Love Bites! Chapter 3

Unwanted Attention

"Wake up! We're late! We have one hour to get ready!"

Steven slowly opened his eyes as he felt a pair of hands wildly shake his chest. In surprise he saw Pearl with unkempt hair and half closed eyes. Dry drool was formed from the corner of her lip as well as seeing her have a hunched back. Behind her on the lower level, he could see Amethyst quickly brushing her hair while having a piece of unfinished toast in her mouth. Garnet was nowhere to be seen.

"Eat something quickly and please take a shower. You don't want to go to your first date in a smelling horribly right?"

"Wait...what time is it?" Steven asked in confusion between yawns.

"Time for you to take a bath...haha." Amethyst clumsily mumbled with the food in her mouth.

"Amethyst! You know that you will need one too in order to look presentable, but there's no time. Steven's date is more important than our 'special girls' night out.' " Pearl retorted back with annoyance, "Now go and change clothes. Garnet is already ahead of everyone and is probably ready by now."

The purple gem rolled her eyes and nodded her head, "Fine. I'll go in my room and get ready. You too should get ready or you'll never attract anyone like that." And with those words, the short girl ran to the temple door, opened it and stepped inside, leaving the scene behind her.

"Uh, what t-time is it P-pearl?" Steven asked again, stuttering this time from hearing the negative tone in Pearl's voice.

"It's nearly six pm. We overslept. I don't even recall what even happened last night. We were even sleeping on the floor." The gentle gem said in disgust, "I'm leaving now to get ready. I expect to see you all bathed when I return so I can fix your hair and adjust your clothes. Okay Steven?"

The young male gem widened his eyes and instantly got up from his bed. His mind was still in the process of accepting the fact that it was nearly six at night. He only had one hour until he met Connie, near the doors of the kids' friendly party place.

"Yes ma'am!" Steven saluted in answer which made Pearl grunt.

Pearl lightly patted his head and dashed to the temple door. In less than ten seconds, she opened her door with her gemstone and left Steven behind.

Okay. Take a shower. Steven assured himself mentally, grabbing a towel that was hanging in his closet. Next, he grabbed his sandals and proceeded to the bathroom. To the shower.

As the child walked past the bathroom, he could've sworn that he heard something from the kitchen's side of the room. Hisses and raspy legs tapping against the floor scattered throughout the area. Steven's eyes moved from left to right, fearing that it was a creature in which he had no power against. Cautiously and quietly, he ran to the bathroom and locked the door behind him.

"What was that thing?" Steven loudly questioned to himself. He scratched his chin and looked up toward the ceiling in wonder, folding his arms until he was startled by a voice coming from the living room.

"Steven? You ready for some advice?" The deep voice rang through the door.

The young gem sheepishly smiled and quickly turned the handles of the shower. He even struggled as he was taking his shirt off.

"Are you kidding me Garnet? I didn't even take a shower yet!"

...

Every one of the gems was all ready for their 'special' night. Garnet had on a tight red black dress that went over her knees. She even wore black pumps and a black leather jacket. Her hairstyle was still the same and her shades remained the same. However, Garnet didn't really care much about fashion. She always found it annoying at times as she fixed herself and her cubed hair, but this time especially with her short dress as she was sitting down on the couch. Beside her was Amethyst who slouched back and stared at the ceiling with a wide grin on her face.

"Really Amethyst? That's your outfit..." Pearl stated, "You don't look like a proper young lady. Instead, very uhh...vulgar."

Amethyst laughed at her companion's statement. Her heeled black boots tapped rhythmically against the floor as she patted her black furred vest. She wore white skinny jeans and a loose purple short sleeved shirt, revealing the amethyst gem in her chest.

"You're just jealous at the amount of attention I'm going to gain. Don't worry though P. You look pretty as a flower too."

Pearl looked down at her outfit, rechecking the condition of her clothes. It was a light cream pink flowing dress, passing down her knees and it was sleeveless, showing her bare arms without a jacket. Her long legs wiggled over her sandal wedges, as she was having a hard time adjusting to walking in heels.

"At least with a little more class..." She hissed under her breath, checking the clock that hung on the right side of the room. "Steven! You're going to be late!"

Just after her words, the rose gem child came into view with a frown on his face. He wore a black suit with a red tie, as well as flowers and a box of chocolates in one hand. His hair was greased back; making it look like it was straightened. Beads of sweat dripped down his neck as he was anxious on how his date would go.

"Uhh...I feel really uncomfortable." Steven whimpered as he tried to stretch out his suit, but failed.

"You look so manly and adorable! Connie will definitely fall for you by the end of the day!" Pearl sweetly said, getting a scorn from Amethyst.

"Poor kid. I feel sorry for you." The purple gem got up from her seat and made her way to Steven. "You just need some touch ups by me."

Amethyst ruffled Steven's gelled hair and loosened his collar and tie. She even rolled up his long sleeves, exposing his arms.

"Now you're good. You look like a bad boy."

Pearl snickered and rolled her eyes. There was no arguing with Amethyst sometimes due to her stubbornness. Instead to get her mind off things, she walked to the door and rested her head against it. Her blue eyes watched the light waves brushed on the beach and something told her that bad things are going to happen. Behind her, she could hear Garnet call Steven over.

"Alright, Steven I promised you some advice and here it is. First off, never be someone you're not. It will instantly make Connie dislike you since you're not acting as the friend she knows. Second, be polite and have your manners. Being rude will just make you seem immature and many people are going to negatively judge you. Last, just be yourself and everything will run smoothly with no problems. Understood?"

Steven nodded, understanding her words and noted the advice in his mind.

"Alright. It's understood." He quickly gave Garnet a hug and ran to the door.

"Let's go. It's ten to seven and I want to get there early." Garnet loudly said, gaining the attention of everybody. She walked past Pearl while being followed by Amethyst.

"You coming Pearl?" Amethyst asked without turning around to look directly at her.

"Oh, yes! First, we'll go and drop off Steven then we'll go to the club. Right?"

Garnet nodded in response. Her hands were seen pushing down the edges of her dress. Just anyone could tell the bitter thoughts occurring in the gem's mind by her deep huffs. And yet for those reasons, Garnet assured herself that she would never wear another dress after that night was over.

Ten minutes went by of the gems struggling in their outfits until they reached the boardwalk. Soft rock played in the overhead as chattering of many people went among it. However, many eyes and heads turned to the Crystal Gems as they went by. Some men even wolf whistled as they walked, making Pearl glare at them and pressed her boney fingers into wrists.

"Look at those gorgeous babes! Do you girls even have boyfriends? Hey, hot crystal babes? Want to be with us?" Is what the men shouted across the road with lustful looks, air kisses, and winks directed to the magical ladies.

"Ugh! Where are your manners? We're not interested in you-" Pearl loudly spat back at them, but was cut off by the short gem.

"Calm down Pearl. They're just complimenting us. They're just telling us that we're hot looking." Amethyst seductively pouted her lips and posed in the center of the boardwalk, making the pearl gem angrier than ever. "Look at me guys! I'm single and looking for my special man! Heck, even Pearl and Garnet here are single too! We just want to have some 'fun' tonight!"

Garnet rolled her eyes, lightly pushing Steven away from the embarrassing scene while Pearl stood there, her face blushed in a deeply blue tone. The gem thought that she would never receive attention from men, due to her duties of saving humanity and not having the time for dating, but this time she didn't even know how to react to this. Instead, Pearl took Amethyst's hand and forcefully pulled her away from the attention.

"Aw...you're killing my vibe, Pearl. I could've had a special valentine tonight..."

"But you're just embarrassing yourself and Steven is already late to his date!" Pearl argued back and could even feel the undesired stares burning through her.

"Oh well." Amethyst looked back at everyone behind her and waved, "Goodbye guys! I'm going to be out partying with my girls here! Also, I'm Amethyst in case anybody is interested..."

"Just come on!"

...

Where is he? He's twenty minutes late. Please tell me that he's fine and isn't injured from one of his 'gem adventures'...

Connie stood at the door of a tall black building and in her hands was a small blue teddy bear saying, 'Best Friends 4 Life.' A frown was formed on her face as she saw many kids enter the party area with their dates, hand in hand. The young girl leaned against the door, her arms folded, and began to impatiently tap her foot. With one hand, she reached up to adjust her glasses and then fluffed her hair that was being held with a red bow. Part of her was anxious about her first date while the other was just filled with joy, knowing that she is going to have fun with Steven.

It's not a date. Pretend that it's another ordinary day hanging out with Steven...and that I won't mess up...no, he's a good guy. He won't dislike me...hopefully.

A deep weight of butterflies came to her stomach, making her lightly jump from the discomfort it had. She dusted off her red dress that her mother bought for her for another occasion, but Connie figured that it was the perfect dress for her first date. From a small distance, she saw a tall familiar figure with a shorter figure beside them, making her emotion change to glee.

"Steven? Is that you?" Connie's eyes squinted as she tried to get a better view of the two figures and did indeed found out that it was the gems. Garnet came with Steven, making Connie smile and run up to them. She politely waved at the leader of the gems and lightly punched her friend on the arm.

"Hey Connie! Happy Valentine's Day! Sorry for being late. I bought you some gifts." Steven greeted her and awkwardly pushed his gifts into her hands. He foolishly grinned with sweat dripping down on his forehead. By this signs, Connie could tell that he was completely nervous.

"Uh, you look pretty today. Or uh...beautiful…" The young gem quietly muttered making Connie giggle.

"Thanks Steven and Happy Valentine's Day too. Wow, you bought me a lot of stuff." Connie sweetly thanked him, "Here, I bought you a teddy bear. It's cute and fitting." With one hand, she held out the small blue doll indicating for him to take it.

"Also, I like your outfit. You look like a grown up."

Steven lightly laughed, his eyes moving to the ground in embarrassment while accepting his present. His cheeks flushed pink in just seconds and his hands were locked behind his back. Beside the two friends, stood the Crystal Gems, silently observing their interactions. No matter how much Pearl or Amethyst wanted to laugh or squeal from seeing this adorable moment, they knew that they had to remain calm.

"Well Happy Valentine's Day, Connie. We need to leave now. Right gems?" Garnet turned to her companions and received sighs of agreement.

"Bye Steven. Enjoy your date with Connie and you better be home by eleven."

The red gem smiled at the both of them and went behind the two younger gems, directing them to leave the two kids at peace. But before they walked out of their site, Pearl turned around and quickly dashed toward Steven, just to give him a hug. The boy tried his best to get out of their bonding moment until he heard Pearl whisper, "Don't worry Steven. Just be yourself, like Garnet said, and everything will be okay."

...

A long line consisted of young free adults stood outside a strange looking building. Girls were dressed in classy dresses and tight pants as well as having their face heavily caked with makeup. Many guys were even heavily scented with cologne and were wearing leather or short sleeved shirts revealing their muscles. Many were seen smiling and playfully dancing to the loud beat from inside the club. It was clear that the night is young and all that was desired was a good time partying.

"We're here gems. Can you hear the sweet beat run through your ears?" Pearl excitedly announced to the rest behind her.

"Yes. Finally! I'm going to show these humans how to dance, Crystal Gem style!" Amethyst began to lightly dance while walking to the crowd, earning her a few teases from the humans. The gem though didn't care as she stood in front of the line, gesturing for Pearl and Garnet to come closer. The gems however, were given a glare by a woman behind Amethyst.

"Crystal Aliens right? Get in the back of the line cause you literally just cut us all, you weird things!" The woman harshly told the gems, making Amethyst turn around instantly.

"Okay, I have no idea who you are, but we're the Crystal Gems. Not the Crystal Aliens and we can-" Amethyst began to threaten her, but was paused by Garnet.

"That's enough. We're sorry uh..."

"Jessica. I'm the richest girl in Beach City and I'm here to have fun with the guys and my friends, not run into a couple of weirdoes like you."

Pearl and Amethyst gave their newly supposed enemy a death stare, while Garnet just remained her neutral self; or at least she tried to. The red gem pulled the two gems further back, leaving Jessica satisfied with her command being done. The tan skinned woman gave them a disgusted smirk and flipped her long brown hair behind her shoulders. Jessica was known as a queen bee.

At a safer distance and all the way at the back of the line, Amethyst roared in anger as she saw Jessica pointing at them and laughs. The gem even was silently cursing under her breath. There were many times when a human would discriminate the gems due to their magical powers, but those words would often hurt them. These were the humans that they had to protect, but the tables would turn when it was just harsh direct words given to the gems.

"That girl makes me angry. I don't like her one bit." Amethyst spoke loudly, but was unnoticed. "You saw the way she treated us?! We'll show her who she should not to mess with..."

Her gem was slowly glowing as she reached for her whip until Garnet slapped her hand away. She shook her head while mouthing, no, meaning that whatever the youngest gem had in mind will cause a big problem.

"I understand what that human said was wrong, but she has a point. You just stood there in front of everybody who was patiently waiting in line for the doors to open. Using your weapon will even get us more hatred and you know that we should never use our weapons on humans. It can instantly kill them." Pearl quietly stated, her eyes moving around the scene making her slightly smile when her own eyes met another man's. "Please keep in mind that we're here to distract ourselves and have fun...as well as trying to get lucky with a date..."

The rest of the Crystal Gems gave Pearl a confused face, wondering if the gem knew what she was saying. Pearl though wasn't the only one who desired a taste of what dating and being held in a man's arms is like. Amethyst too was curious enough about love, but didn't want to take anything seriously since she still wanted to enjoy her youth. For Garnet, she did experience dating with unpleasant results. Her ex would often question her missions and was way too overprotective, but most of all he wanted Garnet to live a normal human life. From knowing this, the gem immediately broke up with him and never heard a word from him again. As a leader, she would always put her duties and powers before love for a man she didn't have any interest at all. The back love experiences were scarce for the gems which made them long for a true man who would always be by their side and would accept them for who they were. Most of all, he would accept the ways and traditions of the Crystal Gems.

Pearl sighed as she saw two lovers walk by with their arms intertwined with another. The star gazing look that they had for each other and their quick passionate kiss is what made Pearl envy them. Her heart felt like it fell into her stomach making her look drop to the ground in sadness.

"Oh gems...I desperately want the love of another man. I have always dreamed about love which brings me great ecstasy. I can even imagine the dates my boyfriend would take me. We would go and walk on the beach at sunset with his arms wrapped around my waist, go see ballets or theater shows, eat fancy dinners at classy restaurants, and even dance to slow music underneath the gracious stars that will kindly bless our love. Oh, I also want my first kiss so I can feel that spark that everyone gets when they kiss the one they're meant to be with. I'm not sure about marriage or anything else yet, but I just want to know what love really is and tonight I want to get the answer for my question. I want to hear those three words that will make my heart stop; I love you."

Aww... Will the gems ever experience love and how will Steven's date go? Will it be good or bad? Also, what is Jessica's problem? Find out in the next chapter of this story as I will surprise you all and the unexpected will happen. :)

In other news, I want to apologize for updating this very late. I'm extremely busy with school work and I have tons of rehearsals for an upcoming musical I'm in. So again I'm sorry. However, expect an update for Raising Steven this Sunday or Monday. (It depends on my schedule too) Quick thing, I opened up a poll on my profile stating which should be my next story after this one is done. Please check it out, but if you already voted, good for you! :D

Don't forget to review/follow/favorite/share this story! It is what keeps my stories alive! Thanks! :)

-Shining Gem