The next week was terrible for Root. She wanted to make up with Shaw, but Shaw wouldn't even talk to her. She was in every one of Root's classes, but somehow she managed to make Root feel invisible. This was not how Root had imagined their relationship progressing.

Root had left a note in Shaw's locker on Monday morning, apologizing. Shaw didn't say anything about it, but Root had felt Shaw's eyes boring into her back for the entirety of first period. The nausea that had overcome her on Saturday had faded, but it wasn't gone, and every time Root saw Shaw glare at her, it got a little bit worse.

In science, Harold and John had tried to start a conversation, but Shaw just sat there like a brick. Mr. Ingram had come around assigning lab partners and projects for the semester. When he'd gotten to their table, he handed John and Harold their project. He turned to Shaw and Root and smiled at them.

"I'm sure you two will work well together, considering how fast you became friends."

Shaw had scowled and growled out, "We're not friends."

Root saw how surprised Mr. Ingram was. Shaw must not have told him what Root did. Mr. Ingram's eyes had flicked between them, but he hadn't said anything else, just placed two copies of their project syllabus on the table and walked away. Root wasn't sure how she should feel knowing that Shaw hadn't even told her foster parents about it. Did that mean it wasn't really serious or that Root wasn't even worth mentioning?

The rest of their classes were the same. Shaw sat next to her, but Root felt miles away. She'd never had a fight like this before. No one she'd researched had ever found out. Root hadn't thought of it as an invasion of privacy. She'd almost thought that Shaw would like it. Root knew about her life and Shaw would never have to tell her. No awkward conversations.

Of course, now Root could see that Shaw would have told her when she was ready. You can't just skip steps in a friendship. It was even worse if you were trying to be more than friends. Root was just glad that Shaw had ended up on her team in PhysEd every day. She never had to be the direct target of Shaw's rage.

Root spent the week trying to seem normal, even hanging out with Harold and John after school. She still went on their nightly bike rides, but she couldn't focus. All she wanted to do was to make up with Shaw, and then hopefully make out with Shaw.

By Friday, Root was ready for the week to be over. She'd had a headache for days. Shaw had almost sat with them at lunch. Root had watched her pay for her food and turn toward them, but when she noticed Root watching, her face had darkened and she turned away.

Root wondered where Shaw had been eating lunch. An empty classroom? With new friends? Shaw had joined their group pretty easily, maybe she was better at making friends than Root. Root laughed to herself, walking into the locker room. Shaw was terrible at making friends.

Root walked to her locker, Shaw had probably already come and gone. She always wore her gym clothes to school. Root sighed and changed quickly, heading out onto the fields. They had started the football section of gym class. It had been a week of hell and there were two weeks of football left. She wondered if their deal still held. No one had aimed anything at Root, but she didn't know if Shaw would protect her if it did.

Root looked over the field. She spotted Shaw stretching a few yards away. It was a warm August day and Shaw had already started sweating. Root admired her glistening arms as she reached up to tighten her ponytail. It seemed impossible that anyone could look that good so effortlessly. Root was at least glad that she hadn't developed a real crush before they'd stopped being friends, just a hopeful one.

Shaw caught Root looking and scowled, stomping onto the field, her fingers still in her hair. At least Root knew Shaw wasn't angry with her for being gay. Root wandered over to the box of brown and blue flag belts. She wondered if Shaw had a boyfriend back in New York. Maybe Root didn't have a chance at all. Not that she wanted to date Shaw.

She double checked to see what team Shaw was on and grabbed a blue belt. Root was so thankful they only played flag football in class. Having her belt ripped off was a lot less painful than being tackled.

Root took a position towards the end of the line, on the opposite side from Shaw. When the ball was thrown, Root ran back a few feet and then stopped. No one was going to throw the ball to her, so why bother running?

Root looked down to tighten the belt on her waist. She was too skinny for these. She'd shot up in the last year or so, growing 3 inches over the summer. She wondered how tall she'd end up being.

Root heard someone shout her name and looked up. The ball was coming right at her. Instinctively, she leaned forward and caught it. She stared at the ball in her hands. What now?

She saw Shaw running at her, screaming for her to run. Root looked forward, seeing Hersch run at her. She yelped and started running towards Shaw.

Shaw rolled her eyes and reached out, turning Root in the right direction. "Run to the end zone, genius!"

Root just swallowed and kept running. Shaw ran interference for her, yanking the belts of anyone who tried to come near her.

Root looked to her right. Shaw was grinning, caught up in the thrill of the game. Root smiled and looked forward again. She screamed. A large boy was right in front of her. Shaw came from the side and tackled him to the ground. Root jumped over him and stumbled into the end zone.

She looked at the ball in disbelief. She'd made a touch down? She smiled over at Shaw, who was jogging up to her, panting.

"Way to go, Root." Shaw said, nodding. She squinted at Root and then sniffed, wiping her nose. "Look, I'm still mad at you. That wasn't cool. I'll tell you things when I'm ready. If ever."

Root nodded. "I know and I'm sorry."

Shaw shrugged. "Whatever. I don't know anyone else in this hick town, so I'll give you a pass. This time." She held her hand out to shake Root's hand.

Root took it, grinning. This was a deal that would be easy to keep. She gasped as Shaw pulled her forward, their faces inches apart. Root swallowed hard, holding herself back from just kissing Shaw on the football field.

"You do it again, I'll beat you up." Shaw glared at her, looking genuinely scary. "I mean it."

Root nodded quickly, making an 'X' over her heart with her free hand. "I swear."

"Good." Shaw grinned wolfishly. "Now, give me the ball. I'm gonna throw it at Hersch's head."