Chapter 11: Midnight's Confusion
1165 Words
The next morning, Midnight woke before his alarm.
The room was quiet, just as it always was. Sunlight slipped through the curtains, casting pale streaks across his apartment. He sat on the edge of his bed, rubbing his temples.
For the first time in years, he had barely slept.
Every time he closed his eyes, the same scene replayed in his mind.
Sabrina laughing.
Adrian smiling at her.
The two of them walking side by side toward the university gate.
He let out a slow sigh.
"What is wrong with me?"
Midnight had always been in control of himself. He never let emotions interfere with his decisions. Whether it was academics, leadership, or life, he relied on logic.
But lately...
Logic wasn't winning anymore.
---
When he arrived at Westbridge University, he was greeted by the usual chorus of voices.
"Good morning, President!"
"Morning, Midnight!"
He nodded politely and continued walking.
As he crossed the courtyard, he noticed Sabrina sitting on a bench beneath the acacia tree. She was reading a book while sipping iced coffee.
For a brief second, he considered walking over to greet her.
Before he could take another step, Adrian appeared.
"Morning, Sabrina!"
She looked up and smiled.
"Good morning!"
Adrian handed her a small paper bag.
"I passed by the bakery near the station. They were selling your favorite strawberry bread."
Sabrina's eyes lit up.
"You remembered?"
"Of course."
"Thank you!"
She laughed warmly.
From a distance, Midnight watched the exchange.
His grip on the strap of his backpack tightened.
Without another glance, he walked away.
---
The entire morning felt unusually long.
During his economics lecture, the professor called on him.
"Midnight, could you explain the relationship between inflation and purchasing power?"
Normally, he would answer immediately.
Instead...
Silence.
The classroom stared at him.
The professor raised an eyebrow.
"Mr. Midnight?"
He blinked.
"...I'm sorry."
A few students exchanged surprised glances.
Midnight?
Distracted?
That had never happened before.
After giving the correct answer, he quietly sat down.
But even then, his thoughts refused to settle.
---
Meanwhile, Sabrina was completely unaware of Midnight's strange behavior.
After class, she hurried to the student center to continue preparing for the Cultural Festival.
As she arranged colorful decorations, Adrian joined her.
"I brought paint supplies."
"Perfect timing," Sabrina said.
The two worked side by side, discussing ideas for the charity booth.
Their easy conversation drew the attention of several nearby students.
"They seem close."
"I think Adrian likes her."
"I heard he asked her to join the Engineering Society's celebration next week."
Sabrina overheard the last comment and laughed.
"He invited all the volunteers," she explained.
Adrian nodded.
"Exactly. Everyone's welcome."
The rumors, however, continued to spread.
---
That afternoon, Midnight entered the activity hall carrying inventory forms.
The moment he stepped inside, he saw Adrian adjusting the decorations while Sabrina stood on a chair, trying to hang paper lanterns.
"Can you hand me the tape?" she asked.
Adrian reached up and passed it to her.
"Here you go."
"Thanks!"
She smiled.
Again.
That same smile.
The one Midnight had begun looking forward to seeing every day.
For reasons he couldn't explain, seeing someone else make her smile left a strange ache in his chest.
He looked away and focused on checking the inventory list.
But no matter how hard he tried, his attention kept drifting back to them.
---
As the afternoon wore on, Sabrina climbed down from the chair.
"Finally done!"
Just as she stepped backward, one of the chair's legs slipped.
She gasped.
Before Adrian could reach her, another hand caught her wrist.
Midnight.
His grip was firm.
"You should be more careful," he said.
Sabrina steadied herself and smiled.
"Looks like you're always there to catch me."
The words escaped naturally.
Neither of them realized how intimate they sounded.
Adrian, however, noticed.
His smile faded ever so slightly.
Midnight slowly released Sabrina's hand.
"...You should watch your footing."
"I will."
Their eyes met for a brief moment.
Something passed between them.
Something neither could describe.
---
Later that evening, Chloe found Sabrina sitting outside the library.
"You've been busy."
Sabrina stretched her arms.
"I'm exhausted."
Chloe sat beside her.
"So..."
Sabrina laughed.
"Not again."
"You have two handsome guys paying attention to you."
"I do not."
"Midnight literally caught you before you fell."
"He would've done that for anyone."
"Would he?"
Sabrina hesitated.
"...Probably."
Chloe smiled knowingly.
"And Adrian?"
"He's just friendly."
"Friendly people don't bring someone their favorite bread."
Sabrina looked down.
"I don't know."
"What don't you know?"
"What if everyone is misunderstanding things?"
Chloe gently nudged her shoulder.
"The better question is..."
She smiled.
"Who do you look for first when you arrive on campus?"
Sabrina opened her mouth.
Then stopped.
She already knew the answer.
Every morning...
Without realizing it...
She searched for Midnight.
---
That same night, Midnight remained in the organization office long after everyone else had left.
Stacks of paperwork covered his desk.
Normally, work helped clear his mind.
Tonight, it only reminded him of Sabrina.
He sighed and closed the last folder.
"This is pointless."
For the first time in years, he admitted something to himself.
He wasn't distracted because of school.
He wasn't irritated because of Adrian.
He wasn't confused because of the rumors.
He was confused because...
He cared.
More than he should.
A soft knock interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in."
The door opened, revealing Professor Hernandez.
"I thought I'd find you here."
Midnight stood respectfully.
"Professor."
The older man smiled.
"You've been different lately."
"I'm not sure what you mean."
"You've been making mistakes."
Midnight lowered his eyes.
"...I know."
The professor walked toward the window.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Yes."
"Have you ever liked someone?"
The question caught Midnight completely off guard.
"...No."
Professor Hernandez chuckled.
"I don't think that's true anymore."
Silence filled the room.
The professor continued gently.
"Being a leader doesn't mean you stop being human."
Midnight remained quiet.
"You've spent years protecting your heart."
He looked toward Midnight with a kind smile.
"But sometimes..."
"The strongest people are the ones willing to let someone in."
After the professor left, Midnight stood alone in the silent office.
His gaze drifted toward the empty chair where Sabrina usually sat during their meetings.
He remembered her laughter.
Her stubbornness.
The way she always believed in people.
Even when they didn't believe in themselves.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"...I'm in trouble."
It was the first time he had ever admitted it aloud.
He had fallen for the one person he never expected.
The cheerful, ordinary girl who had walked into his carefully ordered life...
And turned it completely upside down.
Outside the office window, the campus lights glowed beneath the evening sky.
Somewhere across campus, Sabrina was probably walking home, completely unaware of the battle taking place inside Midnight's heart.
But fate had already begun writing the next chapter of their story.
One where confusion would soon give way to undeniable love.
- Writer
