Pull the trigger (Norman x Ray)

Chapter 5 (Ray) ❤︎︎

"This makes no sense," I said on the phone to one of the members of the mafia tech. They were helping me get extra information on Norman, but it was like all of his data had been erased.

"I'm sorry, Ray! Everything is literally gone. All that's left is basic information that anyone could get if they googled his name or something." 

"Yea, well, thanks for nothing." I sighed, ending the call. I looked around, noticing Ren walking with a few people.

"Hey, Ray!" He greeted me, waving to the other two guys he was with. 

"Uh, hi." Ren and I met in the orphanage we had lived in for a few years. I was "adopted" by the boss when I was 9. He knew my parents and came to find me. Ren had stayed in the orphanage until he received an invitation to join Clover Academy. 

"I was wondering if you wanted to grab a drink with me?"

"Actually, that would be nice. It would also give me a break from my roommate." There was nothing wrong with Norman. Well, that's a lie. He was nosy, asked too many questions, and it was weird living with the person I had to kill. I've spent time with my victims, but not this closely. I've never played 20 questions with any of them.

We arrived at a small shop downtown. To be honest, it was pretty shady. 

"Are you sure this place is safe?" I asked, noticing the questionable decorations hanging from the walls.

"Of course, it's safe!"

"I'm having a hard time believing you," I replied, dodging a guy who passed out in front of us.

"What did you expect when you walked into here? A bunch of people sipping tea? Just be glad that no one started a fight yet." Ren laughed.

My eyes widened as reality finally hit me. Ren looked at me with surprise, "Wait, you didn't think we were going to some cafe, right?" 

"Uh, no?" Ren shook his head, unable to hide his laughter, "Oh, who am I kidding?! Yes, I thought we were going to some cafe!"

"Have you never been to a bar?" Ren asked. "If you don't wanna drink, it's okay. We can leave and go to a cafe or something. I'm not gonna make you drink if you're not comfortable."

"No, I don't care about the bar. It just caught me off guard. I don't drink, but you can if you want. I just needed a break."

"Nah, let's go. I doubt you wanna deal with drunk me. I've been told I act like a child when I only have half a mind." 

"Why did all the people in there look so young?" I questioned. Most of the people in there looked to be in their late teens.

"It's an underage bar. Usually, it's filled with students from the academy. Mostly around finals and other useless testing times. The students like to drink their stress away." He shrugged.

"That's not a good thing." I pointed out.

"I'm not saying it is. I wish there were other ways to cope with this shit, but there aren't. The education system over here is shit. The stupid Clover family controls the entire system. They only care about appearances, not the mental health of their students. The teachers, counselors, and other staff don't care either. They don't care until someone dies." 

Norman. Was Norman like that? Wait, when did I start thinking like that?!

"Let's go in there. That place has the best lemonade." Ren pointed at a shop across from us. We got our drinks and walked out of the store.

"So, Ray? Where have you been?" Ren stopped walking and turned to look at me.

"What do you mean?" 

"You were adopted about eight years ago. You never called, texted, emailed, or even wrote a letter. You promised to stay in touch, but you threw me away the second you got out of that hellhole. You didn't even say bye. Then, eight years pass, and you randomly show up out of the blue. But not for me, for someone else. I don't get you, Ray. I never did." 

"I didn't throw you a-" I started.

"Then why did you forget me? Was your new life that much better? Why are you back? Are you here to brag that you got to leave while I was stuck? Well, guess what? My life is fucking great! This stupid school took pity on me when no one else would."

"Ren, calm down. Look, I'm sorry. I didn't know that's how you felt. I was literally nine. I wasn't trying to hurt you."

"But you did. You're the one that ended up with a perfect life. You didn't need me anymore."

"Whatever, Ren. And, one more thing, my life isn't that perfect." I walked away, knowing that he was still looking at me. 

He was right. I didn't need him anymore. I didn't need anyone. 

...

"Where were you all day?" I heard someone ask as the door to my dorm closed.

"Out," I answered, looking up from my book to verify that it was Norman.

"Out where?"

"I'm sorry. Do I have to tell you?" 

He thought for a moment, "No, not really?" 

"Can I ask you something?" 

"Will you tell me where you went?" Norman smirked.

Sighing, I said, "I was out with Ren. We wanted to get drinks." I watched as the smirk on his face faltered a bit.

"I don't think you should hang out with Ren. He's not as nice as you think he is. I swear the dude's got some pent-up anger."

"I learned that the hard way," I muttered.

"What was that?" 

"Nothing."

"So, what did you wanna ask me?

"Uh, is it true that this school doesn't care about its students?"

"What?"

"Is it true?"

"I mean, yea, it kind of is. But believe me, Riley tries his best. But there isn't much he can do because of the education system."

"What about you? Your family controls the system, right?"

"I'm nothing like my family, Ray. Don't you ever accuse me of something like that again." He glared at me in anger.

"Sorry." I looked back at my book, ignoring the guilt that was slowly creeping up on me.