Times are tough nowadays and I hope everyone is well and thriving.
And if you ever need someone to talk to,I'm always eager to respond right away.
As always happy reading :)
Sterling's POV
I cared for you deeply but if you can't accept me for who I am,what was the whole point?
Rachel's words were playing in a loop only because I've also been living a double life too.The guilt of lying to her face and acting like I didn't put April's dad in prison.(Though he got bailed
It's all just frustrating.
"Good morning,you ray of sunshine.Are you feeling good?" Mom walks in with a huge smile on her face.Clearly someone's in a good mood today.
Me on the other hand couldn't get any sleep,barely even a nap.
"I'm good,Mom.I'm was about going to head off to college anyways." I packed the last of my books and stood up.
"No breakfast? Blair is downstairs with Eric shooting cereals at each other.It'll be fun." She nudged and it does seem appealing.
"No thanks.I'll see you later." I blow her a kiss to reassure her before trudging myself to school.
Lectures and lectures went by just as my eyelids closed every now and then.
"Hey Sterling,I was thinking if we could run over Mr Nate's lecture today." Scottie approached me and I wasn't up for any company.
"I'm sorry,Scottie,but I think I'm coming down with a cold of sorts.Rain check?" I lied my way through and Scottie didn't look past it.
"It's okay,I get it.I'll see you tomorrow then." She nodded and went on to another classmate.
If she wasn't so studious and could loosen up,I would've loved her.
I barely could pay attention in school,I would do no good at the community centre too.
I texted Bailey and informed her I wasn't going to make it to today's rehearsal.
Bailey
Wanna come over? I wasn't feeling like it either.I have medications and you could take a nap at my place.I'm just 10 minutes away from your campus.
I could really use the nap and pills.I agreed and drove over to her house.
For a student who graduated from a top-tier university,she's done a good job to her apartment.
"Why thank you." She replied and I gasped.
Did I say it out loud? What can I say, I am Sterling.
"Make yourself at home.You can take a nap upstairs and I'll bring food and medications once you wake up." Bailey added and sits down at the living room.
A laptop on the table,a cup of coffee in hand and scripts scattered across the table.She's really hardworking,huh?
I couldn't bother and went upstairs,with one of my eyes closed.I opened the door to the first room and my...it smelled great.Lavender.
The room was perfectly decorated for guests and there was even snacks on the nightstand.A toilet near the door and a beautiful glass window seat with a small bookshelf.
The light from the window really evenly illuminate the room but my eyes couldn't hold it in any longer.I closed the curtains and immersed myself into the pillows and blankets.
I woke up eventually and Bailey came right on time with a tray in hand.She smiles and placed it on the nightstand.
"How did you sleep? I'm assuming well." Bailey sits on the edge of the bed,and I yawned.
"Quite indeed,Bailey.I don't know how to thank you.I've just had a rough day yesterday." I stood up and my hair was probably a mess.
"Care to elaborate?" She questioned and I looked over at the tray and it looks amazing.
Oatmeal with fruits and 2 pieces of french toast at the side with orange juice.
Breakfast for dinner.That's what I'm talking about.
"I will once I devour this all." I took a bite of the french toast and melted.It was exactly the way April did it.
"You put honey,didn't you? It's my favourite." I kissed her instinctively and smiled.I pulled away and paused because something's wrong.
It took me a minute before realising.
"Oh...oh my god.I...I didn't mean to." I gasped,
touching my lips and Bailey just sat there,blushing.
"That's..that's okay.It's alright.I mean it's no big deal.I'm just gonna head out now." Bailey muttered,jumbling with her words.
She stood up to leave but tripped over the carpet and I helped her up.Our eyes caught each other for a second and I looked away.
"Yeah...I'm just gonna..uh leave now." She shut the door behind and I sighed.
Gosh,what have I done? Taking another bite of the french toast.This is really good.
April's POV
Weird.Sterling and Bailey isn't at rehearsals today but I would definitely understand Sterling's situation.
"I know our director and consultant isn't here today but I don't want any of you slacking.Now,let's start with April and Carson." Jack announced,sitting himself down.
"I don't think that's a good idea.." I speak up and Jack raised his eyebrows.
"Well,I can give you a better idea.Where you folks show the people how it's done." Jack said sternly and I couldn't argue.
"After party scene 2.Action."
"That was fun.I didn't see the rain coming." I laughed,catching our breaths.
"I don't think either of us saw it coming." Carson joked.She managed a smile and I blushed.
Our clothes were soaked and our hair was wet,the wind wasn't doing us any justice.It only made me shiver and shake.
Carson took off her jacket,wrapping them around me.I smiled but avoided eye contact.
"I hope you're okay." I said and Carson furrowed her eyebrows.
"You're supposed to say 'I hope you're not feeling too cold yourself'." Carson whispers and I cleared my throat,realising.
"I mean you're not cold..I meant I hope you're not feeling too cold yourself." I jumbled up and Jack stops the scene.
"April,what's going on? You know what take five and let the others in for their scene next." Jack said and both Carson and I left the stage.
"Are you okay?" Carson reached out to me and I shrugged.
"It's cool,Carson.I'll take a breather outside." I walked past her and once I was outside,I exhaled.
I'm having the weirdest intuition where something's going on between Sterling and Bailey.
I reached the back of my pocket for my phone and called Blair.
"Hey,what's up,April." Blair picked up after the second time and I smiled.
"Hi,Blair.By any chance is Sterling home?" I bit my fingernails,feeling anxious.
"No but she's acting weird after meeting Rachel.I'm sure it's nothing,don't worry." She reassured and I ended up the call.
I'm just...maybe I'm just too delusional and overthinking.
I went back in after a few minutes and sidle up next to Carson.
"Better?" She nudged and I nodded.
Jack called us in again and we nailed the scene this time.After a couple more scenes,we were dismissed.
"Hey Carson,can I come over?" I catched up to her and she nods,leading me to her car.
Sterling's POV
Horrible.This is just horrible.What the hell is wrong with me?
I smacked my lips and sighs.
I keep messing things up with April and adding this to the pile is just the cherry on top.
Bailey entered into the room and cleared her throat.
"Should we talk about it?" Bailey leans against the wall,and eyes me.
"We should because this was all just a BIG misunderstanding.I didn't mean to kiss you at all,
those french toast just reminds me of April so much." I explained and bit my lips.
I mean April.She's my future.No matter what.
"I..uh understand.You know I've been meaning to.." She slowly approached me but I wasn't going to let her confess.Right here.Right now.
"No,we can't.I love April." I said sternly and her eyes flickered.
"But..." She protested,reaching out for my hands this time.
"No.Thank you for the hospitality but I need to find her now." I took my stuff and left the apartment.
Now I have to go find my girl.
April's POV
"So what do you wanna do? I was thinking we could chill this time.Rehearsals had us drained." Carson pats the spot next to her,pulling up her Macbook.
"Definitely.Jack's nagging really is something." I sat next to her as we covered ourselves with blankets.
"Oooh,let's watch Atypical.The new season came out.I only watch it for the plot though." I suggested,pointing to it.
"Oh the plot.You mean aka Casey and Izzie."
"Cmon,they're so cute together." I said and we dived into it.Throughout the episodes,I got too distracted to think about Sterling and munched on the popcorns that Carson made.
Sweet and salty.Just the way I like it.
By the time we finished the whole season,it was already 8.02.We just sat there,scrolling through our phones for a whole 10 minutes.
We sent each other memes and posts,laughing at them.
"Hey,this is a really cute one.Let's re-enact this picture.Plus I don't think we've ever taken a picture together." Carson pointed out and showed me two best friends and one of them is kissing the other on the cheek.
"Okay,come.This angle and the lighting here is better."I said as she moves close to me and we faced the camera.
"Okay...1..2..3." I turned to kiss her cheeks but found her lips instead.They were soft and delicate but instantly both pulled away and stuttered.
We kissed.No,we didn't.We did because that was definitely not her cheeks.
"I thought I was going to...No..I was.." We both stammered at the same time and I was a little overwhelmed.
"Uhh...I'm just gonna go now."Â I took my stuff and left,feeling flabbergasted.I mean who wouldn't.
"Wait,April.Come back.Let's talk about it."
Carson catches me by the arm and pulls me back.
"Carson,there is nothing to talk about.It was an accidental kiss and it didn't mean anything at ALL."
"But what if I felt something..." She leans in but I pushed her off.
"No,Carson.I'm with Sterling.I love her." I ran off without hesitation and I know where I was headed.
Sterling Wesley.