Chapter Text
Lonely Hearts
Chapter 1
Spinel hiked her dance bag higher up her shoulder, rubbing her tired eyes. She didn’t care if she smudged her makeup now. She had just finished practicing for an upcoming vocal exam, and the practice rooms were dark by now. She paused as she heard distant muffled music further down the hall. Someone else was still here? Curious, Spinel followed the music to a single lit room amidst an otherwise dark hallway. She was about to knock and warn whoever it was to clear out before the school locked up, but she paused as she looked through the window to see a young man inside. She paused to watch him expertly play at his guitar, awing at the way his fingers moved masterfully across the fret as if he had been born playing the instrument.
Inside, Steven seemed unaware he had gathered a one-person audience. He was busy studying a piece of music for an upcoming exam.
Spinel hesitated before knocking on the door. “Hey,”she called out, “They’re closing up. Pack it up, maestro.” The music suddenly stopped when Steven heard the knocking and whoever called out to him. Crap, was it that late already?
“Thanks!" He replied as he started to pack.
Seeing no reason to stick around, Spinel sighed and started making her way out of the music building. She moved slowly, dreading the long walk home when she was already sore and aching from dance rehearsal all day. She shivered as she stepped outside, holding her arms. It was freezing, and she was still in dance tights.
Steven was also quick to pack up and leave the building. He didn't want to have Pearl worry about him so much. Outside, he stumbled across the girl who warned him that the building was closing.
"Oh....hi!" He waved hello.
Spinel turned around. It was that boy again. He was cute, she observed, now that she could look at him properly. Cute like a dumb, helpless puppy, she thought, sizing him up and down.
“S-sup,”she greeted, teeth chattering as she held her arms.
"U-uh.....here.....you seem cold," Steven said. He took off his guitar case and then his jacket before handing it to Spinel. "I'm Steven," he greeted. Spinel looked at the boy handing her his jacket like he was crazy. Did this kid make a habit of giving away his clothes to whoever?
“…Spinel,”she said, slowly accepting the offered jacket and wrapping it around her shoulders gratefully. It was still warm. “Don’t suppose you’re also walking this way?”
"Y-yeah....well, to the parking lot. I drove here," Steven explained with a nice smile. Spinel stared at him for a long moment, assessing him carefully. He didn't seem crazy.....just nice.
“Oh,”Spinel said disappointedly as they began walking in that direction, “You some big shot senior here or something? What are you doing practicing so late?”
"I'm actually a sophomore. I'm studying for a bachelor's degree in music and I have an exam soon," Steven explained as he walked with Spinel, "What about you?" he asked. Spinel shivered, seeing the parking lot ahead. She realized she’d have to make friends a little faster if she wanted to ask for any favors.
“Same. Dance and performing arts,”she said quickly, then changed tactics, “You got a girlfriend? You’re cute for a music nerd. Most of the band geeks I know would have to settle working in the pit to make it in the music biz, but you look like you’ve been on the stage, doll face.” Steven couldn't help but blush a bit.
"Uh....n-no I don't have a girlfriend....my dad taught me music, and I just quickly picked up on it," he answered honestly. "Hey listen, it's a cold night.....did you need a ride somewhere?" Spinel blinked. This guy was just offering a ride to a complete stranger? She didn't even have to flirt that much.
"I don't have any money to pay you for gas,"she admitted, "I could come up with some other way to repay you?"
"No no, it's okay. Besides, it's not safe to walk alone at night," Steven replied, "Not that I don't think you can handle yourself, but better safe than sorry, yeah?"
"I guess,"Spinel shrugged, "I've always walked home alone, so it's not that big a deal to me. But it IS cold as fuck tonight, so I won't kick a gift horse in the mouth. Thanks. You sure there's nothing I can do to repay you?"
Steven chuckled a little. "No, seriously, it's ok," he reassured as he led Spinel to his car. It was an old, two door Dondai, but it was still better than nothing. Spinel got in, grateful for the reprieve from the cold.
"I don't like owing people. I'll think of something on the way,"she said, putting on her seatbelt. Her eyes fell on the dashboard. "Is this....a cassette player?"she asked skeptically.
"Uh ....yeaaaah.....I like old school stuff," Steven admitted as he also got into his car and buckled up. Then he turned the car on, which also started up the heater inside. "Plus, my friend is in a band, and they record their songs on cassette tapes and CD's."
Spinel smiled, seeing a collection of cassette tapes scattered around the console. "I like old stuff, too. But like, REALLY old school. Like record players, and black and white cartoons kind of shit,"she explained, picking up a random tape, "Can I?" Steven couldn't help but smile a bit.
"Sure, go right ahead" he replied as he started to pull out of the parking lot. "Also uh....where exactly am I taking you?" Spinel popped in a tape with a label she didn't recognize - some ditty called "Let Me Drive My Van into Your Heart." She considered the question for a moment.
"Uhh, you can just drop me off at the bus stop on Beach Road. My grandmas live close to there."
"Okay," Steven replied as he started to drive towards said bus stop. "...My dad wrote this song when he was younger," he commented. Spinel caught herself swaying a little to the rhythm.
"Yeah? I kinda like it. It's corny as hell, but it's got a good beat,"Spinel commented with a small smile, "Did he teach you to write songs, too?"
"Yeah he did. I've written a few songs," Steven replied, still smiling. "My dad wrote that song for my mom.....They were really good together - both as lovers and singers," he chuckled.
Spinel tapped her foot to the beat, wondering at this guy's near constant smile. "Hmm, is he still writing? Anything I would recognize?"she asked him, crossing her arms over her chest to retain some body heat. Steven's smile seemed to dim.
"Uh.....no, he uh....passed a couple years ago....," he admitted softly, saddened at the memory as he remembered how his dad passed, "Heart attack." Spinel looked at him guiltily, sorry she had brought it up.
“Sorry,”she said awkwardly,, “…I guess it’s good you’ll always have his songs, then, and everything he taught you about music….I don’t have anything to remind me of my folks.”
"I'm ....sorry to hear that....and don't apologize, you didn't know," Steven reassured Spinel while he drove. Spinel chewed her lip, feeling awkward now for having brought it up and making this random nice guy uncomfortable.
“…Do you play anything else other than guitar?”she asked, scratching nervously at her cheek as she tried to make small talk to steer away the conversation.
"I'm pretty good at playing the piano and the ukulele," Steven answered honestly, feeling better about the subject change. Spinel nodded, catching herself as she was about to put her feet up on the dashboard, then thought better of it and crossed her legs instead. She wouldn’t care if she scuffed up another guy’s car, but this kid seemed genuinely nice. That was a rare find for Spinel.
“You play any jazz or swing? That’s my favorite genre to perform to.”
"Those are both awesome music genres. I think I could play jazz on the piano....or touch up on the drums, but it's been a while since I've played a percussion instrument.....," Steven answered as he did start thinking about what music he can play, "I think the music I usually play is between Pop, Soft, and a bit of Rock."
“That’s cool, too. Look me up whenever one of your songs needs a singer,”she said with a sideways smile, “The club I work at makes me sing that kind of stuff, so I know a bunch of songs.”
"Oh that's pretty cool, what club do you work at?" Steven asked. He was genuinely enjoying Spinel's company. Not to mention, she was kind of pretty too, although he didn't think he was much of a looker himself, despite having a strong yet firm build.
“Some swanky jive called The Palace. I practically live there when I’m not practicing. It’s dressed up like an upscale place, but it attracts a lot of characters. They tip well, though, so I don’t mind...” Spinel thought for a moment. “Oh, hey, maybe that’s how I’ll repay you. I could get you and your friends in for free sometime if you want. Or do you not go to clubs?”
"I-I don't go to clubs all that much.....but I would like to see you perform," Steven smiled sweetly once again, thinking it'd be fun to go to a club, "How swank is this swanky place exactly?" Spinel couldn’t help but laugh, raising an eyebrow.
“I kinda figured you weren’t the type. No offense, but you look like a pretty boy heartthrob straight outta Disney channel,”she teased him. “Just wear a jacket or something, don’t stress about it. I won’t be wearing much myself.” She winked at him again with a side smile. This guy looked so sweet and innocent, which made him all the more fun to tease.
Steven couldn't help but laugh a bit at the Disney channel comment. But then he started thinking about what else Spinel said. "Wait....what do you mean by you ‘won't be wearing much’?"he asked. The poor oblivious boy was on the verge of putting two and two together. Spinel snorted, trying not to laugh too hard at the poor guy’s innocence.
“You’ll want to come before 10 for the tamer performances, Mr. Heartthrob. It doesn't turn into a strip club until then. Or by all means, do come at 10. I’ll be happy to give you and your friends a private show.”
"I-I-I uh...." Steven blushed until his face was starting to turn red. "I-I'll try to go before 10," he mumbled cutely, "I-It'll probably be j-just me...." Spinel grinned at the sight of his cute blushing face.This guy was way too fun to play with. “Oh, I’ll get you all to myself? I’m excited now,”she teased, “Don’t try too hard to get there before the party starts. You’re pretty cute when you’re flustered.” Steven blushed even more. Was this flirting? Was he being flirted with?
"I-I uh....wh-what days do you usually p-perform?" he asked as he was clearly flustered.
“I run the second half of the week. Thursday through Saturday.” She picked up his phone that he had left on the console. “Mind if give you my digits so I can send you the address?”
"Sure yeah! Go ahead," Steven answered as he realized that he was getting close to Spinel's destination. Spinel typed in her number and posed for the camera, blowing a kiss. She saved the picture as her contact.
“Something to remember me by,”she said. Steven couldn't help but snicker a little.
"Well you are pretty unforgettable." He smiled. An odd look passed over Spinel’s face at that comment, her flirty bravado temporarily gone.
“…Thanks. I try to make that my mission.”
"Uh.... I didn't make things awkward did I?" Steven asked, now thinking he soured the fun mood, "Cause I meant what I said - you're fun to talk to." Spinel looked up to smile at Steven a little more genuinely.
“Thanks. You seem like a real swell guy. I don’t know many people who would just offer a random stranger a ride just because. Are you sure I can’t pay you back with actual money? Or…any other favors ?” Steven blushed a bit at the favors part, but he shook his head as he pulled up to the bus stop as close as he legally could.
"No no it's fine, your company was more than enough," he smiled. Spinel doubted that, but it was a kind thing to say regardless. She unbuckled her seatbelt and pulled off his jacket, handing it back to him.
“I’ll get out of your hair before you change your mind about that,”she said, “Thanks for the ride, toots. It was a swell time. Hopefully we’ll be seeing more of each other soon.” Steven took his jacket back and smiled.
"I hope I see you again soon, too," he said. He knew there was more to Spinel than meets the eye. "I'll be in the practice room in the afternoon if you ever wanna drop by."
“Well then, I might just have to practice more often so I get to see your cute face,”she said with a suggestive smile, opening the car door, “See ya soon, then, doll face.”
Steven blushed a little. "S-see ya soon," he replied as Spinel got out of his car. He waved goodbye, watching Spinel for a few seconds longer before he put the car in drive and started to drive back home. Usually he was always excited for whatever the next day would bring, but now he had something else to look forward to for the next day.
Spinel waved back, watching his car drive away into the dark night. The cold quickly reminded Spinel how nice and comfortable it had been inside with Steven. The walk up to her grandmothers was luckily short from here. It was late enough that she could probably make it through the door and slip into bed without notice.
She thought of Steven and their car ride as she walked home, wondering at the innocent-looking face who seemed to have a smile permanently etched on his face. She decided then and there that she was most certainly going to plan a trip to the practice rooms tomorrow.