"Toss up number 4 is in Physics," the moderator read into the microphone. "Short answer."

Sameen slumped in her chair, bored out of her mind. Earlier, Root had asked her to go to the Science Bowl competition and Sameen had said no. 20 minutes and several kisses later, Sameen found herself in the backseat, crammed between Zoe and Root.

The past couple of weeks had been great. She and Root kissed all the time, while they did their homework, while they watched tv, while they looked at the stars. Luckily, they were already used to staying up late, or they might have been exhausted constantly. They hadn't gone much farther than kissing, but that was fine. Sameen was taking all she could get.

Now, they were sitting in the back of an auditorium, watching a bunch of nerds answer questions about nerd stuff. Sameen knew all the answers, but still, it was the principle of the thing.

She glanced over at Root, smiling slightly as Root stared the stage totally focused. She mouthed the solution before the team on stage did. Sameen reached out and took Root's hand, a plan forming in her mind. Root wanted to use her body to distract Sameen? Well, two could play at that game.

Root glanced down at their arms, pressed together to fit on the armrest. Sameen slid her fingers between Root's. Root turned back to the stage. Sameen smirked and straightened up, paying attention now.

Slowly, she drew her fingers down Root's slender hand, barely brushing her palm. She knew her plan was working when the hair on the back of Root's neck stood up. Root looked determined to watch the competition, but her flared nostrils gave her away; her attention was on their contact.

Root curled her hand into a fist, trying to protect it, but Sameen pushed her way underneath Root's fingers, intertwining their fingers again. She squeezed and Root automatically squeezed back. Sameen reached over with her other arm. She ran her fingernails down Root's forearm, just hard enough to leave white trails.

Root sucked in a shaky breath, licking her lips, her arm vibrating under Sameen's. Sameen moved her fingers back and forth, using the thumb of their joined hands to softly rub Root's finger.

Root's touch made Sameen itch. Every time Root brushed against her or laid a hand on her, Sameen's skin crawled in the best way possible. It was nice to know that her touch affected Root, too. Even just holding hands, even gentle, light touches were enough to make Root's breath shake.

Sameen rain her nails down Root's arms hard, the raised, red bumps that happen to pale people streaking her skin. Sameen held her breath so she could hear Root's almost inaudible gasp.

Zoe leaned forward from Root's other side, glancing between them.

"Are you ok?" she asked Root, looking concerned.

Root nodded, pulling her hand from Sameen's and running it over her ponytail. "Yeah, sorry. I just don't feel well." They called for a break on stage and Root stood up. "I'm going to go to the bathroom."

Sameen looked up, schooling her face into a look of worry. "Do you want me to come with you?"

Root glared down at her. "Sure."

Sameen tucked her legs to the side and let Root pass in front of her, her eyes lingering on Root's bare legs. She stood and turned to Zoe.

"I'll let you know if we need to go home or anything."

Zoe nodded, not looking entirely convinced. "Uh-huh."

Sameen smirked and turned around, but Root had already left. She headed out of the auditorium, joining the line of people exiting. She stood on her toes as she walked, trying to catch sight of Root, but she'd lost her. Sameen scowled. She didn't usually hate her height, but times like this, she wished she were taller.

She finally got to the lobby and spotted Root leaning against the door to the single-stalled restroom down the hall. Root waved to her and slipped inside. Sameen quickly jogged across the lobby and pushed her way into the bathroom, locking the door behind her.

Root was leaning against the sink, looking at Sameen through hooded eyes.

"You know," Root said, reaching up to pull her hair loose, "if you wanted to get me alone, you could have just asked."

Sameen rolled her eyes, slowly crossing the room to Root. "I tried to get you to stay home, but no…You're a nerd first and a girlfriend second."

Root grinned as Sameen pressed against her and put her hands on either side of Root's hips, trapping her against the sink. Root dipped her head to kiss Sameen, but spun them around at the last second. Sameen felt the cold porcelain of the sink against her back.

"Wow," she said, impressed, "that was sneaky."

"Hop up," Root ordered, tapping on Sameen's legs. "I wanna be eye level."

Sameen jumped, hoisting herself up to sit on the sink. "Better? Not all of us can be elven and beautiful."

Root grinned, her head tilting to the side. "You think I'm beautiful?"

"Oh my god," Sameen groaned.

She reached forward and grabbed Root's head, crashing their lips together. Root stumbled forward and wrapped her arms around Sameen's waist.

Kissing Root was intoxicating. It made Sameen feel the way she'd assumed alcohol would, warm and relaxed and as happy as she could get. Sameen wanted to live here, her body burning and her heart loud. Root's hands grasped at her neck and tangled in her hair.

She moved her hands to Root's waist, sneaking them under her shirt and resting them against Root's stomach. She and Root still worked out together and Root's stomach was firm under her hands. Sameen leaned back to suck in a breath.

"I love your body," she mumbled against Root's lips, her eyes still closed. "It's perfect."

Root grinned and nipped at Sameen's bottom lip. "I like working out with you, all sweaty and panting."

Sameen growled and yanked Root forward, sucking her lip and moving a hand up to cup her bra. Root gasped weakly into Sameen's mouth and Sameen thought it sounded like heaven.

There was a knock on the door and the girls froze.

"Root? Shaw?" Zoe's voice asked from the other side. "Are you guys ok? The thing just started again."

Root pulled away, glancing at Sameen with regret. "We'll be right there!"

"Ok," Zoe said. "Just checking."

They listened as her footsteps retreated. Sameen hopped off the sink and moved away from Root, letting her body calm down. Root pulled her hair back up into its ponytail, her face flushed.

"You should tan," Sameen said, crossing her arms. "You get red so easily."

Root rolled her eyes and gestured to the mirror with her chin. "You're not exactly blush-proof, Sameen."

Sameen glanced in the mirror, surprised to see how flustered she looked. Her ponytail, normally tight to her head, was limp. Strands of hair framed her red face. Sameen pulled her hair down, shaking her head. She glared at Root as she quickly braided it back.

"I blame you. You make me crazy."

Root grinned and wiggled her eyebrows. "Mentally or physically?"

"Honestly?" Samee said, tying off her braid. "Both. You're really annoying sometimes."

"Oh please," Root said, reaching out to unlock the door, "I'm annoying all the time."

Sameen smiled despite herself and followed Root out into the hall.

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Root glanced around the car. They were heading home and, this time, she was the one squished into the middle seat. Sameen had argued that Root was thinner and thus the better choice, but as Root sat here, her legs folded against her chest, she was inclined to disagree.

Root glanced over at Sameen and rolled her eyes. When they'd walked out of the bathroom earlier, Zoe had been waiting for them. They'd told her they were together and she'd told Joss who told John who almost had a heart attack.

"I'm not sure," John started from the driver's seat, "if I'm supposed to give you guys the talk?"

Sameen choked. "Please don't."

"Not the sex talk," John clarified. "Just…the big brother talk."

"Ooh," Root grinned, "are you going to threaten me or Sameen?"

Joss turned in her seat. "Sameen is his sister, so you, right?"

"Well," Zoe said thoughtfully, "he's known Root longer, though."

"How about no one threatens anyone?" Sameen growled, crossing her arms. "How about we never talk about this again?"

Joss looked at her for a moment before turning to Root. "So, when did you guys get together?"

Sameen groaned and glared out the window. Root leaned forward, resting her chin on her knees. She was happy to have friends to talk to.

"Valentine's Day," Root chuckled. "I took Sameen out to our clubhouse and seduced her."

"Hold on," Sameen scoffed, joining the conversation again, "you didn't seduce me. I seduced you. I'm in charge here."

Zoe laughed. "If you were in charge, you wouldn't have to announce it like that."

"Exactly," Joss added. "Zoe and I never say we're the bosses, but John knows it."

John winced. "I do."

Sameen kicked the back of John's chair, making him jump. "Don't you dare tell Mrs. Reese."

"Um," John glanced back in the rearview mirror, "I already did."

"What?" Sameen hissed, leaning forward. Her shoulder bumped Root, knocking her into Zoe. "How could you?"

"She asked me to!" John defended himself. "She said, and I quote 'Let me know when the girls get together.' I had to!"

"You are such a momma's boy," Sameen scoffed, leaning back in her seat.

Root wondered why Sameen put up such a front. She was thrilled to be dating Root, but she had to make everyone think it was no big deal. Root was more than willing to talk about. Maybe Sameen was only interested in the kissing. She frowned.

Sameen glanced at her and rolled her eyes. She pulled out her phone, her fingers punched the screen. Root turned back to Zoe, trying not to worry about it even though the thought of Sameen not actually liking her made her nauseous.

"Are you guys sleeping over tonight? We could all crash in the treehouse."

"Yes!" Zoe cheered. "I miss our sleepovers. It's been too long."

"Can the boys join?" Joss asked, reaching out to rub John's arm. "I hate excluding them all the time."

"That's fine," Root sighed dramatically. "If I get to have my date mate, you can have yours."

Her phone buzzed from where she'd dropped in between her legs and she awkwardly adjusted to pick it up. It was a Facebook notification telling her Sameen had requested a change in their relationship status. She opened the app and accept the request with shaking fingers.

'In a relationship with Sameen Shaw.'

Root turned to grin at Sameen. Sameen shrugged, awkwardly, and reached out to hold Root's hand. Sameen still confused Root sometimes, most of the time, but Root needed to trust her. She wasn't going to run away again, she wasn't going to date anyone else. Sameen was hers. Finally.

"Oh, Facebook official!" Joss squealed from the front seat. She grinned back at them, wiggling her phone. "This is great!"

"Martine is going to flip," Zoe said, pulling her phone out. "Just wait."

Root's eyes lit up. "I hadn't thought about that. That makes it even better!"

"Um, hello?" Sameen gestured to herself. "Am I not enough?"

"You're fine, Sameen," Root chuckled. "Martine is just the icing on the cake."

The car rolled to a stop in front of the house and Sameen squeezed Root's hand before letting go. Root unbuckled her seatbelt and followed Sameen out of the car. The gang headed to the house. Root took Sameen's hand as they walked to the door.

John opened the door and he and the girls hurried up the stairs. Mrs. Reese stepped into the hall and stopped Sameen and Root.

"Girls?" she said, sounding formal. "Would you join me in the living room?"

Root glanced at Sameen, frowning. Sameen shrugged at her and led them into the living room. Mrs. Reese had pulled a chair across from the couch and was sitting in it. She gestured for them to sit. Root dropped Sameen's hand and sat on the couch, her hands nervously clasped in her lap.

"Are we in trouble?" she asked. Mrs. Reese had seemed okay with Root being gay, but maybe now that she and Sameen were dating, she'd changed her mind. Root really loved Mrs. Reese and didn't want anything to ruin their relationship. "Are you mad at us?"

Mrs. Reese's face softened and she reached out to lay a hand on Root's knee. "No, Honey, of course not. I just have to talk to you about a few things."

Sameen slouched into the cushions, crossing her arms. "What?"

Mrs. Reese cleared her throat and crossed her legs. "Well, now that you two are together, we should set some ground rules."

"Rules?" Root asked. "Like what?"

"Like when you're both in the bedroom, the door should stay open."

Sameen sat forward. "No way. Rule rejected."

Mrs. Reese laughed. "It's not a discussion. John has to keep his door open when Joss or Zoe are over."

"Yeah…" Root said slowly. "They still have sex though, so…"

Mrs. Reese winced. "I know."

"It's not like we can get pregnant," Sameen scoffed. "Like what's the worst that would happen? Seriously?"

Mrs. Reese sighed and rubbed a hand over her face. "Fine. I'll concede on the door rule."

Root glanced at Sameen. They hadn't talked about sex at all. Root wanted to do it, but she wasn't sure they were ready. What if Sameen didn't like it? What if Root wasn't good? Sameen had only seen her fully naked a couple times, what if Sameen got a good look at her and didn't like what she saw?

"Second Rule," Mrs. Reese said. She frowned. "First rule, I guess. Come to me with any questions or problems that come up. I don't want you two to feel like only one of you is allowed to talk to me."

Root smiled. "Thank you."

"Yeah," Sameen said, shrugging. "Thanks."

"I don't have anything else," Mrs. Reese said, wryly. "I didn't have much time to prepare."

"You're not going to give us a lecture about contraceptives?" Sameen said, smirking. "I don't get a box of condoms like John did?"

Mrs. Reese crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair. "You joke, but I know where we could pick up some dental dams. I did some work with Planned Parenthood before John was born. I could teach you about different types of lube. You know there's this kind that gets warmer when-"

"No!" Sameen shot to her feet, covering her ears. "Enough!"

Root laughed at her as she turned and stomped out of the room. Sameen was such a baby sometimes. Root stood up and smiled at Mrs. Reese.

"We'll be safe," she said, putting her hands in her pockets. "I mean, when…Uh, if we do anything."

Mrs. Reese nodded knowingly. "Don't let Sameen be mean to you. If you want to talk about your relationship, you should be able to."

Root pushed a strand of hair behind her ears. "Thanks. Although, the last bit of advice you gave me didn't really work out."

"I'm sorry about that," Mrs. Reese said, standing. "I'm better at listening than talking."

Root shrugged and walked out of the living room. Sameen was waiting for her by the pool, glaring into the house. Root laughed and jogged down the hall. Her girlfriend was waiting.