"Happy birthday, Lapis," Steven shouted, tightly embracing her. Lapis laughed, returning his enthusiastic hug. He was in a pair of red swim trunks adorned with yellow stars. The humidity in the air fluffed up his curly locks even more than usual. Amethyst was setting a pile of towels on one of the benches. Her hair was piled up in a loose, braided bun on her head and she was wearing a black one-piece. The air smelled of chlorine and fried food with the subtle perfume of alcohol; laughter and lapping water echoed against the walls. It brought back fond memories for Lapis.
Funland Waterland was a large indoor waterpark with a playground, five different slides, a lazy river, a pool with hoops and two hot tubs. Lapis, Steven, and Amethyst would spend hours at Waterland when the weather was too cold to go to the beach. Their favorite thing to do was go down the three bigger slides as many times as they could. Excitement curled in Lapis's stomach, eager to get into the water and enjoy her birthday. She could forget all the stress and tension from work for the day and just have fun. Lapis and Steven walked over to Amethyst; the short girl gave Lapis a large, crushing hug.
"Well, ya made it to 18," she joked, patting her back. Lapis grinned, playfully punching Amethyst's shoulder.
"Did you have any doubt?"
"Eh, maybe a little," Amethyst teased. Lapis laughed, setting her stuff next to Steven and Amethyst's. She glanced through the crowd to see if she could find Peridot. After everything that happened, Peridot had declined her invitation. It took Lapis a lot of pleading and begging to convince Peridot to come today. She hoped that Peridot didn't back out at the last minute. Jasper couldn't come which made things less awkward. She promised Lapis she had her own birthday surprise planned
Lapis spotted Peridot at the entrance. She waved enthusiastically and called her over. Amethyst snickered, shaking her head; Steven grinned. Lapis shot them each a dirty look. Peridot approached the trio, a strange, strained look on her flushed face. She was wearing a bright green tankini and matching boy shorts. Her hair was pushed back with a forest green headband. She looked great in her swimsuit. Lapis felt the heat rise in her cheeks. Peridot gave Lapis a quick, awkward hug and politely greeted Amethyst. Steven introduced himself, thrusting his hand toward Peridot. She took it and gently shook his hand. Steven nearly knocked her down with his fervent handshake.
"This place is cool," Peridot complimented, setting her towel on a chair. Lapis nodded, eagerly, putting her hands on her hips and glanced around the park.
"It is awesome. You must go down the slides with us! Our record is 237," Lapis boasted. Peridot smiled, trying to avoid looking directly at Lapis.
"Maybe. We will see. I might just relax in the hot tub for now."
"Oh, okay." Lapis forced her smile to stay plastered on her face. She didn't understand why Peridot was acting so strange. Her whole demeanor was standoffish and uncomfortable like she would rather be anywhere but here. Maybe she shouldn't have forced her to come. Steven pulled at her arm and dragged her to the slides. Lapis tried to reason away the guilt building in her chest. It's a new place with new people. Or she might be uncomfortable wearing a swimsuit. There were several different possibilities for her behavior. It didn't mean it was Lapis. Maybe she will relax more as the day went on. She tried to remain hopeful and focus on having fun.
"Come on," Lapis encouraged, yanking on Peridot's arm. Much to Lapis's relief, Peridot finally joined her, Amethyst and Steven after a couple of hours. They relaxed in the lazy river, played basketball and goofed around on the playground. Lapis was now attempting to drag Peridot to one of the big slides. Peridot's eyes traveled up the stairs, broad and nervous. Her lips were pressed tightly together.
"I really don't…"
"One time, okay? For me? It is my birthday after all."
"Technically, your birthday was a few days ago," Peridot disputed.
"We are celebrating today! Come on. I promise it will be fun!" Peridot relented with a sigh; Lapis grinned triumphantly and pulled her toward the stairs. There was a short wait for the tamer slide. Lapis figured she should start off easy since Peridot seemed uncertain about riding down. Peridot gripped at the railing, looking rather sickly and keeping her gaze on the steps. Lapis kept her hand on Peridot's arm, helping her up the wooden stairs and silently encouraging her to continue.
"You know. I always wished I was taller but, I'm afraid of height," Peridot quipped with a soft, bitter chuckle.
"Well, there is a big difference between a few feet and a few hundred feet though," Lapis mused absently, looking down at the pools and the floor below. The blonde's face paled. Lapis bit her lip and muttered an apology. When they finally reached the top, the attendant placed an inner tube into the water and waved them over. Peridot settled into the back while Lapis flopped down in the front. The green light went off, and the attendant pushed them down the rushing water. Lapis laughed as the tube rocked against the edge of the slide and sped through the green pipe. Behind her, she could hear Peridot screaming and laughing at the same time. The slide opened into the pool, and they hit the water with a hard splash. Lapis jumped out and helped a struggling Peridot. They picked up the inner tube and exited the pool, laughing.
"Okay, despite the climb of terror, that was fun," Peridot admitted.
"Well, then we have to try the other two," Lapis grinned, mischievously. Peridot and Lapis rode down the slides together several more times, sometimes racing Steven and Amethyst. Or it was Steven and Lapis versus Amethyst and Peridot. All the stress from the past few weeks was washed away by the chlorinated water and the fits of laughter. Water and friends. They brought Lapis back to the good parts of her childhood. These were the memories she cherished. She was happy to spend time with Steven and Amethyst. And Peridot. Lapis was delighted that she came today. It was nice to see her laugh and have fun too. Jasper crossed her mind as they floated around the lazy river. Lapis was grateful for her; she felt lucky Jasper came into her life despite everything that happened and all the drama. She wished Jasper could have come, but it would be nice for just the two of them to spend time together. It had become rare for them to get a moment together even if it was just relaxing and watching TV.
Before leaving for Amethyst's place, the four of them warmed up in the hot tub. They hadn't beaten their record going down the slides but, Lapis didn't care. Today was excellent. She couldn't wait to get to Amethyst's to open her gifts and eat. When Peridot excused herself to use the restroom and Steven followed, Amethyst stopped mid-conversation, and a huge grin broke across her face. Lapis didn't like the mischief shining in her eyes.
"You have such a crush on her," Amethyst declared.
"Wh-wh-I-I do not," Lapis denied, her face burning up. She knew it wasn't because of the water. Amethyst smile grew larger.
"Uh-huh. Well, that's too bad. I think she likes you too."
"N-n-no. Wh-why do you say that?"
"Why do you care?"
"I-I don't…I'm curious why you-you would think that."
"Oh, just intuition. Don't you have a crush on that Jasper woman too?"
"WHAT! No," Lapis exclaimed, her body now boiling. She sunk down on the stone step. All she wanted to do was disappear into the water and never resurface. Amethyst roared; Lapis glared. She did not have a crush on either Peridot or Jasper! Peridot was a friend, and Jasper was-well-Lapis wasn't quite sure what Jasper was to her. She was more than a friend and, yes, Lapis found herself attracted to her, but nothing romantic! Lapis had no chance with Jasper even if she imagined it. Amethyst pointed two fingers at her eyes then at Lapis.
"I see right through you, RQ. You are nothing but a horny teenager." Lapis splashed water at Amethyst's face, earning herself a reprimand from a lifeguard who happened to pass by. She groaned, ducking underneath the hot water and drowning out another roar of laughter from Amethyst. When Steven and Peridot returned, they packed up their stuff and headed to Amethyst's place with Peridot followed behind in her car. Lapis, Steven and Amethyst arrived first. Steven pulled out a lovely cake with blue gems and flowers on the top and the words: Happy 18th Lapis! It was strawberry with chocolate frosting, one of her favorites. Amethyst ordered a pizza and a few minutes later, Peridot knocked on the door.
"I lost you guys for a bit," she laughed, embarrassed. Amethyst offered her a beer but, she turned it down. "Lapis, I'm sorry, I forgot your gift at my place. We can swing by before I drop you off if you want."
"Sure," Lapis nodded, drinking her beer. Peridot didn't hide her distaste for Lapis's alcohol consumption but, she said anything. They enjoyed pizza and cake while they watched Lil Butler. Lapis and Amethyst turned the show into a drinking game, taking shots of rum and flavored vodka. She could feel the alcohol course through her system. It had been a while since she had gotten drunk. The sluggish bliss produced by the alcohol was a welcome feeling. Peridot and Amethyst played a few rounds of some video game while Lapis drank and talked with Steven about school and life. Before they left, Lapis opened her gifts. Steven got her a book about the ocean and Amethyst gave her a dime-bag of weed. Lapis thought it was hilarious though Peridot was not amused.
"I better not get caught with that shit," she warned. After thanking Steven and Amethyst, Lapis and Peridot said goodbye and headed back to Beach City. Peridot didn't say much while Lapis rambled about how much she had fun and whatever little thing popped into her head. Part of it was drunkenness; part of it was nerves. She did not have a crush on Peridot. She was just a good friend. Peridot stopped at her place to grab Lapis's present. She invited Lapis to sober up before she dropped her at home. Though she knew Jasper wouldn't mind, Lapis agreed. As usual, Peridot's apartment was a mess. It looked as though she hadn't cleaned in weeks. She gave Lapis an apologetic look, quickly plucking the clothes off the couch and tossing them into her room. Lapis didn't mind. The chaos of the apartment reminded her that Peridot wasn't as proper as she seemed.
Once the couch was clean, Lapis collapsed on it, resting her head back. The effects of the alcohol were slowly beginning to fade. Peridot sat next to her and placed a small box in her hands. It was wrapped in shiny wrapping paper and topped with a matching bow. Lapis tore into the silky paper and peered into the sleek black box. Her mouth dropped open at the piece of jewelry nestled in the black velvet. It was a necklace with a teardrop-shaped lapis lazuli on a silver chain. The gem was about as big as her thumb. It wasn't anything too fancy, but Lapis thought it was one of the most beautiful things she had seen. One of the nicest if she didn't count the weed in her pocket.
"I hope it isn't too fancy. I saw it and thought it would be perfect," Peridot explained.
"No. I love it!" Lapis flung her arms around Peridot's neck. She felt Peridot wrap her arms around her waist, returning the embrace.
"Well, I'm glad you like it," she laughed. Was Amethyst right about Peridot? This was way too nice of a gift for a friend, wasn't it? Pulling her head back, Lapis searched Peridot's eyes for an answer. Her head spun with alcohol and hormones. The smile faded from Peridot's lips; her green eyes locked on Lapis's. Time ticked by slowly. Lapis leaned forward, closing her eyes and pressing her lips against Peridot's before her impaired mind could register what she was doing. Peridot's fingers tightly gripped her shirt, and her mouth moved in response. Peridot's tongue slipped passed her slightly parted lips, and Lapis welcomed it with a caress of her own. Warm fingers slithered under Lapis's shirt and skirted against her bare back. Peridot pulled her closer until Lapis was nearly on top of her. Her hands traced along the bottom of Lapis's bikini top right under the curve of her breasts. Lapis gasped. Suddenly the shorter girl jerked and yanked herself away from Lapis. Her green eyes widened in horror.
"Oh, my God," she squeaked, shoving Lapis off her. Lapis fell onto the floor with a hard flood. "I'm so sorry!"
"It's okay. I'm fine," Lapis groaned as Peridot helped her up. She couldn't bring herself to look up at Peridot as she rubbed her sore behind. Stupid. Stupid.
"I can't believe I did that. I'm so sorry, Lapis!"
"Why? I should be apologizing…"
"No, no. You're drunk, and you don't know what you are doing. I should have stopped it the moment you kissed me." That was a pretty weak excuse. Lapis was more aware of herself than Peridot realized. She could feel tears well in her eyes and her face burn red. Blushing seemed to be a pretty common occurrence today.
"But…" Peridot interrupted, shaking her head.
"No buts. I'm really sorry, Lapis. That was extremely wrong of me to make out with someone who is underage and…"
"I'm not underage," Lapis retorted, defiantly. "I'm 18."
"You just turned 18, Lapis. That doesn't give me any right to—to…"
"But, I kissed you first."
"And I should have stopped it right there not—not kiss you back and shove my hand up your shirt."
"It's fine…"
"No, it wasn't!" Lapis's gaze fell to her feet, feeling nauseous and light-headed, shame coiling in her chest. She was the one who kissed Peridot. This was her fault yet Peridot was taking all the blame. It wasn't illegal. It certainly didn't feel wrong. Peridot made it seem like they committed the biggest crime imaginable. It could be the booze, but Lapis was struggling to understand why she was so upset. Shouldn't she be the one embarrassed and guilty? No matter what Lapis did or said, Peridot wouldn't listen to her, choosing to shoulder all the responsibility.
Peridot didn't say anything when she drove Lapis home, lost completely in thought. The whole ordeal had a sobering effect on Lapis and she stared miserably out the window. This was not how she wanted her birthday to end. How could she be so stupid? Why did she even do that? Peridot stopped in front of Jasper's apartment, parking the car. They sat silently for a moment, Lapis clutching Peridot's gift in her hand. Peridot focused her attention outside her window, taking a deep breath before speaking, her voice solemn and tight.
"I think—I think we shouldn't hang out for a little while." Lapis's head whipped around, her mouth dropping open.
"Wh-what? Why?"
"I think it's for the best, Lapis. It's just getting too…complicated." Complicated? Peridot didn't even bother to look at her, gripping at the steering wheel until her knuckles were white. Pain gripped at Lapis's chest, yanking at her heart. Tears trickled down her cheeks as she took in a shuddering breath. The air in the car suddenly became unbearablely thick and heated. She didn't know what to say. Peridot had apparently made up her mind. Lapis threw open the door, scrambling to get out into the fresh air. She slammed the door behind her, racing into the building, avoiding looking back. Thankfully, Jasper wasn't home when she entered. Lapis rushed to her room, throwing herself onto the bed. She just lost her friend, and it was all her fault. And she would have to face her at work as if nothing happened. Lapis screamed into her pillow. She needed a smoke.