tainted // noorhelm

2;

'all i am is a man, i want the world in my hands.' 
-sweater weather, the neighbourhood

noora | friday

i took a deep breath that morning, an exceptionally deep breath.

what was going to happen later that day, i couldn't prepare myself for. a date with william. i was repulsed by the idea.
i didn't know what to do. vilde could never find out.

but i was doing this for her. i was enduring this shit for her.

i walked into school that day feeling all eyes on me, feeling like everyone gave me a dirty look.

"noora, are you okay?" eva frowned.
"uhh, yeah, i'm fine..."
"no you aren't. what's wrong?"
"eva, if i tell you something you have to promise you won't tell anyone." i breathed.
"i promise. i'm worried now."
"i..."
"noora, what is it??"
at that moment, my eyes glued to the boy walking into school outside the window. he was on his phone with his head low.
"noora! i-" eva looked at me, following my eyes to william. "no... you! it's you, isn't it! you're dating william."
"eva, i-"
"oh my god, you and william!" she squealed.

"eva, talk a bit quieter." i hissed. "we're not 'dating'. i'm going on a date with him tonight to get rid of him." i sighed.
"sure, sure..." she rolled her eyes.
"it's true! you can't let vilde find out- she'll be heartbroken. i'm doing this for her."
"ok, noora. i won't tell anyone. but this is amazing!" she smiled.
"not amazing. more like a disaster."
i felt my phone buzz.

message from: willhelm

i'm excited for tonight.

message to: willhelm

i'm not :/.

message from: willhelm

you should be, noora

message to: willhelm

don't tell me what to do

message from: willhelm

ugh... you're so difficult, noora. all i want to do is impress you

message to: willhelm

good for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

message from: willhelm

see you tonight xx

'see you tonight xx'

| 17:56 p.m. |

i finished applying my lipstick with a loud sigh.
he would be here any minute. my heart was beating at a million miles a minute.
he was early.
"bye eskild!" i yelled to my roommate.
"bye noora, get some dick!"

i grabbed my grey coat and walked outside. i twisted my keys in the door and took a final deep breath.

"noora." william cleared his throat.
"willhelm." i nodded, getting into the car.
"you look beautiful." william said softly, making my cheeks turn a deep shade of red.
"where are we going?" i decided not to comment on what he'd just said.
"it's a surprise." he winked, and began to drive.
we drove for what felt like forever, into the city centre. the streets were lit and it was beautiful. i always loved coming into oslo.

william pulled over on a street i didn't recognise. i furrowed my eyebrows, but went with it for vilde's sake.
"we're here."
he ran over to my side of the car, opening the door for me. he was trying to win me over. it wasn't going to happen.
he offered me his hand, but i shook my head. "willhelm, i hope you realise that nothing will come of this. you aren't going to wow me with pick up lines or cheesy gestures."

"noora, noora... you're a smart girl. i hope you realise that the more you push me away, the more i want you." he said with a small laugh.
i rolled my eyes, following him into a building- i guessed it to be a department store.

i guessed right- why would he bring me to a department store?
he just gestured that i follow him, so i did, reluctantly. we arrived at a glass lift.
"come on, noora." he said, offering me his hand again to get onto the lift. i groaned, and took his hand.
the view of the city from the lift was breathtaking. i glanced at william in shock. maybe he did appreciate beautiful things and small, thoughtful details. i could feel his burning eyes on me until we got to the top.

we arrived at a rooftop restaurant. but it was empty.
"why is there no one here?"
he just tapped his nose as if he wasn't going to tell me. i really hoped that he hadn't fucking booked the place.
he guided me to a table, in the corner, away from the other tables. he tucked me into my chair and i sat frozen.

"so, noora. talk to me." he said, running a hand through his hair with a smile.

"talk to you? why should i talk to you?"
"because, noora, we're on a date. that's kind of what people do."
"i don't want to be here and i don't want to talk to you." i huffed.
"why are you here then?"
"because you threatened to mess with vilde... and you said you would keep leading her on unless i came."
"seriously, noora? you know for a fact i haven't spoken to her since that day. i would have left her alone anyway. so why did you come?" william looked at me, analysing all of my features.

"i already told you why i came. why did you come?"
"i came because i wanted to get to know you, because i like you. but you obviously don't like me."
"you don't like me, willhelm. you don't like anyone apart from yourself! and you're forcing me to be here."
"you know my name is william. and i'm not forcing you. no one is forcing you. you can leave at your own freewill if that's what you want." he said calmly, his face low and his eyes down."

"i'm going to stay. for vilde." i crossed my arms.
"for vilde?? i'm not going to lead her on... you're staying because you like me, aren't you?"
"no, willhelm! i'm not. i don't like you and i never will." i said with confidence, even though i knew in my heart that it was an undoubtedly blatant lie.

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