Pretend to Love Me ~Norray~ (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 2

In their next period, Norman and Ray sat right next to each other. They often got in trouble for talking but they didn't care, that's just what best friends did. "Okay Ray, I have no idea how to do this..." Norman said. Ray looked at him. "Do what?" He replied. "Geh! Ray! Don't tell me you forgot already!" Ray stared blankly at the distraught boy. "Rayyy! We were just talking about it..!" Norman said.

Ray covered his face with his hands, he hadn't forgotten. He knew exactly what Norman was talking about, but he didn't want to talk about it. Norman sighed. "How to confess to Emma." Norman bit his pencil. "I don't know how this all works.. I'm not good at talking to her." "Well that much is obvious, you go red in the face and start blabbing like a two-year-old," Ray said. "Don't be mean!" Blush made its way to Norman's face. "She just makes me so nervous. It feels like butterflies are in my stomach when she's around." He said smiling softly.

Ray looked at his friend. Norman had nothing but love for this girl, and it showed. "Norman what would you do if she rejects you?" Ray asked. Norman looked at him terrified. "W-why would you say that?! Do you think she'll reject me?! Oh God, what was I thinking?! I can't do this..!" Norman laid his head on the desk and covered it with his arms. "Don't be stupid Norman! Obviously, she'll say yes.. I mean you're perfect. Anyone would want to date you." Ray said.

Norman looked at him. "Really?" Ray nodded. Norman sighed. "I really like her— no I don't like her, Ray I'm in love with her. I've never felt this way, about anyone. I don't know if she will reject me, but no one can compare to her." Ray just nodded. It felt like Norman had just slapped him in the face, then took his heart out, threw it on the ground, and stomped on it. "Anyway, can you come over today to help me?" Norman asked. Ray nodded.

The teacher eventually asked them to stop talking while she was teaching, Norman apologized for the both of them, whereas Ray just rolled his eyes. The day went on as usual, and at the end, Ray waited for Norman at the entrance of the school. The white-haired boy ran over to Ray his face red. "Did you run a marathon or see Emma?" Ray asked. "I asked for her number..." Norman replied. "Oh, It's okay Norman," Ray said patting his back. "What?" "Well, I assume she wouldn't give it to you," Ray said with a smirk. "You jerk!" Norman punched him in the arm.

"She gave me her number and said she'd love to hear from me." Norman smiled sheepishly. "Come on lover boy, we can't stay at school forever," Ray said. "Yeah yeah I'm coming." He walked next to Ray. They walked home talking. As they walked their hands would brush past each other. Ray's heart would skip a beat every time he felt Norman's hand.

When they got there they greeted Norman's mother. It wasn't out of the ordinary for them to be at each other's houses, Norman's house was like Ray's second home, and the same flipped.

Ray lay on Norman's bed and Norman sat on his desk chair backward-facing, Ray. "What do I say to her?" Norman put his face on the back of the chair. "Uhm.. I don't know? Speak from your heart I guess." Ray said. "What would you say, Ray?" Norman asked. Ray looked at him and sat up. "Well..  I think it would go something like this.." Ray paused.  "Can I uhm just use your name? You know.. just to say." He asked. Norman smiled. "Of course."

Ray took a deep breath. "Norman.. when I met you, I didn't think I would spend so much time thinking about you. Whether that be while we were together or apart. You take my breath away every time you smile. Just the touch of your hand sends my heart running. When I look into your eyes.. I get lost in them, and I never want to find my way out. I look at you and you seem to fill this hole in my heart. You're what I'm missing. I long for you, I long for your touch, your smile, your beauty. I long for your love. I used to question what love is. But then I met you and now I know the answer. You. You are love. Norman.. I love you..." Ray looked at Norman, it was hard to read his expression.

Norman was in shock but then he smiled. "Wow Ray, I never knew you were so poetic. It sounded like you were actually confessing your love to me!" Norman laughed. Ray forced a laugh. "Yeah..." Everything Ray had said was true. He loved Norman more than anything, wasn't it obvious? Why couldn't Norman see that? He felt like crying, but he held his emotions back. He smiled at Norman and told himself he was okay with just being Norman's friend.

"It was really beautiful Ray. You tell any guy that and he will surely fall for you." Norman said. 'If that's true then why are we still only friends.' Ray thought. "Enough about me, what are you gonna say?" Ray asked. Norman thought about it. "Why did what you say have to be so good! Now anything I say will just be meh!" Norman whined. Ray rolled his eyes. "Just think of her and speak," Ray said. Norman nodded. "Yeah. Okay." "Maybe buy her some flowers too," Ray said. "Ooh smart!"

The entire time Ray was at Norman's house they talked about Emma. It wasn't unusual for Norman to bring her up now and again, but it is all they talked about and that made Ray uncomfortable. It all felt too real. No matter what he did he couldn't get over this stupid crush on his best friend. He would never say anything though because if he did their friendship would never be the same, and that scared him.