Hiya! So, I wasn't happy with the way my OC was going, so I gave "One Day at a Time" a complete overhaul. Basically the same story as with my OC, but Connie is there instead with quite a twist. ;) I hope you enjoy!

The breeze that rolled across the beach washed over me with a comforting, much needed cooling effect. The sun was high overhead, but I didn't care about burning with my dark skin. I had been walking for days, trying to find a new place to start over.

I needed to get away from everything I once knew and find somewhere new, where no one knew me and none of my past could find me. The small town of Beach City was very close-knit community, but also very secluded from the rest of the world. There was no way I could encounter anyone or anything from my past, so there was a good chance a new life could be established easily in the quiet little beach town.

I laid on the beach for a long couple of hours, it seemed. It wasn't like I had anywhere to go just yet. My plan for later in the day was to try an find some kind of crag in the cliff side and hide out there until morning. The bag I carried with me had one bar of soap and a change of clothes I had managed to grab before escaping. The clothes were just decent enough for job interviews.

I wanted to get an early start the next day job hunting, just so I could find a place to live as soon as possible. I could survive without food as long as the restaurants were kind enough to offer free water. I was pretty sure that I could scrounge up enough change from the ground around town and on the beach to at least get myself a loaf of bread and a gallon jug to store water.

Sitting up, I looked around the beach, noting the occasional umbrella or sunbather. I smiled as I spotted a small shack about a hundred yards away that obviously served as a shower-station. It wasn't much, but it would at least be useful to wash my current clothes and myself so I could make a decent impression on any possible employer.

Getting to my feet, I made my way to the shower house and began the grueling, slow process of hand-washing clothes and letting them try to dry as I cleaned myself in the cold stream of water. My clothes were still wet when I put them back on, but it mattered little to me as long as I was clean. Looking to the sky across the endless ocean, I noted the setting sun. I needed to find shelter.

The walk around the cliff-side was actually a bit more of a challenge than I had anticipated. By the time I rounded the first large curve, I was panting. Stopping for a second to lean against a boulder and catch my breath, I tried to even my breathing while counting slowly. I was much more exhausted than I thought I would be after my days of traveling on foot. Finally giving up for the moment, I slumped down the boulder and settled in the sand. I was losing light quickly, but if I pushed my body much more I wasn't going to be in any shape to search for jobs the next day.

Using a small stick to draw absent little circles in the sand, I tried to let my mind be blank. I didn't want to think about anything. I didn't want to think about my past or my future. I wanted to live in the absolute present, where I only thought about what step I needed to take right then. As of that moment, my step was ten minutes of rest. Once I completed that step, I would then worry about what was next. One thing at a time. Focus on one thing at a time. That's how I was making it through.

After my ten minutes of rest, I began to stand up before I felt the ground quake slightly as a bright white light filtered through the area. Immediately on alert, I looked up, my mouth open in shock.

There, in the side of the cliff, was a large goddess-like being imprinted into the craggy rock. Right beneath her torso, a beach house was built into the front of it, which is where the light came from. Heart hammering in my chest as my paranoia mounted steadily, I looked around quickly before taking off at a run. I ran past the beach house as fast as I could, trying to get to the other side of the clearing before anything or anyone can see me. I was just a few yards away from rounding a corner to safety when I heard a screen-door open behind me.

Fuck.

"Hey!" I heard a man's voice call out. His tone didn't seem angry but I didn't care. I didn't stop running until I was several yards down the coastline. Looking around frantically, I saw a small gap in the rock of the cliff. It wasn't big at all, but I had lost so much weight that I could comfortably fit in it with my bag and sleep at least for a couple of hours.

I didn't hear the man nor anything else pursuing me, so I shoved my bag into the gap and followed behind it. It was completely dark by the time I had settled, if you could call it that. There wasn't enough room to lay down, but if I positioned my bag just right I could sit up and be just as comfortable.

Seeing the stars as bright as city lights from across the ocean gave me comfort. They were beautiful, and for the first time since I had arrived in Beach City, I felt like I could actually make things work.

Pulling forth my mental blank box, I began the tireless effort of falling asleep.

...

Standing outside of that disgusting Fish Stew Pizza parlor, I kicked the wall angrily, no longer caring about scuffing up my only nice shoes, which were actually just really sleek looking boots. The pizza parlor was the seventh place in a row to completely reject me, but not harshly. It was strange, really. Even though nowhere would hire me, they all treated me like they knew me and seemed to hold real remorse that they couldn't help strange as it was, though, I guess it was my fault. I should have known better. Small towns like Beach City tended to have family-run businesses, which left little room for outsiders like myself. Finally feeling the pain in my big toe become unbearable, I growled out in frustration as I turned on my heel.

What I hadn't expected was a very solid form being right behind me, which I crashed into full-force. Just as I bounced off it and was about to land flat on my ass, I suddenly felt a very strong arm grip me tightly around the waist and pull me up straight once more.

"Whoa, are you okay?"

Ashamedly looking up at whoever it was, I hadn't expected the moment to be so dazzling. He stood almost seven feet tall, with dark eyes and wild black hair pulled back into a ponytail. His face was accentuated with a scruffy goatee. He was wearing loose-fitting jeans and a red shirt with a star in the center, all of which oddly seemed to suit him even though I didn't know him. His strong jaw and confident stature already made me feel two inches tall, and there was a grace he seemed to hold that I had never seen before in any other human being.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry!" I blurted out, backing up and almost stumbling once more. My back hit the brick wall of the pizza place luckily, keeping me from falling.

The man was already halfway to trying to catch me again before I caught myself before he drew his eyebrows together in a concerned gaze. He paused and stared at me for an overly-long moment. Without warning, his eyes lit up and he lunged at me, pulling me into a bone-crushing hug. "Connie?! Oh my God, Connie! You're back! You came back!"

Using all the strength I possessed, I shoved the stranger away from me, two seconds away from smashing him in the nose. "Whoa, pal! I don't know what the hell you think is going on, but my name's not Connie and I have no clue who you are!"

The man stopped in his tracks, his features morphing into complete confusion, "But... You ARE Connie! Connie Maheswaran! You've even got the scar on your arm from your sword training with Pearl – "

"Look, dude!" I cut in, gritting my teeth briefly. "My name is Aria! ARE – EE – AH! I don't know what fantasy world you live in where people 'sword train' but I got this scar in a car accident you insensitive prick!"

"No, Connie!" I shot him a glare, daring him. "Uh, Aria! Please listen to me! I can't say that you are or aren't Connie, but the similarities have me really convinced! I don't want you mad at me! So, please, can we start over? If you say you are Aria, then I can't change that."

I waited a moment, mulling over his words. He seemed sincere. "I guess." I said much more quickly than I intended. Straightening up, I said, "I mean, uh, sure. And I'm sorry for flipping out. Just a little frustrated today."

"I'd say frustrated is an understatement," he observed good-naturedly, indicating to the wall. "I get frustrated a lot but I don't think I've ever taken it out on a place that gives me food."

"Heh," I laughed nervously, rubbing the back of my neck. "Yeah, so it's a bit more than frustrated. But it's okay."

"If you say so," he said in his velvety baritone. Holding his hand out to me, he startled me when he said, "I'm Steven. Steven Universe."

I don't believe I had ever met someone with such a happy vibe, and it was obvious that that was the way he always acted. I extended a shaking hand to grasp his.

"It's just Aria for me," I said nervously, shaking his hand slowly before pulling away.

"Wow," he said, his eyes widening slightly, boring into mine. "Aria. That's a really pretty name."

"Um, thank you," I said, nervously rubbing the back of my neck once more.

"So, did you just move ba – move into town?" he asked, correcting himself. Well, he didn't fiddle around much.

"Um," I said, looking down at my scuffed boots. "I guess you could say that." Looking up at the sky, I squeaked as I realized that it was already evening. "Oh!" I said aloud, stomping a foot. "Oh no! I wasted too much time! I can't go job hunting at night!" I fretted to myself as I walked a few feet away from Steven.

"Oh! I'm sorry!" he said, grabbing my attention. Turning to look at him, he continued with a panicked note. "I didn't know you were actually busy! I just thought you were kicking the wall! I didn't know you were actually looking for a job!"

"No, no, it's fine," I defended, waving my arms slightly in embarrassment. "I was so busy being mad at being turned down seven times in a row that I wasted the time I had left to try a few more places. None of it was your fault."

A sudden expression of epiphany washed over the man's features as his eyes almost seemed to shine like stars. "Wait, you need a job?"

"Well, yeah," I said, hoping I didn't sound too rude. I had literally just said that I was job hunting. Why ask?

"Have you tried over at It's a Wash?" he asked bluntly, leaning in closer to me as his smile widened.

I was still slightly panicking on the inside so his words were slightly garbled. When they caught up to me, I had completely misconstrued what he said as, "Have you tried taking a wash?" I immediately bristled as I flushed with embarrassment.

"That – I – That's – That's none of your business!" I said loudly, taking a step back. How dare he? "What's it to you what my hygiene is like – !"

Unbelievably, the man started laughing, his joyous sounds immediately stopping my rant in its tracks. Breathing out in chuckles, he said, "No! That's not what I meant at all!" Letting out another short burst of laughter, he continued, "I meant have you tried applying at the car wash, It's a Wash? My dad owns it...? And... he's getting on up in years so he's been looking for someone to help him with paperwork and stuff. With that fancy getup I bet you'd be great at it!"

Jesus Christ, was this dude for real? He was like an unsustainable ball of happiness and optimism. It wasn't something I was used to.

Self-consciously laughing as I looked down at my bland black slacks and white button-up, he seemed to sense my skepticism so he added, "Your long dark hair and brown eyes really go with that outfit."

My cheeks burned, and in my attempt to ignore what he said, I realized I was really thirsty. I hadn't had time to search for any stray change, so eating was off the table for me that night. Luckily, that Beach Citywalk Fries place down the strip was more than happy to give me free water, so I glanced nervously in that direction. Looking back at Steven, I said, "Um, I didn't know about that place. I guess I'll try there tomorrow. Thank you, Steven."

Smiling, almost sadly, he said, "No problem. I can even talk to my dad for ya. Not that I don't think he wouldn't hire you anyway."

"That would be great," I said politely, trying to ignore my thirst. "Just try not to be there when I get there. Uh... You know. So I can... Try and keep it... professional." My cheeks burned even more. I just didn't want him to see me wearing the same outfit two days in a row.

Steven's dark eyes narrowed, and I was suddenly worried that he was becoming suspicious. Just as I was about to start panicking on the inside, his eyes widened once more as he smiled again. "Makes sense. I'll just call him and tell him you're coming by."

"Thank you, Steven," I said, reaching out to shake his hand once more. He seemed unsure of the gesture, so I pried, "You okay?"

"Oh," he said, his cheeks flushing a bit. "I was just going to ask... Are you going to the Blue Tide Festival on the beach tonight?"

I was caught completely off-guard by that question, so I looked around and stuttered, "Wh – wha?"

"The Blue Tide Festival!" he said excitedly, grabbing me by the hand (which completely freaked me out) and dragging me to the edge of the boardwalk. From there, I could see where almost everyone in the town was congregating to the beach as tents and lights and different kinds of stands were being put up, along with a stage facing dozens of seats. A few people walking by waved to either Steven or me or both of us. Strange.

As I took it in, Steven continued explaining. "The Blue Tide Festival is a special event every year here in Beach City. Because of the currents and other weird ocean stuff, millions of small blue jellyfish wash up almost all the way to the beach, lighting it up blue all the way around the coast. It's really cool, and the jellyfish are funny looking and feel weird to touch. They don't really hurt. I think since you're... you're new to the area you should come and be around our community for such an amazing event."

I had to admit, the festival sounded absolutely enchanting, but... I had a crack in a cliff to crawl into. Bummer.

"I... I can't. I'm not dressed appropriately and I would have to walk all the way back to my house to get changed – "

"Then I'll take you home so you can get changed and we'll come back," he said unabashedly. It seemed like he was being extremely forward with me, but the innocence in his eyes was unmistakeable. But there was no way in hell I was letting him take me "home."

Rather than let him prod more, I said quickly, "No! No, it's fine, really. Actually, I can walk home from here. If you really want me to come, I'll change and come back. Okay?"

His eyes seemed to do that thing where they shined likes stars once more. "Sounds great! Just come find me and I'll show you around and... introduce you to everybody."

That made me extremely uncomfortable, but I figured it was inevitable. Forcing a smile, I nodded to him. "Alright, Steven. I'll be back soon."

"See you soon, Co - Aria!" he called after me as I turned around and began walking towards the bottom of the cliff.

Looks like keeping low wasn't much of an option in this place. Things could have probably been ten times easier.

If I still had any memories.

Please Read and Review and make this poor old soul's heart happy.