14: Irresistible

❝I don't know your secrets, but I'll pick up the pieces, pull you close to me now❞

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Packing up my belongings, I turned around to find a rather giddy Ray waiting for me. It seemed like he was happy but he was trying hard not to show it. I chuckled at his behavior, falling into step beside him as we walked out of class heading towards the lockers.

"It's normal to be happy, you know."

He caught my eye but glanced away; pink tinging his cheeks. I was loving this new Ray, this happy and open Ray who was nothing like when I first met him.

"Why would I be happy?" His voice was high pitched which made it more obvious. I laughed and shook my head amusedly, as he gave me a lopsided smirk.

As we walked closer to our group, I saw our friend circle looking at us weirdly.

"Hey what's up?" I asked Katie and the others, as I swung an arm around Olivia.

"I think I saw it all wrong!" Shrieked Jason. "Yeah, same here." Simon added, a disgusted expression on his face while Olivia just smiled secretly to herself.

"What the fuck is going on, shitheads?" Ray questioned.

"They saw you smiling and laughing alongwith June and they can't seem to digest the fact that you can smile." As usual, Jack provided us with an explanation while Katie nodded to his words with a glint in her eyes.

"Shut up and go for your classes." Ray grunted as everyone looked at him amusedly.

"I've never, in my life, seen Ray talk about going to classes. June, what have you done to him?" Sneered Simon. I blushed as Ray kicked Simon in his knees. The others sauntered away with a single glare of Ray's while I picked out some books out of my locker.

"What lecture do you have next?" We started walking again.

"Political Science. You?" He looked down. "I have Algebra. Well, see you later then." I waved him a goodbye as he did the same.

××

"I've booked the tickets to the movie, let's meet at the theatre sharp by 5 pm!" Jack's voice was shrill but full of excitement.

"What movie are you guys talking about?" I dumped my books on the table, stretching and getting comfortable on the chair. Well, not exactly comfortable, but yeah.

"The tickets to MIB were sold out, so Jack and Katie here decided to buy us Five Feet Apart one's. Ugh, cringe." Gagged Simon, as his face reflected a grossed out expression directed towards the pair who had arranged this for us. Simon seemed to be annoyed at everything and everyone today.

Not Olivia though. He still smiled at her like a goof. I was contemplating these days, whether to confront Simon or not.

"I'm in. I like Cole Sprouse!" I agreed. Well, as a matter of fact I did like Cole Sprouse, he was a total beauty, but more so over, I was a hopeless romantic. Romance genre was my weak point. And I could watch any rom-com anytime. But I wouldn't say that out loud.

"Count me out " Ray threw his bag at his feet, as he plopped his legs on the table and took his place on the chair. "I hate romantic movies, they're full of that cheesy, gooey stuff." His face looked like he had eaten dog shit.

"Yeah, Ray you I, we'll have a video game night." Ray instantly nodded at Simon's words.

I was upset. I was hoping Ray would come and then we'd get to spend some more time together and develop this new zone we'd stepped into. Nonetheless, he was stubborn and I knew that he wouldn't cave in to this for he didn't believe in the whole concept of love.

I didn't realise that I had sighed loudly and that everyone was now aware of the fact that I'd been thinking about something and it had made me upset.

"Sup, June? You alright?" Jason asked. I sent him a small smile, while my cheeks tinted pink due to almost being caught. I didn't know why the thought of Ray not coming to the movies upset me so much, but nevermind. I would get over it. I had Katie, Olivia, Jack and Jason with me and we'd have the craziest and the funnest time ever.

"Nothing, where are we meeting?" Changing the topic subtly, I cast a glance at Ray's way to see him looking at me intently. It was as if I was a puzzle and he was trying to solve me.

"I changed my mind. I'm coming to that shit show of a movie," Ray declared, his gaze never once leaving mine. My eyes widened in surprise and I saw that damned small smirk that coated his heaven of lips, as he poked his tongue on his inner cheek walls.

"Bro what the fuck?" Simon slapped Ray on his arm as Ray shoved away Simon with a single push. "We supposedly were having a video game night like two minutes ago. What caught your attention, betraying bitch?" I laughed at Simon's choice of words. He was very vulgar but the way he voiced his words was very funny.

"Well I changed my mind. You can play alone, all by yourself." All the others laughed as Simon groaned, giving in as well.

"So, 5pm at Summerhill Theatre," Katie informed, while explaining to everyone that she would provide them with tickets at the venue.

Ray kept watching me and I kept avoiding his gaze. How did he understand every single time, what was going on in my mind? He could read me like an open book and I kept giving him more of my pages. I tried to back off everytime he turned a page, touching my folded corners sacredly but something always pulled me back to him. My eyes would constantly land on him however much I tried to make them look elsewhere.

It was confusing me.

All of it, everything.

Why did it matter to me if he was in pain, if he was hurt? Because we were friends? Maybe. But then why did I feel the need to help him everytime he felt closed off? Why did I want him to open up to me? Why did I keep forgiving him when he gave me so many reasons to stay away?

The questions were so many, but not a single answer could be found.

The reasons were so many, but I kept finding a million excuses.

The urge to stay away was intense, but he was irresistible.

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And the drama starts <3 🙄🥵