Her Other "Friend" {Spinel X Reader}

Chapter 1: New Beginnings

Wringing your hands in nervous excitement, you peer out of the passenger's side window to your right. The sky was a bright blue, the sun shining down on the highway as cars flash by. Miles of countryside surround you on either side of the road. The music on the radio offered a low hum to the background of your thoughts. You knew this ride all too well, as you'd visited Beach City plenty of times in the past. Every year, you'd visit during the summer and during the holidays. However, this time was different. This time was more permanent.

"So," Your best friend, Jacqui, looked over at you as you began to crack all of your fingers. The nervousness was written all over you. "How does it feel to finally be done with college?"

"Unreal," You reply, glancing over at her. "I'm excited to be done with it already. Now, I can have a fresh start as an actual adult."

"Adult?" Jacqui raises a filled-in brow at you, a small grin on her lips.

"Shut up, I'm 20 now. I'm definitely grown."

"Grown enough to decide to move 3 hours away, I guess," She sighs and looks back towards the road. Her teasing posture had turned to one of... disappointment, almost. Jacqui flips a short blonde lock from her thin face, ice-blue eyes focused forward. "I'm gonna miss you. Everyone will."

You look down at your hands, fidgeting restlessly. You knew this conversation would happen for the millionth time, but it felt different hearing it on the way there from a childhood friend. Jacqui had been there for you through thick and thin since third grade. Things will definitely be harder not having your person within easy reach anymore. But you knew this was what you've wanted, ever since Steven suggested the idea to you a couple years back. The offer only seemed like an unprobable possibility at the time, but the more you began to think of how much you valued your time there, the more you longed to have your Beach City friends closer. All the gems and Steven were ecstatic when you told them. Well, maybe not so much Garnet, but she probably saw it coming.

"I know. I'll miss you too," You offer her a smile.

"And you'd better stay safe from all the gem stuff," Jacqui added. "I don't understand why you love that place so much. Seems dangerous and, no offense, but kinda stupid to wanna live there if you ask me. Didn't the world nearly end like six different times?"

"Yeah, but it's chill now. Steven told me they're even building something for new gems on Earth. Little Homeworld... I think?"

Jacqui sighs and looks over at you. Her expression is bittersweet.

Looking in front of you, you can see the signature lighthouse ahead. The tiny town laid out before you made a certain spot in your heart ache, and you realized that this was it. Your best friend had offered to drop you off at The Big Donut, and you got there all too soon.

"Thank you so much for the ride, Jacqui," You say, blinking over at her a couple times. She sadly grinned at you before unbuckling her seatbelt and reaching over to your side of the car. It was an awkward reach, but it was a hug nonetheless. The smell of strawberry shampoo filled your senses as you buried your face in her shoulder. Something about it gave you the comfort and confidence about your decision. You knew this was a big change, but it was exciting. This was your first time moving away so far from everything you'd known.

"Be safe, okay?" Says a teary-eyed Jacqui. Clearly, this impacted her, too. You felt a pang of guilt rip through your chest at the sight.