I sighed. Monday had come too quickly.

"Are you ready, Inermis?" Karr said.

I was back at my sign language. "Yes," I said. Signed.

The only people in the bleachers were Karr and a translator for my sign language. It was nice not having an audience for once.

And so I danced. I can't remember the moves. Or the song. I just remember that I did it, and it felt wonderful. Everything went by in a blur. All I had to think about was moving to the beat and maybe even impressing Karr at the same time. There were flips and jumps and tumbles and shoulder-shrugs and splits and sweat and breathing and New York and Astrid and Toothless and what am I even doing and- STOP. When I stopped, Karr put down her pencil and clapped her hands as I panted.

"Impressive, Inermis. I understand that that is your stage name?"

Amazingly enough, they had let me wear my costume and keep my name. That wasn't lasting long, though.

"Yes."

"What is your real name?" In the background, I heard a door open up, but I could barely hear it over the roaring in my ears. I shook my head, saying I didn't want to answer.

"We have to know, or else you will not be allowed into the school."

This was not the first time I had been asked, though it was the first time it had been asked by an important person. An actually important person. A horrible, sticky pit of finality filled my chest. This, Inermis, was done. At least for now, for these people.

As much as I loved being Inermis, it was killing me. Keeping this secret was like a boulder in your shoe. It was super painful, huge, annoying, and you just can't stop thinking about it. It drives you nuts. Who do they want you to be? Who do you want to be? Would they like you still? Would they respect your decision? Would you lose everything if you told the truth?

So many people loved Inermis. But I didn't. And maybe, just for these people, I could lift off some of my burden.

I ripped off my hood and shook out my hair. "My name is Hiccup Haddock."

Her eyebrows shot up. "This is a surprise. Well. That makes my life easier. Congrats. You and Hiccup 'both' get to go to New York."

There was a small gasp behind me; I turned to see who it was, but they were already out the door.

Oh no.

They knew my secret.

Whoever it was knew my secret.

Oh my gosh. They know. My secret. The world might as well have just exploded. My secret. Was out. Spaces intentional.

"I- I'm sorry, I have to go." I said to Karr. I put my mask in my bag and ignored my hood, running out of the gym with my bag banging against my leg. My eyes scanned the hallway in a desperate attempt to find him or her. I spotted a dark brown head.

I grabbed her arm. She spun around to face me. All the dramatic noise in my head stopped. This girl... Woah.

She had one blue eye, crystal blue. The other eye was green. My color green. Her maple colored hair fell in straight curls, which was strange in and of itself, but really cool and pretty at the same time. "Hello," she squeaked.

"Hi..." I whispered.

She pulled back her arm and stood awkwardly in front of me. "So... It's really cool to meet you. I'm a huge fan."

"Wh- What?" I said. There were stars spinning around my head, I was sure. And in my eyes...

"Inermis. I'm a fan. I mean, I've seen almost every Saturday performance. You rock."

"And... And now you know who I am." The panic really started kick in now. My hands went up in my hair as I began to hyperventilate. My bag dropped to the floor with a thud.

"Woah, woah, woah! What's wrong? Why are you breathing so hard?" she panicked.

"You can't-" Gasp. "know my-" Gasp. "secret!" Gasp.

She bent down and wrapped me in an awkward hug. "I won't tell anyone. I promise."

"Really?" This girl was already very high up on my list of friends.

"Sure. Why would I tell? You're just a regular teen like me. I'll respect your issues." She looked at me as an equal even though most girls would flirt with Inermis (not me). This was so refreshing that I sighed in relief. Finally. Someone who didn't want to steal away my alter ego and marry him.

"Thanks. You have no idea how much that means to me. Hey, what's your name?" I said nonchalantly.

"Rosalinda Indigo. You can call me Rose." She giggled and walked away. "See you tomorrow!" she called with an arm thrown back as a wave.

This would be the start to a wonderful new friendship. I could tell.

HOLA AMIGOS. COME ESTÁS? YO? MUY BIEN, MUCHAS GRACIAS!

I KNOW, I KNOW. NO UPSIDE-DOWN PUNCTUATION. BUT THAT'S WHAT YOU GET WHEN YA TYPE.

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED. NOW GO TO SLEEP.

P.S. THANKS Anony mouse101 FOR YOUR SUGGESTION OF ROSE. SHE WILL BECOME IMPORTANT... I THINK.