IN CASE OF CONFUSION, THIS IS A DOUBLE UPDATE, GO BACK A CHAPTER IF YOU HAVEN'T READ IT YET.

So later that week, I finally finished the final draft of my essay. And if I do say so myself, it was good. I thought so, at least. But I don't know. Maybe it was bad. Yeah, it was bad. But this part, and that part were good, and this was -

So yeah, I was in that stage where I kept switching between thinking my essay was amazing, and thinking it was absolute trash. It happens a lot with my art, but usually my art was good to everybody else, so I was desperately trying to ignore feeling like my essay was terrible. I would have texted a copy of it to Norm to ask him how it was, but it seemed too personal. It was a little personal, but I wanted it to be that way. It would move them, or something dumb like that.

So Thursday morning, the day before the deadline, I walked to the office and handed in my essay. Jack kept saying he still had a few finishing points, but I think he just wanted to hold onto it until the deadline, that way he could fix it if he found anything wrong. I just wanted it away from me so I wouldn't worry.

Sure it was stupid to worry. But I mean, for me, it wasn't just an essay. It was important to me, so I cared about it.

So, essay turned in, I walked towards Art class. If I didn't hurry, I was going to be late. And Stoick wouldn't be happy, that would be like the third time of an unexcused lateness. He was starting to act like a dad now. He was trying a lot harder, and I appreciated it. I did so much, in fact, that I thought maybe I should maybe start calling him Dad soon. Not like really soon, but someday. He was trying. And I was too.

I knocked on the door out of habit, then opened it and walked in. Everybody was waiting for me, apparently, because they all rushed at me. I was barraged with questions. Did you finish it? Did you turn it in? Norman told us! Is it good? Do you know if you'll make it? Did Jack finish?

I stared around, really confused, when their questions finally stopped, and all I could do was laugh. "Yeah, guys, I finished. Jack's almost done. I don't know guys. Maybe it wasn't good enough." I looked down at my feet, discouraged.

Norman scoffed, and Punzie and Merida just shook their heads. It was then that Dipper spoke, standing hand in hand with Norman (which nobody was surprised by, like at all). Dipper looked Hiccup straight in the eye and shook his head. "Honestly, you're like the only other literate one here, besides Punzie, Elsa, and me. See these people? Idiots, I say." It got half the class glaring, and the other half agreeing.

Eugene laughed. "He's right. You guys are just mad 'cause you're not as awesome and talented as Hic!" I laughed, and smiled. Hic. Reminded me of Jack. I couldn't wait to see him, to tell him about my essay being done. Of course, I wouldn't let him know that. I would hide my excitement from Jack with as much wit and snarkiness as possible.

Lunch rolled around, and I ran up to Jack. we both opened our mouths at the same time. "I turned it in!" we said together. I scrunched up my nose, then laughed. "We aren't supposed to be in sync! We sound like the Hitachiin twins!" Jack laughed.

But then we were worried again, and we both were nervous. Jack kept looking over at me during lunch, and I sort of didn't know why. But I was way too worried to care. And for once, it wasn't about some stupid sickness, or family problems, or accidents. I felt normal. And that was exactly what I wanted to feel.

Jack POV ((((oh my, it's been a while poor Jack))))

Gah, he looks so damn cute when he worries about the little stuff. I can't even handle it. Too bad he's my best friend. Gah. I hate this. I just want to scoop him in a big hug and tell him that he is the greatest writer ever and that we are both going to make it. I don't even know why I wanted to do this in the first place. I guess it just felt… right.

And then what do you know, Hiccup was doing it too! Maybe if was some weird force of the universe. Whatever. I looked back up at him and his brow was furrowed and he was biting his lip. God. He is adorable. Damn it.

I'm starting to feel like this kid is the only thing I ever think about. I guess love makes you dumb.

I dropped my jaw at my own thoughts. Did I love Hiccup? Yes. Was I in love with Hiccup? I smiled. You know what…

Yes.

And Back to Hic because Jack I cannot write you

So I was worried for the rest of the day right? But after lunch, Jack just seemed… weirdly happy. I didn't question it; happy Jack makes a happy me. Just seeing him smile made me want to be like him. But yeah, by this point, I was starting to think that I was past the point of admiration, even past like. Like a lot, maybe? I didn't know.

But I wanted to. So all during English, instead of working on the vocab and semicolon work, I thought. I thought about all the things I've ever said, or done with Jack. All the things he's ever said or done to or with me. I thought about the countless 'I love you's' sitting around in my head. Sure, I've thought that I loved him. But it was a building thought. A bud, waiting to bloom. And I wanted a flower, dead or alive. I needed to know.

I remembered first meeting him. I remember hanging out with him as kids. I remember him protecting me from the other kids, hugging me tight when I was sad. I remember him on the day he left, when he kissed my forehead, and said he always had wanted too. I remember the look of pain on his face when he left, like he hated leaving me behind. I remember finding him again, him getting mad at me for not telling him things. I remember him cheering me up, smiling at me, and I remember him telling me everything I could ever want to hear.

And I remember one thing the most. I remember that he has never treated me like I don't matter. I remember that he has always been there for me, and that he was the only one who cared enough to try and make me happy again. I remember him saving me. And it didn't matter that I didn't know. I didn't have to know. All I had to do was feel.

And I felt that I loved him more than anything. I loved him more than I loved to breathe.

And you know what? Nothing else really mattered. It never usually did.

yaaaay. more maybe soon.