Chapter 25
When Will You Realize There's Nothing You Really Can Say That's Ever Gonna Change My Mind
1 Month And 9 Days Ago
Agatha was swamped in paperwork and not really in the mood for any unnecessary distractions. Then as if the universe itself wanted to slow down her progress, the phone on her desk began to ring.
Letting out a disgruntled sigh she answered the phone. "This is Agatha Holly, Delmarva Social Services, what do you need?" She asked curtly.
"Ms. H-h-holly it's S-s-steven. Steven Qu-u-a-artz-Universe." He said shakily and it sounded as if he was on the verge of tears.
"Steven what's wrong?" Agatha asked suddenly concerned remembering Azul telling her a little over a month ago that she had gave him a card with both of their numbers.
"M-m-m-y au-unt tried to kill herself." He stammered before starting to cry.
"Steven. Steven, calm down." Agatha ordered as she stood up and grabbed her purse, "Calm down and tell me what happened Steven."
Instead of calming down he proceeded to sob even harder as someone in the background asked him to please open the door.
"Steven where are you?" Agatha asked concerned as she grabbed a sticky note and a pen. "I-I'm at N-n-a-ancy Richard's house." He stammered as he sniffled.
"Nancy Richards, okay." Agatha replied as she wrote it down, "I want you to call Mrs. Diamond after I hang up because I am on my way to get you."
"Okay." He said heavily.
"Be safe and don't hang up on Mrs. Diamond until I get you. Okay?" She ordered.
"Okay." He replied.
Hanging up she quickly got on her computer and looked up Steven's file because she knew that a
Nancy Richards was listed as an emergency contact for him.
Quickly writing down the address she then proceeded to run to the elevator. While this wasn't the first time one of the children under her care was in some form of distress she she still felt nervous as she raced to go get him. It was a forty five minute drive to Beach City and a lot could go horribly wrong in forty five minutes.
Present
Agatha had done several different investigations over the years as a social worker. While there
were many that were a million times worse than this particular one, it still stood out to her.
Sure on the surface it was a fairly cut and dry situation. Steven's "aunt" Amethyst Rivera had tried to kill herself after catching her girlfriend cheating on her with an unnamed individual and was currently going to hospital mandated therapy and had been on a suicide watch for the past few weeks after the attempt.
Agatha had dealt with this particular situation quite a few times and the solution usually involved temporary removal of the child from the parties involved or court mandated therapy and far more check ups and surprise visits.
Except this wasn't the standard cut and dry case she had dealt with before. This one was slightly different because of certain suspicious factors.
While Amethyst Rivera did in fact have a history of not only minor mental health but legal issues, Pearl and Rose Quartz had always paid any and all expenses that arose with them but not this time. This time around it was Greg Universe who paid for all the expenses of her hospital stay that weren't covered by her insurance. Normally this wouldn't be an issue at all but certain recent developments in regards to Greg made this little detail one of utter importance.
He had not only gave up his temporary visitation but had sold his carwash and was temporarily living with Ruby and Sapphire Richards because he had "slipped on a wet spot of concrete" which resulted in him breaking his leg and getting a concussion.
Except that wasn't the truth, at least not according to Steven. He claimed his father had been pushed off the porch shortly before Amethyst had tried to kill herself by an unnamed individual who despite her numerous attempts to get Steven to give her a name remained in anonymity.
All of this information paired with the other information her investigation had yielded came to a simple easy to understand conclusion.
Amethyst's girlfriend had been cheating on her with Greg and after she had caught them in the act, he had tried to explain what had happened at Pearl's home only to be pushed off the porch by Pearl. Who then made him give up his visitation because of what he had done and he sold the carwash so he could move out of town to avoid further scrutiny as a cheater. His temporary living situation with the Richards' was them making up for their actions in Keystone back in April.
As she finished typing up her findings she decided to contact Pearl and set up a meeting where they could discuss what really happened on July 6th.
Despite the absolute upheaval of his life in the past month, Greg had every intention of making Steven's fourteenth birthday a truly momentous occasion. One, where the events of the past month were temporarily forgotten and his son was allowed to be an ordinary teenager once again.
He had using what little money he had left from selling the carwash to make this birthday perfect. Sure there wasn't a whole left after he dealt with not only the mortgage but some other necessary expenses that had come up like the $10000 trust for Steven and paying for Amethyst's and his own medical expenses. But Pearl had helped out with the costs and for the first time in a very long time they were able to set aside their issues with one another to make this day perfect and hopefully it went off with a hitch.
Now if he could only find an easier way to get around then his with crutches or the wheelchair
Ruby, Garnet, and Navy had all insisted he use a majority of the time because of the concussion he had gotten. The sand of the beach made both insanely difficult if not impossible to get around through. He really wished that the bank hadn't foreclosed on his aunt and uncle's farm outside of town because it had not only had wooden floors in the spacious barn but dirt outside which were both a million times easier to get through.
"You okay Greg?" Navy asked as she peeked into the bedroom.
"Yeah, I'm fine Nancy." Greg replied before sighing, "I just need to figure out if I'm going to use my crutches or not."
"Use the crutches and if you don't feel like using them later on I can help you get around." Navy said sitting next to him, "Though we both know you're not going to accept my help because you're a stubborn pain in the ass."
"You're right." Greg said tiredly, "I just can't believe he's fourteen. It seems like it was just yesterday that I was making funny faces for him while he sat in the grocery cart while we went shopping."
"I remember that." Navy said leaning against him, "He had the biggest smile on his face while he giggled like a maniac. Hard to believe that was ten years ago."
"Yup." Greg replied simply.
Noticing how dejected he looked she turned his face towards his and kissed him. While it would only temporarily make him feel better it was worth it.
"COME ON! Every time I see you two you're making out! Can you two quit for like five minutes?" Ruby shouted as she walked into the room.
"I warned you." Sapphire said as she walked past the room.
"ARRGH!" Ruby shouted while Greg and Navy just laughed.
Mala wasn't really sure what to make of her life right now.
She wasn't exactly happy but she wasn't exactly sad either. She was somewhere in the middle of those two emotions.
On the happy side she and Steven were still best friends but they were best friends who regularly kissed now, which was really nice. Smokey had been teaching her how to do tricks with a yo-yo. Alexandra hadn't bothered her since the Fourth of July and she had met her aunt Skinny. Which was crazy because she never knew that Mom had an older sister especially one as laid back and cool as Skinny.
Then there was the sad side. While she thought that Mom had a legitimate accident because of her hangover, she quickly realized it was like the ones she and sometimes Ma had in the past. The only reason she realized it was one of those "accidents" was because of Mom's limp. It had always been bad but it had gotten worse and even now it was pretty bad. Then there was Steven's aunt Amethyst, she had tried to kill herself for some crazy reason that none of Steven's family wanted to talk about. Apparently Steven had no idea either but he wasn't dealing with it well and she could only help him so much. Connie was mad at her and Steven for occasionally kissing and refused to believe that they weren't a couple but just friends who kissed.
Then there was the thing that was both on the happy and sad side. Mom and Ma were getting a divorce.
It was sad because they admitted that they didn't love each other anymore and Mom had started living with Skinny at the motel. Which meant she wouldn't be able to see both of them everyday because more than likely she'd end up in a situation like Steven's.
Yet it was oddly happy because they wouldn't fight and call each other awful names anymore. Mom would also stop having "accidents" and Ma wouldn't have to pretend to be happy when Mom was in a funk.
Mala's main concern with the entire divorce situation was who would calm Mom down when she had her "episodes". Ma had always done it but now that they were getting divorced she couldn't do that anymore. Maybe Mom could find someone who could help her through them. Someone who she wouldn't fight with.
Someone who would love her always.
"Are you ready Sweetie?" Jasper asked softly.
"Yeah Mom." Mala replied quietly.
"You know that me and Ma getting divorced isn't your fault right?" Jasper asked voicing her biggest concern.
"I know." Mala replied sadly.
"I know you're like me and don't like sharing you're feelings but you can talk to me." Jasper said squeezing Mala's hand, "I also want you to know that I will always be here for you. No matter what."
"I know Mom." Mala replied letting out a sigh.
"YOU GUYS WON'T BELIEVE THIS BUT THEY HAD LION LICKERS AT THE BIG DONUT! THEY'RE SO GOOD!" Skinny shouted happily as she walked into the motel room, "Shit. I interrupted one of those sappy heartfelt moments didn't I?"
"Yes you did Julie." Jasper said with a tired sigh.
"Whoops. Well like I said before they had LION LICKERS!" Skinny said happily before offering one to Mala.
"I'll pass. I only eat Cookie Cats." Mala explained.
"It was your boyfri- Skinny started to say before catching herself, "It was your boy Fry who made you like Cookie Cats was it?"
"So you have a boyfriend. Have I met him?" Jasper asked as Mala gave Skinny a look that could have killed an entire army of weaker willed people.
"I don't have a boyfriend." Mala said angrily while Jasper gave Skinny explain now look.
"Then explain why you were making out with Steven when I picked you up yesterday." Skinny said simply.
"WE WEREN'T MAKING OUT!" Mala shouted freaked out as Jasper gave her a odd look,
"What? We weren't." She added sheepishly in a quiet voice.
"So you and Steven hmmm?" Jasper asked trying to stifle a laugh at the blush filling Mala's cheeks.
"We're not a couple." Mala said hanging her head, "We just kiss from time to time.
"So you're friends with -" Skinny started to say but stopped as she saw the look Jasper gave her, "Just friends. That's it."
"Is there a reason why you aren't a couple?" Jasper inquired feeling angry that her daughter was only a plaything to Steven.
"We like each other but we also like other people too." Mala answered quietly, "So that's why we only kiss. That way if we ended up with the other person we could still be friends and not have to worry about breaking up."
"Oh." Jasper replied feeling slightly surprised at the straightforwardness of Mala's answer, "So who suggested this idea?"
"I did." Mala answered quickly.
"Is there a reason why?" Jasper asked curiously.
"Connie and Smokey." Mala said simply.
"Care to clarify sweetie?" Jasper prodded gently.
"Connie really likes Steven and he likes her too and well I...I...I kinda like Smokey too." She said hanging her head, "And they'd be a nice couple so I suggested that we just be friends who kiss occasionally just in case they get together or me and Smokey do. Or ya know we both decide that we want to be a couple."
Mala of course left out the lengthy discussion she and Steven had about her fear of ending up in a toxic relationship and his uncertainty about entering one. Sure he had occasionally seen Ruby and Sapphire's marriage on occasion but they lived a few miles out of town and even with Peridot and Amethyst's recent relationship but Pearl, Garnet, and Greg had never entered into ones making him wonder if it was perfectly okay to be alone.
"Alright. Just know if he does anything to hurt you I'll kill him." Jasper said calmly even though she wondered if her daughter's decision was influenced by her and Lapis's relationship.
"What!" Mala screeched.
"I'm kidding." Jasper told her reassuringly as she hugged her while shaking her head at Skinny, making her chuckle.
"Oooooh! Look at you! You look so handsome!" Pearl gushed as she dusted off Steven's pink button up shirt, "I can't believe you're fourteen! It feels it was just yesterday that...that...that -" Pearl began to cry instead of finishing her statement which led to her babbling about how happy she was and her baby growing up.
"Don't mind her Steven." Garnet said calmly, "You look great."
"Yeah Mala's not gonna be able to take her eyes off of ya." Amethyst joked as she gently punched Steven in the shoulder, "Steman the heart breaker."
"Amethyst!" Pearl hissed trying to look intimidating despite the tears in her eyes.
"I think she's got a point Pearl. Look at him, he's totally a lady killer." Greg said as he hobbled into the house followed by the Richard sisters, Ruby, and Sapphire, "Happy birthday Stuball."
"Thanks Dad." Steven said happily as he hugged him tightly.
"Happy birthday Steven." The Richard sisters said in unison as they walked around Greg and pulled Steven in a giant group hug.
"I am going to apologize on behalf of my sisters except Navy." Doc said sadly, "I'm sorry we can't stay for the party but we will make it up to you as soon as we can. I promise. Now have a good time and don't do anything too crazy."
"Like Doc almost burning the house down when we turned fourteen." Eyeball joked getting Steven to laugh.
"I won't burn the house down." Steven joked as he broke the hug.
"Also try not to break too many hearts today. Alright?" Army said with a grin.
Leggy just laughed as Steven blushed before hugging him again.
"Happy birthday buddy! Hope it's a good one." She said before passing him a cold tupperware box with Cookie Cats inside making stars form in his eyes.
"Alright! Move out the way so me and my lovely wife can give the birthday boy much deserved love and attention!" Ruby shouted as she pushed past her sister before pulling Steven into a bonebreaking hug, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVEN!"
"Happy birthday." Sapphire said softly as she hugged gently after Ruby let him go, "I can't believe you're fourteen, it seems like only yesterday that I was helping Pearl change your diapers."
"Ewww." Steven said pretending to gag.
"What are you ewwwing at? Is it gross gross or awesome gross? I need to know." A loud voice said happily.
"Smokey!" Steven said running up to them and giving a high five that echoed across the room making everyone wince.
"Happy birthday Steven!" They said passing him a dark brown box, "I hope you like what I got you."
Opening the box Steven felt his heart stop as he saw what was inside.
It was a neon pink yo-yo that had roses in full bloom engraved both sides in the center. The string was a striped with white and dark pink and it smelled liked rose scented perfume.
"Smokey! This is awesome!" He shouted as he pulled them into a tight hug, "I love it."
"Yay!" Smokey cheered, "Vidalia and Yellowtail helped me make it. Oh I almost forgot but Sour Cream, Vidalia, Onion, and Yellowtail also told me to tell you to have a happy birthday."
"Cool." Steven said hugging them again as a loud knock emanated from the screen door.
"Connie there's a sign on the door that says come in." A calm voice said from the doorway.
"But it's rude to just barge into someone's home." Another voice replied sharply.
"Connie! Stephanie!" Steven shouted happily as he opened the door.
"Happy Birthday Steven." Connie said quietly giving him a smile.
"Happy birthday Steven!" Stephanie said giving him a high five, "So how does it feel to be fourteen?"
"The same as I was yesterday when I was thirteen." Steven answered honestly.
"Heh well give it time. Soon you'll feel a little older and far more mature." Stephanie said confidently.
"Alright." Steven said happily, "Oh! Look at the yo-yo Smokey got me! It's awesome!"
Looking at the yo-yo Stephanie whistled impressed before wondering where Smokey was. Also where did Connie go?
"RUN! Ruby has water balloons!" Smokey shouted as she ran from kitchen holding on to Connie's arm only slowing down to grab Steven's arm and lead them out the door as Ruby ran after them with a mischievous grin.
"Wait up for me!" Stephanie shouted running out the door after them while Greg and Pearl just smiled.
"Well his birthday party is already off to a good start." Greg said with a tired smile.
"Yup. I'm glad he's having a good time." Pearl said with a smile before walking to the door where she was hit in the face with a water balloon, "RUBY!"
"Come on Greg." Navy said with a smile, "Let's go show em how to really throw a water balloon."
"Wait for me!" Amethyst filling up water balloons with a wicked grin, "This is gonna be fun!"
"SONS A BITCHES!" Skinny screamed as several water balloons hit her car as she parked it in front of Steven's house, "THIS MEANS WAR AMETHYST!" She shouted out her car window before being hit in the face with a water balloon.
Leaning back into the car Skinny wavy auburn hair was soaked and hanging in her face. Wearing an angry scowl she rolled up her window and gave Jasper a look similar to that of a soaking wet cat, "Jasper. Get me the shovel from the trunk. Mala use this opportunity to say goodbye to your friends."
"What?" Mala asked confused.
"I think this the last time we'll see Skinny ever again." Jasper said as she watched Skinny run out the car and tackle Amethyst who was holding an armful of water balloons.
"Well okay then." Mala said confused, "Well let's go tell Steven happy birthday then."
"Yeah." Jasper replied nervously as she spotted Navy sitting next to Greg with a large smile on her face.
Her heart broke as she saw not only Greg's leg but his wrist in a cast. No wonder Navy wanted to protect him from her. She had really hurt him because she couldn't accept what Lapis had done.
Stop. I know what happened and I refuse to let you get near him again.
"Are you okay Mom?" Mala asked her concerned.
"Fine. My leg just hurts a little bit." Jasper lied as she felt almost everyone's eyes lock on her including Greg's which seemed to brighten up as he saw her.
"Mala!" Steven shouted as he ran up to them soaking wet. "Happy birthday Steven." Mala said happily hugging him tightly.
"Hi Jasper." Steven said giving her a warm smile that made her feel even more guilty for what had happened a month before.
"Happy birthday Steven." She said simply, "Alright Mala have fun and have a good birthday Steven."
"You're not staying?" Steven asked sadly.
"No. I...um...wish I could stay but I have some things I have to do." Jasper replied sadly, "I hope you have a good birthday Steven."
"Alright." He said sadly before turning to Mala, "Come on let's go get Amethyst while we got the chance."
She was surprised to turn around see Skinny holding Amethyst in a headlock while Ruby was holding on her onto her back trying yank at Skinny's hair.
"GIMME A SEC JAZ!" Skinny shouted as she looked up at Jasper, "NOW SAY UNCLE!" She shouted to Amethyst.
"NO!" Amethyst shouted back, "RUBY GET HER ALREADY!"
"I'M TRYING BUT SHE'S A FLIPPING GIANT!" Ruby shouted before letting out an angry grunt as a water balloon hit her, "STEVEN!"
Laughing to herself Jasper walked back to car to wait for Skinny.
"Jasper. Wait." A voice said suddenly.
Turning around she absent mindedly took a step back as she saw Greg make his way up to her.
"You know you don't to have to go." He said hopefully, "You can stay for a little bit if you want."
"It'd be better if I left Greg." Jasper replied, "Especially since...you know"
"What happened wasn't your fault, Jasper." He told her seriously.
"Greg look at your leg and your wrist and tell me that wasn't my fault." Jasper said before sighing, "I'm so sorry."
"Don't be. It was accident." Greg said taking her hand, "I'm sorry about what happened with Lapis and Peridot. You, Mala, and Amethyst didn't deserve that."
Squeezing her hand he gave her a hopeful smile, "Ya know we should get coffee one of these days like we used to."
"I'd like that." Jasper said letting of his hand.
"So how about tomorrow at noon then?" He asked with a smile.
"JAZ! START THE FRICKIN' CAR!" Skinny shouted before Jasper could answer, "THERE ARE TO MANY OF THEM!"
Greg just laughed as Jasper quickly got into the driver's seat and opened the passenger side door for Skinny who was soaked and being chased by Ruby, Amethyst, Stephanie, Steven, Smokey, Mala, and Connie.
"DRIVE! DRIVE! DRIVE!" Skinny shouted as she practically dove into the car. "That's right you better run!" Amethyst shouted at them.
Sticking her head out the window Skinny stuck out her tongue at Amethyst, "JUST WAIT TILL NEXT TIME AMETHYST!"
"So how long ya have had feelings for Mr. Universe?" Skinny asked as they drove back to the motel.
"What do you mean?" Jasper asked confused.
"I mean how long have you liked him?" Skinny asked thinking about how before she was bombarded she was watching them send each other signals as they talked. Like him taking her hand or her bashful smile when he presumably said her name, "Please don't tell me you haven't realized that you like him." Noticing the blank look on Jasper's face she let out a groan, "You gotta be kidding me! THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL YOU HAVEN'T NOTICED THAT YOU LIKE HIM!"
"We're just friends." Jasper said simply hoping Skinny would leave the matter alone.
"Ooooh. He's with the short chick isn't he? Ooookay that explains everything." Skinny said with a nod, "Damn that sucks, he's a keeper for sure."
"What do you say that?" Jasper asked suspiciously.
"He's kind, funny, a great screw and oh and he has this thing he does with his tongue that is out of this world." Skinny explained with a wicked grin, "Sucks he gained some weight though. Fifteen years ago he was fine! Like you have no idea."
Jasper felt the overwhelming urge to strangle her sister as she mentioned the great screw bit. She couldn't have slept with or even met him because he had showed up in Beach City about...
Yeah I came to Beach City back in the winter of 98'. I thought you were bad with remembering dates?
The only reason I remember the year is because it was the only December that was as warm as an August.
That...that was seventeen years ago.
No.
Fuck no.
Her sister did not sleep with Greg.
There was no way in hell her sister had slept with him.
But he did admit he was a party animal before Steven was born and Skinny had been the exact same w
NO.
FUCK NO!
NO! NO! NO!
"Jaz you okay? You look like you're about to pop a gasket." Skinny said as they pulled into the motel parking lot.
"DID. YOU. SLEEP. WITH. HIM?" Jasper growled as she leaned across the car and grabbed Skinny by her top and pulled her close.
In the brief moment after the question was asked and answered Skinny saw her life flash before her eyes.
She saw herself as a six year old playing zoo with her stuffed pink lion. She saw herself at age ten playing in the mud. She saw herself and Carnelia playing zoo after playing in the mud at age sixteen. She was twenty-two flirting with Mr. Universe before Cindy had gotten mad and made them go home. She was twenty-five playing patty cake her dealer's kid. She was thirty sleeping on the floor high as hell missing her stuffed lion. She was thirty-five and detoxing in the drunk tank screaming her head off. She was thirty-nine eating Lion Lickers powering through her second month of sobriety wondering what Jasper was up to and why she had thought sobriety was a good idea.
"No." Skinny squeaked.
"DON'T EVER JOKE LIKE THAT AGAIN!" Jasper ordered before getting off the car.
"Holy shit! Holy shit!" Skinny whispered to herself before she began to snicker, "Jaz is in love.
"Holy shit! Holy shit!" Skinny whispered to herself before she began to snicker, "Jaz is in love.
"Hahahha! She's in love. AWWH! THAT'S SO ADORKABLE!" Getting off the car she practically skipped to their motel room thinking about how cute it was that Jasper had feelings for Mr. Universe, "Jaz! WAIT UP! YOU HAVE TO EXPLAIN!"
"Hey Greg. Hey Navy." Amethyst said tiredly as she sat next to them. "Hey." They replied in unison.
"I hope ya don't mind that I sit with y'all but I am tired of being watched like I'm a fucking basketcase." Amethyst said angrily as she shot Garnet, who in the brief time that she had turned her back somehow moved to being less than six feet from her, a dirty look, "I get that I fucked up but I'm not gonna slit my wrists with a plastic spork or hang myself with a paper streamer." Sighing loudly she muttered under her breath "Then again life isn't all rainbows and unicorn poop."
"You're seeing Dr. Doe aren't you?" Navy asked as Greg looked at Amethyst shocked by what she said.
"How'd ya know?" Amethyst asked curiously. "Eyeball sees him and she says the rainbows and unicorn poop bit too." Navy said with a chuckle.
"Hmm." Amethyst replied simply before leaning against Greg tiredly, "So are you two a couple? Or are ya just casually playing hide the pepperoni?"
"Hide the pepperoni?" Greg asked confused as Navy snickered.
"Ya know." Amethyst said suggestively before wagging her eyebrows getting Greg to turn a dark shade of crimson as he began to stammer out a response.
"No we're not hiding the pepperoni." Navy chuckled, "We've got a Mala and Steven type thing going on."
"So lots of awkward kissing because of the height difference. Got it." Amethyst said nodding her head, "Any reason you're not a couple?"
"I'm," Greg sighed, "I'm not ready for that yet." He said quietly as he hung his head.
"Whenever you're ready I'll be here waiting for you." Navy said quietly as she squeezed his hand tightly, "Well if you want to be with me that is?"
"Oh." Amethyst replied deciding to change the subject, "So it's crazy that Steman's fourteen right? Before we know it, he'll have a wife and kids and a job he hates."
"I don't think Steven can hate anything." Navy said with a laugh, "He's too kind hearted for that."
"What about Lion Lickers? He hates Lion Lickers." Greg replied.
"Greg's right he does." Amethyst added.
"He doesn't hate them he dislikes them. Watch ask Pearl or Garnet they'll tell you the same thing." Navy replied matter of factly.
"Fine." Amethyst said before looking around for Pearl, "Pearl! Pearl! Where the hell is she?"
"She's talking to Stephanie." Garnet answered, "Also Nancy he does hate Lion Lickers."
"ARRH! He does not!" Navy said, "ALSO IT'S NAVY NOT NANCY!"
"Nancy calm down." Greg joked.
"I hate you so much, Greg." Navy hissed at Greg.
"No you don't Nancy." He said with a chuckle.
"You're so lucky you're a great kisser otherwise I'd beat you up for pushing my buttons." Navy growled before pulling him into a kiss, "So lucky."
"YOU TWO NEED TO CUT IT OUT!" Ruby shouted, "Seriously five minutes without making out that's all I want."
"You and Sapphire are the same way." Amethyst pointed out.
"She's got a point." Sapphire said before kissing Ruby on the cheek.
"Fine. Whatever then." Ruby replied angrily.
"Connie are you mad at me?" Mala asked as she watched Smokey try to teach Steven how to do Sad Baby In A Diaper.
"I was never mad at you." Connie answered bitterly. "Are you sure?" Mala asked.
"No." Connie answered dejectedly, "Why don't you both just admit you're together instead of pretending you're not."
"It's because we're not." Mala replied.
"You don't have to pretend you're not together to try make me feel better or whatever." Connie said bitterly, "Believe it or not I'm happy that you guys are together. It's nice knowing you're happy but claiming you're not and that I can be with him if I want isn't fair."
"Connie. He cares about you and likes you a lot." Mala said seriously, "A lot more than me."
"That's not true." Connie said quietly.
"It totally is." Mala replied with a dry laugh, "Which is alright with me."
"What if I don't want to be with him? What if I want you to be with him? Connie asked her.
"Then tell me." Steven replied suddenly, "Just be honest with us and tell you how you feel."
"That's not easy to do, Steven." Connie said quietly.
"You're right but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try." Steven said confidently.
"Fine." Connie said with a sigh, "I like you a lot but so does Mala and I don't want be selfish and stop Mala and you from being happy. Besides you two have been friends longer than we have and I shouldn't be jealous that you're so close and cool with just kissing without being together."
"Connie you don't have to be jealous or worry about me being happy." Mala said honestly, "As
long as we're friends I'll be fine."
"Besides you deserve to be happy too." Steven added.
"So it'd be okay with both of you if I wanted to be with you Steven?" Connie asked nervously.
"Yeah." Steven answered simply.
"Yup. Just know that if you hurt Steven or if he hurts you me and Mala are gonna kick somebody's ass." Mala said making a fist.
"Yup." Smokey said flexing their arms.
"Alright." Connie said with a laugh, "So Steven do yoh want to go out with me?" "Sure." Steven said with a smile.
"Bout time you two got together." Stephanie said with a laugh, But enough sappy stuff lets go ambush Amethyst and Ruby." They said with a mischievous grin, "I got a few water balloons left and am ready to get some payback. Who's with me?"
Everyone but Mala who had wandered off said they were in. Taking a water balloon they went to go Amethyst and Ruby while she had decided to lay down on the blanket laid out on the beach and think about what happened with Steven and Connie.
She was sad that she couldn't be with him but was happy that they were they were gonna try being together. It was nice to know that they were ha
"Ooof." Mala coughed as Smokey fell onto her stomach, "Smokey what are you doing?" Mala asked trying not to laugh at Smokey who stuck their tongue out at her.
"Using ya belly as a pillow." Smokey explained nonchalantly, "I'm not gonna take a nap without a pillow."
"How would you like it if I used you as a pillow?" Mala asked with faux seriousness.
"I'd love it because because I know for a fact I'd make an awesome pillow." Smokey explained with a smile, "I mean look at me." They said gesturing to themselves, "I'M A GIANT PILLOW PERSON!"
While Mala laughed at the comment she knew that Smokey had a hard time with their weight and often made jokes about it that quickly escalated into thinly veiled insults about it.
"Which is perfect because your now officially my awesome pillow." Mala said as she took Smokey's left hand in her right and squeezed it tightly.
Smokey just laughed before closing their eyes and laying their head back on Mala's stomach. They remained in that comfortable silence for about ten minutes.
"Are you sad that Steven is with Connie now?" Smokey asked suddenly as they pushed themselves up and off of Mala.
"A little bit." Mala answered honestly as she sat up, "But I'm happy they have each other and I know I'll find someone someday."
"What kinda person are you looking for?" Smokey asked nervously.
"Well they have to be funny, and kind." Mala said thinking about how she had almost never seen
"Well they have to be funny, and kind." Mala said thinking about how she had almost never seen Smokey without their hair covering their left eye, "They also have to be smart, my friend," Mala continued noticing that Smokey's eyes were the most beautiful chocolate brown color she had ever seen, "and they have to have a yo-yo and be ready to my pillow."
Smokey gulped as Mala sat right next to them.
"Wow that's really specific." Smokey said trying to ignore the warm feeling in their chest.
"Yup." Mala said softly as she took Smokey's hand, "I know one person who meets all those details too."
"You do?" They asked quietly.
"Yeah." Mala whispered to them, "Is it okay if I kiss you?"
"You really want to?" Smokey asked nervously, worried that Mala was only doing this to get back at Steven.
"Yup but only if you'll let me." Mala said softly giving them a kind smile. Smokey just nodded nervously as they leaned towards Mala.
It seemed that time itself slowed so that the brief few seconds before Mala kissed them would feel an lifetime had passed with each one. Yet when their lips connected that feeling was increased tenfold. While it had only lasted a few seconds their first kiss felt like it would never end. It was soft and nervous but it made them both feel strange. It was as if they had both been unknowingly incomplete their entire lives and when they kissed they became complete.
"Woah." Smokey said as they broke the kiss.
"Yup." Mala said brushing Smokey's bangs out of their face, "Have I ever told you how beautiful your eyes are?"
Smokey just shook their head feeling very lightheaded all of a sudden.
"Well they are the most beautiful brown color I've ever seen." Mala said, "I also like your freckles and your laugh."
"Thanks." Smokey said nervously before asking, "Mala why are you telling me this?"
"I'm telling you because I want you to know." Mala answered simply.
"Your not just trying to get back at Steven?"
"No. I'm happy for him and Connie."
"Then why me?" Smokey asked quietly.
"Because you're one of my best friends and I like you." Mala answered simply, "I'm sorry if I'm making you feel weird or uncomfortable." She added hanging her head.
"You're not. It's just I just don't want to be a replacement for Steven." Smokey said quietly. "You're not because you're Smokey and there is no one else like you out there." Mala said making Smokey smile
"Are you sure?" Smokey inquired.
"Positive." Mala said as she tried to take Smokey's hand only for them to pull away from her, "I can stop and give you some space if you want."
"NO!" Smokey shouted, "I mean no, don't...um...can I kiss you again?"
"Yes." Mala said with a smile.
"Okay." Smokey replied before kissing her again, "So are we partners now?" They asked as they finished the kiss.
"Only if you want to be." Mala answered sheepishly.
"Yeah, I do." Smokey answered.
"Yes!" Mala squealed, "Let's go tell them."
"No need everyone saw y'all." Stephanie said as they walked past them, "Now come on let's go dance."
Mala felt dumbstruck as she saw Steven and Connie waving at them from further up on the beach. While Smokey just laughed at the blush on their girlfriend's face.
"Come on Mala let's go dance." Smokey said as they grabbed her arm and ran to Steven and Connie.
Pearl watched with a smile as she saw Steven happily singing along with Mala, Smokey and Connie to the song that was playing. It was as if everything that had happened recently was just a bad dream and not reality. This was her baby's day and she would be damned if anyone took that away from him.
As the song came to a close a high pitched nasally voice suddenly started to shout catching everyone's attention.
"Armthyst! Amethissst! Ametits! Haha tits!" The drunken voice giggled, "Iz meh bootiful! I wana talk!"
Amethyst felt all the color drain from her voice as she heard the voice.
Of all the possible times she decided to show up and try and hash things out. She just had to choose today.
She just had to show up shit faced to Steven's birthday.
"Peridot go home." Pearl ordered as the short blonde woman stumbled into view holding a brown paper bag in her left hand.
Her dirty blonde hair was messy and uncombed falling down to cover her face. Her dark green maple leaf t-shirt was dirty and her dark blue jeans were badly torn.
"Not twil Ametwits talks ta meh." Peridot slurred before taking a drink, "Seh neds ta onderstan tha I'm sowry. I live har boot I live fookin Lapuz toh."
The moment Peridot had slurred Lapis's name everyone stopped dead in their tracks. It was as if
Peridot's drunken words had been connected to a switch that froze everything in place.
No one moved, took a breath or even made a sound for a full minute after the words left her mouth. Even the gentle ocean breeze and the sound of waves stopped. It was as if the entire world had been shocked by Peridot's drunken confession.
"What did you say?" Mala asked breaking the tense silence.
"I sawd I live Ametis boot I live fookin Lapiz toh." Peridot slurred with a grin, "Liwk ra naty bawl sappity fookin hah Mal."
No one could really say what happened in the brief moment between Peridot finishing her sentence and her body hitting the sand of beach as Mala proceed to beat the hell out of her. If the inhuman scream that echoed in everyone's ears for what felt like hours after it left her throat was any indicator, Mala had not only realized that Peridot was the actual reason for so many of the problems that had occurred lately (including but not limited to her parents divorce) but she had completely snapped.
She was literally foaming at the mouth as she was drug into the beach house kicking and screaming. Saying she was absolutely livid was an understatement and if it hasn't been for Pearl and Garnet dragging her off of Peridot there was a high probability of her actually severely hurting her and not just breaking her nose, busting her lip and giving her a black eye.
Greg somehow managed to quickly stumble without his crutches to Steven and Smokey, pulling them both towards the beach house, while giving Stephanie a look to do the same with Connie.
"Amethyst call Jasper. Now." He ordered as he let go of Smokey's hand and threw Amethyst his phone, "Nancy check on her."
"Okay." Navy and Amethyst both said in unison.
Though everyone had been shocked by what had happened, that shock quickly gave way to other emotions.
Steven felt a white hot anger burn in his chest as he realized that Peridot and Amethyst hadn't broken up because of her trying to kill herself but because she was cheating with Lapis. How could they both do that to Amethyst and Jasper? Amethyst loved Peridot so much and Jasper was Lapis's wife. What if the reason Amethyst tried to kill herself because she found out about them and not because she was just depressed?
Smokey felt a pit form in stomach as she thought about what would happen to Mala. Their birth mother had been sent to jail for ten years for what she had done to them and Mala had actually beat up Peridot just like their mother had regularly hit them. What was going to happen to her? They wouldn't take her away would they? They couldn't take her away. Mala had made a mistake because she was angry and didn't mean to hurt Peridot.
Amethyst felt guilt overcome herself as she called Jasper. Peridot was here to see her. If she had only talked to Peridot sooner than she wouldn't have shown up today. She wouldn't have told everyone the awful truth and she most definitely wouldn't have gotten hurt.
Pearl and Greg were positively livid for similar yet oddly different reasons. After everything that had happened in the past month Steven deserved to have one day where nothing went wrong. A day where he could be happy and not have to worry about all the bullshit that had happened recently. A day just for him and Peridot had effectively ruined that.
Pearl was also mad that she was going to be held partially responsible for Mala's actions which
would most definitely have a negative effect on the social services investigation.
Greg on the other hand was angry that the kids had learned what happened with Lapis and Peridot. With the exception of Stephanie, they were barely teenagers and most definitely didn't need to have that drama brought in their lives. He would most definitely apologize to every one of their parents for had happened. It also broke his heart into a million pieces knowing that Mala would have to spend the rest of her life with the pain of knowing her mother cheated. He knew from first hand experience that particular pain made it difficult to connect and trust people and now because of Peridot she would have to live with that pain.
"Calm down." Pearl ordered as they pulled her into the living room.
"LET ME GO!" Mala screamed as she struggled to get out of Garnet and Pearl's grip, "LET ME FUCKING GO!"
"Mallory calm down." Garnet ordered, "I understand that angry and hurt by you can't let that anger get the best of you."
"FUCK YOU!" Mala spat, "FUCK THAT STUPID BITCH! FUCK EVERYONE!"
"Mala it's okay." Greg said as Pearl and Garnet let go of her, "It's gonna be okay."
"NO IT'S NOT!" Mala shouted at him as tears began to run down her face, "No it's not!" She begin to sob as she felt Greg pull her into a tight hug, "Why! Why would Ma do this Mom? Why? Why? Why?"
"I don't know Mala but I know it's gonna be okay." He whispered to her, "Jasper will be here soon to pick you up and it's gonna be okay. You'll be okay."
As she sobbed into his shoulder Mala realized why Jasper had cherished his friendship so much. He was a good person. While Garnet and Pearl had drug her off of Peridot and practically dropped her on the floor, simply telling her to calm down he had tried to comfort her. He had went out of his way to make sure that she would be okay but he wasn't the only one. If the sudden tightness of the hug and the sudden increase in the voices telling her that'd it be okay were any indicator she was surrounded by people who cared.
Steven and Smokey had joined the hug only moments after Mala began to weep into Greg's shoulder. Stephanie and Connie had both followed suit seconds after, both feeling their hearts break at her pain. As Amethyst got off the phone with Jasper she shrugged off Garnet's attempts to stop her from doing anything stupid and joined in on the hug and began to apologize profusely to Mala.
While they were inside comforting Mala, Navy had made sure Peridot was seriously hurt. Snapping her fingers in front of her face she was relieved that she reacting to the sound as well as an inebriated person could.
"You're lucky Mala didn't hurt ya worse Blondie." Navy said angrily as she helped Peridot up, "Poor kid she didn't need to know about you and that bitch mom of hers."
"Thts net ah niece ward." Peridot slurred. "How'd you get here?" Navy asked irritated. "I droved here." Peridot said taking a drinking from the bottle she had yet to let go of.
"Where's your car parked." Navy asked resisting the urge to throttle the blonde. "I downt neh. Someweh ever deer." Peridot said swaying her arm.
"I'll take her home. You watch Amethyst." Garnet ordered as she lifted Peridot off her feet making her squeal in delight.
"Alright." Navy replied walking into the beach house wondering who she felt worse for, Mala or Steven.
Falling on to the couch Pearl felt drained. She not only had to apologize to Jasper who didn't even seem to register what she heard, she had to make Steven was okay and to nobody's surpise he wasn't. Though hie reasons foe being angry with Peridot weren't what she expected. He wasn't bothered that she crashed his party drunk as hell but he was bothered by what she and Lapis did to Jasper and Amethyst. He then said he was gonna take a nap and try to calm down.
Then there was Greg, who practically had to be drug out of the beach house. He had actually insisted on staying but at Sapphire's insistence he left so he could cool down and said he'd call Steven in an hour or so. Garnet had decided to take Peridot home and had called Pearl telling her that Navy should go so she could help Greg and that Amethyst should be accounted for at all times until she got back. So despite Amethyst's protests she was sitting next to Pearl on the couch.
Letting out a tired sigh Pearl resisted the urge to scream as she heard a loud knock at the door. Standing up she could only imagine who was waiting for her. Opening the door Pearl was surprised to see a tall stocky woman with long rainbow colored dreadlocks.
"Hi Pearl." The woman said casually.
"Emily?" Pearl asked shocked as she looked the woman up and down.
"The one and only." The tall woman said with a smile.
"Emily!" Pearl said excitedly as she hugged her tightly.
"Take it easy Pearl." The woman joked hoping Pearl hadn't accidentally opened up her stitches with that tight ass bear hug.
"Sorry. It's just been a long day and I'm so happy to see you." Pearl said excitedly, "I haven't seen you in years. Where have you been?"
"Well I've been out of the country until recently." She replied with a laugh.
"Who's here, Pearl?" Amethyst asked as she tiredly walked to the door.
"An old family friend." Pearl replied as she let Emily in.
"Hi, I'm Emily but most people call me Bismuth." She said holding out her hand to Amethyst.