Hey guys, I'm Zo-chan! And this is my first Hiccstrid story, so please don't hate if it totally sucks.

Anyway this story is a Modern AU so sadly there won't be any epic dragons in the story :'(

But have no fear for I will do my best to embed our scaly friends in here somewhere

Just so you know the main characters in this story are around 17-18 so their appearances will be based on the beginning of 'Dawn of the dragon racers'.

Anyway on with the story!

DESCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HICCUP, ASTRID OR ANYONE ELSE IN HTTYD.

She will be loved

Covering up

Everyone knows Astrid Hofferson. Everyone knows that she's the girl with the golden blonde hair pulled into a neat braid, and sky blue eyes that every guy couldn't help but get lost in. Everyone knows that she's one of the smartest people in her class, with a straight A record. Everyone knows that she's the best singer in the school with the voice of an angel. Everyone knows that she's a master with an axe and has a temper that reminds you not to get on her bad side otherwise you'll see first-hand how skilfully she can use it. Everyone knows that Astrid's life is perfect. But, nobody knows that she has to work two part time jobs after school. Nobody knows that she has to live in a rundown old apartment owned by a cruel landlord who often forces harasses her. Nobody knows that her mother died and shortly after her father committed suicide. Nobody knows the pain that Astrid is forced to hide; that is not until she discovers an unlikely friend within the last person she would have suspected

(=^.^=)

Astrid pushed through the countless people who littered the corridors of Berk High school, as she attempted to reach her locker. A small group of teens crowded at her locker. Astrid franticly fumbled with the stray bangs that escaped her braid, failing to cover the large bruise that tainted Astrid's pale face. Satisfied that the harsh mark was well hidden, and her blue jean jacket covered the small scars on her arms she made her way through the last of the crowd to the lockers.

"Hey, here she is." An annoying boy with long greasy hair called, the small group turned around, rushing over to the last member of their group. A girl with a similar hair style to the boy clung to Astrid, forcing a crumbled piece of paper into her face.

"Look Astrid, their holding a huge singing competition here at the school." The over excited girl exclaimed. Astrid glanced at the flyer in her hands; slightly amused at her friend's enthusiasm, however amore confused as to why a singing competition was being held at Berk High.

"Why would anyone want to have singing competition here Ruffnut?" Astrid asked, knowing that Berk had a rather bad reputation for being a school for delinquents and kids with poor families, and couldn't understand why anything big would ever happen there.

"Apparently some talent scouts been snooping around all the schools in the area to try and find the next big star, and me and Tuffnut are gonna be those stars!" Ruffnut explained, before giving her twin brother Tuffnut a high five. Astrid smiled weakly as a shot of pain coursed through her head.

"Yea we are totally gonna win this thing!" Tuffnut also exclaimed, joining in with his sister's excitement. The large teen next to them covering his ears, as the two siblings 'practiced' their song possibilities.

"Something tells me if they sign up nobody will turn up for this event." Fishlegs replied, Astrid and Snotlout nodded in agreement.

The small group continued in their conversation. The twins continued to go on about how they would win the competition. Snotlout kept pestering Astrid on how she could beat any of the contestants easily. Fishlegs silently continued reading a small book on bulldogs and their obsession with dirt. Astrid sighed quietly, thankful that no one had noticed the pain she was hiding from the bruise on her cheek through her forced smile.

"What a minuet, what's this?" Snotlout questioned. Astrid froze, panicking that the thick-headed teen had noticed her swollen purple skin. Her heart raced, as she prayed that the school bell would ring and save her from the hell she was about to go through.
"Well, if it isn't little Wusscup." Snotlout snickered, nudging Tuffnut's arm in the thin boy's direction. Astrid breathed a breath relief and frustration that her sudden panic attack had been caused by the awkward dork who sat next to her in class.

Hiccup Horrendous Haddock iii was as awkward as you could get. He was the smartest student in all his classes, but was also the scrawniest. Most of the students at Berk High were all delinquents and had weren't afraid to show it. Every student was either build like a house or where covered in tattoos and scars. Hiccup on the other hand was a small teen for his age, standing at only a few inches taller than me at 5'9. He had little to no muscles to his name and had no tattoos but he did have a small scar on his chin. His auburn hair was always scruffy but at the same time rather neat as it slightly covered his eyes.

He wore a black T-shirt with a red skull on the front. Over his shirt was his usual red jacket with a small note book in the pocket, he only ever removed the jacket for sports, not that it helped. In a world of delinquents Hiccup wasn't just the scrawniest but also the weakest, with running being the only sport he was good at, which was also a good thing with the amount of people who would always pick on him. However, apart from being weak and a dork who does nothing but draw in class, nobody really knew anything about him. Not where he lived or who his family where.

This didn't seem to bother the Haddock as he trudged past us to open his locker just a few doors from mine.

"I can't believe how unlucky you're Astrid, not only do you have to have a locker near this dork but you also have to sit next to him." Snotlout laughed, patting my back with fake sympathy. I glared the scrawny boy. He had been staring at me since he arrived and it was pissing me off. However my anger quickly vanished when I saw the look in his eyes. Concern. Hiccup was concerned about me, but why? Then I noticed his eyes dart towards my swollen cheek, the concern growing deeper within his eyes. He swiftly pulled something from his locker before closing it.

Apron hearing the bell ring he dodged through our group, before bumping into my shoulder, dropping whatever he was holding into my hand.

"Hey, watch where the hell you're going Dorkcup!" I snapped at him, but the concern never left his face as he continued to class. The other followed laughing at Hiccup as he walked away. The twins commented on how I should disinfect my arm, while Snotlout swore he would kill Hiccup for touching me. I remained where I was, telling the others I needed to get something from my locker. They shrugged it off before heading to class. I just stood there looking at my hand, curious as to what the dork had given me.

(=^.^=)

I nervously walked into class five minutes late, thankfully the teacher hadn't arrived yet. I made my way to my seat, with Hiccup already in his, scribbling in his note book. I slumped into my chair, leaned over to him and dragged him closer by his ear.

"Ouch, hey what gives?" He demanded silently as the teacher walked into the room. I quietly slammed the foreign object onto the table, trying not to alert the teacher.

"Why did you give an ice pack?" I asked, pulling his head closer to the reusable ice pack. He grunted softly from the pain I was inflicting on him. I rolled my eyes before letting him go, I watched him soothe his now red ear, my eyes never leaving his as they demanded an answer. He sighed, placing his note book back into his pocket before facing me fully.

"I thought you could use it for the bruise on your cheek, it'll become more noticeable otherwise." He replied, looking away shyly, his eyes still showing traces of concern and worry. I couldn't help the shock that over took me. 'Why is he so concerned about me?'

"Why would my problems concern you?" I spat, anger and confusion clouding my mind. He turned away again, almost embarrassed. 'Wait, is he blushing!?' What is wrong with this guy, every day I call him names and make fun of him, why is he so concerned about me?

"I just know what it's like to try and cover up…" He paused gulping slowly. I almost didn't notice his balled fists and how white they had gone from the pressure. "…those kind of injuries." He finished hesitantly before turning back to the teacher and focused on the lesson. He never spoke a word for the rest of the day.