The night was dark and misty around Haul Academy. The air smelled of salt from the cliffs nearby.
It was past midnight, and the school was completely quiet. The only sounds were the distant crash of ocean waves and the creaking of the old school building.
Rossie was a senior at the academy. She couldn't sleep because her mind was full of thoughts. She was worried about her upcoming exams. And she couldn't stop thinking about her crush, Michael.
She kept replaying their conversation from earlier that day. They had been laughing in the cafeteria, and the memory made her feel a deep sense of longing.
Her shoes scraped on the cobblestone path as she walked. She passed the west wing of the school, where thick ivy grew all over the crumbling walls.
Then she saw a faint, silvery light flickering behind a hedge. It looked like a secret waiting to be found.
She was curious but also a little scared. She pushed through the thorny branches, snagging her sweater, and found a rusted iron gate. It creaked as she pushed it open.
Behind the gate was a hidden garden. It seemed to be alive. Vines twisted and glowed in the moonlight. Flowers she had never seen before gave off a soft, pulsing light in shades of silver and violet. It almost seemed like they were breathing along with her.
The air was warm and smelled sweet, like jasmine and fresh dirt. It felt comforting. Her heart skipped a beat. She wasn't scared, but excited. She felt like the garden was alive and watching her.
Suddenly, a figure stood up from a patch of glowing flowers. Rossie froze and held her breath.
It was the Moonlight Gardener. He was a shadowy figure in a long, dark coat and a wide hat that hid most of his face. The moonlight only caught the sharp line of his jaw.
In his gloved hands, he held a glowing flower. He held it very carefully, as if it were priceless. A lantern on the ground near him cast a golden light, making the flowers around him sparkle like fallen stars.
Rossie expected him to yell at her. She knew she wasn't supposed to be out of her dorm this late. There were rumors about this part of the school, stories of magic and lost love.
But the Moonlight Gardener didn't yell. He turned around slowly. His hidden eyes met hers, and she felt a spark in the quiet air. The feeling in the garden changed, like the quiet moment just before a storm.
When he spoke, his voice was low and smooth.
"Well, well. You're not supposed to be out here, you know," he said. He sounded amused, as if he was happy she had found him.
Rossie's mouth felt dry.
"I..I didn't mean to," she stammered. "I just… saw the light." She felt a chill and realized how loudly her heart was beating.
He moved closer to her, walking silently on the mossy path. As he walked, the flowers seemed to glow even brighter.
"The light, huh?" he said playfully. "Or maybe you just couldn't rest. This garden seems to attract people who can't sleep. So, what's keeping you awake?" he asked gently.
She was surprised by how friendly he sounded, like they were old friends sharing secrets.
"I don't know," she mumbled, looking at the glowing flower in his hand.
"I just couldn't sleep. I have a lot on my mind. School. Exams. Things like that."
He tilted his head, and she saw a hint of a smile under his hat. It was a knowing look that made her feel like he could see right through her.
"Things like that," he repeated slowly, teasing her.
"It sounds like it's more than just tests. Tell me," he said softly.
"What's really keeping you up?" He held the glowing flower out to her, inviting her to share her secrets.
Her face grew warm. She couldn't tell a stranger about Michael and the way his smile made her stomach do flips. She was too shy to even say two words to Michael himself. But the gardener's gaze made her feel like she had to tell him.
"It's… someone," she blurted out, and then felt embarrassed. "It's someone I can't stop thinking about. Okay?"
His smile grew wider. "Someone," he repeated. His voice became softer, and he said the word slowly, as if he was enjoying it. He stepped closer. She could smell jasmine, earth, and something wild and exciting. He was close enough to feel his warmth.
"That's a good start," he said. "It's hard to carry feelings for someone all by yourself. Does this person know you can't stop thinking about them?"
She shook her head, holding her sweater tightly. "No. I…" Her voice was quiet, but saying it out loud felt like a relief.
He hummed thoughtfully and offered her the moonflower. "Take this, then," he said.
As she reached for it, his gloved fingers brushed against hers. The touch was slow and on purpose. The leather felt cool, but her skin tingled where he touched her. Her breath caught in her throat.
"Be careful," he whispered, his voice meant only for her. "This flower likes secrets. If you tell it more, it will shine brighter. It might give you courage, too."
She held the flower. It felt warm in her hand, and its light pulsed like a tiny heartbeat. It felt like a promise.
"Why do you care?" she asked, feeling braver now. "Why are you out here? Who are you?"
He let out a soft laugh. "You're a curious one, aren't you?" he teased, kneeling by another group of flowers.
"I like that. As for why I'm here…" He paused.
"During the day, people hide their true feelings. They follow rules and pretend everything is okay. But at night…"
Rossie frowned. "That's not a real answer. And you didn't tell me who you are," she insisted.
He looked up at her. His eyes caught the moonlight. They were sharp, and she couldn't tell what he was thinking. She felt a strong desire to know his secrets.
"Maybe I'm just a gardener," he said with a small smile.
"Or maybe I'm stuck here, taking care of things that only grow in the dark. If you want to know my name, you'll have to earn it. Come back tomorrow night."
He stood up and brushed the dirt from his gloves. It felt like he was dismissing her, but then his voice softened.
"The garden has more to tell you. And I bet you do, too."
She wanted to ask more questions, but he turned away. His dark coat looked like a shadow as he disappeared among the vines.
"Wait," she called out, but he was already gone.
He left her standing alone in the glowing garden. Her heart was racing, and her mind was full of new questions. She wondered what he was...a secret keeper, or just something she had imagined.
*I have to come back,* she thought to herself. She stepped out of the garden and back into the night, the warm glow of the moonflower lighting up her hand.