Chapter Text
“Pearl.”
The large sun hat flopping against the side of her face as she turned her head, Pearl looked at the woman behind her. The ocean waves crashed inching towards the folds of her skirt and tickled Pearl’s bare, sore dancer’s toes. The woman walking toward Pearl towered over her by at least a foot, her high-waisted bikini complementing her voluptuous body in all the right ways. She was perfect; everything Pearl wasn’t.
“Rose?”
“Don’t you want to join us?” Rose Quartz’s low, soft voice floated like a feather in the sea breeze, and she held out a hand for Pearl to hold. Her expression was soft, just like the warm, pastel pink color of the rock she was named after. “We’re about to cut the cake.”
With a small hum, Pearl’s thin fingers intertwined with Rose’s larger ones, making Pearl’s heart stop almost all together. Getting to her feet, Pearl felt the draft pick up her long, thin skirt almost as if Rose’s presence lightened up the world around her. Rose’s hand was warm, and all Pearl wanted to do was hold that hand for an eternity.
She held on for half a second too long, and Rose let go. Rose had an inkling, the smallest notion, that Pearl was infatuated with every single inch of her being. But she was too kind to push Pearl away, not after all that Rose did for her. She wasn’t someone who would just leave Pearl in the dust.
Pearl’s stomach dropped as Rose turned her back, walking to the small wooden picnic table in the middle of the beach. Though it was a beautiful day, all she could see was Rose’s beautiful curls bounce as she glided across the sand.
Pearl was in love and it was killing her.
The sand moved like water between her toes as she walked and the breeze sifting through her short strawberry blonde hair. Rose’s beautiful pink lips turned upwards in a smile. “Come on! Garnet’s wants you there.”
Pearl reciprocated a small smile and broke into a small jog to keep up with Rose’s wide steps, her hand on her head to keep her hat from flying away.
Rose was already there when Pearl made it to the table. “Garnet, we’re so proud of you for getting into college.”
Garnet only gave a large grin as she cut three large slices of chocolate cake. She wasn’t dressed in swimwear, only a simple striped tank top and jean shorts. Her large afro framed her face like a halo, and her favorite sunglasses couldn’t hide the happiness that glowed in her eyes. “I’ll only be proud too when Pearl gets into college with me.”
“I will. I will, Garnet. I swear when I get more money.” Pearl gave her peer an eager smile.
“Pearl, you’re eighteen, if you don’t start now—“ Rose’s expression turned worried and Pearl gave her a tired smile. Rose was lucky enough to be from a fairly affluent family so she could attend a local college while Pearl came to Beach City junior year of high school, when she ran away from her family. She didn’t talk about it much, but both Garnet and Rose understood it wasn’t a healthy environment. When she struggled through school and making ends meet, it was Rose who brought Pearl to her feet and urged her to work harder in school despite her financial situation.
“I know Rose. I’ll get in the next year.” Money was always an issue. Garnet was lucky to get some athletic scholarships, but as much as Pearl applied, she was never given enough money.
“You’re the last one to go to college, Pearl! We’re all counting on you.” Rose’s words warmed Pearl at the core.
Pearl’s lips upturned in a smile and she laughed, taking a slice of cake from Garnet. “I’ll do it. Don’t worry, I’ll do it.”