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April's POV
"Sterling,I need to consult you on rehearsal schedules and how we manage the cast members."
"Of course,let's run them together." Sterling replied in an earshot,smiling along.
I almost want to shove it up Bailey's ass but of course,I should be calm and collected.
"Hey April,ready to rehearse the lines today?" Carson walks up to me,and I cleared my throat.
"Uh..yeah.Let me get my things.Wait for me outside,will you?" Carson walked past me as I eyed them while packing my bag.
Sterling must've noticed me when she took a quick glance at me.Butterflies fluttered in my stomach but I was still working things out.
I couldn't stand another second with Bailey around so I left even when I felt Sterling's eyes on me.
"So maybe we should continue with this scene where-" I continued but Carson was staring at me and I stopped.
Carson cleared her throat and looks back at me.
"I know it's not my place but are you and your girlfriend okay?" Carson pauses,placing the script down.
"You know my girlfriend?"
"Like those 'discreet' hand holding and goodbye kisses were just a friendly gesture." I chuckled but it wasn't the answer she wanted.
"It's a little more complicated than that.Thank you for the concern,Carson."
"Sam.Call me Sam."
"Sam Carson,huh? Sounds like a rebel." I said,and she smirked.
"You haven't seen nothing yet..." Our eyes look right through each other and I almost got myself mesmerised in those blue eyes.It was a split second where Sterling slipped off my mind.I looked away and see the time.
It was late.Mom must be home now,with dinner cooked.
"Thank you for today,Sam.See you tomorrow?" I gathered my stuff and she leads me out.
"Yeah...though April,a piece of advice.I wouldn't worry too much about what's done and said.You'll regret it later on."
Rehearsals the next day,
"Fella's don't we start this at the top? I really want to see some real acting going on." Jack said and sighs.
"The only real acting we're getting today is Brenda and Josh flirting." Bailey nudged and I laughed a little.
I kept my eyes on Sterling and Bailey as they seat side by side and it's painful.
"John,I'd like to rehearse my scenes today with Carson.The after party scene." I stepped up and Sterling was caught off-guard.
"You guys aren't up until tomorrow." Bailey protested but Jack stops her before she could have anything else.
"I'll allow it,go on then." The helpers start to get the scene ready and Carson and I memorised the scene and placed ourselves in position.
"Scene,after party.Action."
"What are you doing here all alone,Casey." Carson walks up and stood besides me.
"Amanda,hi.was just looking...at the stars." I said,fumbling around with my fingers.
"Shouldn't you be at home,lawyering up?" Amanda teased and moves closer to me.
"No,because everyone keeps telling me to 'live up to the moment'. I sighed and stared out at the lively city.
"They're not wrong,you know? You just have loosen up.Come." Carson takes my hand and guides me to the middle of the rooftop.
"What are you doing?" I chuckled.
Carson shushed at meas she finds a song from her playlist.The music starts and I knew exactly what it was.Yoko Ono
She guides me and danced with my fingers,her body following the rhythm of the music.
I mirrored her move,and looks up at her.
Carson moves closer,her faces inches away and I couldn't breathe.Almost like my breath was taken away.The tension also rises when Carson starts to place her hands on my hips.
In that scene,there was a moment,a spark that ignited something in both of them.They're not quite sure but it feels new and exciting.
"Amanda,I..." I muttered but it started pouring and both of us laughed.
We wanted to stay but the rain only got heavier and we sought for shelter.
And scene.
"Amazing.Good job,you two." Jack applauds and the rest of the cast members clapped along.
I chuckled and hugged Carson and my smile fade when Sterling's mood seems more unsettling.
"April and Carson did a great job and it's an exemplary example of how all of you should be performing your scenes." Jack gives a debrief and rambled on.
"You lot are dismissed." Jack announced and everyone left for the day.
"Hey..."Sterling approached cautiously and I gave her a small smile.
"Hi Sterling.What's up?"
"I don't know if you did that scene to lashed at me but are you and Carson just friends."
"Are you seriously asking me that? Can't two co-actors have a good chemistry off and on scene?"
"Sorry.I didn't mean it that way."
"No you meant it that way.Maybe you should ask her yourself whether calling your girlfriend her ex is the right call."
"April...I'm trying to-" I rushed off without letting her speak.I don't have time for this drama.
I found Mom in the kitchen with dinner ready and I smiled.I placed my bag down in the living room and got to my Mom's side.
"You okay,honey?" Mom asks and I nodded.
"You know you looked upset in the past few days.What's wrong?"
"Just issues,Mom.I don't want to get into it."
"Fine but can I give you a piece of advice? You need to start figuring and working out this issue because this is really eating you up."
She's right and I'm going to fix it.After dinner,I drove over to Sterling's house.I knocked on the door and was greeted by Sterling's mom.
"Hi,Mrs Wesley.I was hoping to talk to Sterling for a bit."
"Sure,sweetie.Why don't you come in?" I shook my head and stayed at the podium.
"Whose that at the door? Is that Eric?" Mr Wesley comes to view and approached us.
This isn't exactly the way I imagined Sterling's dad but I guess this have to do.
"No,it's Sterling's friend.April Stevens."
"Oh...hi April." He waved and lock arms with Mrs Wesley.
"Hi,Mr Wesley.I hope I'm not bothering." I smiled and Sterling finally caught up to them.
"Hey..April.What's going on?" She pushed a strand of her hair back,folding her arms.
"Can I talk to you outside?" I asked and she nodded.The parents left us to be and Sterling looks back at me,with a glimpse of hope in her eyes.
"I want you to meet Rachel and get closure."
"What?That's dangerous.Whilst I find her, she might send someone to find you and ...."
"I'm not scared of her,Sterling.I installed security systems at home after the incident, and Hannah B and Ezekiel have my locations.The police is on my speed dial and even if she lays a finger on me,I know you'll come save me."
"Of course,April.I would never let some evil ex-girlfriend of mine hurt you.Are you sure? It's too risky."
"You have some unresolved issues that you need to work out with her."
"I'll do it...but I'll do it during the weekend."
"Are we...okay?" Sterling takes a step closer, caressing my face.I melted in it for a second before I cleared my throat.
"I'll see you around,sweetie."
Sterling POV
I was preparing my things and got off the phone with Bowser.
"Sterling,can I talk to you for a bit?"I looked up and find Blair subtly sidling to me.
"Sure.What's up,Blair?"
"You sure you want go through with this? I can always pretend to be 'you' and get the answers you need."
"I need to say this to make peace and this would really help cool things over with April." Blair nodded in understanding.
I left the house and got in the car with Bowser.Terrance managed to track her though he came across difficulties.He'd be around with his squad if anything goes wrong.
She was located at a mansion actually out of nowhere.We drove up there and found security at the gates.
"Rachel..I need to talk to you.Let me in." I speak to the intercom and the gates opened.We drove right in and the door opened.Bowser cleared his throat and stayed behind.
"Here I thought you moved on.." Rachel greeted.She was wearing all tight leather and it's actually a good look.She must've noticed my eyes when she smirked.
"If you knew by now,April and I are together." I clarified.
"You look good too,Sterling." She leads me to the living room and sat down with a drink in her hand.
"Though you wouldn't come to me for closure unless you're having issues in your relationship.So what seems to have ticked April off? Let me guess...you blurted my name."
"I'm sure you find this amusing but I'm here to make things straight."
"I'm don't think you've been doing anything 'straight' so far." She teased but my face was dead serious.
"You kidnapped April and you use that to trick and manipulate me to be with you again even though it was your fault to begin with.You kissed Jessica and you couldn't seem to get it to your head that day when I told you that it was over." I blurted out really really fast.
I should be a rapper.Part time.A little side gig with Blair.Though now is not the time.
"Sterling.." She protested but I wasn't done.
"No, you scarred her.You...did not have any rights to take her away when it was your fault to begin with!"
"You know we've could stayed together and I wouldn't have done what I've done.I cared for you deeply but if you can't accept me for who I am,what was the whole point?" She took a sip of her drink and looks back at me.
"You're right though and I'm sorry.I was horrible and cruel.I just couldn't accept the fact and moved on instead I took the one person I've ever seen you cared about the most."
"I can never take back the things I did or said.So in return,I will give anything you want and get it done." She added.
"I don't know how I can trust you.." I replied,calming myself down.
"I haven't done anything insane so far, have I? Call April and ask how she's doing."
I picked up my phone cautiously and called her.
"April, are you doing okay?"
"Yeah, why.Are you seeing her right now."
"Yeah.I'm just checking up on you.I'll come over later?"
"I'm having a sleepover at Carson's."
"I'll see you around then."
There was a silent moment before April ends up the call.
"You see? I didn't do anything and I will keep my word."
"Fine,I'll take you up on it but I'll be saving it for later one.In the mean time,I don't want you anywhere near me or April, got it?"
"Duly noted.See you round though Sterl."
I exited the mansion and sighed.Maybe closure was what I needed this whole time.It was a huge relief off my back,being able to say all that that.
"Everything cool?" Bowser asks as I got in the car.
"Yeah...it's all good.Now drive me home.I've had quite a day."