A/N: I apologize for the late update (I said I'd update on saturdays) I had completely lost track of time last night. Anywho I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and once again I'm REALLY sorry, I'll try to stay consistent :)))

I had to take a few long moments to think about my answer. I looked straight back at Lapis, who was expectantly waiting for my response, and I quietly gulped. It felt as though her soft blue eyes were staring into my soul...but not so much in a bad way. I couldn't help but take a minute to just admire her features once again. Her distinct features that I had missed so much. I tried to resist the reminder of how badly I missed her during our parting, and how weak she makes me feel to this day.

Suddenly, I noticed that Lapis ripped away from the eye contact, and stared down at the floor. Her small smile had faded, and she pursed her lips as she lowered her eyebrows. "A long time." I blurted, immediately regretting saying that. That was so fucking vague and general. "Really?" she then looked back up at me momentarily, not smiling but her eyes definitely brightening. "I-I mean a li-little bit. I-I'm undecided. It all depends on my work schedule." I immediately snapped out if it and crossed my arms tightly.

I didn't look back at her, so I couldn't tell what expression she had on her face. However, she didn't respond, so I assumed probably not the happiest. I internally cringed at my sudden harshness, and I looked around for something to change the subject on. All of my serious thoughts flew out the window as soon as I spotted a Camp Pining Hearts DVD sitting on the shelf below the television. I unintentionally gasped loudly, and quickly walked towards it in a hurry. My excitement got the best of me, immediately remembering one of my favorite TV shows of all time.

It was almost like a Canadian soap opera I would always watch from middle school all the way up to college. "Oh my gosh...you love Camp Pining Hearts?!" I then heard Lapis ask from behind me. My face immediately heated up to the hottest degree, and I cleared my throat. "U-Uhm n-no I'm just...h-ha I'm a humble fan, you could say." I stuttered, tugging at my shirt collar. "You LOVE Camp Pining Hearts, don't you?!" Lapis asked in a high-pitched voice, and I grunted lowly. "I-I USED to!" I replied quickly, turning around to glare at her.

The bluenette had a shit-eating grin on her face, and she clapped her hands together. "We have to watch some together! Please?! For old time's sake?" she pleaded, her hands clasped together. "Mmmmghh..." I lowly groaned, rolling my eyes. "A couple episodes. Then I have to get going." I stated, jerking my thumb towards the front door.

. . . .

I sat on the corner of the couch, as Lapis was passed out on the other end. She was lightly snoring, and I was debating on whether I should wake her up to let her know I had to leave. We ended up watching CPH for two and a half hours, and my meeting was in 23 minutes. I could not be late. I had to maintain my punctuality as always. I slowly got up, attempting to not make the couch move so much so Lazuli wouldn't wake up. I began to slowly tip-toe towards the door, until I nearly bristled at the sound of Lapis' raspy voice. "W-wait where you going?" she asked, looking half asleep.

She peeked her head over the couch, rubbing her eyes roughly. "O-oh! I didn't mean to wake you..." I murmured, quickly turning away from her. "C-come on, can't you just stay a little longer?!" she asked, sitting up further. "I have to go, Lazuli. Or I'll be late for my meeting." I firmly stated, dusting my shirt off. "I still have to get home and get dressed properly." I said, gesturing to my clothes. Lapis then got off of the couch and hurried over to me. "O-okay, if you have to go..." she said in a quieter tone, giving me a nervous smile.

I scratched the back of my neck, feeling a bit bad. "Uh...I'll try to message you...when I get another chance." I said, keeping my tone firm. Lapis then looked up at me, with her eyebrows scrunched. "Heh, okay." she replied, though the chuckle wasn't accompanied by any smile. She took a very tiny step forward, and tilted her head all the way up to face me properly. She looked as though she wanted to hug me, but she then hesitated. She ended up wrapping her arms around herself, and took a step back right after.

"I-I'll hopefully see you again soon." she said, putting on a clearly fake smile. "Yes, of course. I'll stick to my word." I replied, nodding at her, and with that, I left. I never turned around to see if she watched me leave, and as I entered my car, I huffed loudly. I rested my head on my steering wheel for about three whole minutes before realizing I had to get home very soon. I started my car, and drove away from the memorable beach house.

. . . .

I carefully fastened the seatbelt over myself, making sure not to wrinkle my pantsuit I had just changed into. On my ride to the meeting, my phone began to ring, as always. I rolled my eyes, assuming it was one of my hundreds of clients. I answered it, trying to keep my eyes on the road simultaneously.

"Hello?"

"Look who decided to come back to Beach City."

My stomach lurched at the familiar voice. It was my older sister, Squaridot. Jesus Christ what does SHE want?! I had the incredibly strong urge to just hang up on her immediately, but I reluctantly stayed on the phone.

"Who is this." I deadpanned, pretending to not know.

"C'monnnn, you couldn't have forgotten about your favorite sister, Peri!"

"You're my only sister."

"See?! You DO remember me! Such a serious gal."

"What do you want."

"I just wanted to let you know that I may pay you a little visit later, Peridot. It's been AGES, now hasn't it been?"

"What makes you think I'm in Beach City? I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Don't lie to me sis, I KNOW you're here."

"Didn't I tell you to never speak to me again?"

"Pffft, I didn't think you actually MEANT that, silly."

"Have you no shame whatsoever? You're lucky I don't end this call right now."

"We've gone past that, Peridot. We're older now, and we've both matured from the experience. I just wanna see you again."

"Who told you I was back in Beach City?"

"Our bro Jasper did."

"Jasper? What...?"

"I mean I assumed you told your own brother that you were back in town. Just a little disappointed you didn't tell your SISTER."

What...? I never told Jasper about me coming back, I thought. The only person I had properly told first was...Lapis. But she said she didn't talk to him anymore. I realized that I had missed the street I was supposed to turn on. "Goddammit." I murmured under my breath. I looked toward the front once again after looking back at the street, and screeched as I saw the traffic light was red. I received several angered honks and beeps from different cars, and I rolled down the window. "SORRY!" I hollered out the window, completely dropping my phone. I kept my hands on the steering wheel and groaned loudly. Great. Another ticket is probably on its way right now.

Why the fuck did I even decide to stay here? You're a fucking idiot, Peridot.