The Stroke of Midnight
Basil was never one for love. He preferred loneliness over anything, and found the thought of being romantically involved with someone restricting and frustrating. Even so, there was that incredibly tiny feeling that swirled in his gut everytime he saw that brunette book shop owner whenever he did his rounds. Normally he would ignore things like these, but he normally didn't have things like these, so his mind was left to wonder and wonder what on earth that feeling was? It felt negative, almost, but in the same way it weighed down his stomach it lifted his heart. Nothing was adding up and it was driving him mad. Finally, after deciding that he needed to learn more about what was going on with him, he approached the woman in her shop—his eyes filled with a curiousity most his age seemed to not possess. His face was stoic as always, but his intentions were not as bad. "Yes, hello. I've come to examine you," he suddenly stated, staring at the woman intently until some sort of commen sense kicked into him and he shook his head and flashed a rather dashing smile—until the stoicness came and claimed his face again. "I was not supposed to say that out loud. ANYWAY," he continued on as he thought he caught a glimpse of...laughter? Why was she laughing. All of sudden Basil wanted to shrink away and he alone—a feeling he had been avoiding for months. "Right. Okay. I'm Basil Baker," he finally introduced himself, holding out his hand. "Let's get coffee. No wait that's wrong. Okay. Uhhh..." he scratched his head, trying to remember how to be polite. "Would you like to get coffee? Now? I'll...pay." With what money, you idiot! He flashed another smile as a sudden nervousness washed over him—another new feeling. She was smiling and looked incredibly pleased, but Basil couldn't do it. He was not cut out for love. Love! That was it. The sudden realization made him feel sick. He needed to get out of there. "Actually—would you look at the time! I've a...a meeting with a friend now. Sorry. Bye." And with that he was gone, silently cursing at himself for leaving like that. He was so close! Now he knew why he couldn't love.












