"So then I said 'Yeah, but you offered to die your hair brown to date me,' and she said 'but then you shoved me against a locker and threatened to kill me' and then I said 'but then you started dating my girlfriend's ex' and then Lionel said he had a girlfriend and we started laughing at him and forgot we were even fighting."

"Poor Lionel," Sameen said, pulling into the Bishop Park parking lot. She leaned forward, squinting to see out into the dark. "He's a good guy."

Root smiled, turning her head to look out the window at the concert happening across the park. This Valentine's Day marked their two year anniversary (or one year and seven months, if you didn't count their time fighting). Sameen still insisted that they never broke up, so Root had bought a few bottles of Champagne from Elias and strung their lights up in the treehouse. Valentine's day was on a Monday this year, and they had school tomorrow.

She smoothed her hands down the front of her new burgundy dress. It was fancier than she usually went for, but the high waist and flowing skirt made her feel grown up. She'd need a nice dress when they went away. Root smiled and looked back to Sameen.

"Remember when Lionel used to follow John around like a puppy?"

Sameen snorted, turning the wheel and parking next to Harold's car. She put the car in park and sat back. "He was in awe of him. Probably thought he'd grow up just as tall. Man, I can't believe Lionel is almost 16. He won't have to bum rides off us anymore."

"Good," Root said, reaching out to pull up the parking brake as Sameen turned the car off. "I miss having time alone with you."

"You're the one who wanted to make friends our senior year," Sameen pointed out. "I just provided."

Root ran her eyes over Sameen. Her black dress was tight, made from stretchy fabric, and showed off her curves. She'd gone to Macy's with Mrs. Reese last weekend. Sameen's perfect arms were exposed and Root thought she looked amazing, so elegant and grown up.

"What?" Sameen asked, scratching her nose. "Why do you look like that?"

Root reached out to tuck Sameen's loose hair behind her ear. "You're beautiful."

"Gross," Sameen muttered, pushing her door open. "You look fine."

Laughing, Root opened her own door, stepping out into the cool, night air. It wasn't as cold as it had been, but a breeze still made Root shiver slightly. She closed the door, stepping carefully on the gravel ground as she walked around the car to Sameen. She watched her feet as she walked, listening to the music float from the stage.

She looked up to ask if Sameen knew what band was playing, but Sameen was looking away. Root spotted Gen sitting on the bike rack, her light blue dress shimmering under a streetlight.

Sameen started for her, stepping onto the grass, and Root rolled her eyes. She just wanted one event that was only about her and Sameen, not their whole motley crew. Despite her annoyance, Root stepped over the small wooden border around the parking lot and walked across the soft grass to Gen.

"Hey," Sameen called out, her voice carried on the breeze.

Gen glanced up and quickly wiped her face. Root realized that she was crying. Sameen must have noticed further back. Root's stomach sank and she looked around, but no one was near them. The crowd for the concert was a couple hundred feet away. Didn't Gen have a date? That kid, David?

Sameen stopped next to Gen and Root took a couple quick steps to catch up. Gen grinned up at them like everything was fine, but her puffy eyes and quivering lip gave her away.

"Hey, guys!" she said cheerfully. Her voice barely shook. "Wow, you guys look great."

"Ok," Root said, crossing her arms. "What's wrong?"

Gen's smile faltered and her eyes welled up again. She started crying and Root sighed, dropping her arms and moving to sit next to her. Hopping up on the rack, she kicked her heels off and wrapped an arm around Gen. Gen buried her face in Root's neck, sobbing.

Sameen growled and Root looked up. Sameen's face was stormy and Root smiled slightly, knowing that whoever made Gen cry was going to pay for it. She turned back to Gen, lifting her free hand to wipe tears off of Gen's cheek.

"Gen," Root said softly, "tell us who made you cry, so Sameen can take care of them."

"It was David," Gen answered, her voice hitching. "He lied."

Sameen started across the park without a word and Root watched her go for a moment before focusing on Gen. She gently lifted Gen's head, wiping her face and smiling down at her.

"What did he do?" Root asked. "He asked you on a date tonight, right?"

Gen pushed Root's hands away. "I'm not a baby."

"Fine," Root chuckled, holding her hands up. "I'll stop mothering you, if you tell me what happened."

"You wouldn't understand," Gen mumbled, crossing her arms and looking out at the concert. "You're a cool kid. Things like this don't happen to you."

Root's eyes widened. Gen thought she was cool? Cool enough to not get bullied? She started laughing loudly, clutching her stomach. Root was the furthest thing from cool. She used to be bullied every day when she was Gen's age.

"What is wrong with you?" Gen asked her. "You're so weird!"

Root wiped her eyes, still chuckling to herself. "You think I'm cool?"

"Don't let it go to your head." Gen crossed her arms, glaring at Root. "You're dating the star of the soccer team. You're best friends with the most popular girl in school. You're rich as hell. You're Captain of the Science Bowl team, you have a 4.0, and you've been top of your class, twice."

Root rested her hands on the bike rack, leaning her head back to look up at the stars. Gen was right. Root did have it all this year. It was so weird to think about her life now. She still felt like the skinny kid who couldn't afford lunch. She thought back to Samantha 'ET' Groves.

"I wasn't always cool," Root said. A breeze blew past them, ruffling her skirt and making Gen shiver. "I used to be the biggest loser in town. Alcoholic mom, poor as dirt, no friends. Well, one friend, but she moved away."

"You told me your mom was mean," Gen said, following Root's example and looking up. "You didn't say she was an alcoholic."

Root shrugged, looking for Orion. "It's still hard to talk about. She's in jail now for trying to kill me. She made me deaf."

Out of the corner of her eyes, she could see Gen frowning. Root wondered what Gen's home life was really like. Her cousin was a drug dealer, her father was absent, and her mother was overbearing and awful. Root took in a deep breath. She dropped her head to the side to look at Gen.

"Meeting Sameen saved my life. If I hadn't met her…I'd either be dead or have run away. I'd probably be a criminal, just stealing to live and hating the world."

"I hate everyone," Gen muttered. She lifted her head and glared at the crowd. "I can't wait to grow up and go away."

Root smiled, recognizing the feeling. "Soon," she said confidently. "You should stick with Lionel when we graduate. It's important to have good friends."

Gen nodded. "He's ok. A little weird. Like you and Sameen."

"Yeah," Root laughed, "he is. He really likes ghosts. I was always into aliens and cryptids. Sameen is into…me."

"Gross," Gen scoffed. "When I have a boyfriend, we aren't going to be like that."

Root didn't answer, just turned back to the crowd. She couldn't see Sameen, but she saw a commotion the right of the stage. She really hoped Sameen wouldn't rip her dress; Mrs. Reese had been so happy that they were shopping together. Beside her, Gen cleared her throat.

"David invited me as his date," Gen said so softly that Root had to lean in to hear. "He picked me up, met my mom, and drove me here. When we parked, his friends were waiting. They teased me for thinking that someone could like me."

"Ugh." Root scowled, crossing her arms. "I'm glad Sameen is going to beat him up. That's the worst thing to do to someone." She took Gen's hand, threading their fingers together. "Are you ok? You know that you're not unlikeable."

Gen rolled her eyes. "I mean, someone has to like me eventually."

Root liked her lips, remembering how she felt when Hanna left, like no one would ever like her, like something was fundamentally wrong with her. Her own father didn't like her enough to stick around and her mother didn't like her enough to get sober.

"It can be hard," Root started, "to feel like you're worth better when all you've had are bad experiences. Your parents' behavior isn't really about you; they have their own issues to work out. David's prank…It's not about your being unlikeable. You're just an easy target."

Gen blinked at her, eyes watering again. "My mom was so happy that I had a date. That I was doing normal girl stuff. She even bought me this dress." Gen picked at her skirt. "I really hate it. I look like a powerpuff girl."

Root smiled. "You can be Bubbles, I'll be Blossom, and Sameen will be Buttercup. If we were still here, of course."

"I'll make Lionel be Blossom," Gen said, smirking. She wiped her eyes. "We'll find a new friend for Buttercup."

"There you go," Root joked, bumping Gen with her shoulder. "You'll wear that dress again."

Gen nodded, smiling. "Yeah. I just have to tell my mom about David. She'll be mad."

"Tell her to go fuck herself," Root ordered. "Tell her that you'll find someone in your own time and it's her fault you're even in this shitty town anyway."

Gen looked at her with a strange expression. Admiration, Root realized. Gen was looking at her like she was actually cool. Wait until Sameen heard that Gen was starting to like Root more. Root laughed to herself, pushing her hair over her shoulder with her free hand.

"You're so much better than this town, Gen. You'll realize that." Root grinned at her. "If anyone does this again, you have my permission to punch them in the dicks."

Gen laughed, clapping a hand over her mouth. She looked at Root with wide eyes. "Punch their dicks?" she whispered. "Is that what Sameen is doing?"

Root shrugged. "Probably."

"Maybe Sameen can teach me how to fight," Gen said, perking up. "Or Martine!"

The thought of Martine tutoring Gen made Root nervous, but she let it go. Gen was small for her age, like someone else Root knew, and she could use the self-defense lessons. For the first time, Root wished Gen had moved her sooner. They could have been friends.

"Oh, look!" Gen pointed at the crowd to where Sameen was coming towards them, her heels in her hand. "She's back."

"Have fun?" Root asked when Sameen was close enough.

Sameen nodded, tossing her heels onto the ground next to Root's. She turned to Gen. "They won't be bothering you anytime soon."

"Thanks!" Gen said, grinning. "Did you punch their dicks?"

"Uh," Sameen glanced at Root, shrugging helplessly, "no? Should I have?"

Root just chuckled and held her arms out, putting her hands on Sameen's waist and guiding her closer. Wrapping her arms around Sameen, she rested her head on Sameen's stomach, looking at Gen. Sameen's arms came to rest around her shoulders.

"Fine," Gen said, blushing, "having a boyfriend who does that would be nice."

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Sameen watched as Root's thumbs strained against the champagne cork. They'd retreated back to the treehouse a few of hours ago. Martine and Tomas had started making out and they'd decided to move somewhere else before their whole night was ruined. Sameen adjusted her hands on Root's sides, running them over her bare skin.

Root's nose crinkled adorably as she pushed the cork up. Sameen smiled, stretching her legs out in front of her. They'd spent the last couple of hours on the floor, comfortably rolling around on a bed of blankets having sex and getting drunk. Now, Root was sitting on Sameen's lap and Sameen was lying on the ground, enjoying the view. Root sighed loudly, holding the bottle in front of her.

"I give up," Root said, pouting. "I need your finger strength."

Growling, Sameen rolled her over, grinned as Root squealed. She pressed their bodies together, lifting Root's legs and wrapping them around her. Root's body was hot under her, sticky with sweat, and Sameen dipped her head, running her tongue over a fresh bruise forming just above Root's heart.

The Champagne bottle dropped to the blankets with a muffled thud and Root's hands flew up to tangle in Sameen's hair, tightening until Sameen groaned. Despite the cool weather, the treehouse was warm, the blankets absorbing the heat and sweat and sticking to their skin.

"Let's go swimming," Sameen suggested, brushing her lips up Root's chest and nipping at her collarbone. "We're filthy."

Root hummed, stretching her head to give Sameen better access to her neck. "Whose fault is that?"

Sameen bit Root's neck, drinking in her moan. She licked the red spot. "Joint effort."

"I'd be into a swim." Root used her grip in Sameen's hair to pull her head up. She spoke into Sameen's parted lips. "Get even wetter."

Sameen captured Root's lips, biting down until she heard Root's throat catch. She knew all of Root's signs, the way her body worked. Her hands on Root's ribs felt familiar, the pressure against her hands as Root drew in a quivering breath was familiar. Sameen pulled away, shifting back onto her knees and sighing when Root's hands slipped from her hair.

"Come on," she ordered, grabbing the Champagne bottle and climbing to her feet. "Let's swim."

She reached a hand down to help Root up. They stumbled slightly, the two bottles of Champagne they'd already drank dulling their motor skills. Root laughed again, throwing her arms around Sameen's neck and kissing her quickly.

"Let me grab my bathing suit," Root said, turning towards the second level.

"No," Sameen chuckled, grabbing her arm. "We're going to skinny dip. Right old wrongs."

Root laughed and Sameen felt her chest warm slightly. Sameen still didn't understand everything that she felt, or even feel everything, but she did know that this was love. She also knew that when Root put her hands on her hips, her long fingers accentuating her hip bones, and her head tilted to the side, lips smirking, that was lust.

"Keep it together, Sameen," Root joked, shaking her head and throwing her hair over her shoulder, "if we do it again here, we're never making it to the pool."

Sameen rolled her eyes, but she turned around, carrying the Champagne bottle out of the treehouse. Stepping carefully along the balcony towards the ladder, Sameen looked at the house, checking to see if any lights were on. Mrs. Reese and Lionel were already asleep and it would be embarrassing if they caught the girls having sex in the pool.

"I'm cold," Root complained behind her. "I know it's getting warmer, but it's the middle of the night and I'm naked."

"We'll be in the water soon," Sameen assured her. "I fixed the heater the other day."

"Ooh," Root cooed, rubbing her hands over Sameen's back, "you thought ahead."

Sameen smirked and started climbing down the ladder. She hopped off at the bottom and started for the screened in pool, ready for the warm water. She'd never say it to Root, but she was a little chilly in the cool, night air. Somehow, she'd actually gotten used to the Texas heat.

"Hey, wait up!" Root called from behind her.

Speeding up, Sameen jogged to the door, pulling it open. Root gave her a kiss as she walked past, and Sameen closed the door as quietly as possible, watching Root walk to the pool. Root dipped a toe in, sighing happily. She turned to grin at Sameen.

"Drinks first? Or swimming?"

"Both," Sameen answered.

She crossed the tiled floor, popping the cork as she went. Taking a swig from the bottle, she stopped in front of Root. Their tolerance had grown a lot since Valentine's Day four years ago, so she wasn't really worried about anyone getting sick. The blue lights played across their bodies as she handed the bottle over.

Root took it from her and Sameen jumped into the pool, curling her body up and landing with a loud splash. The water swirled around her, the small bubbles reminding her of the Champagne and tickling her skin. It was warm, and Sameen was grateful for the heat.

Straightening out, her feet brushed the pool floor and she kicked off, rising to the surface. She pushed her hair out of her face and watched Root lean down to put the bottle on the floor.

"I'm not going too jump in," Root announced, swaying slightly as she stood. "We shouldn't be too loud."

"I'm not the one who's loud," Sameen taunted, swimming backwards and giving Root space to slide in. "You'll have to keep your mouth shut."

Root grinned, sitting on the edge of the pool. She pushed herself off, dropping into the water with a small splash. She swam towards Sameen, the reflection of the lights on the pool making her face look spooky. "Make me."

Sameen closed the distance between them quickly, running her hands around Root's sides and cupping her butt. She squeezed, pushing her nails into soft skin and Root hissed, lowering her head and catching Sameen's mouth. Kissing was almost painful, their lips already bruised from hours of biting. She pulled away running her lips along Root's neck.

Root's long legs wrapped around Sameen's waist. "Let's make it a game," Root breathed in her ear. "First one to make noise loses."

Sameen smirked against Root's skin. "What does the winner get?"

"Come on, Sameen," Root's voice cooed. "You're not stupid."

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Root woke with a start, sitting up, the blanket falling to her lap. She looked around the room, the chilly air making her shiver. They were in the treehouse, sleeping on the floor in their bed of blankets. She turned to the door, the sun was just starting to rise and they'd have to get ready for school soon.

Laying down, she took a deep breath, her heart slowing. She couldn't even remember what her nightmare had been about. It was just panic, something about power, and a cage. She shivered again and pulled the blankets over her shoulders. Sameen was warm next to her and she rolled over, scooting closer.

Even in sleep, Sameen seemed grumpy, but Root still thought she looked cute. Sameen's dark hair was splayed across her pale blue pillow and Root reached out to push it out of her face.

"Huh?" Sameen asked, sucking in a loud breath through her nose. Her eyes tried to blink, but they just fluttered, staying closed. "Root?"

"Go back to bed," Root whispered. "I just had a bad dream."

For a moment, Sameen didn't move and Root thought she might have fallen asleep again, but then the blankets rustled and a muscular arm appeared. Sameen's fist lightly tapped on Root's forehead.

"Be good," Sameen ordered sleepily. "Be nice or I'll beat you up."

Root laughed and pushed Sameen's hand away. She snuggled closer, wrapping her arms around Same and tangling their legs together.

"Good night," she muttered into Sameen's hair.

Sameen grunted. "Happy anniversary, nerd."

"Happy anniversary."