This is just a short chapter that was originally going to be a scene in the last chapter but because it was already going too long, I've decided to cut it and just have it be its own thing. Not much happens here, it's just one scene. A cute scene, yes, but still important. Anyway, I hope you enjoy!

The Day Before

It was Friday, the day before the parade. The boardwalk seemed rather quiet as well as a tad bit deserted, probably due to all the anticipation. Steven was taking a casual walk along this usual route checking up on it. He didn't seem exuberant as he usually was, more quiet really than anything. Stuff going through his mind, not the kind of things that would keep one up at night, but the stuff an eleven year old or in this case, Steven was going through.

He saw the road that would be where the floats would cross and panned his head left and right rather than just walking along it. He could imagine dozens of people cheering, laughing, applauding, having a great time as they saw the colorful and creative floats slowly making their way on the road. Then another float came to mind, his. He saw his dad's home/float making its way through with him in his cute little jumpsuit waving at the individuals with a smile on his face while turning his head left and right making sure he got everyone.

He thought of something and ran to the familiar location that was his dad's car wash shop. When he got there, he noticed the van wasn't there. It was there when he checked the back though in all it's clothed and sponged glory. His and dad and him truly did a great job with it and he couldn't wait to show it off. He approached it and poked his finger at the sponge surrounding the vehicle.

"Ooh, squishy." he giggled.

Another mind came to him and he went to the supplies room. Locked. However, he knew where dad kept the key; under a rock.

"Hello, Mr. Key. Why are you living under a rock? You should be out seeing the world!" he stated to the inanimate object before sliding it into the doorknob.

He came out the room with the ladder his dad used to get up a couple days ago. Yeah, it was a bit big for him, which is why he's dragging it from one side like a rag doll. He was careful with it however, trying to get it to balance on the side and have it stick so he doesn't fall off. After that, he slowly but surely climbs his way up to the top of the van and sat down on the sponge bed. It wasn't exactly a great view as one side was completely blocked off by the back wall of the car wash but Steven didn't really care. To him, that wall was the right side of the boardwalk with the residents looking up to him. He raised his right hand and started waving, looking down on the ground where people were present in his mind. He then put his arm down and lifted the left one up while his head turned right.

"Hi, wall!" exclaimed Steven, then repeated said steps for a bit. Well, except for the wall part. That was a one time only.

The exposed door to the van opened up with Greg stepping out yawning.

"Hey Dad!" Steven waved as he was facing that direction anyway. "Have a good nap?"

"Hey Stewball." Greg finished yawning. "Should've known it was you making all that ruckus."

"Sorry about that." Steven scratched his head. "I was just testing this thing out."

"I can see that. You excited?" Greg asked making his way up the ladder.

"Yeah, I'm excited...I guess." The uppity mood that always seemed to be a part of Steven was starting to degrade a tad bit.

"What's wrong, Steven?" His father questioned his son's odd mood.

Steven sighed, "I guess I'm just thinking about something Garnet said. The gems said that I still can't go on any missions until I learn how my gem works and she said that my job for now is just to be friends with people so that when the time comes, I can help them."

"Well, that's easy." Greg reassured. "You have plenty of friends. You have me too."

"Yeah, I know, Dad. I like them too and want to get to know them more...but sometimes I wish I had someone my age to be around with, you know? Someone I can play with or talk to about whatever and just...be a kid with."

"Oh, I see." Greg pondered for a moment, wondering what to say to his son who feels like this. After a bit, he felt like he had the answer. "Well, you know, when I was your age, I didn't have many friends."

"Really?" Steven's eyes grew big as he questioned this newfound information about his father.

"Yeah, I was always picked on, never taken seriously, well, except for my parents and a few of the neighbors but never anyone close to my age. Which is why I left to pursue music in the first place. That'd way maybe somebody out there would listen to me and what I have to say. Then I met your mother and...well, you know the rest."

Steven smiled as he always loved hearing any information about his mom.

"So I guess what I'm saying is be patient. Yeah, it may not take forever like your old man, but you're still young. I'm sure there are plenty of kids who want to be friends with you and vice versa and stuff."

Steven glanced at his Dad, the smile on his face still intact. "You think so?"

"I know so, you little goofball!" Greg smooshed his hand all over his son's hair trying to mess it up. Steven laughed and placed his hands on his Dad's trying to stop it. "And don't worry about whether or not they'll like you or not because remember; If every pork chop were perfect..."

"We wouldn't have hot dogs!" Steven chimed in along with this father, both of them laughing.

"Thanks, Dad." said Steven, now completely reassured.

"Now that we got you out of that slump, you wanna go grab a bite to eat with your old man?"

Steven got up from the sponge bed, "You know I do!"

Greg chuckled, "Okay, get on my back."

Steven did just that and Greg commenced walking down the ladder.

"Phew, you're getting heavy there. How many Cookie Cats have you eaten?"

"Dad!"

"I kid, I kid." Greg chuckled as he started walking towards the boardwalk with Steven in tow.

"So are you excited for tomorrow now?" Greg asked.

Steven raised his arms and hollered in excitement.

"Me too."

A/N: Stay tuned for the next chapter! :D