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

✨ Chapter Thirty Six

Ugh, my head. Everything- Everything hurts. I feel like I got the life sucked out of me. What time is it? Where am I? Whatever's happened to me... I just want this headache to go away. I rolled around in my bed, pulling the blanket over my head. "I'm cold, stupid." The futton was tugged away from me and over a familiar boy's messy black hair. I groaned, shifting a little bit closer to his bare back. "Bring your own blanket then, stupid." God, Ray was so annoying.

Wait.

This is definitely my room. I wouldn't make that kind of mistake. But... "Ray?!" I exclaimed, jumping out of my bed. I was instantly met with my unamused tutor's soft snores, ignoring my loud shouts. "I'm trying to sleep, y/n. So respectfully, shut up." I wasn't seeing things. Ray was definitely shirtless. And I... was strangely comfortable... I glanced at my hands, nestled warmly in my favorite gray sweater. And my legs were comfortable in my home shorts. My heels were wrapped tightly in white bandages, the soreness of the stilettos finally settling in. "Ow," I hissed, stumbling to the bathroom. Everything... Everything was such a blur. I glared at my reflection in the mirror. My face was washed clean of makeup and I was in surprisingly good condition, considering the little bits and pieces I could remember. I slowly walked back to the bedroom, noting Emma's absence and Ray's presence. "What happened last night?" I asked, sitting on my side of the bed. I was in some sort of a shell-shocked mood. That sweet spot between trauma and depressions. Just wait until it all settles in. "And where's your fucking shirt, weirdo?" I chuckled, punching Ray's shoulder. The black haired boy slowly pulled himself into the sitting position, letting out a long groggy yawn. "It's- It's over there," he whispered, nodding to the side. I peeked over his shoulder, and there was his white ruffly collared shirt and fancy black suit jacket sprawled across the floor. "And your pants?" I raised my eyebrow. "On my ass." He replied, smirking. The boy fell back into bed, turning away from me. "And if you're worried about your clothes, you did it yourself. The only thing I did was help you untie the corset on the back. And bandage your feet. Because you kept bitching about it." I poked his shoulder with a finger, a soft smile bringing the corners of my lips up. Ray was kind, as much as he hated to admit it. "Well either way, thanks. For everything." He mumbled back an "Mhm, no problem." Before starting to snore again. Oh Ray. Where would I be without you? And why did this idiot chose to sleep in the same bed as me? What a weirdo. I shuffled my way to the door, choosing to don a pair of crocs instead of sneakers. I didn't want to ruin my feet any more. "I'll be back later, Ray. I'm gonna look for Emma and get food." He didn't reply, as he was already fast asleep. But it made me giggle, watching my usually composed mentor snuggled so comfortably in a fluffy pink blanket.

So yesterday, I was rejected. Truly rejected. Not only friendzoned, but bitchzoned. WorsethanGillianzoned. I sighed at the thought, the bitterness of Zack's words continuing to dig into the hole he'd pierced yesterday. What time even was it? Ten? Eleven? It seems like no one else is up. Or maybe they're all too hungover to get ahold of themselves. I knocked on Norman's door. "Norman. It's me, y/n. Open up, chat blanc." No response. So, bang a little louder, right? "Wake up, Norman! Wake up! Where's Emma? Explain yourself!" "Shhhh!" The white haired boy opened his door with a thud, pulling me inside by the collar. "They're sleeping, be quiet!" Huh? They're..? I saw Emma's orange antenna poking out of Norman's bed. And right by feet, on their carpet, Oliver was also sleeping very soundly. I grimaced, glancing at the very tired looking Norman. Busy taking care of everyone as usual, he looked as if he didn't get a wink of sleep. "So, why's your arch nemesis for Emma's love napping on your floor?" Norman slowly walked to the door, ushering me outside. "I'm a bit hungry, y/n. Let's talk outside."

"Last night, Oliver ran over to Emma and I crying. He said Zack confessed to him." "Oh really? Isn't that a good thing?" I faked a smile, the stone staircase echoing the thudding emptiness in my heart. "He also said that Zack has some... opinions about you now." "Oh really?" "Oliver was... very upset. And he didn't want to go back to a room with Zack, so I let him stay with me. And Emma was going back to your room and happened to find you and Ray already fast asleep." "Ah- About that-" Norman nudged my shoulder, smiling softly. "It's okay. I know nothing happened. He was probably just being a good friend." "Y-Yeah, I think I'll ask him about it when he wakes up." Norman patted my head, chuckling at the sigh of my flustered expression. "It's kinda crazy, right? Ray had been... so gone for so long. And now that he's back it's like he never left. I think he was in pain that whole time. Y'know, not being with us. I think Ray truly loves us and he just has trouble expressing it." I don't think so, Norman. I think Ray is starting to come out of his shell pretty well. I don't remember ever having an issue with Ray hiding his feelings either. If anything, something was keeping him from us. I snapped out my daydream to Norman accidentally knocking over his apple. "Ah, I got it." I muttered, bending over to pick it up. I'd failed to notice my wand in my hoodie pocket, and it clattered to the floor. I picked up both of the items, placing the red apple on Norman's tray. "y/n, was your wand always that color?" Huh? What was Norman talking about? It's black. It's always been this dark shade of coal. I placed the stick on the table, following his confused gaze. Ah. He wasn't talking about the wood. He was talking about the gemstone. The life had been sucked out of the crimson ruby, turning the gem into a hallowing shade of void black.