Chapter Two

I was sitting down in the library with Eva and Noora. We were all meant to be studying, although I kept getting distracted by Noora. She was so pretty, her fair hair in beautiful disarray around her face, lips painted her usual strong shade of red. I smiled as I watched her scribble notes from her textbook, then stared at her notes while twirling her pen in her hand. I was surprised when I looked at my phone and saw I had a text message from William. I had texted him frequently since finding out we were soulmates, although I had sent less messages after Sana had bluntly told me it made me seem desperate for his attention. I denied it but I knew Sana was right. William rarely responded to my texts and when he did he sent short texts that showed his disinterest. However I knew he sent Noora some nice texts, although she hid them from me for fear of upsetting me. He had asked Noora out more than once, but she kept refusing to go on a date with him. I looked at William's text, curious as to why he was texting me.

Do you want to come to my apartment tomorrow night after the Halloween party?

I gasped out loud, causing Noora to give me a bemused look, and Eva to look up from her textbook. William had never asked me out before, and so I was excited but there was a part of me that wondered why I could not get an official date request from him, and only a casual offer to hang out at his place. Still, at least I would get to spend some time with him. "It's a text from William. I can't believe what it says, but I'm happy about it."

"What does he want?" Noora asked sharply, taking my phone and reading the text, Eva peering over her shoulder to read the text as well. Noora looked mildly disgusted as she handed the phone back to me. "Vilde, you're going to say no, right?"

"Why should I say no?" I replied, feeling defensive. "Look, this is the best chance I get to talk to him some more." I sighed heavily. "I mean it's not like he'll ask me out, he never has and we've known him for weeks now. So I'm going to his place tomorrow. "And he's our soulmate, it's not like it's a random guy asking me to go home with him."

"But what if he wants to sleep with you?" Eva asked, a concerned expression taking over her face. "You don't even know him, not really."

"Why are you both making his invitation sound dirty when it's not at all?" I laughed softly, a red flush creeping onto my face as I thought about being in bed with William. "He probably just wants to hang out, to talk. That's all. It's not like he's even attracted to me, not like he is to Noora. He won't want to sleep with me," I stated firmly, then shrugged lightly. "Although...if he wanted to, well... he is my soulmate. It wouldn't be wrong to lose my virginity to him. It would actually be amazing..."

Noora was unsmiling, her green eyes showing that she was troubled by my words. "It's not something to talk about so lightly, though? Once you lose your virginity, Vilde...You can't ever get it back. Eva is right. We hardly know William and you shouldn't rush into being intimate with him. I don't want you to regret it later."

"Noora?" I reached across the table and took hold of her hand. "Please, don't look at me like that. I don't want us to fall out over this. I guess..." I hesitated. "I guess I could say no, if you really wanted me to."

Noora frowned at me, but to my relief she did not move her hand away. "It's your choice, Vilde. You can go if you want, but just promise me you won't drink too much at the party. And remember, you can always say no if he does try anything. You don't have to sleep with William unless you really want to and if you do make sure to use protection."

"Thank you, Noora," I leant over the table and kissed her cheek before sitting down again. "Did I tell you you're the best girlfriend I ever had?"

"That's strange considering you've never had a girlfriend before me, isn't it?" A faint, wry smile graced Noora's face. "So you know Eva and I have decided on our costumes for the party, what will you go as?"

"I was thinking something simple, but very cute. I want it to be a surprise so I won't tell you yet." What I did not tell her was that I could not afford to buy a new costume, as my Mamma was running late with the rent again and the little spare cash I had needed to go towards the rent. I had cat ears already, all I needed to do was put on some eyeliner for the nose and whiskers and wear a black outfit and it was sorted. "It's so cool that you're going as the Log Lady, I love Twin Peaks. And Eva, you're going to be such a beautiful ballerina."

"It's a shame Jonas won't be there to see it," Eva smiled, but it seemed forced. "He made some lame excuse but at least Ingrid is coming to the party."

Noora hugged Eva. "You're going to have a great time with us and your girlfriend, he'll be jealous when he finds out how much fun you had, don't worry."

"Noora's right. It's going to be so much fun, I can't wait..." I typed out a reply to William's text.

I'd love to come to your place

I hesitated before deleting the reply and typing again, thinking of what Sana would write. I did not want to seem too eager to see him, although I was.

Yes

I stared at the simple message and I could not resist adding a kiss before finally sending the message.

Yes x

"Sana...Are you meant to be me?" I asked, surprised by Sana's blonde wig and a very familiar headband. "Is that my red headband?"

"Perhaps it is," Sana replied coolly, giving me a challenging stare. "Does it bother you?"

"No, it's brilliant!" I exclaimed, a laugh bubbling up inside and escaping my lips. "It's a good costume."

Sana smiled at me. "I'm glad you think so."

"Let's dance girls..." Chris jumped between us, draping her arms over our shoulders awkwardly as she had limited movement in her costume. "I like this music; it's got such a cool vibe to it..."

I had just arrived at the party with Chris and Noora, we had met Sana there.

"I'm just going to say hi to Wilhelm. I'll be back soon, save me a dance okay?" Noora gave me a playful smile, squeezing my hand gently before she stepped away from us to talk to William, who was dressed in a smart suit and splattered with fake blood. He was meant to be a dangerous killer, a predator. Still, he just looked even more attractive than he usually did. Noora was ridiculously beautiful even though with her costume she was portraying an older woman, her glasses drawing my attention to her pretty green eyes. My soulmates looked perfect together; they could have come to the party fresh from a modelling photo shoot. And there I was in my simple, unimaginative cat costume. I was so afraid that I did not fit in with them. Noora looked irritated, but William seemed to be enjoying their conversation.

"Chris, please go get Vilde a drink so she can relax a little," Sana was giving me a thoughtful look. "Are you okay, girl?"

I shook my head frantically, pasting a bright smile onto my face. "I'm fine. I really am, Sana. I'm having a lot of fun. But you're right... I think a drink would be nice. Can you get me one, Chris?"

"Sure, I'm going to get one for myself too. I'll be back soon," Chris disappeared in the crowd of people dancing and then Sana embraced me warmly, which startled me. I was touched by her kindness, and I felt comforted as I embraced her in return.

"Hey, girls," When we broke apart I saw Christoffer standing in front of us. He was dressed as a dancer, dark eye makeup giving him a dramatic look. "I brought some drinks for you. Coke for Sana, wine for Vilde." He smirked at us. "It's from Chris, she won't be back for a while because –"

Sana raised her hand, looking bemused. "Stop. We don't need to hear any more." She took the drinks from him and handed me the glass of wine. "Thanks, you can go now." She stated dismissively.

"What, I don't get a tip for fast service?" Christoffer asked playfully, then backed away when Sana scowled at him darkly. "Ok, I should go. Chris is waiting for me." He walked off, heading for the stairs that led up the bedrooms.

"I don't know how Chris deals with a guy like that. It would be so annoying to have him as a soulmate." Sana sipped her Coke and sighed. "Although...it would be nice to have a soulmate." She gave me a cold glare. "Don't tell anyone I said that. I mean it, Vilde."

"No, I wouldn't do that," I replied hastily, a little scared by her intensity. Sana was pure fire and strength, and I admired that about her. . "I'm sure you'll find your soulmate soon. I mean, I wasn't expecting to find my soulmate and now I have two and it's great." I raised the wine glass and drank half of it down like water. I felt the mild burn in my chest, the sour aftertaste filling my mouth as the alcohol settled in my body. "This is good wine." I raised the wine glass again but it was pulled out of my hand by Noora, who gave me a mildly reproving look.

"Vilde...Slow down, okay?" She drank the remainder of my wine and set the glass down on a nearby table, putting her log down as well. "Come and dance with me," She took hold of my hands, placing them firmly on her slender waist before bringing her arms up to rest them around my neck. The sweet floral scent of her perfume enveloped us, and I loved being so close to my soulmate. I was still waiting for the sign that she was ready to have our first kiss, and it was torture waiting at times like this. I had such a deep desire to be with her and William, but I knew I had to be patient with Noora – she was trusting me and I knew she had a vulnerable side. Noora had confided in me that she had a relationship that ended badly, and I just wanted her to be comfortable and happy around me so I did not try to persuade her to let us kiss. It would happen when it was the right time. I was glad that she let me hold her and that she was fine with exchanging kisses on the cheek. I felt it was a step in the right direction.

"Oh, Eva's finally here..." Noora let go of me, seeming concerned. . "But she's alone? I'm going to go talk to her." She went over to Eva, who seemed sad. I was about to go over as well, but then I saw William in the distance, dancing with a girl in a Minnie Mouse costume. I did not like it at all, my body burning with jealousy and anger. I could not believe he would dance with another girl when he had soulmates. He was ours. I stormed up to them, intending to yell at them both but I hesitated when I got closer. William did not appear to be interested in dancing with the girl, she was the one getting close to him and putting her hand on his arm.

When William saw me he smiled, staring straight at me as he pulled the girl close to whisper something in her ear before gently pushing her away. She looked flustered at first, then resentful as her gaze turned to me.

"What are you meant to be?" She looked me up and down scornfully, crossing her arms. "You know your costume looks cheap and tacky, right? How can you be William's soulmate? You're not pretty and you don't have the right body shape to wear that skirt."

William moved to stand next to me, draping his arm over my shoulder. He was no longer smiling. "Shut the fuck up, Helene. I want you to leave now." He stated coldly. I was surprised by his actions, but I felt warmth inside from his touch and the way he had been so quick to defend me from her.

Helene was about to retort when all of a sudden a drink was thrown into her face. She gasped in shock as the dark liquid dripped down her hair and face. "What the hell?"

"Don't mess with my friend or something worse will happen to you next time," Sana glowered at Helene fiercely, as she gripped her now empty glass of Coke. "I can't even call what you wear a costume, it's the most uninventive and lame outfit here. Also, I can't believe you're pathetic enough to flirt with a guy who already has two soulmates. Now, get out before I throw you out."

"This party is boring anyway." Helene glared at us all, and then a mean smirk appeared on her face. "William, you'll regret choosing her over me. After all...we used to have a lot of fun together." She walked away, and I was relieved she was gone. I had been hurt by what she said about me but I knew she was just jealous that she was not William's soulmate. I was thankful to have such a good friend in Sana, and I felt ashamed that in the past I had unfairly judged her without even knowing what an incredible girl she was. I knew I was fortunate to count her as a friend.

"I'm going to make sure she really left," Sana announced. "Don't pay any attention to what she said, Vilde. Will you be alright if I go?"

"Hello?" William stared at Sana. "She'll be fine, her soulmate is here. "

Sana ignored him, only leaving when I smiled at her and nodded.

"I don't think your friend likes me much, does she?" William laughed. "But she is right, ignore what Helene said."

"Did you sleep with her?" I asked, dreading the reply I knew I was going to get but I had to confirm it for myself. "More than once?"

William shrugged. "Yeah, a few times. It was just casual, like it was with all my other hook-ups. But...that's in the past, I promise. I haven't slept with anyone since I found out I had soulmates, so don't worry about it." He moved to stand in front of me, tilting my face up towards his and bending down a little to kiss me. As his lips touched mine, I allowed my eyes to drift shut so I could immerse myself in kissing him. Our kiss was light and playful at first. Then his teeth gently bit into my lower lip before he kissed me more firmly and I keenly responded, holding onto him tightly like he would disappear if I did not keep hold of him. The excitement and happiness I felt at having my first kiss with William was dampened by thoughts of him being with Helene. It bothered me, and it concerned me that William was so dismissive of the fact he slept with her. It was not like I was expecting him to be a saint, but it still upset me to think about him being with so many other girls. I knew Noora would not be surprised to find out about it, she had already expected William to be a playboy. "Why don't we go back to my place now?"

I sighed softly. "And what will we do once we get there?"

"That's up to you, but I was hoping we'd have some fun together."

It was the answer I knew was coming, but at that moment it all felt wrong. "I'm quite tired, actually. I think I'll just go home with Noora."

William looked surprised at first, and then his face became hard like a stone. "Fine, if that's what you want." He gently pried my hands off his jacket. "Goodbye then."

"Wait!" I called after William as he walked off to his friends. "Don't be upset, alright?"

William turned back to me, giving me a scornful look. "Whatever gave you that impression, Vilde? I don't really care, but just so you know – I never invite girls back to my apartment. Since you're one of my soulmates I thought I'd change my mind, but I see now it was a mistake. I had a special morning date planned for you and now you're missing out because of your childish jealousy. Don't call me, don't text me and don't go whining to Noora about this. I'll get in touch with you when I'm ready to do so."

I felt miserable as I watched William leave with me, and I wondered if I had made a terrible mistake.

Thanks for reading :)