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

✨ Chapter Fourteen

"Ah, Oliver asked to meet me before dendro today, is it okay if I go see him?" I nodded, giving her a mischievous glance. Her orange antenna was turned towards Norman, who shrugged nonchalantly. "It's just you and me, y/n." He laughed softly, packing up his things. I caught Emma's frown in the corner of my eye, probably from disappointment that Norman didn't particularly care. She dragged herself to the door, waving at us weakly. "Th-Then I'll meet you there!" I waved back, turning to the clueless white haired boy beside me. It was time to take matters into my own hands.

"So, Norman, do you think they'll start dating soon?" "Hm? Who?" We trotted our the classroom, thanking professor Krone for the class. "Emma and Oliver," I giggled, nudging his shoulder. A gentle breeze of wind nipped at my ankles, making me shudder. I hadn't realized that Autumn was upon us. The vibrant green shades of the summer leaves had started to melt into an array of caramel oranges and crimson reds. Norman shook his head no, his ocean blue eyes contrasting with the warm shades of a cool, cloudy Fall. "Emma wouldn't be into that type of guy." I nudged his shoulder, raising an eyebrow. "Pfft, what do you mean by his type?" I'd never seen such a concerned look on his face before. Maybe there was hope for NorEmma. "She's- She's our best friend. We've been together forever, and it would be weird if any of us started... dating." "Are you jealous?" I giggled, brushing my hair behind my ear. I was shocked to see his reaction. His pale cheeks had blushed bright pink, a rather puppy-like look pathetically gazing at me. "I-I don't know, y/n- I-" Yeah, I say this a lot. But people in love really are the cutest. I grabbed his hand, squeezing his fingers as tightly as I could. He sniffled back his tears, giving me a gentle shake back. "How do you feel about Emma?" He wiped his cheeks, taking a deep inhale. I'd known Norman for my whole life, so I know how difficult it would be for him to admit his romantic feelings for someone. Never batting an eye at the cheerleaders, never giving any hot jock a second thought. He was always... untouchable in his own weird way. Looking at him now, all red and embarrassed... I wonder how he'd repressed these secret feelings for so long. "Emma is... very important to me. She's been my everything for... forever." I sighed softly, nudging him with my elbow. "Norman, do you like her? Like- like her like her?" He turned an even deeper shade of tomato red, burying his face into his hands. "I-I need- I need to think about it." "Pretend I'm Emma for a moment. If I had said, Norman, I like you, please go out with me! What would yo-" "So not only are you messing around with my Zackie, you're whoring around with this... nerd?" The head cheerleader's cold, icy voice stabbed Norman in the chest. "I-I'm a nerd?" He coughed, stepping backwards, his fragile pride completely destroyed. My heart was pounding, the adrenaline of having Zack with me unfortunately absent. I felt a bead of sweat run down my forehead, that annoyingly pretty bitch stepping towards me. Hmph, she was shorter up close. "Your skin is terrible. What's up with these massive pores? Why would the quarterback even turn his head in your ugly, stinky, slutty direction?" Another cold breeze of wind blew my hair across my face. Norman was in no position to save me. And I don't think Emma would ditch her date with Oliver because of a bat signal I probably couldn't send. Gillian glared at me coldly, sticking her finger in my face. "What makes you so great, bitch? Because all you look like is some-" "Kind, hard working, funny, cute girl." A boy with messy black hair stepped in front of me, shoving the girl onto the floor. "And I don't appreciate you bullying my student." This boy... was wearing a light gray hoodie underneath his flowy black robe. His voice was cold, colder than Gillian's. This person... this person wasn't Zack. His name spilled out of my mouth, my heart starting to pound of my chest. "R- Ray?" He flashed me a quick grin, holding his arms out as if protecting me. It's not as if Gillian could hurt me, but for some reason, my chest felt warm. Her glare only became more aggressive, splitting between the two of us. "Oh great, you got emo cyclops in your shitty harem too?" Ray smirked maliciously, swinging his arm over my shoulder. "Not just any emo cyclops, bitch. Don't you remember? Your beloved Zack's pyro partner? And next door neighbor?" A gust of wind ruffled my skirt, brushing away Gilliam's light blond hair. She froze as Ray finished his sentence. "Y-You wouldn't-" "Oh, I would. And who would Zack trust more? One of his best friends? Or his psycho obsessed ex girlfriend?" The look in Ray's eyes was dark, like he was having some fun giving Gillian a taste of her own medicine. I can't say I disliked it though. She stumbled backwards, flashing me one last glare. "This isn't over, you ugly slut!" She disappeared behind a corner, her black flats clicking against the brick floor. Ray smirked, lifting his arm from my shoulder. "It's better to be loved for who you are than to be a pretty asshole no one likes. Do you think that sent the message?" I was shocked. Ray really was here. "Wh- Why?" He turned to me, nudging my cheek with his finger. "Why what? Use your sentences, stupid." His hand... It was so warm... The heat from his strangely gentle touch sent my face on fire. "W-Why a-are you here?" He shrugged, glancing at the place Gillian was standing. "I said it already. I'm just taking care of my student. And I was tailing you to make sure you weren't skipping dendro." His eyes widened, glancing at the clock hung in the center of each hallway. "Which we are probably going to be late to." He clicked his tongue, opening his hand. "W-What?" I trembled, touching his palm gently. Ray grabbed Norman's collar, dragging him along. His fingers intertwined with mine easily, the black haired boy pulling me through the school. "You'd probably slack if I didn't force you to run!" "You're not wrong!" I giggled, in between breaths.

His voice was fierce when he said those words. "Kind, hard working, funny, cute girl." My heart warmed up, recalling the brief moment of Ray's kindness. This wasn't okay. Maybe... the two of us could get along. Just maybe.