Roots - h.s

13.

I can find my way just by looking at stars.
I have not lost my senses.
I can find my wind through a room in the dark.
But I don't know.
How to figure out where to go...
From here.

    STERLING'S POV:

    I wake up with a bit more pep in my step this morning knowing i'll be eating pancakes that aren't frozen but freshly made. I skip to my bathroom, going straight into it as I get myself ready. I stay minimal, knowing we'll be coming back here after to work on the treehouse. There's no point in a full face of makeup if i'll end up sweating it off before the day is over.

    After getting ready I go to my closet, and that's when panic sets in. Realization hits me like a freight train when I think about it in full. He said it last night. He's taking me to get pancakes... As a date.. A date, a fucking date. Fuck. This is a date... I said that already. I've never been on a date before. I've been on friend dates with Jalyn, and Andrea. I was asked on dates by Mason. I never said yes, but he definitely asked... What do I wear on a date.. How do I act? Why am I sweating in places I didn't know I could sweat just thinking about it?

    I start with jeans, trying to stay calm, then I pull a skirt. Then a dress. Then a shirt. This follows with about twenty more shirts. A million different  choices, and then I can't stand it anymore. I sit down in the large pile of no's i've accumulated and I decide instantly that I'm not-

    "Sterling?" I hear my dad's voice from outside the door, and a soft knock.

    "Come in." I sigh in defeat.

    "Wow, why so many outfit choices for a day outside?" He asks, and I've never really experienced this. Most girls would be opposed to telling their dad about boys, or girls they're interested in... But I don't have a mom to ask questions. I don't have anyone but my dad, and he's been my best friend through all of this. Everything since before Lee, and after.

    "Um.. I've got plans with Harry." I tell him, and look down at the clothes, feeling defeated. "You don't have to worry about it. I'll figure it out." I shake my head, and start to get up. He puts his hand on my shoulder, and stops me.

    "Wait hold on a minute. This isn't just plans, is it Ster?" He asks, and I shake my head.

    "I'm not going dad. I can't go on a date. I've never been on a date... I don't have anything to wear, and I don't-"

    "Hey, the King's don't talk like that. You're your father's daughter, and you don't give up... I've.. I've never done this before but I'm sure it's not that hard. I can help." He tells me, and I give him a soft smile.

    "It's fine dad, I don't-"

    "How about orange? That's your favorite color isn't it? If you wear that color it'll be like a good luck charm." He tells me.

    "It's a good idea, but it's not even about the outfit dad. I... I've never been on a date before, and I don't want to talk to you about it because... Well because I don't want to make you uncomfortable. This is normally the type of conversation a daughter has with her mom, not her dad.. I just.. I'm nervous." I tell him honestly.

*Play Where Do I Go? By Lizzy McApline*

    "Well as much as we both wish it wasn't like this it is.. I took over the roll of mom and dad a long time ago, and I'm not backing down now. I'm a good listener. You said I was a... a Pisces? I think that's right.. That means I'm a good listener right?" He asks, trying to use something he knows I love.

    "Yes... That's one of your traits." I laugh, and he sits on the edge of my bed.

    "Alright then I'm all ears Ster." He looks at me, and I sigh.