Dancing With A Stranger

Hannah B was never good at reading the room.

You would think Ezequiel would have told her enough about staying in touch with drama, but Hannah B seemed out of touch with everyone. She saw nothing wrong with inviting two of her friends from fellowship to her birthday party. So what if April and Sterling haven't been the best of friends since 5th grade? Hannah B is sure they'll just avoid each other, or maybe even get along. Right?

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It's been 5 weeks since the lock in. Sterling and April haven't exchanged words much; only a few times in classes and after Sterling came back from her few days off after being kidnapped they've spoken. Yet they've never had a true conversation since that painful night at Willingham High. Since then April has chosen Luke as her beard, and Sterling had come out. She came out to her family, friends, and everyone at school. This obviously brought upon slurs and weird looks in the hallway, but Blair made it obvious she wasn't putting up with anyone's shit. 

Unbeknownst to the two girls, they both still pine for each other. Sterling still stares at April twirling her ponytail in Spanish class. Almost as much as April listens in to every conversation that has the name Sterling in it.

"Sterling! Hey!"

Her ears perk up.

"Hannah B, hey! What's up?"

"So you have a plus one, you bringing a lucky boy?....or girl!" Hannah B remembers as Ezequiel palms his forehead behind her.

"Oh, I'm not sure. I was gonna bring Blair, but I guess I'll look for someone there maybe?"

April hates that. How can she just move on so fast? Is she really already over me? I mean I know we only dated for a little while, but I thought I meant more to her. Should I be worried that I'll never get her back? April panics in her mind relentlessly.

"Yes, bring Blair, absolutely you can bring Blair! Blair is great! And she's so funny and her hair is so pretty and—"

"Okay yes, we get it, Blair can come." Ezequiel says before Hannah B passes out from not taking a breath.

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Sterling walks out of the building at the end of the school day adjusting her uniform that was always somewhat itchy. Thoughts are racing through her mind about tonight. Who knows maybe I will run into someone I might like. 'April. I like April, she'll be there.' a second voice in her head pops up. No, anyone but April, not her. 'Why not?' She's with Luke, my ex, she broke my heart at the lock in, and she's probably not interested.

"Sterl?" Blair speaks up breaking Sterling out of her trance.

"Huh?" She looks up wondering how she's already at the car.

"Do you want a ride home or not? Get in."

"Oh shoot, my bad."

It can't be April. 'It's always been April.'

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The party seems more intense than she thought it would be. Awkwardly, she uses all her strength to lean into Luke's grasp around her shoulder as they walk in. April isn't comfortable with him, not like she was with Sterling. He was sweet and never pushed April into things, maybe because part of him was scared of her, but that's one thing April appreciates about Luke.

It looks like Ezequiel and his friends have already slipped something into the punch. It was very apparent that the people at this party were intoxicated. April gazes around the room spotting Hannah B and Blair chatting, very closely she might add. She would go up and say hi, but it'd seem she'd be interrupting something. She glances at a few drunken teen boys wrestling and two kids in the corner eating each others faces. Then she spots her.