PREVIOUSLY ON GOING THE DISTANCE: Ruby puts her relationship with Sapphire in jeopardy when she goes to a party with her friends, and tries to hide the truth before it can get out. Amethyst helps Ruby keep her dirty little secret for the night without knowing about a certain visitor who will come knocking at her door with questions.
Meanwhile, Sapphire has a short talk with her mother.
Going the Distance
Chapter 10: Thursday
"I can't believe a passed her exam," The blonde-haired man all but squealed as he opened Sapphire's door without knocking, a grin on his face as he plopped down on the edge of her bed. "All of that studying you and Bonnie put me through actually paid off; we have to do this every semester!" He demanded, turning his attention to the blue haired girl who was at her desk typing up an essay.
She was outlining an essay she would need to attach to an upcoming scholarship. "And now we can take the weekend off to relax from those exams," Sapphire all but sighed before she saved her writing progress and closed her laptop. "I've already packed my bags into Bonnie's car, we were actually just waiting for you to get your results back so we can get on the road."
The larger man jumped up from the mattress with a smile, he nodded to the door. "My stuff is ready, I ran into Bonnie on my way here and packed my stuff in the trunk so we're all set." He held the door open for Sapphire as she pulled on her heavy coat. "So, we're staying at your place when we get to Beach City right?"
At first, she was wary about bringing Ronaldo home with her, but since his family is too far away for a short visit she decided to bring him with her. She didn't want him staying on campus all alone for the weekend.
Sapphire nodded, adjusting her hair so it wouldn't get caught in her zipper. "Yes, and no," She began, trailing down the stairs with her friend beside her. "Bonnie is dropping you and I off at my parent's house but she's going to stay with Marceline for the weekend since her band isn't on tour right now. But Bonnie will be back Sunday night to pick us up again,"
Ronaldo hummed. "So, you're leaving your car here?"
"It's easier than both of us driving," Sapphire shrugged, shoving her hands into her pockets as the cold breeze hit when they stepped outside. "If we need to go anywhere I'll just take my mom's car or something,"
The blonde man scratched the back of his neck, trying to find a way to ease into the conversation he was about to start. "…are—are you going to Ruby's basketball game tomorrow night when we get there? It's the last game of the finals and they could be champions and have a chance at getting rings," He glanced over at his friend apprehensively.
Sapphire pursed her lips. "Of course, I'm going," She rubbed her temples in aggravation. "Look, of course I still care and love her but, it's just…the way she's been acting, the lies, and she's stopped calling and talking to me," She glared at the dry ground beneath her boots. "I'm just beginning to think this long-distance thing isn't for us, you know?"
"But you guys have been together for almost three years," He argued. "If anyone can get through this, then it's you too!" He begged, not wanting his ship to sink.
Sapphire shrugged impassively when they finally reached Bonnie who was standing beside her car, waving to them happily. Before Sapphire could greet her, Ronaldo zoomed past her and attached himself to the science major.
"She's thinking about breaking up Rupphire!" He shouted as if the world was ending.
Bonnie raised an eyebrow, mouth a gape. "Wh-what, seriously? You don't think you guys can make it work?"
Sapphire resisted the urge to slap her forehead; Ronaldo was worse than Rose when he got juicy information. "I was just thinking aloud, okay? I haven't decided on anything yet, not before I speak with her after the big game,"
"I think that's the best thing to do, just talk everything out once things cools down," Bonnie agreed, shoving the whining man off her shoulder. "Get off me Ronaldo, just for that you're sitting in the back!" She said as she opened the driver's door and started the car up.
He huffed and climbed into the seat behind Sapphire before he grinned again. "Man, I can't wait to meet your friends Sapphire! I want to meet Rose the most though, and maybe see baby Steven," He smiled.
Sapphire shook her head, groaning. "Right, I forgot about that. I'm going to speak to Rose when I get there, I have to tell her to stop sending out those texts about that homewrecker or whatever," She huffed, thinking back to the ton of messages her best friend had sent her throughout the week.
Bonnie shrugged, backing out of her park with practiced ease. "…I think they're helpful," She whispered to herself, earning a glare when Sapphire caught the words anyway. "Well they are, someone has to warn people,"
"No, I have to stop her soon," Sapphire winced. "Besides, I think she might start making posters,"
Ronaldo laughed. "Oh, now I've got to meet her! She sounds great, just to make sure time flies," He began, stretching out fully in the backseat. "I'm knocking out for the remainder of the drive, let me know if we pass Rosie's house on the way there!"
Sapphire flinched at the nickname she knows Rose will love.
"Ruby owes me big time for this," Amethyst mumbled, glaring at the green haired teen who was currently drooling on one of her mother's couch pillows fruitfully. "That's just disgusting when someone else does it," She growled, turning on her heal and heading to the kitchen.
It was nine in the morning when she woke up feeling refreshed. She had enough absences to skip another full day of school so she didn't have to show up until three for basketball practice, and they weren't going to do much there because of the upcoming game. It wasn't until she was halfway down her stairs, pancakes, and bacon on her mind, did she hear the loud snoring coming from her living room.
Seeing the mess of Cynthia sprawled out on her couch, green hair tousled and tangled, drool flooding from her mouth, did her morning take a turn for the worst.
She had warned Ruby not to get involved with this chick, and now it was coming back to bite both of them on the butt. Ruby having to deal with her own foolish actions and how they affected her relationship with Sapphire, and Amethyst having to find a way to get the woman out of her house nicely.
If she were a year or two younger, she recalls a time when she would have kicked the person out on her doorstep with the clothes they showed up in. But alas, she was mature now; despite the immature thoughts she conjured up when she contemplated drawing on the sleeping woman's face.
She was halfway through flipping a golden-brown pancake when her doorbell sounded loudly throughout the house. She half hoped it would wake up the freeloader on her couch, or be Ruby on the other side offering to take Cynthia off her hands; but she knew Ruby was finished with letting this woman ruin her life.
"This better be a good reason to stop me from making pancakes," Amethyst growled.
Not a lot of people knew of her cooking skills, because most of them assumed she couldn't possess the ability. She only told those close to her like Ruby and Jasper. Pearl found out when she woke up to the smell of breakfast one morning she had stayed over, and ever since, whenever she's over, she gets her girlfriend to cook her one of her favorite meals.
"What?" Amethyst groaned, spatula in one hand with a cooking apron covering her white shirt and grey sweats. "Why are you interrupting my—P-pearl?" She squeaked, eyes widening as she looked her girlfriend up and down.
Her girlfriend who was supposed to be in the hospital until further notice.
"Wh-what are you doing here? I thought you were still in the hospital," Amethyst frowned, trying to see if she missed any important information. "How'd you even get here?" She asked, gesturing to the wheel chair her girlfriend was currently in.
Pearl gestured to the black car parked in the driveway where Amethyst just now noticed Peridot sitting in the front seat. Amethyst sent a quick wave to the shorter girl before turning her gaze back to her girlfriend.
"What's going on? Why didn't you tell me they let you out, I would have come and picked you up," Amethyst began to argue.
Pearl shook her head with a soft smile. "No, you were there with me all week and I know you have a game tomorrow so I just wanted to give you a break," She tried looking past her girlfriends shoulder, eyes darkening with hunger when she took in her appearance. "Are you cooking something?"
"Y-yeah," Amethyst swallowed, before groaning at how rude she was being. "I'm an idiot, do you want to come in for some food?"
Pearl smirked, placing her hands on her wheels as she prepared to push forward. "That's the plan, Ame. And I have to talk to you about a few things as well," She said the last part a little less confidently.
It wasn't until she had helped her girlfriend get through the door did she recall the unwanted guest currently sprawled out on her couch. Amethyst closed the front door and basically sprinted past her girlfriend and came to a stop in the empty living room. Relief flooded her body before anxiety followed as she wondered where Cynthia had gone.
"Oh yes, I meant to ask you," Pearl began speaking from behind as she made her way into the living room; not questioning Amethyst on her strange behavior. "Whose car is that parked outside your house?"
Amethyst gripped her spatula tighter, swallowing loudly. "Uhm…" She contemplated lying to Pearl, but after past experiences and misunderstandings she decided to come out with it. "Have you been getting Rose's texts about that so-called homewrecker around town?" She began.
"Yes," Pearl snorted, leaning back in her chair slightly. "Beware the green hair she says. Why are you bringing it up, have you seen her or something?" She asked, not at all worried.
Amethyst teased the cooking utensil in her grasp nervously. "W-well, funny story I actually—"
"Hey Amethyst," Cynthia chose this moment to walk down the stairs; hair a mess and clothes askew. "I was wondering where I was, I got scared for a second and worried I went home with some freak last night. Glad I didn't, oh," She stopped at the last step when she caught a sight of Pearl. "…am I interrupting something?"
Amethyst sucked in a breath. "This is my girlfriend Pearl, Pearl this is Cynthia," She swallowed again, trying to catch Pearl's eye but they were stuck on the green haired girl on the staircase. "Ruby, Jasper, Cynthia and I went to a concert last night and she was too drunk to drive home so I let her stay on my couch," She explained quickly before Pearl could get the wrong idea.
Cynthia ran a hand through her tousled hair and glanced at her watch on her wrist, she cursed. "Shoot, I'm late for class, I can't miss another day of school." She grabbed her car keys from the living room table and jogged over to the door. "Sorry about last night and thanks for letting me stay the night, let Ruby know I'll call her later. It was nice meeting you Pearl," She smiled politely, as if she weren't caught sleeping on her girlfriend's couch.
When the door slammed shut, Pearl turned her heavy gaze to Amethyst. "…is that the homewrecker Rose was talking about?"
Amethyst nodded. "Yeah, but it's not what it looks like. I only let her stay here because Ruby didn't want her sleeping over at her house; Sapphire was already upset about the pictures and videos she saw Ruby and Cynthia in together,"
"That's the one who was in Ruby's snapchat?" Pearl gaped. "…well, I'm not thrilled she slept over at your place but I can understand you wanting to help Ruby out. She is going to stop hanging out with that girl, right?"
Amethyst nodded, glad her girlfriend was so understanding. "That's the plan. I just hope Sapphire gives Ruby some slack, but so far she hasn't responded to any of the messages Ruby has given her,"
"It's Ruby and Sapphire, of course they'll stay together," Pearl said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
The basketball player smiled sadly. "I hope you're right," She shook her head. "Are you staying long, or are you planning on keeping Peridot waiting outside all day?" She teased.
Pearl shook her head. "I'm not staying long, I just wanted to give you some news before you heard it from someone else,"
"What is it?" Amethyst asked, making her way to the kitchen where she hoped her pancakes weren't burning.
Pearl followed behind slowly. "…I know I won't be able to do ballet for a year or so, but I still love it and I want to be around it. Peridot is doing a great job in the photography field at Rainy's studio and I want to travel with her and the team to learn how to take photos and see how their recitals go,"
"So, I'd be shadowing Peridot and Rainy would be paying us for the photos, and pay for our hotel expenses," Pearl paused. "I plan on leaving as soon as I can walk on crutches, which won't take as long as you think; I'm already starting rehab next week,"
Amethyst turned around, leaning against the sink with a small smile. "…I think you should rest a little more before jumping into a new career but I also know how much you love ballet, so I'll support you." She concluded.
"…really?" Pearl asked, happiness erupting on her face.
"Of course, you support me with basketball so I can do the same. I know the distance won't be easy but we've been doing a great job with it anyway, so why not," Amethyst placed her spatula down and walked over to Pearl, grinning. "I'm just glad you told me instead of just doing it,"
Pearl welcomed the chaste kiss to her forehead, a soft smile gracing her face. "Thanks for understanding,"
"Thanks for not running Cynthia over with your wheelchair in a jealous rampage." Amethyst snapped back, a smirk crawling up at the thought.
Pearl let out a boisterous laugh. "I thought about it,"
Sapphire let out a heavy sigh once the car stopped right in front of her house. Her phone had died not even halfway through the ride to Beach City; she assumed she forgot to charge it when she was writing an essay the night before. So, without a phone she was forced to talk with Ronaldo when he woke up halfway through the ride to talk about his theory on rock people.
Despite how insane it sounded, it was an interesting topic of discussion and the evidence behind it was somewhat solid.
"Thanks for the ride Bonnie, tell Marceline I said hello," Sapphire said, leaning against the door as Ronaldo grabbed their bags; she tried to help but he insisted. "And drive carefully, I heard there might be a snowstorm; hopefully I don't get snowed in at my parents' house," The mere thought of it almost brought tears to her eyes.
Bubblegum laughed softly. "It shouldn't be too bad. I'll make sure to keep in touch, and Marcy is staying at a hotel a few minutes away so I don't have too much of a drive ahead of me. I'll see you guys Sunday night,"
"Okay, thanks again," Sapphire said as she waved goodbye, waiting until Bubblegum was out of sight. "…okay, we have a guest room right beside my room, you can put your things in there," Sapphire said as she walked towards the front door, lights left on.
Ronaldo barely got a chance to answer before the front door was yanked open and a tall man with short, wavy, blue hair greeted them with open arms. "Sapphy!"
Sapphire rolled her eyes but jumped into her father's arms before pulling away. "I was here like a few weeks ago, dad, it's not like I haven't seen you in years,"
"Yeah, well, it feels like that sometimes," Aero immediately grabbed a bag from Ronaldo and helped carry it inside. "You must be Ronaldo, I've heard so much about you and your theory on rock people. I'm Aero Fields," He introduced himself with a charming grin.
Sapphire groaned. "Dad, please don't get him started on—"
"You know Mr. Fields," Ronaldo spoke with a smile. "I brought pamphlets about my research and I would love to go over it with you,"
Aero nodded eagerly, ready to dig his teeth into something new. "I'll show you to your room and you can tell me about the basics,"
Sapphire tuned the conversation out as they headed upstairs while she walked into the kitchen to greet her mother. Alice was in the process of setting up the kitchen table when her daughter walked in with a heavy face.
Alice snickered. "I can assume your father is being himself and trying to learn about the rock people theory you told me Ronaldo is obsessed with?"
"Can I skip dinner tonight? I had to hear about it on the ride over, and I think my ears might bleed if I have to listen to it at dinner too," Sapphire huffed, following protocol, and placing the silverware out by a plate. "What did you make?" She asked, changing the subject.
Alice hummed. "Baked chicken with vegetables and mashed potatoes, nothing special,"
"I live on a college campus where the closest thing to a homemade meal are the cookies they sell on the side," Sapphire resisted the urge to pluck a string bean from the steaming pot as she walked by; her mother would have scowled her for it all night. "To me, this is very special." She concluded.
Alice shook her head with a smile, glad her daughter was home for the weekend. "Oh, I didn't know if Ruby was coming over or not so I set another plate just in—"
"She's not coming over," Sapphire winced at her cold response, praying her mother didn't ask for details; she was the last person she wanted to talk with this about.
A few months ago, her mother despised the thought of her and Ruby together, imagine her reaction when Sapphire told her they were having problems. A whole lot of I told you so's would be all she heard for the duration of her visit.
"Oh," Her mother paused, looking down at the plate she was about to put down. "…is it because of the big game tomorrow? I suppose she is going to need to get some rest—"
Sapphire huffed. "It's because I didn't tell her I'm in town, all right? Can we just drop it?" She snapped, crossing her arms as she leaned back into the kitchen counter.
The angry look on her mother's face caused her arms to fall limp at her side, her mother did not tolerate disrespect. "Watch your tone, I know you have a lot going on with school and I have no problem with you staying here as long as you respect me and my rules." She released a calming breath, but the hard look in her eyes didn't fade away. "What did she do?" She demanded, as if she were ready to hunt Ruby down.
Sapphire rolled her eyes. "Why do you assume she did something?"
"Please, she would be knocking at our door in a heartbeat to come see you if she knew you were in town. Ruby is either not here because you didn't tell her you're in town because she did something, or you did something," Alice began, voice lowering. "What's going on? Are you two not speaking?"
Sapphire sighed, she was sick of having this conversation with people. "She's been hanging out with this girl lately, and I'm not jealous or anything because I have no reason to be; I know Ruby isn't that kind of person. I'm just frustrated with the lies, and how I have to find these things out through other people,"
"She should be telling me what's going on instead of having me be blindsided around my friends," Sapphire bit her lower lip. "I didn't tell her I was in town because I just needed time to think about what I'm going to say when I see her tomorrow, because right now I don't know what I want,"
Alice spoke softly. "Do you still love her?"
"Of course I do," Sapphire frowned as if she were being accused of something.
Alice smiled weakly. "Then you should at least let her know you're in town and that you'll speak to her after the game tomorrow. Just to let her know you aren't completely giving up on what you two have, and that you need time to think things through," She walked over and placed a soft kiss on her daughter's forehead. "Go upstairs and call her, then come down and wash your hands for dinner,"
"…thanks mom," Sapphire finally decided with, following her mother's instructions, and made her way to the staircase.
She made sure to be extra quiet as she passed by the guest room where she could hear her father and Ronaldo going on about rock people excitedly. When she managed to make it to her room, she appreciated the fact that they managed to find time in between their discussion to place her bags on her bed.
She closed the door behind her and made her way to her charger, waiting for it to turn on before she could get ready to call Ruby; still not sure what she would tell her exactly.
Ruby had been having one of the worst days of her life. She had woken up late for school and barely made it to third period when she remembered she had to take her psychology test she forgot to study for. She knew most of the material and hoped for at least a B before the rest of the day dissolved into boring lectures and her sending messages to Sapphire begging her to respond. Not a single response.
With everything on her mind, her performance in practice wasn't her best. She was too distracted with wondering if Sapphire was upset with her, if she was purposely ignoring her calls or if she was even going to the big game tomorrow night. She was lucky practice was short and they didn't go over much.
Amethyst had berated her once again to leave Cynthia alone when she told her about how Pearl caught the girl in her house this morning. She was glad Pearl understood the situation and promised not to put Amethyst in that place again. Ruby even went as far to start ignoring Cynthia's texts asking to hang out.
She was finished with Cynthia acting like what she was doing was all right. Even if they weren't doing anything wrong, the way they went about doing it was.
"I'll see you guys at the game tomorrow? I assume you two are skipping classes?" Ruby asked, phone on speaker, as she pulled a red long sleeved shirt over her curly head.
Jasper laughed on the other line. "Yeah, Lapis and I are going out for breakfast to celebrate making it so far into the finals,"
"Yeah," Amethyst spoke up. "Pearl and I are staying in, I'm cooking her something." She paused. "…do you know if Sapphire is in town or not?"
Ruby sat down on her bed, staring off into her empty room where silence surrounded her. With her mother gone again and Snowflake asleep at her feet, the lonely feeling was at its highest. It didn't make her feel better about Sapphire's muteness either.
She shook her head. "No, I haven't heard anything from her. But I might stay home tomorrow and just get some extra sleep, nothing serious. Maybe take Snowflake for a walk,"
"All right," Amethyst said, not wanting to get into it again when she knew Ruby was done talking about it. "I'm going to knock out with some Netflix then. I'll see you guys tomorrow,"
Jasper said. "Same, night guys,"
"Yeah," Ruby responded weakly before hanging the phone up and falling back into her bed.
She was five minutes into starring up at her white ceiling when she began contemplating whether she was hungry or not when her phone began vibrating with a call. Assuming it was Jasper or Amethyst calling about something they forgot, she answered without looking at the caller.
"Yeah," Ruby asked with a sigh, fingers wrapped around a particularly tight curl at the top of her head.
The other side was quiet for a few seconds before a familiar voice spoke up. "Hey,"
Ruby sat up so fast she startled Snowflake into leaving the room with a huff; she ignored her pets exit and swallowed thickly. "Hey, I didn't think you got any of my calls," She said, voice soft and somewhat lost.
She had been waiting to hear back from Sapphire all day and now she had no idea what she wanted to say.
"Yeah, my phone died on the way over here," Ruby felt her heart speed up. "I didn't have my charger on me and I just got home an hour ago, before I got situated and turned it back on."
Ruby couldn't seem to sit still as she got up from her bed and began pacing. "So, you're in town for the weekend? Did you drive by yourself?" She wanted to kick herself for trying to make conversation like she didn't have explaining to do.
Sapphire's sigh on the other side let her know it was indeed a wrong direction to take it. "Uhm no, Bubblegum drove me and Ronaldo to my parents' house before she went to see Marceline. Look, I was just calling to let you know I'm in town and that I'll see you after the game,"
Ruby nodded, she was happy about Sapphire going to the game but was still upset about the little progress they were making. "Can we—"
"I'll talk to you after the game, okay?" Sapphire cut her off, a rustling on the other line followed by a male's voice reached her ears. "I have to go—"
Ruby swallowed. "Wait, Sapphire, I'm sorry about—"
"I know you are," Was the curt response before the ending of the line met her.
She contemplated calling her back, but at the same time understood Sapphire needed space and time to think. Her hopes rose when she felt her phone buzz with a text, only to plummet me she realized it was a message from Cynthia asking if they could go to another concert this week. Ruby resisted the urge to throw her phone out the window and settled for tossing it on her mattress.
She went to sleep with her heart feeling heavier than ever before.
I'm out for a short break at school so I'll try to write more. I get some DM's about when I will update so I'm going to work on updating weekly or something.
In all honesty felt like I was pulling teeth when I wrote this chapter, I hope it doesn't show.
Thanks for reading, means a lot, and please let me know what you think.