I have been trying to make sure my chapters are at least 3000 words - but I have been pushing myself a little more. I have been trying to be more detailed with my writing, verses just very direct. I am struggling a bit with this - Something I learned from Nicholas Sparks is to read and study how other's write. This has stuck with me since I was in high school. I have tried but my style just isn't very advanced. However, I am expanding my word count limit o er 4000 now, and htis one was just under 5000.

In this chapter you will see things become a little more physical with Brock. Again, TW - Bullying.

Hiccup lingered in the hallway for a few minutes, gathering his thoughts and allowing Brock to leave the grounds so they didn't run into each other again. After picking up his back pack, and reminding himself to take in a deep breath, he headed down the hallway and towards the stairs. After descending the stairs, he continued to keep watch in the hallways just in case for Brock. Only when he reached the outside of the building did he breathe a sigh of relief.

He was now in a new predicament. The last time he walked home in the cold from school, he'd ended up with the worst and most embarrassing experience with a phantom pain he'd ever had. Astrid had come over, and she and her father had to help him through the experience. Just the thought of how embarrassing it was made him turn red.

Pulling out his cell phone, he debated as to whether or not call his father and let him know that he missed the bus, or possibly call Katherine in hopes she had a moment to come get him. He could have called Fishlegs. Even though he didn't have a license, he knew his mother would come and give Hiccup a ride. It had happened before. But, he halted. He was not good as asking for help. He didn't like asking for favors.

Instead, he called his father's cell phone, and hoped he'd had the ability to answer.

Within three rings, Mr. Vast picked up.

"Hiccup, are you all right?"

"Y-yeah," Hiccup said, still slightly shaken. "I missed my bus, though. I dropped my book bag, and when I came out the bus was gone." It wasn't entirely a lie.

"Okay, well, I am putting together my binder for a case right now. Can you give me, say, fifteen minutes before I can leave and come down there? I can finish this at home - I just need a good stopping place."

"Yeah, I'll just head back into the school and wait. Can you call or text me when you are on your way?"

"Can do, lad." And, with that his father hung up the phone.

After stopping in the office and letting the secretary know why he was lingering on school grounds, Hiccup took a seat in the cafeteria and sat down to wait. After pulling out his phone, and glancing through it to pass some time, his mind lingered and ended up on Heather's Facebook page.

She'd just posted a picture of herself and Astrid from Friday night. Hiccup had actually snapped it right before Sage had arrived. They were both holding up the uncooked pizza, both smiling. He could see Heather had over forty likes on the photograph, seeing Astrid was one of those likes. He tapped the button to join in. It warmed his heart a little bit seeing that Astrid made Heather's profile.

He started flipping through her photo uploads, something he didn't typically do. He only had Facebook himself because Astrid did, and honestly, he liked seeing her profile showing her tagged as in a relationship with him. Just seeing that and her profile picture as them on a hike during the first snow that season always gave him a warm, fuzzy feeling. Admittedly, the girl still gave him butterflies a year later.

As he flipped through Heather's uploads, he saw some photographs she'd uploaded of friends in her dorm room. In a few the girls were studying for a test, and then a basket of candy and chocolate showed. The caption was "Someone special sent us food to help us study…" Frankly, he assumed it had been Sage.

There were pictures from a dance that Heather had gone to, captioned 'college homecoming,' and then randoms of friends at the college pub, a picture of her finalized poster board for a college assignment…He was surprised to see a selfie she took of she, Hiccup and their parents at the Mexican restaurant before she left for college this year, and of her own father and step-mother and her younger sister and brother….As he continued back, he found her and her mother setting up her dorm room, her graduation party, she in her cap and gown.

Over the last year, he noticed that her hair had grown longer, she'd highlighted it once, she'd started wearing less eye make-up than she used to. He also noticed more pictures were taken in comfy clothes at college verses high school.

And then he landed on a photograph that caught his eye. There is was - the possible tell-tale picture.

She was with a group of people from high school. Actually, Astrid was in the photograph as well. Upon matching up names to faces, it looked as though most of the volleyball team and some of the swim team had posed for a picture last year with some of the upper-classmen basketball players. There was Heather, riding piggy-back on Brock, her one arm around his shoulders for support.

He flipped back a few more pictures, and found pictures of she and her friends bowling with Brad, Snotlout and a few other members of the football and basketball team. Brad was in at least two more of their photographs.

Then, one upload that stopped him. Heather was sitting next to Brock in a booth at Jerry's Ice Cream. On the other side sat two other people from Heather's grade. Heather had been the one to take the selfie of them all. He noticed Brock's arm around the back of her against the booth. This had to be it. The picture seemed very innocent…yet, telling, to him.

After that, there were no other pictures of Brock and she in them, and he'd gone back a few more months. A text came up at the very top of his phone. It was from his father, indicating to Hiccup that he was on his way to pick him up. Hiccup let out a breath, then placed his phone back into his hoodie pocket, and continued to wait for his father.

Did something happen with Brock and Heather that he wasn't aware? Of course, he didn't typically pry into other people's business. He rarely noticed who was seeing who unless they'd been like Jake and Norah, who'd been dating since Freshman year. Or Kyler Baldwin and Adalynn Baker, who started seeing each other the spring before Hiccup had fallen. They'd just become an item in their little group of friends on the track team.

Perhaps he had been reading to far into this, but he needed to know.

Something Hiccup noticed was that Brock seemed to only show up when no one was around. The last two times he'd waited until Hiccup wasn't with anyone to approach. Mornings - Hiccup was usually with Astrid or Fishlegs, or both. Ruffnut would occasionally show up and talk to Astrid for a few minutes, but would wonder off. She didn't tend to hang around when he or Fishlegs were with Astrid.

During lunch time, Hiccup would meet Astrid at her locker and head to the lunch room with her most days. It had been a long while since he'd taken his lunch with him to the art room. They'd sit with people they knew off of the track team. It was during lunch that Hiccup caught sight of Brock for the first time all day. Brock actually was looking his way, and eye contact was made. Brock tilted his chin up towards him, and winked. The action made Hiccup's chest skip a beat.

"You okay?" he heard Astrid ask quietly just then.

"Y-yeah," he said, blinking. "Why do you ask?"

"You just - twitched really hard," she said in a whisper.

"Yeah - cold chill," he said. She eased and turned back to Norah to talk.

Hiccup made plans to meet up with Astrid at her locker after last bell. Instead of going to his locker after class was over, he headed to his locker after the lunch bell. He'd more than likely be carrying his history book home with him, but that was okay.

Halfway down the hallway towards his class, he suddenly went flying forward. The extra weight of his back pack caused him to be more imbalanced. The next moment, he felt himself twist, and a squeeze come to both of his arms. He was face to face with Brock.

"Oh, Hiccup!" Brock said. His voice was showing a fake concern. "Did you trip? So glad someone was there to catch you!"

It was then that Hiccup realized someone was holding him upright. Glancing up, it was Rudy Rice. He was over six foot tall, and also on the basketball team. Hiccup took in a very deep breath. This was getting old.

"Thanks," he said quietly, placing his prosthetic down on the ground to balance himself. Rudy let him go once he was steady, but Hiccup knew he was cornered. One behind him and one in front. A wall stood to his left. The only other place to go was right if he wanted to run. However, the boys were so close to him there would be no escape. If he had his leg, he would be fine. He could duck and dodge - just like he'd done in middle school. His back pack was too heavy and would hold him back even worse. The biggest hurdle, though, was his gimp.

"Since we have you here, do you have any news to give me?" Brock asked him.

When Hiccup didn't meet his eye, he felt a hard push at his chest, and once again Rudy caught him. This time, though, Rudy locked his arms around his shoulders.

The crowd was disappearing around them. Somehow, yet again in the middle of day, Brock had him. People had been around, yet they simply continued to walk passed them without noticing the issue, or without wanting to intervene. These jocks were practically running the school it seemed like.

"I told you, Hiccup. What is the hold up?"

Narrowing his eyes, Hiccup let out another breath. "She is with someone. There is no point in harassing me for you."

"All I want her to do is come to the game," Brock said.

"And, why is that?" Hiccup asked him.

"I have my reasons."

Hiccup tried to relieve himself of Rudy's hold, but it just caused the guy to hold him much more tightly.

"Why can't you contact her yourself?" Hiccup asked.

"I can't get in touch with her - I have tried," Brock said.

Hiccup's mind raced. He needed to get out of the hold he was in. It had been a long time since he'd been caught in this sort of circumstance. Yeah, he'd jumped in the middle of some guy who'd taken a moment to attempt to court Astrid. At the end of the day, Hiccup believed that the guy was jealous that Astrid was with someone. Perhaps, this was what was going on with Brock?

"Is this a case of wanting what you can't have?" Hiccup asked.

The look on Brock's face was priceless.

"Damn, dude. Snotlout did say he could be ballsy, especially in a lock like this?" Rudy lifted Hiccup up more, hanging him from the ground for a brief second, before dropping him roughly on the ground. Pain shot up Hiccup's numb, and it took everything he had not to call out.

Then, his shirt was grabbed by it's collar, and Brock was in his ear.

"Get be a positive report tomorrow, Tripod." With that, he shoved Hiccup to the side, and both boys were running down the hallway.

The bell rang just as Hiccup was picking himself up from the ground. He was late for class.

After shaking the back pack off of his body, he turned to get up to his feet, however, the prosthetic gave out, and he was on the ground again, this time on his front. Pain raged against his limb. Despite the small drop, it was apparent the leg had taken a hit. With his hands shaking, he inspected the limb, and noted, thankfully, that the only issue was that his suction pin had somehow loosened, creating the issue with standing. After making the adjustment, he tried again, somewhat successful this time around. However, he could tell that he had some rubbing on his skin from the issues.

Glancing at his cell phone, he was now minutes late for class. And, this was one teacher he hadn't wanted to cross. The lady was on the verge or retiring. And, today he was in for a quiz that he was now completely late for.

He entered the room quietly. Ignoring the heads coming up from their quiz papers, Hiccup hurried to his seat. He made eye contact with Mrs. Morton, giving her an apologetic look, and went to his seat. A test paper had sat face down at his desk. Taking his seat, he removed his pencil from his pocket, and flipped over the quiz and began to answer the questions.

Although hurried, he finished the quiz, and was done when she informed the class that the time-frame was now over with. After collecting the papers, she continued on with her class.

Hiccup could feel his numb beginning it's insanely dull ache now. He bit his lip in annoyance, and glanced at the time every five minutes. He had two more periods to make it through. He'd have to make his way to a drinking fountain to take some pain medication. If he didn't, there wouldn't be any way he would be able to finish out the day.

The bell rang, and Mrs. Morton yelled her final words, "Make sure to complete your assignment for this evening on the portal. Mr. Vast - a word, if you would please."

His stomach dropped. He felt eyes narrowing in on him, he heard a few chuckles and someone go, "Oh, ho!" at the reference. They all knew he was in trouble.

Swallowing, Hiccup approached her desk, and her small, boney face glanced up at his. Her lips were narrowed, and he could see she was not pleased.

"As you know, I do not tolerate lateness," she said.

"Yes, ma'am, I know."

"What kept you?" she asked.

"I - " He didn't want to tell her he was being bullied. Or harassed. He also didn't want to tell her he was having issues with his prosthetic. "I'm sorry, it won't happen again."

"It most certainly will not," she said. "I want you here early tomorrow morning for detention. Seven a.m. No later."

Hiccup's mouth fell open. But, then he closed his eyes and nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

"How could she have given you detention?" Astrid asked Hiccup. "I mean - it's kinda hard to give someone detention for running late when their leg simply gave out."

Not wanting to tell his father the truth, he had turned to Astrid. His father would have been either disappointed - or irate. The fact of the matter was, Hiccup had to be at the school ten minutes before his bus would have arrived for his detention. Without telling his father his only other option was asking Astrid to give him a ride.

"You know, Mrs. Morton," Hiccup said, feeling guilty. "It is what it is."

"Surely, she should have understand that this was a medical issue - not you playing hookie - "

"It's FINE, Astrid," Hiccup said. Suddenly, his breath caught in his chest, and he turned away from her. Feeling her wide eyes on him, he took in a breath and let it out. He didn't want to yell at her. It was not her fault that she didn't understand fully what had happened. All she knew was that his prosthetic had given out.

Astrid had found him at his locker after school struggling to keep himself upright. He'd taken some basic pain reliever, but it had not been enough to control the level he was falling into. He didn't have crutches at the school, and his only other way of getting around was the prosthetic. Noticing his stagger, she simply placed his arm around her shoulder, and helped him down the hallway.

Brock had been around the corner as they rounded it, leaning against the locker, with his arm crossed. Hiccup and he connected through their stare, and he tilted his head at him, giving him a warning look. This was Brock's point of contact after school for him.

Instead of riding the bus, Astrid had given him a ride home. She'd called her mother informing her that she was going to Hiccup's "to study" and she had drove him home, helped him into the house. From there, he'd pulled the prosthetic off. There were visible rub marks along his tender skin. Two spots had started to bleed. From there, he'd taken some stronger medication, and started a warm soak in the bathtub for his nub.

Astrid was sitting across the bathroom on the toilet when he'd asked her for a ride to school the next morning - and had then told her the reasoning.

"I'm sorry - " he stammered.

"It's okay," she said gently.

He didn't like raising his voice at her. It had only happened now, maybe four times, and it was always when he was stressed and panicked from a phantom pain, or he needed a moment alone. This time, it was a little bit of both, plus he needed some space to think.

"It isn't," he breathed.

A moment later, she moved to sit on the edge of the tub beside him. She leaned her head against his shoulder, and he in turn leaned into her.

"I really am sorry," he said.

"You aren't feeling good," she said.

"C'mon, Astrid," he said, slipping his hand over her's. "You can't make excuses up for me. Not when I smart off the way I do."

She gave a nervous giggle. "Hiccup, I wouldn't call it smarting off. Trust me."

A moment passed between them.

"You know how I have told you about my father…When he gets so focused on a case, and he just - comes off a little explosive?"

She nodded.

"I - I am always afraid that is how I come off to you when things like this happen."

"That is not how you sound to me," she said. "I promise." She kissed his forehead.

A weak smile passed to one side of his face.

"Are you sure you are all right?" she asked him.

He nodded. "Just hoping this goes away soon." A nervous chuckle escaped his mouth. "Although, I may fall asleep here soon. The meds will kick in."

"What about your homework?" she asked.

"It'll get done. I will just need a few hours, and I can get it done before midnight."

He lifted his head to look at her, and found himself, once again, appreciating her in every shape and form. She'd been there through so much with him. All of the self doubt, the mental struggles he had after his accident, the medication, PT, the pain.

"I don't deserve you," he said, the words falling out of his mouth. He'd never spoken them aloud before.

"Why do you think that?" she asked, a sad note in her voice.

"I just - I just don't."

Her arms fell around his shoulders, and he had to stop himself from wincing when she did. It was at this moment he was glad he was on a much strong prescription for pain medication. Not only would it have helped the pain in his leg, but also from the restrain he'd had from Rudy earlier that day.

"Hiccup - I wish you knew more of your worth," Astrid said. "I wish you'd see yourself how I see you."

Her words took his breath away. "Maybe one day, I will."

Hiccup's father had a rule about Astrid being over at the house - She was not allowed in Hiccup's bedroom if Stoick or Katherine were not home. If they were at the house alone together Astrid was supposed to stay out of his bedroom. Normally, they respected that rule. However, after Hiccup had finished soaking his stump, and after Astrid helped apply the antibiotic cream to the rough stops, she helped him to his room so he could sleep. He didn't remember her leaving, quite honestly. She'd been there for a few moments talking to him, and when he woke up hours later, she was gone.

What woke Hiccup up at 8:12 PM, was his phone going off. He'd received a text message. After lying there for a few moments, and hearing his phone beep again with receiving not one more, but five more, did he pick up his cell phone and check his incoming texts.

5:35 PM - DAD - I will be home late. Make yourself some dinner, or let me know if you want me to pick anything up on my way home.

6:45 PM - DAD - I had Katherine come by and check on you when I did not hear from you. She said you were asleep. I hope you are okay. Let me know if you need anything.

He went to another text message block, and realized he had a group message that he had been included in. Upon inspecting it, these were the messages he had been receiving that were waking him up. To his surprise, it was a group chat created by Heather.

6:04 PM - HEATHER - Hi, guys!

6:04 PM - ASTRID - Hey, girl!

6:04 PM - HEATHER - I thought it was time we had an official group chat. What do you think?

6:05 PM - ASTRID - Absolutely! I see a FOURTH, though?!

Hiccup glanced at the little bubbles. Sure enough, there were four bubbles in the group chat. Two had little letters, one with an A and the other with an H. Hiccup only had their first names listed in his phone. The final one just had the outline of a person's head and shoulders.

6:09 PM - UNKNOWN - Yeah, it's Sage.

Hiccup's stomach gave a jolt. He looked away from his phone. Honestly, waking up was what he needed to do before he continued on with reading the conversation. His body ached slightly, he noticed. Reaching for his crutches, he pulled himself up out of bed and headed towards the kitchen. Alone in the house, he continued to the kitchen and made himself a glass of tea. After sitting down at the table, he began to read further.

6:09 PM - ASTRID - I think Hiccup is asleep right now, but I am sure he will be excited to see this little group once he wakes up.

6:10 PM - HEATHER - I hope so. Sage and I actually had a question for you both…

Narrowing his eyes, Hiccup glanced away. To be honest, this was probably the most text Heather had ever actually sent to him in one day on his cell phone. Granted, he'd always just left her alone for the most part. Outside of a few text messages they'd exchanged around Christmas as they plotted their parents' Christmas gifts together - that was it. The thought of this made him glance back at his private text box between he and Heather. The last time they'd text directly was New Years Eve, and that was she just wishing he and Astrid a Happy New Year just after the ball dropped…

6:12 PM - ASTRID - Do you want to wait to ask once we know he is awake? I promise you I know he is asleep…

Hiccup wondered if Heather actually understood Astrid's hints. He could, obviously.

There was a large gap in the messages, before just the few minutes before he had woken up…

8:05 PM - HEATHER - Looks like he's still Mr. Sleepy-head…

8:06 PM - ASTRID - Seems to be. I am sure Hiccup will respond soon.

8:06 PM - SAGE - Guys, let the man sleep! High school always wiped me out…

8:07 PM - HEATHER - All right, all right.

His phone must have beeped with the response notifications more than once, he figured because this was the last message that had come through. Instead of replying, he decided to call his father.

Two rings, and his father answered.

"You okay, champ?" his father asked.

"Y - Yeah." Hiccup's voice caught, and he cleared it.

"Rough day?"

"Ehhhhh - " Flashes of the incident after lunch caught Hiccup. "Just an unfortunate circumstance with the leg."

"I gotcha," Mr. Vast said, distractedly. "I am almost done. I had a meeting with a client at the last possible minute. And, I was just finishing listening to her statement when you called."

"I see," Hiccup said.

"Have you eaten?"

"No, I just woke up."

"Okay, good. How about I stop and pick up Chinese?"

Hiccup thought for a moment. "Actually, would you mind picking me up a caterpillar roll from the grocery?"

His father paused. "You want sushi?"

"It technically isn't sushi, but yes. If it isn't too much trouble."

"They don't have that very often. In case what is your second choice?"

"California. That should be there."

"Okay, kid. Give me, five minutes here, and I will be out."

"Thanks, Dad."

"How are you feeling?" Judging by his father's voice, it seemed as though he wasn't very distracted.

"I'm - okay."

"Well - all right. I have a matter to discuss with you when I get home, okay?"

This statement took Hiccup back. "Uh - did - um, okay. Am I in trouble?"

"I'll discuss it with you when I arrive home, okay?" With that, the phone clicked off.

Had he found out that Astrid had been in the house? Oh, gosh, did his father set up cameras? His mind was going into somewhat of a panic. Setting up cameras did, indeed, sound like something his father might do if he didn't actually trust Hiccup. Honestly, in a way, he had full right to. Especially with how often he and Astrid were left alone at the house…

He ran his hand over his face and sighed.

8:42 PM - HICCUP - I am alive.

He waited for a response. When one did not come right away, he took a drink of his tea, and then reached over and grabbed his back pack from the neighboring chair. He needed to get his homework done before midnight.

After opening up his laptop and settling into his chair, his phone dinged.

8:47 PM - HEATHER - He lives!

A chuckle escaped Hiccup's lips.

8:47 PM - SAGE - Hopefully you had a nice nap.

8:48 PM - HICCUP - As good as I can, I suppose. Homework time now.

8:49 PM - HEATHER - Astrid - please tell me you are around. I was just about to head to the showers.

It was a few more moments before another ding came across his phone.

8:53 PM - ASTRID - I am sorry! I left my phone in my room.

8:53 PM - HICCUP - Okay, guys, what did you want to ask us?

8:54 PM - HEATHER - What are your plans Friday night?

8:55 PM - ASTRID - Oh, really? What were you guys thinking?

Hiccup took in a deep breath. Typically, he may have been interested in hanging out again and have couple's night again. He felt like they all had a good time together staying in and having dinner and playing cards. At the present time, he wasn't much feeling to social.

8:56 PM - HEATHER - Mom's birthday is this weekend. I was going to come home and spend Sunday with her - but I am feeling nostalgic. How about we go to the semi-finals game?

Hiccup read this and choked on his tea.

8:57 PM - ASTRID - Really?!

8:59 PM - SAGE - Yeah. I used to play and I'd like to watch a game.

9:00 PM - HEATHER - Sage's school is already done for the season - and Friday could be our last…

9:00 PM - ASTRID - Doubtful - the boys have been on fire!

9:01 PM - HEATHER - So, game starts at 6:30. How about after school we go grab a burger and head that way?

9:01 PM - ASTRID - Hiccup, you in?

Of course Hiccup was on the fence about this. Brock was getting his wish - Heather at the game. But, Sage was also going to be there. And, Hiccup would be there, too, with Astrid. At the very least, Hiccup could keep an eye on Heather. And, with Sage there they both could make sure she was okay with Brock around…

9:03 PM - HICCUP - Don't be surprised if I do not eat much at dinner - I want some Viking Nachos!

The next texts that followed from the girls was emoji smiles with blushing cheeks. Obviously, they were excited.

9:05 PM - SAGE - Um, what are Viking Nachos?

A small laugh escaped Hiccup's mouth, right when the front door opened and his father was coming inside.

….