Simon did his best to stay away from Jack for the next few day. It seemed that every time someone even mentioned his name it would send off a signal inside of him, and it was getting harder to control his temper. No one noticed this more than Alvin who confronted him about it.

“Simon, what’s wrong with you lately?” Alvin asked.

“Nothing,” he said. “I just don’t like that Jack Harris hanging all over Jeanette.”

“And why is that?”

“Because he’s a snake,” Simon said. “All he’s going to do is hurt her.”

“Yea, I know all about that, and if you just told her how you felt she wouldn’t be going out with him,” Alvin said. “And further more, my girlfriend wouldn’t be going out with you.”

“Alvin,” Simon started. “I don’t want to go out with Brittany. I have absolutely no interest in her.”

“And why not?” Alvin shouted at him. “She’s beautiful.”

“And a pain in the ass,” Simon said. “You should be glad I have no interest in her, especially when every other guy in school does.”

“Okay, okay,” Alvin said. “I get it. You only have eyes for Jeanette.”

“That’s not how it is,” Simon said. “I’m just concerned about her.”

“Yea, right” Alvin said with a chuckle. “Just admit that you’re completely and totally in love with her.”

“Well, I…” Simon couldn’t go on. I sat down on his bed and thought about it for a moment. “Am I?”

“You are,” Alvin said and left the room.

Alvin ran downstairs and raced for the phone. He dialed Brittany’s number. “Hello?”

“Hey, Britt,” Alvin said. “We have a problem.”

“What?” she asked.

“It’s Simon,” Alvin said. “This whole plan of yours is a bad idea. Besides, I don’t like my girlfriend going out with my brother.”

“Would you get over it,” Brittany said. “It’s not a real date. I’m only doing this to help Jeanette.”

“Okay,” Alvin said. “But I’ll be there.”

“What?” Brittany asked. “You don’t trust me?”

“Of course I do,” Alvin said. “I just want to make sure you stay out of trouble.”

“Okay, whatever,” she said. “Besides, I need your help to pull this off.”

“Sounds sneaky,” he said. “My specialty.”

“Then I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow.”