The Secrets We Didn't Keep

Part I

Alvin took in a deep breath and let out a shaky one. He tried his best to focus on the usual chatter that followed a soccer victory but found it useless. The sun was quickly setting and the cool air that accompanied the darkness was setting in, completing the already ominous atmosphere. He stepped forward to get a better view of the dark street, his eyes darting from one end to the other. He growled angrily when he saw the street was empty.

He let out a relieved sigh and his body relaxed slightly when the street lamp above him flicked on, illuminating the small area he occupied. "Hey Alvin," He flinched at the noise he was obviously unprepared for. Alvin turned to see one in a group of guys was the caller.

He turned, a bit hesitant, and did a quick trot over toward the boys. "What's up?" He asked in his usual cool guy tone.

"We were all gonna go to Colby's house and watch the scary movie marathon, then some of us are gonna sleep over. You wanna come?"

Alvin's re-tension of his body went unnoticed by the others. He smiled and let out a slight nervous chuckle. "Uh, I'd like to b-"

"Great, let's go." The guys began pulling Alvin toward their cars, ignoring Alvin's unusually quiet protests.

He sighed as he listened to the riding arrangements being made. He was momentarily considering going with them just so he wouldn't have to stand alone under the florescent street light- which could flick out any second. He weighed his options. What was worse- standing alone by a dark and deserted street or sitting in the dark with his friends watching every heart-pounding, scream-producing, and potential pants-wetting horror film ever made?

"Alvin," A female voice called this time. He and the others turned to address the new intonation. He smiled thankfully at the sight of Eleanor climbing out of her car and approaching him. "Alvin, Dave wants you home right now." She told him, crossing her arms sternly.

Before Alvin could respond, one of his team mates spoke up. "Why didn't Dave just come get him?"

Who cares? Alvin mentally screamed, his eyes widened in anger and annoyance but the question didn't phase Eleanor. "Because Dave is so angry at him, he couldn't even grip his keys." She retorted like a pro.

Alvin smiled. He taught her well. "Geez, man, what'd you do?"

Alvin huffed. Eleanor glanced at the frustrated chipmunk with a look of disappointment and her own annoyance. "Let's just say that Dave's grandmother fell into the fireplace and now Alvin has some dusting to do." She turned and stomped her way back to her car.

Alvin smiled apologetically at his friends before rushing off behind the blonde chipette. He quickly slid into the passenger seat, tossing his gym bag into the back. He sighed another sigh of relief as they buckled their seat belts and drove down the road. "Thanks again, El."

Eleanor sighed. "Alvin, don't you think you should just tell them what's going on?" She suggested.

"I don't know what you're talking about." He said leaning against the window with a stubborn pout. "There's nothing going on."

Eleanor smirked. "Alvin, I'm your best friend; I know you better than that." She told him gently. She glanced at him, reaching out to consolingly rub his forearm. "You're lygophobic and slightly eremophobic." Alvin furrowed his brows and stared at her in mystification. "I'm sorry; I'm taking a psychology class." She place her hand back on the wheel and blew out a breath. "I'm saying that you somehow developed a fear of darkness and being alone, which sometimes results in…"

"Don't say it Ellie." Alvin demanded, casting a glare at his best friend.

"But Al-"

"Don't you dare!"

"Fine," She sighed. Alvin sighed also, relaxing into his seat and watching the buildings go by as they drove. "But everyone has nightmares."

"Ellie!" Alvin yelled in total discomfort of hearing the words said aloud. He grimaced at the less than familiar heat growing on his cheeks. Eleanor glanced at him and giggled at the blush. "I wish you'd stop mentioning that." He grumbled.

"I'm sorry; I just like teasing you."

"I never tease you about your secrets." He pointed out in an almost childlike, whiney tone.

"You couldn't if you tried." Eleanor smirked and chuckled, unaware of Alvin's glare due to her body turned slightly away from him as she turned the wheel, directing the car down their street. She readjusted her posture and again addressed her friend. "You don't know any of my secrets."

Alvin's features softened and turned to one of thought. He thought about every single thing he knew about Eleanor, and none of them were a secret she wouldn't want anyone to know! "How is it that you know all my secrets, but I don't know any of yours?"

Eleanor shrugged, gently pressing on the break, slowing the vehicle so she could safely turn into her driveway. The car pulled to a gentle stop and she placed the car in park. "Maybe it's because I'm a trustworthy person." She finally answered.

"And I'm not?"

She rubbed her hands up her thighs hesitantly. "To be honest Alvin, you don't have to best track record when it comes to keeping things a secret." She looked apologetic.

"Ellie, I don't have a lot of real friends." Alvin smiled reassuringly at his uneasy friend. "So, as long as you keep my secrets, I'll keep yours." He raised his right hand, gesturing out his pinky. "I promise."

Eleanor's eyes moved to look at the childish gesture and smiled, returning it. "Alright," She gave in with a sigh as she wrapped her pinky around his and he did the same. This was a tradition of theirs when it came to exchanging information they didn't want others to know. It (along with their best friendship) developed when they were ten years old and Alvin didn't want Brittany to find out that he was the one who put the gum in her hair, which ultimately resulted in an reluctant haircut. "I don't have many secrets," Eleanor paused preparing herself to confess the secret she had been keeping for years. "But I do have one…"

Alvin sighed contently as he loaded his books into his locker. He was always relieved to wake up to the morning sun illuminating everything around him. He constantly tried to convince himself (and Eleanor) that it wasn't because he was so wound tight the night before.

But they both knew better than that.

His movements slowed when he got the common but uncommon feeling of eyes on him. He was more than used to having the feeling and then turning to see a group of girls giggling, but these giggles weren't the same giggles. These giggles were deriding. Alvin's brows came together as he watched the girls walk down the hall, still laughing. He raised his brow in suspicion at the sound of more quiet laughter. Turning his head every which way, he noticed that it wasn't just those few girls…but everyone in viewing distance of him was laughing.

"What the…?" Alvin quickly grabbed his books and headed down the hall. This entire situation was untouched territory. He had never been the person people laughed at, rather one of the many people who stood on the side and laughed at others. After walking a short distance (though it felt like a mile) Alvin finally arrived at a group of his friends. "Hey, guys, what's going on with everyone?"

His friends snickered a bit before addressing him. "Uh, we don't know, but don't worry about it." One of the guys waved it off. The rest of the group continued laughing when he turned around and pulled a plastic bag out of his locker. "We got you something." He smiled innocently. "We thought it might help."

Alvin browed knitted together as he opened the bag. His expression quickly went from confused to irritated as he pulled out the item. "A nightlight?" He glared at his so-called friends.

They then burst into laughter. Alvin looked around at the kids, also in the hall, finding the circumstances amusing. How did they know? The only person I've ever told was.. Alvin growled and stomped down the laughter-filled hallway in pursuit of a certain green clad chipette.

When he found her he slammed her locker shut, casting a deathly glare toward her. "Um…hey, Alvin." She greeted staring at him oddly.

"I can't believe you told."

Eleanor shifted her eyes. "Told what?"

"Don't give me that shit, Ellie. You told my secret."

Her eyes widened. "Alvin, I did not." She whispered. Her shocked expression then turned to one of hurt. "I can't believe you think I would."

"Ellie, you're the only person I've ever told that to. Now I come to school and people are giving me nightlights!"

"That's horrible! Did you at least give it back?"

"Hell no!" He gave an 'are you crazy' expression. "I'm keeping it…but that's not the point." He continued to glare at her. "I trusted you to keep my secret and you didn't."

"Alvin, I didn't say a word to anyone." She continued in her attempt to convince him. "You've got to believe me!" She pleaded.

"I don't think I can." Alvin crossed his arms stubbornly.

Eleanor blinked back potential tears. "It hurts that you don't trust me."

"Yeah?" Alvin moved toward the center of the hallway. "Well, it hurts knowing I have to do this." Eleanor's forehead creased in confusion as she watched him. "Listen up everybody!" He called out to the students. They all turned and addressed him. Alvin once again turned toward Eleanor with a glare as he announced, "Eleanor Miller wets the bed!" He shouted.

Eleanor's jaw fell and her tears finally spilled over, rolling down her flushed cheeks as the students around her began laughing and whispering. Some ran off to find their friends so her secret could be spread further.

Alvin approached her, both of them looking hurt and angry. "Now we're even."

Eleanor gripped her books tightly. Her body shook from the emotions welling up in her. "Alvin Seville, you are the biggest jerk I've ever met!" She exclaimed, running down the hall.

This story was SameAsTheNext's idea. She figured that I could do a better job with it. And after half an hour of futile arguing, I finally decided to sit down and write it.

I've planned on making it a two-shot; so before you get all upset, no this isn't the end.

Until then… REVIEW!