Trigger Warning for a homophobic slur

Peridot's pov

I tried my best to ignore my anxieties-which, for a person like me who gets anxiety over everything, isn't easy to do-but it wasn't working. I tried to ignore the conversations happening throughout the room as people dined on the cake-chocolate with lemon butter cream frosting-but I was having no luck blocking them out.

"Yeah, I can't believe she invited him after-"

"You know, I've always thought I'd fit in at-"

"The Heritage School For Gifted Students was originally an all girls school..."

I sighed and stood, leaving the living room. I hated a crowd, especially with all the drama that always seemed to originate.

"Just leave us alone, okay?" I turned and saw Sapphire sitting at the bottom of the stairs with Pearl and Ruby. Jasper stood nearby, clearly having just insulted them.

"Aw, how cute. You think you're actually gonna stand up to me?" Jasper laughed. "Get real, dyke." I curled my hands into fists.

"Hey asshole!" I yelled, getting Jasper's attention. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" I marched up to Jasper, trying my hardest to make myself look taller. Ruby and Sapphire both looked as angry as I felt, and Pearl looked a though she'd rather be anywhere else.

"Peridork? Really? Ha, if this is the best you can do for 'backup', you're lucky I'm not looking for a fight!"

"You may not be looking for a fight, but you're gonna get one!" Ruby growled, jumping up.

"Ruby, no!" Sapphire grabbed her. "She's not worth it." Jasper looked at the four of us, sizing us up. Then, she scoffed and turned to leave.

"Whatever." I watched her leave.

"Ruby, calm down." Sapphire comforted. Ruby took a deep breath.

"Yeah, okay. I just need some air." The two got up and left to go outside. I sat down next to Pearl.

"Hey," I said, staring at my feet.

"Oh, hi." Pearl replied quietly. I looked around for a bit.

"How've you been?" I offered.

"Good." I frowned. This was getting me nowhere.

"Have you talked to Opal lately?"

"No, why?" Pearl asked, bitter.

"Stars, I was just asking." I grimaced and stared at my feet. "Have you read anything good lately?" Pearl was silent for a moment.

"No. I've been tackling lots of extra credit." She answered.

"Is that why you've been staying after class?"

"Which class?"

"English."

"Yes." I smiled. The dialog was a good sign.

"I guess you've been spending time with Ruby and Sapphire?"

"Not really," Pearl said, surprising me. "They were my ride."

"Can Sapphire drive yet?"

"No, Sardonyx dropped us off."

"Oh." The conversation was going no where. "So what did Jasper want? Other than to spread the joys of homophobia." Pearl shrugged.

"I'm fairly certain that's all she wanted to do. She spreads trouble, it's all she's good for."

"Yeah, I know. Has she been bad lately?" I asked. "She hasn't really been messing with me."

"She's been..." She shook her head. "I wouldn't want to worry you."

"Don't worry, it's okay if I ask you. Answering questions isn't burdening me." She shook her head again and stood up.

"It's fine. I'm going to go get some water."

"Oh, I can get you-" I called after her, but she'd already left the room. I sighed and slouched down, playing with a loose string at the bottom of my shorts. I didn't look up until I noticed somebody else ebter the room. I looked up to see Wilhemina.

"Oh, hey," I greeted awkwardly, forcing myself to retain eye contact with her good eye. "Do you need something?" She shook her head.

"Mother and Yellow are worried that you're not enjoying your sister's birthday party. They would like for you to rejoin the main party group." I sighed and stood up.

"Okay, I'm coming." I followed her back into the living room. It felt weird to be taking orders in my own house, but I was too scared of her to object.

When we got back into the living room, Yellen was about to open her presents. She looked at me and smiled, patting the seat beside her on the couch. I rolled my eyes but smiled, sitting beside her.

"Okay, now we can start." She declared. Mother passed presents to Bella, who passed them to Yellen. Most people had gotten her clothes or jewelry, and a few people had gotten her makeup. I had gotten her a copy of the newest book in her current favorite series, a signed copy that I had to refresh a page at midnight and click furiously to aquire.

Everything made her endlessly delighted and she thanked everyone personally, but I had begun to notice a trend. No matter what she received, the gifts from Heritage students were always slightly better. Slightly more expensive, slightly better brand, slightly more perfect. I wasn't the only one who noticed. I caught Mother sending the occasional suspicious glance at White, who simply smiled with glee. The atmosphere in the room had gotten slightly tense for a birthday party. Everyone from Crystal Prep seemed to look almost embarrassed by their "sub-par" gifts. Finally, when all the presents had opened, White stepped forward, causing a hush throughout the room.

"Of course you didn't think I'd forgotten to get you a present, did you, Starlight?" She snapped her fingers and Wilhemina presented Yellen with a black box adorned with a silver bow and a tag that read Yellen in fancy script. The Heritage students all seemed to shift as if getting ready for a main event. I tensed as Yellen glanced at Mother as if asking permission. Mother nodded, and Yellen looked back down at the box. She carefully lifted the top of the box to reveal the most expensive-looking necklace I'd ever seen. On a silver chain dozens of diamonds created a V-shape that looked as though it would cover almost the entirety of Yellen's chest.

"Oh Aunt White, I..." Yellen's hand hovered in the air above the necklace as though she was afraid to touch it without breaking it.

"Don't you love it? It's designer, one of a kind." She chuckled a bit as she smirked. A quiet murmur spread across the room. Mother took a quick look at the necklace then sternly looked at White.

"White, it's a bit excessive, don't you think? A little expensive for a birthday present." White smiled at her.

"Don't you like it? I always get something unique for Wilhemina's friends' birthday, but decided to get something a big more extravagant for Yellen. She is my niece, after all," The expression on Mother's face looked slightly pained, but she sighed.

"Yes, it's very nice. Thank your Aunt, Yellen." She stepped back.

"Aunt White, I can't thank you enough." Yellen looked up at White. "It's so beautiful."

"You can wear it to a fancy event, or even right now," White suggested. "Oh, but I won't make you, Starlight. Just keep it safe." Yellen nodded and put the cover back on the box, clutching it tightly to her chest. She looked around the room, at the gaping mouths of Crystal Prep students and smug looks of Heritage students.

"Thank you all. For everything." I offered to bring the necklace to her room immediately rather than waiting until the end of the party like everything else. Yellen nodded and carefully handed my the box, looking at it longingly.

I carefully brought it up to her room, taking my time coming back. On my way back downstairs, I noticed Yellen and two girl's from Heritage standing in the foyer. Yellen looked more nervous than I'd ever seen her. I couldn't tell exactly what they were talking about, but I could hear what they were saying as I approached.

"You know, if you had gone to Heritage like the rest of us, every birthday could be like this. We're all very close." I couldn't see the girl's face, but I could tell from her tone that she was smirking.

"Well, uh, I-"

"You know, White was right. She does get everyone a unique gift for their birthday." The other girl chimed in. "For mine, she got me a painting by Alesia Ferremichi. She's an artist. From Italy." The first girl turned and looked at me, then tapped the arm of the other girl, who aslo turned to look.

"Let's get back to the party." The first girl said, mit taking her eyes off me. "Come on."

"See you in a bit, Yellen." The second girl waved cheerily as the first dragged her back to the living room. Yellen waved weakly and sank to her knees as soon as they left. I rushed to sit beside her.

"I can't do it anymore, Peridot."

"Can't do what?" I asked.

"Face them! They're all so... Different now! And they keep subtly dropping hints about me going to Heritage."

"Actually, that one girl wasn't that subtle."

"Who, Tara? Yeah, she was a little pushy before you showed up. I think they're all in on it." I nodded.

"I think they're trying to pressure you into going back. Or at least shame you for not going before." Yellen looked at me.

"Really?" I scoffed.

"Uh, wasn't it obvious? Ninety percent of the conversations I overheard were Heritage students bragging about their school to other people!" I cleared my throat to mimick them. "Oh, did you know that Heritage is the number one private school in Virginia?" I laughed. "Please. Who cares? It's only because they're all rich." Yellen chuckled a bit.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. I just miss my old friends. It's just not the same, you know? I mean sure, I've got plenty of friends at Crystal prep. But a bunch of them ditched me after last year."

"Actually, I was kind of curios about that. What happened to make them turn their backs on you?" I glanced around and lowered my voice. "Does it have anything to do with the blackmail? She shushed me.

"No!" She whispered. "Well, yes and no. It has to do with part of it. And a couple of other things... But that's not important. What's important is that I get back in there and make sure this party's so good, Heritage students will wish they went to Crystal Prep!" I snorted.

"Yeah, that's gonna happen." Yellen rolled her eyes and pulled me up.

"Come on, let's go."