Hey everyone! Happy 2014! I'm so sorry this is late. I honestly expected to update so much sooner than this, but life got in the way. I had finals, I came down with the stomach flu (during the week of finals, no less!) and some other stuff happened that prevented me from being able to update.

However! I am back and I hope you guys enjoy this chapter.

A few notes first:

We will find out more about Alison/Hanna and the context of their relationship.

The results of Veronica and Peter's trial will be revealed.

Spencer and Aria will resolve their differences, I promise. It's coming up!

Let's see, what else..

Oh, and brace yourselves for a bit of drama involving a certain someone from a previous chapter. ;)

Off we go!

"I'm confused..."

Emily, Aria, Spencer and I are at a salon the following day. School just got out and we thought it'd be a good idea to take Spencer to get a manicure before the social worker arrives. The salon smells heavily of nail polish and hairspray. A little girl getting a pedicure keeps squealing and keeps kicking the poor manicurist in her face.

"What are you confused about, Spence?"

"All this," Spencer declares, sweeping her arms around the salon, "You just pay these women to do your nails and toes?"

"Yeah, it's fun."

"But feet are gross."

Aria glances up from her magazine. "Spencer, it's okay. They won't hurt you."

Last night, Spencer told me Aria taught her how to spell my name, Mr. Bandit's, and Emily's names. She'd asked Aria to help her learn how to read, and I can't help but feel a little jealous. Why didn't Spencer ask me to teach her how to read? I spend the most time with her. I help her bathe and pick out cute clothes for her to wear. I brush her hair before I leave for school.

Spencer doesn't even like Aria and she asks her to teach her how to read? It's not fair.

"Hanna?" Spencer tugs on my sleeve and my eyes drift up from my phone.

"What's up?"

"I'm hungry."

"You just ate an hour ago, Spencer," Aria points out. She's nudged by Emily, who mouths Don't start, and Aria grumbles but turns back to her magazine.

"Well, we're up next, Spence. We can't leave."

"But I'm really hungry." Her eyes dart around and she grips my arm tightly. "I don't like this place. It smells funny. And that woman's hair - " Spencer points to a stylist - "is purple. It's purple!"

"Spencer, hush!" Aria flashes the woman an apologetic smile. She runs her fingers through her hair and leans down to rummage through her bag. She straightens back up with her camera in her hands. "Spencer, you can't just shout things out like that. It's rude."

"Well, her hair is purple," Spencer retorts stubbornly. "That is weird."

"It isn't weird!"

"It -"

"Spencer," I cut her off gently, "stop. Okay?"

Spencer sighs and tugs on my arm again. "Hanna, I'm hungry!"

"You know what, Spencer?" Emily digs through her purse and removes a little baggie of Doritos. "I have chips, would you like some?" She offers Spencer the baggie with a warm smile. "It's okay, you can take it."

Spencer hesitantly takes the bag and hugs it to her chest. "Thank you," she whispers softly.

"Thanks, Em."

Emily sits back and returns to her magazine. "No problem, Spencer. I wasn't going to eat them anyway."

"Spencer..." Aria says slowly.

Spencer glances up with a handful of chips she's already stuffed in her mouth. "What?" she garbles.

Aria's eyes flicker up from her camera to Spencer and she folds her arms across her chest. "Why are there...twenty pictures of you and your raccoon on my camera?"

Spencer ducks her head and chews her chips carefully. My mom has had to remind her not to eat so fast, but I don't think she even notices. Whenever Spencer gets food, she eats whatever it is like a starving animal. It's sad.

"Mr. Bandit," Spencer says, dusting off orange crumbs from her hands, "is very photogenic."

"You can't just take pictures of your raccoon with my camera!" Aria argues. "Was it really necessary to put Hanna's shower cap on his head?"

I raise my magazine over my mouth to conceal a grin. Spencer is so cute.

"Yes, I did! They're just pictures!"

"Did you delete any of my other pictures?"

"No!"

Aria opens her mouth to say something when Spencer's name is called by a manicurist.

"Will you come with me?" Spencer whispers.

"Of course, Spencer. Come on." I stand up, offer her my hand and together we walk over and she sits down at the designated chair.

"Is it safe?" Spencer asks me as I pull up a chair next to her. The manicurist gives us an odd look and I ignore her.

"Of course it's safe. I'll be right here, okay?"

"Okay."

Spencer still looks afraid so I squeeze her shoulder.

"You can do this."

"I can do this!"

Forty-five minutes later

"There, you look very nice."

"I do?" Spencer twirls in front of my mirror and glances at her reflection.

"Of course."

After we were done at the nail salon, Aria and Emily went home and Spencer and I came back to my house. I helped Spencer change into a black skirt and soft white top. Some of her bruises have faded so she's more comfortable wearing shorts or skirts.

"Hanna, the social worker won't hurt me, right?"

"Absolutely not."

"Do you promise?"

"I promise."

"Spencer, Hanna! She's here!" My mother yells up the stairs.

"Are you ready?" I wonder if I look as nervous as I feel.

"I'm ready."

I lead Spencer downstairs and into the living room to see my mother standing next to a woman with long, red hair and forest green eyes. She's wearing outdated Jimmy Choo heels and a dark blue business suit. It clashes horribly with her hair and I wonder for a second what went through her mind when she picked out her clothes this morning.

"Girls, this is Sharon McCaster. She's from social services."

"Hey," I greet cautiously. "I'm Hanna, this is Spencer."

"Hi, Sharon," Spencer mumbles from behind me.

"Hello, girls," Sharon says in a pleasant tone. "It's very nice to meet you both. Would you like to give me a tour your lovely home?"

"Of course we would!" My mom pipes up. "We'll start with the kitchen. Right this way."

We trail after her and Spencer tugs on my sleeve. "She smells like grass," Spencer whispers. "Is that a perfume scent?"

"Probably from some earth-thumping store."

"What?"

"Nothing, never mind. Come on."

We hurry behind my Mom and Sharon to see the latter inspecting our appliances. What, does she think will happen, our blender will attack us in the middle of the night?

"This is a very nice kitchen. Why doesn't Ashley show me the rest of the house so we can talk and then afterwards I'll talk with Hanna and Spencer. How does that sound?"

Ridiculous. What's so important that we can't hear? "Fine," I manage in a sweet tone. "Right, Spencer?"

"Yes," Spencer replies softly.

My mom and Sharon head upstairs and I sit down with Spencer at the island counter. I pick up an apple from the bowl of fruit in front of me and nervously toss it back and forth between my hands.

"Hanna? Is that woman going to make me live with someone else? I don't want to live with anyone else. I like it here. I like you and your Mom. I like my bed and my clothes. And Emily. Aria is still a bitch."

"Spencer, you need to stop with the name-calling. Aria isn't a bitch." Back and forth, back and forth.

"She is."

"She's going to teach you how to read, remember?" I point out, hoping Spencer doesn't pick up on the hint of jealously in my tone. Back and forth.

"She's still a bitch."

Spencer pulls her knees up to her chest and gazes around the kitchen. "What if I get sent away?"

"You won't," I respond uncertainly. Sharon won't send Spencer away. She can't. My mom and I take great care of Spencer. I don't know what I'd do without her. I made a complete 180 degree turn with her, going from disliking her to..to what? I can't explain why I had a sudden change of heart so speak, but I did. And I think I need Spencer in my life just as much as she needs me.

Voices float downstairs and I sigh. Time to get this stupid interview - is that what's called when a social worker talks to you? - over with. I place the apple back and stand up.

"Come on, Spence."

We head into the living room, where my mom and 'Business Suit' are waiting.

"You have a beautiful home, Hanna."

"So I've been told. Can we get on with this?"

"Hanna!" My mother snaps. "Don't be rude. I'll go put on a pot of fresh coffee."

Spencer and I occupy the love seat while Sharon sits across from us in an armchair. I make a mental note to burn it later. Her house too, if she dares takes Spencer away from us - from me.

"Spencer, how do you like living with Ashley and Hanna?"

"I like it. They're really nice. Hanna helps me pick out clothes and she's helped me bathe. I can do it by myself now."

I smile and duck my head.

"You have a lovely room. Do you keep it clean on your own?"

Spencer nods. "Father and Mother made me clean all the time, so I'm a professional at it."

Sharon and I both tense and I rub my arms uncomfortably.

"Do you get enough to eat here?" Sharon asks conversationally. "The kitchen is well-stocked with plenty of food."

"Yes! I eat a lot. Hanna makes sure to give me as much as I can eat. Sometimes we come down here at midnight and have sandwiches."

"Hanna is a very nice girl, isn't she?"

Spencer glances at me and curls her arms through mine. The gesture makes my heart race and I grind my teeth together.

"She's the best person I've ever known. She's funny and sweet. She's caring and really pretty. I like her eyes."

Sharon smiles and her eyes flicker to me briefly. "She certainly is a very pretty girl."

I can't even focus on what Sharon is saying. My heart has gone crazy and it feels like there's a swarm of butterflies in my stomach. Spencer thinks I'm pretty. She likes my eyes.

"Hanna?"

I snap out of my trance and blink. "W-What?"

"I asked you how you like having Spencer a houseguest," Sharon says calmly.

"I love it," I reply instantly. "I know she's had...had it rough, but she's come so far in a short amount of time. I really think this is the best place for her."

Sharon nods and sits back. "Well, I can certainly see that you two care very much about each other."

My mother returns from the kitchen and sits quietly in another chair. I know she's been listening. I would have smelt the coffee by now - she didn't make any.

"Now Spencer, I do have one last question for you."

"Okay."

Sharon glances at the three of us and clears her throat. "Is there anything you're holding back? Anything you want to tell me but perhaps you are afraid to?"

My heart drops into my stomach and my eyes flash down to my arms. No. No, no, no, no. Spencer, please don't. Not here. Not now.

Spencer shakes her head. "There isn't anything. I love my new home."

Sharon stares at us and for a moment I'm worried she's figured it out. But then she smiles and stands up. "Well, is was quite a pleasant visit and I'm very happy to report that you two have created a wonderful, safe environment for Spencer. Dr. Marin, as we discussed, I expect weekly reports on Spencer's condition and I'm going to recommend that she sees a doctor, an optometrist and a dentist. I can make a few calls and we'll get some appointments setup. All in all, I am beyond pleased with my visit today."

Relief floods me and I grin from ear to ear. Thank goodness.

My mother and Sharon shake us. I shake her hand as well, but then she turns to shake Spencer's hand, Spencer crosses her arms over her chest and chews on her lip.

"Maybe next time, huh?" Sharon asks and Spencer just shrugs.

"I'll be checking in."

"Let me walk you to the door," my mom says. They stand up and walk away.

I barely stand up myself before Spencer launches herself into my arms and buries her face in my hair.

"I get to stay!" Spencer squeals. "Hanna, I get to live with you!"

My grin widens and I tighten my hold on her.

"I know, Spencer. You did very well!"

My mother clears her throat and we step back. She's smiling as wide as we are.

"Who's hungry? How does pizza sound?"

"I'm hungry!" Spencer shouts. "I can eat a whole pizza!"

"Well, let's go order it!"

Spencer and my mom walk into the kitchen and I follow suit. Today was a great day and pizza will just make it even more is the first time I've actually felt content with my life in a while. Nothing could wrong now.

...Right?

So what did you guys think? I really hope you all liked this. I do have a request to ask of you guys.

Without going into much detail, something happened with school that completely diminished any confidence I had in my my writing abilities and it was enough to put me off of writing for a while. Honestly sometimes it still bothers me. So you guys, I would really, really appreciate it if I received honest, helpful comments about my writing on all of my stories.

You guys really encourage me, but I think I need your guys' opinions now more than ever, good or bad. Please be helpful!

More to come.

Also! Be on the lookout for new fics! I have a few planned! Love you guys!