The World As We Know It

Chapter 21: Marie Antoinette

"Okay, so here's our options," Pink described, laying all the VHS tapes down on the coffee table. "We have the classic, Grease; but if we're in the mood for something different, I also have Hercules and The Hunchback of Notre Dame."

Brown eyes meet up with Pearl's blue, in a search of an opinion that wasn't quite necessary from her. Pearl wouldn't be the one watching the movies with her; but it was still extremely flattering that Pink cared to include her in some way.

But Pearl, raised to be a people pleaser; doesn't let such a compliment get to her head.

"I don't know," She shrugged. (Truthfully, Pearl's knowledge about movies wasn't the best; hardly having the time to enjoy any little luxuries, in general.) "Maybe you should let Elliana decide."

She was painfully aware of how unhelpful her answer was; especially as Pink took a minute to respond, humming indecisively under her breath— the agony of waiting, making Pearl return back to dusting she was distracted from.

Of course, the last thing she wanted was Pink to know that she didn't know— even if to some degree, she had to know what Pearl's life was like.

But it wasn't like Pink to think about hard things like that; not when she had greater problems in the world.

"We always watch Grease... " Pink more or less mumbled to herself; taking a moment to reflect before picking up the tape.

From the corner of Pearl's eye, she watched as Pink made the decision to put the film away; as ironically, Pearl wouldn't stop polishing the TV, until Pink had disappeared up the stairs.

By then, the screen would be spotless; fairly new, as it was one the Diamond brand's largest and latest models— though Pearl couldn't help but sigh, as she took a step back from the boxy mirrored surface.

Her reflection was distorted and gray; and Pearl couldn't help but feel guilty about being so stressed about this.

For some reason, she couldn't help but feel this way whenever she knew that Pink was going to have her own guests over. By now, Pearl had dealt with many of the pompous and entitled of the family's acquaintances; so used to the behavior of being seen as invisible, until they needed her for something.

However, peers her age were an entirely different challenge to wrangle with; as they certainly treated Pearl with a certain acknowledgement— that yes, she was in fact human— but at the same time, they knew who she was.

All of Pink's friends had come from school; the natural consequence of sharing the same classes with the same groups of people, since kindergarten. And while Pearl was by means forgettable, they still recognized who she was.

Because in a private school filled with rich families with influence, Pearl's family lineage of washing dishes certainly stuck out like a sore thumb— that her association to Pink wasn't just out of genuine companionship, but one of employment.

It was a fact about Pearl that was whispered and joked about in the halls; as surely, she was mainly known around school as Pink's maid. At least, her life wasn't made too miserable because of this; as with Pink at her side, those things were never directly said to her face.

Though unfortunately, Pearl still knew they were being uttered about her.

So there was always an edge of nervousness whenever she knew Pink was having a friend over; even if today, it would just be Elliana De Jesus spending the night— Pearl realizing that it's been a while since Pink had invited anyone over besides her.

What was a relief on Pearl's part, does get her thinking; moving on to wiping the various media players on top of TV.

For the plenty of people that flock around Pink Diamond, it seemed like many of them had a problem with actually following through with any plans outside of school; all except Elliana, and the Sarahs— who shouldn't just be exceptions.