=Normal POV=
(Friday, 10/13/2017-7:15 am)
(Archian Island, Berk)
(Haddock House)

The week went by pretty average; it was mainly school and everyone doing their own thing through the week. Some of the couples had date nights, but otherwise, nothing big happened. Now on Friday, Hunter was stoked for Basketball tryouts, not that he was overly worried about not making the team because he had every single year since he started playing for the school team. Shane and Travis were also going out for the team; they'd been on it with Hunter since freshman year at Berkian Academy because it was fun and something to do. The friends didn't hang out much during the week because of either after school jobs, family things, or just being too busy with homework; they mostly kept in contact by texting or skyping each other. This morning, Hunter was packing up his final items into his backpack, including a set of gym wear for the sake of both gym class, and then tryouts after school. Hunter was just preparing to leave the house when he felt his phone vibrating in his pocket; pulling the device out and seeing who the caller was, he smiled to find it was Nicole, who he set in his phone now as Nikki.

"Good morning," Hunter answered.

"Hunter, hey and morning…" Nicole replied, though Hunter heard in her tone that she sounded a bit frazzled and worried.

"Is everything okay?" Hunter decided to asked.

"No, not really. Have you, uh, left for school yet?" Nicole wondered.

"I was just about to head out the door now. What's wrong, Nikki?" Hunter questioned.

"I didn't put my phone on the charger last night, and it died, so I missed my alarm to wake up on time to get ready for school. I just woke up about five minutes ago, and missed my bus. Both of my parents have already left for work…I really hate to ask, but do you think you could grab me on your way to school?" Nicole asked.

"Nikki, that's fine. I'll come get you right now," Hunter responded calmly. "No need to get all panicked; I'm happy to give you a lift,"

"Thank you so, so much, Hunter," Nicole breathed a sigh of relief. "I'll be waiting outside,"

"I'm coming right now, okay? Be there in a few," Hunter smiled.

"Alright. Thank you again, Hunter. I really owe you. See you soon. Gonna go finish getting ready! Bye!" Nicole said and then ended the call from her end.

Hunter could only chuckle a bit as he headed out of his room, closing the door and getting down the hall where his father was sitting down with coffee and the paper with Glenn. "Morning, son," Spencer greeted.

"Hi, Dad. Hey, Uncle Glenn. I'm heading to school, so talk to you later," Hunter quickly hugged them both before heading outside.

Reaching his jeep, Hunter bucked up, tossing his backpack in the back and starting the vehicle up. Hiccup changed gears, backed out, and headed to Nicole's house. Sure enough; she was waiting outside on the front porch steps. Hunter pulled into the driveway as she quickly got up and got in the car with him, setting her back at her feet and buckling her seat belt.

"Again, thank you so much for this," Nicole told him.

"Don't even worry about it. I told you; it's not like I live far and we have plenty of time to get to school," Hunter laughed a little as he backed out again and now headed down the road for them to get to the school. "So, how was your night. I know the morning wasn't fantastic," he asked.

"Night was alright. Got home from school, did homework until my parents came home. We had dinner, I showered, finished the book and went to bed around 12:30 am, which is much later than usual for me to go to sleep. Especially on a school night, but I guess I really just wanted to finish the last chapter of the story," Nicole smiled a little, relaxing in the seat.

"Nice. Oh, you can use my car charger, if you still need to charge your phone?" Hunter offered, holding up the wire for her.

"Thank you," Nicole accepted it, plugging in her iPhone and setting it in one of the cupholders. "I managed to get it to twenty percent between waiting for you and getting ready," she added. "I guess I'll have to watch how much I use it throughout the day until I get home," she smiled.

"You can use my external one, if you want. Just gotta plug in the phone and let it be. It'll charge without an outlet, good for two full charges," Hunter said. "I can give it to you when we arrive,"

"I'd appreciate that, Hunter. Seems you're just my hero this morning," Nicole stated.

"Nah, just a friend who is always willing to help out," Hunter laughed a little, trying not to blush at the hero compliment from Nicole. "So, did you enjoy the first Harry Potter book?"

"Oh, I loved it. I can't wait to see the movie; I love making comparisons between the two," Nicole replied. "Which reminds me!" she suddenly added in while looking at him. "My parents said it was okay for me to be at your house to watch it with you; I explained that it'll happen each time I finish one of the books. They're totally cool with it as long as there is an adult home, and obviously, that I'm home before 11 pm,"

"That's great. Did they give permission to a certain day, or just whenever as long as you're home by curfew?" Hunter smiled

"They'd prefer not Sunday night, as it's a school night. Sunday afternoon is okay; they would want me home for dinner at 6 pm, thought. It's one of the only nights we're all home together for dinner," Nicole informed. "They said tonight was alright, but they've got some even to go to at 7 pm until 10 pm, so I'd need a ride home if we picked that," she said.

"Well, as I said on Monday; I have Basketball tryouts tonight until 6 pm, but I could grab you on my way home from those and we could have dinner and watch the movie. I'll get you home when it's over," Hunter suggested.

"I could stay after with you; it's not like I have anything going on at home. I can do my homework and I brought the second book in the series to read if I finish all that before you're done," Nicole giggled a bit.

"You sure you wanna just sit in the gym while tryouts are happening? It's just drills and stuff," Hunter remarked lightly as they were getting closer to the school, and still with five minutes until the first bell would ring. Hunter got onto school campus and headed for his assigned place in the student lot.

"It wouldn't be anymore more or less than what I do at home after school. I grab a snack, do homework, and just read. Eventually, I make myself dinner, or eat with my parents it they are home," Nicole shrugged. "So no, I don't mind," she smiled as Hunter parked the jeep, and shut it off before they both unbuckled and got out. Hunter and Nicole both got their bags and headed for the C-Hall breezeway as it would be their way into the school and then just head right to their first period class of the day.

"Well, if that's what you want to do," Hunter smiled. "I can't exactly tell you no, just be careful of stray balls,"

"I will bear that in mind," Nicole nodded as they reached their first class and got inside to sit down and get ready for the day ahead. The bell rang promptly at 7:30 am, the classroom door was shut by the teacher, and then the class began as usual.

. . .

(5:50 pm)
(Berkian Academy)

The school day was normal; the friends met up between classes and enjoyed their lunch hour together. At the end of the day; Hunter, Shane, and Travis reached the gymnasium for tryouts. Raelyn, Mindy, Addilyn, and Heather were also there to root their friends on. Raelyn was there for her brother, and her boyfriend, Elijah was an assistant coach like Devon. Addilyn and Mindy were there for Shane. Heather was there because her brother was her ride home because Myra had a doctor's appointment at 3:00 pm, and she'd be going home to make dinner for Heather and Devon. And Nicole was obviously there for all three friends, but Hunter and her did have their movie night and would be going to his house when tryouts were over. The beginning of tryouts was introductions, the head coach was Dimitri Bludvist, the two team medics were Jeremy Traytor and Kyle Hunters; the it was a little speech about those new to the game, and welcome old faces back from the years before. After that it was fifteen minutes of warm-ups, and then finally; they got into actual tryouts.

Most of it was footwork, dribbling, shooting, passing, and catching. There were a couple drills and a mini-game. Nicole focused on her homework, just so it would be out of the way for the weekend and then around 4:00 pm; she started reading the second Harry Potter book. She did sit with her friends, and talked a bit, but mainly did her own thing since the others were more into the tryouts. Nicole was able to multi-task and do both; watch tryouts and read her book.

"Good work, all of you," Coach Dimitri informed to the teenagers forming up in front of him. "Sheets will be up Monday if you've made the team or not, and don't forget that there is a secondary list for back up players. Now, let's get all the equipment put away and then you can hit the showers and go home,"

At the sound everyone would be leaving soon, Nicole made everything was packed up and moved down the bleachers a bit to continue reading her book until she was told it was time to leave; she was sure that Hiccup would want to shower first. "Nikki, you need a ride home? Devon and I will be leaving in about five minutes," Heather inquired.

"Nah, I'm good. Hunter and I are doing the first Harry Potter movie tonight, so I'm going with him to his house," Nicole replied.

"Alright, talk to you over the weekend, girl," Heather replied as she went to join Addilyn, and Mindy who were still there and waiting as well.

"Rogue ball!" someone called.

"Nicole, heads up! Watch out!" Hunter's voice brought Nicole from her reading; she looked up from the book to see a ball bouncing right towards her. Nicole shifted quickly to set her book down and catch the ball, rolling it on her arms and over her shoulders to the other hand, then letting it spin on her finger. Nicole smiled as Hunter reached her, panting. "I'm so sorry,"

"What for? It didn't hit me, so no harm done. In your defense, you did tell me to watch for them," Nicole giggled a bit.

"Hunt, pass it here," Shane called to him as he was next to the ball cage with his hands ready. Hunter went to get the ball from Nicole, but she only tossed the ball up a bit to land in her palm, then tossed it overhand towards Shane, managing to land it in the cage "Damn good throw," Shane blinked.

"You sure you don't want to be on the team?" Hunter chuckled.

"No thanks, not a sporty person. But I'm happy to come and support you and your team during games," Nicole informed. "Go on and shower; I'll wait here,"

"Alright, be out in about ten," Hunter nodded as he headed into the locker room with Shane and Travis. Nicole grabbed her book and started to read where she left off while waiting for Hunter.

Ten minutes passed as Hunter came out wearing his clothes from school that day and his backpack over his shoulder. "Ready?" Hunter inquired. Nicole bookmarked her page and set the book in her bag, zipping it shut and rising while lifting it onto her shoulder.

"Absolutely," Nicole nodded.

. . .

(6:30 pm)

By the time Hunter and Nicole reached Hunter's house, it was 6:30 pm. Hiccup pulled into his spot, not bothering with the driveway because he knew he'd be taking Nicole home in a few hours. The two exited the vehicle, both going into the house to be greeted by Glenn first.

"Ello, kids. Nice to see you again, Nicole," Glenn smiled.

"You as well, Mr. Forger," Nicole replied.

"None of that, lassie. I'm Glenn to everyone," Glenn stated as Nicole nodded. "How was tryouts, Hunter?"

"Sheets for backups and who made the team get posted on Monday outside the gymnasium, but I'm not worried. I always make the team," Hunter informed. "Where's dad?"

"He'll be home around 8 pm, something about a dinner meeting with colleagues," Glenn shrugged. "So, what brings you two here. Well, mostly Nicole because I know you live here, Hunter,"

"Don't you remember the movie night thing I asked dad about last week?" Hunter inquired.

"Ah, yes! That. I do remember now," Glenn nodded. "Well, I'll leave you to it then. I assume you're taking her home later on?" Hunter nodded to him. "Have fun! I'll be in the living room watching the game," he headed back to his seat on the couch. Hunter only shook his head a little and sighed.

"Guess that means we're watching the movie in my room, if…That's alright with you?" Hunter asked.

"Oh, that's fine, Hunter," Nicole replied lightly.

"Would you…Like to get some dinner first? I know me, I'm actually pretty hungry after not eating since lunch," Hunter smiled.

"I guess I could eat, if you don't mind feeding me. I can always whip something up when I get home," Nicole shrugged a little.

"Nonsense. I'm not going to invite you over and then not let you eat until 10 pm," Hunter laughed a bit as he led her through the living room and over to the right where the kitchen was. "What are you in the mood for?"

"I can eat anything," Nicole said. "I was raised eat what you're given or starve," she laughed.

"Same," Hunter agreed. "Well, I got microwave pizza. That okay? Easy and we can eat it in my room for the movie with soda or something?" he suggested.

"Sure, that sounds good," Nicole responded. Hiccup pulled two out and got them on plates; he set the one for Nicole in first and put the timer at three minutes.

"What would you like to drink?" Hunter questioned.

"You mentioned having soda?" Nicole asked as Hunter nodded.

"Coke, Sprite, Fanta, and I think Ginger Ale," Hunter stated after checking the fridge.

"Fanta, please?" Nicole requested. Hunter grabbed it and handed it to her over the counter as he got himself two Coke's and an extra Fanta. "Why do you need three?"

"Extras for during the movie if we run out and want more," Hunter chuckled.

"Smart thinking," Nicole nodded. "Why'd you ask if I was sure about joining the team earlier?"

"That was a damn awesome shot you made," Hunter mentioned. "And the cool move you did,"

"That was nothing," Nicole shrugged a little. "Just happened to have time to set it up," she added.

"Was awesome, could use skill like that on the team," Hunter informed.

"No…I don't play sports," Nicole laughed a little.

"Why not? Not athletic or just not into them?" Hunter asked.

"Guess maybe a little of both," Nicole said with a shrug of her shoulders. Glenn happened to peek over at the two teenagers; Nicole was leaning on the counter from one side while Hunter was actually in the kitchen across from her and leaning forward as well. The two were happy and smiling as Glenn started to wonder if his godson had a thing for his new friend. However, it wasn't his place and maybe the two were just had a lot in common and enjoyed each other's company. It didn't necessarily mean that had to have crushes for them to be happy and hang out like this.

"Well, you'd make a great Basketball player, in my opinion," Hunter told her. The microwave beeped as Hiccup got her pizza out and set his in, putting the timer back at three minutes. The two friends continued to talk until Hunter's food was done. "Alright, let's get this movie night started, finally," Hunter said as he carried his plate and two sodas, Nicole did the same with her things. "Heading to my room, Uncle Glenn,"

"Alrighty, lad!" Glenn replied calmly. Hunter led Nicole through the living room, down the hall past the foyer and a door on the left. Getting into the hall; there were three other room and Hunter took Nicole to the one all the way down the right path.

"Sorry it ain't much," Hunter mentioned.

"Hunter, it's fine," Nicole laughed. "I'm not gonna judge you over your bedroom. I don't typically judge anything," she added.

"Still, I normally don't let people in my room. Not even my friends have been in here a lot and I've known them forever. We normally hang in the living room," Hunter explained.

"I get it. Heather was the only person who was ever in my room back in Berserker and…No one has been in my room since moving. It's a space thing; your room is your personal space and no matter who anyone is to you, it's your decision to share it and let people in," Nicole stated.

"See, my friends get all worked up about why I don't let them in here. I mean, yeah; it's not much, but it's still my bedroom and I don't feel like a hang out with friends should be spent with everyone crammed in here," Hunter started.

"Looking, touching, and being curious about everything that you keep behind a closed door?" Nicole finished for him.

"Yes, exactly. Thank you!" Hunter set his two cola cans and pizza plate down at his computer/work desk. "You can sit down on the couch," he told her so she didn't have to keep standing. Nicole nodded and went to sit down, setting her plate on the table and then one of the cans on a coaster. Hunter moved over to the door, closing it first and then grabbing the first movie of Harry Potter to load it into the DVD player and get the TV on. When the title screen loaded, Hunter sat down next to Nicole, placing his food and drinks on the table as well.

"Well, I appreciate that you like me enough to let me be in here," Nicole giggled.

"Well, Glenn is occupying the living room even though he has his own TV in his bedroom. And this isn't a huge friend hang out; it's just us, so I don't mind as much. I know you're probably more interested in the movie than everything in my room," Hunter laughed. "And yes, I do like you enough to let you be in here," he added.

"Awe, I feel so special. Can you imagine how our friends would be if they knew that not only did we have a movie night with dinner, but we spent it in your bedroom together?" Nicole had to laugh at that one, and so did Hunter.

"Oh, gods…I can't imagine it. It's both hilarious and annoying to consider their reactions about all this given they already thought something was going on between us on Monday," Hunter said, sighing a bit.

"Hey, no big deal. If…Anything was going on between us; we'd tell them. They could either support it as our friends or if they didn't; are they really your friends?" Nicole asked.

"That is…Very true. Wow, it's great to finally know someone who thinks and feels the way I do," Hunter said softly. "Well, let's get this started. It's already nearly 7 pm," he lifted the remote from his nightstand and selected Play Movie. It began as Hunter dimmed the lights a bit with another remote, but left enough for them to be able to eat as well. As the movie got past all the opening nonsense, Hunter and Nicole cracked open their sodas and tapped them together in a silent toast for them being friends before taking sips and then getting to work on eating their dinner and enjoying the movie.