Chapter 23: Brand New Friends
Steven sits down, Sumo sits next to Steven, grabs some pens, and starts coloring in the letters of his name. Steven put stars around his name, Clarence put stickers around him, and Jeff left his blank.
"Akright class, my name is Miss. Amin, And I will be your teacher." She said, picking up a back Expo marker from the whiteboard and writing her name out for the class. Steven sees today's date on the board as well, written in blue Expo marker on the corner of the whiteboard.
Steven sees Miss. Amin turns around and walks to her desk. "Okay guys, this is a little worksheet to get to know your neighbors a little bit better," she said, walking around the classroom and handing them out. Steven put his name up at the top and started.
The class was finished, and Miss Amin collected the worksheets and put them on her desk.
"Alright, guys, Who will come up first?"
"I want to!" Sumo said, standing up and running towards the whiteboard. The teacher gave him his worksheet, Sumo cleared his throat and read off his worksheet.
"I am Ryan Sumouski My favorite subject is science, In school, I am good at making my friends laugh. Outside of school, I am good at drawing. Something you should know about me is. That I live with my nine brothers.
And Steven asked me if I liked space movies and I said yes, Clarence asked me if I wanted to go on vacation. And I said that I would like to go to San Diego with my two older brothers Tanner and Joseph."
"My name is Jeff Randall and My favorite subject is science too, In school I am good at school. Outside of school, I am good at organizing. Something you should know about me is. That I live with my two mothers.
And Steven asked me what is your favorite thing to do, Well. Steven, I like to have fun with you guys and draw, Clarence asked me if I want to go on vacation too. And I said that I would like to go to Florida with my mothers."
"Very good, Jeff. Now it's Steven's turn. Then I can tell you all mine."
"I am Steven Universe My favorite subject is writing, In school I am good at helping my friends and others. Outside of school, I am good at music. Something you should know about me is. That I moved here from Delaware
Clarence and Sumo asked me if I had ever been to space before and I said no, And Jeff asked me if I wanted to be an actor. And I said, yes, I want to I think that would be so much fun to star in my own cartoon."
"Ver good, Steven. I'm up." Miss Amin said, getting up and telling everyone hers.
A boy raised his hand. "Yes, Tim?"
"Where are you from, Miss. Amin?"
"I am from the country of Palestine," she said. The class gasped in wonder.
"I heard on the news your people were kicked out or something." A boy said, Steven looked at the boy who was occupied with playing his PSP.
Steven turned his head to the voice and the half-gem saw a short and chubby boy with a mop of curly brown hair. He wears a Persian red T-shirt, blue shorts, and navy shoes. He also has a unibrow and a long red nose, Steven thought that he was a character from The Muppets if he wasn't human.
Miss. Amin cleared her throat, feeling uncomfortable now. "Um… Could we please change the topic?" she asked the boy.
"Yeah, Belson! Be quiet!" Sumo said. Steven and Clarence both laugh.
"Whatever…" The boy by the name of Belson said as he went back to playing his PSP.
"Alright, settle down guys. Now, we are going into reading." She said as she grabbed some books from her desk. Steven took one and read the cover. 'The Secret Of Superhero Academy.'
Steven's eyes widened and went starry. He'd never read this book before. He'd read others but not this one.
The class had free time now, Steven was talking with one of the new kids. Gregory. "That's so cool that you play instruments. When did you learn?"
"When I was three." Greg was wide-eyed.
"Three? Woah!" he said.
"Yeah, I have a gift. My dad used to be a musician and I learn faster than any other kid because my mom learns fast." Steven says, Greg nods.
"Hey, Steven. Can you teach me how to play guitar?" he asked.
"Sure! I can bring my ukulele in tomorrow, and I'll teach you at recess." Steven said. The boy smiles and puts his hands on the table.
"So, you want to be an actor?" he asked. Steven nods.
"Heck yeah, I do!" he said.
"Wait, you're the boy who was singing on YouTube!" he said, amazed. Steven giggled and blushed. He wasn't used to getting praise like this. "You know, the CEO of Cartoon Network complimented me about that when I visited.
"Woah!" Greg asked. Steven nods and smiles.
Steven was at lunch, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo were all sitting at a table, Steven took out his lunch which was a substitute for fried chicken.
"What's that?" Sumo asked as Steven took out a fork and knife.
"Oh, it's a substitute for fried chicken, it's a cut-up mushroom dipped in the stuff you make breaded chicken," he explained.
"Can I try?" Clarence asked.
"Sure," Steven said, cutting off a piece and giving it to him.
At the end of the school day, They were all walking, Steven saw a girl walking across the street. Then a car speeding by, Steven sees the car inching closer The half gem dropped his backpack, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo see it. Steven ran to the road to push the girl out of the way, causing her to fall onto the sidewalk.
"Are you okay? you were about to get hit." Steven said
"Thank you." the girl said, Steven looks at her. A young female, Steven guessed that she would be Indian, or African American with dark brown skin and a slim figure, and is slightly taller than Steven. She has a prominent nose, black eyes, thick eyebrows, and dark brown puffy hair that varies in length.
She wore a blue T-shirt and white shorts with white and red Converse.
"No problem, what's your name?" he asked.
"I'm, Connie. I moved here a few weeks ago. you're the boy with the red shirt who hangs out with the three boys." She glanced at Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo who were waiting across the street. Jeff held onto Steven's red star backpack by the strap.
"Are you in Miss. Amin's class?" Steven asked her. She nods.
"I am."
"Wait, you're the one who likes fantasy and playing the violin, right?"
"Yeah," she said. Steven smiles.
"Hey, Steven!" Clarence yells from across the street. Connie looks at the three boys.
"Oh, coming! Hey, you wanna come with us too?" he asked.
"Sure, where are we going though?" Connie asked.
"Wherever the wind takes us!" Clarence said. She smiles.
"Okay! Let's go!"
"Mom! I'm back, and I brought some friends over!" Clarence said, coming through the back of the house by the sliding glass door. Steven sees who appears to be his mother, a curvy woman with pink skin and blonde hair. Wearing a pale yellow t-shirt and tight pink pants with dark brown boots. She also wears red lipstick.
"Oh, hello! who are they?" His mother asked, seeing both Steven and Connie.
"I'm, Steven and this is Connie. I met her while saving her from almost getting hit by a car," he said. Connie nods in approval. Steven sat on the bar stool, his hands resting on the pink-tiled countertop. Steven took out his phone and saw there were no texts from his dad or the Gems, he smiled in relief.
Pearl would've been texting him nonstop by now wondering where he was at. But, Rose did say that she was not his parent. So, that is a plus.
"Clarence, do you and your friends want some leftover sushi?"
"Yeah!" Clarence, Jeff, Sumo, and Connie said, Steven looked up.
"Um…Excuse me, do you have anything vegetarian?" the hybrid asked her.
"Mmmm, let me see what I have…" she said, looking in the fridge, rummaging through it, looking for something that he could have. She poked her head out and grabbed some celery sticks and peanut butter.
"I have this, you want this?" she asked. Steven nods.
"Uh, what's your name by the way?" he asks.
"I'm Mary," she said, Steven nods.
"Hi, Mary," he said, shaking her hand.
She smiles and proceeds to make Steven his snack.
Mary places Steven's snack in front of him, He picks one up and takes a bite. They hear the door open. A man walks into the house.
The man has a very ape-like appearance, with shoulder-length brown hair and permanent stubble. The man is very tan with big, hairy arms. He's wearing a white T-shirt and black pants.
"Hey, Chad. Your home early." Mary tells her boyfriend, as he kisses her on the cheek.
"The shop wasn't as busy, so I closed up early."
"What does he do again, Mary?" Jeff asked.
"He owns a music store in downtown LA." she reminded Jeff.
"Coool! My dad worked at a music store back home," Steven said. "But now, he's trying to look for a job."
"Oh, what happened?" Mary asked.
"His house caught fire in Delaware three days ago, so he's living here now to be closer to his family and friends," Jeff explained. She nodded as Steven ate the rest of his celery and peanut butter.
"If he's looking for a job, I can hook him up. You know, I can always use more help." Chad said, handing Steven a black business card.
"Chad's music store." Steven read off the card, the boy put it in his pocket and gave him a thumbs up towards the man.
"Bye, Steven. I'll see you tomorrow!" Clarence said Steven and Rose were going back to Misty's and Tony's house. Rose was driving Greg's van. "How was your first day of school, Steven?"
"I loved it, oh! and I have this card. Dad can work at a music store like he did back home! And I met a girl, who almost got hit by a car. I saved her though." Steven said. Rose put a hand on his curly hair.
"You are very compassionate, Steven." his mother said, Steven blushed and smiled. They arrived back at Tony and Misty's house. Steven walks in and puts his backpack by the door.
Steven walked into the bathroom with his PJ pants and a Star Wars T-shirt to take a shower.
Dinner was over, Steven was in bed, and he felt warm under the covers as he drifted to sleep.
He was surrounded by a home on fire, the smoke from the burning wood was making him cough and wheeze. Steven sees a beam fall and tries to duck out of the way, Steven's hands, arms, and legs are black from the ash.
Steven's heart raced as he knew where he was.
He was in his home in Delaware.
Steven ran into the living room, he saw Greg on the couch, limp. "Dad, Dad!" Steven yelled out, running towards him as he coughed violently as smoke filled his lungs.
Steven tried to pick him up and drag him out but couldn't. He then hears a noise. The boy lifted his head and saw a burning beam fall on both of them, Steven's mind raced with questions. How did this happen? Who would do this? and…
Where was his mother?
Steven's eyes shot open, he bolted up and started breathing heavily. Tears welled in his eyes as he wiped them with the back of his hand. He wasn't sure about waking his parents for a dumb problem like this, but…. He sighed, Steven peeled the covers back, opened the door, and went to his father's room.
Steven sees both his parents asleep while holding each other. The hybrid stepped onto the carpeted floor and shook his father's shoulder.
"Dad…" he said. Greg opens his eyes and rolls over and sees his son.
"Steven? What are you doing up?" he asked yawning, rubbing his eyes.
"Um…. I had a nightmare, can I sleep with you guys?" he asked.
Greg smiled at his son. "Of course, Buddy," he said, scooting over and letting him in. The boy went in. Immidely his body was swallowed up with his father's warmth. Steven slowly closed his eyes and went to sleep.
A/N:Hey guys, I'm back with a new chapter! I hope you'll like this one, See you in the next one!