Hey, thanks for the awesome support. I know it's been a while since I've added to this one, but so much has happened. Final exams came and went and now my left pinkie is so crooked it hurts. I was told it was trigger finger, but I'm waiting to see the specialist later this week to see what's really going on there. Add the fact that we're in the middle of moving and it just makes for a crazy last few months.

Anyway, I recently finished reading Takedown Twenty and that part where Helen tells Stephanie that living with Grandma was like living with her (Stephanie) all over again was priceless! That little glimpse back in time to Steph's teenage years fueled the continuation of this story.

Disclaimer: The Plum universe belongs to JE.

"Carlos!" I waved him over as soon as I caught sight of him down the hall. Since I'm on the verge of failing the class, I've gotta take advantage of his expertise in Spanish. And since we're partnered up for this assignment, I'll start there.

"Stephanie." He waved back, moving through the crowd to reach the door. It was then that I noticed that a tall, beautiful girl was latched onto his arm.

"Hi." She flashed me a genuine grin as she looked me over.

"Hey." I said, feeling something I couldn't quite pinpoint jab my lower belly. Of course he has a girlfriend. A little voice in my head was quick to point out that Carlos is really good looking.

"I'm Celia." She offered her hand and I reluctantly shook it. "I'll tell Mama." She said to Carlos before waving goodbye at us and turning around, effectively disappearing in the crowd.

"Sister?" I asked as soon as the 'Mom' comment sunk in.

Carlos nodded. "Yeah, I asked her to let Mom know I'll be at your house."

I nodded as we started walking down the sidewalk, moving away from the high school. We walked in comfortable silence. While it looked like he was lost in thought, I enjoyed the familiar sights. Living in the Burg has its pros and cons. People have adopted a routine of sorts, so I usually see the same people doing the same things on my walk home or to Tasty Pastry after school. Yeah, life is very predictable in this neighborhood. I haven't decided if the predictability is a good thing or a bad thing. I'm sort of torn on that one.

"It's this one." I finally broke the silence long moments later as I led the way towards the front door.

A figure appeared behind the screen door and it took me about a second to figure out who it was. "Stephanie!" A cheerful voice greeted a fraction of a moment before the door opened.

"Grandma Mazur!" It's always great to see her. She's great and she loves me to death. Grandma hasn't visited in a long time. There's been talk about her moving in with us ever since Grandpa Mazur took his clogged arteries to the heavens. I just didn't know when it was going to happen, but I certainly enjoy the surprise.

"Hhmmm, you should do my hair like that." Grandma twirled one of my curles, making me smile. It seems she hasn't changed one bit.

"Sure." I agreed.

"And who's this?" She focused her attention on Carlos, taking a moment to look him over.

"I'm Carlos." He said, shifting slightly at the way Grandma Mazur was staring at him.

"I like you." She said simply, patting his cheek.

"We've got homework to do." I said, trying to move past my grandma.

"What's going on?" My mother asked as she joined the party.

"Stephanie and Carlos have homework to do." Grandma announced helpfully.

"What?" My mother turned wide eyes at me before turning to Carlos. "Homework? On a Friday?" She half whispered, half shrieked.

I work every other Friday at Tasty Pastry. Those Fridays when I'm off I usually spend the afternoon either plotting my escape when I'm grounded or getting ready for an outing when I'm not. Either way, Fridays are my party days. "Yes." I replied a bit impatiently.

"Uhm…" My mother stared at me open mouthed before focusing on Carlos again. She was silent for so long that I couldn't read her. I mean, it's not like my mother's racist. Well, we certainly haven't been raised that way.

It felt like an eternity and despite the fact that we were all waiting for her to speak, my mother still shocked us when she finally broke the silence. "Come on in!" She looped her arms around his left bicep, ushering Carlos inside.

Grandma and I trailed behind as my mother led the way to the kitchen. "Sit." She instructed before asking Carlos if he needed anything.

"Seriously?" I was baffled as I sat across from Carlos. "Who are you and what have you done with my mother?" My mother ignored me, the only sign of acknowledgement came in the form of a glare she shot my way.

"Anything to drink at least?"

"Water." He flashed my mom a half grin that made something in my chest flutter.

"Of course." Mom bustled around the kitchen, asking Carlos if he needed anything else. "I have lunch meat."

"I'm fine, thank you." He took the glass of water, shaking his head.

"I could use a sandwich." As soon as the words left my mouth, my mother returned her full attention to me.

"You've got work to do." She gave me a pointed look, but before she could say anything else Grandma Mazur dragged her out of the kitchen. I didn't miss the wink Grandma shot my way.

I chose to ignore that wink. "Okay." I said on a sigh. During class we settled vaguely on the topic for our dialogue, but it was about as far as we got.

"Uhm…" Carlos grabbed his notebook from his backpack along with the instructions. "We have to incorporate at least three of the vocab words."

"Alrighty, let's see." I grabbed my copy of the vocabulary words and gave it the once over. Quickly deciding on the shortest three, I glanced up at him. "Let's use these three."

"Let's get started then." There it was again, that tiny flutter in my chest that seemed to flare up whenever he smiled.

S&R

"See, that wasn't so hard."

"Ugh, no." I thought this assignment was going to be simplified tenfold thanks to his expertise, but the jerk actually made me work for it. Okay, I admit I thought he was an ass when he was so curt at Tasty Pastry last night. I guess he's not that much of an ass, but I still don't like the fact that I had to work so hard on this assignment.

"Dinner's ready." My mother announced after my sister and Grandma took the last dishes to the dining table.

"I should get going." Carlos stood from the table and gathered his stuff.

"No, stay." My mother draped an arm across his shoulders to keep him in place.

"Uh…" Carlos shot me a look, but I shrugged. It was totally up to him. "I should call home and…"

"Sure, sure." Mom walked him to the living room so he could use the phone and have some privacy.

After washing my hands I joined the others in the dining room. My dad was already seated at the head of the table, looking ready to eat. My sister and Grandma had also already taken their spots, sitting across from each other. So, I sat next to Grandma Mazur.

"Who's your friend?" Valerie asked, showing way too much interest in my 'friend'.

"He's quite handsome." Grandma Mazur added.

"Oh, yeah." My sister nodded and I couldn't help but frown at the dreamy look that graced her facial features. I couldn't place a finger on it, but for some reason her look pissed me off.

So, it seems like Steph is changing her mind about Carlos some. And Helen totally loves himXD Next chapter will be in his POV starting off with dinner at the Plum's;) And don't worry, we'll get to know what Morelli's been up to as well.