=Normal POV=
(Tuesday, 12/19/2017-2:35 pm)
(Archian Island, Berk)
(Berkian Academy; Breezeway)
The past two months had been fairly easy going. All the friends still attended school; Hunter, Travis, and Shane continued to have their after school practices and Saturday games. On the rare occasion due to double booking; it would be a Sunday game. Nicole and Hunter still weren't dating, but had date nights at least once a week, or they tried to. There had been times that Hunter or Nicole cancelled because of something coming up such as Hunter being too tired from practice, and Nicole came down with a cold once, or the weather wasn't cooperating. Hunter and Nicole did tell their friends what was going on with them having mutual feelings for one another, but they were taking it slow and not dating just yet, though it probably would end up that way when they had a better understanding if the feelings would grow from their like stage. So far, the feelings remained and had grown; not to love, but still a bit deeper than a crush or like. It was sort of in between like and love, which was fine with them. The group of friends didn't seem to mind, and were genuinely supportive of Hunter and Nicole getting together, whenever they did.
Spencer and Glenn were very well aware of Hunter and Nicole's arrangement; she had dinner with the three males once on a movie night for the Harry Potter series. It was nice, but Nicole hadn't told her parents about liking Hunter; she was a bit nervous that they'd tell her no dating. At the same time, Nicole was almost eighteen, so why couldn't she date Hunter; he was a nice guy. Nicole had told Hunter that she didn't tell her parents anything yet, for reasons that had to do with why she wouldn't talk about a certain ex-boyfriend because she wasn't ready to. Hunter understood, and didn't push the issue. Nicole attended all of Hunter's games; they'd been having a good season so far, only a few losses. Hunter insisted that it must be because Nicole was a good luck charm for him, which made her blush almost every time. The two got along very well; sharing a lot of interests and genuinely enjoying each other's company.
Hiccup was still experiencing some odd symptoms, but he found other things that it could be attributed too. Hiccup continued to deal with fatigue and sometimes have no energy; he mostly felt that after practice or a game. During the day when classes were in session; he felt like he didn't get a lot of sleep, but he did spent nights talking to Nicole in texts. And recently, they just called one another before turning in for bed. Hiccup still got dizzy and lightheaded at times, but she usually was able to shake them off by drinking water or sitting down and closing his eyes. However, the newer items were joint pains. At first, it was in the morning when he woke up and would fade, or at night when he was done with the day. He felt them during practices, games, and sometimes just sitting down when he'd done nothing at all. Another development was a light cough, but that was easy enough to ignore with a cough drop and assumed it was the time of year. The latest was a slight fever that was on an off for a month, but since the start of December, seemingly it had become persistent.
Hiccup had taken his temperature, and since it wasn't anything major; he wrote it off as nothing. Not everyone was the same temperature, and he was a lot more active than some between school, work, and his basketball stuff. Hiccup felt recently that maybe he was just coming down with a cold; it was winter and he knew he didn't have a strong immune system due to being born very early. Either way, he didn't care much; he could take cold meds and be fine until it passed. Right now; the friends were all outside of the school along C-Hall where the breezeway was.
"Hunter…Oh, Hunter. Are you there?" Heather's voice pulled him from his thoughts.
"Huh?" Hunter finally looked towards his friends; he'd been thinking about his and Nicole's pre-relationship status, the fact that he felt like things were going really well and he kind of wanted to ask her to be his girlfriend. The problem was that they'd said they would have a sit down discussion about all that, so he couldn't just go for it. "Sorry. I zoned out."
"Yeah, we noticed, dude." Travis stated.
"You've been doing it a lot lately." Shane remarked.
"Lay off." Hiccup said. "I'm tired."
"Go to bed earlier?" Ashley offered.
"Yesterday was just busy. School, practice, and then work." Hunter replied. "Now, what had you asked?" Thank the Gods there was no practice tonight; Hunter really wanted to go home and take a nap. Maybe after he woke up; he'd feel better and be able to do his homework, have dinner, then a shower, and probably go back to sleep so he was well rested for the next day where there was another practice with the team.
"We had asked if you're going to the Winter Ball." Raelyn inquired.
"Hadn't really thought about it. It's this Friday, isn't it?" Hunter questioned.
Mindy nodded. "Well, we do have a practice. And it's the one before a game…" Shane shrugged.
"Yeah, we have that on Saturday morning at 10 am." Travis added in.
"No, hadn't given the idea any thought. I don't think I have work, but I may just take the night to chill." Hunter admitted.
"Well, last day to buy tickets is Thursday…So if you're gonna go; I'd suggest deciding quickly." Ashley informed.
"I'll bear that in mind." Hunter responded as he glanced around, not seeing Nicole with them. "Where's Nikki?"
"Dunno. Haven't seen her since lunch, mostly because we're not in those classes with her. I think you're the only one who has all of her classes." Heather mentioned.
"I do too, babe." Fishlegs interjected. "Last I saw when I was packing up my things; she was talking to the teacher. I didn't hear much about what."
"When are you two hooking up anyway? It's been like two months," Raelyn asked curiously.
"I don't think hooking up is the appropriate term to use." Hunter mumbled. "But for your information; we said we'd sit down and talk about things when it felt right to possibly move on from just being friends with crushes."
"Why didn't you two just start dating again?" Ashley arched a brow.
"Because we wanted to make sure the feelings wouldn't just fade if we jumped right into a relationship. It happens all the time; people jump in and then what they thought they had would just vanish. Nicole and I didn't want to deal with all that, so we decided to take it slow as friends who like one another as more than friends. Going on dates, talking more, etc. And see if the feelings stayed the same, faded, or ever grew more." Hunter revealed.
"So…Where are your feelings at right now?" Heather grinned.
"None of your business, Heather." Came Nicole's voice as Hunter turned to see her walking up; he smiled. "Hey," Nicole greeted, smiling somewhat and giving Hunter a hug because they decided a couple weeks ago to see how things went with sharing little acts of physical contact. Nicole and Hunter had hugged, held hands, and even did kisses on the cheek. "Sorry that I'm late."
"No big deal. What's up?" Hunter asked.
"Just had to talk to the teacher about something." Nicole replied. "Anyway…I finished the third book, finally."
"This one seemed to take you longer." Hunter chuckled.
"Yeah, had a couple nights where I was just like, dead and wanted to sleep." Nicole smiled.
"Guess that means we get to plan another movie date night. You free this weekend? I just have a game on Saturday morning, and then a quick stop at the shop to fix something on my car. Probably totally available after…2-ish?" Hunter offered.
"I'm always free, except school." Nicole reminded. "I think that will work; I'll be at your game anyway."
"That's true. I could take you home before I do my car stuff and then come grab you again before I go home." Hunter suggested.
"Or I could just stay with you after the game." Nicole laughed a little.
"I mean, yeah; we could do that too." Hunter nodded. "Up to you if you wanna be stuck with me all day. I gotta be at the school for 9 am, so I have to get you at 8:45. Is that okay?"
"I don't mind being stuck with you all day, and that's fine. I'm usually up for 7 am anyway on Saturdays." Nicole said.
"Well, it's a date then." Hunter smiled.
"Can't wait." Nicole replied lightly. "I should get to my bus. Text me when you're home?"
"You know I will," Hiccup nodded to her. Nicole leaned up and kissed his cheek before waving to the others and hurrying along to her bus. "See you guys later." Hiccup headed off for the student lot.
. . .
(2:50 pm)
(Haddock Home)
Hunter got home to find his father and Glenn both out, which was nice because it meant he could relax a bit. Hunter dropped his bag on his bed and texted Nicole that he was home before heading into his personal bathroom and starting up the shower. Fifteen minutes later, Hunter emerged in a pair of sweatpants and normal t-shirt. Hunter sat down on his bed and checked his phone to see that Nicole hadn't replied yet; he yawned and laid down after putting his phone on the charger. "Guess a little nap won't hurt." Hunter closed his eyes, yawning again, before he began to drift off to sleep.
. . .
(6:30 pm)
Hunter groggily woke up to loud knocks on his door. "Hunter Haddock!" Hunter's eyes opened more; that was his father's voice. Was he in trouble or something? Hunter forced his body up and then dragged his feet to the door to open it up. Sure enough, his father and Glenn were standing there.
"What?" Hunter asked.
"Where have you been?" Spencer inquired.
"Right here in my room, sleeping. I knocked out while doing homework, Dad." Hunter replied with a yawn.
"We've been calling and texting you since 5," Glenn pointed out.
"I must have put my phone on silent." Hiccup stated. "I'm sorry…What time is it now?"
"6:30." Spencer informed. Hunter didn't think he'd slept so long. "It's not like you to take midday naps, especially not ones this long."
"Not unless he's getting sick, Spencer. That's usually the only time." Glenn reminded.
"Are you getting sick, son?" Spencer questioned curiously.
"Maybe?" Hiccup shrugged as an I don't know response.
"Other than the midday nap, how do you feel?" Glenn wondered.
Spencer brought his palm to Hunter's forehead, then flipped his hand to feel with the back of it. Spencer repeated the same motion on Hunter's cheek. "Just tired really. Slight headache, kind'a drained." Hunter said before coughing a bit. "And then that," he groaned.
"I wouldn't say fever, but he is a little warm," Spencer remarked. "Why not take something for fever, cough, and pain; then come join us for dinner? We can see how you feel after." He suggested.
"Okay," Hunter nodded as he backed up into his room. "I'll be out in five."
"We'll be at the table," Spencer replied as he and Glenn turned to get back down the hallway and where the living room was.
Hunter closed the door and went to use the bathroom, then find something in his over the sink cabinet for the symptoms he was dealing with. After exiting the bathroom, Hunter grabbed his phone off the nightstand and checked it to find messages from all his friends in wondering where he was, even Nicole. Hunter messaged to the Skype group chat that he ended up falling asleep after getting home and taking a shower; then he tapped his Messages application and went to Nicole's, finding that she'd messaged him a bunch from 3:15 pm and onto about 6:00 pm. Hiccup realized that his message to her never sent at 2:50 when he'd gotten home. The messages weren't constant from Nicole, maybe every half hour to an hour. Hunter scrolled through to read them all, and stopped at the last one.
Nikki, 6:03 pm
Just let me know you got home safely; I'm worried about you.
Hunter felt bad; he shouldn't have left his phone on silent from when he was at school. Tapping the text box; he started his reply.
6:35 pm
I'm sorry, Milady. I got home around 3 pm, showered, and ended up falling asleep until just now. I never took my phone of silent. I didn't mean to worry you.
Hunter sent it off and changed the alerts to vibrate before slipping it in his pocket and heading out of his room to join his uncle and father for dinner, not that he was overly hungry, but he knew that they'd be on him if he didn't eat something. Hunter grabbed his spot at the table, finding a plate already before him; it was chicken, rice, and broccoli with buttered bread. His drink was just water. Thankfully; it was a small portion, so maybe he could get through it.
"Did you take medicine, Hunter?" Spencer asked.
"I did," Hunter nodded to him as he began to eat. The meal was mostly silent; Spencer was going over some papers and Glenn just did some stuff on his phone. Hunter felt his phone vibrate against his leg; there were a few responses from the Skype group saying they were glad he was okay and then started talking about some of the homework things. Hunter only mentioned that he'd chat later and was eating dinner with his father and uncle. Nicole also replied to him, so that brought a smile to Hunter's face, thankfully unnoticed by Glenn and Spencer.
Nikki, 6:45 pm
Thank Odin! I got nervous when you didn't text me back after you got home…
6:46 pm
I actually did and it never went through…My fault. But everything is okay, don't worry. How's your night going?
Nikki, 6:46 pm
Quiet. Already had dinner, did my homework, and now in my room reading the fourth book of HP.
6:47 pm
I still have to do my hw. I didn't mean to sleep so long; uncle and dad woke up me up at 6:30…They think I'm getting sick, suppose I could be.
Nikki, 6:48 pm
Why do they think you're getting sick?
6:49 pm
I don't normally just come home after school and crash on my bed for three hours apparently. But I've got a slight cough and fever, a headache, and no energy; just tired.
Nikki, 6:51 pm
You poor thing :( Will you be in school tomorrow?
6:51 pm
I guess we'll see how I feel in the morning, but for right now; I'm gonna say yes. It's nothing major, or that can't be managed with meds to keep symptoms down.
Hunter continued to eat slowly; he really didn't have much of an appetite right now. Hunter managed to get through half of the chicken breast, a few forkfuls of rice and broccoli, then a few bites of bread before he just couldn't eat anymore. He felt full, and a bit nauseous, probably from eating when he knew he wasn't hungry. Hunter finished the rest of his water before getting up from his seat and going to pick up his plate.
"You didn't finish your food?" Spencer asked.
"Not all that hungry right now, Dad. I'll just wrap it up, save it for later or tomorrow." Hunter told him as he moved over to the kitchen to get his food put away, then set the fork, knife, and plate into the sink along with his empty glass. "I'm gonna go finish up my homework, and probably go to bed. Love you guys, night." Hunter hugged his father, and then Glenn before returning to his bedroom. Hunter grabbed his backpack from the floor as it had fallen when he went to sleep; he pulled out his homework and sat down at his desk to get started on what needed to be finished for tomorrow; he had time through the rest of the week if there was an assignment due for a different day, so he only focused on tomorrow's stuff.
. . .
(7:30 pm)
Hunter was not having an easy time focusing; his headache was getting worse and the fatigue was unreal for having slept three hours. Hiccup tried to shake it off and keep working; his phone lit up with a text alert, he glanced over to see that it was Nicole.
Nikki, 7:30 pm
Sorry, got zoned in the book. How are you doing?
7:31 pm
I'm alright, I guess. Still tired as hell. Working on hw now.
Nikki, 7:32 pm
Aw, my poor Hunty. It sucks to be sick.
7:35 pm
Yeah, it does. Hoping I'm not sick, but looking like it might be that way. Not cool because I'm supposed to have practice Wednesday and Friday…Then the game Saturday…And I was gonna ask you to the Winter Ball…
Hunter had hesitated the last bit of the message, but he didn't see why not? Maybe they could talk about how things had been going the past two months. However, it put a real damper in that plan if he was sick and ended up not being able to go. And he really didn't want to miss practice or the game. Hunter pressed the send button and set the device down to keep working on homework; he'd managed to finish math and science, now he was on history. More time passed, bringing the clock to 8:15 pm as Hunter finally got the work done. He put it all away, and set it by the door to grab on his way out tomorrow. Hunter checked his phone while moving over to his bed; finding that there was a message from Nicole that he apparently missed.
Nikki, 7:45 pm
I'd love to go with you, so I hope you're not sick either :) Let's see how you feel come Thursday, which is last day to buy tickets, I think.
8:20 pm
Yeah, that's what Ashley said earlier too. Sounds like a plan to wait until Thursday and then decide to go or not. I wish I didn't feel so tired; I wanted to keep talking to you tonight. But I think I'm gonna just get to bed and pray that I feel better tomorrow. I'll let you know in the morning if I'll be in school or not.
Hunter set his phone on the charger again; he went to use the bathroom, brush his teeth, and then climb back into bed. Hunter got himself under the covers and flipped off the ceiling light. Hunter relaxed and laid there, ready to just knock out when his phone vibrated and lit up. Shifting a bit; he saw Nicole's response and smiled lightly.
Nikki, 8:30 pm
Your health is more important, so go get some sleep. I'm only a text or call away if you feel a bit better and want to talk more. Rest well, and night! :heart:
8:31 pm
Night :heart:
Hunter set the phone to silent this time, and flipped it over. Yawning and rolling over onto his right side, Hunter drifted off to sleep within moments of closing his eyes and being entirely comfortable.
