Stevonnie Forever

Goodbye Beach City

With the approval of Connie's parents Stevonnie began gathering their belongings. Bidding farewell to Greg, and to the other Crystal Gems, they hitched a ride with Andy, and Garnet decided to tag along as well to ensure they make it to school safely on their first day.
"Are you ready for school? I'm so excited!"
    "Frankly I am a bit nervous, this is my first year of college, I don't exactly know what to expect"
    "I know, this is my first day of school, ever! Well, except for when I tried homeschooling, but you know how that ended, with the ocean being stolen and us all almost killed, but it was thrilling!"
    "I had forgotten that was how that whole thing started. Also, isn't this your first time out of state, I know it is my first time"
    "That's not true! What about all of the gem missions; like the one to the snowy north"
    "I guess you are right, but this will be my first time going to any human location. I wonder what they think about Beach City, with alien ships coming in and out so often"
    "Never really thought about that"
    "Are y'all alright back there?" Andy called back from the front of the plane.
    "Yes" Stevonnie called back. Garnet gave a thumbs up.
    "Good, because we're going in for descent" he replied as the plane turned downwards.
    Arriving soon thereafter, they disembarked. Andy left to busy himself until Garnet was ready for the ride home. Stevonnie and Garnet left to situate Stevonnie in there dorms. After getting themself set up, they left to go meet other kids, meanwhile Garnet left to return to the temple with Andy.
Arriving in the grand courtyard of the school, Stevonnie expected to find kids chatting and having a good time, quite contrary to the fight that met their sight upon their arrival. Surrounding the fighting pair was a gaggle of students cheering it on. Stevonnie began to run forward, and as they did they saw the exchange of blows turn more violent as one student locked the other in a choke hold. Stevonnie barreled through the crowd with their shield pushing the students out of their path. Sliding between the two students legs, Stevonnie then summoned her bubble and popped it, forcing apart the fight and knocking down a few nearby members of the crowd. With the fight having been forced apart, disheartened murmurs swept across the crowd.
    "Why were you even fighting‽" Stevonnie called out.
    "To see who is stronger" the one that was in the choke hold groaned.
    "And I almost won before YOU ruined it!" the other boy called before coming in with a punch. Stevonnie rocketed into the air and then slowly began their decent.
    "Strength and power are not the same. If you truly wish to see who is stronger, see who better handles stress, or who can go longer WITHOUT fighting. Those show who is stronger, not fighting. All fighting does is tear apart friendships and hurt people" Stevonnie explained, touching down just as she finished.
    Silence spread for a few seconds.
"Everyone is staring"
    "They were probably just moved by our speech"
    The silence was suddenly broken by one kid pointing at them and shouting "SHE'S A HIPPIE" followed by more pointing and laughing.
    Stevonnie, feeling themself struggle to hold together, pushed through the crowd and ran.
    Not yet far from the crowd, Stevonnie was cut of by a short woman with fair skin and curly blond hair. "I though your speech was pretty great. What's your name?"
    "My name is Stevonnie. What's your name?"
    "Maria. How did you do that thing with the giant pink ball, and the floating? That was so cool!"
    "Well..." Stevonnie paused before explaining, "I'm not entirely human; I am one quarter an alien race called Gems," Stevonnie raised their shirt slightly to show Maria their gem, "I have certain powers derived from my gemstone."
    "That's really cool! I have to get going, I need to finish settling into my dorm. Maybe we can chat tomorrow?"
    "Well tomorrow is the first day of school"
    "We could chat at lunch, what period is your lunch?"
    "My lunch is..." Stevonnie pulled out her schedule, "Seventh period"
    "Same here! See you then" Maria said as she walked off. Stevonnie ambled to her dorm, satisfied by the encounter.
    Arriving, Stevonnie settled down, before noticing a letter on their dresser. It read "From Garnet. Do not open until February 22nd"
"Well that is unusual"
    "No kidding"
    They pondered the letter for a time, before drifting off to sleep.