Senior Year

Author: Nightstar Fury

Rated: M

Disclaimer: I do not own HTTYD, Frozen, Brave, or Tangled. As well, I don't own ANY of the storylines in which I got the idea for this story. So...A Cinderella Story, and a few more I can't think of at the moment. But know that I don't own them. Also the characters Jack and Karter Essemer are VERY good friends of mine in RL and I wanted them in the story. Yes I had their permission first. You don't like it, don't read it. Kay? Thanks. Enjoy! :)

Settling In.

Friday had come at last, everyone was at the school on time. Astrid was dropped off with her brother by her mom, who left quickly afterwards. It was going to be a long day and she was exhausted having stayed up late to talk to FuryRider again, they didn't go to bed until 3am at least. Astrid looked around holding hers and Gustav's bags over her shoulder while searching for her bus. "Ah, there it is...Come on buddy. I know you're tired still, you can sleep on the bus." Astrid said softly to him.

"Why so early sis...?" Gustav complained.

"Oh stop...How about I carry you?" Astrid offered to him, he nodded as she crouched down and picked him up with her free arm walking to the bus for cabins 1 and 2.

"Ah, morning Astrid. Little guy still tired huh? Well go on an get on. Leave your bags down here so we can load them after students check in. You two are set so get on." Alvin told her checking their names off. Astrid carefully put their bags down and climbed on the bus picking a spot in the back and sitting down. Her brother laid down, his head in her lap. Astrid pulled out her headphones and put them in her ears turning on her music.

When 7:30 came, everyone was loaded on the bus and Alvin walked on as the driver shut the doors. "Alright, now because it is so early. I'm going to ask that the first 2 hours we keep it to a dull roar, I know there is one little boy in the back still fast asleep." Alvin said looking at Astrid.

"He's fine sir, my brother could sleep through a hurricane if he wanted too." Astrid chuckled a bit.

"Very well then. Alright one last roll call and we can be on our way. Cabin 1. Hiccup, Snotlout, Dagur, Viggo, Gustav, Tuffnut, and Fishlegs?" Alvin asked. All replied with a here. "Cabin 2. Astrid, Heather, Stilsta, Thora, Ruffnut, Rapunzel, and Merida?" Alvin looked around. Another round of here as he looked at the bus driver and nodded. With that the bus began rolling out of the school parking lot, the bus carrying Cabins 3 and 4 following right behind.

For the first 2-3 hours of the bus ride everyone was still half asleep, but coming around 10am people were awake and talking amongst themselves. Astrid still had her headphones in and Gustav was still asleep, no shocker to Astrid there. Her mind was on other things, like her dad. He'd been a soldier in the army for years, always working, and been on many tours of duty from a year to two. But about a year ago, he had been suffering from a lot of PTSD and killed himself. It was hard on Astrid's mother, brother, and herself. And go figure the song that would play would be one that talked about soldiers.

Astrid turned it up a little, not realizing she'd started singing. "You missed my first step, my first word was Dad. This house is filled with pictures of someone I never had. I know I know your voice. I think I know your smile. Mommy says your clothes haven't smelled like your clothes in awhile. I know I've read all your letters that say how you're do it for me. And Mommy says how you're keepin' us safe even though it might not be easy to see." Astrid sang softly with her eyes closed.

A few people looked back, there were only 16 people on the bus, 18 if you included the driver and their principal. Heather frowned a bit, she knew what happened but it wasn't her place to say. "Is she...okay?" Alvin asked.

"Yes sir, she is. Or...will be. Just...leave her be for now." Heather offered. Alvin nodded as Astrid took a breath.

"We'll leave the light on until Daddy comes home. We'll leave the light on for our soldier. To remember all who've fallen. Honor all who served. The soldiers light will be lit, and forever burn. We'll leave the light on!" Astrid sighed. Gustav had woken up now, he knew the sound of his elder sister's voice well.

"Late at night, when Mommy thinks she's all alone...I hear pray to God. 'Lord, I don't know how much longer, I can hold us together. Alone, it's becoming so hard.' I know I've read all your letters that say how you do it for me. And Mommy says how you're keepin' us safe, even though it might not be easy to see." Astrid smiled a bit, eyes still closed.

"Mommy, we'll leave the light on until Daddy comes home. We'll leave the light on for our soldier. To remember all who've fallen, honor all who served. The soldiers will be lit and forever burned. We'll leave the light on..." Her voice quieted down a little now. "We'll leave the light on until Daddy comes home...We'll leave the light on for our soldier. To remember all who've fallen, honor all those who served. The soldiers light will be lit and forever burned. Let's leave the light on..." Astrid finished opening her eyes seeing the eyes of a few staring at her.

She pulled her headphone out, "What?" She asked.

"You were singing, Astrid." Heather smiled softly. Astrid's eyes widened to the size of saucers now as she blushed.

"Eh, don't worry about it. We all sing forgetting our headphones are in sometimes." Ruffnut added.

"Thanks...I think?" Astrid replied.

"It was a nice song, never heard it before though..." Hiccup stated.

"Oh well no...It wouldn't be something people have heard...Its my song...As in I wrote it..." Astrid looked down a bit.

"You...wrote that!?" Heather said a little surprised now.

"Yes?...Why is it so hard to believe? You know my father was military, Heather." Astrid rolled her eyes now.

"Well next time you see him...tell him we said thanks for keeping us all safe, and give our support." Fishlegs smiled now.

"Yeah...I'll do that..." Astrid nodded, though she couldn't in reality. After that people went back to doing their own thing for the remainder of the trip. They stopped around 12 at a Wendy's for bathroom break and to eat. Thankfully they were right near the camp, it was only another 20 minutes or so until they reached it. "Alright, get in side. Use the restrooms, grab something to eat and then lets get back on the bus. There's a lot to do when we reach Camp Dreki." Alvin announced.

They all got off slowly one by one and walked inside, after maybe 20 minutes people got their food and sat down. Astrid sitting with Heather and her little brother as they ate their food. Astrid looked out the window, the skies were darkening. It was going to rain soon. The group ate for another 15 minutes before everyone was back on the bus, another roll call and driving once more. Just as Astrid worried about, it began to downpour after just 5 minutes on the road. Unpacking would be just so much fun. Not.

(30 Minutes Later)

It had taken a little longer because of the rain but they finally reached the camp they'd be staying at for 2 months. So fun, Astrid only hoped her meeting with FuryRider would go well. Hiccup had wanted to break up with Camicazi, before the trip but everyone when they arrived had been rushed to their buses and his girlfriend just happened to be on another bus. So now he'd have to do it before the ball, and then the rest of the trip be awkward. As they arrived, everyone was looking around in amazement. It was close to 1:30pm now and as Alvin had said, still a lot to do.

"Alright here is how its gonna go. You are all going to make a line, we don't have time to look at whose bag is whose right now so whatever bag you are handed, check the cabin number and take it to that cabin. Once that is done, you can go to your assigned cabin and start unpacking. Every cabin as 8 beds, a trunk at the end and a 4 drawer dresser beside it. Bathrooms are in your cabins, there are enough sinks and stalls to go around for all 8 people so I don't want to hear any fighting about it. Clear?" Alvin announced to the bus. They nodded, "Good. Once you're unpacked you may relax until dinner which will be served at 6pm sharp in the mess hall. We'll be coming around to check on you all. That being said. Form the line!" Alvin ordered.

Everyone got off the bus and made a line under the umbrellas being held by camp staff members. "When you're handed a bag, pass it down to the last person. Once the last gets it, check the cabin number and move out! I don't care if it's a girl or boy cabin. Priority is getting these bags in their rightful spots and completely dry." Alvin reminded, they nodded again getting ready.

Astrid bent beside her brother gently. "You don't have to take a bag. I'll take whatever one you get okay?" Astrid smiled at him. He nodded to her as the bags began getting passed down, thankfully this didn't take long. Astrid was standing between Snotlout and Hiccup, Gustav beside her. Hiccup handed Astrid a bag and she moved it down until finally it came her turn. She didn't leave right away, Hiccup blinked at her. "He's to young to carry a bag, just give me his. I can handle it." Astrid told him.

"Not in this weather. Go on, I'll take two." Hiccup told her, she nodded and hurried off. Thankfully the bag she had was cabin 2, she ran with Gustav and made it inside as dry as they could manage too.

"Man...Screw this weather..." Heather sighed out coming back inside now, she was smart and was wearing a poncho. "Hey, you got my bag!" Heather exclaimed taking it from Astrid who now plopped down on a bed near the end with her eyes closed. The door opened as Hiccup stood there, he walked to her and put her bag down carefully.

"Turns out I got yours, and his. Here you go buddy." Hiccup smiled handing Gustav his small backpack. Astrid sat up smiling.

"Thanks." Astrid said softly.

"Not a problem, want me to take him back with me since he's in our cabin?" Hiccup offered. Gustav moved closer to Astrid now a little shy. Hiccup crouched to his level now smiling, "How about this, your sister can come with us okay? And warn everyone not to mess with you? Sound good?" Hiccup chuckled winking at Astrid now. Gustav nodded to him smiling a bit now. Astrid got up holding his hand as Hiccup led them out, once out he put out his umbrella which was big enough for the 3 of them and walked over to cabin 1, then entered it.

"Oh come on, Hic. No girls...jeeze." Snotlout sighed out.

"Astrid right?" Hiccup asked, she nodded. "Astrid's little brother is staying in our cabin, he's a little scared so he wanted her to bring him over. I said it was fine...Chill." Hiccup stated, he then mouthed to them to play along. "Besides, she wants to say something." Hiccup motioned to Astrid now.

She took a breath, "Look...I'm sure none of you are thrilled to have an 8 year old in your cabin, if it was my choice he'd stay with me. He won't be any trouble and if he is, you can come get me...He's my little brother so be nice...because messing with my family could be dangerously bad for your health...Am I understood?" Astrid said firmly. The others nodded, playing along with her. Astrid crouched down now smiling, "See. You're fine here bud, want me to help you unpack?" Astrid asked.

Gustav nodded as Astrid hulked his bag over her shoulder. "See, Gustav. Your sister is scarier than all of us big men put together. So tell me, what bed do you want?" Hiccup asked him. "You get first pick." Hiccup smiled.

"That one." Gustav said smiling as he pointed to a bed in the back left corner.

"Of course, just like me." Astrid chuckled as she walked over to it and began unpacking his things and putting them away, She put out his dragon blanket and stuffed Night Fury toy, then pillow. Next she did his clothes, just like she'd done at home. Socks, boxers, and pj's in the top. Shirts in the second, pants in the third, and finally sweaters in the last one. She got to his bathroom stuff and nervously looked at Hiccup.

"Go on, I'll keep everyone out." He nodded to her, she rushed in and put Gustav's things out then returned to the main room.

"Man she moves fast..." Ryker laughed.

"Why do you say that?" Astrid asked.

"Dudette, you just put away 2 months worth of stuff in like 10 minutes flat. How!" Tuffnut asked.

"I...don't know. Just good at it I guess? My mom is always working so...I'm kind of in charge of laundry, dishes, food, and taking care of him. Comes naturally." Astrid shrugged. "Alright buddy, I gotta go unpack my stuff now before they come around and see I'm still here. I'll see you in a few hours for dinner okay and here...I almost forgot." Astrid said pulling out a small flip phone. "Emergencies only okay? But you can call and text me if you need anything. I'm only one cabin away...I'm sure...Hiccup and the others won't mind if I stop by to help you...Right boys?" Astrid arched a brow at him.

"No trouble at all, Astrid. Principal said he was your responsibility so you come when you have too." Fishlegs nodded.

"Cool. Alright, Gustav. All your stuff is set up okay? I'll be back soon. Love ya little brother." Astrid said as she kissed his forehead and stood up now with a sigh.

"He'll be fine with us, don't worry. If there's a problem, we'll come get you. I'll keep an eye on him for you." Hiccup told her.

"Appreciated...Can I...talk to you a minute? There's...a few things you should probably know..." Astrid asked him, he nodded as they moved to another corner of the room. "Less than a year ago...Our father killed himself...I saw it happen and...he walked in on it by accident...It still bothers him. He does get nightmares, he remembers the gunshot...so just be weary of that..." Astrid sighed, she hadn't wanted to tell anyone but if Gustav was going to be in their cabin, she felt they should be aware of what could happen.

Hiccup was a little shocked to say the least but he nodded. Astrid had seen her father kill himself? How did she even find the way to be so strong? "Alright, what do we do if it happens?" Hiccup asked her.

"Nothing. Come get me...Immediately. I'm probably the only who can calm him down, I don't care what time it is either...My number is programmed in to his phone, just dial 1 and hit send. It'll bring up 'Sissy's Cell'. I already have permission from the principal...I made him aware too. He said I can come here anytime...so don't hesitate." Astrid stated.

"Understood. And hey...I'm sorry about your dad. I lost my mom when I was 10...Cancer took her from me." Hiccup said calmly.

"Thanks. I'm...sorry about your mom, Hiccup. Alright, I better go. See ya soon kiddo, I love you!" Astrid called as she headed outside and back to her own cabin.

(Cabin 2)

"Yay, you're back." Heather said greeting Astrid with a hug.

"Sorry it took so long, Gustav wanted me to put his stuff away for him and I warned one of the boys about his nightmares..." Astrid mumbled beginning to put her things away next. It didn't take her long, maybe half an hour before collapsing on her bed with a heavy sigh. She pulled out her phone to text her brother and Fury. ::You alright lil bro? -Sis:: and then, ::Finally unpacked! How about u? -Naddie::

::Done as well. This place is great huh? -Fury::

::Be better without the rain -Naddie::

::It'll clear up. Not supposta to stay long. -Fury::

::Good. I don't feel like goin out in it again...its down pouring. -Naddie::

::Say, what cabin are you in? -Fury::

::Your first? -Naddie::

::Lol, I'm in 1. -Fury:: Astrid's eyes widened a bit, she was just there too. Did that mean she could of been right in front of Fury the whole time. There were only...8 people in the cabin and 1 of them was her brother. Least now she knew whoever Fury was, her brother was okay with him being in the same cabin.

::I'm in cabin 2. -Naddie:: Hiccup blinked a few times. "Wow...and to think I was over there." Hiccup chuckled.

"What do you mean? Talking to NadderGirl again?" Dagur asked. Hiccup nodded smiling.

"She said she's in cabin 2." Hiccup couldn't believe how close she was to him, legit right next door. ::So, do I get any hints as to who you are? -Fury::

::Nope. The ball is next Friday, I think you'll be okay. I'm going to take a nap...still tired from talking til 3am with you. Talk to ya in a bit? -Naddie::

::Sleep well beautiful...-Fury:: He paused a moment before sending a second message, ::And I know I've never seen your face but I can only imagine. -Fury::

Astrid put her phone down blushing madly as she hid her face in the pillow. "You good over there?" Heather asked her.

"He called me beautiful...Gods Heather...he just makes my heart soar." Astrid flipped on to her back now looking up.

"Told ya he was a winner." Heather teased. Astrid blushed a she closed her eyes smiling wide, only 6 days left and she'd meet him. Not long after that, Astrid fell right to sleep.

(Dinner Time)

Astrid woke up to her cell phone going off, she reached for it tiredly and pressed the answer button. "Hello?" She said groggily.

"Hey...Astrid. Remember that thing you warned me about before..." Came Hiccup's voice through the phone. Astrid's eyes widened slightly as she threw the covers off, slipped on her boots and rushed outside over to Cabin 1 knocking. "That was...incredibly fast. Did you even blink?" Hiccup asked her.

"Where is he?" Astrid asked panting, Hiccup moved aside to show her that he was on the floor, in the corner crying. Astrid moved over to him quickly and sat beside him. "Hey hey...shh...it's okay. See, I'm right here. I didn't leave..." Astrid soothed quietly.

"But why did daddy...Why'd he leave us...Didn't he love us sis?" Gustav whimpered.

"Don't talk like that, Gustav. You know dad loved us, and he still does...He just...had a lot of things he didn't like to talk about and...sometimes when it becomes to much...it can take over. Some people feel like they have no way out of the darkness...so they make one. But...he loved us...I promise you he did and he'll always be with us. You were...too young to understand. I know it scares you to see those things again...but they are just images in your head trying to control you. What did I tell you to do if those scary things came to you? Do I have to sing the song for you?" Astrid asked. Gustav didn't say anything.

"Very well then..." Astrid sighed as the others looked at her a little confused. "When I was a little child and the sun was going down...The darkness and the shadows, they would always make me frown...I'd hide under my pillow. From what I thought I saw. But Granny said that wasn't the way, to deal with fears at all!" Astrid smiled as she poked Gustav's sides making him giggle a bit.

"She said, 'Asty, you gotta stand up tall. Learn to face your fears. You'll see that they can't hurt you...Just laugh to make them disappear..' Ha! Ha! Ha!" Astrid grinned now as she got up and poked at Gustav's nose each time she said 'Ha'. Astrid heard the people behind her gasp a bit.

"So, giggle at the ghostly. Guffaw at the grossly. Crack up at the creepy. Whoop it up with the weepy. Chortle at the kookie. Snortle at the spooky...And tell that big dumb scary face to take a hike and leave you alone and if he thinks he can scare you then he's got another thing coming and the very idea of such a thing just makes you wanna... hahahaha... heh..." She took a breath after saying that line all at once, "Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuugh!" Astrid held the note as Gustav started laughing uncontrollably now.

The others in the room couldn't believe it, she actually got her brother to go from crying in a corner to laughing at some...silly, stupid song in the matter of 2 minutes. "See, feel better now that you've laughed?" Astrid asked him.

"I do." Gustav smiled at her. Astrid hugged him tightly, he returned it. "I just miss him a lot." Gustav told her.

"I do too, every day but...want to know a little secret?" Astrid said gently to him, he nodded. "He's never really far." Astrid told him.

"He's not?" Gustav asked, Astrid shook her head.

"He lives in you and me. We always carry him in our hearts, our souls. He's the sunshine in our hair, the shadow on the ground, the whisper in the wind. He's our imaginary friend, and he knows he's in our prayers. And he'll always be with us until the end of time." Astrid said softly. "And so you never forget..." Astrid told him as she reached around her neck and took a silver chain heart locket as she put around his neck, adjusting the chain so it wouldn't be so loose. "Whenever you look inside, we'll all always be there." Astrid said gently.

"You promise?" Gustav asked.

"I promise." Astrid replied, they hugged again as Alvin cleared his throat getting their attention.

"Well if that isn't a strong brother sister relationship, I don't know what is. Good job, Astrid. Now...the rain has cleared and its dinner time." Alvin stated clapping his hands together.

"Aye sir. Get your shoes on Gustav. I'll piggyback ya." Astrid winked, he nodded rushing to get his shoes on. Astrid crouched down as he climbed on and she wrapped her arms around his back so he wouldn't fall then walked out towards the dining hall. Hiccup and the others got their things and headed out as well, everyone going to the mess hall for dinner.