Rock on

Chapter 36

Peridot's POV:

I woke up with a loud gasp, immediately sitting up straight and grabbing my shirt with one hand firmly. I blinked rapidly and tried to slow my breathing. It felt like being drowned, and being unable to catch that one breath that one desperately needed. I took a few breaths, and I started to ease myself. Once I had calmed down, it seemed like my senses were coming back, and so was the pain in my stomach. Jasper really made sure to get a knee full of abdomen. I sighed and grunted, holding my arm across the lower part of my stomach.

It was a dark room, and I was situated on a couch. At that time, I had no idea where I was, nor what had happened in the last hour of my life. I tried to get up to perhaps get a clear view of where I was but was surprised by a bright light that had been switched on. I hovered my hand over my eyes and squinted, waiting for my eyes to adjust.

"Peri?" I heard faintly from across the room. I turned around once I heard the faint and subtle voice from behind me, only to be greeted with a big embrace of a hug. "Thank the stars you're okay," Lapis mumbled as her hug tightened from underneath my arms. I flinched every time Lapis accidentally squeezed a little too hard, but I wasn't going to let that ruin this moment. Nonetheless, I wrapped my arms around her and buried my face in her shoulder.

"What happened?" I asked as I adjusted the rim of my glasses into the correct position. Lapis pulled back, looking me dead in the eyes, with a soft expression that quickly turned into a serious gaze. "You got into a fight with Jasper..." Lapis said as she held her one arm. Obviously, I recalled that I was kneed by that Clod but stayed silent in case Lapis would decide to go on. "You passed out, and security had to drag Jasper out of the building. It was busy, and everyone was stumbling over one another, so I wasn't able to make out what exactly happened," Lapis said lowly as she took my hand and sat me down on the couch, letting herself sit down beside me.

"I saw that they cuffed Jasper against a car, and the rest of the band members said they would handle it." I saw that Lapis bit her lip slightly, as if she didn't want to continue talking, but for some reason did. It took me by surprise when Lapis suddenly looked up towards me, her eyebrows furrowed. "What were you thinking?" Lapis asked in an almost disbelieving tone. I froze; I felt my pupils grow smaller every second. What did she mean? Why did I hit Jasper with a bottle? Why did I flirt with that one girl? Why did I so suddenly decide to pick a fight with Jasper?

I hesitated, staying silent for a few seconds, only to try to find the correct words to speak. "Well..." I looked away, unable to admit that I just wanted Lapis for myself, that I didn't want Jasper to have anything to do between us, that the real reason was that I just wanted to protect Lapis, but how was I supposed to tell her that? "Well?" Lapis said, her arms folded into one another, her expression becoming more impatient as she waited for an answer. As she grew more impatient, I grew irritated. "I was drunk. It happens," I said with a faint snarl, my eyes not daring to meet hers.

"So that's your excuse?" Lapis asked harshly as she stood up, her fists balled up, and her face disappointed and agitated. I felt like a child being scolded at that moment, not able to accept defeat and give in on telling the whole story, but hated being the problem of the person you loved so dearly. "I wanted to ask you to dance, but then you easily give in by letting Jasper take my hand instead of you taking mine," Lapis interrupted her own silence, her one hand on her forehead, rubbing it, looking like she was trying to solve some sort of thought that lingered in her mind. "You aren't the one to drink until you can't think straight and then start up some fight, Peridot! I would like to think I know you better than that," Lapis said, her whole body turning away from mine, in a pouting-like stance.

I started being hit by guilt, feeling like I should have just reached out and asked for a sincere apology, but my dignity got the best of me, and I just stayed silent. "You had me worried sick, Peridot. I had to drag you back to the car and into the house, trying to get you to rest. I don't know what I would've done if you had gotten hurt even more than you already did," Lapis continued, now slowly starting to pace herself up and down next to the couch. "If the rest of the band members were never there to help me try to hold Jasper back, who knows what might have happened..." Lapis added, her nails to her mouth, stress biting.

At this time, guilt actually got the best of me. I didn't know what to do or how to calm down Lapis. My ears started ringing, and I felt like I was going into some trance of my own thoughts, only hearing Lapis muttering softly from in front of me. "Lapis..." I spoke softly but carefully. I held my hands to my knees, slightly gripping. Lapis stopped her pacing and turned to face me. I was uncertain of her facial expressions, as it was mixed with worry and curiosity about what I possibly had to say to her. "I'm sorry," I managed to get out. I inhaled slightly before continuing. "The first time I brought you too a bar, Jasper tried to... take advantage of you, and I just wanted to protect you from her, or anything that could potentially hurt you." It felt like another punch was given to me when I managed to mutter those last few words out of my mouth.

There was only silence in the room; one could swear that one could even hear the crickets from outside. I felt my eyes get teary, but before I could get out a few sniffles, Lapis kneeled down to my level and gently lifted my head to look her in the eyes with her finger. "Peri, why did you never tell me?" Lapis asked, her brows still furrowed, but it was clear to see it was more of a concerned and warm expression. I swallowed hard before croaking out words. "I'm not sure, I just thought it might push you away from me. No idea why I thought that logic would work." I said softly, letting out a slight disappointing chuckle at my own words, but finally accepting the defeat I should have given into a long time ago.

Lapis studied my body for a second, from my stomach that I was still holding firmly, to my forehead. Lapis leaned her head against mine and closed her eyes. "I know you care for me, Peri, but please, never do that again," Lapis said with a whisper as her hand slid to my hand, slightly intertwining our fingers together. "Okay..." I said, still filled with guilt but felt warm and appreciated by Lapis' presence. "Promise?" Lapis continued. I thought our little whisper session had ended after my turn of dialogue, but apparently not. "I prom-"

Before I was able to end my sentence correctly, Lapis seized the opportunity to rest her lips on mine. I was shocked at first, but once I felt her lips on mine, I melted into the sensation. It was soft and comfortable, with one of her hands around my waist and the other at the back of my head, ruffling my hair and pressing my head even closer to hers. Slowly but surely, our kiss deepened, our heads twisting and turning, occasionally breaking for air. Our breaths were hot, and we were both blushing messes, but that didn't stop either of us. Lapis slowly made her way over my body, almost pinning me against the back of the couch. Our lips were still stuck together, like hot glue that would never dissolve.

Lapis smoothly hovered over my body, almost laying me completely down on the couch. Her hands started to explore my back, her fingers ice-cold, giving me shivers, and leading me to grab the back of her shirt every few seconds. Lapis suddenly parted our lips, a strand of saliva hanging inches away from both our mouths. But we were not finished. Lapis made her way down towards my neck. Unlike her hands, her breath was hotter than sweltering steam. It made me shudder and wrap both my arms around Lapis' back. I couldn't help but feel a tingling sensation inside of me. I felt curious and excited, but seeing Lapis with me, and wanting to be in my presence. It just made this moment even better than it already was.

I was quickly shaken out of my train of thought when I felt a sharp pain coming from my neck. Lapis had slightly bitten down onto my skin. I shrieked softly, making Lapis pull away immediately. "Did it hurt?" Lapis asked, her hand now covering her mouth, almost as if she was trying to hide the things that would now leave a mark on my neck. I sighed with a slight chuckle before shaking my head. "No, no, I'm okay, just unexpected," I said with an embarrassed shrug.

Lapis' eyes softened as she stared at me for a good 15 seconds. She sighed softly, a gentle smile lingering on her mouth. She then leaned down and gave me a little peck on my head, staying in that position for another few seconds. I felt my heart beating faster than the speed of light. I felt myself fall in love all over again at that very moment. I wanted it to last forever... But at last, it did come to an end, as there was a soft knock heard coming from the front door.

Lapis quickly shot upward and climbed off of the lower half of my body. I tried to jerk up as well, but was immediately welcomed by another sharp pain that hurt much more than a neck bite. "Just lay down, I'll give you a heat bag in a bit, just rest," Lapis said as she turned my way, giving me an admiring smile. I tilted my head in appreciation, slowly nodding to her command.

I watched as Lapis walked towards the door and opened it. I couldn't make out who it was, as my head was still disoriented, but I was able to get a clear view when Lapis invited two individuals inside her home. "Amethyst? Pearl?"

(1845 Words)