Despite all the time they had spent together, Connie seemed to be drifting away. Steven's schedule was always full, and it was becoming obvious that he had to drop some things. The childish play dates that they enjoyed so much disappeared from their minds. Steven and Garnet were dedicating long hours of the day to planning, studying, and experimenting. They had ideas on how to restore the corrupted gems, and what to do with the bubbled gems.

Pearl and Connie were busy sparring, and despite how much Connie had improved, Pearl always seemed to be smarter, faster, and better. Her muscles usually burned and even warm baths and stretching didn't help. She could feel herself becoming more skilled as she sparred with Pearl. Pearl never let her win, but there were days that she struggled to win.

Connie's mother and father were starting to grow wary of Connie's 'play dates' with Steven that were usually just training and sparring sessions with Pearl. They were notice the occasional cut or bruise, which she would lie and say that it was from a fall or from using scissors.

As time passed, they only seemed to grow further apart. Even after Steven returned from Homeworld, they only seemed to grow apart after their reunion. Steven completely dedicated himself to making a plan to fight Homeworld, and Connie started to train even harder, seeing that it might be the only chance that she has to even see Steven, let alone talk or play with him.

But today was different. Pearl and Garnet were out for the day, going to explore what they thought might be something of interest. Pearl told Connie to practice with Amethyst, who was out at the Boardwalk, eating snacks. Connie had the feeling that Garnet and Pearl had planned this with Amethyst, just so Connie and Steven could have some time together.

Connie was silently sitting in the living room of the temple, watching Steven as he read a thick book of battle strategies. Steven had seen her multiple times, and didn't even attempt to say hi, or make her feel welcome. Connie was starting to feel like Steven didn't want her there.

"So, do you know when Amethyst might be coming back?" Connie asked in the happiest voice she could. It took Steven a moment to realize that Connie was asking him a question.

"What did you say?" Steven asked without looking up from his book. Connie was glaring daggers into Steven's back.

"I asked when Amethyst will be coming back?" Connie asked a little louder, her happy voice gone.

Steven shrugged.

"She'll probably be back soon. She's her own gem, after all." Steven went right back to reading- not like he stopped reading though. Connie watched Steven curiously. Was this a trick? A prank of some sorts? Steven never ignored her like this before, and she had been so excited to spend time with Steven after being ignored for so long, but it felt like Steven was showing no signs of talking to her soon.

"So what have you been up to, Steven?" Connie was desperately trying to keep conversation going at this point, holding onto the hope that maybe the gems and Steven were planning some sort of party or this was all just a joke. Steven wouldn't treat her like this. They were friends.

"Mostly just planning, battle strategies, you know."

And the conversation died.

Connie sat on the couch for twenty long minutes, busying herself with her own thoughts and worries. Steven seemed completely unaware of the fact that Connie was on the verge of tears, digging her fingernails into the couch.

Was it something that she did?

Was something wrong?

Was this his way of telling her that they weren't friends anymore?

Why wouldn't he look at her?

"Steven why are you ignoring me?" Connie asked in a weak voice. Steven snapped his attention away from his book. Connie's voice was nearly a sob, strained from trying to keep it together.

"I'm not ignoring you," Steven spun his chair around. "Whoa. Connie are you crying?"

Connie angrily wiped away her tears. She wasn't really angry at Steven. She was confused with Steven. She was angry at herself for crying.

"It's just been like you're ignoring me. Do...Do you not like me anymore?"

"No, I do it's just-"

"Yeah. Yeah I know. You're busy. Homeworld is a threat and the Earth's in danger...But...But before this, we were still friends. I know we can be friends and still hang out through all of this...So why aren't we?" Connie was now crying, her voice shaking only a tiny bit. Steven looked at her. She was his best friend, and he had pushed her away because he was afraid.

For a moment there was quiet. A moment of thoughtfulness.

"Connie. I know this is gonna sound bad, but... I was afraid. I'm not really sure what I should do, and with Homeworld on the rise, and the Crystal Gems looking up to me...I'm really scared. I thought if I just tried to think more and be more...I don't know...Not me? I could be a better leader." Steven rubbed his arm. "I'm sorry for that. I shouldn't have acted like that."

"Yeah. I know Steven. It's scary. We're just kids. We'er just suppose to act like adults...sometimes. It would just be nice if we can just be kids together sometimes." Connie stopped crying now.

"Connie?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you wanna watch Dogcopter together?"

Pearl, Garnet, and Amethyst walked in a few hours later. Connie and Steven were both wrapped up blankets, surrounded with empty bags of chips and soda cans, with the TV playing the latest Dogcopter movie, both of them cheering on Dogcopter taking down the newest villain.

"It seems that our plan has worked." Pearl whispered as both children burst out laughing.