It was a fine evening and you were taking a nap before training. Oh? Did I forget to mention? Since you were hanging out with the Gems quite often now, Garnet suggested you should be taught how to defend yourself. Not anything serious, just enough for if something bad were to happen.

At first, Steven himself objected, knowing how stressed Connie was over this topic, however, he finally gave in.

Amethyst offered to train you in return for food and company but you politely declined. Yet you did promise to spend a day or two with her.

In the end, Pearl decided that you should join the lessons with Connie. Maheswaren was obviously more advanced than you but Pearl insisted you have more lessons to catch up to her standards.

It was hard and you were constantly buying new packets of plasters each week although, you got to have a moment with Pearl which was becoming increasingly more special each time. You didn't understand any reason why. It was most likely because you have got to know Pearl more than the other Gems and had a special admiration for her.

*ahem*

You couldn't train during the day because you had various other activities going on - mostly homework - and could only attend during the night. Connie wasn't there at that time so it was a one-on-one training session. Maheswaren is a lovely girl but you certainly didn't complain about seeing Pearl a few extra times.

You awoke from your nap, at 7:30 - as your watch read. Thinking of an excuse, you found your Mother in the kitchen, sipping on a cup of green tea.

"Heya, Mum. You're always saying how you want me to socialize so I'm going to a party." A quick and believable reason. Well, knowing you, it's not believable but she'll want it to be true at least.

Her face lit up at your words.
"Of course but isn't a bit early to go to a party?" She asked, tapping her mug gently.

"Early? Not really. I'm just going to help them set up and get prepared." You replied, starting to see how this plan could potentially fail.

Her response was a warm smile. "Well, you are growing up. Just please don't get drunk." Your Mother winked cheekily and patted your back. Picking up your keys and biting into an apple from the fruit bowl, you exited your house with a backpack sling around your shoulder lazily.

Thanfully, your Mother didn't notice your sporty attire. Or rather she did, but didn't find it obscure. That excuse won't work forever so you'll have to come up with something else before she questions your absence.

Glancing at your watch, a gasp escaped from your mouth. It was already 7:50 and you were supposed to be there by 8:00 latest.

Now, Beach City isn't exactly a large area so everyone more or less lives close to each other and your own house was only a few blocks away from The Temple but you started off walking slowly. In immediate worry, you sprinted there. Pearl is all you could think about.

Climbing the many stairs, you looked at your watch- 7:57pm. Yes! You really were early! By 3 minutes but that can really make a difference. You disposed your apple by shoving it into the bin which was magically on the porch. The bin glowed and shapeshifted into a figure which fashioned into Amethyst. She burped loudly and rubbed where her intestines would be if she was a human.

"Thanks for the apple." Amethyst joked and laughed. You responded with a small chuckle. "Come on in!" She greeted enthusiastically and held the door open for you.

Steven was watching TV in his 'room', face almost pressed against the screen. He seemed to be completely indulged in his show until the sound of your bag hitting the wooden floor distracted him.

He spotted you and smiled widely, motioning for you to join him. As an instant reaction, you climbed up the ladder and sat next to him in his pink duvet.

"You're early!" He exclaimed. Well, more of a question, waiting on explanation.

"Early? Only by a few minutes... oh." At a third glance of your watch, you finally realised that it was an hour ahead compared to Steven's phone. He was right. You were an hour early.

Amethyst just burst out laughing, enjoying how desperate you were to impress Pearl. She understood but Steven was still a bit too oblivious.

"You can stay hear until Pearl and Garnet finish their mission! Dogcopter is on in 10 minutes and I know how much you love that show." Steven winked at you, acknowledging your guilty pleasure of watching many shows aimed for... those of a younger age.

The two of you watched a few episodes of Dogcopter, ranted on about donuts and Amethyst joined you to be entertained by Little Butler.

"You people have too much money." You all said in sync then started laughing. Almost like it was rehearsed, Pearl and Garnet returned on the warp. Being the first to notice this, you practically jumped down the ladder and bowed to Pearl and Garnet. Flustered, Pearl became bashful and shy while Garnet just adjusted her visor and smirked.

"How was the mission?" You asked, curiously. Purposely directing the question towards Pearl, Garnet understood what you were trying to do and kept quiet like she usually does.

"Oh, you know, great. We were just checking on some gem monsters and making sure everything was going accordingly." Pearl reported back to you, as if you were her master.

Steven had vaguely told you about how Pearls were expected to serve and be personal assistance towards powerful gems. You jokingly curtsied to her and made her laugh.

This got the attention of everyone for they hardly ever get to see Pearl laugh at something that isn't exactly... her usual sense of humour and other things she finds funny.

Pearl held your hand and guided you to the warp, looking straight into your eyes, over her shoulder.

"Are you ready for your one-on-one training, (Y/N)?" She asked, standing at your side but an arm hovering behind your back.

"Yeah. I've got everthing." And at that the smiling face of Steven and Amethyst and the smirk of Garnet flashed away in an instant. It reappeared as the Old fighting ruins and the light beam faded away.

Pearl stepped off of the podium and you followed. In the centre of the floor, she summoned a hologram which was a portrayal of Pearl. The face had a dull expression and the eyes were empty. Which were ones very different to Pearl's. Hers had colour and vibrancy with brightness. This holo-Pearl was monotone and boring. (Me inside)

"It all begins with your stance..."

Pearl explained how in sword fighting, position and balance is the key. She also taught you how to defend without using any weapons.

"(Y/N). Please, if it ever comes to it, just dodge the attack. I don't want you to get hurt. Y-You mean too much to me." Pearl bent down slightly to be eye-level with you as she held both of your hands in her elegant touch. Still staring into each others orbs, Pearl kissed the top of your hand romantically without breaking the gaze once.

This triggered a burst of excitement in your mind, causing you to trap Pearl into a hug and kiss her on the lips. She wasn't expecting this but just as you noticed your actions and started to pull away, she pushed your head towards hers.

Pearl was going along with this smoothly and you were extremely happy that she hasn't freaked out.

After a little while, you pulled away, still in shock. Only now had you realised how much you liked Pearl.

She just walked off onto the warp like nothing had happened and beckoned you. Judging by her actions, you presumed that she didn't want the previous situation to be mentioned so kept your mouth shut. This hurt that she wanted to forget that kiss but maybe it was for the best.

~time skip brought to you by leggy~

At the door, about to leave Steven's house, Pearl ran after you. She was blushing blue and averted her gaze occasionally. Pearl winked at you, a signal you knew the meaning to. She waved and gave you a torch since your phone died. It was quite dark and you had no idea what the time was until you remembered that you packed a watch in your backpack. It was found right at the bottom and the glass was cracked yet it was still ticking.

Shining the torch against it, you deciphered the time to be 2:25am! A bit later than you imagined but 'parties' tend to go on for hours.

Your Mum tried waiting for you but she ended up falling asleep on the sofa with a blanket covering her body. At this, you smiled and carefully placed a pillow underneath her head.

You plunged lazily onto your neat bed and embraced the cool, night air seeping through the open window. Everyone you look outside - and especially to the stars - you think about Pearl. And you wonder...

...is she thinking about you?