Has it seriously been five years since I've updated this story? Geez...
Um...Hi! Gosh, where to begin..? So, I last updated this in 2018, freshman year of college I think? Well, I graduated in 2021. I'm a special education teacher now, and time has not been on my side- I don't even know why I'm bothering to update, I don't think anyone is still waiting for an update haha. It's beyond embarrassing re-reading some of these chapters, especially the first one. And yeah, I went ahead and deleted the original story. It's BEYOND embarrassing... Not much more I can think to say.. So, let's move along shall we?

There was an awkward air around the house for awhile. At least, there was for Steven. Pearl and Garnet were happy as could be, obliviously unaware of the eyes that followed them. One pair envious, the other unsure... But despite the disapproval, Garnet and Pearl were happy. Garnet was more than used to the aspect of disapproval for the ones she loved, but it never bothered her. She would be happy, no matter what anyone said.

But, things just didn't feel the same for Amethyst. She knew they were happy, and she knew that they had what they wanted. But...what about HER? Maybe it was selfish but...she didn't know... And Steven was well aware of Amethyst's lack of spirit lately. They were one another's soul confidants and were around one another all the time. They were best friends! So, when Amethyst suddenly stopped being her usual self, it was hard not to notice.

Approaching the house that afternoon, her stomach felt as though it were down in her feet. It had been feeling like that a lot lately. It made it hard to sleep. hard to eat, hard to do much of anything. Thank goodness for afternoons alone. Steven was helping his dad at the car wash, and Garnet was out on a mission. Pearl had said earlier that day that she was planning on running a few errands as well. So, that left Amethyst to stew in her room for a little while without being bothered. All the better for her really, she didn't feel like talking to anyone anyway.

But, when she opened the front door to the beach house, she froze. Huh...?

There, lying on the couch, was Pearl. Her arm was draped over her eyes, and she wasn't moving. She was resting, maybe even asleep. Pearl didn't often sleep though, which made this rather odd. What was going on, wasn't she going out today? Amethyst froze there in the doorway. Pearl didn't know she was hear yet, so, maybe she could sneak past... She really didn't think she could face Pearl right now. Not after what had happened. Neither of them had talked to each other about Amethyst's outburst, and frankly, Amethyst hoped it stayed that way. There was nothing she wanted to talk about, and there was nothing that needed to be said. So it was better if it could just die already and everyone could forget about it.

Amethyst still cringed whenever the memory came back to mind. She hadn't meant to say things like that. She hadn't meant to embarrass herself, and let her feelings overtake logic, and scream the way she did. But...she just hadn't been thinking. It was an impulsive action, and if she could take it back, she would have in a heartbeat. But, it was too late for that now.

Lost in her thoughts, Amethyst began to creep across the floor, towards the door to the gems bedroom. Her and Steven's talk that day hadn't helped much, as Steven himself didn't know what to really say. This was a complicated situation, that didn't have a solution that would make everyone happy. After Amethyst had finished crying, she had picked herself up, brushed herself off, and left, as though nothing had happened. What was the point in lingering on it, when there was nothing she could do about it?
Ugh, but still it just wasn't fair! How could Pearl give her a second chance?

So lost in her own head, Amethyst didn't notice her footsteps hadn't been so light, and the floorboards had begun to creak underneath her, growing louder with each careless step she took.

"Mmm.." Pearl moaned, making Amethyst pause. Was she awake...? "Garnet?" She mumbled, making Amethyst grimace. Great..

"Nnnnope, just me," Amethyst sighed. "Sorry to disappoint." Pearl only waved a hand in return, dismissing her apology. "What are you doing anyway? Didn't you say you had errands to run or something?"

"I did, yes," Pearl sighed. "I had so much I meant to get done today. But I felt so nauseous, that I had to lie down for a little while. And before I knew it, I had fallen asleep..."

"What? I thought the puking was over with already," Amethyst frowned.

Pearl sighed once more, but chose not to comment on Amethyst's choice of language. "It is, for the most part. But I still have waves every now and again. I'll be fine, I think that rest really helped."

"Yeah? Well...good," she said. "Anyway, I'm going to my room now alright? So.."

"Wait," Pearl stopped her, holding up a hand. "Before you go anywhere, we really need to talk," she said, removing his arm from her eyes, but not making a move to sit up yet.

"Talk? Talk about what? There's nothing to talk about."

"You know what. You've done nothing but be avoidant about it all week. But you can't continue to act like it did not happen," Pearl scolded. "We have to get to the bottom of your actions."

"What's the point? It happened, and it's over, so we don't have to talk."

"While I agree that the past should stay in the past, I can clearly see that the initial issue is NOT still in the past. This is the first time you've spoken more than a few words to me in a few days. And even now, you're still being dismissive. We need to talk about your behavior and ensure this doesn't happen again, by getting to the root of the problem."

"Well, if you're so smart, then why not use the clues I gave you, and figure it out yourself?" Amethyst hissed.

"I've been trying to, but they are simply too vague," Pearl said, slowly sitting herself up, and then setting her feet on the floor so she could face her fellow gem. "What I do understand, is that you are upset about the way Garnet treated me. What I don't understand, is why that only became a sensitive topic for you AFTER Garnet and I grew close."

"Isn't it obvious? If you're forgiving her already and trusting her to take care of you in a relationship after what she did, you're just nuts. I think that baby must be shrinking your brain," Amethyst sneered, unusually unkind. But, she didn't have a choice. She knew if she didn't push Pearl away, and didn't keep up this wall of hatred and anger, then the truth would come pouring out... She could feel her irritation levels start to rise, and she knew her voice would soon be rising along with it.

"Amethyst! I am trying to have a conversation with you! There is no need to be rude!"

"Yeah? While I'm trying to get out of this stupid conversation with you! There's no point in having it in the first place! So just leave me alone!"

"Garnet is not the only gem to make a mistake and act on her emotions. You've done it too, plenty of times," Pearl point out, ignoring her friends desperate attempts to get out of this talk.

"Yeah, the only difference is that I didn't hurt you!" Amethyst shouted. "Why do you forgive HER for hurting you, but you can't forgive ME for getting upset about it? Some friend you are!"

"I forgave her, because we talked about it! I haven't forgiven you, because we haven't! So please Amethyst, just tell me what's wrong! I can clearly see you aren't telling me the entire truth, so I want you to stop jumping around the truth, and TELL me!"

"I can't tell you, okay?! Is that a good enough answer? NOW will you leave me alone?"

"You can't? Well, why ever not?"

"I just can't! You wouldn't understand, so just stop trying to pry, alright? Leave me alone. In fact, why don't you tell your girlfriend about just how bad I am, if you really can't let it go. I'm sure she would love to hear about it," Amethyst said, folding her arms tight.

Pearl sighed heavily her patience rapidly dwindling. "If you don't want me to see you as bad, then why do you continue to behave that way?"

"So you do think I'm bad!" Amethyst accused.

"No, that's not what I-"

"Just forget it! I don't know what I ever saw in you!" She said, throwing her arms up as she turned to walk away.

"Saw in me?" Pearl asked, making Amethyst freeze. "Amethyst, what do you mean by that?"

"Nothing, there's nothing for it to mean. Don't look too deeply into it.."

"No, don't go okay? I apologize for raising my voice at you. Please come back?"

Amethyst was reluctant, before turning around. "So...you really haven't figured anything out, have you?"

"I...I have my suspicions," Pearl admit. "But I thought if I didn't talk about them, then I wouldn't be entertaining them. Moreover, I didn't want to embarrass myself, or you if I were wrong."

"Yeah, well, the secrets out. So, there's the answer you were so desperate to hear."

"O-Oh," Pearl mumbled. "Well...I'm f-flattered, Amethyst," she admit. "But...you know where my affections lie."

"I know I know.." Amethyst sighed as she came closer, finally seeming to settle a little, now that Pearl wasn't prying for answers. "I still don't think it's a good choice."

"Well, I know. But, I'm happy. And I think that's what matters most, doesn't it?" Pearl asked, holding out a hand for her friend. "And, I would be happiest having you at my side as well, as my friend. Things haven't been the same without you Amethyst, for any of us. So please, don't let this turn our home so sour any longer?"

Amethyst stared at that hand, feeling bubbling up in her chest. Heavy, harsh feelings. But, she eventually took that hand. Small, cold, soft... She remembered holding that hand as she walked out of the kindergarten with her, Rose holding tightly to her other hand. She remembered that hand helping her to her feet in battle, and she remembered it rubbing her back when she was sad. But now, that hand was going to be held tightly in the grip of another. And it was almost unbearable.

Amethyst didn't know what came over her. But before she knew it, she had gently pulled Pearl forward.

And, their lips met...

Pearl's eyes were wide, but she didn't push Amethyst away, too shocked to do or say anything at all. So, Amethyst held that kiss a bit longer, before pulling away, panting for breath. While the circumstances weren't what she had expected...the kiss was JUST what she had expected. Pearl's lis were as soft as her hand, if not softer. They were chilled, and perfect for kissing. Amethyst wanted to taste Pearl again.

Though, the moment she looked at Pearl, she knew she had done something very very wrong.

Pearl's eyes were still wide, though her face had crumpled into one of disappointment. Her lips were parted slightly, and she looked like she wanted to speak. But, nothing came out. "Pearl...I'm sorry," Amethyst tried to say. "I wasn't thinking, honest. I-It just sort of...happened."

But, Pearl said nothing. Instead, she pulled her arm away, and got to her feet.. "Pearl?"

"This...this never happened," Pearl said as calmly as possible, though her voice was shaking. "I won't tell Garnet. And you won't tell anyone else. This stays between us. But it won't if this happens again."

"I'm...I'm sorry.."

"I'm going to my room. I think I need to rest a little while longer.." Pearl said as she pinched the skin between her eyes, before heading for the door. Her gem activated the panel, and she stepped into her bedroom. Before the door closed, she looked over her shoulder at Amethyst. "I'm sorry too."

And with that, the door shut behind her, leaving Amethyst alone in the living room...