A/N: Hey guys INCREDIBLY sorry for the late update, today was a bit busy. But I hope you guys like this chapter! Love yall <3

-Baggy

I entered my bedroom, and began to loosen my tie when I spotted my flannel still sitting there on my bed. I remember I had hurriedly tossed it onto there, not even thinking twice about it. "I would never throw out something like this..." Lapis's hushed voice entered my mind once again. I gently picked up the flannel, and sat there in silence staring down at it. She really kept this. All this time...and she still had it. Before I knew it, I had raised the flannel up to my face and closed my eyes. I wanted to see if it still had the scent of my old cologne on it...but I was surprised by the fact that it no longer had that scent - it smelled like Lapis herself. 

As much I didn't want to admit it, I was always in love with the way she smelled...I still am. Even during the winter, when absolute no swimming pools here in Beach City were open whatsoever, she still managed to have that subtly pleasant chlorine smell. It was an odd mix of chlorine and fresh lotion...I couldn't exactly identify what fragrance of lotion it was, but it always smelled so good. The only sad thing about Lapis recently is that sure she still has her wonderful distinct scent...but now a strong hint of cigarette smoke lingered in with that. 

My mind flooded with images of Lapis and her mannerisms...I just...started thinking about her in general. I clutched the flannel tighter in my hands, and I sighed softly. My gaze switched over to my phone, which sat on my dresser. I stared at it for a long moment, debating on whether I should just text Lapis back or not. I groaned, slowly getting up and approaching the dresser reluctantly. I carefully picked it up, and opened up the messages. My gaze never left the screen once, and I gritted my teeth in frustration. Peridot, why are you so wishy washy?! You were just upset with her! Don't text her back. As my finger hovered over the 'back' button to exit the chat, my mind began to shift again. 

But...it wasn't exactly her fault. I'm the one who decided to turn back...b-but that's because she convinced me to drink! 

....

I guess I actually made that decision too. Before I could tell myself not to again, I impulsively began to type out a response quickly. 

Peridot: I've had a long day, I don't think I'm gonna be able to drive all the way over to Steven's again. At least not tonight.

Lapis: Then I can bring em to u

Lapis: You could jus wait there and I'll be there with ur glasses

Peridot: At this hour? Lapis that's ridiculous.

Lapis: No no it's not like I'm doing anything rn

Lapis: Just lemme bring em to u okay? Then I'll leave whenever u want me to

I stared at the messages for a moment, lowly grunting. Goddammit, you're letting her come over now?! Tonight?! NO MORE NIGHT PLANS, PERIDOT. 

Peridot: Fine. I'll give you my address and just message me when you're on your way.

WHAT THE FUCCK?! WHY DID YOU SAY THAT?! I flopped onto my back onto the bed, and glared up at the ceiling intensely. You're making night plans. Again. After you almost just got fired for having plans so late at night. But...she did just say she'll whenever I want her too. She could just drop off the glasses and leave as soon as that. No need for small chit-chat or whatever. Just straight to the point. And back to business for you, Peridot. 

. . . . 

It was 9:37 PM, and Lapis would be here any minute. I consciously fixed my tie once again, smoothing out my shirt. I still had to maintain my somewhat formal appearance around others, no matter how well I knew them. I slightly dipped my finger into the container of my hair gel one last time and used the small amount to fix the frizz atop my head. Just as I did that, I heard a slight knock at the door. I was startled at first, then took a deep breath as I began to walk towards the door. I gritted my teeth, and furrowed my eyebrows as I placed my hand on the doorknob. Keep your composure. You're not mad at her. It was your fault. Don't let her stay long. Don't. Let. Her. Stay. Long. 

I opened the door, and there stood the bluenette with a nervous expression on her face. I greeted her with a nod, and a somewhat serious expression on my face. "H-hey." she murmured, putting on a smile. My stomach lurched, and I began to feel the temperature in here rise. I cleared my throat and looked away, stepping aside to let her in. "Hello, Lapis." I muttered, watching as she slowly walked into my apartment. She looked around curiously with her hands shoved in her hoodie pockets. 

"Wow...nice place..." she commented, chuckling. "Thank you. It's where I live." WHY DID I SAY?! OF COURSE SHE KNOWS YOU LIVE HERE, YOU IDIOT. Lapis only giggled in response, and turned over to me with a wider smile. Dammit. I tried my hardest to suppress my blush, because it was genuinely out of my control at this point. Why the fuck are you blushing? This is unprofessional! "Here's your glasses. I was surprised they hadn't been broken when I found them." Lapis explained, scratching the back of her neck. My fingertips brushed against her hand as I took the glasses, and I swallowed dryly.

"Th-thank you. I appreciate it. You really didn't have to come all this way." I said monotonously, placing my glasses gently on top of my dresser. "Nah, I wanted to. I k-kinda wanted to just see you again. And to say..." she trailed off for a moment until I turned back to her with an arched eyebrow. "...I'm sorry." she finished, and I was taken aback by this. "What for?" I immediately asked, taking a step towards her. "F-for...u-uhm...w-well...I'm not s-sure." Lapis scratched her chin anxiously and looked the side. "I'm just...sorry I kept you so long overnight I guess. And clearly...you s-seemed to be late for something. I assumed that was 'cause of me too..." she said. I gave my everything not to shift my expression from my usual stern one. 

"It wasn't your fault." I stated, turning back to my dresser, and picking my glasses up once again. "Wh-what do you mean? Of course it was." Lapis replied. "Not really. I was the one who decided to turn around and come back to the house in the first place. I didn't have to do that...but I did anyways." I explained, shrugging my shoulders. "...why?" she then asked, which completely caught me off guard. I was silent for a moment, attempting to think of a response as I began to clean the lenses of my glasses with my shirt.

"W-well...u-uhm...I-I don't really know. Perhaps because I...c-couldn't exactly drive home drunk." I weakly explained, harshly biting my tongue afterward. "O-oh, heh...right..." Lapis sounded...disappointed? Her tone was more glum than before, and it puzzled me. Was she expecting me to say something different? "O-of course it was a terrible idea...and it got me late to work. But it wasn't your fault. It was all my decision." I added, finishing up cleaning my glasses. "...you seemed so...overly upset. You looked like you were gonna cry. Is work really that...critical to you?" she then asked, and I looked at her as though she had two heads. 

"Yes, Lapis! Work is my entire life, right now. I can't afford to lose the only thing that actually gives me a pur..." I stopped myself right there. Whoa. Don't say that. Ever. "I can't a-afford to lose my job...b-because then I wouldn't be making damn good money anymore. And I've been accustomed to the somewhat wealthy lifestyle my entire life...I'd just be stumped if I didn't continue it." I tried again, feeling beads of sweat form on my forehead. Lapis sat on my bed, but said nothing in response. I pursed my lips for a few seconds, and then gazed down at the floor beneath me. "I-I know it sounds kinda spoiled but...th-that's just how it is, I guess." I stuttered. 

"Forgive me if I've asked before but...how often do you even work?" Lapis then asked, scrunching up her eyebrows. "All the time." I replied, and I thought it sounded impressive. "All the time...? Like that's your free time and everything?" she asked. "Y-yes. Whenever I go to the workplace, I get home and I'm still making phone calls...luring clients in with all the time I have on my hands. Basically heightening any chance of becoming more perfect than what this business has already been." I bragged, placing a hand on my chest. 

"That's...a little unhealthy, Peridot." I whipped my head around to widen my eyes at her. "Wh-what?!" my voice cracked. "I said that's unhealthy. You're gonna burn yourself out. You need to know a life outside of work." she said, raising an eyebrow. "D-don't tell me how to live my life, Lapis! I know exactly what I'm doing and I'm perfectly content with it. You don't see me telling you how to live yours." I said, waving her off like a bug. I then realized the harsh gesture I made to her when I mentioned her life, and I froze for a moment. The bluenette had a slightly hurt expression on her face, and she shut her eyes. I didn't mean it like that...