Authors Note: This chapter is rather long and this is the point where things truly start to begin. Consider the previous two chapters as just a sort of introductory chapters.
Lapis was on her feet in seconds, her smile wider and brighter than the sun as she saw the familiar, hulking woman before her. It had taken her a moment to even recognize Jasper, the woman got bigger since she last saw her… what, three, maybe four years ago? Her hair was bleached white now, her nose a little too. Probably from getting broken so many times. But, Lapis could never forget that ugly mug that she loved so much.
" This is where you moved to?" she asked, arms held out to gesture to around them, to the city itself. She couldn't freaking believe it that her best friend since elementary school and her partner in crime had moved here . In this freakishly boring town of all places! Whatever Gods there were must have been smiling down on her right now to have sent her to the city the one person she could trust lived. Did she make a blood sacrifice and forget about it or something? Whatever it was that caused this stroke of luck, she loved it. Jasper was here. Her day had just gotten a bit better. "What are you doing here?"
The behemoth of a woman laughed, brushing some loose white strands of hair away from her face, "I could ask the same to you. What, is Empire City not good enough for the great Lapis Lazuli anymore?" she asked with a playful bite.
"I wish that were the case," Lapis shook her head, stuffing her hands into her pockets and kicking at the ground, she was still angry over it, but less so now that her mood had been improved, "I'm going to be stuck living here for at least a year now, some bullshit happened back home so I'm rooming with Pearl. Don't know how I'm going to survive, I mean, Jesus this town is so boring I might die before the year is up."
There was a glint that was born in Jasper's eyes as Lapis said that. A familiar gleam that Lapis had come to know so well during their years of breaking into pools at night and sneaking beers back in middle school. It was a troublemaker look, gleefully knowing what she was doing was bad and eager to do more, to share with others.
Lapis grinned and elbowed her gently, "Don't tell me, there's something here to do after all?"
"We've got loads of underground shit here," Jasper responded, "Wrestling matches, fight clubs. I'm the reigning champion for Beach City's underground fight club, been so for almost two years now," she said rather proudly, puffing out her chest as she spoke, "I'm called the 'White Tiger'. I guess they started calling me that because of my hair and vitiligo, it kind of stuck so I've kept using it."
Lapis snorted, "So you get to beat people to a pulp and the crowds cheer you on. Sounds like it's just up your alley."
"You've no idea, Lapis. I need to go take you to my next match!" Jasper was so excited, so eager as she said that, well, how could Lapis possibly decline? Besides, she always did like seeing Jasper fight, she'd be eager to see what new moves her friend got now. The bluenette smiled and just gave a nod to her statement, which only fueled the fighter on. "I'll get you front row seats. I'll even sneak you in so Mr. Smiley doesn't cheat you out of ten bucks for an entrance fee. Next match won't be for a while, though, right now wrestling has the stage for a couple of months"
"I look forward to it," Lapis said, nodding her head as she spoke. Leaning against the back of the bench, she looked over at the park, the screaming children, and watchful mothers, and then looked back up at Jasper. It was strange, but also comforting how easy she found it to just fall back into the same old habits and attitudes when with Jasper. Like there hadn't been years between now and when they'd last seen each other. She wondered if Jasper liked the ease that was still there between them. Wondered if she even noticed how funny it was that they could act so familiar and friendly despite how long it had been since they'd spoken. She shook the thought out of her head, it wasn't that important of a thing to mull over, after all. "So, is there anything other than underground violence that I can get into here?" she asked her.
Jasper gave a laugh, her usual loud, full body laugh that always filled the room, "I take it you didn't get the Beach City Brochure when you got here?" she joked and wrapped an arm around Lapis' shoulders, forcing the smaller girl to walk with her. "Come on, Laz, I'll show you the real Beach City tour. I promise there's more to do in this town than you're giving it credit for."
"I'll be surprised if you're right," Lapis replied with a lazy grin, following her old friend as they made their way out of the park. Wondering just what sort of places and sights Jasper had to show her, and just how worth her time they would end up being anyways. Well, this was Jasper she was talking about. The woman never let her down when it came to finding good hangout places, and hopefully, that skill of hers didn't die off during her life here in such a dull town.
To her surprise, Lapis had to give Jasper credit. There was a bit more to this dull town than what she had initially given it when she first glossed over the places. There was an old warehouse where some fisherman's son often held raves at. A lighthouse that people thought was haunted and often had kids wander in on dares or tests of courage. Some kid used to use it as his 'base' of some sorts until his dad told him no more going there after he tied some guy up and locked him in the lighthouse under the belief he was an alien or something. Jasper even showed her where the nightly wrestling and fight matches were held, hosted by the Funland owner, one 'Mr. Smiley' with the aid of his friend Mr. Frowny.
There were also, according to Jasper, a good number of… colorful people. She had said that with hesitation and a bit of irritation that Lapis wasn't sure how much she was going to like interacting with these people. But, the brutish woman had assured Lapis that despite their quirks they were mostly all good people. Mostly. Just that they could be a bit eccentric at times and might take a while to get used to them.
Whatever, Lapis hadn't really intended to be buddies with the city. She had Jasper so that was enough for her.
The two had been walking the residential area now for a while after exploring the business part of the town. Jasper had chatted on and on about things that had happened in Beach City while she'd lived there, and Lapis would return with the sort of things that she had been getting into ever since Jasper had been gone. Which had been mostly the same for both of them; the two had remained major troublemakers even while separated, which they both ended up getting a kick out of. Jasper seemed especially pleased when Lapis told her how she'd egged a former teacher of theirs car one spring break. Lapis greatly appreciated it when Jasper told her what teachers to be on the lookout for, too.
Jasper slowed as they turned the corner, and then stopped altogether much to Lapis' surprise and mild displeasure when she nearly walked right into the large woman. She watched as Jasper turned to look at the house they'd stopped in front of.
The house wasn't really anything special. It was a sizable, a tall house, two floors tall and kind of nice looking with white paint and pale pink trimming. There was a vibrant garden surrounding the front too, clearly worked on with exceptional care and devotion by how healthy and well kept the flowers were. Lapis couldn't even see a single weed among the colorful flowers, that alone spoke loudly of how devoted the owner of the garden must be. She was about to ask if this was Jasper's house, remembering that Jaspers mom gardened a little back in Empire City when she saw a woman come around from the back holding a watering can who was most certainly not Jaspers mother.
She looked at Jasper and Lapis with a bit of surprise, but that gave way to a friendly warmth as she walked carefully around the flowers to walk to the gate separating her from the teens. She was tall, probably about six feet tall give or take. Her short hair was a pale red, almost pink, and she had a young, round face. She was probably in her late twenties at most. She put the watering can down and brushed her dirt covered gloves on her coveralls as she addressed the two.
"Jasper! It's so nice to see you," she greeted and turned to look at Lapis, her smile still just as warm, "and who's your friend here? I don't think I've seen her around before."
Jasper gave a smile in return, "It's good to see you too, Ms. Diamond," she said and patted Lapis on the shoulder, nudging her forward, "this is Lapis Lazuli, a friend from my old town. She's going to be attending school here starting on Monday," she explained.
Ms. Diamonds smile seemed to grow and she held a hand out to Lapis. "I'm happy to meet you, Lapis! My name is Scarlet Diamond, I own the garden shop downtown," she explained. Lapis hesitantly took hold of her gloved hand, not caring about the dried dirt caked on the fabric as she gave it a shake, this seemed to be the right choice as Scarlet seemed happy, "I hope you enjoy this town. We don't have much to offer, but we're a friendly bunch."
Lapis gave a weak smile as she took her hand back and rubbed the back of her head with her other hand, "Yeah, I'm sure I'll love it here," she lied.
The large woman beside her nudged on past Lapis to draw closer to the fence, "So, Ms. Diamond. Is… is she doing any better today?" Jasper's voice dropped to a low whisper as she glanced up to one of the windows on the house. Her expression was… strange. It was something that Lapis couldn't quite put her finger on. Concern? Worry? Something along those lines but not quite it. Regardless, it got Lapis' interest on what they were talking about.
Scarlet's own smile dropped and she shook her head, "Same as always. Sorry. I wish I could tell you something better."
"Damn…" Jasper muttered and backed off a step or two, "Well… can you tell her I said hi? And that if she ever feels like hanging out, just give me a ring? You know, the usual?"
"Will do. Are you two going to head off?" Scarlet asked them.
This time Lapis spoke up with a small shrug, "Might as well? We'd hate to impose and all," she said and glanced up at Jasper, "Still have things to do, but, it was really nice meeting you, Ms. Diamond."
The woman waved them goodbye as Lapis and Jasper continued their tread through the neighborhood. When they were a good few houses down, Lapis glanced up at her friend and raised a brow at the white haired woman, "So…" she began slowly, "what was that all about anyways? A friend of yours?"
Jasper shrugged, putting her hands in her pockets and kicking a stray can on the sidewalk. "Scarlet's the principal's wife, and I used to work at her garden shop once summer. She's a pretty nice lady, we're kind of friends I guess," she explained and upon Lapis' pressing stare, pulled a hand out to scratch the back of her neck.
"She… they're taking care of her niece right now, Peridot Diamond. She's a friend of mine, was my best friend in this town. Some stuff… some stuff happened. She dropped out of school and hasn't really left the house in almost a year and a half." Jasper finished, her voice going soft as she talked about this girl.
Lapis listened in silence, watching Jaspers expression as the woman talked and taking a moment to think of her own response, "So, you go over there now and then to see if she's doing okay?" Lapis asked and when Jasper nodded in agreement, Lapis gave a small smile, "Well, aren't you a big teddy bear. I'm sure she'll be fine, she has to be strong if she managed to be friends with you."
Jasper mumbled something and shook her head, "I hope so, she's a good kid." she said and then glanced up at the sky, "It's probably dinner time, do you want to grab a bite or something? I know a pretty good place to eat," she offered.
As though on cue, Lapis' stomach rumbled in demand for food, and Jasper let out a laugh as the blunette's face turned bright red from the embarrassment. "I'll take that as a yes. Come on, follow me." She doesn't even wait for a reply, Jasper just takes Lapis' hand in her much bigger one, practically dragging her down the street towards whatever destination the tall woman had in mind.
The place that Jasper had in mind to take Lapis too was a family dinner of sorts on the boardwalk. With perhaps the weirdest name Lapis had ever heard that, honestly, didn't sound that appetizing. 'Fish Stew Pizza'? Was that supposed to be a specific pizza, was that supposed to mean they sold fish, stew, and pizza? She had questions and wasn't sure she was too eager to try this FSP of theirs.
But Jasper tugged her inside and took her to a booth by the window. A pretty woman with nice looking earrings named Jenny took their order and Jasper was the one who did the work, asking for a medium pepperoni pizza and two sodas.
"Don't mind the old man," Jasper whispered, pointing at an older man behind the counter, shouting at one of the customers, "He's a bit… angry at times. But, he makes some damn good pizza. Those are his daughters, Jenny and Kiki. The old lady must be out today, she's cool. He's got this… kind of rivalry of sorts? Going on with Beach Citywalk Fries, so try not to bring in any of their stuff to this place. He may fly off the handle." the woman explained as though Lapis would need to know all of this to survive the town.
Which, for all she knew, she probably did.
Their pizza and drinks came and, though Lapis had offered, Jasper insisted on paying for the food herself. Something about it being her treat since Lapis is now living here or something like that. She didn't really put up a fight, if someone was going to insist on paying, she'd let them. More money for her.
She had to hand it to the establishment, though. The pizza was good. Jasper hadn't been lying when she said the man made some delicious pizza. It was nothing like the ones she'd get back in Empire City, it was way better. Lapis was glad to say she had a now a good place to go to for food when home cooked wasn't suiting her tastes.
They ate and chatted some more and before long they were up and heading down the boardwalk and to walk along the beach. The sun had started to set by this point and the lights on the sidewalk had turned on. It was kind of a nice setting, Lapis would give it that. The way the streetlights reflected against the ocean water.
Maybe she'd been a bit harsh at first. This town wasn't all bad, it was really a bit too early to judge it as so. Maybe she would have fun here after all. At least she already had a friend so she wouldn't be alone. And she had the ocean, she could never really say no to the ocean and she'd been lying earlier when she said couldn't live solely on the ocean. Sure, she couldn't, but, she could never get bored of it either.
Jasper rested her elbow on Lapis' shoulder as they made their way down the boardwalk, looking down at her with a smile wide and full of teeth, "I see that smile of yours. You're starting to like this place, aren't you?" she teased.
Lapis rolled her eyes and shrugged the offending limb off, "In your dreams, meathead," she shot back, backing away from her and smiling as she spoke, "No way I could ever get used to such a lame town like this. I'm a city girl, after all."
With a laugh, Jasper reached out to grab her, "Well, then I'll just have to teach you a lesson about talking bad about my town," she joked but Lapis took a few more bouncing steps backward out of her reach before she could grab her.
She hadn't exactly looked to where she was going when she backed up, and as a result, Lapis' foot caught on a loose board and she was tumbling backward faster than she could process it.
Before she could fall, however, a pair of arms wrapped around her from behind and she landed against a firm chest instead of the hard ground. "Whoa there, careful, doll, you don't want to hurt yourself, do you?"
Something on Jaspers face twisted from amusement to disdain as Lapis was helped back to her feet. She turned around to see a tall brunette smiling slyly at her. An expression on his face she was familiar with back in Empire City and not too pleased with. "Thank you," she said anyway, might as well thank him for catching her, even if she didn't like the look in his eyes.
The boy shrugged, "It's no problem, saving a pretty lady such as yourself is my job."
"I thought your job was to get drunk and not know personal boundaries, Kevin," Jasper shot back with an eye roll. "Or did you have a sudden career change and no one knew?"
Kevin didn't seem all that bothered by Jaspers remark, or her towering presence at all, his eyes were only on Lapis, "So, mind telling me your name, babe?" he asked her and gestured subtly to Jasper, "If you're interested, we can ditch the Hulk over here, I can show around town, help you have some real fun, you know?"
Oh, Lapis knew what he meant alright and she wasn't interested.
"Sorry… Kevin, was it?" Lapis began, a grin of her own starting to form, "I'm not all that interested in lousy fuckboys. You know?" she couldn't help but chuckle at his stunned look. She took it that he didn't get rejected often enough to be used to it. Well, to add more salt to the wound, "Besides, I'm not interested in guys, period. Next time you want to hit on a girl, make sure they're straight, kay?"
Jasper just burst out laughing right behind her as Lapis said that, and Kevin began spluttering, his face red as he took a step back.
"You- you're into chicks?" he asked, his voice rising in pitch, "Gross. I'm outta here!"
It was always a good day when she managed to get a guy to back off for her being gay, it was an even better day when it was someone with homophobic tendencies that retreated like that because she said she was gay. So, Lapis was pretty pleased with herself as she watched Jasper quickly walk away to find some other girl to hit on.
Jasper shook her head as she watched, "Kevin's always like that," she explained when the guy in question was too far gone to hear them, "He hits on any girl he finds cute with the intents of getting laid. A douche, really. Yet somehow girls still fall for him," she chuckled a little as she patted Lapis on the back, "Good job though, that should keep him off your back. He's not into the girls on girls scene unless it's for something kinky that he can join in."
"Ew."
"That word describes him perfectly," Jasper said and started walking, "Anyways, let's get going. It's starting to look like it might rain. You want me to walk you back home?" she offered.
Lapis shook her head, "Nah, I'm good," she declined, "Pretty sure I can make it back home on my own. See you around, Jasper. Talk to you tomorrow?" he friend gave a nod of agreement as they started walking separate ways. The rain clouds starting to condense high above them.
Pearl had asked her how her day was when Lapis got back, she seemed pleased that Lapis already had a friend. The air between them was still rather awkward, but that was fine, it was cool, it could be worse. Her sister offered to make Lapis some dinner but the teen declined, she'd already eaten with Jasper. Instead, she excused herself to her room.
And that was where she was found a couple hours later, lying on her bed, watching the ceiling as the rain outside downpours. She couldn't sleep. Maybe it was the jetlag from the plane ride over here. Maybe it was just her trying to get used to the fact she'd now be living here for a while. Whatever the reason was, she just couldn't fall asleep.
She kept thinking back to that weird dream she had on the plane. Or rather, what vague bits she remembered. A prison cell, two women… something about death? It felt like the dream had been important, but she couldn't remember anything of it, and it kind of bugged her immensely. She couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right about it. That something wasn't right about any of this.
Lapis let out a long groan as she dragged one of the pillows over to cover her face with it, muffling her sounds of annoyance. The rain pattered loudly against her window. She heaved a sigh and lowered her pillow slightly as she glanced over at her clock. Just a little until midnight would strike.
Two days until Monday, two days until she started school. At least she already knew one person, that was better than nothing. Still, she wasn't looking forward to it all that much. She'd be dropped in the middle of a school year and then taken out of it again in the middle of it next year. She'd have no idea what was going on. What the class had talked about the previous week and would be behind. She hated to admit it but she would have to actually work hard to keep her grades up.
The clock ticked. A bolt of lightning struck. One of the clocks deeper in the apartment started a quiet bird chirping noise. It must be midnight. Well, it wasn't like staying up late was something new.
Lapis slipped off her bed, her feet landing on the cool floor as she made her way to the door. If her body had no intention of falling asleep anytime soon, she might as well get herself a drink. With tired eyes, she glanced at her reflection in the full body mirror hanging on the back of her door as she reached for the handle. God, she looked so tired and dead. Must have been all the stress.
Before she could touch the handle, her reflection in the mirror vanished. Well, not so much as it vanished, rather than the entire mirror was filled with a bright white light. Lapis had to take several steps back as she stared at the sudden change in surprised. The light was too bright, to the point she had to shield her eyes for a second before they got used to the lighting.
But, the light only lasted a few second because it dimmed down, though still relatively bright. Instead of Lapis' own reflection in the mirror, however, was something else entirely. A silhouette. There weren't that many details to it, but Lapis had a feeling she'd seen the person before. From what she could make out, the shape in the mirror was clearly a guy, tall with short hair. He was dancing like he was at some rave, not half bad but not all that great either.
She blinked, rubbed at her eyes. She had to be dreaming, right?
Hesitantly, Lapis reached out to the mirror, as though she were reaching out to the shape that was inside the glass. Taking a cautious step forward, she drew closer to the mirror, hand held out. Her fingers touched the cool surface. But instead of feeling something firm beneath them, her fingers slipped through it, as though she were touching water. Ripples had even covered the mirror as her hand sank into it, the silhouette vanishing. The glass had gone completely white again, it's texture like water, inviting Lapis to dive in again.
Barely able to hold back her scream, Lapis ripped her hand free from the mirror and threw herself backward away from the object. Her heart was racing, panic setting deep inside of her as she held her hand tightly, close to her chest, staring in shock and terror at her own mirror.
What just happened?!
As soon as the question crossed her mind in an angry screech, a wave of exhaustion and dizziness washed over her. Her balance was quickly lost as she took a step back, tripping over her own bed and toppling over onto it. Her strength had quickly left her, as though it had all been sapped away when she touched her mirror.
She found herself passing out quickly after that.
The following day, the events of that night had become vague memories that Lapis could only assume to pass them off as a strange dream. Still, she looked at her mirror with slight concern and found herself being wary of touching it. Pearl would watch her like a timid rabbit, offering a few words here and there, but mostly unsure whether to be distant or try to be close to her.
Lapis continued to hang out with Jasper, and soon, the weekend passed and Monday came around.
On Monday, the entire town was buzzing with the news. Pearl didn't tell Lapis anything, for reasons likely that she wanted to 'protect' her. But Lapis found out anyway that morning when she met up with Jasper in front of the high school. Kevin was dead.
