotions but that is very odd based on how you described him before the accident.

Simon: Alvin was left in charge of us while Dave was gone on his trip. Could that have something to do with it?

Jake: Yes, now we are getting somewhere. Alvin does not want to show his emotions to you because he is responsible for you and he does not want you to worry. It is difficult for someone like Alvin to hid their emotions that is why he is clenching his fist. I also think Alvin might be suffering from Depression. You need to get him to open up to you Simon. He needs to get what he is feeling off his chest. He cannot keep it to himself.

Simon: I understand Jake thanks for the help.

Jake: Anytime Simon. Goodnight.

Simon: Goodnight.

Simon: Now how do I get him to open up?

All of a sudden Simon hears screaming coming from Alvin's room.

Simon rushes into Alvin's room.

Simon: What's wrong Alvin!?

Author's Note: As always let me know what you think! I really appreciate the reviews and messages I get about this story! :)