Living The Dream
Rated; M
Pairing; Hiccup X Astrid
Disclaimer; I do not own anything from HTTYD; it belongs to Dreamworks/Cressida Cowell
~*Author's Note: This story is inspired by Shadow In Dark Skies's Hidden Secrets. I do have her permission to write my story in the inspiration of hers. Thanks. Enjoy! -Nightstar.*~
On My Way
=Astrid's POV=
(Friday, March 16, 2018-12:40 pm)
{Isle of Berk; Hooligan High School}
Another day at Hooligan High School on the island of Berk in the Barbaric Archipelago. I lazily sat at my desk in Study Hall, working on my Language Arts homework since I already did Science. I would do History afterward. I wasn't feeling it today, doing my work that is. Lunch hour was not fun, and I think I might have lost one of my best friends because of an argument we had. Sighing, I put my things away, then laid my head down on my arms, and closed them.
Ding. Ding. Dong.
"Excuse me? Can we have Astrid Hofferson to the main office, please?" was announced over the classroom PA system. I lifted my head up and muttered.
"She'll be right there," the Study Hall teacher stated as I collected my things into my backpack, then I got up and left the room. I had no idea why I was being called down, but hey; I go where I'm told.
. . .
{Central Office}
Reaching the main office a few minutes later; I walked in and approached the reception desk. The woman peered through her half-circle spectacles at me.
"I was called down?" Astrid said.
"Headmaster Hagebak would like to see you, Astrid," the woman stated, motioning for me to go into the office behind me labeled; Headmaster Davin Hagebak. I nodded, taking a breath and turning to go to the door. I knocked twice.
"Come in," Mr. Hagebak's voice came through. I opened the door and walked in, closing it behind me.
"You wanted to see me, Mr. Hagebak?" I stated gently. The man smiled, folding his hands on his desk after motioning for me to take a seat across from him. I sat down, placing my backpack on the floor by the chair.
"I'm sorry to pull you from class, Miss. Hoffer-," the man started.
"Oh! Just Astrid is fine, sir. And don't worry; I was only in Study Hall," I waved my hands quickly so he wouldn't have to feel bad.
"Very well then, Astrid. I'm sure you're wondering why I have in here with me. As you know; you're one of our top students, with an extensive knowledge of dragons," Davin started.
"I love them, Mr. Hagebak. Especially my Stormfly," I informed smiling. Stormfly is my dragon; she's a Deadly Nadder, a dragon from the Tracker Class. Stormfly has yellow eyes and a white underside, but the rest of her is blue, yellow, with a little red at the tips of her wings. I've had Stormfly since I was fifteen; that's when we became best friends. "As soon as I graduate, Stormfly and I want to get out and see what lies beyond Berk,"
Davin laughed a little, nodding. "Yes, I know. Tell me, what would you say if I had an offer that would allow you to do that now?" he questioned. My eyes widened a little. Stormfly and I getting out of Berk to see the world now? It would be incredible, life-changing even!
"I-I would say that you have my attention, Mr. Hagebak," I urged him to continue.
"Wonderful. Have you ever heard of Dreki Heart?" Davin inquired. My lips curved to an excited smile.
"They are only one of the world's leading research, rescue, and protection programs!" I exclaimed quickly.
"That's correct. And they've been reaching out to schools across the Archipelago for interns to come in, travel, and work with them. Only students with the best scores for their dragon training are being accepted. You, Miss. Hofferson, are being offered a position with Dreki Heart," Davin said.
I couldn't believe it. Me, traveling with Dreki Heart!? It was an absolute honor, and I might never get this chance again. "M-Me?"
"Yes, you," Davin said with a nod. "You are one of the students being offered; I believe the others are from Murderous Mountains, Bog-Burglar Islands, Shivering Shores, Lava-Lout Island, and Meathead Islands. All interns will travel from their home island by dragon to Archia Airport, then catch another flight to the Kingdom of Denmark. If I'm not mistake the operating base for Dreki Heart is in Copenhagen," Davin added.
"Wow, a-and this is all after high school?" I asked.
"Oh, no. All of you are required to be at Archia and checked in at the gate for departure by 2:30 pm, so Miss. Hofferson; if you are accepting, then you best clean your locker and be on your way home to pack," Davin stated calmly. My eyes widened a little. That was a little under two hours away, and I wouldn't have to tell my parents. However, thinking on it…Maybe I shouldn't say anything to them? My folks were protective over me; I tried talking leaving Berk at the start of the year, and my parents wigged on me about staying home where it was safe.
"What about school?" I wondered.
"You have top marks, Astrid, and more than enough credits from all the extra classes you took the last three years being here. As far as I'm concerned; you have met all graduation requirements," Davin mentioned.
"So if I were to take this; then I'm considered a High School graduate?" I stared at him.
"That's right," Davin nodded. I weighed my options carefully. On one side; I could leave and technically finish High School, follow my desire to travel. On the other, my parents would be furious and worry, and never let me go. However, if I said yes, and went without telling them…I'd get to see the world with Stormfly, and be part of Dreki Heart Protection and Research. Why am I worried about my parents stopping me? I'm eighteen; I didn't need their permission to leave.
"Count me in," I smiled.
"Excellent. Now, this folder includes all the information about the program, your trip, and the ticket for the flight from Archia to Copenhagen," Davin stated, pulling a folder out and handing it to me.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Hagebak," I shook his hand.
"Don't thank me. You did this. Now, off with you. Spread your wings and fly, Astrid," Davin stated. I nodded and grabbed my bag, then quickly hurried out of the office. I didn't have much time at all to get home, pack up, then get Archia Isle. Reaching the stables, I saddled Stormfly and jumped on her back.
"Come on, girl; we gotta pack and jet to the main island," I said. Stormfly squawked as she took to the sky, heading for home, which wasn't more than ten minutes away.
. . .
(1 pm)
{Hofferson Residence}
I landed Stormfly in the backyard and got her some water and fish along with three chicken legs. I went into my house through the back door, then rushed into the basement to pull out my large suitcase, and the carry on. My family and I usually take one trip every summer for a week, but we never left Berk, so it was pointless anyway. I guess they'd come in handy now that I am getting away. I carried both bags upstairs and checked the time. It was about 1:10 pm; I had an hour and twenty minutes to pack and get to Archia Airport to check in at my gate for the trip to Copenhagen, Denmark. I couldn't wait to leave and meet the others who were chosen for Dreki Heart. At the same time; I feel incredibly guilty because of earlier at school. A good friend of mine and I got into a huge fight about the subject of getting out of Berk and seeing the world.
My name is Astrid Hofferson, and I'm eighteen-years-old as of two weeks ago; March 2nd. My parents are Calder and Alvina Hofferson, super protective over me. We live in a one-level, two-bedroom, one-bathroom home. My Uncle Finn passed away when I was about five, and I don't have any other family. I have a small group of friends; Snotlout Jorgenson, Fishlegs Ingerman, Ruffnut and Tuffnut Thorston. Finally, there is Hiccup Haddock. I've known them all since like Kindergarten. All of them have dragons, except for Hiccup, who I got into a massive fight with at lunch today because he wanted to leave Berk, and see the world like me. However; his parents are super overprotective of him. Hiccup was telling our friends about him taking off after High School, and we all, including me, harped on him about him never being allowed. We said he should just stay put and forget it. This ended with Hiccup storming off, and I haven't seen him since lunch, and with all this going on; I didn't know when I'd see him again.
I started grabbing pants, shirts, sweaters, socks, bras, underwear, even two extra pairs of shoes, then shoving them neatly, but quickly into the larger suitcase. I grabbed my bathroom items, then scoped through my room to grab anything valuable that I didn't want to leave behind. I put all that in the carry on with electronics which was my iPod, tablet, and headphones. I stopped when about to stuff my phone into my pocket; I shut it off and left it on my bed. I couldn't take it; my parents would track me because I knew they put one on there. I double checked my room, then nodded my head in approval.
This is it. No turning back. I said while holding the information packet with all the things I needed for Dreki Heart before heading outside and meeting Stormfly in the backyard. "You ready to hit the skies, girl?" I rubbed the sides of her face. Stormfly squawked, then I loaded my stuff onto her back, securing it. I checked the time on my iPod; 1:53 pm. I had about thirty-seven minutes, and it wouldn't take long to arrive with Stormfly. "Let's go!" Stormfly launched into the sky, and we were headed for the main island, which was a twelve-minute flight.
. . .
(2:20 pm)
{Archia Airport; Gate 28-A}
Upon arriving, I checked in my bags and got Stormfly situated for transportation to Denmark. The crew knew where to send her because I had my ticket for the Dreki Heart flight. I was told to go to 28-A, and the plane would be leaving at 2:45 pm. I had my carry-on backpack over one shoulder, and my ticket for the trip in the folder of information in my hand. I sat down in the chair after checking the board that said; Archia Isle, BA(AIA) to Copenhagen, DN(CPH)-Departure, 2:45 PM-On Time. I sighed in relief, so in twenty-five minutes; I would board the aircraft with whoever else was selected. I knew we were supposed to meet here, so I assume they should be along soon. I couldn't wait for this; I'm on my way to the next adventure in life.