Chapter 6 – Meetings
~HICCUP'S POV~
"Guys, have you seen the announcement?" Freddie called as he rushed towards the group, who were sat at their regular table in the canteen, chatting away about their individual results from the training exam. Astrid turned around to face Freddie and gave him a confused look.
"What announcement?" She asked.
"This." Freddie slammed down a piece of paper in the middle of the table. The group stopped all conversation and read the information.
Fifth year students,
For those of you who passed last weeks training examination, congratulations. The faculty would like to speak to the students who received a B grade or above tomorrow after classes have finished for the day. A letter has been posted to each of you stating the time we wish to see you. Do not miss your time slot, you will not be given another.
- Headmaster.
"What could they possibly want?" Tina looked up from the letter as she finished reading.
"It's obvious, isn't it?" Freddie beamed.
"Not really, mate." Ben chuckled, clearly not knowing what the meetings could be.
"They want only the strongest of us for the team." Freddie couldn't contain his excitement and a small squeal left his mouth.
"You mean THE team?" Astrid chipped in. Freddie nodded at her frantically, surprisingly not giving himself whiplash.
"Wait," I interrupted. "All of us had a B and above." A grin slowly appearing on my face.
"Jack would automatically be on the team, given his grandfather was the leader of the X-Men." Tina whispered to the group.
Jack had decided to tell the others about who his family really are the day after our anniversary date, along with the announcement of giving me a promise ring. I honestly thought Tina was about to faint when she say the ring, immediately thinking it was an engagement ring. After calming her down before she began hyperventilating, Jack went on to reveal his younger sister would be joining the school when her powers started to show themselves. When Jack had told everyone, you could tell a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, finally free of a secret he'd been keeping for five years. No one was angry with him for keeping it quiet, they were all very supportive and completely understood why he hadn't said anything, wanting to build a name for himself without the help of his family. Of course the faculty knew, but hadn't treated him any differently from the other students, believing if they had he'd never have learnt how to control his powers.
"Where is Jack anyway?" Ben spoke up.
"Where do you think?" I snorted. He had no sense of time keeping and quite often he rolled up minutes before the first class started. He relied upon his speed too much. I shook my head at the thought.
"I still can't get over his promise to you, Hic. It sounded so romantic, I wish I could've seen it." Tina swooned.
"Maybe if you ask them nicely, the eye will give you a copy of the security tape." A familiar voice said from behind me.
I whipped my head around to see Jack standing there, grinning. His perfectly white teeth on show. "Here, for you." He said, handing me an envelop.
I took it from his hold, wondering what would've arrived this early. I ripped open the top and took the paper out from inside. My eyes scanned over the information written there. "It's my time slot for the faculty meeting."
"Meeting with the faculty?" Jack quizzed. "What have you done wrong?" He folded his arms across his chest.
I shook my head. "No, everyone who had a B and above has a meeting tomorrow to potentially be part of the team." I explained to him.
"So, this must be my time slot." He said, waving his envelop around. He ripped it open and scanned the letter. His face scrunched up as he looked over it again. "I thought you said they were for tomorrow? Mines in 10 minutes." He looked up, frowning.
I took the letter off him and read it out loud. "Jackson Frost-Summers, please meet with the head of faculty at 9am November 15th. That's today."
"I just said that." Jack raised his eyebrow.
"Why have you got yours today?" Astrid asked.
Jack shrugged. "Beats me, I didn't even know there were meetings until five minutes ago."
"Well, you best get to the office." Freddie piped up.
"Please, I don't have to make my way there until 8.58." Jack grinned.
"Get going, Frost." I smirked at him.
"Fine, fine. I'll see you when I'm done." He leaned forward and pecked my lips.
"Text me." I smiled at him.
Jack took off after winking at me.
I turned back around to the group who were all silent.
"Why do you think he has it today?" Tina asked.
"It's obvious, isn't it? I don't even know why they're giving him a meeting." Ben chuckled.
"Do you think they'll ask him to join anyway?" I glanced at Ben.
"Yeah, his grandparents probably made it one of the conditions for him to attend this school." Freddie claimed.
"You don't think they'll be there during the meeting, do you? How awesome would that be?" Tina started to get giddy just thinking of the possibility that some of the team members of the X-Men could be in this very school.
"Could you imagine seeing Cyclops walking through the corridor?" Freddie announced.
Suddenly, they were all very excited at this possibility. It was no secret just how amazing the famous mutants were. They'd become the first team of mutants to fight the evil of this world and protect mutant and human kind, even though the humans weren't huge fans of them. Back when it first came to light that there were people with powers, ordinary humans didn't like it, they were scared of what they didn't know or understand. In recent years, a minority of the population have come to accept people with powers, but there was still the majority fearing and even hating them. Even after everything the X-Men had done, what they'd achieved, mutants still struggled outside of the mutant safe societies. The original X-Men team were basically heroes, they showed many of that we could use our powers for good, protect this world against those who sought to turn it into a horrific place, be it humans or other mutants. As the years went by, new mutants took over the places of the original members and kept the peace like those before them. Now, to become part of the X-Men you had to be accepted into your schools team and even then you weren't guaranteed a place. Patterson's team is the Guardians, and in all honesty, the majority of students in that team went on to become members of the X-Men. It was a highly credited team, producing a lot of talented and strong mutants.
"Earth to Hiccup." Astrid waved her hand in front of my face to bring me out of my thoughts. "Hello there, glad you could join us." She said sarcastically.
"What?"
"It's time for the first class." She laughed as she left me sitting at the table.
"Hey, can you cover for me? I don't feel too good." I called to her.
She turned around, about to question what was wrong but decided against it and just nodded.
I made my way out of the canteen and instead of turning right, towards the classes, I turned left, toward the dorm rooms. I picked up my pace so a teacher wouldn't see me trailing back to my room.
Once at the door, I unlocked it and walked in. I close it behind me and a deep sigh left my lips.
"You must be Jacks roommate." A voice called from across the room.
I spun around quicker than intended and felt my head become slightly light, causing my vision to blur so I couldn't make out who currently occupied the room. My vision slowly came back into focus and I saw a woman, in her early 40's stood by Jacks desk. She had blonde shoulder length hair and those oh so familiar crystal blue eyes.
"Hi." I gave a shy smile to the woman who was clearly Jacks mother.
"You're Hayden, right?" She questioned.
"Yes, I am." She smiled back at me. "Shouldn't you be in class?"
"Yes, but I didn't feel too great." I shrugged.
She nodded. "Don't worry, I won't tell them. I hardly ever attended classes when I went here. I was never one for the academic side of school."
"I don't mean to be rude, but why are you here?" I asked her as I slung my bag under my laptop desk.
"Emma, my daughter, is enrolling here today and Jack has his meeting about the Guardians."
"I didn't mean here at this school, I meant the room." I blushed slightly, great first impression on my possibly future mother-in-law.
"I wanted to meet you." She gave me a soft smile. "I've heard so much about you."
I have a nervous laugh, not knowing how to answer that. I wasn't aware that Jack had actually told his parents about me.
"You seem like such an amazing friend, from what Jack has told us. He's very fond of you. All of his friends sound great, but he tends to talk more about you."
Friend? So, he hadn't told them.
"Although, I'm curious as to why there is only one bed in this room." Her eyebrows creased together.
"I, uh, I don't sleep much and beds are far too uncomfortable for me." Well, that was a very poor excuse, Hic.
"Oh right, sorry, I'm being very intrusive." She apologised.
"No, it's okay. You're just curious about your sons friends, I get that." I chuckled.
"Well, it was nice to meet you, Hayden." She smiled at me before making her way out of the room.
I let out a breath that I hadn't realised I was holding and I suddenly felt light headed again. I made my way over to the bed and flopped down on to, front first, burying my head into the quilt, hoping the comfort would ease my dizziness.
I didn't realise I had fallen asleep until I was being shook awake, quite roughly. "Hey, quit that." I complained.
"So, you are alive then." Jack laughed. "You're such a deep sleeper." He sat on the bed next to me as I pushed myself to a kneeing position. I rubbed my eyes, willing them to focus better.
"Why aren't you in class?" He asked.
"I didn't feel so good." I turned to him, he was grinning from ear to ear, which wasn't unusual on occasions but I just couldn't think what could make him this happy. "Why are you grinning like the Cheshire Cat?" I asked.
"Because my sister's starting next week." His grin grew wider, if that were possible.
"That's great, I get to finally meet her as well."
"As well?" He looked confused.
"Yeah, when I arrived back, your mother was here."
Jack instantly paled at the mention of his mother being in the room. "What did she say?"
"Just that you'd said a lot about me and it was nice to finally meet your friend." I gave him a questioning look. "Why am I known as your friend?"
"I kind of haven't told my family about us." He whispered.
"Come again, it sounded like my boyfriend of two years just said he hasn't told his family about our relationship."
"I haven't, I'm sorry. I just haven't found the right time to tell them." He defended himself.
"For someone who claimed to have no secrets, you sure do have a lot of them. I suppose I can't be too mad, it's not like I've openly told my father about us." I sighed. "But I thought you'd told them, it's a good think I came up with a quick excuse as to why there's only one bed in the room." I laughed.
"I didn't realise she's snoop." Jack frowned.
"It doesn't matter. Have they left?" I moved my position on the bed so Jack leaned his back against my chest and I wrapped my arms around him.
"No, they're staying in the guest rooms for the week, until my sister settles in."
"Rooms? I thought it was just your mum." I said, running my fingers through his snowy white hair.
"And my dad, his parents and my mothers parents." He sighed.
"Wait, you're whole family is here? Freddie's going to shit himself with excitement when he finds out." This made Jack laugh, he knew how much Freddie idolised the original X-Men team, even before he knew Jack was directly related to some of them. If Freddie knew they were here, there's no saying how he'd react.
"I don't think I'll tell him, just in case he does shit himself." Jack relaxed against my chest even more as I continued to run my hand through his hair, he always found the action soothing.
"So, how'd the meeting go?" I asked.
"You are now looking at one of the future members of the Guardians." He smiled up at me.
"That's great news. Although, it's not really a surprise. You'll be an X-Man before you know it." I hugged him.
"I don't know if I want to be one. Would you?" He turned to face me.
I shrugged. "I haven't really thought about it. It would be an honour to be a member, but I want to see the world first." I admitted.
"Then I'll wait until we've finished travelling to be a member."
I stopped stroking his head and looked at him. "Jack, you don't just give up a chance to be apart of that team."
"I've already accepted the offer from the head for the Guardians, knowing there may be a chance you won't be a member. I am NOT joining the X-Men without you." He stated.
"Don't be so silly, Jack. I'll travel, you'll be in the team and once we've finished we'll start our lives together then."
"My grandfather was part of the team for twenty years, Hic." Jack frowned.
"If you want to be in the team for twenty years then so be it. I can wait that long." I gave him a small smile, reassuring him that I'll always be there.
"Scott and Emma were together during his time there."
"Yes, and Emma was also part of the team." I shot back.
"You'll be part of the team with me, Hic."
"I don't know if I want to be, Jack." I sighed.
Jacks eyes widened, he opened his mouth, wanting to reply but nothing came out.
"We can still be together, while you're in the team and I'm off seeing things." I rubbed his arm, trying to get him to calm down before he broke down.
"I told you. Where you go, I go." He pointed at my chest then at his own. He eyes had started to fill up. "It won't harm not joining immediately." His lips tried to form a smile but his emotions weren't letting him.
"If that's what you want." I whispered. He nodded and relaxed back down against my chest.
"I don't want to be part of a stupid team if you're not there with me."
I hummed in reply and planted a kiss on his head as I returned to running my fingers through his locks.
Just then my phone vibrated in my pocket, notifying me of a message. I took it out and read the message preview on the screen.
Are you okay? Astrid x
I'm feeling a little better, are you going to the canteen for lunch? Hic x
"Who's that?" Jack lifted his head to get a better look at my phone.
"Astrid, she wanted to know if I was okay."
"Are you?" He turned so he was facing me.
I nodded. "Yeah, I don't know what came over me this morning."
"Do you feel up for some food?" Jack asked just as his stomach started to grumble.
"I think I could stomach something small."
My phone vibrated again.
We're heading to the canteen now. Meet us there in 5. Astrid x
"Come on, we'll meet them there. You can tell them about the Guardians." I smiled at him, pushing him up from my lap.
"But I was comfortable." He whined, standing up so I could move off the bed.
"And my legs were going numb." I stuck my tongue out at him.
"Are you implying I'm heavy?" He crossed his arms.
"Yes, you are." I laughed as he pouted.
"That cut me real deep, Hic."
"Stop pouting, you big baby boo." I cooed at him and he huffed off into the bathroom. "So dramatic." I said under my breath.
We entreated the canteen to see the others already sat at our usual table, chatting away.
"And the happy couple finally decided to join us." Ben piped up as we approached them.
"So, how'd the meeting go?" Tina asked excitedly from her seat.
"I'm a Guardian." Jack grinned.
Tina squealed and jumped to her feet, hugging Jack. "I'm so happy for you." She beamed.
"Can't. Breath." He breathed out.
"Oh, sorry. I don't know my own strength." She blushed and let him go.
"Well done, mate." Ben smiled at Jack. The rest of the group followed suit, congratulating him on the news.
"Jack!" Someone called from across the room.
We all turned to see a short girl, with brown shoulder length hair and dark brown eyes walk towards us.
"Emma!" Jack went to the girl and picked her up, hugging her tightly. He turned back to the group, a smile plastered on his face. "Guys, this is Emma, my sister." He introduced the girl. "This is Astrid, Tina, Ben, Freddie and Hiccup." Jack pointed at each of us in turn.
Emma smiled shyly at us all and waved her hand slightly and gripped Jacks arm with the other.
"Don't be shy, they're my friends." Jack looked down at her. "They won't hurt you."
"It's so nice to meet you, Emma. Jack's told us so much about you." Tina was the first to approach the little girl and she smiled sweetly at her. "Aren't you just the cutest thing ever." Tina gushed, causing Emma to blush and hide her face in Jacks sleeve.
"Don't frighten the poor girl." I laughed at Tina, who's smile had faltered slightly.
"I didn't mean to."
"Hey there. I'm Hiccup." I smiled at her.
"Why is your name so funny?" She blurted out.
"It's not my real name, it's a nickname your wonderful brother gave me." This made Emma laugh.
"He gives everyone funny nicknames but complains when any calls him something funny."
"That he does. My real name is Hayden, it's nice to meet you." I held my hand out for her to shake, but instead of her returning it, she leaped forward and hugged me, almost knocking me off my feet.
"I've heard so much about you. You've taken care of my brother while he's been away from home, thank you." She whispered into my hoodie.
My heart swelled after hearing her words. I hadn't realised just how much Jack had shared with his family about me, even if he hadn't told them the whole truth.
"And you're secret is safe with me." She grinned as she pulled away.
"What secret?" I looked at her, confused.
"That you're Jacks boyfriend." She blushed.
I looked up at Jack, who was also blushing. "I am and he takes care of me too."
"Good." She giggled and went back to her brother.
"Do you want to join us for food, squirt?" Jack asked looked down at his sister.
She shook her head. "No, I'm sitting with a few people over there." She pointed to a table which was taken up by a few kids that looked about her age.
"Okay, go make friends. I'll see you later."
Emma walked away, joining the other table and immediately began talking with the others there.
"Well, she seemed like a nice kid." I said, still watching Emma talk to her newly found friends.
"She can be a nightmare." Jack replied.
"She's meant to be, that's what sisters are for." I laughed at him.
"You can be a nightmare too." Jack mumbled.
"And you're perfect in every way." I raised my eyebrow.
"That's me." He grinned.
Woohoo! I actually updated on time, shocker!
This chapter is mainly dialogue, which I kind of love from time to time, especially if the chapter isn't set somewhere new. You get to see all of the characters interact more :)
I hope you all enjoy this :D If you do, feel free to leave a nice little review, they make me happy!
Review replies -
faisyah865 - Nope, not a proposal, sorry. Haha, I'm glad it gave you the feels :D that's my aim ;)I have to say, your review always make me laugh, thank you for that!
1stPrelude - Yep, his family are "celebrities" in the mutant world :) I knew some people wouldn't have extensive knowledge about X-Men characters, so that's why I added the whole explanation at the end :) I'm glad you're finding it interesting :D We'll definitely get to meet more of Jack's family as the story progresses. I love the name Hayden too!
Brickgirl101 - Thank you for your multiple reviews! I'm so happy to have gained a new reviewer :) I hope I haven't made you wait too long for this and I hope you keep enjoying this story!
