Chapter 9: Rumors Around Campus
934 Words
The following Monday, Midnight returned to Westbridge University.
His fever had finally subsided, and he looked much healthier than he had a few days earlier.
As soon as he stepped onto campus, students greeted him with respectful nods.
"Good morning, President."
"Welcome back, President Midnight."
He acknowledged them with a simple nod before continuing toward the Student Leadership Organization office.
What he didn't notice was the group of students whispering nearby.
"Did you hear?"
"Hear what?"
"They said Sabrina visited President Midnight at his apartment."
"Seriously?"
"That's what one of the organization members told me."
"No way..."
Rumors spread across campus faster than the morning breeze.
---
Sabrina, completely unaware of the gossip, walked to her first class with Chloe.
She hummed softly, carrying a stack of books against her chest.
Chloe looked at her curiously.
"You seem happy."
"I am."
"Why?"
Sabrina shrugged.
"Midnight's back today."
Chloe stopped walking.
"Oh?"
"What?"
"You just proved my point."
"What point?"
"You were worried about him."
"I was worried because he was sick."
"Mhm."
"Anyone would be."
Chloe laughed.
"If you say so."
Before Sabrina could respond, several classmates approached them.
"Hey, Sabrina."
"Is it true?"
She blinked.
"...Is what true?"
"You visited President Midnight's apartment?"
Her eyes widened.
"What?!"
Another student leaned closer.
"Are you two dating?"
Sabrina almost dropped her books.
"No!"
"We're not!"
The students exchanged amused looks before heading to class.
Sabrina turned toward Chloe with an expression of disbelief.
"How did they even know?"
Chloe sighed.
"Welcome to university gossip."
---
Meanwhile, Midnight was reviewing documents in his office when one of his officers hesitantly knocked.
"Come in."
The officer entered awkwardly.
"President..."
"What is it?"
"There are... rumors."
Midnight looked up.
"What kind of rumors?"
The officer scratched the back of his neck.
"People think you and Sabrina are... together."
Silence filled the room.
Midnight stared at him.
"...Together?"
The officer nodded nervously.
Midnight returned his attention to the paperwork.
"They're mistaken."
"Should we make a statement?"
"No."
"But—"
"It will disappear."
The officer nodded and quietly left.
Midnight tried to continue working.
Instead, his thoughts wandered.
"Why does the idea bother me... and why doesn't it bother me as much as it should?"
---
That afternoon, Sabrina arrived at the library for another tutoring session.
The moment she sat down, she sighed dramatically.
Midnight glanced up from his notes.
"What's wrong?"
She rested her forehead on the table.
"The entire campus thinks we're dating."
He remained silent for a moment.
"I heard."
"You heard?"
"Yes."
She groaned.
"I only brought you food because you were sick."
"I know."
"I didn't expect everyone to turn it into a romance."
Midnight closed his textbook.
"You care too much about what people think."
She looked at him.
"Don't you?"
"No."
"Really?"
"They're entitled to their opinions."
Sabrina studied his calm expression.
"You don't seem embarrassed."
"I'm not."
His answer surprised even himself.
Sabrina smiled.
"I wish I could ignore rumors as easily as you do."
"They disappear eventually."
"I hope you're right."
---
The tutoring session ended earlier than usual.
As they walked across campus together, several students noticed them.
Whispers followed wherever they went.
"There they are."
"They look good together."
"I told you!"
Sabrina heard every word.
Her cheeks burned with embarrassment.
She instinctively slowed her pace.
Midnight noticed.
Without saying anything, he continued walking beside her.
His presence felt oddly reassuring.
After a few minutes, Sabrina laughed nervously.
"This is so awkward."
"It doesn't have to be."
"You make it sound easy."
"It is."
She smiled.
"You really are fearless."
"No."
She looked at him curiously.
"I'm simply used to people talking."
For the first time, Sabrina realized how lonely that must have been.
Being admired...
Being feared...
Yet never truly known.
She gently nudged his shoulder.
"Well..."
He looked at her.
"At least you have one friend who knows the real you."
Midnight stopped walking.
The words echoed in his mind.
"One friend..."
He had many acquaintances.
Many organization members.
Many classmates.
But...
A real friend?
He couldn't remember the last time someone had called themselves that.
"...Thank you," he said quietly.
Sabrina smiled warmly.
"You don't have to thank your friends."
---
A few days later, preparations began for the university's cultural festival.
Students signed up for performances, food stalls, and exhibitions.
During the planning meeting, Professor Hernandez made an announcement.
"This year's festival will feature a charity fundraising booth."
He looked around the room.
"I'll need two student coordinators."
The professor smiled knowingly.
"I've already chosen them."
Several students waited expectantly.
"Midnight."
He nodded.
"Sabrina."
She blinked.
"...Me?"
"Yes."
The classroom immediately erupted into whispers.
"They're working together again."
"This can't be a coincidence."
Sabrina looked at Midnight.
He looked just as surprised as she was.
Professor Hernandez adjusted his glasses.
"I expect both of you to work well together."
After class, Sabrina sighed dramatically.
"I think our professor enjoys creating chaos."
Midnight almost smiled.
"Perhaps."
She laughed.
"Did you almost make a joke?"
"I don't joke."
"Liar."
He looked away, hiding the faint curve of his lips.
As they walked toward the student council office to begin planning, neither of them noticed Chloe watching from the hallway.
She folded her arms with a satisfied grin.
"They're getting closer every day."
She wasn't wrong.
The rumors may have started by accident.
But the feelings growing between Midnight and Sabrina were becoming impossible to ignore.
Neither of them had admitted it.
Not even to themselves.
Yet every shared conversation...
Every smile...
Every quiet moment together...
Was bringing them one step closer to falling in love.
- Writer
