Ticking That Awaits You Dear Hiccup

So you know how everybody is always checking on their little annoying, plastic clocks on their wrists? How so many were excited when their time came and they counted down until their time was up? When those who reached to zero, they meet their soul mates. Hiccup was one of those people who counted down and was distracted by the numbers. But he grew up and stopped caring for it. It was around the third grade when he noticed that all he did was fiddle and stared at those numbers on his wrist during class, which caused him to get low grades. He didn't want that anymore. That was being like more that half of his class. He doesn't want to be like everyone else, fail and repeat a grade. No.

But that wasn't the only reason he stopped himself from being distracted every day in class. He wanted to make his father proud to where he would be noticed by the almighty Stoic! His father was very well known to the large, but peaceful town. Because of this, Stoic would barely even say a word to his son, or be seen around him due to his weight, and maybe it has something to do with his looks. Hiccup was, in comparison, a pencil to a high school textbook. He was an embarrassment, and Hiccup knew this. Sure he was still so young to think this down on himself and having these thoughts, but really, who would want to be with him? What if the clock was just false hope? It wouldn't work out? The person that is supposedly his soul mate, would take one look at him and leave?

Let's look at the facts shall we? It was after school that Hiccup did most of his thinking, walking into the forest they had that no one was brave enough to go in to because of all the false rumours fifth graders would spread around and the teachers would tell all the students that is was off limits whether they are in or out of school. Hiccup had a lot of free time and wanted to be alone, so, every day after school, he would be one of the last kids to exit school grounds and would sneak of into the forest and do what ever. Mostly homework, drawing, and thinking. Today was the day to think, looking up at the sky that littered with clouds and let his mind wandered.

So, no one will ever pick Hiccup during any physical education activities, but would be happy to have him on class projects. Just as long as he doesn't talk to them about anything but the project and he does most of the work. Art class was the time to socialize! But that was what everyone thought. Everyone but Hiccup. Hiccup loved that class and would prefer to be left alone then, which actually wasn't a problem and wasn't like he had any choice. Music was just another lonely class for him that he didn't exactly enjoy, but the other class he enjoyed was library day. It's a real shame that they are only allowed to check out two books at a time.

That is of course until Hiccup straightens himself up. That day after he walked home, he went straight for his father's toolbox. Hiccup knew he wasn't allowed in Stoic's toolbox with out permission, but Hiccup was eager to start, and his father wasn't home anyways. Not until dinner where he would come home exhausted from work with take-out of some kind. Yeah he appreciates the thought, but although Hiccup was young, he knew that fast food is unhealthy for you. So, what he would do is leave it for Stoic (he was a very picky eater as well), throw it away, or if it were something he liked (which isn't too often), he would eat it.

Upon opening the lid of the toolbox, Hiccup found what he was looking for. Duct tape. Getting a pair of scissors, he wrapped the duct tape around his wrist once. Enough to cover the whole plastic distraction and made it hard for him to take the tape off. For now on, he would have his count down cover. No more distractions, no more bad grades, and no more false hope.

A month later, and Hiccup has made a huge improvement in all of his subjects. Even the subjects that he hated, he found that once he was truly listening and taking down notes, doing his homework, and getting higher scores on every tests, he is finding those subjects, and school more enjoyable.

After class, he would stick around and ask for some tutoring. After that one month, the teacher wouldn't have it anymore. She would say to him: "Hiccup, you really don't need any more tutoring." She would crouch down and grab him gently by the shoulders and say: "I am proud of you." And chuckle "Maybe you could start tutoring me." Hiccup smiled, bigger than ever before.

Everyday during recess was library time for Hiccup. The first day was just so he could return his books (which he checked out the day prior) and ask for some more. He was thinking about taking them out with him to recess, but he feared that one of the kids would start calling him a nerd, so he begged the librarians to let him read inside. Seeing as how he enjoyed reading and expanding his thirst for imagination and knowledge, they couldn't say no.

So that's how it was through out Hiccup Haddocks elementary years. Though by the next half of the next month, he had straight A's from here on out.

During Hiccup's fourth year, still having his count down clock ducted tape (he was allowed to have his own roll of it), and of course by now, he has lost track of the count down.

Hiccup's grade never went below a ninety-eight percent. Those were very rare too for the boy. One day, his fourth grade teacher went up to him and asked how he would feel to try out a fifth grade class. Of course Hiccup said yes, and a couple of weeks later, Hiccup was permanently in the fifth grade, skipping his fourth. Now Hiccup's average was still in the nineties, but not quite at a hundred anymore. This was more fun.

And his average stayed like that through middle school and high school. In Hiccup's freshman year, he took some higher classes. Two of them were sophomore (tenth grade) classes, and one of them was a junior (eleventh grade) class. The other two were electives and the last two were freshman classes.

It wasn't similar to his elementary schooling where he would go to the school library during lunches (recess during that time), but elementary libraries were always open. His high school however, had so many days that were closed. So he would be forced to sit in the school quad on the stairs where no one would bother him too much and read. Every day though whenever he was forced on the stairs, he would hear some person playing guitar. The kid wasn't directly below Hiccup, but at a distance in front of him. Often times, Hiccup would just stop reading his book and watch this white haired student place his acoustic guitar.

From afar, Hiccup would watch, and though there were others who would watch this guy play his [beautiful] music, the white haired male would sometimes catch Hiccup staring at him. It's only happened once, but he and Hiccup had what Hiccup thought was almost a staring contest. The guy would not stop playing the instrument nor would he stop singing when he stared right back at Hiccup. It was only when the bell rang that Hiccup was aware that this guy caught him staring. Hiccup gasped, immediately turning away, before taking one last look at this guitar player. He smiled, still staring up at him. He gave him a nod, to which Hiccup just quickly turned away and left, jogging away from the quad and into his class.

Since that day, that was the only interaction the two have ever had, and Hiccup was both relieved and sad about it. Never again did he sit on those stairs. He was either in the library, or in the classroom where his teacher would let him stay during lunch. Everyday, Hiccup would cringe at the embarrassing act and sigh. The day that that had happened though, Hiccup found a guitar pick on the ground while walking home. Sure it could be anyone's, but it would just always remind him of the white haired fellow with that great smile. That smile was possibly the first genuine smile he's received from someone that wasn't a teacher or staff of a school.

Sadly, during the last week of school, the library was closed and the teacher he stayed with during lunch was either out, or busy. So with no other choice, Hiccup took his old spot on the stairs. Nothing hasn't changed. His spots still here with no one around, the white haired boy was still where he usually is and that didn't seem to change. Except the fact that there was probably three times as many people as there was before since the day he last saw him.

Just as Hiccup was pulling out his book (not before taking a quick glance at that boy from afar and seeing how he hasn't noticed Hiccup and probably has already forgotten about him), the white haired boy catches Hiccup in the corner of his eyes and pointed somewhere that was close to the smaller boy on the stairs. He and his followers migrated to a spot, where the guitar player sat on the brick was which was (oh gods) closer to Hiccup.

To some of those who actually listened to the guitarist talk, he had announced that he is going to sing a new song. Something he's written a little while ago called Where've You Gone? Surprisingly, half the people in the quad went silent to hear this new song. Including Hiccup, who hid half of his face behind a book.

This song was beautiful. Not only because of this guy's voice or the lovely sound of the guitar, but the lyrics were interesting. Hiccup wasn't able to hear all of the lyrics, but some of the words he did hear and that stood out was… Maybe it was a love song? But he didn't speak of any girl, a name, nor did he speak of love. He did hear the words: Book, imagination, off afar, catching your gaze, and the obvious one: where've you gone to, where did you go?

Hiccup didn't realized until the song was over, that the whole quad was silent and listening to the guitarist's song. And what an amazing song it was, that Hiccup joined in with the applause. The song was done in just in time as the bell rang. After a short applause from the audience, and himself, Hiccup rushed to his next class, missing the gaze the mysterious white male sent to him. He sighed.

Through out the rest of the week, Hiccup had that melody stuck in his head. He hummed it whenever he had the chance to. Friday was the last day, and he wouldn't see a few of his favourite teachers again. One of them being his art teacher, he stayed after class to help him clean up his classroom and pack everything up. While his teacher was out, Hiccup hummed the song that was played. He had no idea what the lyrics were, but he did remember the melody. He was so drawn into it and his hands moved on its own while taking down posters, that he didn't noticed Aster (He was allowed to call that teacher by his first name, unlike every one else who are only to call him Mr. Mund) was behind Hiccup, mumbling the lyrics.

It took a second for Hiccup to notice this, which caused him to jump, and almost falling off the counter he was standing on to reach the high places. Hiccup's cheeks were red, which made Aster grin.

"That song stuck in your 'ead too, eh?" Aster asked, crossing his arms. He actually had his desk all clear and his things packed in a box he would take home with him. He looked ready to leave. It made Hiccup sad to be honest. He really loved his art teacher and it seems like Aster took a liking to Hiccup as well, that they would sometimes have art contests between each other and art trades. It was the best part of his school year. Actually, Aster was more of a father figure than Stoic was. He was definitely going to miss Aster.

"Yeah. It's a catchy song." They both chuckled. Hiccup hopped down the counter, gathering the last of the posters he took down from the walls and placed them into the box, which he stored in the closet. Hiccup took out the keys Aster has trusted him with to have and locked the door.

"It's too catchy if you ask me." Aster chuckled again. "Jack plays it all the time at 'ome, and it's driving me nuts." Hiccup was going to place the keys back in his pocket, but he remembered that he no longer needs them. He should give them back to the teacher so neither of them would get it trouble. (Which actually Hiccup think he wasn't capable of).

"Jack?" Wait. Hiccup was connecting the dots now. Aster knew the lyrics that the guitarist played and if Jack was really was his name, it actually suited him.

"Yeah. He's that, bloody show pony with the guitar." Hiccup actually laughed at that. What was his relationship with the white haired boy whose name is possibly Jack.

They were finally heading out the classroom. After Aster had locked the classroom door, he gave the keys to Hiccup. The student gave him a questioning look, receiving nothing but a nod. Hiccup smiled and grasped the keys in his hand before placing them into his pocket. Aster had added a rabbit's foot to it, which Hiccup would keep with him and as lame as it sounds, he will treasure it.

"Yeah." He continued the conversation. "I see him around sometimes."

The two were talking until they reached Aster's vehicle. He asked if Hiccup needed a ride home (which he does ever now and then when Hiccup would stay long after school ends.), but as much as he would like to spend more time as possible with Aster, Hiccup had to decline that offer. They said their goodbyes, and Hiccup actually had the nerves to hug his father figure, which took Aster by a really big surprise, but returned it as well. It was the first hug he's ever received since elementary. It was so nice, though it was a short hug.

Hiccup was running clear across the school, hoping to catch his algebra teacher. The one he had for his junior high teacher. Math was his strongest subject, aside from arts. He was lucky that no one else was at school anymore besides some of the teachers and stuff. He was also lucky that his teacher Mr. Black decided to stick around. The usual frown he had on his face disappeared when Hiccup ran through the open door.

"Ah Hiccup, so glad to see you one last time." Hiccup nodded, having his hands on his knees, huffing and puffing air.

"Of course sir." Hiccup answered, straightening his back. He then reached into his bag, seconds later, Hiccup pulled out a 11x14 painting canvas. "And here is the painting I promised you. I hope it pleases you, sir."

Hiccup received a small 'Ah' of awe from his teacher. Mr. Black took the painting gently, as it any pressure would destroy it. He loved it, and as promise, Hiccup was given a bag of books from him. He didn't know what it was with him and teachers, but they were his only friends.

After an awkward hug from Pitch (it's what he liked to be called from Hiccup instead of 'sir' or 'Mr. Black', but Hiccup still didn't most of the time), they said their goodbyes and Hiccup ran out. Not noticing the third party in the room.

It was not too long until Hiccup found his usual spot in the forest where he would sit in silence and read until he needed to be home. The moment Hiccup was engulfed into the new horror/thriller book he's received from Pitch, he got into his relaxing state where he laid awkwardly on the ground on a blanket he kept in the tree, and started to pick at his duct tape unintentionally.

"So is this where you disappear to everyday?" Someone asked, which caused Hiccup to actually jump and scream. Nothing angered him more than losing a spot in his book and being interrupted on a good part. Thing is though, it was both.

Before his mind could forget where he last was in his book, Hiccup started flipping through the pages, hoping nothing would be spoiled for him if he accidentally reads ahead. But he stopped, not feeling the very small, quiet vibration on his wrist until now. Only very few people were lucky enough to have this feature in their clocks, and apparently Hiccup was one of them.

Was this it? Was it over? Is this some weird, new sensation in a pulse or something, or was that actually his clock making a small vibration?

"Um?" The voice Hiccup had forgotten about said. "Are you alright."

Hiccup said nothing, still frozen in his spot. His green eyes shot down at his taped up clock, seeing that some of it was peeling off. It revealed the "000 month-" part of his clock. It couldn't be.

Slowly, Hiccup began to turn around to meet the eyes of the [awfully beautiful] guitar player. Finally up close, and Hiccup never noticed how incredibly handsome this guy was.

Hiccup's cheeks began to warm up. He didn't know what to do. He was going to make a fool of himself. More than he already has. He didn't dare peel off the rest of the tape. The boy in front of him waved right at his face slowly, trying to grab his attention, finally making Hiccup break out of his shock.

'Oh gods, he's actually right in front of me! He has his guitar and everything! What do I even do!?' Nervous, he started to busy his fingers again, by picking at his tape.

"Hey," Hiccup jerked his head up. His heart was pounding so hard in his chest, that he was pretty sure that the boy could hear it. Hiccup's eyes took a quick glance down at his clock again, after removing a bit more from it, which only revealed two more zeros. He glanced back up at the white haired male. "I asked you a question." The boy started to look a little annoying.

Oh no Hiccup. Say something! "O-oh yeah. I-I'm fine." That couldn't have gone worse, with the voice crack and the stuttering.

Wait… Aster told him his name. "Good." The boy smiled nervously now. His cheeks were beginning to look slightly red as he began to rub the back of his head. "So um," Jack! That's his name! Hiccup was close to blurting it out, but as if this wasn't awkward enough.

"Yeah, J-" He almost said it, but he stopped himself when Jack had spoken up, raising hit wrist, the one with his clock on it, up to Hiccup. Jack revealed his clock. The one that had hit all zero. Hiccup eyes widen a fraction as he stared at Jack's clock, then slowly turned his own wrist to himself. He had picked of the rest of the tape. His too was at zero.

"I-I think we need to talk about this."

I put it as complete because I don't know whether I wanna continue this or not. If someone wants me to, then maaayyybe.