Her Smile (Noremma Fanfiction TPN)

"See you later"

A week has passed, and apparently a week is enough to change someone's life.

For better or worse, Norman couldn't say.

"So, have you made your decision?" Peter questioned as he took a sip of his coffee.

"Yes, I made my decision" He replied, looking at the house that was. His uncle had made sure they got together to discuss his decision at his house, and Norman had to admit, it was a beautiful house.

Peter looked at him expectantly, almost as if he were anxious, as he moved in the chair he was sitting in, Andrew beside him as expressionless as a door.

Silence fell between them as the albino finally put all his attention on the older one.

"I accept your offer"

The smile on Peter's face was somehow so sincere that for a moment he really thought that deep down he was not a bad guy.

That thought was quickly removed from his mind when he remembered the things that the company was being accused of during Peter's direction.

"It's good to hear that" He said, still smiling, though now he seemed much more arrogant than before. "If you will allow me, may I ask why you accepted?"

"Sherry" He said briefly "I have to guarantee her a future, I want her to be happy"

Sherry was the only person he really considered his family. Her father was out of the question for obvious reasons, Peter had something clearly hidden, making him someone unreliable, he had no knowledge of his relatives, either by his father or mother, he really believed that both his parents were orphans or something. And his mother...

It was painful, but he had her, and she had him.

"You look like him" Norman knew who he was talking to, and he didn't like to be compared to him "But you talk much more like your mom"

His shoulders were tense immediately. Peter talking about his mother was uncomfortable, almost maddening, for some reason.

"Is it a family thing to compare me to my mother?" He asked, trying his hardest not to sound too rude "He says that to me a lot"

His smile widened with the reply "He is not wrong, however. The appearance may be different, but the interior is practically the same as hers"

Norman didn't know what was most annoying, the mocking tone that contradicted his pitying smile or how he seemed to be enjoying his discomfort.

If it weren't for the money he was going to earn, he would certainly get out of there.

"I have to sign to make the contract official, correct?" He asked without bothering to be polite at that point.

Peter hummed in affirmation, a satisfied smile on his face. He looked to the other man and Andrew quickly leaned over and handed to the youngest a paper and a pen.

"It will be good to work with you, Norman" He said, still smiling as he watched the albino lean towards the paper.

He was already regretting it.

*
*

"Ray, where's Emma?"

"It's good to see you too" He replied sarcastly "You spent a whole week without speaking to us, I thought you had died or killed someone and fled to Canada"

Norman scratched his head sheepishly. He had accidentally ignored his friends and spent the entire days thinking about his uncle's proposal "Sorry to make you worry"

"You are an adult, why would I have worried, at worst you really killed someone" Ray said, still being sarcastic, but happy to see that his friend was fine "Emma on the other hand..."

"Norman!" A voice interrupted him and before the albino realized, he was being hugged so tightly that he struggled to keep from falling to the ground.

"Huh, hi Emma" He greeted with a flushed face mainly because of the heart Ray made with his hand and the fact that some customers were looking "Are you okay?"

"I should be asking that question!" She spoke in an almost authoritative tone as she walked away "You went missing for a week and didn't tell me anything, I was really worried about you!"

The blush on his cheeks increased even more and the fact that his other friend was taking pictures with a camera that Norman honestly didn't know where came from didn't help.

"Sorry, I was really busy" He apologized, with a sincere tone "I promise I won't do this anymore"

"Okay, we understand that, but now, Emma, ​​can you go back to your damn job? Customers don't make their own food here" Ray interrupted, breaking the mood completely "You can be lovey-dovey with Norman after"

Emma's cheeks along with Norman's turned red. If there was one thing Ray was good at, it was teasing people.

"Ugh, why are you always so boring?" She complained, moving away completely from the albino and back behind the counter.

"I try my best" He said and then turned to the other boy "Are you going to stand there being admired by our lovely customers or are you going to sit and order something?"

"Mint tea, please" He replied before sitting down at a table, trying to ignore the murmurs of some people.

*
*

"Did you really wait for us all this time?" Emma asked shocked as she sat in front of Norman, already wearing casual clothes.

"It wasn't long" He replied, even though it was almost midnight.

"Simp" He heard Ray murmur, but pretended not to hear "So, do want to tell us what you've been so busy with?"

"You could say it was a family problem" He said with a nervous laugh. In a way, it was not a lie.

Emma shifted anxiously in her chair before speaking "Really? Are you sure you're not hiding anything from us?"

Silence fell between the three as Norman glared at the redhead, who glared back with equal intensity.

"Why do you think I'm hiding something?" He asked with another nervous laugh that only made the situation worse.

"You know you can count on us for everything, don't you?" She asked, taking his hand that rested on the table. If that were any other time, he would be happy to feel her touch, but it was not the case "No matter what happens we will always help you"

He looked away in silence, trying to think of anything to say, any lie. Why was he hiding from them in first place? They were friends and he was sure that even if they found him a coward, they would help him.

He considered the option of telling them everything, only to discard this option again.

Fortunately, the tension was broken by a sigh from Ray.

"Can I go home?" He asked, making the two of them turn to him "What? It's late, I want sleep"

"Ray is right, it's late, I better go home" The albino said, taking the chance to escape the conversation.

They fell silent again as Norman got up from his chair and walked to the door. He'd spent a lot of time waiting, but he didn't want to have this conversation with Emma and Ray, or anyone else.

"See you later" He spoke quietly before leaving, without even hearing their response.

Emma kept looking at the door, worried, even after he left.

**

Hello! Yes, I'm not dead, just tired lol.

Why it took me so long to post this chapter? Oh, you know, school, creativity blocking, discouragement. The usual.

But don't worry, that doesn't mean I'm giving up on this story, even though a part of me really wants to! I will still post chapters even if I die from it!

Thank you for waiting and I'm sorry for any mistakes! Bye!