at least im trying

     "Hey." Blair says as she turns around. "I'm sorry again you didn't get to put the 'O' in your column at the debate tournament. I really thought that one of those guys was going to get you there." 

     A wave of fear rushes over Sterling as she thinks about the ending to her day at the debate tournament. "Yeah, that's okay. Uh... I'm sure I'll have an orgasm one day. I'll sit on a bicycle seat or something. It's fine." 

     "Of course you will. It just takes some women a lot of time to figure it out. You just have to find out what makes you tick. Inside your vagina." 

     Flashbacks swirl through Sterling's head. Little does her sister know, she has had an orgasm. One that took place inside a janitor's closet, to the thoughts and visions of none other than April Stevens. April was what made her tick; inside her vagina and throughout her whole body. Something about the way the shorter girl spit fire from her tongue, spoke with force, and clutched her arm with the most firm grasp she's ever felt. That's what made her tick. 

     Sterling came back to reality. "Mh-hm. Uh, can we talk about something else, like, um... mom and the gun?" 

     This made Blair gasp. "Really?"

     "Yeah."

     Truthfully, Sterling couldn't care less about their mother and the gun. She just wanted to divert her attention from the only thought that seemed to worm its way into her mind. That thought being April. 

     As everyone is getting settled into class, Sterling leaned over to Ezequiel. "Hey, um, have you seen April?" Her and Ezequiel had never been the best of friends, but if anyone knew the whereabouts of April, he would. 

     "No." He is just tapping away at the keyboard on his phone, too preoccupied to be bothered to look up. "She went AWOL since the debate tournament." Apparently not too preoccupied, though, to notice a despondent Luke walk through the classroom door. "Your ex is looking bereft." 

     "Hi, Luke. How's um... everything?" 

     "Great." Luke's hair is a mess, but not messy enough that an outsider looking in would notice much of a difference. The right amount of messy; if there's even such a thing. Tastefully messy? "Amazing. Um, I'm taking time for myself." 

     Sterling is so happy to hear this. She genuinely does love and care for Luke, but not in a romantic way. In a purely platonic, bother and sister kind of way. She honestly wants what's best for him. Despite being exes, she hates seeing how their breakup has uprooted his entire being. "That's really good. I'm really glad to hear that." 

     "And I have my music, and my bandmates take turns reminding me to eat which rocks." 

     Just then, Lorna calls out to get his attention. "Luke! Come sit by me." 

     As the school bell rings, Sterling swears she's watching an angel walk into a classroom. Except her angel is about 5'2" with frizzy hair that has a Dorito sticking out of it. Her heart skips a beat. Maybe even two. No one in this state should look so good while looking so bad, yet here is April doing just that. She has to speak up and talk to her. If she doesn't, it's possible that she very well could implode right in this exact moment. She has to be calm, cool, and collected. Yet all that she can manage to squeak out is a high pitched "Hi!" With that came instant regret. 

     April didn't seem to mind, though. Maybe it wasn't that she didn't mind, more so that she just didn't care. Sterling tries again to strike a conversation with the girl who's now just mere inches away from her. "How's your morning been? Those announcements were so loud, my ears were like... Yeah." April shuts her down by putting in her head phones. 

     Ezequiel gets Sterling's attention. He warns her that April is on the verge of losing it. Her father's trial had just started and with all things considered a breakdown is certainly impending. Sterling feels the slightest pang of guilt in her chest when she hears this. Why did her father have to be John Stevens? Of all the men in this town, her father had to be the corrupt man that the Wesley twins knew too much about for their own good. She also feels guilt in a general sense. She has all of these newfound emotions when it comes to April and she finds herself caring more and more for her. She hates seeing how the trial is affecting her. She wouldn't wish this upon her worst enemy; which until recently, was, in fact, April. 

     Sterlings train of thought was interrupted by the sound of Ellen's voice. "Okay, guys and gals. Now listen, I don't want anyone to revolt 'cause I know you're all excited for your long weekend, but I have an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny little assignment. I did it myself back in the day and I had so much fun. Oh! Okay, it is time for... Biblical Buildings." 

     The entire class groaned. 

     "Yes, I know! You each get to pick an architectural structure from the Bible, and then build a historically accurate representation to present to the class." 

     By this point, Sterling didn't have to hear any more. She was already looking over at April and knew she wanted to partner with her for this project. This could really be her chance to not only smooth things over with her, but to lay some ground work and truly explore her feelings. 

     As the class starts to spit out the pairings and the building choices, Sterling knows she has to act fast. She wants April all to herself. She needs to speak up and solidify their partnership before she pairs up with Ezequiel or Hannah B.

     "Solomon's Temple."

     The collective gasp from the class was enough to bring Sterling back into focus. Did she hear that correctly? Did April really just volunteer to build Solomon's Temple? It was so intricate and detailed; not like the Manger or the Cross, which were chosen by their classmates. It's similar to April, though. Being intricate and detailed and always finding something new about it to admire. Although Sterling wants to be as shocked as her classmates by the brunette's choice, she isn't. This is typical April. It's overachieving, never-settling, perfectionist April. She always has to be the best and that's something Sterling has always admired about her. She isn't afraid to be vocal about what she wants and definitely isn't afraid to do what she has to do to get there. April Stevens doesn't back down to a challenge. 

     If Sterling was an emoji, right now she'd be heart eyes or the drooling face. Sterling is quite literally fawning over April as she accepts her new task. The sheer ambition just makes Sterling swoon. As she's about to ask April to be her partner, she swears her body stops functioning for a second as April leans her arm across the table in front of her. They are so close. Sterling can't handle this. She's staring so intently and her body reacts in one way; she has to smell April. It's the only logical action to take. 

     Cinnamon, Sterling thought. 

     After hearing Ezequiel and Hannah B. declare their partnership and announce that they'll be working on the cross, Sterling did what she knew she had to do. She licked her lips, took a deep breath, and quickly grew a pair. "Um... I'll do Solomon's Temple with you." April slowly turned her head to look at Sterling. "I know all the dimensions from Miss Kline's Sunday school class. Uh, 'Five cubits in height and ten cubits brim to brim.'" 

     "I know the dimensions, too. I'm not an animal." 

     "Oh, you know, of course you're not an animal, oh my gosh. Um, but- ooh ooh, my dad has this woodworking shop, and he paints these little wooden ducks. It's so weird, but he's got a mi- a miter saw, and a nail gun and drills. It will be so fun-"

     April cuts her off. "Fine." 

     Sterling could not believe what she just heard. Although she was screaming internally, she had to play it cool. "Okay... um, tomorrow maybe? If you aren't busy, because-" 

     "I said fine." 

     "Okay." Hearing this made Sterling do anything but play it cool. She was now smiling from ear to ear and she didn't care how dorky she looked. She was quite literally cheesing over April Stevens.