Chapter Three

DISCLAIMER: Just a fan, own nothing to do with SKAM.

I raised my hand to knock on the door to William's apartment, then hesitated. I knew it was not a good idea. William had expressly told me to stay away from him. However, it had already been a week since I last saw him. Noora was getting suspicious, though I tried to pretend nothing was wrong it was hard to hide the truth from her. I missed William, although I was sure he was fine without me. At least he seemed happy in his Instagram photos. He had met Noora twice in the week we had been apart. Of course he never told her that he had fallen out with me, otherwise she would have torn him to pieces with her sharp tongue.

And I did not want to be the cause for more friction between them, so I pretended everything was fine. It was a lie, and I knew I could no longer keep up the lie. I yearned to have William back in my life, and I hated lying to Noora. She did not deserve to be lied to. So I took a deep breath, then knocked on the door. I waited a few minutes then hammered on the door with more urgency. I did not want to leave until I saw William. It was bad enough that I had to sneak in behind one of William's neighbours to get past the front entrance of his apartment complex.

Just as I was about to knock on the door again, it opened. I was surprised to see a stranger standing before me. He was tall, with pale green eyes and short sandy brown hair. "Hello?"

"Um...Hello. Is William here?" I asked.

"No, he's not here. I'm Nikolai, his brother. And you are...?"

"Vilde..." I smiled at Nikolai, extending my hand towards him. "It's really nice to meet you. I didn't know William had a brother."

Nikolai did not return my smile, and he stared coldly at my outstretched hand until I pulled it back. "You must be one of his groupies, right? How did you get past the front door? Pretend you were one of the residents? It's a little pathetic, don't you think?"

"No, I'm...Hey!" I exclaimed angrily, putting my foot in the door to prevent him from trying to slam it shut. "I'm one of his soulmates."

Nikolai slowly pulled the door back open, seeming doubtful. "Really? A girl like you is my brother's soulmate? That seems strange..." He took hold of my arm all of a sudden, and pushed up the sleeve of my jacket. His eyes widened in shock when he saw William's name on my arm. "Oh. You weren't lying. You really are his soulmate. Why don't you come inside?"

"No, that's okay. I'm going to go," I tried to pull my arm away from Nikolai, but he tightened his hold on my arm and practically dragged me into William's apartment. "What are you doing?" I asked, getting a little anxious as he shut the door and locked it. "What do you want?"

I backed up a few steps as Nikolai slowly approached me. He sighed, then he stopped walking and raised his hands in mock surrender. "It's okay, you can relax. I'm not going to hurt you." Nikolai's eyes shone with guilt, all of a sudden. "I just want to apologize for being so rude. I didn't even know my brother had found his soulmate. Soulmates, I mean..."

"Sure, that's fine. Apology accepted," I replied hastily, giving him a smile that was somewhat forced. It was strange, the way he had changed his attitude so quickly, and I was hurt by his initial rude reaction towards me." "Can you open the door now?"

"But William's going to come home soon. Don't you want to see him?" Nikolai smiled softly as he extended his hand out to me. "Can we just start again? I'm Nikolai, William's older brother. And you must be his beautiful soulmate. It's great to meet you, Vilde."

"Nice to meet you too," I replied, shaking his hand. We stared at each other for a few moments before I pulled my hand out of his grasp. I was torn on whether to stay or go. I did want to see William, but I was still upset by Nikolai's attitude towards me when we met. "I'm going now. Can you just tell William that I came, and I'm sorry for what I did. He'll know what I'm talking about."

Nikolai moved to block my path as I walked. "No, don't go. I'm sorry I was rude to you."

"It's fine." I sighed heavily, then laughed bitterly. "Look, you're not the first person to think I'm not good enough for him and I'm sure you won't be the last. You said it yourself, it's strange that I'm one of his soulmates."

"No,Vilde...That's not true. You're gorgeous, look at you!" Nikolai exclaimed, taking my hand and pulling me over to the mirror in the hallway. He stood behind me. "Look at yourself. Such a pretty girl. Can you give me a smile?"

"Nikolai...I really should go." I averted my eyes from the mirror. The truth was, I had barely looked in a mirror lately. I did not feel beautiful, and staring at my reflection just made me think about all my imperfections and that I should weigh less than I did.

"Smile first," Nikolai urged me, resting his hands on my shoulders gently. "I won't let you go until you smile," He leant his head against mine, and I leant away slightly, uncomfortable with his closeness. "Please, Vilde? A smile for your future brother in law?"

I looked into the mirror and smiled wanly. "There. I gave you a smile."

Nikolai frowned down at me. "But that wasn't a real smile..." Nikolai grinned, tickling me fiercely until I was able to push him away amidst a fit of helpless giggles. "There! I got you to smile now."

"I guess you did," I admitted, after I had overcome my laughter. I was starting to feel less upset with Nikolai. He had apologized to me, and he was attempting to cheer me up. "So...when is William coming back?"

"So you're gonna stay?" Nikolai asked, his face lighting up. "Good, I'd like to get to know you better." He helped me out of my jacket and ushered me down the hallway to the living room. "Sit down, I'll get you a drink."

I sat down on the sofa, looking around the room while Nikolai disappeared off to the kitchen. I smiled seeing a guitar in the corner of the room. I did not know William liked to play guitar, but then I did not know a lot about his private life. I was so close to Noora but distant from William. And I knew Noora was closer to William than I was. I tried not to be jealous, but it was difficult. Noora and William looked so good together, and I felt like the third wheel. I knew Noora did not see me that way, but I was not sure about William.

Fortunately, Nikolai appeared before I could delve deeper into the gloomy path my thoughts had taken. He was carrying two large glasses filled to the brim with a vibrant red liquid. "My famous cocktail," Nikolai smiled amiably as he handed me a glass then sat down next to me. "It's a special occasion. It's not every day I meet my brother's soulmate."

"Thanks. I don't know if I should be daytime drinking, but I guess one drink will be fine." I took a sip of my drink, forcing away thoughts of the only daytime drinker I knew, my mamma. It was nice, sweet tasting, but quite strong.

"Do you like it?" Nikolai smiled as he clinked his glass against mine and drank some of his drink. "Good, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it's great," I replied.

Nikolai rested his arm on the back of the sofa. "I knew you would like it, Blondie."

"Blondie?" I raised my eyebrows slightly. "Why would you call me that? Not very original, is it?"

Nikolai shrugged. "What, you don't like nicknames?"

"I don't know..." I sighed, drinking more of the cocktail. "No one's given me a nickname before."

"William didn't give you a nickname?" Nikolai playfully tugged on a lock of my hair, then continued to drink until he finished his glass. "I mean, Blondie is the obvious choice for you. The other Blondie is also very beautiful. I love her music."

"What's your favourite Blondie song?"

"My favourite song?" Nikolai grinned, setting down his empty glass on the floor before he stood up from the sofa and went over to pick up William's guitar. He was not gentle with the guitar, knocking it against the floor as he came back over to me and sat down. "How about I play it for you?"

"Are you sure William won't mind you using his guitar?"

"Why would he mind?" Nikolai snapped, his fingers tightening on the neck of the guitar. "I'm his big brother. Everything he has belongs to me too."

I stayed silent, and finished my drink.I felt a little tipsy, which surprised me as it was only one glass. Then again, it was quite a big glass and I had skipped breakfast. Perhaps that was why. "I shouldn't have had a drink. Can I have some water?

Nikolai started to strum the guitar, but he was not in tune. He acted like he had not heard my question. "Can you guess the song?"

I felt too warm and pressed a hand against my head as my focus started to waver. "Nikolai..." I tried to stand up but I felt like I was moving through treacle and I ended up collapsing onto the sofa again. "I don't...don't..." The world seemed to start spinning in front of my eyes, Nikolai turning into a blurry figure that hovered over me. I did not understand why I was struggling to speak. "I feel...feel sick."

"It's alright, Vilde. I'm going to take care of you."

Nikolai's voice was faint, and I felt like he was far away but I knew that did not make sense. It was the last thought I had before my eyes drifted shut and I slipped into darkness.

I woke up in a bedroom I had not ever been in before. My head was aching, and it took me some time to adjust my eyes to the light in the bedroom. I was resting on a bed which had William's scent. It made me feel a little less anxious until I shakily sat up and realized I was wearing a t-shirt over my underwear. A man's t-shirt.

"Vilde?" William stepped into the bedroom, a grim expression on his face. "What the hell were you thinking?"

Nikolai appeared behind William, the area around his right eye seemed red and slightly swollen. "Don't be too harsh on her. She's not feeling well, can't you see that?"

William shoved Nikolai, a scowl crossing his face as he gazed at his brother. "Get the fuck out of here, I need to talk to her alone."

"I was just trying to help..." Nikolai looked hurt. "Fine. I guess I'll leave you two to talk then. But..." He smiled, patting William on the back as he turned to leave. "Try to be nice to her, like I was."

William shut the bedroom door as soon as Nikolai had left. "Explain what happened here." William walked over to the bed in a few short steps, and sat down near me. "How much did you drink?"

"I don't..." I paused then swallowed as my throat was dry. "I don't remember, really. I had one drink."

"You had one drink?" William eyed me sceptically. "Just one?"

"Well..." My memory was choppy, I could only remember fragments of what happened after I went to William's apartment. "I'm pretty sure it was just one. I don't know, I blacked out."

"I came home and found you passed out on the sofa." William stared at me coldly, and I could see he was slightly repulsed as he continued to talk. "You threw up on Nikolai, by the way. You threw up on him and my floor. The stench of your sick is still there, Nikolai cleaned it up but it will be a while before the smell goes away."

"I'm so sorry, William," I hastily replied, reaching out to take hold of his hand. "I'll apologize to Nikolai too, of course."

William sighed, then gently squeezed my hand. A little warmth appeared in his deep brown eyes, as his lips twitched like he was trying to hide amusement. "Don't worry about him. He deserved it," William's eyes darkened and he frowned. "I don't know what the hell he was thinking, giving you alcoholic drinks."

"I didn't eat breakfast, that's probably why I passed out," I reluctantly admitted. "So don't blame Nikolai. I should have just said no, but I..." I stopped. "I thought I would be alright with one drink."

"Why did you come here, Vilde?" William let go of my hand. "I told you I'll be in touch when I'm ready to see you again. Here," William grabbed a bottle of water from the bedside table and pressed it into my hands. "Drink this."

I opened the bottle, and it was a relief to soothe the dryness in my throat. It was not long before I emptied the entire bottle. "I couldn't stand not seeing you. And Noora can already sense something is wrong, but I don't want her to know we've had an argument."

"Thanks for not telling her," William sat down on the bed and gave me a half smile. "I guess...we both made some mistakes. I was going to call you in a few days anyway, to apologize."

"Really?" I wrapped my arms around him, but I felt him grow tense and he refused to return my embrace. It stung, but I smiled brightly as I let him go. He still was not into me like he was into Noora, but I knew he did care about me, at least a little. "I'm so happy to hear that. And I'm sorry for what happened last time we met. Can we just pretend it didn't happen?" I pushed the light sheet that was half covering me away, revealing my bare legs. "I'm going to go home now."

William frowned at me as he pulled the sheet back over me. "Wait, I'll get you something to wear so you can cover up."

"Sure, thanks," I replied quietly. It bothered me that he reacted like that. I doubted he would have told Noora to cover up, but then her legs were slim and shapely. Then again, he could have just been trying to preserve my modesty. Although it was a little late for that with what happened "And thanks for changing my clothes after I was sick."

"Forget about it." William presented me with some clothes and turned to leave the bedroom. He paused just before he closed the door to talk to me again. "Come out when you've changed. I have spare toothbrushes in the bathroom, you should use one."

I quickly threw back the sheet again and put on the clothes, a pair of tracksuit pants and a Penetrators hoodie. I had to tuck under the waistband of the tracksuit pants as William was taller than me. I felt some bitter irony wearing the Penetrators hoodie, like many girls had done before. I did not want to just be another faceless number. I was William's soulmate, but he was so standoffish sometimes I might as well have been an old conquest. Brushed aside, of little use to him. Yet I still had hope things would change between us eventually.

When I opened the bedroom door I was hit by the delicious scent of something fried. I took a detour into the bathroom and vigorously brushed my teeth before using some mouthwash. As I walked down the hall I almost expected to hear William yelling at Nikolai, but to my surprise they were both silent when I entered the kitchen. There was fried bacon, scrambled eggs and buttered toast laid out on the table.

"Hey, Vilde. I hope you're feeling better now," Nikolai stared at me remorsefully. I noticed he was starting to get a bruise on his face around his eye. "I'm really sorry for what happened to you. It was stupid...I'm stupid. I put double vodka servings in the drinks, that's always how I do my special cocktail, but I didn't think you would react like that."

"I hope you've learned your lesson, Nikolai," William glared at him, then gave me a stern look. "And I hope you learnt yours too. No drinking on an empty stomach, you could have been hurt."

Nikolai nodded, then gave me a rueful smile. "Trust me, I did. William was so mad at me when he came home, I was lucky to get away with just one punch."

"I should have hit you harder," William snapped at him. "And yeah, you're lucky. Lucky I don't kick you out of here."

"No, don't do that," I hastily replied. "It was my fault too. Nikolai, I'm sorry that you had to see me in such a horrible state. Thank you for helping me out."

"Shall we eat?" Nikolai pulled out a chair. "Come and sit down, you must be starving by now, Blondie."

William grabbed hold of my hand firmly and pulled me to sit down next to him opposite to where Nikolai stood. "You can sit in that seat, she's happy right here next to me."

"Sure, no problem," Nikolai settled down into his seat. "Hope you like the food."

William shook his head, then passed me a plate and cutlery. "He's a bad cook, so don't expect much."

Despite William's teasing, I could see he enjoyed the food as he was quick to start eating.

I took a slice of toast and nibbled it slowly, trying to ease my hunger pangs but not wanting to eat too much.

William put two strips of bacon and two spoonfuls of scrambled egg on my plate. "Eat a bit more, please."

I carefully split up the bacon and eggs on my plate. William and Nikolai had already cleared their plates, and they were both looking at me. I reluctantly began taking small bites out of the food. Yet as I continued, I started to savour the taste more and before I knew it my entire plate was cleared. I actually wanted more eggs but I knew I had already gone over the limits I had set myself for food intake per meal.

"I've got to go out, can I leave you guys to wash up?" Nikolai stood up from his seat and walked around the table. "Don't wait up for me, alright?" Nikolai smirked at William. "I have the feeling I'll be back tomorrow." He leant down and kissed me on the cheek. "It was nice meeting you, Blondie. Hope to see you again soon."

"Bye, Nikolai." I replied, as he left the kitchen. I stood up, and began collecting the dirty plates and cutlery. "I'll wash these up, then I'll go home." As I set the plates down in the sink I heard William get up from his seat. He came over as I was rinsing the plates and pulled me away from the sink.

"Forget the plates," A flash of worry passed quickly and faded into a stony expression on William's face. "Do you like him?"

"William!" I exclaimed. "How could you even think that?"

William crossed his arms, his dark eyes trained on me with a reproachful stare. "I'm just warning you for your own good. You better steer clear of him in future. He likes causing trouble."

I was stunned. "What...what are you saying?"

"Listen to me, Vilde. I'm serious," William scowled at me. "Don't get too close to him. You're too naïve, you could get hurt."

"The only one hurting me is you. Nikolai's been kind to me." I snapped. "And yes, I'm naïve. For always thinking the best of you, when you treat me like I'm a nuisance. I know..." I paused, on the verge of tears. "I know I'm not perfect but at least I'm trying. I want to get closer to you, even though that's stupid because you never wanted me to be your soulmate. But now you're stuck with me. And that's not my fault. It's not..." I turned away as I felt the hot tears that had formed escape and angrily wiped them away. "I didn't have a choice either."

William wrapped his arms around me. I tried to push him away, but he refused to let go until my tears stopped. "I'm sorry, ok? You're right, we didn't have a choice. And I've been a dick to you." He leaned down and kissed my forehead softly. "You didn't deserve that," He leant down further and kissed me firmly on the lips before his deep brown eyes pierced through me with a solemn gaze. "But I want you to know that you and Noora are very important to me."

I nodded, not quite sure if I believed him, although I wished it was true.

Thanks for reading :)