💫Still Not Giving Up💫

Chapter Seventeen

"Steven! we have to leave now!" you shouted from the foot of the stairs.

you had both woken up late, and spent the morning scrambling to get ready. today was the day Steven was meeting your 'friends' at Funland.

"i know, i know!" Steven tripped down the stairs, landing hard on his face. you started laughing, unable to lace up your shoes from the tears in your eyes. "shut up! my face is gonna bruise!" Steven rubbed his cheek with a frown.

"if only you had healing powers, or something. can we take Lion? you know, to save the environment."

Steven eyed the pink creature on the couch. "i don't know... your friends aren't really aware of the magic side of this world." he handed you his letterman jacket, knowing you probably would end up stealing it if he didn't give it to you now.

you took the jacket happily, then grabbed onto his arm and jumped up and down. "please!! i'll buy you cotton candy!" he still looked reluctant. "we can ride that roller coaster you love so much."

"Lion, can you take us to Funland?" Lion huffed but stood up, crouching down so you could hop onto his back.

Lindsay: we're here!

You: otw, be there in a minute

Lindsay: hot guy is coming, right?

You: yeah

Lindsay: i've got a surprise for you, i think you'll love it ;)

that automatically put you on edge. anytime Lindsay had a surprise for you, it sucked.

you and Steven agreed you would make this into a date, probably breaking off from the group to go on a ride or play a game.

when Lion skidded to a stop at the Funland entrance, Steven took in your tense expression. "what's wrong?"

you shook your head as you scanned the crowd. "nothing. just a heads up, Lindsay is going to flirt with you, Grace will ask you super personal and rude questions, and Anna... just stares." he grabbed your hand to lead you inside as you continued. "it's just- something doesn't feel right. maybe Derek's here, Lindsay would do that." you groaned.

"rude friends and crazy ex. got it." Steven elbowed you playfully.

you rolled your eyes. "i'm serious, Steven."

"so am i. i am going to make sure you have fun, you're such a downer sometimes." Steven smirked down at you and leaned in for a kiss.

Lindsay, Grace, and Anna weaved through the crowd towards you guys. you gripped onto Steven's hand tighter, suddenly terrified of your friends. Lindsay towed someone along by the hand, a saccharine smile on her face.

you froze in shock when you realized who it was. "that's Derek." you whispered.

when the group reached you, all eyes were on Steven. Lindsay smiled coyly. "Y/N, aren't you going to introduce us?" she barely glanced at you.

"this is Steven. Steven, that's Lindsay, Grace, Anna, and... Derek."

Steven stepped forward a little so you were behind him, still smiling like his usual self. "it's nice to meet you all!"

Derek stuck out his hand. "nice to meet you, man." bright pink tinted Stevens cheeks, and he made no move to shake it. "so how do you know my girl?"

you gritted your teeth and stepped forward, glaring between Derek and Lindsay. a hand laid on your shoulder, Steven smiled and pulled you back to his chest before you could speak.

Lindsay laughed airily. "let's walk around, see if there's anything interesting to do." you and Steven held hands, somehow ending up sandwiched between everyone else.

and it was taking everything in Steven not to punch Derek every time he looked in your direction.

Grace started asking Steven questions, as you had warned. "so, Steven. have you always lived in Beach City?"

"yup!" Stevens walk was more of a skip, making you smile.

"you look so familiar, have we met before?" Lindsay cut in, smirking at Steven as if you weren't there.

Steven laughed, easily ignoring the tension. "probably not, but i'm on TV a lot. the news, or advertisements for Little Homeworld, that one interdimensional broadcast about me announcing peace and my return to Earth..."

Anna's eyes widened. "wait, Steven... Universe?"

"oh my god, it is you! Y/N, how did you of all people score someone like this?" Grace scoffed.

you took a deep breath, then loosened your grip on Steven's hand. "i'm gonna go to the bathroom."

Derek perked up. "yeah, i have to go to." He started to follow you to the bathroom, but Steven clapped his hand on his shoulder.

Steven gave Derek a forced smile. "actually, i was hoping i could talk to you, in private."

(edited!) ((again))