What's this? I'm not dead?

Ok but seriously, I'm sorry for the super long wait, just to get this pathetically short chapter. In case you didn't know (lol), school started! Disgusting, right?!

I have some news...

1. I can't figure out how this fic will end. rip

2. I started another fic! "There'll be peace when you are done" A Carry On/Wayward Son fic. maybe you could.. check it out? *puppy eyes emoji face*

3. I'M WRITING AN ORIGINAL NOVELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Connie

Lion leaps from his portal, Moss Agate is clinging onto my shoulders. She looks absolutely terrified. Lion's paws scuff against the beach floor, kicking up sand. The gem behind me lets out a soft gasp and her eyes are wide.

"I'll take you straight to the house and the Gems." I pat Lion's neck and he jolts forward. There's a few people on the beach, but they're used to seeing Lion by now, unless they're tourists (which there's a lot of).

Lion halts outside the beach house. I jump off and hold my hand out politely to the gem. She takes it and gets off Lion's back.

"Thank you very much." She's not looking at me, she's looking up at the house. She looks beyond nervous.

"Do you want me to come up with you?"

"Yes, please." She turns to me now.

"Alright! Come on." I start up the stairs and I can hear her behind me. Once I'm at the top, I creak open the door. Pearl is sitting down at the table, Amethyst is on the couch, and I don't see Garnet or Greg anywhere. I hold the door open and Moss Agate walks in. I clear my throat. Pearl looks up and nearly falls from her chair.

"Moss!?" She runs over and gives Moss Agate a hug, "We thought- We thought you were shattered!"

"Not quite."

Mable

I'm trying to find Steven, I'm not sure where he went. In the woods somewhere I think. He said he was going on a walk, but that was nearly two hours ago. So I decide to trek off on my own to find him.

After thirty minutes of hiking and 10 minutes of staring at a really pretty deer I find him. Well, I think it's him. He's slumped against a tree, his breath rising and falling steadily. I suppose he just trekked out here for some peace.

"Steven?" I ask rather loudly, meaning to wake him up. It's almost time for dinner. His eyes flash open and he jumps.

"Hey, Mable." He stretches his arms upward and yawns. I get a good view of his pointy fangs.

"Can I talk to you?"

"Of course!" I love Steven. He's like a cool older brother.

"I know this is really out there, but how'd you get the scars on your back?" His face suddenly goes blank and he looks away. Uhg stupid. I should NOT have asked. But I've been meaning to ask for weeks now.

"I'd rather not talk about it. Not because I don't like sharing things with you, it's just…"

"No no, I totally get it." I place a hand on his shoulder, "Sorry for making you uncomfortable."

"It's ok." He smiles brightly, but for a moment I swear his eyes were yellow, "I was gonna call someone, but I fell asleep dialing them." He's holding that weird space phone that his friend (Perry? Parra? I don't know) made. "You can stay here and say 'hi' if you want." He presses the contact labeled "Lars".

The phone rings for thirty seconds before a pink dude answers. His body and hair are pink. Everything around Steven is pink it seems.

"Hey Steven! I thought you straight up died or something." The pink guy laughs and Steven snorts.

"Just about. But no, I'm staying in Oregon with this really nice family. This is Mabel!" He tilts the camera towards me and I wave, smiling brightly.

Sorry for this being so short. I'm actually kind ashamed posting this... But I thought you deserved to hear from me.