Lol, I lied to you guys and myself! Here's the next chapter, I don't know when the next one's coming out. But I hope you enjoy it!
Hiccup hadn't said a word during lunch so far, which suited Astrid just fine as they all continued to talk. "-and so I was thinking we could all go to Draco's," Snotlout suggested. "And we can show you what makes this little city awesome."
"What's Draco's," Ruffnut asked, plopping a grape in her mouth.
"It's this amazing Ice Cream Shop and it serves the best Ice Cream," Heather explained excitedly.
"They even have the weirdest names for their flavors," Fishlegs laughed.
"My favorite is Monstrous Mint Chocolate," Snotlout said smugly.
"Of course it is," Hiccup said from behind his sketchbook.
Astrid took a glance at him before turning to Heather. "Where'd they come up with the names?"
"Yours truly," She smiled proudly while gesturing to Hiccup.
Astrid refrained from rolling her eyes as Hiccup didn't even glance up from his sketchbook. She was really curious as to what he was drawing, but asking him to show her would mean actually talking to him and she refused to do that.
"I can't wait to get a scoop of Grape Gronckle!"
"I'm gonna get Razorwhip Rocky Road!"
"What are you gonna get, Hiccup," Tuffnut asked him, eagerly waiting for his answer.
Hiccup didn't answer though. "He'll probably get Night Fury Fudge," Snotlout answered instead.
"Actually," Hiccup finally decided to speak. "I won't be getting anything. I'm busy this weekend."
"With what?!"
"So you weren't kidding this morning," Heather asked. "I thought you just wanted to get away from your dad."
"That's just a plus," he shrugged. "But I really am busy."
"Again, with what," Snotlout repeated. "You didn't tell me you had any plans."
"I didn't," He asked in a high voice. Astrid wanted to chuckle. Heather was right. He's a terrible liar. "I'm pretty sure I did?"
"Oh my gods, you lying shit," Snotlout groaned. "You do realize we can all tell when you're lying, right!?"
He finally set his sketchbook down and held up his hands in defense. "Ok, ok. So I didn't tell you guys. But that still doesn't change the fact that I already have plans."
"Well," Fishlegs started. "What are your plans?"
Henry opened his mouth before closing it. "Look," he said, exasperated. "They're just plans! I have...errands I need to run, things I need to do."
"Like what," Snotlout asked, unimpressed.
"Just… things," he finished, lamely. "But they're important! To me, at least."
"Don't sweat it, cuz," Snotlout waved it off. "Meet us at the cliff if you have time."
"Will do," he promised before picking up his sketchbook. Again. Astrid wondered if all this boy did was draw.
"How long have you known how to draw?" Astrid's head snapped towards Tuffnut, who was watching Henry, completely entranced at what he was drawing.
Henry took a curious glance at him before going back to drawing. Astrid was about to yell at him for not answering, but he spoke before she could. "Since I could hold a pencil in my hand, I guess. I think I have everything I've drawn in my attic."
"You think you could draw me," Tuff asked, eagerly.
Henry looked skeptical. "I dunno, I'm not good with faces." Astrid almost snorted at the answer. What the hell did he call that portrait during art?! The hurt look on Tuff's face almost made her yell at him, too. But, once again, he spoke. "But I'll see what I can do." He sent a smile to an excited looking Tuff and Astrid swore Tuff looked like he wanted to cry.
"Hey, Astrid," a voice with an accent said. Astrid turned her head to find a blue-eyed brunette standing behind her. "The team and I were thinking of having an unscheduled practice after school. You in?"
Astrid gaped like a fish. This was the first person today, other than her friends, to not call her Dream Girl. She wasn't even aware that Minden Queen knew her name. "Uh, um, yeah! Totally! At the diamond, right?"
Mending chuckled. "Where else?" She looked to the rest of the group. "Hi, everybody!"
"Hi, Minden," they all greeted, back, Snotlout the loudest. "How's my girl," He finished with a grin.
Mending only laughed and shook her head before walking away.
Astrid turned to him with a glare. "What the hell was that?!" As far as she knew, he was still with Mala.
"That," Heather started. "Is the only girl in this school he actually respects."
"I always thought it was more like an unrequited crush," Fishlegs quipped.
"Why don't you two worry about your own love lives," he seethed.
"Or lack, thereof," Hiccup muttered, causing Snotlout to laugh and reach for a high five while the two just blushed red. He gave the two a smug grin when Hiccup gave it to him.
"Snotlout!" The smug grin fell as his face turned pale. They all turned to the source of the shout. It was Mala. She wore a black, sleeveless collared shirt with gold buttons that matched her golden hair. She looked completely radiant today, wearing her eyeliner and her cheeks a hint of pink, and Astrid wondered why. "How are you on this fine day," she asked, before sitting next to him, smiling brightly.
Snotlout went paler but Mala didn't seem to notice. "I-I'm good! How 'bout you?"
"Wonderful," she announced, delighted. She looked at him with a smile for a few seconds before having it falter a bit. Astrid could tell she was expecting something, but what? "Don't you have something to say to me," she asked him, encouraging some words.
Snotlout opened his mouth before closing it. "You look nice today," he complimented, it sounding more a question.
She forced her smile to widen. "You don't have anything else to say?"
They all watched him, wondering what he would say next. Though, his next words were a complete surprise. Especially to Hiccup. "You know what," he let out with confidence. "I actually do have something to say to you." He turned to them all, biting his lip, before turning back to her. "Can we go somewhere more private?"
"O-ok," Mala agreed, confused. They both got up and left the cafeteria.
"He's gonna do it," Hiccup said once they were gone. "Odin, help us, he's gonna do it!" He set his sketchbook down before crossing his arms and putting a fist to his mouth.
Heather looked at him, confused. "Do what?" The look he gave her made her realize the obvious. "Oh! Oh, no! Why today?!"
"I told him next Wednesday," Hiccup cried.
"Wait, wait, what is he doing," Fishlegs asked. Heather punched his arm before giving him a stern look. "Oh," he realized. "Oh," he yelled louder, realizing something else. "Should we stop him?!"
"Wait, wait," Ruff started.
"Stop what," Tuff finished.
"He's going to break up with her," Heather cried. "Today of all days!"
Hiccup stood up, hesitated, and then sat down again. He repeated the process.
"I don't get it, what's today," Astrid asked.
"It's her birthday," Hiccup answered. The small little detail finally said out loud made him finally get up without hesitation and run for the cafeteria doors. The rest of the gang followed suit.
Hiccup stopped in his tracks when he turned the corner almost crashing into Snotlout.
He looked at them all with wide eyes for a second before calling his features into a huge grin. "I did it!"
"You did," Hiccup asked.
"And she didn't get mad!"
"She didn't?"
"No," he assured, joyously. "In fact, she said she understood!"
"She did?"
"Yup! I'm a free man, guys!"
Everyone stood there, not really sure what to do. Hiccup took a glance at the others, who only stared at Snotlout. He sighed before smiling. "Let's go celebrate with some expired milk!" He turned to Heather with a forced smile and gave her a nudge with his elbow.
She got the idea. "Oh! Right! We should all go celebrate," she turned to the others with a forced smile of her own.
Fishlegs got the idea. "With expired milk," he repeated.
Astrid got the idea, though she wasn't happy about it. "Sounds like a plan."
But, the twins?
"Celebrate," asked Ruffnut.
"I thought we were gonna stop him," Tuff reminded.
"Ya know, cause it was her birthday!"
Hiccup face-palmed the same time Astrid did while Snotlout's confusion turned to realization. He turned Hiccup towards him. "It was her Birthday?!"
"No," he answered, his voice a little high.
And Snotlout knew his answer. "Why didn't you tell me?!"
"I thought you knew!"
"I didn't!"
"That's why I said to do it Wednesday!"
"You never said it was because it was her birthday!"
"Ok, calm down," Heather yelled, getting in between them. She turned to Snotlout. "Everything should be ok. She said she understood." She looked between the two. "If we all know Mala, then she actually was ok with it."
"Still, breaking up with a girl on her Birthday," Tuff started.
"That's a pretty dick move," Ruffnut finished.
"But she's going to be fine," Heather pressed on, now talking to the twins. "Mala's a strong woman. I mean, c'mon! She was probably hoping Snotlout would break up with her."
"I know I would," Astrid commented, causing the whole group to snicker as Snotlout glared at her.
"That's it," he dramatically yelled. "I'm done with hot blondes! They're all mean!"
"Well, that's not really gonna be a problem for you since Minden isn't exactly blonde," Hiccup gave him a smirk and received a punch in the arm in return.
"Shut up!"
"Hey, Astrid, where's Stormfly," Tuff asked. Astrid looked down to her left and realized that, no, she was not sitting there like the usual obedient dog she was. She looked to Henry and she wasn't next to him either. "Shit," she muttered before running for the table. The others followed and were surprised at what they saw.
Stormfly was on top of the table, destroying everyone's food as she jumped up and down.
"Stormfly!" Astrid got her off the table just as she was about ot jump again. "Bad dog! What is wrong with you this week?!"
"Excuse me, Miss!" Astrid groaned before turning to see a blonde woman with her hair in a fishtail. Atali Queen, if remembered correctly. "Astrid Hofferson, correct?"
"Yes," she admitted.
"Can you please tell me this dog's job?"
She looked to the twins, who looked just as concerned as her, before looking back to Ms. Queen. "She, uh, can tell when I'm about to have an episode."
"May I ask when was the last time you had one?"
"Um, I dont- I don't know, Ms," she lied.
"Well, I want some proof that this dog is allowed to be here and that she's still able to do her job."
"Bu-but-"
"No buts," she interrupted. She gave Astrid a sad smile. "It's nothing personal, Astrid. But this is the second time your dog has wreaked havoc in the school, and this time without your...help." She noticed her take a glance back at her and instantly knew she had glanced at Henry. Ugh! That stupid toothpick! Ms. Queen continued. "I'll need some proof by the end of the month. Stormfly is welcomed here until then, as long as she doesn't cause any trouble. Understood?"
Astrid nodded, her hand rubbing Stormfly's head.
Atali gave the girl a reassuring smile. "I'm sure everything will be fine. Until then, keep her on her leash."
"Will do, Ms. Queen." And with that she was gone. Astrid kneeled down on her knees, looking at her beautiful dog. "What's wrong with you girl? Why are you suddenly acting like this?"
"Maybe it's because she's in a new place." Fishlegs suggested. "She's trying to get familiar with everything!"
"Hi Minden," Snotlout yelled excitedly as the girl ran over to them.
"HI, Snotlout," she gave him a small smile before turning to Astrid. "Astrid, are you ok? I saw you talking to my mom. I hope she didn't intimidate you too much."
"No, no," She assured her as she got up."I just...I gotta go call my mom." She brought out her phone and headed for the exit of the cafeteria. "I'll see you after school," she assured before turning to the twins. "I'll see you guys at home."
"See ya, Astrid," Ruffnut said, her features not happy at all. She watched her friend leave the cafeteria with a pit in her stomach. "This is not good at all."
"It's really not," Tuff agreed.
"Why," Snotlout asked. "All she has to do is prove her dog can still help her."
"Astrid hasn't had an episode in years," Ruffnut explained. "She brings Stormfly to school for emotional reasons."
"Maybe I can talk to my mom about it," Minden suggested.
Tuff shook his head. "She hates it when people feel pity for her."
"She'd rather die," Ruffnut agreed.
"It's just a dog," Snotlout laughed.
"Snotlout," Hiccup warned.
"What?! It's the truth!"
"She's not just a dog, Snotlout," Minden pointed out, her voice as calm and collected as her mom's. "She's a companion. Many people turn to animals for comfort we cant get from our own kind. Myself included." She put a hand to her chest with a small smile. "I don't know what I'd do without my Baby."
Snotlout shrugged, feeling a little embarrassed. "I've never had a pet before."
"But haven't you ever had something so dear to your heart you'd go crazy if you ever lost it?"
Snotlout thought back at a beautiful figurine with it's own little pedestal in his room. That was the most important thing to him, the thing that had changed him completely. "Well, yeah, but…"
"I think he gets it now, Minden," Hiccup interrupted their conversation. "He's never had a pet before. He doesn't know."
"You've never had one either," Snotlout pointed out, offended.
"I have no use for a pet, Snotlout." He gave him a huge, lopsided grin. "I got you!"
That caused the group to start laughing and Minden to giggle. "Shut up everybody," he muttered, offended.
"Ah, Snotlout, you know I'm joking." He put his arm around him, giving him a side-hug. "Hug me back."
"No."
"Hug me back!"
"No!"
"Hug me back!"
"Fine!" Snotlout begrudgingly put an arm around him too. "Ok, we're done," he pushed him away after a second. Hiccup only laughed as Snotlout turned back to Minden. "Hey, are you doing anything tonight?"
Minden looked surprised. "Yes, actually I am. I'm going to Mala's birthday ceremony. She's turning eighteen today." She gave him a slight glare. "You should know this."
Snotlout realized his mistake. He had just broken up with Mala. No one knew yet. Especially not Minden, her cousin, who would probably hate him now. "Right, right! Uh, you know, I wasn't invited. It's a family thing is what I heard."
"Weird. I thought she would have at least invited you." Oh, good, he was right about the family thing! "She seems pretty serious about you."
"Yeah, I don't know! The relationship doesn't seem to be going anywhere."
"Oh," she nodded her head in understanding. "Mala's like that. She likes things the way they are. She doesn't really try anything new. You should break up with her if you feel that way. She'd understand. And, honestly, it does get pretty annoying when you're all she talks about during Queen Gatherings."
"You wouldn't be mad if I broke up with her?"
"Of course not. I know Mala. She won't let it get to her."
Snotlout smiled. "Ya know, it's great you think that 'cause-"
"Ok, Snotlout," Hiccup interrupted, grabbing him by the shoulders. "Why don't you help me clean up this mess?!"
"What?! I was just about to-"
"Not now," he whispered harshly before picking up a tray and handing to him. "Later Minden!"
"Later, Hiccup. Snotlout." She gave them a wave before walking to her own table with her own friends.
Meanwhile…
"-and so my uncle is going to take me to the doctors this sunday since I told her about the plans with you guys."
"You're going to be fine," Heather tried to assure.
"Yeah," Ruffnut agreed. "I'm sure the doctor will give you an exception."
"Uh, my dad's a doctor," Fishlegs informed. "There's not really exceptions unless it critica- Ow!"
"Fishlegs, you're not helping," Heather seethed after stomping on his foot. "Go help the guys!" And he did. She turned back to Astrid. "Even if you can't take Stormfly to school, you'll still be able to see her at home. It's not like she's going anywhere."
"Yeah, I know that," Astrid confirmed. "But...Stormfly has been by my side for as long as I can remember." She knelt down to be able to hug her. "I don't know what I'd do without her."
Ruff and Heather glanced at each other. Heather gave her a look that told her to talk to her. She had barely met Astrid, but this girl had known her for who knows how long.
Ruff got the idea. "Look, Astrid. If Stormfly can't come to school with you anymore, I'm pretty sure Tuffnut doesn't mind being a replacement."
"I don't mind being a what?!" Tuffnut called from the now clean table.
Astrid started to chuckle, which caused Ruff to chuckle, and then Heather. Soon, all the girls were laughing. Astrid stood up, smiling, and brought Ruff into a hug. "You always know what to say.°
"Duh! I'm awesome that way!"
Astrid let out another laugh before breaking the hug. They all went over to the table and Astrid gave them all a sad smile. °Sorry about your lunches, guys.°
"Don't sweat it," Fishlegs dismissed. "It was school lunch, anyway."
"Yeah,° Snotlout agreed. "Not to bash on my team, but this school can afford to add some flavor to its food."
"I've eaten worse things,° Tuffnut agreed.
Astrid snorted at the truth of that. He definitely had and she had been there for them all.
"S-so," Hiccup started, hesitantly. "Wh-what's gonna happen with Stormfly?°
"I'm going to the doctors this Sunday," she answered without thinking. Great, now she's talked to him! She turned to Fishlegs to finish her sentence. "They're going to check if I'm still...sick? I don't even know what's wrong with me. They've never diagnosed it."
"Well, what happens," Heather asked.
Astrid scrunched her nose. "I don't even know. I black out for a second and when I finally come to, everyone's surrounding me asking questions."
Ruffnut nodded. "It's true. She never remembers. One time when we were, like, eleven, a fire started in the kitchen."
"It wasn't even that big," Tuff continued. "But she saw it, froze, Stormfly started barking rapidly and, before anyone could reach her, she started going crazy."
"She started yelling for everyone to get to the buckets."
"And then asked what the hell Stormfly was."
"As if she didn't recognize her."
"I don't remember that," Astrid scrunched her nose.
"We know you don't," they said in unison.
"Didn't that used to happen to you," Snotlout asked Hiccup, who had already brought out his sketchbook.
"Nope," he answered, shortly, and kept on drawing. After a moment of silence, Snotlout quickly changed conversation. He let it float around him, not really paying attention. What Astrid had said, it did use to happen to him. And, sometimes, it still did. He thanked every god in valhalla that it had never happened in public, only in the safety of his own home where no one was there to witness it and he was on his own until he came to.
Hopefully that never changed.