Pearl was shocked, and her face clearly showed

it. The green gem had always been so scared of the Cluster. "Peridot?" She paused for a moment. "I'm not leaving until you tell me what's wrong!" It was stern, and even a little stubborn, but there was still a gentle concern in the tall gem's voice.

The green gem didn't reply for a while, shaking as she clutched herself tightly "I-I can't tell you" She whimpered.

Peridot was terrified. Terrified of everything. Terrified of Yellow Diamond and the Cluster and what the others might do if they knew.

"Why not? Why are you acting like this? What

is wrong?!" There was anger in Pearl's voice now, but it was a concerned anger.

Peridot stared at the grout in between the

tiles, determined not to reply. She shifted around, trying to turn further away from the tall gem. She laid her head against the wall, facing away from Pearl, trying to ignore the tears welling up in her eyes.

Barely a moment passed before a slender hand

clamped around her wrist.

"PERIDOT WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING?!" Pearl

screamed, holding Peridot's wrist firmly in her fingers.

Peridot tensed up as the taller gem yelled.

She carefully glanced at Pearl out of the corner of her eye. The other gem's eyes were wide, freaking out at this discovery. It only scared the green gem more. She quickly looked back at the ground.

"Nothing." Peridot whimpered, but she felt

like she needed to say more. The green gem took a deep breath, surprising herself with the coldness in her tone as she continued. "I've been doing nothing BUT living in my own personal hell." She yanked her arm out of Pearl's grip.

Pearl stared at Peridot blankly for a moment.

"what do you mean by 'personal hell'?" She asked slowly, only feeling more concerned for the green gem now.

Slowly, the green gem felt tears of pent up

emotion sting the corners of her eyes. She fidgeted uncomfortably as she tried to keep the tears at bay. She didn't want to tell. "I-I..." The small gem managed to choke out, but didn't say anything more. She quickly buried her head in her knees, sobbing quietly.

"Peridot, look at me. Pearl spoke gently and

slowly, worried about the other gem.

Peridot's sobbing grew louder and tears poured

down her cheeks. She didn't want this. She didn't want any of this. What wouldn't it all just go away? She didn't want Pearl to know. She didn't want any of them to know. "I can't..just leave me alone..I don't want to be here! I don't want to be anywhere!"

She managed to say between sobs.

"Please?" Pearl asked. There was a certain

comfort in her voice. A comfort Peridot had never really known, but it made her feel safe. It made her feel like the taller gem wouldn't hurt her, like it would all be alright, but how would she be sure that the voice wasn't trying to deceive her?

Still, it felt right and right now the green

gem needed something to trust.