𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 - 𝐑𝐚𝐲 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 - 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐄𝐃!

Chapter Fifty-Six - Talks

"There's no act to drop." I lie through my teeth to him. It's probably obvious to him that I'm lying to him, but all I can do is pray that he believes me.

"Yes, there is. Emma told us to not talk to you and you keep avoiding us, so clearly something is wrong. And we are going to talk about it." He takes a step forward and reaches for my hands, on instinct I walk backwards.

"There's nothing to talk about," I turn on my heel and start to head away. "So if you don't mind, I'm going back-" I cut myself off as Ray grabs my hand.

"Please just... can we talk? Just for a bit? I... I miss you. A lot." He mutters under his breath. My heart flutters and my stomach squirms.

"Fine, we can talk. Only for a little bit though." He gives me his rare soft smile and intertwines our fingers.

"Thank you." I nod and he takes me over to a step where we sit.

"So, how have you been recently?" I awkwardly question hunafter a few minutes of silence.

"Keeping on, just keeping on I guess," He replies while nodding his head. "How have you been?"

"I've been alright." I reply quickly. Maybe a little bit too quickly because Ray narrows his eyes at me.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure." I'm alright since I'm by your side. I would never say that aloud though. That's just weird.

"I know this is coming out of nowhere, but can I kiss you?"

"What?" I feel my heart almost stop in my chest at his question.

"I know that came out of nowhere, but it's just... I've missed you. And I've missed touching you- wait nevermind that sounded so weird. Just forget it-"

"No! I mean my response wasn't a no. I do... I mean I do want you to kiss me." I realize what I just said and I instantly know that my cheeks are red.

"Look Ray what I meant was-" Interrupted was a short but soft warm kiss and for a few moments I'm in shock. We both pull away and at that moment we both turn redder than any shade of red crimson red.

"Sorry I just..." For a few moments we are silent but then he decides to speak up.

"Look Y/n I'm just going to say this, I like you, alright? Whatever is going on you don't have to keep it a secret, even if you don't still like me back, we're all still your friends and we care about why you're acting like you hate us."

"...I do still like you Ray... but like I said last year, it can't happen. I'm sorry that it can't happen. I can't tell you anything that is going on, you just have to trust me."

"It's hard to trust you when you keep doing things that make you seem dishonest." His words hurt me more than they should. I know they're true but... hearing them from him makes it worse to admit aloud.

"I know, and I'm sorry. Just, please?" He sighs before nodding.

"Alright then Dove. I'll believe in you, for now at least."

"Thank you, emo boy." He scoffs and nudges my shoulder.

"Do you want to stay here for a little longer...? Just until midnight." I suggest after a few minutes of silence.

"'A little longer'?? It's only 8:15 pm, that would be like 3 hours and 45 minutes longer up here."

"I know. That's just a little longer."

"You want to spend a little over 3 hours with me? Are you really that desperate to have me by your side?" I can hear the smugness behind his tone as he keeps a straight face.

"What if I admitted I really was that desperate to have you by my side?" I whisper while looking down at our hands holding one another.

"I wouldn't mind."

Chapter Fifty-Six End