A Sterling And April Story

Part 16

April sat in her room doing homework on her bed. She had the radio on low in the corner. It was almost dinnertime. She had her books laid out in a semi circle around her, legs crossed as she leaned over her notepad making notes. Instead of writing her history essay though, she found herself doodling the word 'girlfriend' over and over. She'd been thinking about that ever since last night, at the Wesley's house. She felt so lucky to have Sterling. She found herself smiling as she thought of their past encounters.

"Knock knock" said Mr Stevens as he knocked on April's open door. "Oh hi Dad" said April, without really looking up. She quickly closed over her girlfriend doodles and went back to actual homework. Her dad let himself in.

"So, how's school?" He sat down on her bed next to her, glancing at her books. "Oh fine, you know." April trailed off. "Just trying to get a headstart on some history homework." There was a pause. Why is he in here, she wondered. Was he fishing for something?

"So how's Sterling and Blair? They getting on OK at school?" April held her breath. Why on earth would he ask that. He must remember that her and Sterling weren't friends anymore and hadn't been friends for a while now. "Oh I don't know, dad. We're not really friends, remember." She couldn't bring up the topic of her and Sterling just yet. That needed to wait.
"Oh yes, yes, of course. Sorry." He went quiet, and continued to look around April's room. She watched him, trying to figure out what he was up to. Could he know about them? She had been so careful. Maybe someone saw them when they were outside school, when April made them debate about being themselves in public. She knew she shouldn't have kissed Sterling there. She cringed internally. But then also, remembering how it felt after their conversation she could do nothing other than kiss her. 

"Ok" Mr Stevens announced as he slapped his knees and stood up. "Well if you notice anything strange about those two, anything suspicious, you let me know."

Now April thought this was very weird. Why would her dad think Sterling and Blair would act suspicious? She frowned and paused for a few moments, before replying "OK sure dad. But do we expect them to act.... strange?"
"Well maybe. I've heard things about those girls recently."

April's breath caught in her throat, she felt her voice wobble. What things? What has he heard? If it was about both Sterling and Blair though, maybe it wasn't the fact her and Sterling were together. "Anything I should know?" April asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
"Not right now, pumpkin." said her dad as he walked out her room, pulling his phone out his pocket and dialling as he walked.

Something didn't feel right to April. She knew her dad had some...questionable acquaintances, as she'd overheard him on the phone a lot lately talking about some, well, questionable things.

As she brought herself back from her thoughts, her phone pinged on her bedside table. April smiled as leaned over to grab it, thinking it would be Sterling. It was only last night they had told the Wesley's about them, it still made April smile to think that she'd taken that first step.

"Get together at mine tomorrow? Ezekiel's bringing monopoly." It was Hannah B. April puffed air out in disappointment it wasn't Sterling. But maybe it would be nice to spend time with Hannah B and Ezekiel, she hadn't done that for a while now. "Sure, what time." April replied. Soon enough she would need to tell the two about her and Sterling.
"Great! 6pm, see you there!" Hannah replied.
April replaced her phone on her nightstand and returned to her homework, still smiling to herself that she had a girlfriend now.

"Oh and honey - " her dad reappeared in the doorway suddenly. "Me and your mom will be out until late tonight. We've left money for takeout for dinner on the counter. Don't wait up for us." He smiled at her and left as quickly as he'd arrived. 

What could she do with an empty house for an evening, April wondered.