Only Emptiness Remains

How It All Started

Brittany remembered exactly when it all started. The exact moment her life had changed for the worse and there was absolutely nothing she could do about it. She hated feeling so powerless. As the oldest of her sisters, she was supposed to be in charge of everything. She was supposed to fix all the problems they faced. And she couldn't help but feel like she had somehow let Jeanette and Eleanor down. Big time.

It all started about a year and a half ago, at the beginning of their sophomore year in high school. It was on that fateful fall morning that Brittany had been pulled from her history class and told to report to the principal's office right away. Of course, Brittany immediately went into panic mode and her heart was racing the entire long walk over there. But not because she had any idea what the real reason for it was. At first, she thought for sure that somebody had ratted her out for cutting math class the day before to make out with Alvin (who was still her boyfriend at the time) under the bleachers on the football field. She was totally expecting to see Alvin sitting on one of the benches outside the office when she got there (and Alvin Seville being called into the principal's office wasn't exactly anything new or unexpected).

She was not at all prepared for what awaited her when she finally arrived at her destination. Instead of seeing her partner in crime sitting there, she saw Eleanor and ... Jeanette? That was when she knew something was up. Jeanette was absolutely the last person Brittany ever expected to see in the principal's office (aside from maybe Simon).
Brittany sat down between both her sisters and the three of them started to talk among themselves while they waited. None of them had any idea why they were told to go there. But they were all very worried. They just knew it couldn't be anything good.

Eventually, Principal Talbot (who had recently been relocated to the high school) poked his head out of his office and called for the Miller sisters to come in. Once the three of them were seated in front of his desk, they noticed he had a very solemn look on his face.

"Girls," he started off in a very serious tone. "I'm afraid I have some bad news. Your mother was in a car accident on her way home from driving you to school this morning. She was pronounced dead on arrival when she got to the hospital and they believe her death was instantaneous. I am very sorry for your loss. Since Dave Seville is listed as your emergency contact, I have notified him and he will be picking you three up shortly. You are all excused from attending the rest of your classes today. And if you don't come to school for the next few days either, we will understand."

Honestly, Brittany barely even heard anything that was said after she was pronounced dead. She felt totally numb. She wanted so bad to jump out of her chair and scream at Principal Talbot that he was lying. That Miss Miller was not dead and was at home right now feeding the cat and he didn't know what he was talking about. But she found herself unable to even speak. This was definitely a first for Brittany Miller.

All three Chipettes were still in disbelief when they met Dave outside the school. Dave pulled all three into a group hug.

"I'm so sorry, girls." Dave whispered.

They could tell he was trying to keep it together for their sake. After all, the Sevilles and Miss Miller had been neighbors for years. Long before The Chipettes had even entered any of their lives. And she was a good friend of his. It only made sense that he would be affected by her death too.

He had decided to take Alvin, Simon and Theodore home for the rest of the day as well. He figured the girls could use some support from their boyfriends and longtime childhood friends.

When the boys arrived to meet Dave and the Chipettes (who were all in tears at this point), they were beyond confused until Dave explained what had happened. Each Chipette was given a hug by her Chipmunk boyfriend. Brittany by Alvin, Jeanette by Simon, and Eleanor by Theodore.