💫

"Okay, okay, enough about me and Jamie, we literally just met," Kevin changed the subject. "Tell me about you and Steven," he smirked.

"Oh..." you frowned, "there's not much to say."

"You're joking," Kevin said in disbelief. "You two are all over each other."

"Well, I thought it was gonna be me and Steven, but..." you trailed off.

"But... what?"

"We kissed, and... he said he couldn't be with me? Something about not wanting to get his heart broken again... And I guess that's fair, but-"

"No, it's not!" Kevin interrupted. "Fair would be sticking as friends instead of leading you on- especially if he knew he wouldn't be able to follow through."

"I guess you're right," you said, surprised at his mini outburst.

"Heartbreak, huh? Guess Connie dumped him, poor guy," Kevin said casually.

"Connie?" You furrowed your brows.

"Yeah- Connie. She went off to college last year, but before she left, her and Steven were inseparable. Literally, inseparable. I mean they would fuse as Stevonnie and actually become one person."

"Connie..." you thought back to Steven's dream.

That girl...

"I mean, I don't know what could've happened between them... it's not like we're friends," he laughed lightly. "But it must've been pretty serious to come between them."

"Do you think she came back?" You asked. "I mean, it is summer vacation."

"Probably? I don't know," Kevin shrugged, "Why?"

"Well, I don't know... maybe I could talk to her. Figure out what happened between them," you thought out loud.

"Oh yeah. Smart," Kevin smirked.

You smiled; "For now, let's just get back to my place so you can grab your car."

"My baby," Kevin smiled to himself.

"Ew."

💫

When Steven got home, he was greeted by the sight of all three gems; Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl.

"Hey guys," Steven said. Then he realized- he couldn't remember the last time the four of them were all together in the same place. With Little Homeschool, they've all been busy teaching each of their classes.

"What's... going on?" Steven kicked off his shoes by the door.

"Heh, nothin' much. What's goin' on with you?" Amethyst responded jokingly.

"Ahem," Pearl growled, "nothing's 'going on,' per se, we just wanted to warn you- er... tell you that-"

"Connie has returned to Beach City," Garnet said, finishing Pearl's sentence.

"O-oh," Steven froze.

"I thought it would be best to tell you so that if you see her, you don't..." Pearl trailed off.

"Freak out?" Steven finished her sentence and the room went quiet.

"We don't want things to get bad again," Garnet said gently.

Steven sighed; "Look, thanks for the concern, but I'm okay, guys. It's been a year and I've had therapy every week since then."

"But-"

"I promise I'm fine."

I'm fine.

The gems shared a look.

"If you say so, man," Amethyst smiled lightly.

"Just let us know if anything happens, o-or doesn't happen, or..." Pearl sighed and gathered her thoughts. "Just come to us if you need us."

"We love you, Steven."

Steven smiled and made his way upstairs; "I love you guys, too."

He let out a deep sigh once the gems had left and opened up his closet. Deep in the back, he still kept a box of everything that reminded him of Connie. Photos, clothes, things she had got him... physically and mentally, he pushed everything 'Connie' away when she left.

But now, he gave in and finally went through everything. He only stopped when he saw the pink hue glowing from his hands.

Probably best to avoid her while she's in town.

💫

"And what about the other students on your floor? Are they all nice?" Connie's mother, Priyanka wouldn't stop asking questions. She couldn't help being a little overbearing sometimes- out of love.

"Yes, mom- they're all fine," Connie said- it was only half a lie.

Mrs. Maheswaren squinted her eyes; "Can you elaborate on that?"

Connie sighed, but before she could answer, the doorbell rang through the house.

"Hah, saved by the bell, eh Connie?" Her dad joked from the kitchen, earning a fierce glare from her mom.

"I'll get it!" Connie offered, taking the opportunity to stop talking about herself.

On the other side of the door, you waited patiently for someone to open the door. You knew this 'Connie' might not even be there, but it was worth a try anyway.

To your relief, it was her who opened the door. She looked just like she did in Steven's dream, but... happier.

"Hi," you smiled awkwardly.

"Hey..." Connie returned the expression. "Can I help you with something?"

"Uh..." you didn't know where to go from here- you didn't even think you'd get this far. "Wanna get some lunch?"

She pondered for a moment and squinted at you- a trait she picked up from her mother. She probably wouldn't have said no in any circumstance, but her over-affectionate parents made her extra inclined to say yes.

"Sure."

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