A Sterling And April Story

Part 8

Over the weekend, activity in the Wesley household had been quiet. Blair and Sterling had stayed inside mostly and hung out together, although they did visit a cafe on Sunday just to get out of the house.

Monday had arrived and the girls were getting ready for school. Sterling was adjusting her shirt over and over in the mirror nervously. She hoped with all her might that no one else at school had heard about the kidnapping. Sterling still didn't actually know how April knew about it, and that surprised - and worried - her. She must make a note to ask April next time she saw her. Hopefully it was through a private channel and not through something public. She couldn't deal with having to explain everything to people at school. It was no one's business but her own.

Blair knocked on Sterling's open door and swung her head round the door frame. "Hey you ready?" Blair asked quickly. She could feel how Sterling felt, and made it her mission to stick close by to her sister today.

"Yeah, ready." Sterling exhaled. Blair walked in and put her arms round Sterling's shoulder, both still looking in the mirror.
"It's gonna be fine, Sterl. No one will know, and I'll be there all day." Blair said reassuringly. Sterling nodded back, and the two of them made their way downstairs. At this point Sterling loved how Blair always knew what she was thinking.

"Hey girls, I made pancakes for breakfast. Barely though, I didn't know we were running so low on pancake ingredients." said their mom, puzzled. Sterling and Blair exchanged a knowing glance and chuckled. "Sorry Mom, late for school. Thanks though." said Blair as she walked past and grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl. She tossed the apple in the air as she walked out the kitchen towards the front door.
Sterling was left alone with her mom in the kitchen.  Debbie gave her daughter a warm smile. "Want me to pack some up for you to take to school?"
"No thanks. I'll get something at school if I get hungry."

"Ok." acknowledged her mom. Sterling headed for the door. "Oh and hey -" Debbie started, making Sterling turn round. "It's nice you and April are friends again. You should invite her over properly sometime."
Sterling smiled. Maybe this is the opening she was after. The safe zone. They could tell her parents first.
"Sterl?" said Debbie. She had been silent for a short while. "Ok, yeah I will. That would be nice. Thanks mom.".

Sterling turned round again and followed in Blair's path out the kitchen towards the door. Blair was waiting in the car.
"All good?" she asked.
"All good." Sterling replied.
Blair started the car and drove to school.

The car pulled up in the school car park and Blair turned off the engine. Sterling felt ok, all things considered. She was now more focused on seeing April and trying to stay cool and aloof - not that those were known Sterling Wesley traits - than about anyone knowing about the kidnapping.

Both girls exited the car and walked towards the school. They could see from the outside the corridors were buzzing with people, as usual. But before they got to the front door Luke emerged from the side of the building.
"Sterling!" he shouted as he jogged towards them.
"Oh. Crap." Sterling whispered under her breath. She forgot about Luke. She forgot that she kissed him the night of the lock in. She didn't mean it, she was just lonely and feeling rejected. But now she would have to let him down. Again.

Blair was unaware of the kiss between Sterling and Luke, so was a bit taken aback by Luke's sudden wanting to be around Sterling. "Hey there Luke. How you doing?"
"What? Oh. Fine thanks Blair. Sterling, can we talk?" Luke was very direct, and had an urgency to his voice.
"Yeah I guess we should..." said Sterling slightly reluctantly. Blair looked visibly confused. "Tell you about it later." Sterling quickly whispered to Blair, and led Luke away back round the side of the building.

Luke tried to hold her hand as they walked, but Sterling lifted her hand and pretended to fumble for something in her bag. She managed to keep fumbling until they got to a free bench.

As they sat down Luke leaned over the try and kiss Sterling. She moved her head away. "Wait Luke. Em, we do need to talk." Luke looked a bit confused.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have kissed you at the lock in." Hearing these words made Luke slump over on the bench, as if he had deflated. "What - I don't - I don't understand Sterling... You said you missed me. "

"I was vulnerable, and I took advantage of you. I'm so sorry Luke -" Sterling put her hand on his forearm " - but I can't be with you. It wouldn't be fair on either of us." Sterling said with genuine sadness in her voice. She hated the thought of hurting Luke, but this is something she had to do.

Luke's face dropped and his eyes started to well up slightly. "Is - is there anything I can do to change your mind?" he asked, knowing deep down there wasn't. He knew this was too good to be true, him and Sterling getting back together. Sterling slowly shook her head, and squeezed her hand that was still on his forearm. He shook her hand off, and slowly stood up. He sniffed as he tried to compose himself. "Goodbye Sterling." he said shortly as he trudged away.

Sterling was left alone on the bench. Her eyes welled up at the thought of hurting Luke again. He was such a great guy, and has been nothing but amazing with Sterling. But it really wouldn't have been fair on either of them.
Sterling stood up and headed to class, wiping away tears from her cheek.