1
Rose Quartz walked back into the temple, holding her layered pink skirts out of the way of her feet as she hurried forward.
Pearl, as usual, was leaning against the wall near the warp pad, watching as Rose returned. Rose was oblivious to the younger Gem's narrowed blue eyes, crossed skinny arms, and upturned pointy nose.
"With Greg again?" Pearl asked. Rose didn't notice that her voice was dripping with hatred and jealousy.
"Mhm." Rose barely responded as she walked past Pearl and the warp pad towards the door to the different Gems' rooms.
Pearl turned to stare after her. "Really," she prodded coldly.
"Mhm," Rose mumbled again, absentmindedly half-listening as she opened the doorway to her chamber of fluffy, peach-colored clouds.
Pearl's left eye twitched. "You were supposed to go on a mission with me today!" she blurted out angrily. "We have to check on the Geode!"
"Oh! I'm sorry, Pearl! I thought Garnet would tell you - she went to check on it herself so I could go to Greg's concert." Rose glanced back at Pearl apologetically.
Pearl didn't look appeased. In fact, she looked even angrier.
"I'll go on the next mission, I promise," Rose told her gently.
Pearl's face lit up hopefully. "With me?"
"With whomever," Rose replied cheerfully, turning away again. "Now, if you'll excuse me, Pearl - I've got something I need to do. Can you make sure Amethyst isn't trying to eat the ocean again?" She giggled profusely.
Pearl scowled behind Rose's back and twirled around. "Of course, Rose." She stomped off, bitter.
Still grinning and forever innocently heedless of Pearl's feelings, Rose rushed into her room. The door swirled shut and vanished behind her.