Reminder
Things had gone simply wonderful that Wednesday, the weekend later, and the week after that. Peridot felt great. Really amazing, like on a high, though she had never experienced what it was like to be on drugs. But was this similar?
Her life was the same, but now felt totally different. There was more color. Particularly blue.
She and Lapis were hanging out at the nearby diner just a few miles away from the university. The place was open twenty four hours, which made it the optimal place to go if you were hungry late at night. She usually ordered from the value menu, which offered unlimited pancakes and hot chocolate for six dollars. It was really the best deal there. Lapis shared the same idea as the blonde, and they ended up splitting.
The place was empty, besides the drunk couple laughing in the corner, and the middle aged man working on his laptop a few booths over. The atmosphere was bland, as if the interior was decorated from the seventies or eighties. But it had a local feel, and felt homely to Peridot. It was her go-to spot if she was working late at night, and was itching to get away from the house.
The waiter recognized Peridot as she came in on a semi-regular basis. Not every night, more like once a week.
So she was a night owl, big deal. As the shorter girl found out, Lapis was as well.
”But I also like to wake up early, so I guess I’m setting myself up for no sleep,” Lapis admitted. “Naps are how I survive these days from working graveyard shifts all the time.”
“While over here I sleep like a champ.”
Her violet eyes lit up mischievously. “While we’re on that topic…” Oh no, she was going to bring something up, probably something embarrassing she did. “You seemed to conveniently fall asleep on my shoulder while watching the movie at your place.” Over the weekend, all of Peridot’s roommates were away. Garnet was working late nights these days, while Pearl and Amethyst were with Jasper. Probably out at some bar for happy hour. Pearl worked as well, but how did Amethyst manage to afford going out all the time?
“I don’t remember doing such a thing,” she was caught in the act and crossed her arms.
“That’s because you were asleep,” Lapis teased, but then suddenly she seemed to have a thought. “Or maybe you weren’t asleep at all. Perhaps you’re trying to conceal the fact that you intentionally wanted to cuddle with me?”
The blue haired girl saw right through her façade. There was no way Peridot could get out of this one.
“Well, um, your shoulders did look comfy and I was sort of tired.”
“Knew it.” She flashed a giant grin.
Peridot was not going to let Lapis win that easily. “But that movie could have put anyone to sleep.”
“Lion 2 the Movie? Nah. It’s too good.”
“It’s about a pink lion.”
“An adorable pink lion! How is that a bad thing?” Lapis emphasized the word adorable.
“The whole plot of the movie involved the lion figuring out why it was born pink. That’s it.”
“But, but, the plot twist!”
Peridot sighed, “Maybe if I wasn’t asleep for it I would have agreed with you.” She could not argue against the cute face Lapis was making.
“Anyway, you were snoozing pretty cutely. There was no way I was going to wake you up anyhow,” Lapis flirted.
The short, blonde haired girl ran her hand through her hair, doing her best to withhold the blood rushing to her fair cheeks. She stammered, “You really think so?”
“Think you’re cute? Of course I do…” It was the first time Lapis expressed in words any attraction to her. Her voice became quiet and soft.
“I like you too.”
That seemed to catch Lapis’ full attention.
Peridot continued, “You’re fun, adventurous, kind, and not to mention, pretty. Besides all that, I admire you.” Probably because I’m not any of those things. Sometimes it’s hard for my mind to wrap around how a girl like you could be interested in someone like me.
How did Lapis admit to liking Peridot in that way anyway? Aside from making a constant fool out of herself, there was much more to her that she did not know yet. The blonde girl spent nights lying awake in bed, playing out every scenario of when she would share with Lapis the details of her life. Not all of it was pretty. Lapis had no idea that Peridot preferred to be left alone, or the details of her former, rocky family life. She did not know what the blonde did outside of school, or about her peculiar roommates. There was much to Peridot that Lapis did not know yet, and she would find out eventually. If she stuck around long enough that is.
“I… thanks Peridot.” The blonde liked how Lapis said her name. “I’m just lucky to have noticed you that night.”
“Dying,” she finished the taller girl's sentence.
“You weren’t horribly drunk. Trust me, after working those nightshifts at the club, you see a whole lot worse. One time there was this older guy, probably just brushing thirty, who got shit head wasted and violent. Apparently he tried to get take a girl home with him, but she refused. Once he started harassing her, the bouncer had to drag him away and kick him out for good. Things like that happen more often than I would like. I wish straight guys would realize going to have a hard time picking up girls at a lesbian club.”
“I swear Lapis if that ever happens to you while you’re at work, call the police right away.”
“Don’t worry, I’m more than capable of knocking someone out,” she winked. “But if that ever occurred, which it hasn’t yet, you can be sure the bouncer I work with will take care of it. I won’t even have to lift a finger. My job is to make drinks, not play mom.”
This made Peridot chuckle.
“You know,” Lapis took a sip of her hot chocolate, “this place reminds me of a café my mom and I used to go to.” It was the first time she talked about her mother since their first date. Peridot had not enquired further out of sensitivity, and not wanting to step over that line. She knew how much she was dodging the discussion about her own family, and had a hunch it was the same for Lapis.
“I sort of miss it now. She can’t really go out in general, since she was taken to the hospital.”
Succumbing to her temptation, Peridot asked, “You don’t talk about her much. What’s she there for?”
Lapis hesitated. Peridot instantly regretted asking. “She… is dealing with many things. Our relationship was very up and down while growing up.”
“Oh,” what should she say now? “I’m sorry…”
“Don’t be. I don’t talk about it at all, so I admit it does feel strange saying all of this to you. Especially when we haven’t known each other for a very long time. But I feel like I can trust you.”
Lapis trusted her. This always upbeat, caring, gorgeous girl, who was most likely way out of her league, trusted her.
But could she trust herself?