Unfortunately, when nerves tend to hit Sterling at full run, it becomes quite blatantly obvious. However, at the moment, with Dante shamelessly flirting with him, one of his better friends kept him thoroughly grounded. He greeted her with a thankful smile, and replied, "
Hey, morning Mish." To her other comment, however, he nearly froze. His eyes turned toward Dante, and a frown pinched his lips. Of course, he shook his head and returned to Michelle with a bright smile.
"
I...
don't think so," Sterling said, fidgeting slightly, "
either way that goes. Heh, I don't really, um, swing that way?" He tried to sound convincing, but even to himself that was pretty crappy. Of course, in his hard denial, it would be a wonder if he even could tell the difference. The thought of it all didn't disgust him, or anything like that. No, in fact, just looking at someone like Elliot and thinking those things brought out something scary out and just the thought of it made him shiver enough to tamp back down on it. Those feelings shouldn't have been his to have, not only because Elliot was Michelle's, but Michelle was his best friend. What more, his parents would likely flay him alive.
It was less of an issue thinking that way of Dante, sure, but there was still reasons he didn't. Thinking those things made him feel dirty and sinful, but just so amazing too. A storm raged inside his mind and it nearly became far too much to deal with. The only thing that brought him out of it was Dante continuing on and the blush still on his cheeks grew. He spared a glance at Elliot, then Michelle with a quiet whimper.
"
What?" he nearly sprained his neck looking back at Dante. Shaking his head vigorously, Sterling replied quickly, "
No, I'm... no, that's—no. Michelle's just a really good friend of mine." Another frown stretched his lips and he couldn't help a groan slipping between them. "
And I'm really not interested in a relationship right now," Sterling mumbled, looking at his hands as they gripped his knees, "
sexual or otherwise."
A moment passed before he turned back to Michelle, accepting the candy offering. "
Thanks Mish," he said before standing up, "
I...
think I'll head toward my first class before I'm late if you all don't mind." Giving everyone a wave, he slipped from beneath the table and made for the halls with a quickening pace.
The halls themselves separated in various groups moving in tandem with each other, and Sterling weaving past them in order to get to his next class. It looked like quite a bit satisfied themselves with waiting by their first class of the day, doing mindless teenage things and worrying about what the semester would lay before them. Those things swirled in Sterling's mind, as well, but they demanded less of him than they would others. Too many other things clogged his mind and Sterling focused hard on trying to keep those things out.
Finally finding his first class of the day, Sterling quickly slipped in and found a seat near the back, as usual. Of course, that wouldn't mean he'd likely not participate, since this was one of the classes he thoroughly enjoyed. Vocals, something of a warm up before the tough singing lessons later in the day and further along into the evening. Hopefully, he'd be finding himself sitting and maybe partnering up with someone he knew and if not, Sterling would likely deal with it. Just as long as they didn't stir any mixed feelings inside him or remind him of various things he couldn't have.
And there were far too many of those things.