Change

Chapter 8

Steven slowly opened his eyes. He did a big yawn and sat up. He saw a purple form laying on the bed next to him fast asleep. Suddenly last nights events came rushing back to him.

'Oh shit, she knows.'

He quietly jumped out of bed and put his shoes on before quietly exiting the room. He didn't particularly  want to talk to Amethyst right now. Just before he managed to make it out the front door he heard a voice from behind him.

"Good morning Steven! How are you feeling?" Pearl sounded rather cheery today. Steven however was not.

"Oh, uh, Pearl, hey! I'm just heading out for a walk you know? Fancy some fresh air, haha..." Steven looked everywhere but directly at her.

"Oh, of course! But Steven before you go I was wondering if you wanted to hang out with all of us today? We could go somewhere nice for a picnic, it would be wonderful, don't you think?" Pearl happily asked.

Steven gulped. As much as he would love to spend the day with the gems, he'd feel so awkward knowing that Amethyst knew his secret. 

'Awh man, I really want to but... what if Amethyst accidentally lets something slip? Or maybe she'll see how much of a mess and tell them anyway... or what if it gets hot and they question why I'm not taking off my jacket? What if I have another panic attack?! What if-'

"-ven? Steven? Are you okay?" A rather worried looking Pearl was right up close to his face. Steven jumped and let out a shriek.

"Ahh! Pearl what the heck?!"

"Sorry Steven! You just kinda...zoned out for a couple of minutes there. Are you feeling okay?" Pearl looked concerned.

"What, of course I'm fine, I'm just super tired is all!" Steven gave a super big smile in hopes that Pearl would believe him.

"Oh, did you not get a good sleep? You'll have to have an early night tonight then!"

"Pearl, I'm not a kid anymore!" Steven laughed.

"I know. Just take of yourself, okay?"

"...Of course." Steven gave a sort of sad smile.

"Well, enjoy your walk!" Pearl smiled and gave a small wave.

"Yeah, I will. See you soon!" Steven waved back.

"Oh wait Steven! So did you want to hang out later or?"

"Oh, um, maybe, yeah. I've just got to... do some things first. anyway yeah uh see you in a bit!" And with that Steven sped out the door.

He walked down the beach until he saw a big rock. He sat in front of it and lent back on it, letting out a big sigh. 'I really hope I didn't hurt Pearl's feelings...I do wanna hang with them, I just feel so nervous right now. I don't want them to find out, but I don't want to stop doing it either...hey, whats this?' his hand had bumped into something as he was absentmindedly playing with the sand. He picked it up.

A box of...cigarettes?

'Ugh, gross.' He thought as he looked at the images displayed on the packaging. He looked inside. There were four in there. He suddenly felt curious. 'Steven oh my god no, don't you dare even think about it. We already know how your dumb ideas work out.' He took a cigarette out and stared at it for a moment...before putting it back in the box and putting them in his pocket. 

'Steven, you are an idiot.'

He then got up and set off to see where he could obtain a lighter.