Chapter Text
Pearl disliked group assignments.
It's not that she disliked anyone in her class, it's just that she didn't really know anyone in her class. And, of course, relying on often-incompetent teammates who didn't understand the first thing about mechanical engineering.
But, alas, she had to weather it. A solid 30% of her marks depended on it.
The teacher at the front started organising the pairs, seemingly at random. Although, considering who was being paired up, it could not have been.
"... And that leaves Pearl Chevalier and Peridot Nakamura."
Ah. Peridot.
Pearl didn't know her that well, but she knew she was both exceptional at her work and socially withdrawn. She also knew she lived in the Diamond dorm building, which by default had a sort of rivalry with her own Crystal dorm, usually friendly but sometimes borders on hostile. Diamond, in Pearl's opinion, was not as refined as Crystal, and tended to have a lack of respect for regulations.
If the almost constant sound of parties from the complex interrupting her much-needed sleep were anything to go by.
"Alright, form up into your pairs, and I'll hand you your assignment sheets."
Looking over to the black-haired girl, she could see that she wasn't going to move any time soon, tapping away at a green-cased phone. With a resigning groan, she scooped up her own gear and moved to the other side of the class.
"Hello, Peridot."
"Hello." The girl replied coldly.
An awkward silence followed. Pearl just knew Peridot was silently judging her.
"So, what are you studying?" Peridot asked, not even looking up from her phone.
"Oh, my major is Mechanical Engineering, with a minor in Astronomy." Pearl replied smugly. "What are you studying?"
"Mechatronics Engineering."
Silence, which thankfully was interrupted by the teacher walking to each group, handing out copies of the assignment. "If you have any questions, just raise your hand, I'll be there in a flash."
Once a sheet was handed to her, Pearl scanned the document with trained eyes.
"Ugh."
Pearl turned to Peridot. "Something the matter?"
"It's an oral presentation." Peridot sneered at the document. "I hate those."
"Really? I'm quite fond of them myself." A half-lie, really.
"Yeah, that's cuz you're a snobby Crystal show-off."
"Wha-? I am not!" Pearl crossed her arms. "And really, we've only talked for all of one minute and you're already hurling insults like... Like, well, a Diamond dorm monkey!"
Peridot shot a glare at Pearl, putting her phone away. "Oh, like you're making a better example, you clod."
"Why you little-!" Pearl started, before a hand touched her shoulder.
"Alright, you two, settle down." The smooth voice of the teacher halted their bickering, as she shifted to a nearby seat. "You don't want to embarrass yourselves in front of the class."
Pearl spared a glance backwards, noticing quite an uncomfortable amount of eyes looking back at her.
"Sorry, Miss- Uh, Sardonyx- Miss Sardonyx..." Peridot fumbled, retreating into her green hoodie a little.
'It's fine, just try to keep it down." She smiled her toothy smile. "Now, do you two have any questions?"
Pearl raised a hand. "I'm pretty clear on our task, but... Why did you pair me up with..." She tilts her head slightly towards Peridot.
"Well, you two are the best students in this class, and I didn't want either of your marks being weakened by someone less skilled." She shrugged. "I mean, it was much better in my head, but still. You two are both brilliant and dedicated, and I thought you would make a superb team."
"Well, thank you." Pearl smiled. She always did enjoy praise from her teachers.
"That answers my question." Peridot quietly added.
"Is that all you want to know?" Miss Sardonyx asked, tilting her head slightly.
"No, that's all." Pearl replied. Peridot merely grunted.
"Alright, well, best of luck to you two." She stood up and moved onto another pair.
Pearl let out a long sigh. "Well, I guess we should put aside what differences we have, and get this project done to the best of our abilities."
Peridot grunted a reply. "Do you have an email address and/or phone number we can use to talk?"
Pearl started reaching for Peridot's phone. "Sure thing, let me-" Peridot snapped her phone away and let out a feral hiss. "Oookay, let me just... write it down instead."
"Wait, seriously?"
Pearl took a long breath in. "Amethyst, this is literally the third time I've said it. I'm working on a group assignment with this Peridot woman."
"Yeah, I got that, but... Really? You two?"
"Trust me, I'm not happy about it either." Pearl took a sip of her tea. "She's just... Abrasive."
"Hey, I know. Or at least Jasper does."
"Your cousin?"
"Yeah, she lives in the same dorm as Peri and another girl I can't remember the name of."
"Small world." Pearl remarked.
"But hey, you two are both complete and utter dorks, you should get along fine."
"I highly doubt-" A small buzzing interrupted her. She flipped out her phone and noticed a text from an unknown number, fortunately announcing themself as Peridot.
"Peri?"
"Indeed." Pearl frowned a little. "At least she's timely."
"No surprises there." Amethyst took a large bite of the burger in her hands. "Which reminds me, Garnet's hosting a party at her folk's place in a month. You free?"
"Hmm... I'll need an actual date, but I should be free. After all, Garnet is one of my oldest friends, it'd be rude not to at least appear."
"Awesome." She finished off what remained of her burger in one fell swoop. "Anyway, I've got a boring lecture to go to, I'll leave you and Nerdimus Prime to do whatever."
"Thank you." Pearl replied through gritted teeth.
Apparently, Peridot had tracked down her Facebook. Not a big surprise.
A quick accept later, the two were linked through the wonders of the internet.
Pearl: I assume this will be a better way of communication for you?
Peridot: or skype but you prob dont have it
Pearl rubbed her temples. Of course she wrote like that.
Pearl: Well, what should we start with?
Peridot: reserch is good. gotta start with that before we do the powerpoint
Peridot: *research
Peridot: damn roomies here gotta go
And just like that, Peridot was offline.
Pearl groaned. This was going to be a long project.