"I'm afraid you do have competition, Mr. Haddock," said Irene Karr, the talent scout from New York.
It felt weird to be called 'Mr. Haddock', but it felt even weirder to be talking to someone who wanted me to come with them.
"Would it be okay if I asked who?" I said.
"His name, I believe, is Inermis. He too is qualified for this spot as a male performer at Seman Pu Enod Performing Arts."
Oh. My. Frickin'. Gosh. Not only am I competing with Inermis for Astrid's attention. Now I'm competing against myself for my dream!
I laughed into the phone. "Are you serious?"
"Yes."
What was I going to do? I couldn't give up my dream like that. But no matter who refused, I would still go. Wait. I would still go. That'd just be another clue, wouldn't it? If I left, Inermis would too. If he left, I would too. I could just say I'd gone with my best friend. I'd take Toothless with me...
"Ma'am, I'm ashamed to admit this, but I don't think I can compete against him. He's just so good. I'd never beat him."
"You could at least try. You two are the most qualified I've seen! Just, please, come try, watch him, see where you'd go."
I thought for a second before saying, "Fine. Where is it?"
"Final auditions are at the gym at Falsus Apello Performing Arts School. On Monday."
"Monday?! That only gives me one day to practice!"
"Monday. Good luck, Mr. Haddock. See you there."
The call ended with a click. A breathed out a stress sigh and flopped back on my couch. What was I going to do? Either way, I was going. But who to send? Or maybe we could both refuse?
Huffing, I picked the phone and called Astrid. She picked up on the second ring.
"Hey, Hiccup. How'd the call with the talent scout go?"
"That's the thing. I'm up against myself."
"What?"
Oops. "No! I meant... I'm up against Inermis. And, you know, he's my best friend, so it's like I'm going against myself."
"Oh. Well, what do you want me to do about it?"
"Could you come over?" I glanced at the clock. 10:00 at night wasn't a terrible time to practice, right?
"Um... Sure. I'll be right over."
After ten minutes of me reading The Dragon Turn by Shane Peacock, my door burst open and quickly slammed shut. Astrid, her hair strewn, was panting and trying to catch her breath.
"Did you run here?" I asked getting up to go over to her.
"Ye- Yeah."
"Do you want something to drink? Or eat?" I asked.
"Are you alone in this house?" she asked, taking a seat at the table. "Where's your dad? Or your mother?"
I winced. While familiar with the subject (more like leading expert), it still stung a little to mention that I basically had no parents.
"I mean, I saw your dad..." she trailed off when she saw the look of hurt on my face. "What's wrong?"
"My- My mother died, remember? And my father has basically abandoned me," I choked out, trying really hard not to cry in front of her.
"What?!" she said, coming over towards me. She gave me a big hug, one that I thoroughly enjoyed, and I buried my head in her shoulder in an attempt not to cry.
"You shouldn't be out here on your own. We should call the government, they'll keep you safe. Or maybe you could come live at my house. You shouldn't be alone, though," she rambled.
"Thanks Astrid. But hey, I've got you here right now, so I'm perfectly happy to remain here as long as you keep coming to visit."
We let go of each other at the same time. She reached up to her hair and pulled at it. When it was clear this was going to be one of those awkward moments, she sat back down at the table. "Water please."
"Certainly, madam," I bowed, our moment completely forgotten. "Cubed or crushed?"
"Cubed, please, good sir," she giggled.
I got a cup out of the cupboard and opened up the refrigerator to the ice box. "Hey, you wanna go over our skit for HUAT?"
"Oh my gosh! I COMPLETELY forgot about that!" she shouted, standing straight up.
"Well... It was given like two weeks ago. But it isn't due until... Wednesday, I think."
"So we have three days to practice. You want to now?"
"Sure," I said, handing her the glass. She took off her coat, hung it on the chair, chugged the water, puckered her lips from a brain freeze, and clapped her hands. "Let's do this!"
We, after much debate had decided on the scene from the middle where Jack and May are playing around and almost kiss. And this would definitely be one of the most nerve-racking and awkward things I've ever done in my life.
POSTING ON A WEEKDAY, WHAT IS THIS MADNESS?!
ANYWAYS, I HAD AN IDEA DECIDED TO GO FOR IT, HERE WE ARE. HAVE A GOOD WEEK... TIMES TWO! SHOOT ME SOME IDEAS IF YA GOT 'EM! AND TO THAT, THANKS TO MY FRIEND WHO SUGGESTED AND OC NAMED ROSE. I THINK I KNOW WHERE TO GO WITH THAT...