A/N: Alright this is now up. I would love to hear feedback and I will edit this chapter based on said feedback. Chapter three is already in the works but I will edit this chapter before I post the next. BTW I got a few reviews on the story and I would like to say I love it. Feel free to message me suggestions and future ideas. I already have a dance planned for the story btw so don't suggest that. Sorry if these chapters seem too short but I'm going to increase the length when I feel more comfortable with the writing. And now onto the story
Chapter 2: How Time Changes Some but Not All
Astrid could not believe what had happened only seconds ago. She was paired with a guy named Hunter who she thought she had never heard of before, only to find out that Hunter was actually Hiccup, considered to be one of the smartest and nerdiest students in the school and looked the part. After the summer, Hiccup was now a handsome young man, no a HOT young man who now had her attention. She wondered if the gods favored him over the summer. She couldn't resist her questions with fierce curiosity.
"Hiccup I couldn't recognize you! You look so different than the end of the year last year. What happened?"
Hiccup looked at her and he finally understood her earlier statement. His face went from angry confusion to calm understanding. He then formed a light smile and responded.
"It's fine I guess Astrid. I will admit you are not the only person to say that to me lately, however I'm surprised that my asshole of a cousin's girlfriend, the one that stands beside him and insults me along with his team, would forget who I am. Look, I know you probably hate me already but I'll try not to make you hate me more during this project. Now what is it you would like to do for this project?"
Astrid was shocked. The Hiccup she knew for the past three years must have lingered because as always, Hiccup was nice. She never understood why he was so nice to others even when they treated him so badly. A part of her actually regretted mocking and torturing him. However, just because he was being nice, did not mean that she would let him bring her down for this project.
"Listen Hiccup, I don't care how intelligent you are, I will not let you bring me down for this project. I have top marks in all of my classes and I don't need you fucking that up for me. I will probably be doing most of the research and how we use it will also be up to me. For all I care, you are just along for the damn ride. I will let you research with me but in the end I will have the final say on everything. Do you understand your role Useless?!" Astrid smirked knowing that she would be dominate in this project and would not let anyone bring her down.
However, she was expecting a simple reaction from Hiccup, a way of showing her that he won't interfere with her work. What she did not expect was his response to her.
"I'm one of the smartest people in this class and equal to you in intelligence. For the past three years the only reason why I let others walk over me was because I was afraid that you would only hurt me more. I realize that I am not what people want, but I don't care anymore. It is now senior year and at this rate I know you would probably never care for someone like me even though we were on good terms in our past. However, as you know, I am not the person to be mean to anyone. I think I should be a decent human being. So keep trying to knock me down, but I just hope you realize that one day, the torment of the past three years will all come back to hurt you."
Hiccup then took out a piece of paper and wrote some numbers down on it. "This is my cell number, I'm not trying to hit on you, so this will only be for the duration of the project. After it is finished I will only guess that you are going to throw it considering that probably having it in your phone is an eyesore to look at. Text me when you would like to get started on it."
After handing her the paper, the bell rang and the class was dismissed. Hiccup left first and walked calmly out of the room. Astrid stayed in her seat then left to go to her next class. She could not believe what Hiccup had said. Hiccup never stood up for himself and she would never dream that he would stand up to her. Something happened over the summer and whatever happened not only changed his appearance but also his confidence.
'Why is this bothering me? Hiccup never stood up to me before and I always thought that if he ever did, I would just put him back in his place. But instead he left me near speechless and I couldn't understand why?' Astrid continued to think but there was one thing she did not truly understand. And that was why the words he said actually damage her….
The day continued with Astrid not being able to spot Hiccup in most of her classes except for her AP Calculus class. Even though she always picked on him for being, well him, he was still the best student in the class. He never failed one test in the class and never broke a sweat when given a challenging question. Astrid always thought that she would one day surpass him in the course but as it would turn out, she never could reach that level. The bell rang signaling that it was now Astrid's lunch period. She grabbed her lunch from her locker and made her way to the outside seating area where her friends waited for her at their usual table. Her friend Rachel "Ruffnut" Thorston, a young platinum blonde girl with average build was sitting next to her twin brother Thomas "Tuffnut" Thorston who had a similar but slightly more muscular build. Next to where Astrid herself sat was her friend Heather, a young woman with a similar build to Astrid but instead had slightly less muscle. Heather and Ruffnut were on the soccer team with Astrid while Tuffnut was on the football team with Snotlout. As soon as she sat down, Ruffnut was the first to speak with some "news".
"So did anyone see that new kid around the school? I have some classes with him but DAMN is he hot as fuck! I'm thinking I should ask him to come to the party at Snot's place after the Friday night game. Then maybe get some alone time in one of the spare bedrooms…" Ruff said the last sentence with a sultry tone that did not go unnoticed by the rest of the group.
Heather then looked up from her sandwich to follow up on Ruffnut's proposal. "You need to stop hopping from guy to guy Ruff. You should really focus on one guy and actually date him. I think you will be soooo much happier when you do find a guy to go steady with, and besides he may be just as wild as you!"
"That's funny coming from you Heather. You don't have a boyfriend and so far you have no interest in any one that we know of so did you wanna say who you like?!" said Tuffnut.
Heather glared at the twin. "No one at this moment has caught my attention if that is what you are askin Tuff. Although I wouldn't mind someone nice and caring compared to what we are currently used to. Someone like…"
"Finn "Fishlegs" Ingerman? Or maybe Hiccup if he wasn't such a walking talking…"
But Tuffnut never finished his sentence as he saw a young man sit down under the tree close to their table. Ruffnut immediately jumped and began to talk to what she thought was the new kid, but Astrid knew who he really was.
"So you new here? Cause my name is Ruffnut and I was wondering if you'd like to know me better this Friday night. What do you say hot stuff?"
Astrid had to hold back a grin as she watched the exchange occur. The "new" Hiccup looked at Astrid with a "You haven't said anything?" look and he finally spoke.
"Sorry Ruffnut but you aren't the girl I'd party with. Maybe ask Fishlegs?" said Hiccup with a slight smile.
Everyone in the group except for Astrid grew wide eyed and their mouths opened and closed like fish out of water.
"WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK! USELESS IS THE HOT NEW KID?!" Ruffnut said with shock.
"That is now another person to add to the list of people who did not know who I am. Look I'm only here to talk to Astrid about our project in AP History."
Hiccup then turned his gaze to Astrid and she in return gave him a look that said 'speak then leave". Hiccup rolled his eyes, nodded his head, and got on with it.
"Look Astrid, I've got another personal project of mine this week and I would like to get started on this one soon. Can we begin Wednesday? You can pick where we work."
"Fine by me considering I have practice tomorrow and Thursday. We will work at my house. Unless your scrawny ass can't get a ride. Then I will come to you. Got it Useless?"
Hiccup then sighed and responded. "Sure. Fine by me your Highness. And I hope you realize I'm not as far as you may think right? I'm like three doors down from you. Yet again, ever since you became popular, you never did care about anyone but yourself! You should remember Astrid, unlike everyone else at this school, I remember who you once were."
At his response, Astrid and her friends' jaws dropped and stared at Hiccup. They always remembered Hiccup for his sass but that was usually under his breath. He never got bold enough to say it to anyone's face, until now that is. Leaving them, Hiccup turned and walked to a nearby table where Fishlegs sat. Everyone's shock wore off and they began to discuss what had just occurred.
"When did Hiccup have the nerve to talk back to me? He always stuttered and looked away!" said Astrid
"That is what is bothering you?! I'm more interested is when did he get looks like that?! His eyes are gorgeous and that jaw line is amazing! Useless or not I'd like a crack at him!" Heather said this with a surprised and seductive tone.
Astrid glared at Hiccup across the yard. He was bothering her in ways that she could not describe. It wasn't just his looks that caused it, it was his new attitude to everything. She broke her glare when Hiccup gave his own, but resumed when he turned back to Fishlegs.
"So you got partnered with Hiccup for a project? That is not bad at all Astrid, considering he has straight A's like you. Plus, I hear from people around the school that he has made some of the most creative and advanced projects the school has ever seen. Maybe working on this project won't be as bad as you think it will be?" Said Tuffnut.
Astrid still sneakily looking at Hiccup responded with "Yeah, maybe…."