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

✨ Chapter Thirteen

"You know it's not gonna be a date if you follow me..." Emma was clutching to my waist tightly, her weight on my back almost leading to several accidents on our way down the stairs. "I thought I was ready to let you go! But I'm not! We should stay single together y/n!" Her emerald eyes filled up with tears, making me giggle. I dragged her down the spiral staircase of the girl's dorm, waving to Zack who was leaning on a pillar with Oliver. I felt my heart sink a bit, slightly disappointed that it wasn't just the two of us. So it wasn't a date. I glanced at the sobbing orange haired girl holding my hand. At least Emma came, so I don't look totally awkward. "Hey!" I hid my frown behind a smile, skipping to his side. "Sorry I'm late, this... weirdo child insisted on following me." "I'm not a weirdo I'm her wife!" Emma hissed, glaring at the black haired boy. She clung to me a little tighter, hiding behind me again. Zack and Oliver chuckled, the white haired boy who I've never spoken to blushing lightly. Though he wasn't as incredibly handsome as Zack, Oliver had his own special charms as captain of the football team. He'd never been on the field, but his strategic calls and support from the sidelines helped a lot in their own way. He held his hand out, flashing me a warm grin. "My name is Oliver, we've met before, right? In the hallway?" I shook his hand, returning the friendly gesture. "Yeah, that was a mess. I hope we can get along!" His crimson red eyes rested on Emma's orange antenna peeking out from behind me. That look on his face... It seemed familiar... His voice became softer, speaking to my companion. "Hi, y/n's friend. My name is-" "Oliver. I heard you." She hesitantly returned the handshake, refusing to meet his gaze. "My name is Emma." His eyes melted, the tinge of red from his eyes seemingly infecting his cheeks. "That's a really cute name." Emma also blushed, thanking him quietly.

This was supposed to be a date. What happened? On my right, Emma was loudly chatting and joking with Oliver, who she had eventually warmed up to. Zack was in front of me, commenting on their conversation. And on my left, Norman was conversing with a certain black haired idiot sitting next to my crush. What a fiesta. "Sorry everyone ended up joining us, y/n." Zack whispered, winking at me with his left eye. My heart skipped a beat, poking my food with a fork. "It's okay!" I smiled, glancing at Ray coldly. I was fine with everyone here, except him. I forced a grin out. "The more the merrier, right?" That idiot noticed my glare and stuck his tongue out mockingly. I cringed, turning my attention back to a laughing Zack. "Do you guys like each other or something?" "Him?!" "Her?!" We hissed in unison, pointing at each other rudely. That only made Zack laugh louder, clutching his aching stomach. "You two remind me of kids in elementary school and how they'd bully the person they like. It's stupid but cute!" Ray smirked mischievously, nudging Zack's shoulder. "She does have a crush on someone, y'know," His eyes were glistening, a twisted smile stretched across his face. "Oh, do I know him?" Zack replied, leaning closer to my sworn nemesis. "Yeah, actually, his name is-" "Za- Zack!" A girl tapped his shoulder, interrupting Ray. Thank god, I breathed a short sigh of relief before noticing what the girl was holding in her other hand. A small pink box in the shape of a heart. It was nowhere near Valentine's Day, but I could guess what she was going to do. Her pale hands were clutching it tightly, trembling as she spoke to him. "Can- Can I talk to you outside? Please?" The tanned boy pulled his headband down, excusing himself from the table. He glanced at me sadly, forcing out a smile. "I'll be back guys."

That girl... She was going to confess to him, right?

Ugh that seems... to be the only plausible explanation. Suddenly, the delicious meal in front of me had lost it's flavor and so did the bright mood in the room. Someone stepped on my left foot, making me yelp. "What the fuck?" I hissed, turning to the black haired boy who'd kicked me. Surprisingly, he was frowning as well. "You look better mad than sad, stupid. Stop sulking. Remember what I told you that day?" Hm? What was he talking about? "You mean... I'm only half ugly?" Oliver turned to him with his eyes wide open. "That's not teasing, that's just bullying, Ray." He immediately refuted the comment, shaking his hands no. "Th-That's not- I didn't-" Emma and Norman shoved down their giggles, watching the conflict carry out. "I meant- I- She- She just looked so sad and before I told her- I told you," He turned to me, a strangely warm and confident look in his dark gray eyes. "I told you to have some confidence. You don't know if he accepted that girl's confession or refused it, and you already look like an abandoned puppy." As much as I hated to admit it, Ray was right. Zack returned shortly after, empty handed. "What did she want?" Oliver asked, shuffling over. He just smiled in return, taking a bite of his food. "Something I couldn't give her." "So you rejected her?" I blurted out. Everyone turned to me, shocked that I actually asked the question. "I- I mean- I don't mean to pry- I just-" Zack chuckled, nodding his head yes. "Unfortunately, yeah." Ray smiled, nudging his shoulder gently. "It's hard being popular, isn't it?"

Maybe it was just a figment of my imagination, but when Ray said that, I thought he was looking at me. It's hard being the popular boy. And I should have learned that lesson after my run in with Gillian. But hey, the worst that can happen is the addition of a new enemy other than Ray on my hate list. That's the absolute worst my situation can get... Right?