Rock on

Chapter 22

Peridot's POV:

Scanning the road carefully, spotting each light I could because it was getting dark, I drove nearer and nearer to the restaurant where I had said to meet Lapis. I squinted my eyes as I tried to see where the curve might end around the corner, but luckily made the turn perfectly. As I looked up in front of the restaurant, a young, blue-haired woman leaned against the only lantern shining pole in the street. I shook my head and sighed. "This is dangerous," I told myself as I parked in front of Lapis, obviously catching her attention. I put on a charming smile and rolled down my window, placing my elbow out of the car. "Need a ride?" I asked with a teasing smile. Lapis giggled in response and didn't waste any time to get in the car next to me.

"You could have just waited in the restaurant; I would have come to get you. It's dangerous outside this late at night," I said with a concerned smile, as I rolled the car window up. "Nah, I'm sure I would have been fine either way," Lapis said as she buckled her seatbelt tightly around her waist. As she was doing so, I felt a slight shiver in my body. Lapis was staring into my eyes, and I wanted to look away to make this situation less awkward than it already was, but I couldn't help but admire her eyes as well. So majestic... Lapis suddenly snapped out of her own trance, making me shake my head as well. "So, how's your eye doing? And I see you got new glasses," Lapis asked as she reached to slide her finger across the rim of my glasses. I smirked proudly. "The black eye is fading well, and I got these glasses from a friend who works at the Ophthalmic Laboratory," I said with a chest full of pride. I then decided to pull away from the curb and climb onto the road.

As I got on the road, I heard a low sigh coming from next to me. "Long day?" I asked softly and carefully. "Very," Lapis replied, leaning back in the car seat. "But at least I might have some fun for a bit," she said, tilting her head and glancing my way with a soft smile. I felt my face heat up slightly at the way she was eyeing me; it felt piercing and even deceiving at the same time. "Sure you will, you can listen to us perform, and if you'd like, you can join us for practice," I said with a smile, but my eyes now focused on the road. "What? I can't practice with you guys? I'm not in the band?" Lapis said, hearing a shift in her position, from relaxed to piercing her body forward. She looked at me with interest and confusion; I had to say something quickly. "W-well, it's just for tonight, and I can assure you, Lazuli, you have a delightful voice." I said, slightly stuttering but trying to sound as reassuring as possible. "Oh yeah? How would you know?" Lapis said with a smirk, leaning in towards me and folding her arms tightly against each other. "I heard you sing on the way back from the bar the other night," I said proudly, knowing the answer to her teasing question. Lapis stayed silent after my response; I'm not sure if I had shocked her or made her uncomfortable. "Oh," is all I heard from Lapis after I had spoken. Guess I did make this conversation trail down a bit. "But, like I said, it was beautiful," I tried saying quickly to try and pick up the mood.

"Thanks," Lapis replied softly and appreciatively. I felt myself sigh in relief as I knew I might have saved myself from an awkward car ride home. As we came closer to the house, I heard Lapis gasp lightly in shock. Sometimes I forget what a surprise it could be to see a house like mine. I gave a low smirk, feeling praised even though Lapis had said nothing to make me feel that way. I eyed the front of my house; it looked like the rest of the gang was already here. "We're here," I said obviously. I parked the car in front of the lawn and got out. Lapis followed behind me to the door. I quickly entered my passcode for the door, and it opened swiftly. "Woah," I heard from behind me, knowing Lapis was impressed by the modern technology added to my home. "Pretty cool, huh?" I said softly and in a snarky tone as I looked over my shoulder to face Lapis. As we walked inside, there was no band member to be spotted. They must already be in the basement. "Where are the others?" Lapis asked quietly, taking in the structures of my inner living room. "They would be in the basement, that's where we keep instruments," I said sharply as I flung my jacket onto the couch. "Come on," I said quickly as I grabbed Lapis' wrist gently, dragging her towards the basement door.