Mail

After getting dressed you realize you didn't check the mail on your way in, so you leave the apartment to do that now. You run into Annabelle again on the stairs, the usually confident woman seems flustered and won't make eye contact when she addresses you.

"Hello John. Have you... did Tibby and Ashley already..."

"They sure did. The video came out perfectly. How about yours?"

"I um, I haven't done it yet."

"That's fine, the trade isn't until tomorrow. I hope you don't chicken out, the girls are really looking forward to seeing you in all your glory."

Annabelle turns red. "Glory? Come on John, I can't take this pressure."

"I'm only messing with you Annabelle. Ashley isn't even sure she wants to make the trade."

She lets out her breath. "So I'm not the only person with mixed feelings about making porn for her neighbors."

"Nope. So what brings you out here?" you ask, sensing that she'd appreciate an end to this conversation.

"Just getting the mail. You?"

"On my way down to do the same."

"Right. I'll leave you to it then," she says and starts walking up the stairs again.

"See you tomorrow," you tell her and continue down.

When you get back to your apartment the sound of smooth jazz leads you to the kitchen, where the girls have started cooking to some radio tunes. They've taken off their collars and are wearing loose robes.

You want to help, but they're having none of it. All you can do is hand them herbs and spices and watch their hips shake to the music while they stir their pans. You're not even sure what they're making, but it smells good.

Eventually they turn off the heat, serve their food onto three plates on the kitchen table, and drop the pans into the sink for later. The radio is turned down, but not off, before they sit down with you.

"Any important letters?" Ashley asks while you inspect your plate. One of the pans had been full of vegetables and the other meat, which has been combined into one meal on your plate and Tibby's. Ashley isn't a vegetarian but she doesn't eat a lot of meat, so only the vegetables have made it onto her plate.

"Your class schedule is here," you tell her while using your fork to point at the envelope you placed near her plate. "I'm still waiting for mine. Also, I ran into Annabelle outside."

"What'd she say?" Tibby asks eagerly.

"She was blushing like I've never seen her. It seems Ashley isn't the only one having second thoughts about trading footage."

Ashley looks up from her envelope. "Is she calling it off? Because if she does I win."

"She hasn't decided yet. We'll just have to wait until tomorrow. Unless you want to call it off?" You ask provocatively.

"I haven't decided yet! You'll just have to wait until tomorrow," she says and sticks her tongue out.