Act One

It was a bright, sunny, hot day in Beach City. The ocean glistened, and waves crashed onto the heated sand with a thunderous roar that the half-gem named Steven was used to. It was spring, and the air was filled with life and positivity. Flowers blossomed on the grassy patches around the beach in their gentle, calm demeanor.

Soft, warm rays of sunlight kissed their petals as they danced in the breeze.

The sun was almost directly above, so Steven estimated that it must be around noon.

The boy ran up the hot beach to where he and the Crystal Gems lived. He noticed that the Gems; Pearl, Garnet, and Amethyst must have done some work to the house and the statue carved into the cliff behind the house. The moss on the statue had been removed. Some touch-ups on the paint of the house could also been seen. The statue seemed polished and cleaned, since there was a glossy and clean look to it. Or as Steven referred to it; "Squeaky-clean!" It looked elegant and pretty as professional calligraphy on a parchment.

Steven arrived at the front door of the house, and opened the door carefully as to not disturb any fresh paint. He was instantly greeted by the strong-but-silent Garnet, the leader of the Crystal Gems;

"Steven, where were you?" she asked plainly

"Oh, sorry Garnet. I was at Connie's house!"

Garnets face softened a bit and she gave a slight smile; "You sure do like her."

Steven laughed; "I guess so. She-"

Steven was interrupted by the warp portal glowing, a blue beam of light shot out, lighting up the house. It signaled that the other two Crystal Gems, Pearl and Amethyst, had returned home.

"Hey, hey, hey, Steven!" Amethyst called

Steven was excited to tell the Gems about what Connie has told him earlier.

"Now that you guys are all here, I have to tell you something important!" Steven announced

Pearl and Amethyst stepped off the warp portal and towards Steven;

"Well, what is it?" she asked

Steven grinned with a starry look in his eyes; "Connie asked me if I could go to the school dance with her!" he exclaimed, and then he began to bounce around the room excitedly.

The three Gems exchanged glances, and Pearl smiled; "That's great Steven! It's very nice of Connie to invite you." she said, feeling good for Steven.

Pearl had always known that Steven would make some human friends sometime, and firmly believed that he needed to develop human relationships.

Amethyst just laughed; "Ooooh! Like a date, huh?"

Pearl rolled her eyes at the purple Gem standing beside her, and then turned her attention back. She glanced around the house, pondering.

"Well… You'll need a suit to wear, and maybe a bow tie… Oh! And dance lessons too. Maybe some perfume, and a gift for Connie as well! It'll be so great!"

Amethyst chuckled and rolled her eyes; "Eh, cool it down Pearl. You're overthinking it."

Pearl ignored her comment.

Garnet spoke up; "Pearl, Steven, don't get your hopes up. I'm not sure if Steven should go anywhere. He should stay here at the Crystal Temple. I'm sensing some serious danger."

Steven looked down, obviously saddened; "Well, it isn't today. It's tomorrow evening anyways…" he said

Pearl could feel the boys' disappointment. Feeling bad for him, she pulled the other two Gems aside in hopes to convince Garnet to let Steven go.

She sighed; "Garnet, I know you sense danger right now, and I understand why you'd want Steven to stay here where he's safer instead of going to the dance. But Steven needs human friends and human activities! He needs some freedom! He really wants to go. Please Garnet, just let him go this one time."

Amethyst, feeling awkward, simply nodded and agreed with Pearl.

Garnet stayed silent for a few moments. Pearl and Amethyst exchanged glances, then payed attention to Garnet again.

Garnet took a deep breath, exhaled, and then simply stated; "Alright. He can go to the dance. I'm not sure it would be the best idea though."

Pearl smiled; "Thanks, Garnet! You know how much he likes Connie. And he needs to get out of the house too."
Garnet nodded slightly and walked back toward Steven: "You can go. But stay at the school after the dance is done. Do not go anywhere else. Make sure you take Lion with you as well."

Steven's face lit up with happiness as he bounced around the house excitedly.

"Thanks Garnet! You're the best!"
Garnet smiled a little; "I suppose so…I just hope everything goes alright."

Amethyst laughed and pushed Garnet playfully; "It will! Don't worry about it at all. I bet Steven can handle himself, that little rascal!"

Afternoon soon turned to evening, and the pink and orange hues in the sky reflected on the calm ocean. The waves were light and gentle on the shore. Trees and brush were silhouetted against the twilight sky.

Garnet and Pearl sat on top of the cliff, next to the lighthouse. They overlooked the beautiful body of water before them. They hadn't said much to each other yet, as Garnet was still troubled with her decision to let Steven go to the dance with his friend.

She could feel a deep fear in her heart, indicating impending danger. She turned to Pearl and examined her body language. Pearl seemed calm and at peace with everything.

"Maybe everything will turn out alright…Maybe there is nothing to worry about" Garnet thought

The sun slowly crawled behind the horizon, and it soon became dark.

Pearl stood up, still looking out to the ocean; "We should get some rest now, Garnet."

The Gem nodded, and the two went back inside the house.

Steven was fast asleep on his bed with his pink pet Lion snoring next to him.

Garnet sighed, smiling at the sleeping Steven; "Maybe it will turn out okay…"