Chip In The Glass (Pearlrose)

Chapter One

(Pearls P.O.V.)

Alarm clock hums a familiar tune, one that almost doesn't want me to wake up. But, reluctantly, I get out of bed with strands of hair are slicked to my face. Glancing at my calendar, my eyes widen at the date. April 5: Roses birthday.

Ripping my closet doors open, I tear out my usual sweater, jean skirt, kneehighs and flats. Rush into the shower, brush my teeth, and grab a bagel before running out the door just on time. Any earlier and Rose would've been alone at the bus stop with Greg. I grimace just at the thought.

But of course, I arrive exactly five seconds before Rose, who is wearing her long black hair in a ponytail, and her usual pink dress. "Hello Rose!" I exclaim.

Rose looks down at me, shining her beautiful white teeth at me. "Hello Pearl." Her voice is calming, but also fills me with excitement. Not the first times it's done this to be completely honest with you.

Brushing off the bench, Rose and I sit down, her ringlets falling over the back of the seat. I adjust my skirt under me, and cross my legs. Growing up in a sexist world, this was just habit. Trust me, it is not for this patriarchy. We chat for a bit, before the smell of cologne drifts through the air. He's here.

From down the street drifts Greg. The boy next door. His guitar is bouncing on his back, long hair tucked into it. Honestly, he's the very definition of a musician wannabe. Rose gently waves at him, and he finger guns back. It makes me gag.

Greg seats himself next to Rose, pulling his guitar off his back with one swift motion. "Happy birthday Rose." His voice was smooth and charming, one that could lure any naive girl into his clutches. Thank the Lord I'm not nearly as naive as Rose... or as into men.

"Thank you Greg! Pearl isn't Greg so kind?" For what, saying happy birthday? I look down, glaring at the newly greened grass. "Sure," I mutter, under my breath.

Rose smiles softly, and turns back to Greg, whom is looking at me with sad eyes. "So Greg, Pearl and I are going out for muffins later, would you like to come with?" Rose you did not just invite Greg to our birthday tradition. We always get muffins. I always get raisin, she always gets Apple cinnamon. "Sure, why not?" Greg answers in his same, smooth voice.

Rose puts a hand on my shoulder, alerting me that the bus was here. Not Greg's of course, he goes to Beach City Public Highschool. Whereas Rose and I go to the private girls academy: Crystal High. The bus looks different then a public bus, it's a silvery blue bus with a rounded top, front, and back. I stand up, as does Rose. Giving a small finger wave, Rose steps on the bus. I just glare at Greg.

Inside of the bus smells like a mixture of expensive perfume and freshly washed linen. Rose walks down the aisle, taking a seat behind two of our greatest friends, Amethyst Estrada and Garnet Smith. Amethyst is wearing her usual baggy tank top and jeans, hair long and colored with purple streaks of hair chalk. Garnet is sporting a flannel shirt with a MCR shirt underneath. "Pearl," Garnet nods.

Nodding back, I slip into the seat next the Rose. She puts her arm around my shoulder, at which I tense up a bit. Not out of shock, but excitement. Of course deep down, I'm sure it's platonic. "Happy birthday Rosey!" Ame bubbles, leaning over the back of her seat. Garnet pulls her down by her collar, right before we make a sharp turn that would've thrown Amethyst into the aisle.

Popping right back up, Amethyst has a huge smile on her face, a small box in her hand. "For you!" She squeals, handing the messily wrapped box to Rose.

Accepting the box, pulls her arm off my shoulders, and delicately opens the box. Inside it contains a small, handmade bracelet with a rose bead in the center of several, smaller white beads. Rose puts it on right away, and gives Amethyst a small, sisterly kiss on her forehead. It's something she does with all her close friends. As a family thing. "It's beautiful Amethyst. Thank you."