Root stared up at Bishop Senior High School, nervously fiddling with the graduation cap in her hands. It was their graduation day and all around her the classmates she'd known all her life and their families were gathered outside the gymnasium. It seemed silly to need a ceremony to finalize their graduation, but Root was just glad that high school was almost over.

The outside of the gym looked dirty, the previous night's rainstorm failing to wash the Texas dirt from the walls. The streaks of grey dirt reminded Root of the times she and Sameen played basketball on the uneven court on the other side of the gym. Their debate team was so bad, but Root liked to watch the beginning of the competitions. They'd go outside and play basketball or just jump in the puddles.

She took a deep breath and put her cap on her head, making sure the tassel was on the right side. It was so hot that she'd braided her hair, the long dark rope hanging down her back. Smiling to herself, Root let the familiar June heat calm her. In a week, she'd get in a car with Sameen and Bear and leave. If she wanted to, she never had to come back, never had to see this small, dirty town again.

Root was willing to admit her time here hadn't all been bad. She had fun with Hanna in middle school and had her first kiss with someone she liked. She'd gone ghost hunting and roadtripping and built a treehouse. She'd started an astronomer's club and met her first love and interned at NASA. If she could do all that with a terrible home life and no money, she could only imagine what was possible outside of town lines.

A hand on her shoulder made her jump and she turned to see Mrs. Reese standing next to her.

"Oops," Mrs. Reese said, smiling, "I didn't mean to scare you."

Root shook her head, turning to face her. "It's ok. I wasn't paying attention."

"I could tell." She ran her arm over Root's arm. "Are you nervous?"

"I am," Root sighed. "In a good way, though. I'm just thinking about moving away. I'm ok, though. I'm excited."

Mrs. Reese pulled her into a hug, resting her chin on the top of Root's head. It felt nice to be hugged and Root closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around Mrs. Reese. She would miss her surrogate mom when she left. Mrs. Reese had taken Root in when her mom went to rehab and she'd taken her in again when her mom went away for good.

Root pulled back, reaching up to wipe her eyes. "Thank you," she said, looking away. "For everything. I really mean it."

"You deserved all of it," Mrs. Reese said softly. "You're a good girl, Root. I'm glad I got to know you."

Someone shouted Root's name and she turned to see Zoe waving at her through the crowd. Root laughed in surprise. John, Zoe, and Joss must have driven down from Dallas to make the ceremony. They're semester had ended a few days ago, but they'd said they were staying in Dallas for the summer. She hadn't expected to see them before she left.

"Go ahead," Mrs. Reese said, patting Root's shoulder. "I'm going to check on Sameen before the ceremony starts."

Root nodded, smiling at her one last time, and started towards her friends. Lionel had already found them and Root watched him play fight with John. John wrapped his arm around Lionel's neck and Root thought of Sameen and how the three of them would always wrestle. Root remembered having to racing all three of them to dinner, how she'd learned to be the fastest one to grab food. Now, Lionel would be able to eat at his own pace.

"Root!" Zoe laughed, jumping forward to hug her. "I missed you!"

Laughing, Root hugged her back, swaying from side to side. Zoe had always been there for Root. She'd given her advice when Sameen was dating Tomas, when Root really needed it. She was basically Root's big sister.

"I missed you, too," Root said softly. "I'm glad you're here."

Zoe pulled away. She pushed herself onto her tip toes. "Did you get taller?" Looking over her shoulder, she waved for Joss to come closer. "Babe, tell me if she got taller."

Joss wondered over, wearing a suit that fit her perfectly. Root reached out to tug on her shirt collar.

"You look amazing," she complimented Joss. "Very professional."

Shrugging, Joss knocked Root's hand away lightly. "Flattery will get you nowhere. Now stand up straight."

Rolling her eyes, Root stepped back from Zoe and stood up straight. She didn't think she'd gotten any taller in the last couple of months, but her graduation robe only fell to mid-calf and Sameen's practically brushed the floor. Lionel and John broke off their fight and came to see what was happening.

"What's going on?" John asked, smiling at Root. "Hey."

"Hi, John," Root laughed. "They're trying to decide if I got taller again."

John walked next to her, pulling himself up to his full height. "Hmm, you might have. Is that a bad thing?"

"Shortstack might think it is," Lionel snorted. "She hasn't gotten taller for three years."

"Where is Sameen?" Joss asked looking around. "I thought you two would be glued together."

Root fiddled with her tassel. "She's being walked through the ceremony. I think Control is worried she'll get bored and ruin it."

"Sameen wouldn't do that," Zoe laughed. "She might not like the attention, but she's not impulsive."

"Yeah," Root agreed, "but Control still thinks of her as the silent, angry girl from freshman year most of the time. You should hear the way she checks in with Sameen during soccer practice. She's always reminding her about paperwork and stuff."

Joss rolled her eyes. "Sameen is just better than Control and Control hates it. I bet Control will be calling her after you all start school."

"Kids!" Mrs. Reese called from the entrance to the gym. "It's time!"

Root took a breath and started back to the gym. Joss and Zoe hooked their arms through Root's and pulled her along, making her laugh. When they were all spread out across the country, she would make sure they still talked. She'd need Joss and Zoe when things got rough with Sameen and Sameen would need John and Lionel.

They walked into the gym and Root looked toward the stage, spotting Sameen sitting on a chair next to Harold and Grace. She looked tiny in her large graduation gown and Root's heart warmed. She couldn't even be mad that Sameen had beaten her and claimed the title of Valedictorian. Salutatorian wasn't too bad and it meant Root didn't have to make a speech.

A few rows of chairs had been organized in front of the stage on the gym floor for the students and all the bleachers had been pulled out for the families and friends to sit on. It looked like a small concert was going to happen, there was even the small school band next to the stage, and Root realized that this might be the last image of the gym she'd ever have. She spotted other students gathered at the back of the gym and figured that was where they were getting set up.

Root waved goodbye to her group and headed for Mr. Ingram who had been tasked with getting the kids in alphabetical order. She stopped close to him, looking around. Her group had settled with the other families in the bleachers.

Mr. Ingram walked over to her and a small card that read "Samantha Groves." Root frowned. Sometimes she forgot what her actual name was because no one called her that. Maybe this would be a good way to say goodbye to Bishop. She'd leave Samantha Groves behind.

"Ok," Mr. Ingram sighed, looking at his clipboard, "you all know each other. Just…stand behind the right person."

Root chuckled and slid into place behind Devon Grice. When they had all fallen in line, he waved towards the stage and Control appeared, stopping behind the wooden podium. Root leaned to the side so she could see the announcement.

"Hello, everyone," Principal McCarthy started, "and welcome to the Bishop Senior High School graduation ceremony!"

Everyone clapped and Root smiled as Sameen begrudgingly clapped onstage. Her eyes landed on Root and Root waved at her. Sameen stuck her tongue out.

"Our band will play a song now," Principal McCarthy continued, "and the graduates will walk to their seats."

She gestured to the small band to the side of the stage and they began to play a song Root didn't know. She rolled her eyes and straightened up. Of course, their band couldn't just play that dumb Vitamin C song; they had to do something original.

As the line moved forward, Root suddenly felt nervous. Her stomach clenched and she tugged at her gown. This was it. She would never have expected to feel anything other than happy, but as Devon stepped forward and Root followed, her heart pounded with anticipation. This was the end of the life she'd always known and the beginning of something monumental.

There were only 50 or so kids in their class, so they found their seats fairly quickly. Root was in the middle, surrounded on all sides by her peers. She glanced over her shoulder to find Martine sitting beside an empty seat. That was were Sameen would sit once she gave her big speech. Control began to speak again and Root turned to face the front.

"We are all gathered here to celebrate the success of these graduating students," Principal McCarthy said, smiling. "The teachers and I have watched them grow and mature over the past four years and it is with great pride we see them walk today. Before I had the stage over, I want to say a few words about our Valedictorian."

Sameen slumped in her seat, raising a hand to cover her face. A laugh rippled through the crowd and Root grinned. Sameen looked so upset to be onstage and have this attention focused on her.

"This student came to our town four years ago. She was quiet, but smart, and amazing on the soccer field. She led our school to four consecutive Championship trophies and was top of her class for three out of her four years here. She has worked on most of our vehicles and attended every community event. Although she may not have been born within the boundaries of our town, she is truly an honor to our community. This year's Valedictorian is Sameen Shaw."

Control gestured to Sameen and everyone clapped. It made Root so happy to see Sameen stand behind the podium and be honored. Sameen had grown so much since they'd first met. Root remembered when all she did was exercise and sleep. Sameen would only say two words at a time and she was only nice to Root. Now, the whole gym was applauding for her.

"Uh, thanks," Sameen said awkwardly. She adjusted her cap, looking over the seats. "I'm- If you know me, and, well, you all do, I guess, you know I'm not a big talker." A laugh rippled through the gym. "Root, uh, looked over my notes, though. So…it should be ok." She winced as everyone laughed again. "So, I moved here when I was 14, a couple of months after my mother died, and I was convinced that I was going to hate it. I thought that I'd hate this tiny town, and just," she shrugged, "I figured I would bide my time, get good grades, and then just leave without a second thought. It didn't happen the way that I expected it to."

She looked up at Root and Root smiled back at her, trying to reassure her that she was doing well. Sameen's hands tightened around the edges of the podium, but she kept going.

"I met some great people. Um, Root, obviously, and also John and Lionel and Zoe and Joss. I even made friends with Martine, which, wow. This place has taught me a lot, about…life and love and who I am and who I want to be. Mrs. Reese, my mom, changed my life. By adopting me, by being patient, by caring. She also taught me that being part of a community, knowing everyone's number and helping the people who need help…It's commendable. Bishop is a small place and, no offense, I'm so glad to be leaving for a little while, but it's-" She ran her eyes over the crowd, looking at all the people in the room. "It's home. This place, and all of you, are home now. When I leave here, I'll take you with me. I mean, I'm…literally taking Root, so…"

Root laughed, reaching up to wipe her eyes. Sameen wasn't emotional, but Root was. It was hard to think about their time in high school without thinking about everything they'd been through and learned from. Root knew that Sameen did love this town. She definitely liked it more than Root did. Sameen would be the one to drag them back for holidays and force Root to come back and see everyone.

"I'll wrap it up," Sameen mumbled. "I just want to say that I learned more than just what was taught in the classroom. I thank you for that. There have been some rough times here, but I think there have been more good ones. I'm sure that we'll continue going to Championships for many years to come and I hope for the best from future graduating classes. Thank you."

Root jumped to her feet, clapping as loudly as she could. Around her, the other students stood, too, and the families in the bleachers. Sameen looked shocked, mouth slightly open. Root knew she hadn't been expecting a response like this, but as much as Sameen talked about feeling like Bishop was home, the town felt like Sameen was one of them, too.

Sameen nodded sharply and hurried off the stage. She walked as fast as she could without running and took her seat next to Martine. Root turned around to wink at Sameen and laughed when Sameen just rolled her eyes back. Sameen was probably counting the minutes until this was all over and they could have dinner.

"Thank you, Miss Shaw," Harold said from the podium. He raised his hands for quiet and, after a moment, everyone settled down and took their seats again. "I am going to read the names of the graduating students in alphabetical order. I know there aren't many, but I'll ask if you can hold your applause until the end."

Root smiled softly. Even if other people's families applauded for them, Root's wouldn't. She wouldn't be surprised if Lionel or Zoe cheered once for her, but her group wasn't going to hold up the ceremony. Her group wanted to eat dinner at a fancy restaurant in Corpus Christi. She watched the students in front of her stand and rose to her feet.

She followed her classmates as they wound their way to the stage with Harold calling their names. Glancing down at her card, she bit her lip. All of this felt so pointless. Someone was going to call her by the wrong name, she'd shake hands with a principal she might never see again, and then she'd take an awkward picture holding a blank diploma because they don't even give you your real one until later.

Stopping at the bottom of the stairs, she watched as Devon gave Harold his card and walked past him to shake Control's hand. Root glanced down at her card again and sighed, starting up the stairs. Looking up to see Harold beaming at her, Root couldn't help but smiled back. She handed him her card, steeling herself for a name no one called her.

"Root!" Harold announced into the microphone.

Root was so surprised to hear Harold use her name that it took her a minute to realize that people were clapping. She looked out to see everyone applauding for her and she wasn't sure what to do. Root had never really thought of herself as part of Bishop. She'd lived on the edge of town, she hadn't had any friends, she only went to things because she went with Sameen.

Harold held his arms out to her and Root stepped into them, letting him hug her. "We're all so happy for you, Root," he said quietly. "You beat all the odds and you're going to make this town so proud."

Root sucked in a deep breath, pulling away to wipe her eyes. "I didn't think anyone knew who I was."

"You're the first person from this town to go MIT," Harold laughed. "Even if that wasn't enough, you've been at the center of a lot of drama here. Us small town folks always know about those things. Not to mention, you're half of Bishop's only power couple. No, Root, everyone knows who you are."

"Wow," Root breathed, wiping her face again. "Weird time to find that out."

Harold chuckled, tapping his cane on the floor. "Go on. Go graduate."

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Sameen tossed her duffel bag into RBG and sighed. "Does everyone really need to be here?"

"You think we'd let you leave without saying goodbye?" Lionel snorted. "No way, sis."

Sameen rolled her eyes, but she smiled, thankful the early morning darkness hid her face. It was nice to see her friends and family before she and Root hit the road. They would spend two months driving around America, a trip carefully planned by Root, and then get to Boston a couple of weeks before school started. They'd chosen not to spend the months before college at home. Root needed to get out of Bishop and Sameen knew Bishop would still be there when they came back.

"Thanks for coming out so early," Root said, voice still raspy from sleep. "I'm sure you wanted to sleep in on the weekend."

Sameen turned around, looking over the people gathered on her front lawn. Mrs. Reese, Harold, Grace, Lionel, Gen, and the Reese-Carter-Morgans had come to say goodbye to them. Root stumbled forward, eyes half open, and practically fell forward onto John, trying to hug him. Sameen laughed at the uncomfortable look on John's face, his hand clenched around Bear's leash.

"Uh," John stuttered, patting Root's back, "No problem. I'm an early riser."

"I'm not!" Gen complained loudly. She was in her pajamas, the legs rolled up so she could ride her bike. "Come hug me goodbye so I can go back to bed."

Raising her eyebrows, Sameen hopped onto the curb and reached out for Gen, pulling her into her arms. "Be good," Sameen said, sniffing. "Make sure your Captain by your junior year."

"Wow, no pressure or anything." Gen squeezed her tightly before pulling away. "Text me whenever Root does something dumb."

"I will," Sameen chuckled, ignoring Root's grumbling. "Text me when Lionel does something dumb."

Gen nodded and walked to Root. "You get one, too, Weirdo."

"Aw, thanks." Root pulled herself from John and hugged Gen. "Take care, Gen. Keep those boys scared."

Gen laughed. She stepped back and waved to the group. "See you guys at Thanksgiving."

Sameen watched her jump off the curb and climb onto her bike. Gen waved one last time over her shoulder as she kicked up her kickstand and then she took off, the sound of her tires rattling over the gravel street echoing in the silent air. Sameen wasn't worried about Gen. Gen was resilient and unafraid; she'd be fine.

A loud sniffle made Sameen turn to look at Mrs. Reese. She was crying. Grace's arms wrapped around her, comforting her. Looking at her, Sameen could tell she was upset to see them leave. Mrs. Reese had adopted them to keep John company, but they'd all become a family.

Sameen could admit that she'd miss Mrs. Reese, too. Unlike her parents, Sameen would see Mrs. Reese for holidays every year and maybe they'd spend time together just because they wanted to. All the coming and going would remind her to miss her new mom. Mrs. Reese had changed Sameen's life for the better, forever. If Sameen couldn't cry about it, then she was glad that Mrs. Reese could.

"Oh, mom," Sameen sighed, closing the distance between them. "I'll miss you, too."

Mrs. Reese squeezed Sameen, knocking the air out of her. "Who said you could grow up so fast? I just met you!"

"I can't breathe," Sameen wheezed. "If you kill me now, you'll never see me again!"

Mrs. Reese let her go, stepping back and wiping her face. "Sorry, sorry. I'm just tired. You guys have to call me at least once a week over the summer and send postcards!"

"We will," Root assured her. She had her arms wrapped around Harold's shoulders. "We'll send all of you postcards and souvenirs and call you all the time."

"Good," Grace said, smiling. She wrapped her arms around Mrs. Reese again. "Be safe! Your stuff should be in your apartment when you get there. We hired a moving company. Look out for some cute furniture pieces. We may have bought you some stuff."

Sameen thanked her, moving to the Reese-Carter-Morgans. Zoe threw her arms around Sameen, almost choking her with enthusiasm. Sameen didn't mind, though. She liked Zoe and Joss. They'd been instrumental in her getting together with Root and Sameen would never be able to thank them enough.

"I can't believe you're going so far away!" Zoe cried. "You have to come to Dallas during the summer for Pride!"

"Ok," Sameen choked out, trying to pull away. "We'll try our best."

"Don't kill her," Joss laughed. "Let me hug her, too."

With one last squeeze, Zoe let go. She smiled softly and punched Sameen's chest. "Don't be afraid to reach out. When Root gets to be too much."

"Hey!" Root protested lightly shoving Zoe. "What about when Sameen gets to be too much?"

"Well, you can call me, too." Zoe laughed. "Both of you can call me. At the same time even! We could Skype!"

Sameen rolled her eyes as Root cheered and looked at Joss. Joss had been her mentor just as much as Mrs. Reese had. Joss was Vice-Captain and then Captain of the soccer team. She had scolded Sameen when she was being dumb and always given solid advice. If Sameen was being honest, she'd probably call Joss before she called Zoe.

"Come here," Joss sighed, holding her arms out.

Chuckling, Sameen stepped into them, Joss's strong arms circling her. She looked at the sky, noticing the way the light had changed. Soft pinks and oranges reflected off the clouds as the sun started to rise. It was time to go and she still had to say goodbye to John and Lionel.

Sameen pulled away from Joss. "See you around."

"Be good," Joss ordered her, pointing a finger at her face. "Talk to your girlfriend and go to your classes."

"Thanks, mom," Sameen replied.

She walked over to John, her sneakers sliding slightly in the dewy grass. "I'm not going to hug you," she told John, offering him a fist. "I'd fight you if it wasn't 5am."

John bumped her fist with his own and reached out to ruffle her hair. "Keep working out. Maybe you'll actually be able to beat me at some point."

"Fuck you," Sameen snorted. "I could kick your ass right here right now."

John shrugged. "And yet, you aren't going to. It's fine. Coward."

Sameen narrowed her eyes, debating whether she wanted to rise to his challenge. She decided against it. It was too early and she didn't want to be sweaty when they hit the road. Even this early, the Texas heat was making her hair stick to her neck.

"I'll let it slide," she said slowly. "But I won't forget this. I'll beat you up at Thanksgiving."

"I'm looking forward to it," he replied, sounding sincere.

Sameen was thankful for John's patience over the years. He always gave her space, but he was good at talking her off the ledge, too. She remembered Halloween night when Root was still absent. He'd taken her to the gym to talk. She really had missed him this past year and she'd probably miss him more now that they weren't only two hours apart.

All of this was getting to be overwhelming, so she moved on to Lionel and gave him a quick high five. "Stay cool, little bro," she said, smiling. "Let me know if you need any workout tips."

"I think I'll be fine," he answered, rolling his eyes. "I still have your chart."

"Good." She nodded, reaching out to ruffle his hair. "Good luck with your lacrosse tryouts next year."

Sameen looked over her shoulder at Root, who was still talking to Zoe and Joss. Glancing at her watch, she knew they needed to hit the road. They wanted to be in Louisiana by early afternoon. Stomping across the grass, she laid her hand on Root's arm.

"Ready?" She asked, taking in Root's watery eyes. "Say goodbye to Lionel. I'll start the car."

Root nodded, adjusting the straps of her overalls. "Yeah, ok."

Sameen took Bear's leash from John, reaching down to scratch his head as they walked to the car. Pulling her keys from her pocket, she stopped in front of the door to the backseat. Sliding her key into the lock, she remembered getting this car, being sixteen and wanting nothing more than freedom and Root. She remembered the day she got it. She'd come out to Root at the Dairy Queen in Corpus Christi.

Blinking, she pulled open her door and waited for Bear to jump inside. He walked around the bed they'd set up in the back, sniffing their food cooler and pawing at the string lights. It would be interesting to roadtrip for almost three months with a dog, but Bear was well-trained and Root had to stop all the time to pee anyway.

Mrs. Reese had offered to take care of Bear while Root and Sameen were away at school, but Sameen couldn't even imagine leaving him behind. She had raised him since he was a baby, since they'd found him in the gutter after the hurricane. He was her dog and she was going to take care of him forever.

Closing the door again, she moved to her own seat, opening the door and dropping inside. The seat covers they'd bought two years ago were slightly worn, the fabric beneath Shaw's thighs almost sheer. Maybe she'd find some new ones on the trip. She started the car, the familiar hum as the AC kicked on comforting. She reached across the armrest to unlock Root's door.

Settling in her seat, she took a moment to breathe. Sameen wasn't emotional, but she could realize this was a life-changing moment. They were heading off to travel America and then start college at two of the best schools in the country. It was a lot, but she had faith in them.

Root's door opened and Sameen shook her head, coming back into the present. She buckled her seatbelt as Root climbed in and shut her door. Their roadtrip mixtape played quietly as Sameen closed her door and rolled down her window. The sun was creeping over the top of the houses around them and she pulled her alien sunglasses out.

Taking a moment to look out her window, she smiled at her family. It had been a long four years, but she wouldn't didn't know who she'd be if they hadn't happened. What would she have become with her brothers and Root?

"Goodbye," she said out the window, waving for the last time. "See you later."

Mrs. Reese wiped her eyes with her hands, crying even harder. "I love you two! Be safe!"

"We love you, too!" Root screamed across Sameen, waving frantically. "Thanks for everything!"

Sameen turned the wheel, pulling away from the curb. The crunch of tires on the street was loud in the early morning as Sameen headed out of town. Beside her Root was staring out her own window at the houses she'd known all her life. It must feel weird for Root to leave, but Sameen knew Root was happy.

"We're really leaving," Root breathed, looking at Sameen. "I made it out of Bishop."

"You knew you would," Sameen said, hitting the gas. "You were never going to stay."

Root sighed. "I know, but…It's really happening. My mother didn't stop me. I…I graduated, I got into MIT, I have parents who care, and…" She put her hand over Sameen's on the gear shift. "And I have you."

"Come hell or high water, Root. You've got me."

Root grinned, eyes watering again. "I love you so much."

"I love you, too, nerd." Sameen nodded to Root's window. "You going to say goodbye?"

Nodding, Root took her hand away, turning away to roll down her window. Sameen slowed down a little bit, keeping an eye on the Bishop Town Line sign. Once Root's window was down, she took her seatbelt off, shifting onto her feet, so she could lean out the window. Reaching across the space between them, Sameen hooked her fingers onto Root's back pocket, flashing back to all the other times she had to keep Root from jumping out the open window.

As the drove past the sign, Root smacked her hand against it, the clang filling the air. It was immediately drowned out by Root's victory scream. Her arms stretched to the sky as the raced out of Bishop at towards their future. Sameen wasn't sure what that future held, but as Root dropped back onto her seat and grinned at her, Sameen knew they'd face it together.

"Come on, Sameen," Root yelled, turning up the radio. "Let's see what's out there!"