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

✨ Chapter Twenty Nine

"Wow. Just- Just wow." So this stupid thing on my wand is supposedly an ancient relic from a decades long war? What the fuck? How is this even allowed? And how did Professor Lucas get his hands on it? It looks like the dwarves did a shitty job protecting this important piece of history. After all, it somehow ended up in my hands. But more importantly... I turned the page, wanting to read on this regaling tale. But in the place of what should've been a parchment of words was a ripped spline of a missing page. "What the fuck-!" I hissed, throwing the book down. I honestly wanted to know more about the elves, the humans, and what had become of them. After all, elves in today's world had more or less completely assimilated. Most used a glamour, hiding their pointed ears and birthmarks, instead donning the features of a plain old human. The Dwarves had completely isolated themselves in Dragonspine, whilst the centaurs and merpeople are thought to be extinct. Though some adventures may say otherwise.

"Hey, stupid." I heard the gentle grinding of stone bricks make way for a boy's voice. Gah- Professor Lucas told me not to tell anyone about this! I shoved the book back into my backpack, taking a big sip from the half finished milk carton. "Herro," I gurgled back, mouth still full of the drink. The corners of Ray's lips had started to lift, but he quickly forced the smile back down. Was... Was something wrong? Before I could ask or even formulate a thought, Ray had thrown his stuff next to mine, pulling his own wand out of his pocket. "It'll be simple, y/n. You've watched me do this before." The black haired boy pointed his wand at the unlit lanterns nestled in between the lavender leaves. "Ignit!" He shouted, sending a small red fireball into the little silver canister. It was set ablaze rather gracefully, the spark of fire rolling into a tiny little ball of glowing white light. I shivered at the action, though beautiful, I wasn't completely ready to perform the spell myself. I just... I just really hated fire. And I haven't completely come to terms with that trauma yet, as much as I wish I was. "y/n? Are you ready?"

No. I- I really wasn't. In a few minutes- no, seconds, I'd have to raise my wand at another living thing and shoot at it? What if I burned the tree? What if I missed and hurt Ray? What if I killed something or ruined the garden? I can't- I just- I can't bare the thought of ruining something completely perfect, completely happy- My family was just that. Perfect, happy, and now? Now it's dea-!

"Hey, idiot." Lost in my own thunderstorm of suffocating thoughts, I had failed to notice Ray, who had kneeled beside me. My cold hands were suddenly enveloped in a certain type of warmth, the kind only another human could give you. I never realized how big his hands were. Big enough to completely cover all my little fingers in a shell of his own. "You're shaking, y/n." His dark gray eyes had slowly traveled upwards, meeting my own tear filled gaze. "If you're not ready, you're not ready. I don't want to force you to do something you can't." Ray with that sad, concerned puppy gaze had somehow found its way into my troubled heart. God, I honestly thought his stupid lopsided emo haircut was weird, but right now..? He looked adorable. Where was this Ray when I needed him? Well, does that matter? He's here now. And he's so... important to me. In his own weird way. Best frenemies. A genuine smile crept across my face. It took quite the effort to wriggle my fingers free from his firm grip. I squeezed his hands gently, giggling at the end of my question. "Hey, if I chicken out then I won't be allowed to go to the ball tomorrow, right?" Surprisingly, Ray didn't hold this smile back. "That's right, stupid. Maybe you'll even have to spend the day studying with me." "Huh? You won't go to the ball?" I asked, slightly perplexed. The black haired boy pulled himself up, extending an arm for me to grab. "I think I'd have more fun torturing my prized pupil than at a stupid party mingling with people I don't know." Being with you, Ray, wouldn't be torture at all. I think I'd enjoy a day with you. I mean, for the most part I've had fun, even though it was mostly studying. Wait- Did I just- Did I really just think that? A day with Ray would definitely be torture! What am I thinking?! It's just the friend part of frenemy, right? I'm just having an identity crisis, there's no way I actually tolerate this guy, right? A warm finger brushed past my cheek, startling me. "Hey, before you were ice cold and now you're burning up. Are you sure you're alright?" I returned to real life, meeting Ray's face just an inch away from mine. "Gah-!" I shouted, stumbling backwards. He swiftly grabbed my wrist, pulling me into his chest with a soft thud and deep sigh. "I might have to pull you from the ball for real, stupid. If you're sick you shouldn't be hanging out with so many people." Ray was... so warm... GAH! Am I okay? Holy shit! My whole face felt hot as I pulled myself away, protesting about the state of my health. I nearly dropped my wand, trying to get a good grip on it. "I'm fine! Just- Just tired! Tired and stressed and excited and shit, I'm completely normal!" He responded with an unconvinced "Uh huh." And motioned for me to begin my test. I took a deep breath, trying to steady the racing of my heart and burning of my cheeks. I had to do this! For the Gala! For Zack! And for Emma! My focus shifted onto the next silver lantern, just a foot or two away from the first. Well, here goes nothing. "Ignit!"