Chapter 8: The Growing Connection
947 Words
The following week, campus life returned to its usual rhythm.
Classes resumed, organization meetings filled the afternoons, and students buried themselves in assignments and exams.
But for Midnight, something was different.
His days had begun to follow a routine he had never planned.
Every morning, he found himself looking toward the courtyard before heading to class.
Every afternoon, he wondered if Sabrina would be at the library.
Every evening, he caught himself checking his phone, half-expecting a message from her about their tutoring session.
He frowned at the thought.
"Since when did I start looking forward to seeing her?"
He pushed the thought aside and continued walking.
---
Meanwhile, Sabrina was sitting outside the campus café with Chloe.
The two friends were sharing a slice of cheesecake after class.
Chloe watched Sabrina with a knowing smile.
"You've been spending a lot of time with Midnight."
Sabrina nearly dropped her fork.
"Why does everyone keep saying that?"
"Because it's true."
"We're just studying."
"Mhm."
"And talking."
"Mhm."
"And... occasionally arguing."
Chloe laughed.
"You smile every time you mention him."
Sabrina blinked.
"I do not."
"You do."
Sabrina looked away, feeling her cheeks warm.
"He isn't as scary as everyone thinks."
"Oh?"
"He's actually kind."
"Kinda?"
"No... I mean..." Sabrina sighed. "He just doesn't know how to show it."
Chloe rested her chin on her hand.
"You've gotten to know him."
Sabrina smiled softly.
"I guess I have."
---
That afternoon, Sabrina headed to the library for another tutoring session.
When she arrived, Midnight was already there.
But something seemed off.
He looked pale.
His usual neat handwriting was messier than normal, and he rubbed his temples as if trying to ease a headache.
Sabrina frowned.
"You don't look okay."
"I'm fine."
"You've said that before."
"I am."
She placed the back of her hand lightly against his forehead.
Midnight froze.
His eyes widened slightly.
"You're warm."
"I'm not."
"You have a fever."
"It's nothing."
Sabrina crossed her arms.
"You've been overworking yourself again."
He looked away.
"I have responsibilities."
"And you also have a body that needs rest."
"It's only a mild fever."
"That doesn't make it better."
Midnight opened his mouth to argue.
Instead, he sneezed.
Sabrina couldn't help laughing.
"There goes your argument."
He sighed in defeat.
---
She left the library and returned a few minutes later carrying medicine, bottled water, and a warm bowl of soup from the campus café.
Midnight stared at everything on the table.
"You didn't have to do this."
"I know."
"Then why?"
"Because you would never take care of yourself."
He looked at the soup quietly.
No one had fussed over him like this since...
He stopped the thought before it could continue.
Sabrina gently pushed the bowl toward him.
"Eat."
"...You're bossy."
She smiled.
"I learned from you."
For the first time in a long while, Midnight obeyed someone without arguing.
---
The next day, Midnight stayed home to recover.
News spread quickly across campus.
"The organization president is absent?"
"Is he sick?"
"I've never seen him miss class."
Sabrina worried more than she expected.
After her afternoon lecture, she stopped by a nearby bakery.
She bought fresh bread and fruit before asking one of the organization officers for Midnight's address.
The officer hesitated.
"I don't know if he'll like visitors."
"I'll only stay for a few minutes."
---
Midnight was surprised when the doorbell rang.
He slowly opened the door.
"Sabrina?"
She held up the paper bag with a smile.
"I brought food."
"You came here?"
"You looked like you needed someone to make sure you actually rested."
He hesitated before stepping aside.
"Come in."
The apartment was simple.
Neat.
Almost empty.
There were shelves full of books, a desk covered in neatly arranged documents, and very few personal decorations.
Sabrina looked around.
"You really like reading."
"It's quiet."
"I guess that makes sense."
As she unpacked the food, her eyes landed on a framed photograph sitting on a shelf.
It showed a younger Midnight standing beside the same woman from the old notebook.
His mother.
She didn't ask about it.
Instead, she simply smiled.
"You have a nice home."
Midnight noticed that she had deliberately avoided asking questions.
Once again...
She respected his silence.
That simple gesture meant more to him than she realized.
---
Before leaving, Sabrina stood by the front door.
"Promise me something."
Midnight looked at her.
"What?"
"When you're sick..."
He waited.
"...let someone take care of you."
Their eyes met.
For a moment, he saw nothing but sincerity.
No pity.
No expectation.
Just concern.
"...I'll try," he said quietly.
Sabrina smiled.
"That's enough for now."
She waved goodbye and walked away.
Midnight remained standing at the doorway long after she disappeared from view.
His apartment felt unusually quiet again.
But this time...
It didn't feel empty.
---
That night, Midnight sat by his bedroom window.
The city lights twinkled in the distance.
On the table beside him sat the untouched fruit Sabrina had brought.
A small note rested on top.
"Don't skip meals. Get well soon. — Sabrina :)"
He picked up the note and read it again.
Then again.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Without realizing it, he carefully placed the note inside the old leather notebook—the one he kept for his most precious memories.
As he closed it, he whispered to himself,
"...What are you doing to me, Sabrina?"
Outside, the rain began to fall softly against the window.
Inside, the walls around Midnight's heart continued to crumble, one small piece at a time.
And though neither of them had said the words yet...
Their hearts were already beginning to move in the same direction.
- Writer
