Hey journal...
I'm at my locker writing this so I'll keep it short. Today can be sumarized in one word: BORING! I can't believe how lame this day is. At least at Empire Academy we had horseback class or there was the occasional food fight to look forward to. Then again, food fights were super rare at a prestigous school like that. I don't think this place has horseback either, which is a shame since Imma miss good ol' Failed Abortus. Anyways, Imma have to go, it's lunch time. I heard they actually have real burgers and stuff here, unlike those salads and vegan meat or whatever they call it in Empire City. Can't wait to see the variety.
XOXO, Spinel
* * * *

Spinel put away her books and looked at her phone, and unforunately it was nowhere close to being the end of the day. Great, she was stuck here for another couple hours. Thankfully lunch would pass some sort of time, and if she's being honest, it'll probably be the best class of the day - That is, if lunch even counted as it's own class.

While heading to the cafeteria, she made some observations on the kids here: They were way less fancy and privileged than her old classmates. They weren't afraid to be themselves and seemed a bit happier. The teachers were less strict and although she could tell some of them wanted to murder that one kid in class, they at least gave chances. Unlike Empire Academy, where your parents would get called and kids would make fun of you for getting in trouble. And that was another thing. Everyone was much nicer.

Steven would be a prime example of that. Automatically giving a welcoming greeting was something no one did at her old school. Here, a friend was a friend. It was rarely considered "a real friend" thing at EA. Everyone who you thought were your friends? Turned out to be spawns of Satan.

"I guess this school year won't be so bad," Spinel told herself, entering what she thought was a food heaven (of course, it couldn't compare to Sarah's cooking). It didn't have a glass chandelier or golden tiles, but it seemed more free. Plus you actually had a good variety; all types of milk, water, different kinds of juice, and for the main course was chicken alfredo, cooked brocolli, and mashed potatoes with gravy. It was filled with the fat Empire Academy couldn't provide, and that's what made it awesome. Choosing that good old chocolate milk (when was the last time she had that?), Spinel planned on going to a table on her own, so that way she can eat in peace.

However once she was halfway there, she was called to by the boy she'll get chlymadia from later. "Hey Spinel, I need you for a sec." Steven called once she passed his table. So much for eating alone. With him was the bluette, the blonde, and another African-American, only she had a more athletic tone than the one in the picture on Steven's Instagram post. Where was she anyways? Better she wasn't here. Somehow Spinel knew they wouldn't get along.

"Hey Steven is it?" Spinel said as she took a seat beside him.

"Aw, you remembered. Everyone, this is Spinel, the new girl."Steven introduced, Spinel being greeted with 'heys' and 'hellos' from the other three. "And Spinel, this is Peridot (the blonde), Lapis (the bluette) and the best craft maker you'll ever meet, Bismuth (the athletic one)."

"So you're the famous new girl? People have been talkin a lotta shit about you, literally," Lapis said casually. "Word gets around fast here."

So far she liked Steven's other friends. "I can tell. It goes even faster at Empire Academy."

"Hold on! You went to the best school in the state?! I heard you hadda pay big bucks to get there, why'd you move form my dream school?!" Peridot frantically shook her, and from the looks of it she was the nerd of the group. Perks for her, befriending this one would mean help with her homework.

"Calm down, Peridot. I'm sure the Academy isn't as great as everyone says, even for intellectuals like you," Bismuth added in.

"Still! Who would wanna move from THERE?! I wanted to go there, I had a good application too! But no, my parents decided to send me here with these lowlifes." She pouted, crossing her arms.

Lapis spoke up, patting Peri's back in the process to try and calm her. "It's ok, there's always Harvard to look forward to. But in all honesty, she's right. Beach City is a grain of salt compared to Empire Academy. What made you move, got suspended?"

She shook her head, drinking some of that luscious milk that I wish I had right now. "No, the people finally found someone of my blood family so I had to move here to stay with my grandma Sarah. And trust me, I wish I hadda known sooner she was alive, because she's loaded! Money everywhere, and since I'm her closest living relative I get to have it all when she dies. Besides, Empire Academy isn't shit. The kids are stuck up assholes, you constantly get backstabbed, and I hated those stupid uniforms! As a matter of fact, I still have mine in the closet."

"Honestly I'm surprised Principal Holly didn't catch you with that on. You're really lucky." Steven told her, reminding her of the dress code she was breaking more than he's gonna break her walls later. She playfully rolled her eyes and punched his arm.

"Oh hush, I didn't see you complainin', doll. Besides, I hope Holly does say something or I swear I'll-"

"Hey guys! Sorry I'm late, I had to finish the rest of my history notes!" Spinel couldn't finish her sentence and had a complete feeling of disgust once she saw the girl from the picture, who was smiling happily and sat across from Steven. She gave her signature friendly smile to Spinel, who was just giving the most 'oh god please no' face she could give. "I think I've heard about you. Empire Academy girl, right?"

Spinel shrugged, lacking the enthusiasm she had before. "Yeah sure, no big deal."

"Well, introduce me to your new friend, Steven. A friend of yours is a friend of mine. "

"Connie, this is Spinel, and Spinel this is Connie." He said. "Spinel was just talking about Empire Academy."

Connie was struck with envy. "Wow, you're so lucky to have attended there."

"So I've heard..." Spins muttered.

"Yeah, I'm tryna find a way to get in and yet she was looking for ways to get out," Peridot groaned, still a tad bit upset she wasn't with all the smart people there.

"Come on Peri, there's nothing too bad about this school here. Speaking of, how do you like it so far, Spinel?" Connie asked curiously.

In all honesty, it wasn't half bad. And with Steven being in around half her classes, there was no way she'd be lonely. It was also great since Holly Agate didn't notice Spinel hadn't worn the dress code. Then again, everyone seemed to like her with that stuff on, so what's the harm? "Peachy," she managed to answer. "I mainly hate the part where I had to introduce myself in front of the class."

Lapis snickered a bit. "You're the complete opposite of Steven. He didn't give a damn when he first stopped being homeschooled and came here. After that everyone seemed to love the guy. Well...except 1, but Kevin isn't important."

'Kevin? Who is he, the school pimp?'

"Speaking of him, you best avoid him. If he comes your way, lemme know. Me, Peridot and Lapis are gonna give him a taste of his own ass." Bismuth said defensively.

Spinel couldn't help but chuckle. "I can take care of myself, thank you."

"Still, you're our friend now, so friends that eat together, kick ass together." Steven reassured her, making her cheeks burn a bit. It was very flattering that he cared about her, even though they just met! "Plus Connie's been doing martial arts for a few years. She'll karate kick him for you."

Now that was hard to believe. For all Spinel knew Connie was just a perfect girl with a perfect life. It was quite the surprise she would do something as awesome as martial arts. "Oh really? Tell me about it." Spinel requested, though it was mainly because she was bored out of her mind.

All the while little miss potty-mouth was talking, Spinel found herself drifting towards Steven. And to her, he was a sight for sore eyes. Not to mention he wanted her to feel welcome.

'Maybe I can get used to hanging with this group...'
* * * * *
-After Lunch-

"Tell me again why learning what point-slope form is important again?"

"Because, maybe one day you'll use it in case you needa prove you're a genius."

After lunch was over Spinel and Steven decided to catch up with each other, talking about point slopes and graphs while also things going around in school. The next class wasn't really a class at most, P.E. One thing she learned from Steven was that P.E. was a good time to do whatever you please, wether it be with homework or gymnastics, the coaches were too busy playing some other sport to even care about the student count. And with the day she was having, Spinel knew what she wanted to do personally.

"So do ya'll do any laps or is it like the Academy with horseback and all that?" Spinel asked as they were getting closer to the gym.

"Well we don't have the stables for horses, unfortunately. But yeah, sometimes if the coaches are feelin' grumpy we do a lotta exercises and track. Not that it's a problem for me, I have to do that anyway since I'm trying out for football this year."

'Ooh~ A jocky~!'

"Have you ever tried out before?" Spinel asked, picturing cheering him on at one of the games. It was quite the pleasing image.

"Oh, yeah. Since high school started I've been playing. Did ya do anything like that in Empire City?" Steven asked.

"Eh," was all she replied. "I was a gymnist there."

"Neat, maybe you could tryout here. That and cheerleading tryouts start next week. I bet you'd make captain in no time."

'No one told me he had a way with words. Of course, is he really wrong about me? I could whip any of these hussies tails anyday and claim my spot.'

"We'll just have to see, Mistah Universe~"

At the gym, Coach Shandai (AKA Sunstone, Shandai is from the VA like many of the characters) was giving a lecture on what to expect this school year, explaining fitness testing even though everyone knows about it already, and giving some quotes like 'Don't do school and stay in drugs!' type things. It was so inspirational it brought the class to tears.

Meanwhile, Spinel decided since Coach Shandai was playing basketball with some more students, she could take a breath of fresh air from the outside. After all, she hasn't had a smoke all day, and it was boring as hell in here. It was like she was getting carbon dioxide poisoning. Besides, she didn't see any cameras, so she was ok.

"I swear to the baby Jesus, if I look at another equation I'm gonna rip my fucking eye out." Lapis complained, recalling the homework they had. Peridot was helping her, Steven trying so too, while Bismuth was out on the court. "Spinel do you know how to graph slopes?"

"..."

"Spinel?"

Spinel was stepping outside the gym doors, not going far as to lean on the building itself. She had already pulled a cigarette from her pocket with a lighter included, and had taken a relaxing puff of it, releasing the almost nonexistent tension within her. It felt good to go against the school rules let alone get caught breaking them. Besides, it's not like anyone noticed she was-

"You do know you can get in serious trouble for this, right?!"

...Gone.

"Hm?" She tilted her head to see Steven, who looked a bit concerned. "Oh hey dolls. Want one?"

"Do I want one? Of course not! Spinel, if you get caught you can get suspended or something! And with Prinicpal Holly, there's a good chance of you getting your ass kicked."

Spinel rolled her eyes and took another puff. "Don't get your panties in a twist, Stevie. It's not like she's even out here. What she doesn't know can't hurt her."

"You don't understand, she has eyes everywhere. And besides, someone's gonna smell this eventually."

"Just try one. Or are you chicken?"

"I'm not chicken, I just-"

"Mr. Universe, Ms. Stiles? May I ask what you're doing out here?"

Both of them paused. Steven gulped, taking Spinel's cigarette and throwing it to the ground, smushing it with his shoe. However he knew it wouldn't do any good. They were busted.

"Principal Holly, I promise you, I can explain!" Steven tried to remain calm, but he could imagine what his gaurdians at home would think. Spinel all the while didn't know what to do at this point.

Holly Agate gave a stern expression, showing she was all business. "You can start by saying whose cigarette that was."

'Welp, so long Beach City High.'

"It's mine." They both said at the same time. Spinel glanced at him, perplexed. What was wrong with him?

"It was mine, Ms. Agate," He lied, clearly anxious.

"No! It wasn't. The thing was all me. He's just trying to-"

"You know what? It doesn't matter. I'm surprised at both of you." Holly glanced at Spinel. "Well...one of you. ISS for both of you, and I'll be calling your parents."

"Pff, what parents?" Spinel scoffed jokingly. "Mine were long gone, baby girl."

The woman wasn't amused one bit at her little joke. That shut her up instantly.

"I expect to see you both once this period is over. For now, go back inside. I don't wanna see either of you out here doing this again. Next time, I won't be so nice. Do you understand."

They both nodded.

"Good. I expect your behavior to improve by the week. And Ms. Stiles, I wish you the best of luck this year."

"Thanks, lady."

Once she left, Steven sighed in relief. At least it wasn't the chancla. But Spinel was still confused on his actions.

"Idiot move you pulled. You didn't have to try and stick up for me like that, Steven," Spinel said. "I could've handled it."

"It's nothing. After all, we're friends right? I didn't want you getting in trouble without some sort of defense."

"You're too nice for your own good but...thanks. Really. I owe ya one."

"Nah, ya don't. Come on, let's help Lapis with that Algebra," Then he smiled, grabbing her hand so gently yet so firmly that she felt nothing but comfort. Usually she'd push someone like that away, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Her cheeks heated up once again, and she tried to hide her somewhat pink face.

She wasn't thinking about Algebra at all, but she pretended she knew what she was doing when helping little Lapis. All the while, she was thinking about that stunt Steven pulled back there with Holly, going as far as to lie so she wouldn't be alone in this mess. Even if he was in trouble himself for nothing, it was awfully nice of him to do that.

'Oh dollface...you lovable idiot.'

* * *
Hey Kat Kommunity!

So how ya been? 2021 treatin ya good? Hope so, if not, let's kick back with some Sour Patch Kids, A cookie n'creme poptart, and wash it down with an oreo milkshake while watching some CoryxKenshin and Kubz Scouts videos, cause ya'll know how we roll.

This isn't much of a chapter, so I apologize, but it's the effort that counts, and you, Kommun, are worth every ounce of effort in my soul. You may have noticed I use the VA's last names for the teachers. I thought that was pretty clever, so I decided it would be good. And plus, wouldn't it be nice to have a friend like Steven? Literally sacrificing himself for Spinel's company. That's love right there.

Anyways, don't forget to claw at that vote button and leave a buncha awesome comments (I love reading those!)
Keep calm and sleep on,
Kat