My Hope
Author: Nightstar Fury of Nightstar Productions.
Rating: M for Mature.
Disclaimer: I own nothing from Dreamworks HTTYD or Dreamworks Dragons. I also don't own any of the songs I may use.
26; Start Of Trouble.
{Astrid's POV}
I couldn't believe today was graduation day! No more high school after this, it was amazing. And I still couldn't process that Hunter and I were a couple, even four months into the relationship already. We'd gotten together on Hunter's birthday, and now it was June. I loved being with him, and loved that he had a daughter too. Sure he became a father young but that didn't matter, he was a fantastic father and always put Hope above anything else. Even school from time to time and that little girl adored him. The last two weeks since the world wide race had been nothing short of perfect, we hung out all the time. Had picnics in the park with Hope, Hunter and I went to movie or two, and dinner to follow. Then there were times we just sat at his house, and made out the times Hope was napping which were rare with her being two now.
On top of Hunter and I enjoying our time together as a couple, we also hung out with our friends too. Our final grades were in, we'd all passed thank Thor. Hunter was going to continue racing, Damien too. I didn't want to race but I was going to become a dragon trainer, Heather and Rylee as well. Travis, Eric, Shaun, and Fredrick were undecided about what they wanted to do still. I think Fredrick was talking about becoming a dragon caretaker, he had said watching Hunter build Toothless's tail inspired him to want to be able to help dragons all around. All of us got to keep our dragons, I loved having Stormfly at home with me now and my Terror too. Yeah life was great, the only thing that sucked was that the police never found out who that Changewing rider was who caused Hunter's crash.
They checked every registered dragon in every racing league around the world and no one registered a Changewing as their dragon for racing. It was frustrating at first but Hunter just shrugged it off, he said he didn't care because he and Toothless were alive and healed, right back in the saddle where they belonged. He said it only proved that even the jealous ones couldn't keep him and Toothless grounded. But all that happiness aside, today was graduation day and we were more than ready to be done with this place and continue our lives. I know I was at least. We'd been rehearsing the graduation day for the last two weeks, how to line up, the name order, speeches, and more. We had it down, now we just had to wait for 2pm in order to walk that stage, get our diplomas, and enjoy the party being held at Hunter's place. Right now, it was only 12:30pm.
Prom was a week ago, that was fun. A night I'll never forget for sure, all night it was dancing with Hunter and being with our friends. The prom started at 6pm, went until 11pm. The laughs, dancing, music, food, drinks, even décor was amazing and here I'd been worried at the start of senior year that I'd never get to go to prom because I didn't have Hunter to go with. Shaun had offered to take me to junior prom the year before but I declined saying I'd only go with Hunter and as of last week, I actually got to see that through. Hunter and I never did anything sexual of course, we didn't think it'd be practical to do after only 4 months of dating. That and I had a feeling Hunter just wasn't ready to do something like that again since the one time with his ex landed him a daughter and although he loved her to pieces, he didn't want another child right now. We'd already had this talk after we got together. Hunter and I had no secrets from one another, I loved the openness of our relationship and I loved that little girl of his who I hoped one day, I could call my step-daughter.
"This is so exciting, we finally graduating!" Rylee exclaimed as us girls were sitting at the salon getting manicures, pedicures, and our hair done. The boys were off getting haircuts, then we were meeting at Hunter's place to finish getting ready in caps and gowns. The Berk Academy colors were red and khaki. Girls in khaki, boys in red. We would get to keep our graduation tassel but had to give back the cap and gown after the ceremony.
"I know right." Heather added, I nodded but just sat there thinking about everything. This last year had been amazing. Hunter and Heather came back to high school, we found out Hunter had a daughter and was the dragon racer Shadow with a Night Fury, I told Hunter how I felt about him and now we were together. So much had happened and though some parts were questionable, everything worked out just fine. Only an hour and a half, and we'd be done with high school.
(2pm)
All our parents were there, so were we. Getting ready at Hunter's hadn't taken long at all to do. We were sitting before the stage while Samuel gave his speech, the valedictorian ended up being Fredrick. It was supposed to be Hunter because his GPA was the highest however he missed two years at Berk Academy and a lot of days so he felt he didn't deserve it and his father gave the honor to Fredrick who had the second highest GPA and never missed any school over the last 4 years we'd been there. None of us could erase the smiles on our faces as the procession for us all to get our diploma's began around 2:30pm. All lined up in alphabetical order, we were called to the stage. Of course the listing of our names didn't even start until the H's where Hunter, Heather, and I all were.
"Heather Haddock!" Samuel called out, Heather made her way to the stage and shook her father's hand then hugged him. "Hunter Haddock!" His father said next as Hunter went up taking his diploma and shaking his father's hand. The two shared a look before Hunter made his way back down to the seats. I was next after a few other H last names, "Astrid Hofferson!" I smiled brightly making my way towards Mr. Haddock and shaking his hand. The names continued down the list towards the I's. "Fredrick Ingerman!" Fredrick went up to receive his. More names passed before, "Shaun Jorgenson." Was said by Samuel. Then following down more it was, "Damien Lanvock." Moving down the names bringing us closer to 3:45pm we were in the S's. "Eric Solberg!" Samuel smiled. Eric went to get his diploma. And then shortly after the S's, it was the T's. "Rylee Thorston." Rylee got her diploma then waited for her brother, "Travis Thorston."
The names ended after the Z's not that any of us were paying attention since our group of friends had our diplomas already. "Now that all students have received their diplomas, the document that allows them to be released from Berk Academy as student. May I present the Berk Academy Class of 2016! Congratulations graduates!" Samuel called out. All of us got to our feet, removed the tassels, then tossed or caps in the air cheering and clapping. There were hugs all around, then pictures from parents. It took a good hour before any of us actually got to leave to get to Hunter's, that and before anyone left we had to turn in our cap and gown to staff of the school.
(Hunter's House)
{Regular POV}
Nothing could possibly ruin the good mood of all the party goers in the Haddock household. Everyone was happy, listening to music, enjoying snacks and soda. Violet and Samuel were in the kitchen preparing the grilling items and the friends were talking about their summer plans before 'real life' began. Samuel entered the living room and handed Hunter a large yellow folder. "What's this dad?" Hunter asked.
"Just came for ya son." Samuel said as Violet came in wiping her hands on a dishtowel while Hunter flipped the envelope over to see who it was from.
"It's from the AIUDS, Archipelago Islands University of Dragon Studies..." Hunter stated softly.
"That's like major. That's the best dragon studies school in the entire Archipelago, Hunter." Heather exclaimed.
"But I never...applied there. I stayed local." Hunter said flipping the folder and beginning to open it now. He pulled out a neatly placed stack of papers. Hunter placed down the pile as he looked over the front page. "Dear Hunter Haddock. We know you never applied to our establishment, truth be told we heard of you during the world wide race. You have the knowledge and skill that this university strives to see in potential students. We would like to extend an invitation for you to study abroad for a year, sailing to all the islands of the Archipelago and beyond and then for the remaining 3 years, attend our school. To further prove our seriousness that you won't regret your choice, we are offering a full scholarship including books, room, and more. Also as a bonus, your child and dragon may come as well. We have an extensive daycare program both aboard the ship and the university itself. We hope to see you at the docks in one month, the ship sails July 16th. Please let us know by July 1st, 2016 if you will be attending. Thank you for your time. Signed...The Staff of the AIUDS and headmaster, Daryl Bludvist." Hunter read aloud to the group.
"Hunter that's...amazing!" Astrid exclaimed.
"Yeah...It is." Hunter replied still looking at the paper.
"You have to go! You can't pass this up!" Heather added, they saw Hunter's unsure face. "What's the matter?"
"I never applied to this school. It's in the center of the Archipelago, a 5 hour flight. I wanted to stay local...And they heard about me from...my dragon racing? Doesn't that seem a little off to all of you? This university doesn't just...pick people because they saw them on T.V or heard on the news." Hunter mumbled.
"Hunter, its the AIUDS! They are offering you a full scholarship. Room, board, meals, also you can bring Hope and Toothless! You can study dragons abroad for a year, sailing all the islands of the Archipelago and beyond. Then live at the university for 3 years! All paid for! This is a once in a life time chance, Hunter. You have to take it." Astrid exclaimed. Hunter stayed silent, he looked at Hope sitting on the floor with Astrid, Rylee, and Heather. Toothless was running around outside with all the dragons. What did he do here? It was a once in a lifetime chance, and he could bring hope and Toothless. But then what about Strykeout, Sharpshot...and Astrid? He wouldn't get to see them for a year, and rarely once the year was up and he was living at the university.
Finally he sighed, "I don't...I don't know. Its a lot to just decide in one day..." Hunter replied. He really needed to think this through.
"Well you have a few weeks yet. Think it through and decide son. You know you have our support." Violet smiled.
"And ours." Shaun added while the rest nodded. Hunter got up to put the stuff in his room, Violet and Samuel moved back to the kitchen while the group continued to talk about the offer Hunter just received. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
"Can one of you get that please?" Violet called.
"I got it." Astrid smiled as she got off the floor and moved to the door, she turned the handle and opened it seeing a young female there with dark caramel hair and teal eyes. She looked to be a little younger than Astrid herself. "Can I help you?"
"I'm looking for Hunter." The young woman states, already Astrid began to get a nervous feeling in the pit of her stomach. Who did Hunter know this young besides herself and the rest of their friends?
"May I ask who you are?" Astrid asked calmly.
"None of your business so move aside and let me see him." The woman scoffed angrily crossing her arms over her chest. That nervous feeling turned to anger almost, Astrid figured out who she was just by her tone alone and the fact she was looking for Hunter.
"Babe!" Astrid called.
"Yeah?" Hunter returned it.
"You may want to come here for a second." Hunter had just returned from his room and saw Astrid at the door. Hearing she wanted him to come to the door he moves to the door and his eyes widen seeing her there. Olivia. His ex girlfriend.
"Olivia..." He breathed out. The whole room went silent hearing the name. The shock soon wore off and Hunter's eyes turned almost cold. Astrid saw it right away and knew this was going to be a shit show and more.
"What's the matter Hunter? No hug or 'Its been so long'?" Olivia asked softly as she went to hug Hunter but he pushed her back calmly then his arms crossed over his chest.
"What are you doing here?" Hunter asked firmly.
"I can't just stop by to see you and our daughter?" Olivia asked.
"No and she's my daughter." Hunter answered coldly. "So again, why are you here, Olivia?"
"Fine. I was just accepted into the AIUDS study abroad program and university. There was a list of everyone else who was accepted as well. Saw your name, decided to come see you for old times sake." Olivia responded. "Are you going to invite me in?"
Hunter rolled his eyes. "Old times sake? Really? You want to call what you did 'old times sake'? And no, I'm not. I want you to leave." Hunter said.
"Ooh, what happened to the well mannered boy I met 3 years ago?" Olivia pouted.
"He's still here, just not for people who did what you did." Hunter retorted.
"And what did I do besides give you all my love and attention, and the best night of your life the night before we parted ways?" Olivia crossed her arms over her chest now.
"The best night of my life was the night Hope was born. Everything else was drama." Hunter stated.
"That's what you want to call what we had, drama?" Olivia huffed.
"And you want to call you not accepting responsibility for what happened parenting?" Hunter scoffed.
"I wasn't ready to be a parent at 14, Hunter!" Olivia said quickly.
"And you think I was ready at 15!? For Odin's sake, Olivia. I was 15 when you got pregnant, 16 by the time Hope was born! You think I was ready to be a father then? Hell no. I was terrified but I still stuck through it and it was the best decision of my life because that girl in there is my life." Hunter scolded firmly. He couldn't believe the nerve of this woman, he couldn't believe it before but now he really couldn't believe her. Things were going to get a lot louder and more serious with all he had to say to her.
{This is a two parter people, so look to chapter 27 for the rest of the fight :p}
