The tingling sensation starts in her scalp and follows the path down her spine, making her shiver. Jane knows what it means: She is watching her.
The chattering of people around Jane became distant noises as their eyes collide, Ray is sitting on the backbench near the window. As always her eyes are on Jane, they follow her wherever she goes. The thought doesn't bother Jane, never had, it's oddly comforting. What bothers Jane is the look Ray has on her mesmerizing face. That look. Ray is pissed.
Jane shivers and walk towards her, never breaking contact from her cold eyes. It took every ounce of Jane's power to walk toward Ray without falling on her face.
Ray has that effect on people. Everyone is scared of her, they say a lot of things behind her back, every one of them true.
Jane slid into the chair beside her. Ray doesn't move her arm from Jane's chair and she realized she doesn't want Ray too.
"Hi" Her voice sounding breathy even to her own ears. Ray gives me a smile instead and pulls a small white envelope out of the pocket of her hoodie and hand it to Jane. She raises an eyebrow and reluctantly took it from Ray and opens it.
Inside the packet was a small rose-gold pendant with a small butterfly charm. Jane doesn't understand why Ray would give this to her. She looks up to Ray, confusion.
"Happy Birthday" she purrs with a smirk.
"You- but I di- Why?" Ray laughs at her stammering. Jane can feel her ears heating up.
"I mean that you didn't have to. And I didn't even invite you to my party."
All signs of easiness vanished from her face and her mouth sets in a thin line.
Shit. Did Jane say something? Maybe she should have invited Ray. Why didn't she?
Because Ray made it clear that she is not a fan of parties or any social gatherings for that matter, that's why?
Ray took the necklace from her hand and her heart sinks.
She is going to take it back. She knows what I think about her. She knows I don't deserve a fraction of her time.
But instead of putting it away or telling Jane to screw off, like she was expecting, Ray simply ordered her to turn around. Her tone laces with a finality that leaves no room for argument. Not that Jane ever would refuse her anything, why, she doesn't know.
Jane turns around and feels Ray's warm breath on her neck, making her shiver. She clasped the necklace around her neck, barely touching Jane's skin but it was enough to make goosebumps rise on her arms. Jane knows it's just a gift, it doesn't mean anything but it feels like a brand her my skin. Ray's brand. Jane slowly turns back towards her and look up at her. It's ridiculous, Ray is not that tall from her but Jane feel small under her intense gaze. Her brown eyes are almost black as she looks at where the tiny butterfly lies in the hollow of Jane's throat.
Jane gulps and Ray's eyes slowly move to her lips which suddenly feels dry and Jane resist the urge to lick them or cross the little distance between them to touch their lips together. Jane is not gay, she's never been attracted to girls, yeah she is women enough to admit if a girl is cute but she never had this type of thoughts about anyone. Ever. She does not know what to do.
"You worry too much doll" Her voice wrench Jane out of her thoughts and she lifts her eyes to meet Ray's gaze.
It's like Ray has her own gravity. Once you look at her you can't look away and you just want to kneel in front of her and beg her, for what, Jane's not sure. She feels naked, stripped to her soul in front of Ray. Jane wants to look away, afraid of what she might find. But Jane can't, she doesn't have the power.
Ray must have found something in Jane's face that her mouth lifts in a smug smirk. That's one of Ray's weapons, or that's what Jane think, to disarm people with her ease and smugness. But Jane knows it's not just that, and she yearns to find out. Jane wants to explore every mystery this woman is.
"I'll be there." It's a promise. One that Jane feel in her every bone. Ray stands and walks out of the class. Jane doesn't understand what that even means. Once Ray is out of sight she takes in a deep breath like somehow Ray's presence makes her brain stop working.
Oh.
Ray means the party. She'll be at Jane's party.
O
h shit.
