What do you think so far? That last chapter was a rush job but I honestly didn't think it was relevant to the plot so I summarized.

Lapis:

The only thing I remember about the bus ride is that I was too excited to sit still. I was always tapping my hands and feet, changing how I was sitting, or tapping my laptop keyboard even though it was dead.

After the bus stop, I, along with several others, ran straight inside the school. However, while they needed badly to use the restroom, I wanted to see Peridot.

I sprinted up to the dorm, opened the door, and found her typing on her laptop. When she saw me, she blinked, stood up, and pulled me into a hug.

"You're back!" she exclaims.

I grin. "Looks like you missed me. How was everything here while I was gone?" I asked.

"I stole a toaster," Peridot cheerfully replies.

I laugh. "That's amazing."

We pull away awkwardly.

"So, how'd you do?" Peridot asks.

"I got two gold medals and one silver," I reply, shrugging like it was no big deal. It was definitely a big deal.

"That's awesome!" she replies, grinning.

"Thanks," I reply, rubbing the back of my neck.

A silence falls. Neither of us knows what to say.

"Uh… Shouldn't you be in bed? It's like three in the morning, and we have class tomorrow," I state.

She shrugs. "I was waiting for you to get back."

I lightly shove her shoulder. "Peridot! You should've just slept! You need rest!" I exclaim.

She shrugs. "I'll sleep now if it'll make you feel better."

"It'll make you feel better." I correct.

We both lay down on the floor and turn off the lights. Even though it's late, sleep doesn't come.

"Peridot? You awake?" I whisper.

"You too?" she murmurs in response.

"Too busy thinking," I admit.

"Thinking about what?" she asks.

"Life, I guess. It's nothing," I cover up.

"Did you have nightmares while you were gone?" she asks.

"Yeah," I concede.

She reaches over and takes my hand in hers. My face turns bright red.

"I'm here for you, okay?" she reassures me.

I pull the blankets higher with my free hand. "Thanks, Evergreen. Goodnight."

"Night," she says.

We fall asleep still holding hands.

oO0Oo

By Thursday, everything was still the same. But in class that day, while I was doodling, Amethyst passed me a note. It read, "Party off campus tomorrow night. You and Peri should come."

I passed the note to Peridot, who nodded and shrugged. I grinned. I'd been to these parties before, and they were awesome. Friday night was going to be one to remember.

oO0Oo

Just an hour before the party, Peridot and I were getting ready in our room.

"Have you ever been to a party before?" I asked.

"No, this is my first. Is there alcohol and stuff?" she replies.

"Sometimes. It really depends. We'll find out when we get there," I explain.

"Cool. What should I wear?" Peridot questions.

"I don't know. I'm just wearing this tank top and frayed jean shorts. As long as it's not athletic gear, you should be fine," I answer.

"How's this?" she asks.

I glance over my shoulder to see her wearing a thin lace tank top and black leggings. I begin to blush.

"I'll take that as a 'looks great,'" Peridot says, smirking.

I ignore her and say, "Let's just head out."

oO0Oo

After a half hour long walk, the two of us finally arrive at the ruins of an old building, now reduced to rubble. Someone has lightly furnished it with tables for refreshments and chairs for sitting and chatting, but most of the space is taken up by an electronic dance mat.

As we're twenty minutes late, the place is already crowded with people dancing, flirting, and drinking. As we walk inside, I hear Amethyst call to us from the top of a staircase.

"Hey, guys! You finally made it!" she calls.

Peridot and I slowly walk up to the purple-haired girl. "Hey, did you know someone brought drinks to this party?" she asks.

I smirk. "How much are you planning on having?"

"None, actually. I want to remember the first time Peridot here gets drunk. I bet it'll be hilarious."

"I'm not drinking tonight," Peridot claims.

Amethyst groans. "Awww, what? Well, Lapis, you should have something to drink. Could you get me a soda?"

"Fine, but I'll have soda too. I want to remember tonight," I say, walking off to the snack bar.

oO0Oo

When I finally get to the snack bar after minutes of weaving through the crowd, I pour myself and Amethyst some Dr. Pepper, and look back at where the two are standing. Peridot is saying something, to which Amethyst laughs loudly. She then puts her arm on Peridot's shoulder, and begins to twirl a strand of her hair. I know what this is. It's flirting

oO0Oo

As I watch Amethyst talk with Peridot, my stomach begins to churn. Sure, Peridot and I had never said anything about dating, but Amethyst should know to back off. And Peridot… Did she know Amethyst was flirting, or did she not like me in that way?

Heat rushes to my face, and I walk over to the cooler. I grab a beer and start chugging. Soon one beer becomes three, and then five, and then I lose track because my thoughts are swirling around in my head like goldfish, and I'm too slow to catch them.

Should I confront Peridot? My brain says no, but the alcohol in me says otherwise.

I slowly drift over to where Amethyst and Peridot are laughing together. "Hey, nerds," I slur. "Whatcha talking about?" I ask, leaning heavily on Peridot's shoulder.

"Lapis, how much did you drink?" Peridot questions quietly, pushing me into a standing position.

"Eleventeen," I reply, giggling.

"Can you handle yourself, or do you need me to get you home?" Peridot asks. As she says this, I notice Amethyst glare at me.

I grin. "I can handle myself, Evergreen. As you can see, I'm the life of the party."

Peridot raises an eyebrow. "Are you sure?" she asks.

I mutter an indistinct 'yes,' and stumble my way through the crowded warehouse to nowhere in particular. The strobe lights all blur together, and the music becomes a faint buzzing. I find an old couch, and lay down just before the room becomes black and I sink into nothing.

oO0Oo

Peridot:

I watch Lapis slowly walk off, but before I can chase after her and stop her, Amethyst grabs my arm. "C'mon, just stay a little longer, Peri. I'm having a really great time."

I shake my head. "I've got to go find Lapis. I think she's drunk enough to get herself in trouble."

"Who needs her, dude? You've got me now," Amethyst whines.

I snatch my arm away. "Lapis is drunk! I have to go help her. What's your deal? You'd do the same for Pearl."

"Look… Pearl couldn't make it tonight. Rose – that's Pearl's old roommate – came back in town, and Pearl's flirting with her again. I need someone right now," Amethyst explains.

I wrinkle my nose in disgust. "You're just using me to make Pearl jealous!" I exclaim, stomping off into the crowd.

I hear Amethyst's protests behind me, but she can't navigate through the crowd as well as I can. I finally find Lapis semi-conscious on an old, green couch, and I say, "C'mon Lapis, let's go home."

"I don't wanna," she mutters.

"Then what do you want to do?" I ask gently.

"I wanna tell you I love you, but I think it's too soon. Maybe tomorrow morning," she giggles.

I freeze. Was this the alcohol talking, or something more? "Let's see how you feel about that tomorrow," I reason.

"I feel great," she murmurs.

I sigh, and pick her up in my arms like a firefighter. "Let's get you home," I say softly.

She buries her head in my shoulder and wraps her arms around my neck.

"I love you, Peridot," she whispers. I can smell the alcohol on her breath, a rancid odor that makes me cringe.

But that doesn't stop me from answering, "I love you too, Lapis." Because I do.

She giggles, and seems content to rest in my arms as I carry her home.

oO0Oo

When we finally get back to the dorm, I gently lay Lapis in bed and pull the covers over her.

I begin rummaging in my dresser in order to find pajamas. All of a sudden, I hear a noise, a rasping voice.

"Peridot? Lean closer. I have something to tell you," Lapis whispers.

I warily lean close to her face. All of a sudden, she kisses my cheek. My eyes widen in shock, and I quickly pull away as she quietly giggles.

I turn off the lights so Lapis can sleep, but rather than lying on the ground to sleep, I instead walk to the bathroom.

I turn on one of the taps, and cold water rushes into the spotless white porcelain sink. I cup my hands, letting them overflow with water. I stare into my reflection in the puddle in my palms. I have deep lines under my eyes, and my face has a frightened look about it. I look scared, shocked, confused. It's not me.

I splash my face with the water and rub my hands through my hair. I put my hands on the edge of the counter and close my eyes. Was this night even real? I faced two girls; one who used me, and the other…

I let out a deep sigh and curl up under the countertops. There was no way I could go back to my room with Lapis, not tonight. I would just stay here.

In the bathroom.

Alone.

I fall asleep not to the familiar sound of Lapis' heavy breathing, but instead to the hum of florescent lights and my own heartbeat.