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

✨ Chapter Seventeen

I found myself to spending more and more time with Zack. He'd always join me for lunch and sometimes he would accompany Ray in tutoring me. That stupid Cyclops would always give me a silly wink whenever he chose to sit by my side. 

"I told you that there's still a chance. Why don't you ask him?" "Ask him what?" I hissed, nudging him with my elbow. Ray smiled, tucking his textbook underneath his arm. He'd been smiling a lot lately, which was weird. Weird but good. A few feet ahead of us, Zack and Oliver were chatting as normal. They'd made up fairly quickly, much to my disappointment. "Ask him what kind of person he'd be into, stupid." "Probably someone like Oliver," I frowned, watching Grace Field's two most beloved boys greet a crowed of fangirls. "Someone charismatic, someone responsible. Someone athletic, and good looking. Not someone like me." Ray kicked my shin, making me yelp. "What the hell?" I frowned, punching him back. This annoying child, I swear to God. "You look better-" "Angry than sad," I sighed, finishing his sentence. The black haired boy chuckled, pushing me forwards. "I'm hungry, let's get food." I glanced at Zack and Oliver, still entertaining the group of girls. "You're thinking 'what about them? I wanna eat with Zack!' Aren't you, y/n?" I nodded sadly, my gaze falling to the floor. He exhaled sharply, shoving me in his direction. "I'll meet you downstairs!" "Hey, idiot!" I hissed, crashing into Zack's back. The group of fangirls gasped, some even sending me cold glares. The boy laughed softly, patting my head. "Was Ray bullying you?" He smiled, helping me back onto my feet. I was garnering a large amount of unwanted attention. But did I really care? The way Zack looked at me was enough to sweep me into a different world. "Yeah, actually." I smiled, his fingers were warm against mine. "And, if you're hungry, we could grab dinner?" Oliver smiled, dusting off my shoulder. He knew I liked Zack, and was all for it. "That's a good idea, y/n. Teaching is a harder job than I thought." "Ray and I was doing all the work, what're you talking about, weirdo?" Zack laughed, pulling me away. I don't think I'd ever get used to this feeling. Even though he wasn't mine, the way he gently held my hand, the size of his fingers against mine made my chest burn up. I felt the cold stares of the angry fangirls burn on the nape of my neck. Eh, Gillian was worse. 

A certain orange haired girl slammed the table. "Halloween is coming up!" She shouted, other students who were eating quietly, turning to our noisy table. Norman, very startled, almost dropped his bowl of soup. Ray and Oliver chuckled, handing him a few napkins. I took a bite of my own sandwich, raising an eyebrow at the very excited Emma. "So?" I asked, my mouth full. "So? What do you mean, so? The Halloween Gala! The party!" Zack tilted his head, giving her a soft smile. "Have you... Ever been to the Gala, Emma?" She shook her head no, plopping on the seat to my right. "It- It's really not that great," He muttered, scratching his chin. Zack looked a little upset. Oliver butted into his explanation, giving Emma a big thumbs up. "You're right, it's the best! It's really fun! We all should go together!" "R- Really?" Her eyes lit up, high fiving the red eyed boy. I heard Norman grumble something to my left, in protests of Emma interacting with his rival for her love. 

Hmph. The Halloween Gala. A required event, just like the Christmas Ball. Every year, I'd find a way to sneak myself out and find a place where I could avoid it. Headmistress Isabella had always given me an earful the next day, but I'd choose a lecture over a crowded party where I wouldn't have fun. Norman and Emma had always accompanied me on my quest for trouble, and they'd also be reprimanded. "y/n, hey," "Yeah?" I muttered, snapping out of my daydream. Emma's emerald green eyes were sparkling, a concerning amount of excitement bottled into her tiny body. "So can we? Can we go?" "Go where?" "To the Halloween Gala! It'll be our first time!" She smiled, glancing at Norman. The white haired boy shrugged, turning to me. "Up to y/n," He said, sipping a bowl of soup. I didn't want to go. I really didn't. But I forced a smile onto my face and nodded my head yes. Emma had always been there for me, even when I wasn't in the best of moods. It's only fair that I stick out one night for her. She pulled me into a tight hug, thanking me a hundred times over. "Costumes! We need to make costumes!" She giggled, high fiving Oliver again. Ray sighed in annoyance, but I caught the glimpse of a small smile flash across his face. It was cute. Ray hiding his excitement, I mean. My attention was quickly diverted to Zack, whos fingers had barely brushed against mine. "We should get matching outfits, y/n." He laughed, his tanned cheeks just slightly tinted pink. Ray kicked my leg, winking at me with with his right eye. Ah- Zack- Zack was blushing. Maybe something good could come out of this. "Salt and pepper? Or ketchup and mustard?" I giggled, finishing my sandwich. "Hm, I was thinking cookies and cream," He joked, his coal black eyes darting to Oliver. 

I won't lie. It hurt. It hurt knowing that the person I liked was in love with someone else. But if anyone could change it, it would be me. On Halloween, I'm sure that I'll confess to Zack. I'll tell him that I like him.