A Ray of Hope |TPN RAYxREADER|

6 - is that

You started to walk towards the library to be alone. You wanted to continue sketching Rapunzel. You suddenly went to a halt.

Is that Emma and.. Mom..?

You hid behind a corner in the hallway and peeled out a bit to listen into their conversation.

Why would those two be together..?

"What's wrong, Emma?" Mom asked sternly, "You're looking pale."

Mom leaned in closer to the orange-girl's face.
"Now that I think about it, this morning, you went in your usual good spirits."
Mom placed her hand on Emma's cheek.
"No.. I.."
Emma hesitated for a moment before she put a bright smile on her face.
"It's nothing."

Good job, Emma.

"I was just thinking that I'd soon leave the house, and... I'm gonna miss you.."

"Do you like the house?"

Emma jumped up and embraced Mom.

"Of course! I love the house and I love you." Emma exclaimed, "I wonder what Conny is up to now."

Emma broke the hug.

"You know, she said she wanted to become a great mother, just like you, once she grows up."

"Yeah I know." Mom said, standing up. "I'm looking forward to that. I'm sure she'll become a fine adult and a great mother as well."

Emma seemed panicked.

Oh no.. I should do something I-

A bell rang.

"It's dinner time. I got everything ready, Mama."

Ray..

You smile.

Ray is a savior.

"We'll get there right away."

Quickly, you ran past Emma, Ray, and Mom and went downstairs. But you didn't go to the dining hall. You stayed, still listening to their conversation.

Shortly after, you saw as the other children rushed downstairs too.

Just as you saw Emma and Norman about to head down, Mom stopped them.

"Did you two go to the gate yesterday?"

Oh shit-

"No we didn't. I mean, those are the rules right?" Norman responded,

Wow, how brave.

"We were so into our game of tag yesterday! Right?"

"Yeah! In the end nobody could catch you, haha!"

Norman turned back to Mom.
"Why are you asking?"

"...No reason. Don't worry about it." You hear Mom say as she walked away, her footsteps fading.

As Norman and Emma start to come down, you sprinted away so they wouldn't catch you.

——

It was the following day. Everyone was playing tag and as usual, you and Ray sat under a tree. You drew in the dirt with a stick and Ray was reading.

*thud*

You snapped your head towards Ray.

"Did you finish your book?"

Ray didn't answer. He set his book next to him, stood up, and placed his hand on your head.