It was late, Pearl paced back and forth worry dragging her face down. Her eyes every so often glanced at the clock, each minute and second that passed increased her stress. What was the time now? Was it 8? Or was 8:05? No, she stops for a few seconds to read the clock, it was nine!
Where was Steven? It pass his normal time, well normal by him not checking in with her. Sighing heavily throws up her arms. "Steven, where are you?" She whispers.
Her concerns were understandable, considering how he's been lately, since the discovery and return of his Aunt. Of Snow. He's become rather...devoted, putting it lightly about her. And ever since she fled to who-knows-where, Steven has put a lot of strain on himself in finding her. But, Pearl knew, just like the rest, Snow if she didn't want to be found knew how to make it so. Like the wind she could vanish, just as she did...before.
Fourteen years ago.
A memory that fumed Pearl, but, also rose pain. Slowing her pacing, recalling a brief moment of that day. She could still hear it, as if it happened right now. It echoed in her mind. Looking at the empty spot, everything...the house was gone. She was on the beach standing with the others, and Greg. Watching the two...sisters. Snow's face darken, her eyes livid with anger, and her voice breaking shouting words that didn't strike Pearl and the others, but visibly pierced Rose. Who stood there with shattered eyes, from Snow's words.
Not expecting them to be said and where Snow pointed at on Rose, spewing words like a cruse at it, harden her eyes at Rose. Slicing them to Greg, a look that was colder than cold. Her gems glowed, frightening the man who felt her fury whip across his cheeks or could have just been the air. Whatever it was, Pearl, remembered Rose standing and shielding Greg.
Naked.
Snow armed, withdrew her intentions and cast her back to Rose. To them all.
Yes.
Pearl remembered, that day. And she knew Snow remembered it too. The sunken guilt in her blue eyes when she saw them, all of them. She turned and fled, just as she did before. Clenching her shaking hand, burning. Snow had no right, no right at all to be here. To be in Steven's life. It was best that she was gone and left the planet or went somewhere else.
Steven was with them, he had his family. He didn't need...need...
"I'm home."Steven announces entering. Before he could take another step Pearl had him in her tight arms.
Squeezing him. "Oh, Steven!" She cries. "Where were you? Do you have any idea what time it is?"
Trying to breath he manages to squeeze an eye open and read the time. Answers mumbling in her shoulder. She didn't hear, getting his mouth free repeats it. "It's only 8:30."
Pearl turns to look. The clock read what Steven said. "Oh," she calms down, standing up looking away. Clears her throat. "well, I suppose...Where were you?" She nearly shouts, changing the topic.
"I was out."
"Out? Out where? Do you know how much I was worried about you?"
"Oh," Steven said looking to the side. "sorry. I didn't mean to." Apologizing.
Taking a deep breath, Pearl composes her. Smoothing back the few strands that fell from her hair. "That's alright. It's just, I know how tired you've been lately and well, a good nights rest does wonders for..umm...ah..human bodies. But, normally you'd be back at least by six or so, after putting up some flyers." Her eyes noticed he still had some. He saw and hides the remaining behind his back. "You didn't put them all up?"
There was a surprise in her voice. Steven swallows. "Well, I just...I just got side track." Looking away. Shuffling his feet. It took every ounce of him to hold back the words jumping on his tongue he wanted to say.
Pearl arched brow rested. "Alright." She said rather relived. "Well, then I guess I'll just take these." Reaching for his remaining flyers, taking them and throws them away. Dusting her hands off. "There. No need for that anymore."
Steven tinges a bit, at the way Pearl just threw his flyers away happily. Again the words on his tongue wanted to scream out, but he bit his tongue. Shhh, he couldn't say a thing. No matter how much he wanted to. Pearl turns around he quickly puts on a smile. A wavering one.
"How about some dinner? Hmm?" She asked smiling.
The house fell quiet, yet Steven laid awake, it was now going on...ten-thirty. Time was ticking slowly, yet at the same time fast. Excitement trembled all through his body, it was hard to conceal its rising. Using a pillow covers his face, finally, he found his aunt.
Snow.
After so long searching for her, they finally reunited. She was just as thrilled to see him as he was. He wanted to tell the others, but, couldn't. He promised not to. Snow, she asked him not to.
I can't wait to tell the others. Steven said thrilled.
Snow nearly dropped the tray of donuts she was carrying. "No!" She nearly panics. "I mean, no." She said calmly. "It is best not to tell them, Steven."
"Why? I know it wasn't the happiest reunion with you guys, but-"
"It is best that you do not. At least, for the time being. I am not fully ready and.."her voice trails to the side. "they are not either."
Steven wasn't sure what she meant by that, but the sullen look sinking in her eyes told him, it was painful her. "Alright, I won't." Her face lights back up. Smiling gratefully. A look of relief on her face.
"Thank you, Steven."
That look of relief was the same, Steven realized like Pearl's. Both of them had it, just using if different ways. He wondered why, sitting up from the thought disrupting his sleep. What happened, another question rising now. Flopping back on his back staring at the ceiling. At a single spot. Flopping his feet up and down. A silent, heavy sigh leaves his lips.
"...Snow..." he yawns with a stretch. Eyes slowly flutter to a close. "...Snow..."
You stare up at the night sky, from Sadie's room, Steven on your mind. A single tear rolling down, not aware it fell. Until the second one came, touching it gasped and quickly wipe them away. Stopping them from coming. It didn't seem to work, you felt them rising again. So you shut your eyes, tight. To be reminded why they began to appear after...fourteen years.
There standing before you, in the isolation of darkness, spreading light. The only light, their hand out for you to take. Waiting. Smiling so kindly.
Rose.
You wanted to grab it so bad, refuse. Holding your hand to your chest. Clenching it. Drop your eyes, tears fall from you, hitting your feet like rain. Shuffle back, away from her. Burying your head more.
"Snow."
Your eyes and head shoot up, finding Sadie instead of Rose. Holding a towel for you. "Here's your towel, you okay?"
Touching under eyes, feel them dry. Good. Take the towel. "Yes, I am alright. Just, thinking." Put the towel on your hair and began to pat it dry. Humming softly. "I am just thrilled, to finally be able to see, Steven. Yes," your voice softens. "I am glad, to see Steven."
