In a Lifetime
Plot Summary:
Henry/Hiccup, A book loving enthusiast met a frustrated, ghost who always pull a prank on him. But on the bright side she also likes to read! Entranced and mystified at her beauty, agreed to make a deal with her. In exchanged for a peaceful day, he will read a book for the said ghost. What will come of this meeting? Romance unfolds. Distant past will be revealed. (MODERN AU)
A/N:
Hello guys! ProcrastinatorSleepyhead here, I will just remind you that English is not my first language but I'm trying, so if there are grammatical errors (for the Grammar Nazi's out there!) please bear with me. Well you can point it out to me at the reviews and I'll just edit it later. Also this is my first story and I hope that some of you ( or all you—well that's wishful thinking) will give me a feedback whether it's positive or negative!
I do not own "HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON" and its characters,
So anyway R&R!
Chapter One: Chance Encounter
~ring~ring~ring~ring~
I woke up at the sound of my alarm clock, as I look at the device to turn it off I realized that it was set three hours earlier.
Hi, I'm Hiccup—though that's a nickname, my real name was Henry but I was called Hiccup by my friends so I played along with it. Well about the clock; a normal person would freak out or be irritated because their most precious sleep was disturbed. But for me this is a daily occurrence.
At first I was annoyed, but as time pass by-I did get used to it. She's now part of my daily life…what can I do? Yes! "She" I am referring to a girl although technically she is not a living being but a ghost. I don't even understand how she can pester me physically, she's a ghost for Odin's sake!
Though it's a good thing I'm living most of the time alone, I don't need to explain my Dad all the weird things happening to me. Well as some people say 'you should not be afraid of ghost because they can't hurt you' but I beg to differ! In my case this certain ghost; girl rather was not only hurting me physically but also mentally! She annoys me to the point where I'm eating and she spills my drink, sometimes when I'm at the shower she switch it from balance to blazing hot and then to freezing cold! Gods that is so infuriating! And I don't even know how she does that! Well enough about that, you're probably wondering how I met this certain ghost. Well it all started that day…
~Flashback~
I was on my way to the university when my phone receives a call form an unknown number,
"Hello who is this?"I answered with my sluggish voice.
"Well hello there sir, is this Henry? Henry Haddock?" The voice was muffled by static but I can tell that the voice was from a woman.
"Y-yes this is Henry speaking…and you are?" There's a hint of uncertainty on my voice as I repeated for the second time what I said "uhm-who is this? Is there a problem Ma'am?" my voice was coated with wariness.
"Sir I am from RavenPoint Hospital, your father was brought here minutes ago. It's just a minor accident, but rest assured we did our very best and he is now stable. He is already resting."
At first I was worried but after she finished talking, I answered "Oh thank you! Ravenpoint Hospital is it? I'll be sure to check on him right now!" My voice was filled with relief. And thus the call ended, I decided to call my friend to inform him that I would be skipping class because of my predicament.
I live with my father, Gerard Haddock mayor of Berk, though most of the time I am just living with our butlers; Mark and Burt. I can rarely see my Dad because he was so busy with work, Hel it's a rare occurrence if we can eat breakfast together. It has been like this since my childhood, when my mother went missing, though I can't remember much of it since I was just a kid back then. Also it quite work-out well for me, being alone is what I mean. I don' have to explain every little thing that happens to my life. Though I surely missed it, that warm feeling—I last felt it was when I was a kid...though I still can't remember if that was the last time because it's all too vague for me.
As I was heading into the bus stop, I started search for my friend's number on my phonebook when I heard someone screaming,
"-ccup! Hiccup! Hiccup!" The voice was quite far but I can see where its coming from,
"Fishlegs! I was just about to call you!" I tried to scream to him but failed miserably,
As he stops in front of me, he tried to speak but it all came out as gibberish, "Hiccupwhereareyougoingwhyareyouheadingoutareyouplanningtoskipclassthatsbadright?"
"Whoa— Whoa—Whoa! Just stop and catch your breath, I can't really understand what you're saying"
This is my friend Fishlegs, well that was nickname-his real name is Finn Ingermann, I already forgot why was he named like that but it was a story for another time. As Fishlegs leans on me and catched his breath he tried to speak slower,
"Hiccup -where-are-you going?" He said it while panting,
"Well I was planning on skipping class—because my dad was hospitalized," I paused a moment and taps his shoulder and said,
"If our professors ask where am I, just tell them my situation."
"Oh okay Hiccup! Just bring medical records tomorrow, or else they will be mad," He said it after standing straight t and resuming his breathing pattern.
"Later Hiccup!" Fishlegs scream at me while he was walking away from me and towards to the university, I waved back at him and resumed my way to the bus stop.
The wait was taking longer as expected so I decided to read while waiting. I am easily bored at school therefore I read books,an interesting hobby of mine although the others are saying it is a boring thing to do. Well I am a proud book enthusiast so when I read or start to read, I forgot all of the commotion around me. The books became my world and any negative opinions were buried into the depths of my mind. When I'm in front of a book; reading it, I forgot anything reality has to offer, I was engrossed at the book, at the story, the characters. I was so focused to the book and I didn't realized that there was bus in fro- the bus! I internally scolded myself because of this. At the last minute I stepped into the platform and found an empty seat near the door. The ride was short so I didn't have the chance to read and got down to the RavenPoint Hospital.
I really hate hospitals, I don't really know why I hate it. Maybe it's because of back when I was a child I remember going back and forth at various hospitals, though the reason is unknown. Or maybe I hate it because of my unnatural gift. Well you see—I can see ghosts, well not all the time but still I see them. Some of them talks to me or even annoys me. But after a while of training myself to endure them, plus my habit of being drawn into the world of books, they realized that their efforts are for naught and gave up on pestering me.
As I entered through the main doors of the building, I scanned the room for a moment; separating the dead from the living, making it look like that I didn't noticed the ghost floating around and about. Then suddenly someone touches my shoulder and all I heard was grumpy old voice,
"Hey young man are you okay?" It came from a tall bearded man, he's wearing a janitor's uniform. Although his voice is one with concern, it is also filled with wariness.
"Well young man?" He said as he speak to me for the second time.
Realizing that he was not a ghost but an employee, a live one, I responded to him with utmost respect.
"I-I'm sorry sir, I-I was just searching for the main desk….." It came out weakly,
"Oh! Is that all son? You ask the right person it's just down the hall then left!" Compared to my voice, his was lively and loud.
He led me to the hallway and points out where I should go and we parted ways. I managed a "Thank you" though I am pretty sure that he didn't hear it. As I stroll down the hallway I noticed that it was not well lit and also….there's a ghost walking towards me. As I tried to dodge the ghost for he was walking directly into me I stumbled into a person standing at my back. Well I questioned myself why did I try to dodge the ghost? That is the most ridiculous things I did today and to make it worse the list has not yet ended. I turned to the person who I was just stumbled upon, realizing the person was a girl and also a nurse I tried to help her and probably apologize to her.
"Uhm….. I-I-I-I'm very s-sorry Ma'am! I didn't m-mean to do that!" I said it while I'm trying to help her frantically.
"Oh dear, its alright I'm fine. No need for you to panic, its also my fault I-I was lost in my own thoughts"
I tried to bow and apologize to her but she stopped me before I could do that, I tried to look at her to apologize for the last time but failed comically. The nurse was smiling at me because of what I just did, I noticed that her hair was raven-black, and just looking at her realized that she is the same age as I was. She was actually nice enough to help me pick up my things. As she helps me up with my things,she noticed that aside from a pen and a binder,
"Books" Her voice was weak but I am not that deaf to not hear it, I responded with a "huh"
" I said books, you have an unusual number of books inside your bag?" Her voice was filled with accusation though not in a bad way more like in a surprised way.
"Well—yeah, is that weird?" Well I tried to replied to her comment but my voice isn't, so it came out hoarsely,
"Hmmm~~~ so you're a book lover?" Her voice was with a hint of amusement,
I didn't managed to respond to her because I was surprised at the question but managed to nod at her as an answer to her statement. As I felt my cheeks were burning she added,
"You-you remind me of someone…a friend, you two will surely get along" Her smile had changed into a frown,
There was a short silence, but she decided to break it,
"Well I'm Heather by the way, see you around." She tried to shake my hand and forced a smile, I smiled in response just to ease the tension,
"Thank you again, f-for helping me picking up my thin-books rather," My voice was filled my embarrassment,
At this she just smiled and waved at me as we parted ways. The walk to the main desk to the hallway was a short one,luckily this time no ghost is loitering around it. I saw an old lady with a grumpy look in her face. Assuming she was the clerk I ask her,
"H-hi Ma'am, I'm looking for a person named Gerard- Gerard Haddock," I mentally slapped myself for stuttering but I was cut-off from my thoughts with a snap of a finger from the old lady, and then she wrote something,
'Oh dear, can you wait for a little longer?' her writing is not that good but still understandable, I wonder if she's a mute though.
"uhm o-okay" I gave her a nod and proceeds to sit at the bench near the counter, and decided to read while waiting,
After waiting for a while, the old lady shouts at me and tried to get my attention, at first it was futile but then someone shouts my name, "Henry!" this got my attention and tried to look for the source of the voice. Only to find the old lady waving at me and gesturing for me to come at her.
'Boy, you're visiting Gerard Haddock right?' I nods at her statement, 'Well you can join her on the way there,' she said as she points to me the person who will I be joining with,
"Hello! It's you again!" I almost forgot her scowl earlier because of that smile in her face,
"Well? Come on!"She reached for my sleeves and drags me to the elevator, on our way to it I tried to ask her why is she accompanying me to my father's room but she beats me to it,
"You're probably wondering why am I with you right now ei? I was getting my room assignments when I saw you sitting at the bench, so I ask old lady Gothi what you were up to and said-" She paused at her explanation when she saw me look at her like 'really she said something?'. At this she responded to me with another stare 'really?' After a short staring contest Heather breaks the silence,
"W-well okay….." She clear's her throat and continued "She "wrote" to me that you're visiting a patient….so I decided to accompany you there!" this time she let go of my sleeves and turn to push the button of the elevator,
"Uh….why?" She suddenly turns to see me and gives me a confused look,
"I-I mean why do you have to? I can go there on my own….." I said it as I enter the elevator putting my hand at the back of my head,
"Well you see, old lady Gothi doesn't know where your father's room that's why she ask for you to wait, and if you're asking if I know where is it… No, no I don't," Her statement at the end was filled with dry sarcasm,
"So anyway, the reason why lady Gothi didn't know is because your father was just transferred from ER to a private room, and I'm doing rounds there so I am with you right," While saying this she closed the door of the elevator and proceeds to push the 6th floor,
"So is he alright?" I ask her cautiously,
"Well yeah, just like what we've told you from the phone call she's out of danger." As the elevator opens she checked her notes as to where is my father's room,
"Hmmm, Gerard Haddock right?" I nod at her, "Okay room 615- let's go!" She drags me for the second time around.
It's a long walk from the elevator to my father's room. Along the way, she tries to have conversations with me to which I managed to answer, well most of them. On our way there, Heather decided to let go of me and starts to walk slower,
" (sighs) Good times huh—" I was suddenly surprised by the change of expression in her face,
"Pardon?" I blurted in response, only to realize a second later that it came out rude, "S-sorry," I said looking down, probably avoiding eye contact.
"Oh! Sorry I- i just remembered something…. Someone," every word she said was filled with sorrow,
"Someone? " Looking up to see the expression of her face, it's a mix of hurt and fear,
As she forced a smile, she tried to dismiss the subject . It got me worried but I don't want to pry into her personal life, so I decided not to pursue the subject,
"Any-way, how far?" I tried to walk ahead of her to show my fake impatience,
"O-oh right!" The expression on her face changed- again,
So truth be told it was not that far, really. After what felt like ages, we finally arrived at the room where my dad "is" resting. Heather knocked three times and entered first, I didn't followed her right away. As I was loitering outside the room for no reason I noticed a girl with a yellow blonde hair sitting in the far end of the hall. Her face was covered by her unruly hair so I didn't caught a glimpse of what she look like. But judging the way her shoulders move, she must be crying. I tried to come closer to her but Heather taps my shoulder to get my attention,
"Henry! Your Dad wants to see you he just woke up," It was more like of a murmur as she whispered it to me, nonetheless I understand what she said.
I gave her a slow nod and start's to walk towards the door but never missing the chance of stealing a last glance to that mysterious girl. But to my surprise she was gone! I was weirded out by it, and decided to resume walking. Heather had noticed my strange behavior and decided to ask me "what's wrong?" she didn't even tried to hide the worry in her voice. I just shrugged to it as a response.
"Henry! Son!" My father gestured for me to come sit near him,
"Dad! W-w-what happened? What did you do this time?!" I didn't come to him immediately, I was just standing there, staring at him, and the worry was evident in my face.
"Uh….. I think I forgot something in the front desk, so yeah be right back," Heather walks to door with lightning fast pace.
After Heather was gone I turn to face my father once again and blurted "Well?" but decided to apologize, after seeing his heartbroken reaction,
"I-I'm sorry for snapping at you like that Dad," I said it with stiffness in my voice.
"It's okay son, I know you didn't mean it, also it's my fault anyways hehe." He didn't even tried the guilt in his voice
"S-so what happened Dad? Are you okay now?" My father must've noticed the concern in my voice, for he smiled because of this.
"I'm okay son, the doctor said it himself! It's just a minor accident," He said it with certainty,
I crossed my arms and decided to give him another scolding but I was interrupted by the noise of an opening door, and hears a very familiar voice,
"Gerard! How's the vacation!? Must be nice, resting all day!" The voice with the Scottish accent belonged to Frank, Father's best friend and his right-hand man. Well we prefer to call him Gobber.
"It is indeed nice," He said as he rolled his eyes in frustration. Father's voice was low and coated with sarcasm, probably not enjoying this.
Which to Gobber's approval and responded to my dad with "Surely!"
"Hello, Uncle Gobber," I said as I nod to him,
"Oh Hiccup's 'ere too! Hello lad, work's piling up better to show up for work than never!" As I nod at his statement, I noticed another figure standing at the door.
"Uhm hello sir it is me again," It was Heather, she must've guide Uncle Gobber from the main desk. For she is now carrying a tray full of medicines,
"Oh! The nurse from earlier and—my medicines….." As my father said this, his face changed from that grumpy smile to a scowl and I can't help not to laugh at the scene in front of me.
I then heard a suppressed snicker from Gobber,
"HA! Gerard dubbed as "Stoick the vast" was afraid of taking his meds! Now, that's hilarious!" Teasing was evident in his voice,
"Now-now stop it Gobber, you're embarrassing me not only in front of Hiccup but also to the young lady over here," My father then laughed together with Gobber, while Heather and I was just standing there.
Hours have passed and we didn't notice it. After Heather finished checking my father's vitals and giving him his meds she decided to leave for her duties. After Heather left, I tried to ask Uncle Gobber what was the cause of the accident and Dad started to interject in our conversation, well at least at the end of it, I found out why all of this happened, father said that it was just a lame accident but I insist to know what is the accident, Uncle Gobber said that "it was just a slip- a very bad slip that needs resting". At his statement, I was satisfied so I didn't try to push it. It's already late in the afternoon when Uncle Gobber decides to head home. As he bid a farewell Uncle Gobber drags me byt the shoulder and said that I should keep an eye to my dad, as he stated that;
"That guy was as stubborn as a bull! So better to check if he is taking his meds properly!" He said it while nodding at himself, then he added
"Oh while you're at it, better to show up for work! Seriously-you two are keeping my life harder than it should be. Well! See you lad!" As he taps my head he began to walk his way to the elevator and probably his way home.
After Uncle Gobber left the room was suddenly engulfed with a deafening silence. After a few minutes dad was the first one to speak,
"Son! I'm really sorry about this, you've had to skip class just to visit me here," His voice was filled with shame and guilt.
"N-no dad it's okay really, I had Fishlegs to explain my situation so it's really fine," My words was coated with assurance so that dad would not feel about it,
"So about the slip is it really bad?" Fear in my voice was obvious,
"Hmmm, what can I say…..the doctor said that it's not that serious, just need a good rest, tis all!" Nodding to himself,
"I see! So how it happened—I-I mean you're not that clumsy…. so how!? " I playfully cross my arms
It is already nighttime when we finished talking and the room was once again submerge into the overwhelming silence and was only interrupted by the sound of an opening door to which surprised me,
"Oh hello there!" It's Heather, holding a tray of medicines,
"Oh Heather! It's already that late?" I gave her a puzzled look to which she replied sarcastically,
"No, no it is still "early" and this—this is just props" Making air quotes with her fingers,
"Well?" Dad intervenes in our conversation,
"Oh sorry sir, How rude of me not to introduce myself—I'm Heather." She held out her hand to shake my father's,
"Aye, tis my pleasure to meet you," As my father shake's her hand, I noticed that both of them are forcing a smile and Heather was avoiding eye contact, I thought that it was suspicious but decided to drop it.
"So— I'll just get some fresh air and let Heather here do what she was supposed to do… right?" After my statement I walk to the door, I don't know why I did that but my body moved on my own.
"So— later Dad," I stormed out the room and closed the door.
I tried to think of my actions, but it feels like there's something going on because of the heavy atmosphere inside. I leaned in to the door listen in their conversations but everything is muffled to which I didn't understand, so I decided to go somewhere quiet to read a book,
"Weird—well it must be nurse business, I'll just ask Dad later." As I start a slow-paced walk I felt uneasy, it's like I'm being watched. I quickened my pace until I was in front of the elevator. I looked into the directory of the building to find a place where I could read quietly. I was so busy reading into it, I didn't even realized that there was a person standing beside me. I was startled by this.
In my panic I bumped into that person "W-woah! S-sorry didn't see you," As I look up that person was actually a girl, the same blonde girl that I saw just a few minutes earlier sitting at the end of the hall. I tried to stand and dust myself and realize that the girl has disappeared…..once again,
I'm beginning to wonder if she's a ghost because of her magical disappearances, in the middle of my thoughts, I saw the word Library at the directory. In my glee I tried to find what floor was the library is, and decides to head there—because why not ei? It took me a few minutes to reach the library, it was not that spacious but it's better than nothing. Well I was surprised that there was a library at a hospital. As I enter the room I found that the room was practically empty, for I was the only person inside and decided to explore through the shelves but decided to settle for my own books.
Reading is probably my relaxation, because I did not realize that I was gone for far too long. And maybe Heather is already done with her duties. As I pack my things back in my bag and decided to head back I didn't noticed that pile of books around the corner and happens to stumble upon it. After falling at the ground my heads feel so oozy, also my vision was kind of blurred so I closed my eyed for a whole minute. Though I was surprised of what I saw next after opening my eyes.
It was a face; of a girl, that very same face of that blonde girl, the one sitting by the hall. Though this time it clearly, her blonde unruly hair, and those cerulean blue eyes. She was smiling and probably saying something that I could not make of,
"Hey—are you alright?" Her voice was too beautiful and at the same time filled with worry,
"Y-yeah," I managed to give a weak response before everything went black.
~To Be Continued~
A/N:
Hello guys! ProcrastinatorSleepyhead here again, you see the inspiration for this story was just a random idea from my head, it came out from nowhere. And for the update I already have the rough draft for chapter 2 and will post it as soon as possible. But as you can see my username is ProcrastinatorSleepyhead, but it will depend on my how you guys really want it. And did I already tell you that this is my first story and probably hope that most of you—well that's wishful thinking will give me a feedback whether it's positive or negative! Till next time people :D
A/N:
Yo guys~ It's I ProcrastinatorSleepyhead, this note is for those people that have red this chapter already, I did some changes from it though I didn't bother removing the original Author's Notes for those new readers...Well I will also put a note at chapter 5 so you can complain to me if I did the change well or if I should've left it alone—so well till next time :D