iSophomore

Melanie Puckett struggled to stay awake, even in Spanish 2, which she loved. She loved Spanish class for a number of reasons. She loved the class because it was easy. It was easy because she'd listened to Uncle Freddie babble every day of her life. She loved it because she felt safe here – her Spanish teacher and her English teacher loved each other the same way her parents loved one another. She loved it even more because her favorite person in the world was right next to her, conjugating verbs in her third language.

The bell rang. Class was over. Melanie was now very much awake.

IN THE HALLWAY…

Bridget Xi walked to Melanie's locker, her arm loose around the blonde girl's waist. They were still the quiet ones, although they had grown closer – if such a thing were in fact possible – over the summer break. Carly and Sam's sweet little girl had come out of her shell somewhat. She was now vivacious and bubbly.

She laughed, lost in her own little daydream, as her sister snuck up behind her, flicking her in the ear.

"Outta the way, Dork…"

Ashley Puckett, with CFC champion Megan Marx in tow, bolted towards the ladies' room.

Melanie mumbled through gritted teeth.

"Oh my goodness… You are such a child!..."

Bridget mumbled something to her partner. It was drowned out, again, by the bell. Sophomore year was off to a fabulous start.

A SHORT WHILE LATER IN THE STUDENT UNION…

The Puckett Twins sat, with their respective halves, eating lunch. Ashley threw a sidelong look at her sister. Had they not shared a bedroom, Ashley wouldn't have recognized her. Mel had opted for her contacts this morning, along with a new wardrobe that Ashley and Megan had assembled for her. Despite their mother's frustration, Ashley had to admit, the little nerd looked cute.

Bridget agreed. She couldn't help but cuddle up to the little blonde.

Just then, there was a ruckus in the lunch line, along with what sounded like an avalanche of Fat Cakes.

"Oh my God… No… He's… coming over…"

Ashley Puckett covered her face with her hands.

Melanie was happy to see her new long-term sub wander over in their direction.

"Hey there, Budding Artists!"

Ashley slid lower in her chair. Melanie smiled brightly.

"Hey Uncle Spencer…"

Spencer waved her off.

"Ya can't call me Uncle Spencer at school, Kiddo… What if the other kids realized we're related, and expected you to help them ace Art? Besides, if they realized you got all your artistic coolness from me…"

Ashley, slightly less embarrassed by her uncle, the man-child, smiled, looking him in the face.

"Yeah, right... that'll happen... Oh, and by the way, Mom sends her love... and Mama wanted me to give you these..."

Unzipping her bookbag, Ashley tossed a plastic sandwich bag to Spencer. His eyes lit up.

"Oooh, cookies! Awesome!"

Spencer whipped out his phone, ready to text Sam and thank her for satiating his sweet tooth, only to find his phone missing.

It was now firmly in the grasp of one Francine Briggs.

"No cell phones during school hours!"

"But I'm a teacher…"

"No back-talk!"

"I wasn't…"

"No fraternizing with the students!"

"They're my nieces, for Chrissakes!"

"DETENTION!"

"You can't give me detention!"

"Double Detention!"

Spencer took a chance and grabbed his phone back. He'd picked the right moment, because even faculty and administrators needed to eat sometime. Luckily for Spencer Shay, Gibby had chosen to pop down to the union and indulge his sweet tooth. What Tasha didn't know wouldn't hurt her.

"What's going on here?"

Briggs began a seemingly thoroughly rehearsed lecture.

"Young Mister Shay here was busy violating school rules, making unauthorized phone calls and fraternizing with teenage girls…"

Gibby cleared his throat and interrupted.

"Last I checked, Francine, at least two of these young ladies are his nieces, so I fail to see…"

Briggs got huffy.

"But… But…"

"That's enough, Francine… have a good day…"

Spencer shot the principal a grateful half-smile.

"Gibbayyyyy…"

He smirked.

"All in a day's work, Spence…"

The girls stifled laughter. Long before he was their high school principal, they thought of him simply as their 'Uncle Gibby', but either way, they couldn't believe the smack-down he'd just delivered – in public, no less – to Francine Briggs. Megan Marx, never one to back down from a fight, shot off her mouth as soon as Mr. Gibson was far enough away that he couldn't distinguish her voice.

"Get bent, Francine…"

Ashley slapped her hand.

"Megan, stoppit! You're gonna get detention…"

Megan grinned, playing all sweet and innocent.

"Yes, Dear…"

THE MARX RESIDENCE, MERCER ISLAND…

Shelby Marx's pregnancy had complicated the lives of two families. Finally following doctor's orders, Shelby had to give up her training schedule at the gym, trusting only Samantha Puckett with running the gym. Sam, for her part, entrusted Il Terrazzo Carmine – on alternating days – to Wendy and The Nub. Shelby Marx, of course, needed a babysitter.

"Carlyyyyy!"

Carly Puckett rushed in, fluffing the pillow propped in the small of Shelby Marx's back.

Shelby was flat-out cranky.

"Why did I let Wendy talk me into this?"

"Because you love her and because, when it's all over, there's going to be a beautiful little person bouncing around…"

Shelby continued to fuss. She was a dear friend, a wonderful woman, and a great mom, but she was a horrible patient. Carly patted Shelby's shoulder.

"Would you just hush, please? Wendy's right, you're all bark and no bite…"

Shelby grumbled. She knew her friend meant well, but she was swollen and uncomfortable.

"Carly Shay! I'd kick you in the head right now if I could see my feet!"

Carly giggled.

"Take it up with your wife, Sweetheart… Just doing my job…"

LATER THAT AFTERNOON…

The girls sat together, chattering contently on the bus, on the way home from school. Bridget snuggled close to Melanie, whispering in her ear.

"I like the new look, but you and your sister look creepy alike… Are the glasses too much to ask?"

Melanie chuckled, not realizing how much she really resembled her sister. Granted, they were twins, but, for Melanie, this was 'dressed down'. She wasn't used to it.

"Of course not… I just wanted…"

Bridget smiled.

"Yeah, I know… and you rocked it…"

A SHORT WHILE LATER…

The front door to the Puckett home swung open. The girls found Carly in the kitchen, cooking away. The brunette smiled.

"Hey there, sophomores…"

It was Megan who spoke up.

"Hey Missus Puckett… How was my mom today?"

Carly's eyes sparkled, as usual.

"She's fine, Pumpkin… except that she can't see her toes…"

Megan giggled.

"Yeah… Welcome to my world. It's so weird…"

Carly smirked.

"Come on in and take a load off… Dinner's almost done…"

Within minutes, four small bodies were sprawled across the sofa, the TV on. It felt like home again.