Why Zoe/Kristy? Well, this was going to be Zoe/Morgan at first, but then I

decided to cross it with the Babysitter's Club. Anyway, Zoe and Kristy are

both from large families, they both like sports, they're both leaders, and

they both want the "quiet best friend who listens" (CJ/Mary-Anne). Thanks to Doppel G/doppelganger for being a beta.

It's become a pattern, a habit, something they always do. They play catch in Zoe's backyard, talking in between, until their hands hurt and they can't see in the darkness. They go inside, and make themselves something to eat,

usually their "special sandwich". And then they go to Zoe's room (and it's finally Zoe's room, not Zoe's and Devin's room, because Anne Marie and Bay are in college, and even though she likes the privacy now, Zoe sometimes misses the company, misses having someone to talk to in the middle of the night when she can't sleep. Sometimes, she invites Kristy to sleep over to get rid of the loneliness).

In Zoe's room, they talk – sometimes, but usually they just look at each

other. And they kiss - sometimes, and it's nice, even though they're usually sweaty from playing catch. But they'd smile awkwardly at each other and then talk about sports some more. Zoe has finally found a balance between being casual and feminine, and she shows Kristy.

She paints Kristy's toes, once. Kristy wrinkles her nose and calls it a waste of time, but Zoe can see that once she's done, and it's drying, and Kristy looks down, they both like what they see. Kristy denies it, though, sucking her smile in and saying, you know you should really come with me tomorrow to baby-sit - it's a big family so I always need help and you'll love it, I swear.

Zoe is nervous about babysitting - she's always been the baby of the family, and what if the kids don't like her and what if she messes up? But she looks at Kristy's long brown ponytail, and Kristy's brown eyes peering at her, and then at Kristy's red toenails that she herself (yes she Zoe, Zoe Grandon and not anyone else) painted, and she has to agree.