Sameen ran her eyes over Root's face, dipping her paintbrush into water. They were on the hill; Sameen painting a portrait of Root and Root talking excessively about something. Sameen glanced down at the canvas propped on her knees. She was almost done, but she couldn't quite get Root's lips right.

"You must live in peace…Or leave the galaxy," Root said dramatically, her eyes wide. "Spooky, right?"

"Uh-huh," Sameen muttered, distracted, and picked up another paintbrush. "Really spooky."

Root rolled her eyes and launched into another explanation about some broadcast interruption.

Sameen liked to paint. She wasn't good at writing poetry, or talking about emotions, but she could paint, and sometimes it made her happy. She glanced up at Root, her eyes lingering on Root's lips. The sun glistened off her skin.

Root had lost some of her baby fat in the past year, Sameen noticed. Her pale cheekbones contrasted sharply against her brown hair. Root's smooth skin was flush in the midday heat and Sameen watched a bead of sweat roll down her neck, pooling in the hollow of her throat.

Sameen tore her eyes away and mixed some red on her pallet. She picked some up with her brush, adjusting Root's smile on the canvas. This was as close as she was going to get it.

"Ok," Sameen said, interrupting Root. "It's done."

Root scrambled to her knees and crawled across the grass to sit next to Sameen. Sameen tilted the canvas to show her.

Root gasped softly, her hand coming up to cover her mouth. When her eyes began to water, Sameen looked down at her painting.

She'd painted the solar system in a straight line across the canvas and Root's portrait in front of them, her face empty except for her smile. She'd want to see the planets through Root, because Root was more than she seemed.

"Oh my god," Root whispered, emotional, "it's…I love it so much."

Sameen shrugged awkwardly. "It's nothing really."

"Sameen," Root turned to look at her, wiping her eyes, "It's perfect. You even gave me a leather jacket."

"Do you like the planets?" Sameen asked, feeling tense under the weight of Root's gaze. "It's because you're such a space case."

Root wrapped her arms around Sameen, laying her head on her shoulder. Their sweaty skin stuck together and Sameen used it as an excuse to push Root away.

"It's just a painting, Nerd," Sameen scoffed, rising to her feet.

"Can we hang it in our room?" Root asked, pulling the painting out of Sameen's hands. "Your room."

Sameen nodded and used a hand to shield her eyes. She looked out over the landscape. Texas was pretty, despite the terrible summer weather. She was glad it was starting to cool down a little.

"Remember our first time out here?" Sameen asked.

"The meteor shower," Root replied, smiling. "I was so surprised you were out here. You used to be so mean."

"Yeah, well, I had a huge cr- uh," Sameen coughed. "I didn't want to deal with anyone trying to bully the new kid."

"So, you bullied me instead."

Sameen looked down on Root. She'd stretched her legs out in front of her. Sameen put her hands on her hips.

"We became friends quickly," she justified. "There was hardly any bullying."

Root laughed. "There was enough. How'd you find out about the hill anyway?"

"I just found it," Sameen shrugged. "I think I had an argument with John and needed space."

"You needed space?" Root laughed. "Well, you found it."

Sameen sat down next to Root. "And I lost it. You haven't left me alone since."

Root smiled at her and bumped their shoulders together. "You love it."

"Yeah," Sameen nodded. "I do."

Sameen watched Root blush and wished she could kiss her. She wanted to put her hand on Root's face, feel the warm of her skin. She was giving Root space, though, letting her lead. Sameen had just hurt Root so much and she didn't want to push too far or do anything else to jeopardize their friendship.

Root pushed her hair behind her ear. "Do you still want to do our roadtrip next summer?"

"I've been saving up," Sameen replied, dropping onto her back, closing her eyes against the sun. "I'm looking forward to it."

She felt Root lay down next to her and scooted away slightly. Now that she had admitted her feelings to herself, it was harder to pretend.

"Good!" Root said cheerfully. "I have it mostly planned. We can go over it tonight?"

"Sure."

Sameen breathed in the warm air, feeling light. A phone buzzed. She cracked an eye to peek at Root.

Root frowned at her phone and sighed. "I have to go home. My mom broke the microwave and she needs me to fix it."

"That's so annoying," Sameen grumbled, but she sat up. "You'll come over later?"

Root nodded and climbed to her feet. "Yeah, I'll text you when I'm heading over."

Sameen stood and started gathering her things. "Don't forget the painting."

"I could never," Root smiled at her. "I'll cherish it forever."

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Root pedaled lazily down the street towards Sameen's house. It had taken her longer to help her mom than she'd anticipated. She didn't understand how she could be so good with technology and her mother could barely operate a microwave.

She turned left and glanced up. The sun was starting to set and soft, pink light spread across the sky. Her backpack strap slid down her shoulder and she raised a hand to adjust it.

Root tried to imagine her future, out of this town and out of Texas. Maybe she'd apply for an internship in Houston, summer after next. Sameen could find a medical internship or get a job as a mechanic. They could rent a little apartment and go to museums all the time.

Root laughed softly and rolled to a stop in front of Sameen's house. She was thinking about living with Sameen, but, in a year, they could both be dating other people. Sameen could be anyway; Root doubted she'd find another lesbian in Bishop.

Root threw her leg over the bike and walked it to the front porch. She glanced up at Sameen's window, smiling at the blue X taped to the glass, Sameen's only X-Files decoration. Root leaned her bike on the porch, hopped up the steps, and let herself into the house.

"Hello?" Mrs. Reese asked, stepping out of the kitchen. She smiled when she saw Root. "Oh, Sameen came home alone. I assumed you weren't sleeping over tonight."

"I'm sorry," Root apologized. "I had to help my mother with something."

Mrs. Reese nodded sympathetically. "How is she doing?"

"Better," Root answered. "Thank you again for helping her."

"It was the least I can do," Mrs. Reese waved her hand. "We're having stuffed shells for dinner. Sameen's in her room."

Root thanked her and headed for the stairs. She realized she'd forgotten to text Sameen that she was on her way. It wasn't a big deal; Sameen had been waiting for her.

Root stopped in front of Sameen's closed door. She tried the handle, but it was locked. Root frowned, Sameen never locked her door. She knocked.

"Go away!" Sameen's voice ordered.

Root leaned her head on the door. She heard an odd groan. "Sameen? It's Root."

She heard a curse, followed by the sound of sheets rustling.

"One minute!"

Root knocked on the door again. "What are you doing? Let me in."

She could hear Sameen pulling open drawers and hopping around. A moment later, the lock clicked and Sameen pulled the door open, panting. Root took in her scattered appearance.

Sameen's hair was a mess, sticking out in every direction, and her face was flushed. Root reached forward, untucking Sameen's shirt from where it was stuck under her bra. Sameen's stomach tensed when Root's fingers brushed against it. The band of Sameen's underwear peaked out from above her exercise shorts and Root could see that they were inside out.

Had Sameen been naked before Root knocked? Why did she look…Oh. Root's eyes widened and blood rushed to her face. She pushed passed Sameen into the room.

Honestly, she thought, dropping her bag onto the desk, it was amazing they'd never been in this situation before. They spent so much time together and they were both teenagers, it made sense. Root swallowed hard and tried to get the image of Sameen out of her head.

Sameen coughed behind her. "You, uh, didn't text me."

"Yeah," Root said, turning around. She looked over the books on Sameen's bookshelf, avoiding her eyes. "I forgot. Sorry."

"It's fine," Sameen shrugged awkwardly. She pulled up her shorts, looking around the room. "Did you help your mom?"

Root nodded and moved to the bed. She crawled to the middle and sat down, trying to pretend she wasn't affected by Sameen's dilated pupils and damp skin. "The microwave didn't take too long to fix, but I had to get behind the fridge. She managed to disconnect the ice tray somehow."

Sameen ran her hand through her hair. "Weird."

Root chuckled and shook her head. This was ridiculous. She gestured for Sameen to sit in front of her. "Come here. I'll braid your hair for you."

She scooted back to give Sameen room to sit. When Sameen dropped onto the bed, Root saw the clasp of her bra over the back of her tanktop. Only one hook was closed.

Root rolled her eyes and leaned forward, closing the rest of the hooks. Sameen wiggled her shoulders.

"Stop that," Sameen grumbled.

Root let the clasp snap against Sameen's skin, making her jump. "Just trying to keep your boobs from popping out."

Sameen glared over her shoulder. "Do the damn braid."

Root laughed and pulled her fingers through Sameen's hair, brushing it was best she could. Sameen's hair was one of Root's favorite things. It was long and thick; wavy, not curly. Root raised herself on her knees and pulled sections of Sameen's hair into her hands.

Sameen always smelled good, like sweat and sheets and metal. Root took a deep breath, taking in her smell. Now that she knew Sameen was straight, she had to be extra sure she didn't make her uncomfortable. Root didn't want to have their friendship back, then lose it to her own lack of self-control.

She twisted Sameen's hair, humming softly to herself. Root knew she could pull on Sameen's hair without hurting her. She gave a sharp tug to tighten her braid and saw Sameen's nostrils widen. Sameen scratched her chin, eyebrows drawing down.

"What are you humming?" Sameen asked. "Tegan and Sara?"

Root made a face. "What? This is Bach. Do you not listen to music?"

Sameen shrugged. "Not as much as you do apparently."

Root finished twisting Sameen's hair, holding an arm out. Sameen pulled her hair tie off her wrist and put it in Root's hand. Root quickly tied the braid off.

"I like classical music," Root said as Sameen stood up and moved to the desk. "After we have enough saved for our road trip, I might get a ticket to go to Dallas and see an orchestra perform."

Sameen pulled a drawer open and pulled out a small box. "Here," she gave the box to Root, "this is for you."

"A present?" Root grinned. She pulled the box open and looked up at Sameen. "This is amazing."

Inside the box was a small snow globe. Root pulled it out and examined the city inside. She didn't recognize it, but it was beautiful. The base of the snow globe had mountains carved around it and elaborate turquoise details. Root turned it over in her hands.

"Nishapur," she read. "Where is that?"

Sameen crossed her arms. "It's in Iran. It's where my mother was from."

"Sameen," Root breathed. She shook the snow globe and watched the snow fall on the town. "Thank you."

"It's next to Binalud Mountains," Sameen said. "They're close to a turquoise mine, that's why it has those carvings."

Root slid of the bed and closed the distance between them, throwing her arms around Sameen. She felt Sameen's arms wrap around her back and closed her eyes. After a minute, she pulled away and crossed to her bookshelf.

"Which shelf should I put it on?" she asked Sameen.

"You don't want to take it home?"

Root looked over her shoulder. "No, I don't want my mom to break it or something."

Sameen nodded. "Put it at your eye level."

"Ok," Root delicately placed the snow globe down and took a step back. "Looks good."

Mrs. Reese's voice floated up the stairs. "Kids! Dinner's ready!"

Root launched herself at the door, beating the boys and Sameen to the stairs. She ran down as quickly as possible, hopping the last few steps and racing into the kitchen. She sat in her chair, first to the table, and smirked at Sameen.

"You're getting faster," Mrs. Reese joked, putting a large ceramic dish on the table. "I don't have to make them wait anymore."

Root puffed her chest out. "I just needed some practice."

"Just because you sit first, doesn't mean you get all the food," John grumbled, spooning shells onto his plate. "It's a good thing you eat like a bird."

Root rolled her eyes and put food on her plate. "One of us has to. You all eat so much."

"I'm stocking up for my growth spurt," Lionel said around a mouthful of food.

"Me too," Sameen agreed.

The table laughed.