I pulled up to Steven Universe's old beach house...the details of it I recalled pretty vaguely, but I still remembered it. A quick rerun of the first college party I attended here played through my head as I continued to stare at the house. I turned my car off, and as I slowly exited, I examined the stairs that led up to the porch. I could almost see sophomore Lapis and I walk up those stairs hesitantly, preparing to join the rambunctious party. I then began to walk up the stairs, and they seemed to be creakier than I remember.

Once I reached the front door, I raised my fist and knocked lightly. I took a small step back, and folded my hands behind my back. I then took a moment to look down at what I was wearing, and soon began to doubt myself. Should I have shown up in more formal clothing? Is this attire too casual? I was simply wearing a black t-shirt and jeans, but the jeans were old. There was a small tear in them, and before I left the apartment it seemed fine, but now that I am here, it appeared gaping and terrible and ugly and messy and-

I was nearly startled by the sound of footsteps from the inside. The door was really more of a screen door, so I saw a blurry figure that of course resembled Lapis as it approached the door. She then pushed it open, and greeted me with a half-smile. I perked up immediately, attempting to hold back a toothy grin. However, my attempts partially failed, so I ended up uncontrollably smiling widely at her. "Oh hey! You really got here on the dot, huh?" she then said, looking down at her phone. "I like to keep my punctuality unbroken, no matter the occasion." I then replied, tilting my head. "Fancy." was all she said as she smirked at me.

She then stepped aside to let me in, and I quickly stepped in. I adjusted my glasses to examine the interior better, and I could immediately hear the thumping of party music replaying in my head. "Amethyst really had some crazy times here." Lapis chuckled, as I heard her footsteps enter the kitchen. "Oh, I definitely remember...that DJ would always be set up over there..." I pointed out one corner of the living room, which was currently occupied by their couch. "Oh yeah, Amethyst couldn't throw a single party without Sour Cream deejaying the whole thing." Lapis said, and I could hear the clinking of glasses and other dishes.

"Yeah...oh, remember the halloween party?" I asked, suddenly recalling that event as well. My footsteps immediately halted and I froze into place as I then recalled the events that took place after that party. My face burned to the hottest degree, and I decided it would be best if I kept myself turned away from the bluenette. "Yeah! That was honestly a disaster. The mess the morning after was a bitch for poor Greg to clean up." Lapis then responded. I wonder if she remembers later that night too. "I still think you made a great Harley Quinn." she then snorted.

"U-uuhg, speaking of Greg, where is he and Steven? They still live here, right?" I asked, changing the subject as I shook my head. "Oh! Greg is at work, and Steven is out with his girlfriend, Connie." "Steven has a girlfriend?" I asked, turning around right away. "Yeah, but apparently this happened recently. Boy is growing up." she chuckled, pulling out two cups. "You want anything to drink?" she asked. "U-uhm, nah I'm okay. I just had coffee earlier." I shyly replied. "You suuuureee?" she asked again, waving the cups around. I pursed my lips to hide my smile, and only nodded in response. "Alright then. Do you...wanna see my room?" she then asked, seemingly more shy.

"Yes yes yes, let's go, no time to spare." I said approaching her quickly. She giggled, and signaled for me to follow her down the hall. Dammit, that giggle. She then led me into the last bedroom, which was a horrid mess. There were supplies scattered everywhere, and paint stains in the carpet. A twin bed was in the corner, and it looked like it hadn't been made in several days...or weeks. "Sorry, it's a lil' messy." she murmured. A lil'? I felt irked by all of the mess, for I was so used to organization and meticulous cleanliness.

"I spend most of my days...and nights...working in here. Projects are thrown at me from several directions when it comes to my art classes, but it's all for a good cause. Being an art director is something I've wanted to do for a really long time...so I'm getting there." she explained, sitting on her messy bed. Despite the chaotic environment, the actual painting displayed caught my attention. There was one sitting on an easel, a few laying (but neatly) on the floor, and even a couple hung on the wall. The one on the easel appeared to be unfinished, but what was started on it still intrigued me.

"I respect your dedication." I stated, staring intently at the different paintings one by one. "You're...very talented." I said in a quieter tone. "Y'think so?" she asked, and I turned to her. "I know so. You definitely seem to have a good perspective when it comes to art." I said. Lapis arched an eyebrow, clearly not following. "Wanna know why?" I then asked her. She nodded quickly. "...because I cannot understand a single one of these paintings' meanings." I then stated with a straight face. Lapis stared at me for a few moments, before snorting and laughing genuinely. It still works, I thought to myself.

I always liked to make a joke, but keep a straight face the entire time, remaining completely serious. That would always somehow make Lapis laugh the hardest. I didn't expect it to still work, considering how long it's been, but there she was. I couldn't help but smile a little. I would make the dumbest, most unfunny jokes, yet Lapis would always laugh every time. I lived for her laugh...it was always my goal to make her laugh - because I knew it made her happy. A pang of sadness then stung my chest suddenly, and I realized I was thinking too much on the past again.

"There's no such thing as simply a good perspective in art, Peri. Just different. There's not exactly a certain way you have to understand my paintings, just interpret it in some way, if that makes sense." Lapis explained in depth. I tilted my head, furrowing my eyebrows as I thought deeply for a moment. Hm. "Strange. It may take me some time to figure it out, but I am intrigued." I replied, crossing my arms. "Pffff, you'll get it sooner than later." Lapis shook her head, smiling. "Well here's an example. Tell me. How does THIS make you feel?" Lazuli asked as she dramatically gestured toward one of the paintings on her wall.

I stared long and hard at it, trying to get an emotion out of it. What emotion am I supposed to feel? Is this a trick question? "U-uhhhh, happy...? Confused...angry...hhHHHHH." I began to get increasingly frustrated as I couldn't understand the random brush strokes. I gritted my teeth behind my lips and tried to think harder. "Wow. Out of all the people who have seen this painting, you are definitely the one who it has brought the most emotion out of." Lapis then said with a giggle.

I shook my head and dusted myself off again, due to habit. I was done embarrassing myself so I decided to change the subject. "Where's Jasper these days?" "Eh, around. He dropped out of college. I think he's a kickboxer now, but we don't really talk much anymore." she replied in a lower tone of voice, shrugging. I tried to read into her expression a little better, but she quickly turned away. "What about...Pumpkin?" she murmured, side glancing me. Pumpkin? I didn't think she still cared for Pumpkin..."She's...quite a big girl now. But she's back at my home out of town. The maid's taking care of her at the moment..." I explained.

"Aw..." Lapis then looked down at the floor, forming a sad smile. Pumpkin had originally been Lapis' service dog for her severe PTSD, but when we split up, I hadn't even considered that. I just took off with Pumpkin because I had her at the moment...I couldn't go see Lapis again just to hand over the dog. It would've been too tense and awkward. But now that I think about it...I feel a little bad.

"U-uh I could um..." I stuttered, thinking for a moment. "What about Squari?" She interrupted, which caught my attention in particular. "Oh, HER? No idea where she is, and I honestly don't give a damn for that matter." I rolled my eyes, causing Lapis to chuckle. "Heh, sorry for all the questions but...how long do you think you'll be staying?" she then asked, and I tensed up.

...how long do I plan on staying?