Steven Universe Of The Creek

Chapter 26 Exploited Sociable Affinity

Morning came, with Steven and Craig having breakfast. Not long afterwards Nicole asked Bernard to take him out. She told her son to keep his mind off of Steven until sunset. She's willing to have him bring Jessica along to keep him occupied more, while keeping her promise from last night for him to hang out with Steven again after today.

Instead of taking his vehicle, Bernard texted his girlfriend to wait by the stop sign close to his house so he and Steven could meet her. Bernard didn't make any eye contact towards Steven, not judgmentally, but his new viewpoint won't change anytime soon even with how long Steven had been at his place.

"This isn't the best time, but were you planning on doing your job today?" Steven wondered.

"Yes but my Mom called my boss about..." Bernard blushed embarrassedly. "...me having a panic attack."

"Did she tell them about me?"

"No, even without me telling them."

Steven took a deep breath, relieved his incident with Bernard wasn't exposed. "I'm just happy your parents are respectful of my private life. I would do the same if the roles were reversed."

"Don't make it obvious Steven, especially when it's not obvious what your whole life is. Unlike your brother, I'm not interested in your life or powers."

Steven wished he would attempt to make amends with Craig's brother, but if he told him a bit about what's coming after him and Craig, he'll never succeed in doing it. They then witnessed Alexis standing by the stop sign after she received her boyfriend's text. "Hi Bernard...and Steven." She bit her lip after witnessing Steven.

"Hi..." Steven waved as he and Bernard walked up to her. "Was the portal from last night enough to make you think I'm not who you thought I was?"

"I can't answer that!" Alexis looked down. "Would it be best if we forget about everything and start over?"

"Including the explosion?" Bernard guessed.

"What do you want me to say?"

"Nothing to hurt his feelings to start with, but the truth needs to be told."

"If he hurt you intentionally, then the truth makes sense."

Steven didn't say another word, remembering he did hurt people physically when it came to his outbursts leading to violence on some occasions. "Do you know what type of friends you'll find for me?"

"Steven, the day has just started, I wasn't even planning on finding a friend for you." Bernard replied.

"Especially me, but...I'm not against it." Alexis added.

With a car driving past on the road, it gave them a chance to walk over the road. With Bernard walking in the middle, he, nor his girlfriend told their other friends about Steven since they didn't see what happened at his old apartment. "You know Steven." Bernard spoked. "If you told me the truth when you met me four days ago, I would think you're crazy, but even with everything that still happens afterwards...I would consider being your friend, no matter how deranged I'll be."

Despite making Steven smile, the gem himself still wouldn't believe it completely. "Would you think I would be deranged?"

"No, in fact, I would believe you're a hero without knowing your enemies. Enemies who'll be worse than criminals."

"You're right. But in case you haven't noticed, I'm not a celebrity from where I live. In fact, The Crystal Gems did more than me to be well known celebrities."

"Does being a Crystal Gem qualify as a private life for justice?" Alexis wondered. "Your girlfriend did say you fight, right?"

"Yes, but the justice and private life part...some of my friends didn't mind me having powers, nor everything going on around them." Both Bernard and Alexis looked at each other, as if the citizens who live close to Steven are more different than the people in Herkleton. "Craig and his friends would feel the same way if I was their age."