Albeit the obviously frustrating things that go on in this damned city, I was still attempting to make the most of it since I had already moved a shit ton of stuff into that apartment. And I knew I couldn't exactly just leave Lapis without warning again...AND the location was more convenient for work of course. So, here I was, driving to Steven Universe's beach house once again - but with my dog Pumpkin in the backseat. I heard her panting loudly as she tried to pace back and forth, most likely dirtying my leather seats.

"Sit, Pumpkin!" I huffed, rolling my eyes. She then responded with a low and painfully loud bark. "PUMPKIN CUT IT OUT!" I screeched, wincing at the irritation in my ears. She then extended her body toward the front seats, and she licked my cheek. I groaned, and pushed (or at least attempted to) her back into the backseat. "You're gonna make me wreck, girl." I said, shaking my head in awe. When Lapis and I were sophomores in college, I had bought Pumpkin when she was just a puppy. It was a gift for Lapis to relieve her of her intense stress and anxiety, and I just enjoyed seeing her happy in general.

Lapis had (and most likely still has) post-traumatic stress disorder, which meant Pumpkin could be a service dog - and if Pumpkin were a service dog, that meant she could have gone more places with Lapis. Unfortunately, when we went our separate ways, I ended up taking the dog with me out of town. I now realize how sad that must have been for Lapis, so I decided to surprise her with Pumpkin...uh, again. Of course Pumpkin has significantly...grown since the last time Lapis saw her...but I don't think Lapis would care much. I just hope this shows her that I am sorry for taking the dog away so abruptly.

Pumpkin was previously out of town where I originally was staying, but I called up my maid to bring the dog to Beach City - she of course said she wasn't bEiNg pAid fOr tHat. So, yes I took that painstaking drive all the way back there...and picked up the dog. Then drove ALL the way back to Beach City. Not my proudest achievement, but I must say I impressed myself with my dedication to apologetic gestures. hAha I'm such a good person. When I finally arrived at Steven's house, I exited the car, and walked around to let Pumpkin out as well. I opened the back door, and Pumpkin immediately launched herself out, nearly knocking me to the ground.

The leash was already attached to her collar, so I just snatched it up and held onto it tightly. "This way." I murmured, after closing the car door and locking the vehicle. She followed me happily as we walked up the steps onto the wooden patio, and I anxiously looked up at the front door. I knocked slightly hard, and inhaled through my nose deeply. I then was exhaling, then violently wheezed as the door was abruptly opened. I was greeted by a very tall person. "Greetings, is Lapis Lazuli here by chance?" I asked as my eyes met with his chest. I had to tip back my head to look up at his actual face.

"Peridot?! Is that you?! Oh my gosh, hi Peridot!" he then responded eagerly in a booming voice, nearly bouncing up and down. I arched an eyebrow, tilting my head in confusion. Do I know this person? How does he know me? Did Lapis tell him about me? Oooo, does Lapis talk about me?! "U-uh, hello uhh...oh my stars." I stammered as I realized who he was. This was Steven. Like the Steven. The little kid who worked at the pet shop, the little kid that I always saw occasionally. The little kid. He wasn't so little anymore.

The tall teenage boy stared down at me with the still same large grin, and he looked amused by my reaction. The last time I had seen him, he was shorter than me, and quite a chubby boy I admit. Now, he was definitely taller than me, and he had thinned out. However, he still seemed to have the same black curly hair, bushy eyebrows, round face, and distinct smile he'd always had. He was wearing a pink varsity jacket, and a light-blue t-shirt with a star on it. He still had his same pair of jeans and pink sandals on.

"You've grown." I stated. "Wow, look at you! You're a business lady!" he chuckled. Business lady? I looked down at myself, and I was just wearing my pantsuit. Right. Business lady. "Who's at the door, Steven?" I then heard Lapis Lazuli's voice call from inside the house. "Lapis! Peridot's here!" he then replied, turning around. "She is?! Well let her in!" she then raised her voice, and Steven gave a thumbs up. "Of course! M'lady." he satirically stepped aside and bowed his head. He held his arm out gently adjacent to the door, guiding me to the living room. I snickered, and nodded my head at him.

Lapis quickly approached me with a smile, waving. "Hey, Peri! What're you doing heeeree...?" she trailed off as she spotted the dog standing behind me. "Oh! I-I just wanted to um...I thought I'd make up for lost time between you two...y'know. You and Pumpki-" I was cut off by the sudden tug on the leash which nearly yanked me forward. Pumpkin had run full speed towards Lapis, and literally jumped into her arms. Lapis nearly dropped Pumpkin because of her weight, but held on tightly, squealing loudly. "PUMPKIIIIINNNN!!" she squealed hysterically.

My eyes were widened, and I slowly took a step back as I simply released the leash. Lazuli then placed Pumpkin down and knelt down to her level. She hugged the dog tightly, and cooed as Pumpkin was squirming excitedly. I assume Pumpkin remembers Lapis then. "I thought you said she was back home!" the bluenette then looked up at me for a response. "She was." I replied simply, folding my hands behind my back and looking to the side. "How did you get her out here? Did your maid bring her?!" she asked.

I then began to feel my cheeks slightly heat up. "N-nah. A-actually it doesn't matter h-how she got here, I just wanted to surprise you. I know you missed her." I quickly said, shrugging. "I missed her sooooo so so much! Peridot this was so sweet of you!" Lapis said, petting Pumpkin as the dog laid on her back. "Oh, it was nothing, really." I said, waving it off. "She got so big!" she gasped, watching as Pumpkin panted heavily still. "Yeah, she's been eating quite a bit, thanks to my maid. She's a big girl now. And she obviously missed you." I chuckled, sitting cross-legged on the floor across from Lapis and Pumpkin.

"This is amazing, this is one of the happiest days I've had in a while, Peri. Thank you." she said in a genuine tone of voice, looking up at me. I was then trapped in a moment of eye contact with her. After about two seconds, Lapis quickly broke the eye contact and looked down again. She did that every time. "O-of course." was all I said as the silence grew in the room. "Well...if it isn't any trouble for Steven since it's kinda his house...she could stay with you if you want." I added, scratching the back of my neck. "Really?!" she perked up, her eyebrows shooting up. "Y-yeah, I guess why not? They don't exactly allow pets in the apartment complex I stay in anyways so." I explained.

"STEVEN!" she yelled, startling the crap out of me. Steven then came back into the living room. "Yeah?!" he called back. "Peridot said Pumpkin could stay with us if it's okay with you...is it okay with you?" she asked hopefully. "Yeah! Just make sure she doesn't chase Cat Steven or anything." he said, nodding. "Cat...Steven?" I asked, scrunching up my nose in confusion. "It's a long story." Lapis muttered, waving it off. "Connie and I were about to start a movie out here, you guys wanna watch it with us?" Steven then asked, pointing to the couch in the center. Lapis then looked to me, and I looked to the side nervously.

"U-uh...I dunno, I might um-" "Yeah, Peridot! Let's watch a movie! Please stay?" Lapis then asked with a sad smile on her face. "Uh...well..." I looked over to Steven, and he seemed just as hopeful. "Ugh, okay." I said quietly.

. . . .

Steven and his girlfriend Connie were laying on one side of the couch together. Steven's arms were snaked around Connie as she was resting her head on his chest closely. The boy's chin was resting on her head, and their fingers were intertwined. Steven stroked her hand with his thumb, and Connie looked as though she were about to fall asleep. I couldn't help but let a small smile form on my face, subtly admiring the amount of affection this couple had for each other. Teenagers in love...a much simpler time I'd like to think. I really did wish them the best. Very few people get truly lucky with romance admittedly.

I was sitting on the other side of the couch, and Lapis sat beside me. Lapis had her knees pulled up to her chest, and her arms were snugly wrapped around them. I was slumped on the couch, resting my elbow on the arm of the couch and my chin resting in my hand. I'll admit the two contrasting sides of the couch looked a bit silly, but I wasn't about to let anyone notice that. I remained quiet throughout the movie, feeling shyer as the minutes went by. I then looked over at Lapis out of the corner of my eye, and arched an eyebrow.

My heart beat a little bit faster, and I pursed my lips. She looked so warm, and it almost seemed like an enjoyable experience to be held the way Connie was being held by Steven. I then just closed my eyes and attempted to rid the thoughts. I intended on opening my eyes back up once the thoughts were gone, but instead I had just fallen asleep. It was a peaceful sleep, and I felt as though I was floating upside down in a dark closet - it doesn't sound very fun when I actually say it out loud but you'd have to be in my position to know.

My head was clear, and I no longer had any thoughts at the moment. No dreams, nothing. Just relaxing silence. I had no idea how long I was out for, but I didn't really care at that moment. My phone was on silent, so I couldn't be disturbed by any phone calls, text messages, or other notifications. The only background noise I could sort of hear was the drowned out, muffled noise of the movie playing. All of a sudden, the pitch-black darkness was eliminated by a light. My surroundings began to light up, and it felt as though I were awake again.

I looked down at my palms...and saw nail marks. From when I would dig my fingernails into my palms in distress. There was only one time I had been so stressed that I made them bleed - I attempted to shake my head of the thoughts, but I couldn't even do that. It felt I was only allowed to make slow movements, and slight observations. I couldn't intentionally get rid of any unwanted thoughts. Uh oh. I turned my hands around, and looked down at the backs of my hands.

I noticed that my nails were painted black. What? I never painted my nails black, I thought. I stopped doing that a long time ago...I looked around some more, and I seemed to be in an empty space - except for a mirror against the blank wall. I was afraid to look into it, because I thought I was gonna see some poltergeist demon or something. Oh god, what if this is a nightmare?! I thought, starting to panic more. However, my feet began to move forward without me controlling them anymore. I looked down at my feet panic-stricken, wondering why the hell they were going by themselves.

Where did my other shoes go?! I was wearing a pair of converse I hadn't worn in years??? Where was the couch?! Where was Steven's living room?! Where was I?! I then looked up, and the mirror was directly in front of me, scaring the shit out of me. A girl with incredibly unruly hair stared back at me with extreme distress in her expression. She had green-tinted glasses, and seemed to be wearing average clothes. A green flannel, a black alien t-shirt, and skinny jeans. I was staring back at my own reflection, and I tangled my fingers into my hair. It felt different. Everything felt different. I didn't wanna look like this. Too many thoughts came flooding back into my head.

This isn't me. This isn't me. Why do I look like that? THIS ISN'T ME. I tried to look away, but I could no longer move. My hands were stuck in my hair, my body was frozen like a statue. I could only move my mouth and my eyes. I gritted my teeth roughly, and the mirror then disappeared into thin air. I was then able to move everything but my feet, and I was now standing in...a doorway? I then recognized it to be the doorway to Jasper's dorm bedroom. I then jolted and thrashed my arms and my entire upper body, trying to move to anywhere but there.

Familiar noises and voices that I preferred to not remember then began to echo in my head, and it felt borderline schizophrenic. I then felt like scenes from my memory started to repeat themselves, and I felt myself falling backward. I was fainting, falling out of consciousness. I could hear my own pounding heartbeat, and I was enclosed by the darkness once again. Before I could feel the impact of my head hitting the floor, I awoke to the feeling of someone shaking me.

I gasped and shot my eyes open as I looked around quickly. I was back in Steven's living room, and Connie and Steven were fast asleep in their same spot. Lapis' face was inches away from mine, and I blushed profusely as I shook my head quickly. "Peridot." she repeated in a whisper, and I responded with a confused 'huh?'. "Come with me." she whispered, nodding her head toward the door. She was holding a backpack full of unknown contents, and I raised an eyebrow in slight suspicion. "Tsk, just come on." she said, rolling her eyes and walking away. I quickly got up off of the couch, and brushed myself off.

"Where are we going?!" I asked in a hushed whisper, and she simply shushed me. She gave me a half-smile, and I was very confused, but I followed her anyway.