Rock on

Chapter 27

Lapis' POV:

We slowly walked over to the wooden stairs that led to the front door of the wooden cabin. The house looks a bit smaller from the outside, but it's much bigger on the inside, surprisingly. Man... this place sure brings back a lot of memories, but I'm not exactly sure if I can say they were always good ones. I stood in front of the door, shuffling my feet nervously. I hadn't seen my mom since 7 months ago; sure, we kept in contact much more than my father and I, but still, one couldn't help but feel, guilty.

"Are you okay?" Peridot asked as she placed her palm on my shoulder, looking into my eyes with a concerned expression. I stared for a moment, even slightly questioning the question. I then inhaled sharply before answering. "Yeah, I'll be okay. I just have to see if my mom's okay," I said with a smile as I placed my hand on top of Peridot's hand that was resting on my shoulder. I sighed before finally knocking on the door. There was silence. Both Peridot and I looked at one another in confusion before deciding to knock again. "Hello?" I shouted, hoping for an answer. A few seconds later, little eyes were seen peeking out from behind the door. Peridot saw this too and immediately loomed over my shoulder to peek back. "Mom?" I questioned with a raised brow.

"Lapis? Oh, Lapis!" Suddenly, a middle-aged woman came barging out from behind the door, embracing me in a deep and tight hug, almost picking me up. Peridot jumped at the quick movements that had occurred, and even I got scared for a second, feeling like I was being attacked! "Oh, sweet little blueberry angel!" My mother said as she released me, caressing my cheek with her two fingers, tilting her head slightly with soft eyes. I couldn't help but feel warm inside; it's always nice knowing that your mother is happy to see you, at least. "Oh, and who have you brought with you? Oh! Is that your new girlfriend?" My mother said with an interested smile that perked up her cheeks. "Wha- mom?!" "I said with a red blush spreading over my nose bridge. 'I'm just kidding, baby,' my mother said in a high chuckle." Peridot decided to step closer, still wary of her surroundings. "Hello, Ma'am, my name is Peridot Greene," Peridot said as she shook off her nervousness and reached out a hand for my mom to shake. "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Peridot, and please, just call me Tiffany.

Peridot's mood lightened slightly as my mom welcomed us both in. "Come in, come in, you two. You know, I really wasn't expecting you to come today, Lapis," my mother said as she turned on the kettle. Peridot and I made our way towards the couch in the living room. "Well, uhm, when you told me you were scared of dad, I had to make myself useful. Where is dad anyway?" I asked as I placed my leg over my knee. I took a quick glance at Peridot; it looked like she was scanning the living room, seeing how she eyed a few of the paintings that were made by my mother. My mother and I share one of the same traits: we both love painting, but not many people know this.

I was back to paying attention to my mother when I heard a low sigh. "He decided to storm off after our last fight, a real insecure man with no responsibility for his own actions!" My mom said in a loud tone as she accidentally slammed the hot kettle on the stove. Both Peridot and I looked in shock as we saw my mom let out a bit of steam. My mother only sighed once again before what I would think were curse words from under her breath. "Wh-what did you guys fight about now?" I asked carefully as I decided to stand up and walk over towards my mother, signaling Peridot to stay on the couch for a few minutes. "Oh, the usual! Making up lies and excuses, always wanting to prove me wrong somehow," my mom said softly as she poured the hot water into a cup and stirred it with a tea packet that rested underneath. I only shook my head, thinking of how I would be able to help overcome this fight that had happened between them.

"What exactly did he say, mom?" I said as I made myself comfortable on the chair next to the kitchen counter. My mother stared at me for a second before she gave in. She took a seat next to me while she stirred her steaming hot tea. "We were fighting about how he thinks he's doing the best he can to keep the family together, but it's not enough, it was never enough." I felt my mom's anger rise, which made me rest my hand on my mother's, what Peridot usually does when I get riled up or something. It looked like it had the same effect as well; my mother started calming down before she spoke once again. "There were many little things as well, but I don't want to get into detail," my mom said as she took a sip of her hot tea. "Well, enough blabbering about me, are you staying for a while?" My mother asked in a sweet and innocent voice as she looked into my eyes with hope. "Well, I was thinking I could if that's not too much to ask for, but I don't think Peridot will be staying; she probably has to go back," I said with a tint of disappointment in my voice as I looked back to face Peridot, who was now looking out of the glass sliding door that led down the open lake.