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

✨ Chapter Twenty Three

I decided to keep that... "event" to myself. It wasn't something I particularly wanted to recall, nor something I could explain easily either. It would be better if I had just buried that down. Like everything else. I tried my best to imitate a sick person's voice, adding little coughs at the end of each phrase. "I'm just- ugh- I'm not feeling well. I think I ate something bad." Insert cough. Emma flashed Norman a worried glance, one that was half convinced and half "That's a fake cough, right?" Norman smiled weakly in response, not completely sure either. Good, I guess. I had other things to worry about though. And how dangerous could a death magic be? Haha, well obviously very dangerous- it's in the fucking name. But it has nothing to do with me. I'm more intrigued by the spell they had cast. Not in the form of words or a wand, but using music. That's pretty cool. Maybe I'll look into it later? Maybe- Maybe I'll ask Ray about it. If he's still not upset with me.

"The wall! y/n!" I was still lazing around in a very distant daydream. "Wha-?" And I bonked my head right into the stone wall of Grace Field's hallway. A certain white haired upperclassman rushed to my side, laughing as he inspected my sore forehead. "Where's your head, silly?" Oliver chuckled, asking me if I wanted to go to the nurse's office. I couldn't complain or agree, as I was still slightly disoriented. That flower, or whatever was left of it was still living rent free inside of my head. "Where- Where's Emma?" I stuttered out, allowing him to hold me by the wrist. His fingers around me tightened slightly, a sour expression washing over his face. "With Norman." "Are they dating?" I asked, rubbing the bruised spot in the center of my face. "Actually, y/n, I was hoping to ask you that. You're their best friend, aren't you? Could you help me out?" This was more of a moral dilemma than anything. Emma and Norman... Should have happened a long time ago. If one of the two wasn't so oblivious when it came to love. But Oliver, who's also a good friend and is helping me win Zack, wants her affection as well. In times like these I remembered that "ideal world" I've come to despise. "Actually, Oliver, I've also wanted to ask you something. This might sound weird, but I swear I'm not trying to be a creep or anything." He chuckled softly, the two of us turning in to main hallway. I'd never been to the nurse's office in all my years at Grace Field. This is a new experience. "But what's- what's your sexuality? I just want to be clear on that, because I'd hate to offend you by saying something rude from not knowing." He chuckled in response, turning another corner. "That's kind of you to ask, y/n. And as for my type? A good personality. A warm heart. I don't care if you're a girl or boy, really. Just someone who makes me happy, I guess." "And that person just happened to be Emma?" I smiled, glancing at his warm expression. He looked like he liked her from the bottom of his heart. Ah, Emma, you stupid idiot! You're such an airhead but you have a jock and our childhood friend fighting over you. "If she's in love with Norman, you can tell me, y/n. I won't be upset or anything." I shook my hands no, but that was obviously a lie. I wanted NorEmma to be real. But looking at Oliver's sad puppy face, I couldn't help but root for him too. Root for his happiness.

The nurse's office was empty, leaving him and I to patch up my wounds by ourselves. He dabbed at my forehead with an alcohol soaked cotton ball, my body every so often wincing at the sudden sparks of pain. "Have you ever fallen in love with a boy, Oliver?" He was bitting his upper lip in concentration. "Yeah, of course. Nigel actually, is one of my exes." "You mean that grumpy weird hat boy?" I giggled, the burning of the wound on my face given as punishment. "I used to think that stupid hat was hot," He chuckled back, tossing the cotton ball into the garbage. "But we're just friends now. We never got out of that... friendship loop and our relationship was going nowhere." "And how about Zack?" The question had leaked out of my mouth, without me even realizing I'd said it. I didn't particularly want an answer either. Any way Oliver answered would leave one person's heart broken. "Like- Zack? My best friend- Your crush- Zack?" I nodded. It's not like I could turn back now. "Wow, y/n. I just- I guess to answer your question, I've just never thought about him that way. Like as a lover. He's my best best best friend. We've been together forever. And I've never thought about wanting to be more than that."

That's supposed to be a relief, right? But by letting him know- by letting him put that thought into mind, what if Oliver now sees Zack differently? As a romantic interest differently? And it was all my fault because I brought it up in the first place? Ugh, I hate this! Zack, why couldn't you just like me? Why did I have to fall in love with you! I agonized over Oliver's words for the rest of the week, yet still putting up this happy facade whenever I was around him. Ray stopped joining us for meals, and to be honest, it felt lonely without him. Zack and I interacted as normal, saying "hi" in the hallways, and studying a little bit in the dining hall. He still made my heart skip a beat just by looking at him. And before I had noticed, the whole week had passed and it was Saturday morning. Which meant a whole day with Ray.