Chapter Text
“Stop procrastinating and just do it, P!”
Pearl's hand shook while her other hand's finger hovered over the call button. Amethyst waited a few seconds before throwing her hands up. “Pearl, you have to press the button before you can talk to her, you know. In case you forgot how a phone works.”
“Come on, Amethyst,” Steven began, “this is a new experience for her. Give her more time.”
“No no, you're right.” Pearl said. “I just need to take a breath. Relax. Act natural. Maybe consider some things she might say so that I'll have an appropriate response prepared, and- Amethyst!”
Amethyst grinned as she pressed the call button on the cell phone.
“Oh no, Amethyst! You've, look what you've done. Oh I,” Pearl opened the door of the house and stepped onto the balcony overlooking the beach.
Amethyst began to run out too, but Steven grabbed onto her arm and shook his head. “You should've let her make the call when she was ready. Let's just leave her alone, I know she'll figure out what to say to her.”
“Alright alright, fine.” Amethyst plopped onto the couch. “We'll still need to tell her how to, you know, talk to humans. None of that 'I saved your species and you're welcome' stuff.”
“Yeah,” Steven smiled and rubbed his neck. “I can't believe Pearl still got that girl's number after saying that. Most people would think you're out of it.”
“Could be. But hey, have you seen Pearl.” Amethyst nodded outside. Pearl had the phone up to her head and was shaking, but from her muffled speech it seemed she kept the nervousness away from her voice. “Maybe she thought Pearl was good looking enough and didn't care if she was a little weird.”
Steven sat down next to her. “Or thought it was all some sort of over the top joke?”
A short bit of time passed and then Pearl came back inside, blushing and softly giggling.
“Well?” Amethyst jumped to her feet. “What're you chuckling about there, chuckles?”
“She said yes! Well, we talked that is, and she said yes. To us spending having a date together.”
“That's great news Pearl! What did you talk about?” Steven asked.
“Well, I told her my name again. It's Pearl. And she goes 'oh yeah, the one with the hair made out of light or something.' I was about to clarify what I meant when she tells me she remembers because of how adorable I was and telling her things that made no sense and thought I was too nervous to have a real conversation. I felt flustered that she thought I was cute, and, well, she wanted to know if I wanted to hang out and do something, when I had the time. I told her I don't actually have a license and she said it wasn't a problem, she'll come here on her bike.”
“Aw yeah! P's got a date.” Amethyst jabbed her shoulder into Pearl's leg.
“She said she had nothing planned for tomorrow, and so she's going to drive here in the afternoon.”
“Wow. Your first date with a human,” Steven said.
“My first date with a human. Yes,” Pearl repeated. “My first date with a human. I've never dated a human before. I'm not even sure what a date is. Is that where I bring her a ring to show her that I'm serious about the date?”
“No no no, Pearl,” Steven said. “That's engagement, totally different thing that happens way later. You're going to spend time hanging out and talk and stuff. Maybe get some food. Or well, you don't eat or drink. So you could let her get lunch, or eat something? And, uh, go for a walk, or see a movie. Look, the point is you go on a date to get to know the other person better. It's like what friends do, but it's different because you think you have feelings for them and you want to find out what those feelings mean to you. And if you both have them.”
“Right. So the easiest thing to do would be to compile a list of every important facet of myself to present to her, and then we can discuss any finer details as questions arise? And I assume she will be doing the same for herself?”
Amethyst burst into laughter. “Pearl, this isn't rocket science. Talk about things as they come up. You don't wake up in the morning and think 'Hm, today I'll spend the first half hour with Steven talking about the physic thingies of swinging a sword.' You come out and say hello and chat it up from there.”
“Exactly,” Steven said. “Like, I don't know. She might ask you about the cops chasing you. Or ask you what you like to do in your free time. What work you do. Imagine you're talking to one of us, or Garnet or Peridot or Lapis. Don't overthink it.”
“I see. Hmm.” Pearl tapped her chin. “She might tell me about things I don't know anything about, though. Won't that be awkward?”
“She already gave you her number,” Steven said. “And, well, you brought up some weird stuff, and she still gave you her phone number. If you don't know, just ask her to explain. People usually love being asked things about themselves. Oh, that reminds me. You probably shouldn't bring up the whole Gem thing and saving the world and stuff. That's kind of a big serious thing and you just want to have fun. Talk about puzzles and trees and make jokes and stuff. Little things like that.”
Pearl took in a deep breath and sighed. “Okay, Steven. I think I understand. Go with the flow, like a river.” She took a few steps, doing a few spins and dancing. “Don't overthink. Just do.”
“That's it, Pearl!” Steven ran over to her and gave her a hug. “You'll do just fine.”
Amethyst slapped Pearl on the butt. “Because you are fine, girl.”
“Amethyst!” Pearl blushed.
“Hey, it's true. That's what I told Steven when you were outside. She wouldn't want to see you again if she didn't think you were a hottie.”
Pearl walked outside. Steven and Amethyst looked at each other, and then walked out themselves. The sun spent its last few moments on the horizon; their hair blowing about as the cool ocean breeze sailed in the air. Pearl leaned against the balcony, her eyes turned upward to the sky.
“My first date since her.”