Dad and Uncle Jesse ended up going with that plan of spying on Michelle. They drug Joey along with it, despite him saying over and over it really wasn't a good idea. They acted like everything was normal; Michelle was none the wiser. It didn't occur to her that Aunt Becky kept glaring at Uncle Jesse or that Dad was nervous. Her mind was on her upcoming hangout/date and only that. Eventually, the clock was close to eleven and Denise's mom pulled up with Denise and Marcus already in the car.

"That's them," Michelle looked ready to puke when they heard the car horn. She was way overreacting. Was Stephanie like this when she first liked a boy?

Nah.

"Have fun, but not too much fun. Okay, Shorty? Uncle Jesse said to her firmly.

"Uh, huh," She said distractedly.

"Have fun, Michelle," Aunt Becky smiled at her before going to wake up Nicky and Alex. She was going to take them with her to do a few errands. Originally, they were going to be left behind at the house with Uncle Jesse watching them, but that wasn't working out now.

"Oh, Michelle," Joey called to her as she was about to leave, "can you get me some funnel cake?"

Uncle Jesse turned to him with a flat look. 'What's with you and the funnel cake, heh?"

Dad bent down on his knee to give Michelle a kiss goodbye on the forehead. "Have a great time, sweetheart and remember, don't overspend."

"I know," Michelle nodded and gave him a hug. "Bye guys." She went out the door and instantaneously, the guys started talking about their plan.

"Let's wait a sec," Uncle Jesse said. "We can't let anyone see us. We'll just wait until Denise's mom is off the street and we'll use my car."

Dad seemed a bit displeased by the idea of taking Uncle Jesse's car. "Your car?" he said. "Did you at least scrub out that stain on the floor?"

Uncle Jesse faced him slowly. "Slipped my mind," he deadpanned.

"I still don't think you should do this," Aunt Becky told them.

"Me either," Joey was already looking guilty. "Can't we just let her have fun and if she gives us any reason to doubt her, then we follow her?"

"Joseph, Joseph, Joseph," Uncle Jesse chanted, coming over to clasp him on the shoulder, "one day, when you have kids, you'll understand."

"Funny," Dad remarked, "I said that to you more than once."

Aunt Becky laughed. Uncle Jesse grimaced like he always did when Dad reminded him of how reckless and irresponsible he'd been when he first came to help Dad take care of her, DJ and Michelle.

Uncle Jesse ignored him. "Look, it won't even be that long. We'll hop over there, make sure everything's alright and you can even get your funnel cake when it's all over."

"I guess," Joey was still not fond of the idea. "I just can't help but think it's going to end badly."

Dad frowned, worriedly. "You think so?"

Aunt Becky chimed in. "It definitely will if she catches you."

"She won't catch us," Uncle Jesse said dismissively.

Aunt Becky raised her eyebrows, looking at him challengingly. "She won't?"

"No," Uncle Jesse was confident. "Shoulda seen me as a kid. I could sneak anywhere I wanted, no hassle, no getting caught."

Aunt Becky nodded slowly, which she only did when she was internally deliberating on either letting him have it or not saying a word. "Okay, Mr. Sneaky man; you three do your little deed and we'll see who's right. But when she catches you and we all know she will, don't forget that I told you so."

"That's what you think," uncle Jesse scoffed.

Dad, Uncle Jesse and Joey left a minute or two later. Stephanie heard the car turn on until the noise grew quieter and quieter until she couldn't hear it at all anymore. She made her way to the kitchen where Aunt Becky was having Nicky and Alex eat breakfast.

"Do you have any plans today, Steph?" Aunt Becky asked while simultaneously washing some dishes.

"Not really," Stephanie shrugged. Gia was spending a day with her mom-they'd really been getting close lately. She was really happy for her. And then Harry was on vacation, visiting some relatives with his family in Japan. She wouldn't see him until the end of July. She'd been bummed initially, seeing as this was the last of their summer vacation as high schoolers. Next summer will be different. They wouldn't get to spend the entire couple of months together if they all planned on going to different colleges.

"Do you want to come with us?" Aunt Becky asked.

"Yeah!" Nicky was excited.

"Come with us!" Alex beamed.

She smiled at them. "Uh-"

"You don't have to," Aunt Becky told her kindly. "I understand if spending the morning shopping for groceries with two rowdy boys isn't your idea of a fun Saturday."

She looked appreciatively at her Aunt. "I'd rather not. I'll just stick around here."

"Okay," Aunt Becky nodded. "If you're planning on staying here, can you give Mrs. Mark these." She handed Stephanie some recipe cards. They were ones that Aunt Becky had gotten from her family. While she wasn't the best cook out there, Dad had made some of those recipes before and they were delicious. "She's supposed to come by and pick these up. I figured someone can get use out of them," She said with humor."

"Okay," Stephanie agreed. "Sure thing."

/

Aunt Becky eventually left along with the twins. It was almost eerily quiet in the house. Stephanie wasn't used to that, much less to be in there alone. Usually someone was there. This time, however, there was not. She'd watched her Aunt and cousins go out the door, letting out a little sigh. Just as she was moving one step forward, the doorbell rang. Was that Mrs. Mark already? By the way Aunt Becky had been talking, she sounded like Mrs. Mark wasn't going to be around until close to the afternoon.

She opened the front door, surprised to find Charlie on the doorstep. Eve more so when he was wearing another kind of baggy plaid shirt and dark jeans. Did he not own shorts or short sleeves? The heat that came in from just opening the door felt uncomfortable. She couldn't imagine how it must have been for him with how he was dressed. "Charlie," She said as a greeting. "Hey."

Charlie gave her a once over. "Nice clothes," He said with a small smirk. "But you didn't have to dress up for me."

She was confused until it dawned on her that she hadn't gotten dressed! She was still in a thin neon t-shirt-with no bra!-and a pair of stretchy shorts that Gia had gotten her that Dad didn't exactly like for they were definitely too far above the knee but had begrudgingly told her she could keep them as pajama shorts. She crossed her arms over her chest, lips thinning. She let out a nervous, embarrassed laugh. "Yeah..."

His cheeks had gone slightly pink. Just before she'd covered her chest. He firmly kept his eyes on her face, thank goodness. "I'm here for the recipe cards your Aunt said my Mom could have."

"Right," She said, feeling mortified about her current situation. "RIght. I'll, uh, get those. Do you mind if I go get dressed first?" And brush her teeth and hair. She couldn't believe he was seeing her like this.

"Sure," He'd let go of his own embarrassment quicker than her, looking amused by her predicament. She started to walk away when he called to her, "Tanner!"

"What?" She glanced at him.

"I'd invest in a comb," He snickered.

She blushed, walking faster than necessary to get to her room. Around seven minutes later, she came back down with her teeth freshly brushed, her hair placed in a half up, half down updo; on top of that, she wore a pair of green flip flops and a white flowy dress with sunflowers on it to keep cool. Well, that and because she'd forgotten to do her laundry last night so she didn't really have a choice.

Charlie was standing in front of the fireplace, peering at the pictures on the mantel. She paused halfway on the stairs, observing him. He wore an expression that reflected childish curiosity. It kind of made her smile.

"Nosy much?" She teased as she came all the way down.

"Actually, I'd call it-" Charlie trailed off completely when he took a look at her. She pushed some hair behind her ear self consciously. What was he staring at? Did she have something in her teeth that she missed? It couldn't have been a stain on her face, she'd done her morning cleanse to keep the acne away.
"What?" She shifted her footing, feeling a bit unnerved.

"Nothing," he snapped back to it. "Nothing. You, uh, look good."

She stared at him weirdly. This whole friendship thing they kinda had going on was still strange at times. Like now. She could hardly picture the kid from fifth grade complimenting her on her clothes. "I do?"

"Yeah," he said with sincerity.

"Oh," Stephanie couldn't help but grin. "Thanks." She got closer to him, they stood side-by-side in front of the mantel. "So, uh, I saw you looking at the pictures."

"Yeah," he said casually. "Just looking for blackmail material." He grabbed the nearest one, which was taken when she was around five or so. "This is rough," he laughed at the gap in between her front teeth.

"Jerk," She said, though she wasn't offended. "I bet you have embarrassing pictures too."

"Do not."

"Oh, really?" She said, "I should ask your Mom and see if that's true."

"It is," He was smug. "You won't find anything."

"So you're saying you don't have any baby pictures?" She raised her eyebrows in disbelief. "No preschool pictures?"

"Nope," He popped the p. "Not a one."

"And I suppose you don't have any naked pictures either?" She retorted, her eyes going bigger when she realized what she said. She'd meant naked baby pictures, like the one her Mom and Dad had taken of her when she got her first bath but was so tiny she had to be bathed in the sink. It definitely didn't sound like what she meant, though.

Charlie, the jerk, he looked like he was barely holding back his laughter. "No, but I can fix that."

"No, thanks," She muttered, her cheeks going redder than they ever had. Her and her big mouth...

Charlie's eyes wandered further down. "Is that your Mom?" His voice had gone unnaturally quiet.

Stephanie drew in a breath. That was the last picture taken of her mother just five short days prior to the accident. Dad had a wacky idea that day and wanted to take some pictures. Evidently, he hadn't known quite why, but he'd felt an overwhelming urge to do it. And so they did; one with the whole family, one with just Stephanie and her sisters and each of them got a picture with just their mom or just their dad. Right on the mantle was Stephanie's with her Mom. She was in her lap, beaming. Her Mom had her arms wrapped around Stephanie, holding her close.

"Yeah," Her hand almost reached out to caress the picture like the million other times she'd done before. She refrained. "That's her."

"You look like her," Charlie murmured.

Stephanie fiddled with her dress. "Dad says I'm kinda like her, too. She was always excited." Charlie didn't say anything right away. She remembered him telling her back in fifth grade that his mom was dead as well. She'd instantly felt a wave of pity come over in that moment, knowing how hard some days were-and still were. "Can I ask you something?"

"You just did," Charlie pointed out, but it was without any humor in his voice.

Stephanie chewed on her lip, hoping her question wasn't going to upset him. It was kind of personal. With her eyes firmly onto the picture, she came out and said it, "Do you remember your Mom?"

She felt his eyes on her.

He turned back to the mantel. "No. She died when I was born."

"Oh," She rubbed her arm. 'I'm sorry."

He shrugged like it was no big deal. "Doesn't matter. It was a long time ago."

She didn't believe him. She could clearly tell he didn't mean what he said. She knew his whole 'nonchalant act' was just that...an act. But she didn't call him out on it. One, she didn't know how he would react and didn't want him storming out of the house on her; and two, they hadn't yet been friends or whatever this was for long. If anything, she might be out of line for saying something.

(Unlike what DJ believed, she was trying to curb her nosiness).

"Well, do you have any pictures of her?" Stephanie asked.

He snorted. "You're kidding right?"

She supposed his Dad probably never saved any.

And now she felt worse for him. Not only was his Mom dead but he had nothing to remember her by.

"I'm sorry," She said again, even though she knew he wouldn't want to hear it. She couldn't help herself, it was just so incredibly saddening to her. Stephanie had struggled with her mother's death as a child, not realizing how lucky she was to have the family she did and the memories along with it.

Charles...he had none of that.

"That's not fair."

"Yeah," he mumbled.

He deserved better. Whether he realized it or not.

/

They sat on opposite ends of the couch, facing each other. Stephanie had grabbed a cola for both of them to enjoy. She tucked her feet underneath of her at an angle so the dress properly covered her.

"Is it weird?" Charles asked and then elaborated, "Living in such a big family?"

She blinked. "No, not really. Even before my Mom died, someone was usually over."

"But isn't it annoying to share with everyone?" He frowned, like he couldn't comprehend it.

"I guess at times," She admitted. It did drive her crazy sometimes. Like when Nicky and Alex were younger, running amok throughout the house. They would come into whatever room they pleased, cursing havoc somehow. Or when she was trying to study and no one thought to be a little less noisy. That was bothersome, but not unbearable.

"I'd hate it," he muttered.

It was her turn to frown. "You would?" As close as she was with her family, she couldn't imagine living apart and being happy with that.

"Yeah," He scoffed. "There's no way I could handle being around all this-" He gestured around them. "All the time."

"I guess we're a different kind of breed," She laughed a little. "I can't imagine just living with my Dad and my sisters. What?" She furrowed her eyebrows when Charlie seemed amused.

"You're gonna be here when you're forty, aren't you?"

She knew he was poking fun at her and so, she put her nose in the air and said, "I haven't decided yet."

Playing along, he rubbed his chin with feign concentration, "I can see it now. You living in the attic, still working that same job-"

She rolled her eyes. "I hate that place. I swear, I'm trying to find a new one."

"What's the matter?" he teased. "Princess can't handle getting her hands dirty?"

She did the mature thing and stuck her tongue out at him.

"You really showed me."

"I can get my hands dirty," She said matter-of-factly, ignoring his previous remark. "I just hate my boss. He makes everyone miserable."

"Then quit," Charlie said.
"I can't." If she did, she would have no way to pay for gas or a way to save up for college. Technically, she could ask Dad, but he really wanted her to earn the money herself and so did she. She wanted to be responsible. "I need the money somehow."

"Yeah, me too," he sighed. "I need to find a job."

"We're hiring," She said wryly.

"Not a chance, babe," He said with a grin. "There's some things I won't do."

"Well, what will you do?"

"Dunno," He said. "Haven't figured that out yet."

Flick

He stared at her, stunned.

She smiled sweetly as she leaned back into her position. She'd been waiting to do that.

"What was that for?"

"That little wake up call Michelle did," Stephanie glared at him. "She told me it was your idea."

"You told me to give her advice," He was snickering.

"You're just evil."
"Stop it," He was pretending to be bashful. "You're going to make me blush."

"Maybe I will someday."

Why did I even say that?

"Careful, Tanner. Don't get too full of yourself."

"Don't think I can?'

"No," He said without hesitance.

"Care for a little bet?" Her eyes gleamed.

He put his arm around the head of the couch, looking intrigued. "Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah," She nodded. She thought for a second. "If I win and make you blush first, then you have to watch a chick flick with me."

He wrinkled his nose. "You hate me, don't you?"

She laughed.

"Fine," He rolled his eyes. "But what about when I win?"

"When you win?"

"Look, babe, it's obvious I will," He said. "So what's my prize?"

"I dunno. What do you want?"

"Oh, the possibilities are needless, aren't they?" He mocked.

"No."

"Alright, I've got it," He said, leaning slightly closer. "When I win-" She scoffed. "You've got to compliment me every time I tell you to."

She stared, not sure whether to break out in laughter or not. "What?"

"You heard me," He said, smugly.

"You're joking."

"Feeling nervous already?" He taunted her. "Guess I can't blame you. It's inevitable I'll win."

"Oooh, inevitable. Should I congratulate you for using a big word?"

"Go ahead, might as well start now," He said.

"You're unbelievable," She shook her head.

"That's a start," he nodded approvingly. "Needs to be a bit more detailed, though. Something that shows how into me you are."

"I am not into you."

"That's what they all say, babe," He said with fake sympathy. "I'm practically irresistible."

"Trust me, I can resist you just fine."

"Playing hard to get won't get you anywhere," He said teasingly.

"You're so full of yourself."

"What's not to be full of?" He ran a hand through his hair.

"So we have a bet, then?" Stephanie said with determination. It was a stupid bet. Childish even. But the trash talk from both of them had brought out some competitiveness in her. She knew he would never let her live it down if he actually won.

"You're on, Tanner," Charlie promised and eyed her. "I don't know if I feel bad for you or not. We both know I'll win."

"No, I will."

"Keep telling yourself that."

She was going to retort when the door came open suddenly. They both jumped. Michelle came stomping in. Her hair was a wild mess and her cheeks were red. Stephanie took a hurried glance at the clock. Gosh, it was almost two already? She hadn't even realized that much time had passed. Her and Charlie stood up slowly so as to make themselves look suspicious.

Her sister whirled around, the anger coming off her in waves. Dad and Uncle Jesse came in after her, looking exceptionally guilty. "I can't believe you guys did that!" She snapped.

"Honey-" Dad tried but Michelle wouldn't let him get a word in edgewise.

"How can you guys not trust me?"

"Michelle, look," Uncle Jesse began, "We realize we kinda messed up...but it isn't you we don't trust, it's-"

"He's never going to hang out with me again and it's all your fault!" Michelle burst out, bounding up the stairs for her bedroom where they heard it slam.

Dad winced.

"I think I'm reconsidering this whole family thing," Stephanie muttered low enough to where only Charlie heard her.

He snorted.

Joey came in at that time, munching on some funnel cake. "I told you guys it was a 'ad idea," he said through a mouthful.

"Joseph?" Uncle Jesse said.

"Yeah?"

"Shut up."

"Shutting up."

Stephanie saw how Charlie seemed to like her Uncle Jesse's and Joey's banter. He was trying to hide a smile.

"I should get going," Charlie suddenly spoke up as if he knew what she was thinking. "Uh, can you tell your Aunt thanks for the recipe cards?"

"Sure," Stephanie tried not to acknowledge that Uncle Jesse and Dad were watching them.

She thought he was going to try something-for the bet-but apparently the guys' presence scared him enough that he didn't. He gave her one of those semi awkward smiles and left.

"Steph-" Dad started.
"Dad, we didn't do anything," She reassured him. "We talked and had a soda. That's it."

He looked conflicted still but ultimately didn't raise any further issues on it.