Hiccup way incredibly lucky. Or unlucky. It depended on how you looked at life.

His teacher decided to, once again, torture them with secret Santa, as if Hiccup didn't have enough of problems on his plate already. Between school, his parents, his cat and his missing leg, he really didn't have the time to think about what some random classmate wanted for Christmas.

When the 'top hat of destiny', as his teacher called it, reached his desk, he put his hand in and wished for Fishlegs. At least he had any idea what the guy could want.

He passed the hat to Ruffnut, who instead of showing any sign of acknowledgment, continued to stare at Eret.

Hiccup took a deep breath and opened the folded-up paper.

Astrid Hofferson

"I can't believe it! I got Astrid, do you understand. My Astrid. The one I've crushed on for the last ten years!"

Toothless raised his head, his yellow eyes narrowing.

"Oh, don't you give me that look. You and I both know this is probably my last chance to impress her before we graduate. I seriously doubt that we'll stay in touch if I don't give her something special, unique, that shows that I really know her and care about her."

The cat rolled his eyes and went back to sleeping.

"Don't you dare ignore me in my time of need, you ungrateful, stinking feline! What am I supposed to give her?"

So Hiccup spent the next two weeks trying to come up with a good enough gift, but to no avail. In the end, he bought a gift card a day before.

"A gift card" He whined to Toothless when they were laying in his bed. "I screwed up my only chance of getting closer to her."

Toothless cocked his head to the side, giving him a look that seemed to say 'as if you had any at all'.

"Thanks, Toothless, I really appreciate your support."

He put his gift next to the countless other bags and it seemed as if the cheery christmasy creatures on them mocked him. He took his seat, while the overly enthusiastic teacher started to give out the bags.

"Astrid, come here, this one's for you" She practically threw the gift at her, laughing. "Oh, Hayden, a nice gift for you."

Hiccup took it from the teacher and opened the package. He practically choked on his spit.

Inside was only the most perfect secret Santa gift of all.

Giants, Monsters and Dragons: An Encyclopedia.

He opened the book and right there, two words, mocking him.

From Astrid.

Hiccup groaned and hid his face in the book, while all of his hopes and dreams crashed into million pieces.

"That bad?"

He raised his head, a deep red staining his cheeks.

"No, no, it's quite perfect" He cleared his throat. "Sorry for the lousy gift card."

Astrid looked down at the card, a small smile on her face.

"Nah, it's good. I like Barnes & Noble."

Hiccup would have never thought that giving the girl of his dreams a gift card would get them talking. Or, that just a month later, she'd agree to go out on a date with him. Toothless still didn't believe it.