-The next day-

I sat on the floor, folding the clothes I had previously pulled out of my drawers. I still need to get boxes for this shit, I thought, looking around at the assorted piles of stuff I had laid out so far. I cursed myself for stupidly breaking my glasses out of anger, because now I had to rely on my contact lenses, which expire very soon I'm pretty sure. The sudden sound of a vibration startled me, and then I realized it was my phone when I looked down at it resting on the carpet beside me.

I picked it up, and looked to see who was calling me - it was an unknown number. Out of habit, I immediately answered it, "Hello?" and my heart sunk harshly when I realized that it of course wasn't going to be a client. What clients would I even have? I don't work there anymore. It was too late, and I had already answered. God fucking dammit.

"Is this Peridot?"

The pace of my heartbeat had picked up as soon as I recognized the voice on the other end; It was Jasper's voice. I climbed to my feet, and stood up straight.

"How did you find my new number?"

"So it is."

"Answer my question. I'm probably gonna have to change it again at this rate."

"Squari."

"Ah, of course."

"Did you really get fired?"

"Do you people actually call me for something important or just to ask me stupid repetitive questions?"

"I'll take that as a yes."

"Word sure likes to spread like diseases in this town."

"It's just...it's like you just got here. And you're already leaving? Why can't you just find a new job here in Beach City?"

"So you were told I was moving as well."

"Y-yes."

"I...can't. I just need to go. I never should have even come back to this filthy place."

"Peridot...is it something one of us did?"

"..."

"Why do you hate it so much here? You worked the same job back in Empire City, there wasn't really a difference. So it MUST be the people..."

"I have to go."

"Why won't you talk to me? I'm your brother, man."

"That doesn't mean a single thing."

"Ouch."

"I have things to do."

My hands began to tremble, and I was about to hang up on him right then and there. I began to pace back and forth. I was attempting to keep my voice steady. This conversation was stressing me out.

"Is it Lapis?"

"..."

"I-is that why you're-"

"SHUT THE FUCK UP, JASPER! None of you people know to mind your own business! I am MOVING AS FAR AWAY FROM THIS PLACE AS POSSIBLE!"

I had finally snapped, abruptly hanging up.

I leaned against my wall for balance, and closed my eyes. I gritted my teeth, on the verge of tears again, inhaling and exhaling sharply. I slowly slid my back down the wall, eventually sitting back down on the floor, my back against the wall still.

I tangled my fingers into my hair, and started crying again.

. . . .

Third Person POV:

"You got Peridot fired?! What the HELL is wrong with you?!" Spinel asked angrily, glaring daggers at Lapis Lazuli.

"It wasn't on purpose! It was just terrible timing!" the bluenette argued, throwing her hands up in the air.

"Do you realize just how important Peridot's job was?! Do you realize what her status was at that workplace?! You're so STUPID!" Spinel raised her voice, tangling her fingers into her hair.

"I KNOW, I feel horrible, Spinel! I genuinely didn't mean to get her fired! God, what have I done?!" Lapis covered her face with her hands, attempting to hold back tears. "I-I didn't-"

"What were you even doing there?! You don't even work there, Lapis! Why couldn't your conversation wait?!"

"SHE'S ALWAYS WORKING! I WOULD'VE BEEN WAITING FOREVER!" the bluenette yelled angrily, clenching her fists tightly.

"All you seemed to do is get in her way, Lapis! What were you trying to achieve?! This is ridiculous! YOU'RE ridiculous! Whatever it was, you definitely could've waited."

"Don't ever act like you understand what's going on, Spinel. You will never understand." Lapis spat, nearing much closer to Spinel's face than before.

Spinel gave Lapis a once-over, then quickly shoved the bluenette away from her. "Don't touch me." Lapis deadpanned, shoving Spinel back in a harsher manner. "I can touch you ALL I WANT!" the pink-haired woman claimed as she pestered Lazuli with several light smacks on her arm. Lapis then swiped her hand right across Spinel's face roughly with a loud 'SMACK' noise echoing the living room. Spinel then smacked Lapis's forehead, and the bluenette groaned in response.

Lapis reached out and yanked at Spinel's hair, to which Spinel slapped Lapis's cheek harshly. "QUIT ACTING LIKE A CHILD!" Lapis shouted, attempting to shove Spinel off of her now. "YOU'RE ACTING LIKE A CHILD!" Spinel shot back, now pulling at Lapis's hair. The bluenette jerked her head forward, colliding it with Spinel's forehead violently. "OW HEY WHAT THE HELL!" Spinel shrieked, holding her forehead and glaring at Lapis.

"Hey! You both are acting like children! What are you doing?!" Steven shouted, quickly approaching the two girls. He shoved them away from each other, keeping one hand on each of them. Spinel swung her hand one more time at Lapis, and Steven pushed her further away. "What happened?! What happened?!" the boy then asked anxiously in horror. "Lapis got my mentor fired! I HAD NEVER RECEIVED SUCH A GREAT OPPORTUNITY IN MY LIFE! I'M GONNA BE AN EMBARRASSMENT AT THE WORKPLACE ALL OVER AGAIN!" Spinel cried, pointing a finger at Lazuli.

"Shoving and slapping me won't bring your fucking mentor back!" Lapis snapped. "YOU FRICKIN' HEADBUTTED ME!" the pitch of Spinel's voice shot up. "Guys, guys please stop!" Steven cried, trying to come up with a solution at that moment.

The two women stared at each other with a burning hatred, and the tension had risen to a scalding boil.