Corrupted Heart - Steven Universe x Reader

Chapter 14

I opened my locker, nonchalantly tossing the books from my last periods in my locker in a disorganised manner. I hoped that due to the Beach City evacuation, school would be cancelled for a while. But, it wasn't long until the faculty decided that the students that came from the evacuated area have had enough time to relax.

I found myself in line at the cafeteria, choosing all the unhealthy snacks that caught my eye. "I wish I could eat like you", I heard a voice beside me. I turned my head, seeing Owen with a tray in his hands with one of the most diminutive smiles I've ever seen on his face. I didn't return his grin, instead, my eyes met back with my tray, almost looking like I ignored him. "Why don't you?", I asked.

His baby blue eyes languidly darted over his shoulder, making visual contact with a group of people eating lunch together. The TubeTube Stars? "I made the mistake of taking too many snacks once," he sighed, becoming hesitant to add an apple to his lunch tray. His fingers were slightly quivering, avoiding it like it was a nuclear bomb. "That one day became the reason for me being an outcast".

"Are you telling me you're avoiding snacks just because some Dodo-Head made fun of you?", I narrowed my brows at him. Owen's gestures were pretty vague, almost as if he didn't know whether he should be indifferent about this or completely flustered. He had a downward gaze and it was obvious he was trying but failing, to keep his lips from trembling. His stance was a self-comfort gesture, showing how agitated and vulnerable he felt, holding his hands in front of his stomach.

"Ok, here's what we're going to do". Even though he already had one, I picked up a second packet of chips and plopped it on his plate before he could protest. His eyes widened like saucers, his mouth gaped and body paralysed in terror. The blue colour in his eyes zapped like sterling lightning, his gaze was sharp as he immediately took the chip packet off his tray. He looked over his shoulder but was suddenly at ease when he saw that nobody noticed.

I've seen people with ridiculous phobias before, but never have I seen someone so utterly terrified of potato chips. "H-Hey! Are you crazy?!", Owen cried, before rapidly cover his mouth with his hand. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to yell, I was just--".

"Look, let's be honest, you guys only want me as your friend to use me a shield against other people", I said. Owen threw his hands up, shaking his head relentlessly. "Deny it all you want, it's true. But, guess what? I'm not going to be your shield, I'm going to help you to craft your own shield. Unless you guys want to linger in the shadows like a bunch of pitiful losers for the rest of high school, you're going to take that packet of chips and eat it with dignity!".

Owen frowned, his facial expressions showing that he didn't know what to do. His physical shaking was so obvious, I knew that whoever he was afraid of, whoever pushed him to this level of despair, was surely going to notice. He inhaled deeply through his nose, "Bu-But, if they start making fun of me--".

"Then I'll step in. That's what I'm here for right?", I grinned at him. He sent me back an affirmative smile, although I could tell it was fraudulent to hide how mentally terrified he was. "I hope this doesn't end like last time".

~

"I've seen turtles move faster, hurry up!".

Owen, who was previously walking at the speed of a snail, slightly sped up, attempting to walk through the cafeteria without anyone noticing. He tried to hide his tray from everybody's sight, but he caught the eye of something on the table next to him.

"I knew it was just a matter of time before you gave in, Owen". Owen froze, the colour draining from his face, rapidly while he was looking stiff and uncomfortable. The grip he had on his tray got tighter, although his hands were we slightly quivering. The dark-haired girl who currently spoke, tugged the corner of her faint pink, glossy lip creating a toxic smirk on her face. Her brows slightly narrowed while her brown eyes glistened with amusement. "After all this time, you're still the hoarding pig we all know you are".