Sugilite's Pov

"Mm hmm. Love you too, girl. Buh bye!" I hung up and tossed my phone onto the passenger seat.

Ames walked home, so I was alone. The short car ride was quiet. I got to thinking.

Opal made the team. Which meant she'd have to hang around Rainbow Quartz a lot more often. I couldn't stand the girl. She was shady and tricked people, and I didn't want her anywhere near Opal. What if Opal decided she had no more time for me?

"I can't lose Opal," I said, pulling into my driveway. "I love her!" I looked around quickly, then remembered that I was alone.

"Then get the Hell out of my sight!" I stepped inside the house to see Amethyst run to her room crying.

"What the hell did you say to her?" I demanded, glaring at my father.

"Hey Sugi, how was school?" He asked, changing the subject.

"Don't try that crap on me. What did you say to Amethyst?" He sighed.

"Nothing that wasn't true! Don't worry about it." He went to hug me, but I slipped out of his grasp.

"No, it wasn't, you asshole!" And ran to Amethyst's room.

"Hey, Ames?" Through the darkness, I could see her hunched over crying.

"Go away!" I stepped in, and walked over and sat beside her.

"What did he say?" She looked up at me briefly, before looking back down and crying.

"He just wants to pretend that none of this ever happens! That I never happened! Well, I did!" She turned into me, soaking my shirt with tears.

"Hey, Ames." She looked up at me.

"Yeah?"

"You can't let anyone make you feel like Garbage. You have to be strong, tough, and stand up for yourself." I hugged her.

"Thank you, Sugilite!" She cried into my shirt.

"Don't worry, baby! Sugi's got your back. Now, how'd a movie night sound?"

"But... we have school tomorrow."

"Oh, who cares?" I grabbed her blanket and tossed it on the floor in my room. I walked into the kitchen and made some popcorn.

"Watcha doing?" Dad asked, grabbing a piece and popping it in his mouth.

"Something that you should be doing!" I left him standing in the kitchen, and brought the food to Amethyst.

"Ooh, snacks!" She grabbed the bowl and happily started munching away. I laughed, turning the DVD player on.

"You choose a movie, Imma make an important call."

"Okay!" She said, looking through some old Disney movies. I chuckled, stepping into the call.

"Hey, Mom? It's me. I was calling again to see if you'd come visit. Please. It's been awhile, but I know it'd mean a lot to Amethyst and me." She didn't pick up. "Fine," I huffed. "I know you have an answering machine that plays this call. And I know you're home to hear this. And I know your new husband and new kids are probably asking why I keep calling because I know you tell them we hang out a lot while you go to the bar. Look, be the parent this jackass couldn't be if he tried, and get your kids out of this damn situation! At least act like you care you-" The machine cut me off. Good thing, too.

I sighed, scrolling through my contacts until I found the one I wanted.

"Hey, Sugi, what's up?"

"Hey Opal," I sighed.

"What's wrong?" She asked, concerned.

"Oh you know, bad parenting." I chuckled.

"It's kinda late, but I can come over if you want." I didn't want Opal to worry.

"No, I'm fine, seriously."

"Nonsense, I'll be right there."  She hung up. Damn, that girl was persistent.