✨ A Little Bit of Magic || READER X RAY || The Promised Neverland

✨ Chapter Twelve

"Hey, Zack, are you close with Ray?" Today I scored another tutoring session with my crush while that stupid black haired idiot was busy meeting with some teachers. For some reason, he felt colder than usual since the talk this morning. Did I say something wrong? Ugh, no, he's just being his usual asshole self. Good, actually. I disliked him anyways.

Zack's soft chuckle brought me back to earth, his tanned, callused fingers tapping the textbook in between us. "You've been a good girl. I guess we can take a break." G- Good girl. Yes. I felt like a dog wagging her tail in front of Zack, some wave of happiness washing over me with his compliment. He adjusted his headband, closing the hardcover book. "I met Ray last year, in my first pyro class. He was my partner by chance." His eyes melted, recalling what I assumed to be a fond memory. "Did you two get along?" Zack covered his mouth, trying not to laugh too loud. God, those ripped arms. His small smile, that deep manly smell. "Absolutely not! We're talking about the same Ray, right?" I couldn't stop myself from giggling, my fingers brushing last his shoulder. "S-Sorry, I thought he was only like that with me!" Zack leaned back in his chair, the right side of his face gazing at me amusedly. "Ray was... very cold. He was rude, ignorant, and never paid me any mind. Until the day we faced the Timoterror, which I've heard Professor Yuugo pushed up this year." So Zack had to meet that thing too... I nodded my head yes, recalling that haunting incident. He waved his right arm dramatically, as if referencing the whole room. His eyes followed his hand, a sort of dreariness washing away my happy mood. "All of the kids here are orphans or are close to being one. This place is a home for the abandoned and the unwanted. When I faced that Timoterror, I faced my parents. I faced their deaths. I was eight when it happened. And then suddenly, after that day, Ray was suddenly kind and thoughtful, and took very good care of me as a partner. It was weird, actually. But it made me happy." An image of a smiling Ray flashed into my head. I don't think that's a face I would ever see in my living life. "y/n, if it's okay to ask, what happened so that you wouldn't have to take pyro class? Did it have something to do with the Timoterror?" "A- Actually, Zack, I also had to watch my parents... my parents..." the words burned like acid on my tongue, refusing to let me spit them out. Zack gently placed his finger on my lips, smiling at me warmly. "I know how it feels." I felt my face grow warm with embarrassment and excitement. He- He was so close! I grabbed his finger with my trembling hands, squeezing it tightly. His oal black eyes widened, my mouth quivering. "Thank yo-" "Where the fuck is this bitch?" A shrill, ear piercing voice rang through the library. From my seat, I watched the librarian hiss a "shush!" at the rude girl barging into what was supposed to be a quiet room. Her hair was light blond, a pastel pink beanie on her head and the same shade cardigan sitting loosely underneath her shoulders. Her ice blue eyes scanned the room quickly. "Zack! I know you're here!" I turned to the boy my side, his eyebrows furrowed. He squeezed my hands tightly, shoving the textbook in front of me. "Don't pay her any mind, y/n. She's mad at me, not you." His unbuttoned black robe flowed rather dramatically as he stepped out of our study cubby. His voice was confident but strained. I could tell there was bad blood between the two. "Gillian, I'm right here. Please don't shout in the library." Her demeanor immediately changed, that sickeningly high pitched shriek magically turning into a soft, sweet whisper. Ugh, what a two faced bitch. "Zackie! There you are! You know what day it is, right? Date day! My room... or yours?" She twirled a lock of her hair around her finger, stepping scandalously close to him. Her boobs almost brushed against his chest, but damn, his reflexes are on point. Zack took a big step backwards, making the girl stumble. "We broke up, Gillian. Almost a month ago. Why are you here?" There it is again, that complete 180 degree turn. She glared at him coldly, a posse of the other cheerleader mean girls admiring their way too long to be functional nail length and short skirts. Why do we even have a dress code? If I had to estimate, probably a single percent of the school followed it. "Actually, Zack," The way she hissed his name sent shivers down my spine. "I heard that you've been spending an unusually large amount of time with a single girl in particular. And you come to library to rendezvous with this little bitch? How cheap. Cheap and cliché." I was... irritable to say the least. I was already annoyed with Ray's attitude. I was already embarrassed by Norman's cluelessness to Emma's crush on him. And I was upset that some basic ass ex girlfriend blond was interrupting my study session with Zack. I stepped out the cubby, clutching my wand tightly in my pocket. "Not as cliché as your budget mean girls." Zack turned to me, complete shock written across his face. Y'all thought the library was a quiet place. It went dead silent the moment I finished my sentence. Dead. Silent. The librarian's mouth was gaped at our confrontation, the other students who were minding their own business watched me quietly.

What happened to me hating confrontation? What happened to laying low? What happened to me? Well, there was no turning back now. I swung my bag over my shoulder, grabbing Zack's hand. "y-y/n?" He yelped, running alongside me. I heard Gillian's shrill protests shout for me to return her boyfriend. Well, bitch, he's not yours anymore. The empty hallways were suddenly filled with our heavy breathes, the athletic boy easily keeping his breathing in check. He followed me to sport's field, where I slowly skidded to a stop. My lungs were on fire. My body was heavy, especially my legs. I dropped my bag onto the dewy grass, turning to the still awestruck boy behind me. His chest fell into a steady beat of up and down, his hands still by his side. My heart was racing. Was he mad? Was he upset? God damn it! Adrenaline was coursing through my blood, making me feel the most alive I've ever been in my entire life. Zack stepped towards me, wiping my sweaty forehead with his sleeve. A smile crept across his face. "You're crazy, y/n." "I- I know," I panted, in between breaths. He started to chuckle, patting the top of my head amusedly. He... didn't look mad? Am I dreaming? This has to be a dream. "Let's be friends, y/n. I like you." My tired, sweaty body was overwhelmed with the thought of his words. He likes me? He likes me? y/n? He just said that, right? This- This is crazy! "D- Dinner!" I blurted out, my mind in twenty different places. He laughed loudly, his eyes closing in the actions. That warm hand on top me shook with his chest, a hot feeling rising up into my heart. "I'll walk you back to your dorm. Then let's have dinner together at six, okay?" I was sure I was tomato red at this point. I nodded my head yes, following him as he picked my bag up. "Impressive stamina, by the way."

As much as it hurt my pride, I'd probably have to thank Ray for today. I think I got a lot closer to Zack. We shared a past I didn't think we would. I should remember to do something for that stupid black haired boy later, as gratitude.

"So I'll meet you at the front of the dining hall at six?" Zack asked, handing me my bag. "Y- Yeah," I replied, still very embarrassed. I don't think I could ever get used to that warm smile he always gave me. "And y/n, thanks for doing that, y'know. Getting me away from Gillian. I don't know how I would've talked my way out of that." I nudged his elbow playfully, probably smiling like an idiot. "It's no problem, Zack, really." He patted my head again. "Well then, see you later." I watched him walk down the carpeted hallway, waving goodbye at the doors before the staircase. "Bye!" I mouthed, the double doors swinging behind him.

"Emma!" I shouted, barging into my room. "It's a date!"