Spinel the Great Umbrella Thief

Chapter 4

Spinel looked herself over in the mirror several times. "Hmmmm..." Something was missing. She was wearing a cheap tux shirt that she found at a garage sale. It was the fanciest piece of clothing she owned. That accompanied with a pair of old gym shorts and mismatched socks. It wasn't much but it would have to do. "Aha!" She grabbed a faded red sparkly bowtie and and pinned it to her shirt. Now it was perfect.

Spinel's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a loud air horn. Her hair stood on end for a second. "I really need to get a new doorbell installed."

Pink Pearl stood outside in a very fancy pink dress with cute little bows and lace fringe. Spinel's jaw nearly dropped to the floor in astonishment.

"Are you frickin' kidding me?" Her shabby outfit paled in comparison to Pinky's decked-out getup.

"I overdid it, didn't I?" Pink Pearl looked away shyly.

"You're gorgeous."

This prompted Pink Pearl to lean down and kiss Spinel on the cheek without warning. Spinel had to cover her mouth in order to stop herself from producing an excited squeak. But that didn't stop her legs from giving out and turning into a mushy pile of squeaky spaghetti. Oh geez that was embarrassing.

"Ehehe...would you like to come inside? Or we could go out somewhere," Spinel twiddled her thumbs nervously.

"May I come in?"

"Are you sure? It's really messy in there...and tiny and boring. And I don't know how to cook. You'd have to eat cheap cup ramen."

"That sounds lovely."

"Seriously? We can go somewhere to eat, really."

"Oh I insist! Let me see the inside of your living quarters. Pleeeaasee?"

Pink Pearl made a pleading look that made Spinel want to kiss her. She sighed in defeat.

"Right this way, milady."

Pinky seemed fascinated by Spinel's apartment despite the small size and lack of interior decor. It was so small and cozy.

Spinel tossed herself onto the bed. "Welcome to my lair."

Pink Pearl plopped down next to her.

"You know, Pinky. I was a bit lonely. Just a bit. Until you showed up."

"I know."

"...what do you know..."

"I could see it in your eyes. You may act cold and rude, but that's just a coverup to protect yourself, isn't it?" Pink Pearl gently stroked Spinel's cheek.

"Pinky! You're freaking me out..." Spinel's eyes became wide with shock and she flinched when Pink Pearl made contact with her skin. Was it that obvious...?

Pink Pearl never struck Spinel as the type of person with emotional intellect. Most people backed off when she glared at them and didn't question it.

"Spinel, darling...I understand."

"You understand...? What is it that you understand? You don't know a thing about me."

"You're right. I don't know anything. But I do know what it's like to be hurt."

Pinky slowly unzipped her dress.

"What are you..." Spinel's eyes widened once more.

Several gashes and bruises covered Pink Pearl's arms and stomach.

"Pinky..."

"I'm sorry. I've ruined our date, haven't I?"

"Pinky." Spinel hugged Pink Pearl tightly.

"Oh my, look at the time. I'd better get going."

"Don't go. You can spend the night here. Please don't go..."

Pink Pearl looked off into the distance. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come here. I've only been using you, after all."

"I don't care...I don't care what you think of me. Just don't leave."

"Let go, Spinel."

"No."

"I said let go," Pink Pearl raised her voice in a tone Spinel had never heard before.

Spinel felt anxious again. She was scared. Scared that if she let her Pinky walk out that door, she'd never come back.

"Why. Why do you have to go...?" Spinel started to tear up.

"Things are better this way." Pink Pearl didn't dare turn around when she heard Spinel start to cry. Then she walked out the door without even saying goodbye.