I was looking over the plans for this story and…I think this chapter might have a bit of tension in it. If not this chapter, then definitely the next one. The good thing is that the tension won't be between Astrid and Heather. It also won't be between Astrid and Hiccup.

Review Replies:

Dirtkid123: There will be a whole arc coming up that will be devoted to Astrid's mysterious past. It's not a very long arc (two or three chapters, tops) but it gets the message across, I think.

That guest (anonymous): Thanks! I'm glad you enjoy this story too. I always like doing that…reading a story and then looking at the author's penname and realizing that the story is written by one of my favorite writers.

MugetsuPipefox: The answer might surprise you. (That answer will probably be revealed in this chapter).

Noctus Fury (anonymous): Double negative.

Sarnakh the Sunderer: Uh…sure, you can PM me about it if you want. I'm not quite sure what you're talking about, but…uh…yeah. Haha. Huh…I don't think I have any songs from those two musicals in the plot yet. I'll have to take a look and see if any will fit with the plotline I've established. Good suggestions!


Chapter 7: The Past Always Comes Back

Astrid really did not want to go to class. Still, she had to go. She needed to pass all her classes and they were quite a bit more difficult than the classes she had taken at Raven Pointe Area Community College. Why was she constantly reminded of the dark past that she tried so desperately to hide, lock away in the very depths of her mind? Would she ever truly forget what happened and forgive herself?

Without a word to Heather, Astrid left that morning. She did not hear Heather whisper her name in concern; Astrid was too preoccupied with the dark memories that had crept their way back into her mind. As Astrid walked toward her first class of the day, she heard her name called in greeting.

"Hey, Astrid!"

Startled, Astrid looked up. Not many other students knew her name yet, so she was surprised to hear someone greet her. Looking toward the direction where she had heard the voice, Astrid's eyes locked upon a familiar pair of green ones. Great…one of the few people on campus that I don't want to see right now. Hiccup. Rather than answer, Astrid picked up her pace and hoped that Hiccup had chosen not to follow her. It's not that I don't want to see Hiccup, she justified to herself. It's just that… Somehow, she had come to associate Hiccup with her past which was illogical, she knew. He hadn't been there when the accident had happened; she hadn't even known him back then. Still, just the reemergence of her memories yesterday had created the connection between Astrid's past and Hiccup.

Luckily, Hiccup did not follow Astrid. At least, it didn't appear that he had when she'd chanced a brief glance over her shoulder. Thank the Gods. Hopefully, I don't see him again for a while…or ever. Berk University is not the largest campus out there, but it should be sufficient enough to prevent another encounter with Hiccup…right?

888

It wasn't. Does Hiccup have an extensive tracking system or is he just following me? Astrid had begun to wonder as it seemed that Hiccup always turned up nearby, asking her if she was okay and begging her to tell him why she was avoiding him.

The cat-and-mouse game that they played was exhausting, but Astrid could keep at it. What other choice did she have, really? What could she tell Hiccup anyway? Yeah, you know, Hiccup. I'm really sorry that I've been avoiding you, but I've had some pretty bad flashbacks since our first encounter and now my mind links you with this horrible accident that I desperately want to forget. Could she sound any weirder?

Unfortunately, as Astrid was trying to think of a suitable reason to tell Hiccup as to why she was avoiding him, the cat-and-mouse game came to an end. Astrid had not been concentrating and she had backed herself into a dead-end of the campus. Hiccup had cornered her and there was no way that she could put off the inevitable conversation anymore.

Resigning herself to this undeniable fact, Astrid turned back to face Hiccup. He approached slowly as if encountering a frightened stray cat. "I'm sorry, Astrid," he whispered his apology. "I never wanted to corner you like this, but it seemed the only way that I'd get you to talk with me."

Damn right! Sure nailed that one! Astrid thought to herself, but she still willed herself to keep silent; she didn't know how to answer the question that she knew Hiccup would ask.

"I can tell that you don't like being cornered any more than I like being the one to corner you, so if…if we go out into the open again, will you promise that you won't run? I just want to talk with you."

Astrid sighed. She didn't want to talk, but she didn't want to stay in this corner so she reluctantly agreed. As soon as they were both back out into the open, Hiccup asked her the question that she had been desperately trying to avoid answering.

"So…uh, what's going on, Astrid? I mean, I greeted you and you kinda…freaked out and started avoiding me. Did I do something wrong?"

No! she wanted to answer. No, you did nothing wrong, Hiccup. It's not you. It's me. I'm a horrible person with a terrible past and you shouldn't get involved with me! Of course, that was not the answer she gave Hiccup. Seriously, what could she tell him? She wanted to be his friend, but if he were to ever learn about her past, what she'd done, he would leave her behind and never glance back. Everyone else already had…even her own parents. Astrid was all alone, torn apart by one horrible event that seemed to reappear again and again as if stuck on replay within her mind.

"You did nothing wrong," Astrid whispered her reply finally.

"Then, why did you avoid me?" Hiccup asked, looking down.

Astrid could see the hurt reflected on Hiccup's face. She'd been the one to make him feel hurt…and she hated herself for it. Yet another person she'd hurt in her life. "I'm sorry," Astrid softly apologized. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you the true answer to that question." Her voice grew softer and softer with each word and Astrid was afraid that the flashbacks would unwillingly start again.

"Well, I guess you'll have to try me and then I'll tell you if I believe you or not," Hiccup answered with a laugh. Astrid guessed that he'd chosen a lighthearted tone to make the conversation feel less serious.

"It's…also a long story," Astrid continued, her voice still quiet, as her gaze shifted to the ground beneath her.

"I've got time," Hiccup gently coaxed.

With a sigh, Astrid began, "Fine. It happened back before I graduated high school. Three years ago now, when I was seventeen…in the winter of my junior year of high school…"

Before Astrid could continue with her story, she was interrupted. Another girl approached, greeting Hiccup with a shout and a wave. "Oh, Hiccup, there you are! I was just…"

She stopped as she caught sight of Astrid. As Astrid looked closer she recognized this girl. It wasn't hard, seeing as how she looked just like her twin brother. Rachelle Thorston, the twin sister of Timothy Thorston, Astrid's ex-boyfriend.

Hiccup looked between the two blonde girls and Astrid briefly wondered if he could sense the tension. Astrid understood Rachelle, though; Rachelle had every reason to hate her. Astrid knew that it was all her fault. If not for her, Rachelle's twin brother would still be alive today.

As if realizing that he hadn't yet introduced the two girls, Hiccup spoke up. "Ah…hey, Rachelle. This is Astrid. Astrid, I'd like you to meet Rachelle…my girlfriend."


And you all thought Hiccup was just saying that he had a girlfriend, huh? So…there's a bit of a past between these two lovely blonde ladies. More to be revealed later! Next chapter starts the next story arc: "Holding Out For A Hero". It's gonna be good!

Thank you all for reading and supporting Roommates!

Posted: June 9, 2016