Steven didn't talk to them the rest of the night. By the time the three Gems had left the Temple the next morning, he was already gone.
Pearl sat at the kitchen counter, Amethyst lay on the rug, and Garnet sat on the couch, Steven's rant all still playing in their heads.
"Garnet," Pearl said after a long time of silence, "can't we just-"
"No," their leader replied. "Going to him and apologizing won't work. He won't buy it."
"But can't you see-"
"I'm not using my future vision."
Pearl went back to slumping. "He was so mad. I mean, I know this isn't the first time we've lied to him, but-"
"All those other times, we were doing it for his safety. This time, Steven was just looking out for us," Garnet said.
"You know, giant tornado fights aside, maybe we have been working too much." Amethyst leaned up, pointing her arm at the beach outside the window. "I mean, look at that. We've been on Earth for thousands of years. When have we ever actually stopped to enjoy it?"
"Well, there was that beach party with the Pizzas," Pearl said.
"That Steven planned and convinced us to attend," Garnet interrupted.
"Well, what about all the times we go to Funland?"
"We only go because Steven asks us to."
"Oh please, Amethysr goes there all the time," Pearl stated. "In fact, Amethyst, you're always doing your own thing. Wrestling, hanging with Vidalia-"
"Why'd do you think she had to keep all that stuff from us?" Garnet said. "You think we would have let her otherwise?"
Amethyst laughed, "Yeah right!" She threw her voice in an imitation of Pearl. "Oh Anethyst, why can't you stay at the Temple like a good little Gem? Why must you insist on socializing with that uncultured broad?"
"What?" Pearl cried, "I would never-!"
"Yes, you did, Pearl," Garnet said, "You only accepted her after she painted Rose."
"I practically had to drag you to your first concert," Amethyst went on, "And you only really went because of that mystery girl."
"Oh yeah, she gave me her phone number," Pearl said, before gasping. "That concert was months ago and I still haven't call her!" She jumped to her feet. "Oh, where did I put that number?!"
She started for the Temple, but Garnet stopped her. "Not the time, Pearl."
Sighing, Pearl sat back down, putting her head in her hands. "She's probably already forgotten about me by now. Garnet, could you-"
"No."
Amethysr took a seat between them. "I guess we all can admit it. We're a bunch of lying, workaholic introverts who can't switch off," She paused. "It still hurts, but it helps admitting it."
Pearl looked up, still glum. "Still, who knows when Steven will forgive us?"
At that moment, Steven and Connie burst through the front door, big smiles on both their faces.
"Good news, guys!" He said. "You're forgiven!"