Rock on

Chapter 19

Lapis' POV:

I came back, barging the door open that led into my house. I was hoping to see a pretty blonde still on my couch, but unfortunately, Peridot was long gone. I sighed, throwing the front door keys on the nearest surface, not caring where it had landed. I sat down on the couch, my hands placed over my face. Today was an excruciating, painfully long day. There were many impatient customers and an Aquamarine on my case. But everything was cured when I felt precious licks on the front of my hand. Pumpkin was sitting next to me, her tongue sticking out happily. A tired smile grew as I stroked her head and gave her gentle little kisses in return.

As I petted Pumpkin, I couldn't help but look at the blanket that Peridot had slept with last night. My eyes softened as my hand reached towards the blanket, and I pressed it against my cheek. I was sure that I could smell her scent left on the blanket. I decided to lay back on the couch, placing a pillow directly under my blueberry-colored hair. My eyes went back to Pumpkin; she now sat at the bottom of my feet, cleaning herself gently. I called her to come closer to me so that I could cuddle up with her some more. After a long day like this, who wouldn't like to spend some time with a lovable, furry creature?

As Pumpkin made her way to my chest, climbing over my body to get there, I took her under her arm folds and lifted her up gently. Pumpkin had no reaction, except a tail wag and a little piece of her tongue sticking out. I sighed, my eyes still soft, but not looking at Pumpkin anymore. I was thinking about Peridot. "Last night was really soothing..." I said aloud. I didn't realize I had said it, but it wouldn't matter; I was alone, besides Pumpkin. "She was so warm and soft. Her breaths were gentle and slow." I said, now looking into Pumpkin's eyes, still standing on top of me. "I just want to be with her. She's so sweet, a little bit chaotic, cheeky... she's perfect, Pumpkin." I said with a shaky voice. I let Pumpkin go, and Pumpkin wasted no time making herself comfortable on my chest, curling up into a ball and drifting off to sleep. But that did not stop me from continuing to talk about Peridot.

"She's so cool. And the way she would have stood up for me against Jasper... I don't want her to be hurt, I want everything good in her life, and I want to be in her life too," I said with slightly teary eyes. Every second she wasn't with me felt... miserable. "Peridot made my life exciting and fun. I had only known Peridot for a week, and she already has me obsessed. But I can't show her how I feel; she might not feel the same. Maybe I'm just a friend to her, a low-class being that just waddles behind her own shadow. Maybe I'm nothing to her..." I said, now sitting up straight, my palms back on my forehead, and Pumpkin sitting beside me with tilted ears. I was definitely overthinking this, but at that time, I didn't know it. Everything I said to myself right then and there felt true; I felt worthless.

I felt insecure and anxious; all I wanted was Peridot to see me the way I see her. If only I was able to read her thoughts. Right then and there, I thought of the worst thing I could do at that moment. I waddled over to the stairs, Pumpkin following behind me. I held myself tightly as I entered the bathroom. Pumpkin wanted to follow in after me but couldn't make it as I closed the door behind me. My hands rested in the sink, tears now flowing down my cheek. I sniffed before opening the cupboard below the sink. I was searching for something... something sharp. I kept shuffling half-empty bottles around, looking for my blade I was sure I had left down there. But it was never found. Slight irritation was creeping up, and more tears started sliding down. I knew that hurting myself was not the best option, and there were other ways to deal with how I felt at this moment. But this was a coping mechanism for me.

At last, I gave up. I slammed the cupboard door shut and flung myself against the bathroom wall. After a few deep breaths, I slowly slid down on the ground. I folded my arms around my knees and dug my head between them, sulking. A few silent seconds had passed, and I heard soft sniffing sounds coming from the little crack left open between the door and the floor. Pumpkin was pressing her snout in between them. She must have heard the loud slam of the cupboard door. My mood started lifting slightly, and a sad smile faded onto my face. I decided to stand up with a grunt and open the door. Pumpkin was sitting in front of the door, her ears slightly pulled back, and a small tail wag appeared when I came into view from behind the door. I smiled at her and bent down, gently picking her up and holding her in my arms. I decided to flop down on the bed, leaving Pumpkin's body next to my head.

My arms were stretched out and my eyes were just resting for a moment. My cheeks were stained with the fallen tears, and my hands were balled up into soft fists. I missed Peridot. I decided to take out my phone from my back pocket and scroll through messages. Mom had not responded to my last text message, but thinking of the things she said, my parents getting a divorce, I can't blame her for not speaking a lot. I haven't tried to think too much about my parents; it hasn't affected me since I moved out anyway. I scrolled down to extra messages and saw a message pop up. It was from Peridot! My eyes darted open as I opened her text.

Peri 💚: Hey, so I was wondering if you would like to come over to my house tomorrow night. I'll be practicing for the concert Friday. So I just thought you could spend the night with the band and me, then I can take you as my plus one to the concert for free.

Peri 💚: See it as a thank you for treating my bruises last night.

I couldn't help but smile at her request. Maybe it did answer my question slightly. Maybe she actually did like spending time with me. I held my phone against my chest, a sigh of relief leaving my body as I looked back up at the screen.

You: Sounds fun, I'll be done with work at 5 pm. Do you think one of you can come and pick me up later after that?

I waited, but there was no response. She must have been busy. Besides, the messages she had sent were an hour ago. I decided to turn off my phone and plug it in beside me. I turned to the side of my body, Pumpkin now laying near my stomach. Maybe it's best if I catch a few early Zzz's for tonight. I need the rest. And with that, I drifted off to sleep, with a warm fuzzy body next to me doing the same.

|☆|Please forgive me if this chapter is a bit sloppy, but this was a rather more serious and comforting(?) chapter. Hope you all enjoyed it.|☆|

(1256 Words)