Chapter 15: Convergence

The music had cut off, and sirens could be heard from a distance. Stunned, Lillian arrived at the dance floor just in time to see Angelica haul a bloodied, glasses-less Chuck to his feet and start dragging him towards the back door. Lil somewhat roughly shoved her way through the equally-stunned crowd, with Tom hot on her heels.

As soon as there were out on the back patio, Tom exploded, roaring, "Angelica Pickles! What did you do to my best friend?"

Even in the dark, Angelica's glare was perfectly visible, the whites of her eyes glowing. "I didn't do anything!" she snapped. "In fact, I saved his sorry ass." She rifled through her purse, yanked out a tissue, and shoved it at Chuck. "Tell 'em, Finster."

Gingerly Chuck took the tissue and held it up to his nose. He nodded while wincing at the pain. Angelica's tone changed from indignation to regret, as she added softly, "Matt did this to him."

Tom's jaw tightened visibly at this revelation, and Lil looked away, muttering something that sounded very much like "bastard." Meanwhile, Chuck sat down weakly on the patio wall and groaned.

"Oh, my God! Chuck!"

Four heads whirled around, and four pairs of eyes went wide at the sight of an equally surprised Kim Finster and Dil Pickles not ten feet away. For several moments no one spoke, silently exchanging confused glances with one another. Then everyone began talking at once.

"Dil, what are you doing here?"

"What did you do to my brother? I swear, if you—"

"Guys … "

"Kim, calm down, really I'm—"

"How many times do I have to explain that I didn't hurt one precious red hair on his stupid head? Jeez, Kim!"

"Guys … "

"Relax, Tom, I didn't get into any trouble. It's just a party."

"You're only seventeen!"

"Oh, come on—you're only eighteen!"

"Guys!" All eyes shifted over to Lil, who'd finally, successfully shouted over them. She was standing with her hands on her hips, looking irritated. She pointed towards the door. "You hear that?"

They all cocked their heads, listening intently, but it was Tom who answered. "Lil, I don't hear anything."

"Exactly. The sirens have stopped, which means the cops are here."

Kim cleared her throat. "I parked my car—well, Dad's minivan, same difference—about two blocks from here." She glanced worriedly at her older brother. "Let's get the heck out of Dodge and get you to a hospital."

She wrapped an arm around his waist and, his arm around her shoulders, supported part of his weight, while Angelica moved to Chuck's other side and did the same. Slowly, mindful of Chuck's traditionally low pain threshold, the group headed out the backyard gate and down the street.

They were halfway to the minivan when Angelica turned her head and gave Kim an appraising look. "Back on the patio," she said, carefully enunciating each syllable, "were you holding Dil's hand?"

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Author's Notes: There will be more TommyLil, I swear it. But unfortunately they're probably the couple who gets the least "screen time" in this little story. Then again, everyone's kinda taking a backseat to Chuckie and Angelica here. It's because Angie threatened them, y'know, so they're too scared to ask for more time in the story.