Sameen dropped a stack of red solo cups onto the kitchen island. They were at Martine's house helping her set up for the Halloween party. Well, she and Root were setting up and Martine was taking a shower. She started spreading the cups out neatly.

Martine had been inviting them over a couple times a week since their first time; she even invited Lionel and Gen most days. It was weird to be friends with her former Nemesis, but Martine had calmed down since Lambert left and she was a beast on the soccer field. Sameen enjoyed hanging out with her and Root enjoyed beating Gen at video games.

Root kicked her feet against the counter she was sitting on, her heels making the cabinet doors bang against their frames. Biting off the last her apple, she rolled her eyes.

"Greer needs to accept that I'm not a cook," Root mumbled, her mouth full. "I was so good at sewing! Why can't he just let cooking slide? I hate Home Ec."

Sameen shrugged. "You like Home Ec. when I'm cooking."

"That's different," Root said, swallowing. "You're excellent. I'm trash."

Squatting down to open the island's cabinet, Sameen rolled her eyes. "We'll study over Winter Break. Maybe you can get a B on the midterm." She pulled the doors open, revealing an impressive number of liquor bottles. "Let's have a liquor cabinet like this when we're older."

Root jumped off the counter and tossed the apple core into the trash. "I'll pull the beer out of the fridge."

Sameen glanced over her shoulder at Root as she bent over to look in the fridge. The green cargo pants Root was wearing hid her figure and Sameen frowned. They'd come as Kim and Shego from Kim Possible. The tight green and black jumpsuit she was wearing showed off her muscles and Sameen told herself that that was the reason she'd agreed to the stupid costume. It definitely wasn't because Root had asked, pouting and naked.

"Wanna bet Martine makes an alcoholic joke before the night is over?" Root said, pulling the beer out of the fridge and turning around. Sameen spun back to the liquor bottles, but Root caught her looking. "Enjoying the view?"

"I'd enjoy it more if you were wearing something tighter," Sameen answered, wrapping her arms around as many bottles as she could and standing up. She placed them on the island, carefully letting go. "We're still making out in Martine's bathroom, right? It's our anniversary."

The beer clinked against the marble countertop as Root dropped them. She rested her hip against the counter and smiled softly.

"I'm glad we're back together. I know last Halloween was hard for you. For us."

Sameen flipped her ponytail over her shoulder. Last year, Root had been unreachable and absent, still lost in her depression. This year, they were in matching costumes, just like they should be. The only thing missing was John and the girls and a family photo. She smiled back at Root.

"Me too. Too bad no one is gonna get punched this year." Sameen sighed, wistfully. "I miss punching people."

"One calm Halloween," Root said, laughing. "Is that too much to ask?"

Sameen closed the distance between them, pressing her lips to Root's. They could have a calm Halloween, just kiss and drink and make fun of their friends. Root's bare stomach was smooth under Sameen's hands. Sameen pretended not to notice her favorite black crop top had been tailored to fit Root's lean frame.

"Ugh," Martine groaned from the doorway, "I'm not drunk enough for this."

Sameen turned to look at her, eyebrows raising when she saw what Martine was wearing. It seemed like she'd just given up. Her grey sweatpants and Bishop High sweatshirt practically screamed 'single and I will kill you if you try to mingle.'

"No costume?" Root asked from behind her, voice high as she tried to sound casual. "Or…is this…a costume?"

Martine glared at them. "I don't want Hersch thinking I care that he's a douche."

"Well," Sameen started, crossing her arms, "maybe there's a better way than flashing your school spirit."

"Like what?"

"Like…" Sameen couldn't think of anything. She looked over her shoulder at Root, silently begging for help. "Like…?"

"Like a costume!" Root said, grinning. She clapped her hands excitedly. "Do you have any upstairs?"

Martine shook her head and grabbed a bottle of tequila, sliding it towards her. Sameen handed her a cup and watched as she poured way more than a shot. Maybe a calm Halloween really was too much to ask. Martine downed the tequila in a single gulp and started pouring more.

"Ok," Root said, stepping around Sameen with an awkward smile. "We're gonna find you something nice to wear."

She winked at Sameen as she hooked her arm in Martine's and lead her out of the room. The bottle of tequila went with them. The front door opened, and Sameen reached for Martine's forgotten cup, drinking what was left. Music floated in from the living room and she rolled her eyes. Lionel and Gen must have arrived.

A moment later, Gen appeared in the doorway, dressed like Kim Possible. Her face lit up when she saw Sameen dressed as Shego.

"Oh no," Sameen groaned. She put her hands on her hips. "Root's gonna kill you."

Gen's face dropped. "Why?"

"She's dressed as Kim, too," Sameen answered. She gestured to herself. "Do I seem like someone who would pick this?"

Gen rolled her eyes and stomped into the kitchen. "Shego's really cool. She has magic and she's really pretty. I want to be like her."

Sameen smiled, remembering how Root said the same thing about Scully. "Then why didn't you dress like her?"

"I couldn't get another costume," Gen mumbled, leaning against the island. "My mom was really busy." She reached for a solo cup.

Quickly, Sameen snatched it out of her hands. "Not for you," she scowled. "You're too young."

"Seriously?" Gen scowled. "How about a beer? You and Root had beer freshman year!"

Sameen tapped the plastic cup on the counter for a moment. It was hard being small in a new place; she knew from personal experience. Gen needed friends to help her out and Sameen and Root could be a little nicer to her. Nodding, she pulled a beer towards herself and twisted the lid off. Holding it out, she jerked it away before Gen could grab it.

"One," Sameen said, threateningly. She fixed Gen with her best hard stare. "You get one beer. That's all Root and I had and you're trying to follow our lead, for some reason."

She waited until Gen nodded before handing it over. Gen was a good kid and part of being a good friend was making sure she didn't embarrass herself. Rolling her eyes, Sameen started to mix her own drink. When had she become the mom of the group?

Gen took a large drink, her face scrunching up at the taste. "Ugh," she said, wincing, "this doesn't taste good. Why do people drink this?"

"Um, lowered inhibitions and an excuse for debauchery?"

"Whatever," Gen scoffed. She took another sip of beer. "I have to use the bathroom."

Sameen smirked. "Don't use the one by the living room." She learned across the island and lowered her voice. "Root and I are gonna bang in there later."

"Gross!" Gen moved away from her, looking scandalized. "I still have the last time seared into my brain."

"The last time?" Sameen laughed. "Yeah, that wasn't the last time we had sex. Or the last time we had sex in a bathroom."

"Stop it," Gen demanded, her hand clenched around her bottle. She pressed her back against the wall, trying to get as far from Sameen as possible. "You share too much! I'm too young for this! Also, I like boys!"

Martine stumbled into the kitchen, looking fabulous. Root had managed to wrangle her into a dress and a full face of make-up. She leaned against the doorframe, crossing her arms. The tequila bottle was suspiciously absent.

"What's up, nerds?" Martine asked, with a slow blink. "I'm hot."

Sameen pushed her lips together, not sure how to take that. "I have a girlfriend."

"And I like boys!" Gen repeated. She took another nervous sip of beer.

Martine stared at her for a moment before shrugging. "Cool. Some of us do. I mean, not me." She pushed a hand into her chest. "I hate them. I hate men. I would…I'd kill them."

"Where's Root?" Sameen asked, opening a bottle of needlessly expensive vodka. "Did you kill her by mistake?"

The missing tequila bottle appeared in the doorway, followed by Root's grinning face. "Someone call for us?"

Sameen shook her vodka bottle. "I'm good. How is she so drunk?"

Root laughed and walked into the kitchen, taking a sip out of the bottle. "She started drinking earlier. Also, I think she weighs like 3 pounds."

Her eyes landed on Gen and she frowned. Their costumes were almost identical, but Root's was better quality. Sameen ran her eyes over Gen, fully taking her in. Her clothing was a little small on her, like it was an old costume. She'd looped a thin rope through her belt loops to use as a belt. Sameen started mixing herself a drink.

"Seriously?" Root asked, her arms dropping to hang at her side. "I told you I was dressing up as Kim Possible like two weeks ago! You couldn't come as anything else?"

Gen crossed her arms defensively. "I can do whatever I want," she shot back. "I'm no one's sidekick."

They turned to look at Sameen in unison. She picked up her drink and waved a finger.

"No, thank you," she chuckled dryly. "No." She started for the doorway, snatching a beer for Lionel. He'd never stop whining if she gave Gen a drink and not him. "Come on, killer," she said to Martine, nudging her out into the hall. "Let's greet our guests."

Martine rolled her eyes, but followed Sameen into the living room, pulling the tequila bottle from Root's hand as she passed. The music in the living room was muffled by voices now that kids from school had started arriving. Sameen looked around the crowd for anyone she recognized, but most of her high school career had been about avoiding her classmates. A couple girls from the soccer team smiled at her and she nodded, sipping her drink.

"Oh god," Martine groaned, "Tomas is here."

Sameen followed her outstretched finger, frowning. Tomas was in the corner of the living room, wearing his favorite leather jacket. She made a mental note to buy Root a new jacket for her birthday, the elbows were really worn down. Her eyes met Tomas' and he waved at her, smiling. Rolling her eyes, she turned around and looked for Lionel.

"Why do you invite college kids? Why do they come?" Sameen asked, her eyes scanning the room.

Martine shrugged and took a drink straight from her bottle. "High school girls are easy?"

She finally saw Lionel flirting with some girl across the room and started towards him. Unsteady footsteps behind her told her Martine was following along. The girl Lionel was talking to noticed them and her eyes widened.

"Anyway, nice to talk to you," the girl stuttered before hurrying away.

Lionel sighed and turned around, rolling his eyes when he saw them. "You guys are the worst. I'm never going to get a girlfriend while you're around."

"What?" Sameen asked, offended. "Why not?"

"We're scary," Martine whispered in her ear. "They think we're going to murder them."

"Oh." Sameen took another drink and shrugged. "Good. I promised John that I'd look after you, bro."

"Thanks," Lionel said, dryly.

Sameen handed him the beer and looked around for Root. She and Gen were nowhere to be seen. She ran a hand over her stomach, the lycra jumpsuit making her sweat. It was a cold night, but with so many kids in one room, it felt hot. Maybe Gen and Root were still chatting in the kitchen.

"Gen! Come back here!"

Gen raced into the living room, passed their group, and into the bathroom. The door slammed loudly. A moment later, Root appeared at their sides. Sameen frowned.

"She better not be in there too long," Sameen said to Root. "I wanted to make out in there like old times."

"Old times?" Martine frowned at her. "Have you made out in my bathroom before?"

"Yes," Sameen answered. "We've made out in several rooms of this house."

"Gross," Lionel said, forehead scrunching down. "Why do you guys even leave your room?"

"God if I know," Sameen snorted, taking a drink.

Root put her hands on her hips and turned to the group. "I don't know why she's so mad. I was just teasing her."

Martine swayed on her feet, running a hand through her hair. "What did you say?"

"I asked if she had any other friends and-"

"She doesn't," Lionel cut in. "Just us."

Root frowned at him, eyes narrowing. "And then I said if she wanted to hang out with older people so much, she should hang out with her mom."

"Yikes," Martine snorted. She raised her tequila bottle to her lips, but didn't drink. "Her mom's a bitch. I mean…" Her eyes blinked slowly. "I think she's a bitch, so…That's a lot."

Sameen chuckled. "Like…Root's mom 'bitch' or what?"

"Thanks," Root muttered, rolling her eyes. She pulled the cup from Sameen's hand, taking a drink.

Sameen just shrugged. "Your mom sets 'bitch' at a high bar. Am I wrong?"

"Gen's mom is a different sort of bitch," Lionel answered before Root could say anything. "She's just really mean for no reason and her dad is always away on business. Her cousin is a drug dealer. He sells the stuff that even Elias won't touch."

"Her mom called her a failure one time," Martine added. "She was dropping her off at school one day and Gen asked if she was going to come to the soccer game that day and her mom was like 'I'll watch a game when you're top of your class. You're no good to us as a failure.' That kind of bitch."

Root sighed loudly. "Fuck. I didn't know." She handed the cup back to Sameen and started for the bathroom.

"Well," Sameen said, turning around to look at the party, "my girlfriend is gonna be busy for a while. Anyone wanna dance?"

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Root sucked in a breath, lifting her head to get some air. She gasped as Sameen's mouth moved to her neck, biting down hard enough to bruise. Swallowing and trying to focus on the noise coming from the other side of the door, Root's hands slid up Sameen's arms to her shoulders and she pushed her away.

"No," Sameen whined, moving Root's arms out of the way and pushing their bodies together again. "Not done."

The door banged against its frame as they bumped against it. Sameen's tongue on Root's throat almost distracted her from the strange sounds, but she pushed Sameen away again. Sameen groaned loudly, but took the hint. She wiped a hand over her mouth.

Root pressed her left ear to the door. There were definitely odd sounds coming from the living room. She turned to Sameen, smiling when she saw the red flush on Sameen's neck. Their chests rose and fell in time as their hearts raced.

"Do you hear that?" Root asked, gesturing to the door. She swallowed again, catching her breath. "I can't tell what it is."

Sameen reached for the door handle and unlocked it, panting slightly. "If it's nothing, we're going to keep kissing."

Root laughed and followed her into the living room as the door opened. She realized immediately that it wasn't nothing. A crowd had formed across the living room, the kids all circled around something. Movement caught her eye and she saw Lionel frantically waving at them.

Sameen raced across the room and Root hurried to keep up, worried. They pushed kids out of the way to see Martine on top of Hersch, arms swinging as she punched him. Her punches were sloppy because of her drunkenness, but it still looked painful. Root grinned and turned to Sameen.

"Do we have to stop this?" she asked, crossing her arms. "He probably deserves it."

'Lambert deserved to last year, too,' she signed, scowling. 'Still not ok.'

Root rolled her eyes, but moved forward and grabbed Martine's arm. Sameen held her other side and they pulled Martine away, her feet scrambling on the tile floor as she struggled to keep hitting Hersch. Hersch climbed to his feet, mouth bleeding.

"Get that bitch away from me!" he screamed, loud enough for Root to hear over the music. "She's crazy."

Martine growled and launched forward, almost tearing her arm out of Root's grip. Sameen held firm and kept her back.

"If you ever, ever, come into my house again, I will kill you," Martine hissed, her face beet red. "You keep my name out of your fucking mouth!"

Hersch took a step forward, but one look at Sameen's face made him stop. After a moment, he raised his hands, trying and failing to look calm.

"That's fine," he said, shrugging. "I'm too old for these little parties anyway."

He waved for his friends and they left the party, hurrying into the hall and out the front door. Root noticed Tomas lingering in the corner and glared at him. He had a lot of nerve showing his face here. Wasn't he supposed to be in college? What kind of loser comes back for a high school Halloween party? He noticed her staring at him and paled. Coughing into his fist, he followed Hersch's group out of the house.

"Ok," Sameen called, looking around the room, "party's over. Everyone out."

Everyone started shuffling around, finishing their drinks and getting their sweaters. Root let go of Martine. Sameen pulled her out of the room and Root watched them leave, reaching into one of her pockets to pull out her phone. It was almost 2 o'clock in the morning. Honestly, the party had lasted longer than she thought it would. Normally, they were home by midnight.

Gen appeared at her side, arms crossed. "Are parties here always this exciting?"

"Usually, they're worse," Root answered.

She glanced down at Gen, trying to gauge her mood. They'd talked in the bathroom for a while earlier and Root had apologized for her comments about Gen's mom. She knew firsthand what having bad parents was like and she should have guessed that Gen was having a hard time. She'd noticed the signs.

Gen looked up at her and her eyes narrowed, angry. "Don't look at me like that."

"Like what?"

"Like you feel sorry for me." Gen looked away, shoving her hands in her pockets. "I'm not a charity case. I can take care of myself."

Root sighed. "I know. I'm sorry. I used to yell at Sameen for looking at me like that. You're doing fine."

"Well," Gen shuffled her feet, caught off guard, "thanks."

They watched the last few kids leave through the front door in silence. Lionel walked over to them, taking a drink from a bottle of beer. Root narrowed her eyes. He had definitely broken their one beer rule.

"All in all, not too bad," he chuckled. "At least it wasn't you two this time."

"Thank goodness for that," Root laughed.

Gen looked between them. "What happened the last few years?"

"The first year, Martine kissed me and Sameen saw. I had to chase her home and come out to her." Root scratched her chin. "Um, the second year, we got really high and made out in the bathroom and Sameen threw up on me."

"Ugh!" Gen winced. "That's so wrong."

"Well, I had thrown up on her on Valentine's Day and she was naked that time."

Lionel mimed gagging. "You guys were the worst." He looked at Gen. "They kissed like 5 times and still didn't admit they liked each other."

"What?" Crossing her arms, Gen smirked at Root. "I mean, after our talk, I know you're not the best at relating to people. I bet you used to be really awkward."

Root held her hands up defensively. She did not like the turn this conversation had taken. It was one thing to talk about the past, but it was a whole other thing to be teased for it. In retrospect, it was stupid how long it had taken them to get together, but in the moment, it had all seemed so scary and large and important.

"Who are we calling awkward?" Sameen asked, walking into the room. Martine wasn't with her and Root guessed she was probably asleep upstairs. "Is it Lionel in his Ron Stoppable costume? Because that's the definition of awkward."

"Go fuck yourself, Shortstack."

Sameen darted forward, wrapping her arm around Lionel's neck and rubbing her fist in his hair. "Come on, sidekick. Where's the mole rat?"

Root laughed at them as they wrestled playfully, feet knocking cups and empty bottles around the room. It was nice to see Sameen and Lionel bonding.

"You guys are so weird," Gen mumbled. "Don't you ever do normal things?"

"Would you like us if we did?" Root asked, resting her arm on Gen's head, casually.

Gen pushed her off, but she was smiling. "It would take more than being normal for me to like you."

Root pouted and slowly stalked forward, forcing Gen to back up to get away. "You don't like me?" she asked, jumping forward to try and grab Gen. Gen moved out of the way in time, her smile turning into a grin. "I thought we bonded tonight! Aren't we friends now?"

"Get away from me!" Gen laughed, turning and running towards the hallway. She paused in the hallway to make sure Root was chasing her before running to the front door.

Root laughed, reaching out to grab the doorframe as she swung into the hallway. She heard Sameen and Lionel stomping behind her and grinned. Gen ran out into the front yard, dropping into the grass with a laugh. Root laid down next to her, staring up at the stars. A second later, Sameen and Lionel dropped down, too.

"Do you really think high school is the best time of your life?" Lionel asked.

"I hope not," Root and Sameen answered in unison. "Jinx!"

Root turned her head to glare at Sameen, but let her face relax into a smile. The wind blew across them. She shivered in the cold, night air, the breeze tickling her bare stomach. She was really looking forward to the future. She always did, but now more than ever. It was only a month and a half until her 18th birthday and two months until Sameen's. They were only seven months from graduation and then the rest of their lives.

She would have to decide what to do with her house soon. Maybe she'd rent it out or just sell it. Harold and Grace had hired people to fix it up and make it safe to live in. Root sighed and tried to push it from her mind. Sameen's hand found her own and they stared up at the stars.