You've always been shy, so much that you hardly left your house in Beach City. You took the occasional walk along the beach, enjoying the sand under your bare feet and the salty wind tangle through your hair, but other than that, nothing in the outside world appealed to you. You didn't have many friends to hang out with anyway. You were content nonetheless, but your mother was not.
"You need to get a job, dear." She said sternly as she walked into your dark room. Opening the blinds of the window near the bed, she continued, "You hardly go out anymore; it's not healthy. The Big Donut is hiring and I'd like you to apply." You hissed as the light flooded into the room. You shifted further under the covers.
"I'm not getting a job at the Big Donut, mom. You know I can't talk to people well; I'd humiliate myself." You mumbled from beneath the warm cocoon of comfort that is your bed.
"That's too bad, huh?"
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'Unbelievable,' You thought. Your mom was driving to the Big Donut for your first day on the job. You scowled, looking out the car window at the beach. Normally you enjoyed the scene but today it looked dull. There was a thick layer of clouds above, making the water look dark and gray.
"This is great, Y/n. You've got a job close enough to the house that you could even walk to it from now on! And your shift is only a few days a week so it's not hard work." Your mother pulled up next to the building and looked over at you. " Do you want me to pick you up later today though?"
"... Nah, its fine. I know my way back already." You grumbled, remembering the few times you came here to get a snack after some strolls on the beach. You unbuckled your seatbelt and got out of the car.
"Hey, I'm proud of you girl. You'll do fine." Your mom smiled. You nodded solemnly, and shut the car door. You made your way to the little shop's door, hearing the car behind you drive off. There was no customers inside which was pretty uncommon. There were at least new gems from Little Homeworld trying donuts for the first time, but not today. You could hear Mr. Dewey humming a tune from the back room.
"Hello?" Your head peeped around the doorframe to see him unpacking napkins and coffee stirrers. Mr. Dewey looked up from his work.
"Ah, you must be Y/n! Good to meet you, ready for work? Let me show you the ropes." He stood up and shook your hand. The next half hour You learned everything you needed to know in order to work at the Big Donut. The job was easy, but you didn't really like it. You enjoyed being able to snack on a donut every once in a while, but hated interacting with the customers. Most of them were quite nice but they took forever to decide what to order.
It had been about a couple hours into your first day now. A few people wandered in for a coffee or such. You propped your head up on the counter with your arms and gazed outside the big windows ahead. It was raining now. You frowned, 'why did I tell mom I would walk home? Now I have to do it in the rain..' Mr. Dewey appeared from the back room and walked past the counter.
" My shift is over, think you can close up shop for today?"
"Oh, um..yeah. I'm sure I can." You replied. It was only a couple hours more before closing anyway.
"Great, I'll see you tomorrow then." He said and was out the door. You sighed. This was so boring, but its better than a busy day. A clap of thunder boomed as the rain continued. You turned around and slid to the ground, back leaning on the counter. Suddenly, the door chimed, signaling a person must've walked in. 'who in the world would be out in this weather?' You huffed and slowly got up.
"Hello? Mr. Dewey?" The customer's voice was smooth and calm. You then appeared behind the counter. It was Steven, Steven Universe. You recognized him almost immediately. Everyone in Beach City knew him, even yourself, despite not being out much. How could anyone miss the giant lady ship that would visit, the new gems, or how the world almost ended a few months ago! Steven was always there, saving the day. He paused, shocked to see someone new.
"Oh! Hi! You must be new here, I've never seen anyone work here besides Mr Dewey." He walked up to the counter.
"Oh, yeah.. I just started working here today." You looked down and twiddled your thumbs. It's been a while since you talked to someone your age, especially a boy.
" Neat, did you recently move here? I don't recognize you, and I know pretty much everyone." Steven raised his brows and leaned down, trying to see your face.
You stammered, slightly offended. You've lived here since you were 6! But you couldn't blame him. It's not like you were out and about very often. " No.. I've lived here for a long time. I don't get out much" you shrugged.
" Well its nice to meet you, I'm Steven!" He grinned and leaned on the counter.
" I'm Y/n.." you took a step back and glanced up.
"How you liking your new job, Y/n?"
" It's alright.. I'm not much of a people person so being a cashier is kind of difficult" You replied. You couldn't believe how smooth you were talking despite saying that. Steven was just radiating warmth and friendliness; maybe it had a affect on you.
" Wha- you seem so nice!" Steven paused and stared at you with furrowed brows. He seemed to be pondering something.
" Haha, yeah.. but I'm just not much of a talker." You said, looking past him to the rain. You were not a fan of eye contact, especially with a cute boy like him.
"Y'know I bet I could make you a people person." Steven suddenly leaned in further, his face level with yours.
You stammered, "W-what?" Your eyes met his in flustered confusion.
" You can practice with me! I can show you the ways of a people person." The boy smirked, straightening up. He was a good few inches taller than you.
" You can't be serious, you'd just waste your time.." You slightly frowned and walked away, past the counter to the coffee station. You couldn't handle his stare anymore.
" You're anything but a waste of time." Steven's voice chirped from behind you. You sensed him following you.
"Y-you hardly know me!" You blushed, but didn't turn around. You started to clean the coffee maker of dried spilled coffee.
Steven grabbed a chair and dragged it to your spot. "That's step one: getting to know you. So, what does Y/n like to do?" He swung the chair around and sat in backwards, elbows propping his head up on the back of the chair. He looked up at you with hopeful eyes.
"Pshh.. I don't know.. sleep?" You focused on your work.
"What kind?" He chuckled. You didnt understand the question at first, then your eyes widened in realization.
"Wha- no! I-I mean normal sleeping!" You whipped your head around and yipped. Your face had to be red at this point. 'this boy is gonna be the death of me.'
"Hehe I'm just messing with you" He raised an eyebrow, amused by your reaction. You huffed and continued cleaning.
Steven spoke with you until closing, though you must admit, he did most of the talking. You listened to him intently, though. His stories were so entertaining and exciting. You wondered why someone so extraordinary took an interest in you. The two of you ended up sitting at the table closest to the window. It thundered again, the rain never ceasing.
" Man it hasn't rained this long in a while," you said. You hoped it would've stopped by now. Looks like you were getting a shower on the way home.
" Got somewhere to be?" Steven acknowledged your worrying. He knew you probably wanted to go home, the Big Donut was supposed to be closing. His face softened, and his shoulders slumping slightly. You didn't notice.
" Yeah.. I gotta get home, but I have to walk in this weather," you sulked.
" I can walk you home, we'd be dry with this!" Steven pulled out his shield and held it above his head with a triumphant smile.
" O-oh right, I forgot you could do all that magic stuff," you giggled, "if it's not too much trouble..."
"No trouble at all, actually." He remarked, not pointing out you already knew about his gem half. Everyone in Beach City knew by now. The two of you got up and you started cleaning the counter area to close up. As you were locking the doors containing the donuts and such, you could feel his eyes follow you.
" Alright that's everything." You said, turning around. Both of you walked out of the Big Donut into the rain, Steven's shield covering your heads.
Aaand that's the first chapter; lemme know what you think! This is my first time writing fanfiction so I hope it's okay. Thanks for reading