Wow, you guys are amazing. Thank you for the positive feedback!

I know the first two chapters were a little rough, and theres still not a lot of Hiccup in this chapter BUT he will be in the future chapters a whole lot more.

Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 3

If there was one trait that was consistent about Astrid is that she is a planner. She always has a solid plan with no chance of anything going wrong, and then plans in place after that just in case. Her most read book was her planner-she definitely was not a 'wing it' type of person. So you can imagine her distaste when the office of Student Council first was tardy, and then informed everyone that the plan for the Freshman Welcome was to set out tables, make banners and 'wing it'. "We'll grab some free stuff from recruiting and stand outside and answer any questions our newest students might have! Anything after that, we'll uh... we'll wing it." The sentence was repeating over and over in her head. "I can't believe this..." she muttered to herself as she walked out of the building. The meeting lasted all of 20 minutes and she was slightly annoyed with a sour taste in her mouth for the year ahead.

Her phone vibrated in her pocket, she reached down to look at who was calling. "Hey, Heather." Remnants of annoyance still on her tongue.

"Good morning, sunshine. I can practically feel the Hofferson Scowl through the phone. Meeting go well?" Sarcasm dripping through the phone from her best friend.

"No. No, it did not go well. At all. Apparently we're just gonna 'wing it'! Who in their right minds just wing what's supposed to be a huge welcome for the freshmen. Last years was awesome, remember? They rented out a space in the square and had tables set up from different clubs and schools. They made sure everyone was involved. It was how we found Student Council in the first place! And this year we're just gonna stand outside the recruiting off handing out free stuff. It just doesn't make any sense!" She huffed as she walked in the now blazing, humid sun.

"Ok, ok calm down, girl. You and I will figure something out that we can do under the table to help out. We'll make our table the best table there!" Thankful for Heathers reassurance she calmed down a little bit. "I was calling to tell you I'm almost back to campus, I was trying to be there for the meeting but I got caught in AM traffic. And yes, I mean sheep as the AM traffic. I got caught behind farmers moving their flock." Heather said with her own annoyance but was laughing it off. Sometimes Astrid wished she could let things go as easily.

"Mmm, sheep is the cause or you oversleeping?" Astrid smirked, knowing of her best friends habit of doing that from time to time.

"I promise you it was sheep!" Heather laughed. "Do you have plans for today? What can I interrupt?"

"I'm headed to the library now until lunch. Eret and I were gonna meet up if you wan-"

"WHAT. I'm sorry, you two made plans without me?!"

"Hey, to be fair we didn't think you'd be back until tonight. We were gonna call you about dinner! It's Sunday, you know that." She defended herself. They all knew Sunday nights were blocked out for their weekly dinner at Astrid's, there was no way Heather was gonna miss that.

"Ok, ok alright. You're right, I'll forgive you two. This time." Heather chuckled on the other end of the phone. "And A, don't work too hard. School hasn't even started yet."

"I know, I won't. I just need to do some prep work for my physics class, and then I'll be out of there. I promise." Both knowing there was only partial truth to that statement. "I'll text you the time and place for lunch."

"Okay, I'll see you then. Bye!"

"Bye." She hung up the phone right before reaching the stairs to the library. "Hello, Ruby." Astrid smiled once she was inside. The librarian, Ruby, and her had gotten somewhat close last year, as she was here almost everyday. She always reminded her of her own grandmother a little, that's probably why she led taken a liking to her.

"Oh, Astrid? I didn't expect to see you here until school started. What a lovely surprise! How was your summer, dear?" Elderly hands went to her face to push her hair back, and quickly pulled her into a hug that Astrid gladly returned.

"You know me, can't stay away too long. And it was great, I spent most of it with my mom and dad. How was your break?" She asked.

"Hardly one at all, we re-organized the whole library. But I had a few weeks to relax in there." Ruby said while adjust her reading glasses on her nose. "Somehow I knew you'd be back before classes start, I went a head and reserved your desk for the semester. Is that alright, dear?"

A sense a familiarity washed over her and she was able to set aside the rest of her frustration from the morning. Astrid was truly thankful for Ruby, she always did what she could to look out for the students. "That would be amazing, Ruby. You didn't have to do that!"

"Oh it was no worry, dear. I just thought you'd enjoy the same spot. It does have the best view, after all." Knowing it was also her favorite spot as well.

"Ruby, you have outdone yourself once again." After offering another thank you, and taking the key to the desk, Astrid made her way to the second story all the way towards the back of the building. The building was the largest building on campus and her desk was tucked away between two book shelves that held books that didn't see a lot of traffic. It was right next to the window that overlooked the garden the conservation club was responsible for and they always made sure it looked spectacular. That was her favorite part about this particular spot.

Walking up to the desk with the sign "Reserved for: A. Hofferson", suddenly everything was back on track in her plan. She would spend countless hours here prepping for her future. Going into the Architecture program as her Master and the History program has her minor she knew she had a fight ahead of her, but with her being a Hofferson she never backed down from a challenge. Prepping her desk with her textbook, laptop and notebook she began her prep work. She had intentions to only work on her upcoming physics course, but who was she kidding. She was gonna work on all she could.

Three hours passed with complete silence and she managed to complete the physics work and the first few chapters of her Historical Foundations class. Rolling her neck side to side she decided it was probably a good idea to stand and stretch for a minute. Walking around to find the water fountain she heard someone walking up the stairs. With a quick glance she looked over and she sucked in a quick breath. It was him, Auburn. He hadn't noticed her yet, nor had he even looked up from the paper he was holding. Suddenly she didn't know what to do, which was not like her. Not liking this feeling at all she started to panic and before she could turn around and walk away he looked up and made eye contact with her. He must've recognized her because suddenly his eyes slightly got bigger and he looked panicked as well, like he was a deer in headlights.

With a quick glance back down the starts he was the first one to break the eye contact. He turned around rather too quickly and walked back down the stairs and suddenly he was gone. Astrid was too stunned to move. She wasn't exactly use to people... avoiding her. Usually everyone is trying to talk to her and be her friend. Walking back to her desk something clicked in her brain that didn't quite make sense. Why didn't she say hello first? Why did she panic as bad as he did? At some point they were going to have to speak to one another again, they were neighbors for heavens sake.

Realizing the time she pulled out her phone and checked her messages. Time usually runs away from her when she's in school mode.

The Three Amigos Group Chat:

10:45 Heather -

Did you guys forget about lunch? Lol I'm starving

10:47 Eret -

Heather! You're back in town?! I've been waiting for A to text and see where we're meeting for lunch

10:52 Heather -

She was headed to the library at 8:30ish, she probably hasn't even looked at anything else other than her text books

10:56 Eret -

You're absolutely right, we might as well pick and she can meet us there. Where you wanna meet, H?

11:00 Heather -

Jay's Deli!

11:03 Eret -

I was about to say that! Astrid, we'll meet you there at 12:00?

11:15 Eret -

A?

11:45 Eret -

... H, it might just be you and me

11:47 Heather -

Lol we should know better by now. I'm on my way, I'll see you there!

It was 11:50 now, she quickly packed her stuff and sent a quick apology and that she was on her way. Thankfully, Jay's Deli was maybe a 8-10 min walk from where she was.

Arriving at her destination she saw the familiar gray pick up truck in the parking lot hinting that Eret was already here and Heathers bike was in the bed of the truck, which wasn't unusual. Though what she was when she went inside was unusually. Heather was leaning across the table with goofy smiles on her face while Eret waves his arms around obviously telling some drastic version of a story. She began to think she was interrupting something. Raising an eyebrow she walked over the the table. They hadn't even noticed she walked in until she cleared her throat.

"Why, hello random strangers, my names Astrid. Nice to meet you." She jokingly said while sitting next to a slightly red faced Heather. Astrid was the only one who knew about her secret crush, so Astrid hoped Eret didn't notice the blush.

"Now, you don't get to be a smart ass to us, you forgot about our super important lunch date!" Heather said while scooting over to make room.

"I know, I'm sorry. You guys know how I get."

"Did you at least get a lot accomplished?" Eret said. Before she could respond the waitress came over and took their order. Eret ordered the pastrami sandwich, Heather ordered the chicken wrap and Astrid the turkey club. And refills of sweet teas, of course.

She didn't know what possessed her to bring it up but all of a sudden she blurted out "someone moved in across the hallway in the empty apartment."

Eret and Heather looked at her a little oddly, not knowing why this is suddenly important information to share. "And? Did you meet them or something?" Heather asked taking a sip of her drink.

"Kind of. He has this huge black lab that jumped on me. I didn't get his name though, but he seems cool." Astrid said, trying to make her sudden burst seem normal. Thankfully neither of them pressed the conversation more.

A familiar loud group of people walked by the restaurant and noticed the three of them sitting there. Astrid suppressed an eye roll as best as she could when she saw them step into the restaurant.

"Yo! Astrid, baby! Why'd you missed out on the party last night?" Steven "Snotlout" sneezed into the already small booth next to Astrid. The eye roll she tried avoiding now in full effect, she just ignored his comment saying hey to Rachel "Ruff" and her twin Thomas "Tuff". Eret, Heather and Astrid met the three last year they've all hung out ever since.

"Snot, I'd be careful if I were you. Astrid's already having a tough morning, no promises on if she's gonna hurt you or not. I'd lay off if I were you." Eret said laughing over his lunch.

"Aw, cmon Astrid. Don't be like that." Snot said, snaking his arm around her shoulders. Without even thinking she grabbed Snots hand and twisted it backwards, a cracking sound came from his arm.

"Ow, Hey! Why'd you do that?!"

"I told you to not put your arm around me, maybe now you'll remember." She reminded him nonchalantly. Both Ruff and Tuff roared with laughter. Eret was fighting back a smile while Heather looked like she was trying not to say 'I told you so'. It was times like these she was thankful for friends like them. She could have swore she heard Snot say 'shut up Astrid', but she might have imagined that.

Ruff spoke up, "Hey, shouldn't we be going? You told your cousin you'd help him finish moving in."

"Yeah, yeah we're going now. See you guys around!" Snot said, still rubbing his hand as they walked out the door.

When their food arrived they started talking about the new things in their lives. Eret talked about wrestling, Heather told them about her weekend and some crazy prank her brother Darren pulled on their parents. Astrid informed Eret on the meeting that went horribly wrong earlier while she and Heather tried to game plan a table they could be proud of. It was always comfortable around these two, nothing to hide and they could always find things to talk about. When they were finished Eret was headed off to the gym, promising them he would see the both later for their weekly dinner.

Once he was gone Astrid turned to Heather, "you're going to have to tell him eventually." Heather knew exactly what she was referring too but shrugged it off.

"Astrid, you know I can't do that. We both know he doesn't feel the same. It'll make things awkward."

"Staring at him with hearts in your eyes isn't quite helping either. And we all know he's not bright enough to pick up the hints on his own." Looking at Heather with a pointed look, Astrid felt bad for her friend. The said crush developed last year and neither of them knew what to do about it. She tried to help, but she wasn't good in that department. She'd personally never had a boyfriend so she was clueless.

"You're right." Heather sighed. "At some point this semester, I will tell him. I promise."

Astrid stopped and looked at her best friend with a raised eyebrow. The both starting laughing together knowing the statement that was just said was a bit of a stretch.

"Okay, okay... maybe this year. Or decade, either way he will know eventually." Said Heather. "I should probably head back, I've got 2 scripts to read before classes start and auditions to prepare for. See you later, A!" Heather hopped on her bike and rode off towards her dorm.

"Bye, H!" She called after her, starting her walk back to her apartment. Maybe she should get a bike, or use her car more. It's just a haste trying to find parking, plus it costs an arm and a leg. She was hoping she would see Auburn again on her way back but she didn't, she even went the long way by the dog park they had in their complex. Unlocking the door to her apartment she stepped inside and sat everything down. Deciding it was probably a good idea to rest for a minute she made a cup of coffee and turned on the TV for a minute. In the middle of the show she was watching someone knocked at her door. When she opened it she was too shocked to say anything, she just started at the guy that was in front of her.

Thankfully he wasn't too shocked to not say anything and broke the silence with a "H-hi, um.. I think you're mail was in my box so I'm just returning it to you, you probably want it. It's a coupon book." Auburn said while handing her a rolled up newspaper into her hands. She took it from him with a polite smile

"Thank you, I appreciate you bringing it to me." She said, for some reason avoiding eye contact. What is it about this guy that makes her act... not herself.

"You're very welcome. Astrid is a pretty name, by the way. I didn't read your mail, just noticed your name. Unless it's not your name and then well I look silly delivering the wrong mail to you." Auburn said running his hands through his hair and then sticking them into his pockets, like he didn't know what to do with them.

She laughed, "yes, that's me. Thank you, it's a family name."

"I'm Henry, my friends call me Hiccup though. It's a long story. You can call me that too, not saying we're friends or anything. I mean, unless you want to be then that'd be cool. I mean-not saying-"

"Hiccup." She stopped him, and he looked slightly relieved mixed with a little embarrassment. The freckles on his cheeks grew slightly pink. "That's a interesting nickname. It's nice to meet you." She reached her hands towards him with a smile. When he took it there was some unspoken connection between them, but they both shook it off just as quick as it came.

"Well, I'll just be going now." He did an awkward shrug and pointed to his apartment. "It was nice to meet you too, Astrid." He started to walk away back to his door.

"Wait!" Before she could stop herself, "what're you doing for dinner tonight?"