Chapter 3: Favors

The sorority house was oddly quiet. Usually there was something … girls talking in the kitchen, watching television in the living room, playing music in their bedrooms. But a lull had fallen over the house, one of the rare purely-by-happenstance moments when almost everyone was out.

Angelica Pickles liked the quiet. She loved her sorority sisters. She'd never had siblings growing up. Had always told herself she hadn't wanted to until college, where she'd found that she actually liked having other girls around, to talk to and watch movies with and to trade clothes with. But, love them though she may, sometimes a house full of girls could get to be a bit much.

She padded downstairs, smiling. It was so quiet Angelica could hear the birds outside. She threw herself onto the couch and lazily pondered what she would do with her weekend. Shopping would almost definitely have to be involved, she decided.

Her reverie was rudely interrupted by the doorbell. "Doorbell!" she yelled. No one responded, so she tried again. "Someone get the damn door!"

Still nada.

Perfect. Just perfect.

Good mood dissipating rapidly, Angelica pulled herself up and stomped over to the door. She threw it open and paused. Then she sighed. "Oh, dear God."

"And a good afternoon to you too, Angie."

It was Phil who greeted her, but she stared at Tom instead. "What do you want, Tommy?"

Tom shook his head as though he were hurt. "Angelica, you wound me," he said. "Is it so wrong for me to want to visit my favorite cousin?"

"I'm your only cousin," she pointed out, giving each boy an appraising stare. Phil looked a little confused, Tom looked eager, and Chuck looked incredibly nervous. In other words, everything seemed normal enough.

Tom grinned, the grin that had won more than one girl's heart. Angelica had always hated that grin. But it meant that he was going to be pestering her for a bit longer, so she stepped to the side and ushered her visitors in. "Couch," she said and pointed. "Sit."

The three boys sat obediently.

Angelica sighed again and sat in a nearby chair. "So," she began, "to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

"We have a favor to ask," said Tom.

"This is a bad idea," Chuck muttered, while Phil rolled his eyes.

"And why," Angelica began carefully, addressing Tom, "should I want to do a favor for you?" She glanced at Chuck and Phil. "Or any of you, for that matter."

"Because I'm your cousin and you love me?"

"Try again."

Tom leaned forward, eyes bright. "Because if you don't, I'll reveal some very personal information that I happen to have." He titled his head and looked, for all the world, like a little bird. "Information that I don't think you want to become public knowledge."

"I'm afraid I don't have the slightest idea what you're talking about." She knew exactly what he was talking about but wanted to see if he was bluffing.

"I could tell everyone right now, if you'd—"

Angelica jumped up. "That won't be necessary!" Phil and Chuck flinched. She took a deep breath to compose herself then mustered up her best glower, which Tom steadfastly ignored. She gave up. "So go ahead and tell me, I don't have all day. What's your favor?"

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Author's Notes: Glad you're enjoying the story so far! I think Phil/Kim makes a lot of sense, but for some reason—not entirely sure why—I've always wanted to put Kim and Dil together. I guess I just think they'd be cute.