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

✨ Chapter Fifteen

"Thank you, by the way. For helping me with Gillian." I was taking notes from the third chapter of the beginner's Pyro textbook, Ray sitting quietly in front of me. He was studying his own shit, mostly hydro spells he just couldn't get the hang of. He glanced at me with his right eye. "Don't mention it, really. Show your gratitude by doing your work." Ugh, how cold. I tried giving him a small smile back, continuing to quickly scribble some terms and sentences. "I- I'm almost done. You explained most of this well, so I don't really have a problem. How's your work?" The black haired boy raised an eyebrow unamusedly. "Remember how during summer break, we'd have to meet with Professor Lucas to get our wands appraised?" I nodded, pushing my chair in. For some reason, I felt particularly interested in Ray's story. "I know you were waiting outside while he was doing mine. I heard Emma's comment on my... confidence." He frowned, pulling out his wand. "Hydro isn't my affinity. And it's actually quite difficult." People tend to have higher grades in the courses that resonate with their elemental affinity. Even Ray, who was regarded as some genius child ever since stepping into Grace Field, was starting to feel the effects. "We can- We can help each other, Ray. I can help you with hydro while you help me with Pyro." "We've already made a deal, y/n. You don't owe me anything." "But I want to help you, stupid. You helped me earlier, so let me repay the favor." He clenched his wand tightly, a more confused expression shadowing over his frustration. "I don't understand you, idiot." Huh? What does he mean? "Ray?" I whispered his name, reaching out to touch his hand. He smacked my wrist, pulling himself away. "Pyro users are supposed to be warlords, y/n. They're violent, cold, rude, and strong. Why are you like... Why are you like this? Your dendro and hydro grades are perfect, yet your pyro is suffering. I don't- I don't get you at all!" 

Ray was right. I'd never noticed it before, but I really was some type of anomaly. He clenched his teeth, slamming his hydro textbook shut. "You're weird, y/n. At least before you acted like a pyro user. Now all you do is cry, cower, and put shame to the name. Deal with Gillian yourself from now on. I'm leaving." Ray looked... really upset. Even when he was bullying me, he had this glint in his eyes, like there was some amusement or mischievousness in his jokes. Now, he was just... mad. Confused. And it was such a different look than the one he showed me. Something wooden clacked to the floor, startling me. A dark oak wand with a cold steel band rolled in front of my feet. Ray had forgotten his wand. I shoved the stick into my bag, deciding to wander around a bit. I didn't feel like returning it immediately, not after this. Maybe I'll go look for Zack. Maybe he's at the sports field? No harm in checking. 

I plodded my way out of the library, enjoying the empty hallways of an afternoon Grace Field Academy. A breeze brushed past my legs, making me grateful I had chosen to wear leggings today. Since no one else was really following the dress code, I'd also decided to sport a casual oversized hoodie, throwing the uniform robe over it. I headed down the main hallway of the grand school, jumping down the spiraling set of stairs. "Ah, Oliver!" I called, waving at the white haired boy about to enter the dining hall. A boy in an aviator's hat was walking with him. No Zack? How weird. "Hey y/n!" He responded, skipping to my side. The other boy hesitantly followed him, giving me a cold glance. The dress code is falling apart by the minute. "I'm y/n," I smiled, trying to be as kind as I could. "Nigel." He replied, shoving his hands into his pockets. So, no handshake, I guess. "You're the weirdo red head's friend, right?" Emma? Was he talking about Emma? I nodded slowly. In all honesty, it couldn't be anyone else. "Oh, by the way, do you guys know where Zack is?" "Why?" Nigel hissed, clicking his tongue. What the fuck is with this attitude? Oilver frowned, nudging his shoulder. "This is why you only have two friends, weirdo. He's in the sports field, y/n. We just had an argument so maybe you can cheer him up?" I clutched my own wand tightly, glancing at the white haired boy's concerned expression. I couldn't bring myself to question him, so I nodded silently, skipping in the direction of the sports field. I shoved open the doors to the vast green field of our school's backyard. On the left of the exit, there were three sets of bleachers. "Zack?" I called, looking around. My heart was beating a bit faster, just with the thought of meeting him. "Hey, Oliver asked me to check up on you, are you okay?" Underneath the old, weathered seats I caught a glimpse of the black robe of the boy's uniform. His back was shaking, almost as if he was... Crying? I gulped, rushing to his side. "H-Hey, Zack," I whispered, patting his back. I'd never seen him in this state. The Zack I'd always known was smiling, brave, loud, and friendly. "What- What happened?" He had buried his face into his hands, allowing me to pull him up. His hands were wet with tears, my own hands, tiny compared to his, grew wet with his sobs. "Z- Zack," I whispered, squeezing his waist. He continued to choke on his tears, eventually returning my embrace. Even though he was crying, my heart was pounding out of my chest. I hope he couldn't hear it. 

"Do you wanna talk about it?" I asked, nudging his leg with my foot. We sat on the bleachers, staring at the bleak sunset covered by the heavy gray clouds of an Autumn night. I glanced at his sad expression. "You don't have to if you don't want to," I continued, reaching for his hand. I was... brave today. Wow. The frown on his face melted away, his large tan hands gently holding my tiny fingers. His deep, husky voice was soft. "I don't know why, but I feel like I can trust you, y/n. Even though we'd just met, you make me really, really happy. So I'm asking you not to think of me any different when I tell you this." His cheeks flushed a light pink, my chest growing incredibly warm. Was he going to confess? "The person I like..." His eyes fell downwards, staring at the dewy green grass. "Is Oliver." 

What? Huh? Did I just hear that right? "Y-You mean- you're-" He smirked softly, letting go of my hand. "I'm gay, y/n. You can say it. I won't be offended." I wasn't mad. I wasn't particularly disappointed either. Just- Just really confused. He pulled his headband off, glancing at me with those earnest onyx eyes. "I can explain, I promise."

Zack told me everything. I was the only person he'd ever come out to. He said he'd always repressed his feelings because he didn't want anyone to think differently of him. "I'm the quarterback. The hot jock every girl wants. The school mascot, some type of idol. I couldn't just- just tell them I liked my team's captain." "Why did you date Gillian then?" He smiled sadly, clenching his fists. "To uphold that image. I didn't like her. I never did. She scared me. And I thought maybe, I could make Oliver jealous? If I started spending time with a girl instead of him, he'd magically wake up gay for me?" He laughed painfully, the embarrassment of the bad idea finally setting in. "I did the same thing with you, y/n. I'm sorry for using you. And instead of getting Oliver to like me, I got him to fall in love with Emma. That was what our argument was about. I lashed out at him for liking her, yet I did the same god damn thing for an unforgivable reason." As much as my heart ached hearing these words, I wanted to support him. I still- I still liked Zack. I still loved the way he smiled. I still loved the scar on his nose. I liked his headband, and his personality, and his kindness. "You can talk to me, Zack. I'll... I'll be here no matter what." His eyes lit up. "You're not.. You're not creeped out?" I shook my head no, grazing his palms with my fingertips. "No, Zack. I don't care who you like or who you love. All I care about is you, as a person. You as my friend." He pulled me into a hug, his warm embrace setting off a different feeling in my chest. Heartbreak.