MIDNIGHT SKY .ᐟ
ᰋ. ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ chapter nine ⎯⎯
❛ it's complicated. ❜

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two horror movies and a couple rounds of 'cards against humanity' later, midnight struck. most of the cast had already crashed, laid across the couch and the mattresses on the floor yet she was still wide awake. drew had left a little while ago, retreating back to his own apartment which left her feeling bummed out. then again, she was already used to the pang of disappointment that appeared every time he'd leave. she sighed, about to tuck her phone back into her pocket when a notification lit up her screen.

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INSTAGRAM | PRIVATE
╭・␥ 📱 ★﹒active now

participants:
drew starkey ⤑ @drewstarkey
saige halley ⤑ @lovesaige

TODAY 11:52 PM

drewstarkey
you still up?

lovesaige
uhuh

drewstarkey
come with me.
there's a rooftop deck in the building.

lovesaige
you asking me or telling me?

drewstarking
asking.
unless you're tired.

lovesaige
for you? never ;)

drewstarkey
👍🏻

lovesaige
you sure this is a good idea?

drewstarkey
don't overthink it.
it's just a nice view.
and you're good company.

lovesaige
okay :)

drewstarkey
i'll meet you there in five.

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a small smile made its way to saige's lips as she stood up from her position on the couch and folded the blanket draped over her legs. the thought of meeting him again on the rooftop sent a spark of exhilaration through her, chasing away any trace of sleepiness. but just as quickly, reality crept in, reminding her she was nothing more than a distraction for his heartbroken, pining self.

even so, she already knew what she was getting into from the start and as much as she hated to admit it, she'd take whatever she could get from whatever this was with drew.

keeping her footsteps light and slow, she carefully moved towards the door.

"dude," madison called out, her voice sluggish, halting her in her tracks. "where are you going? it's like... the middle of the night."

"uh..." saige swallowed the lump in her throat. "i'm just gonna get fresh air."

lies.

but how was she supposed to explain to her best friend that she was sneaking out in the middle of the night to see the guy she'd liked for almost four years—a guy who'd never feel the same because his heart was still tangled up in his ex?

thankfully, madison only hummed in response, seemingly uninterested, and turned over in her sleep. that gave her the chance to slip out noiselessly of madelyn's apartment unit and made her way to the elevator. she pressed the button for the rooftop and waited. the soft 'ding' of the elevator doors opening pulled her from her trance and when they finally slid open, the sight before her took her breath away.

the city stretched out beneath her, a tapestry of flickering lights in the distance, and as she gaze up above, the midnight sky shimmered with a thousand stars. the rooftop deck, complete with an infinity pool and a lounge area, was quiet. it was peaceful.

and he was already there.

drew sat in a lounge chair, his arms crossed in his chest as he looks out at the view. at the sound of the elevator doors opening, his attention instantly whirls towards where saige was, his expression softening upon seeing her approach him slowly.

"hey," he said quietly, his voice in harmony with the low hum of the wind.

"hi," she let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "you okay?"

"yeah, yeah," drew nodded, adjusting himself in his chair so he could face her properly. "just needed some air. thought you'd like it too."

something vulnerable was laced in his voice, like he was trying to figure out how to voice out what was on his mind, and saige studied him for a moment.

"you confuse me, you know that?" she blurted out.

drew stared at her for a moment then shook his head and turned his gaze back to the city. "yeah, well... it's complicated."

"it's just you whose complicated," she hurled back before shifting on the lounge chair, letting her legs stretch out.

drew sat beside her, his forearm resting on his knees, his body facing towards her. she could feel the weight of her own words, the harsh truth of them like a punch to the gut, and she refused to look at him, feeling a little embarrassed. although it was true, she had no right to say that at all.

he then broke the silence, his voice gentle. "saige..." he rubbed the back of his neck, lowering his head as what he was about to say were difficult to let out. "i... i'm not really sure what i'm doing here," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

her heart skipped a beat, and she felt a lump in her throat. there was so much honesty in his words, so much uncertainty, catching her off guard.

"hey," she sighed softly. "you know i'm not expecting anything, right?" her chest ached as the words left her mouth.

"but you are," he replied immediately, his eyes searching hers for a moment before turning back to the view. "and i don't want to mess this up. whatever this is."

saige's stomach churned at that and she looked away, feeling a bit distraught.

he was quiet for a moment then finally, he spoke again. "i... like being around you, saige. you make me feel alive."

she turned to look at him and there it was again—that little prickle in the center of her chest, the fucking expectations.

"i just... don't know what to do with that yet," he exhaled, the tension in his shoulders softening. "daniela and i... we've got unresolved things. it's not that easy to just move on."

his blatant candor made her frown, but she nodded, anyway, trying to make her voice steady. "it's okay, drew. i'm not going anywhere."

drew's lips twitched into a slight beam. "i know," he hooded. "that's what scares me."

saige tilted her head in confusion. "what's do you mean?"

"like i said, it's complicated." his chuckle, low and almost tired, her insides twist. "it's not fair to you for me to be this unsure."

her heart thudded, the admission heavy and yet, strangely, hopeful. she then shifted closer, lifting herself slightly so she faced him directly, her knee brushing his. "drew," she called out to him, then paused, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "i'm not asking you for anything more than this, okay? this... is enough for me."

his jaw clenched, and for a moment, saige held her breath, afraid that he might pull away again, like he always did. but to her surprise, he turned to face her, his expression filled with quiet apology.

"you deserve more than this."

saige couldn't help but let out a snicker, trying to lighten the tension between them as she leaned back in her seat. "obviously. but... i like you. even though you're complicated."

drew raised a brow at her, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "you're something, you know that?"

"i'm not something," she shot back, her tone playful. "i'm someone."

drew chuckled softly, shaking his head. "you still remember that?"

saige grinned. "and your rejection? oh, for sure."

he laughed at that before letting out a heavy sigh, his expression softening. "thank you, saige."

"for...?"

"for... i don't know," he admitted, his voice dropping to almost a whisper. "for sticking around? if i'm being honest, i haven't been able to get you out of my mind since our last rooftop situation."

the vulnerability in his tone caught her off guard, and she tried to keep her composure, biting back the smile threatening to break free. "well," she swallowed. "makes two of us."

for a moment, neither of them said anything and silence fell between them again. this time, it was more comfortable. drew's gaze lingered on her, his blue eyes reflecting the city lights. saige felt her heartbeat quicken, but she didn't dare look away.

and for the first time since the night they met, they finally had something in common. what they said wasn't a confession, not really. but it was something. just enough for her to hold onto. at least now, drew knew where he stood in her life, and where she stood in his. and maybe, just maybe, it marked the beginning of something.

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author's note:
hi, my loves! my finals are finally done so expect more updates in the coming days ;)
ily all & i hope ya'll liked this chapter!
don't forget to vote and comment x