=Normal POV=
{Monday, March 7, 2022-7:15 am}
(Archian Preparatory)
Three days had passed since Astrid's attempt to kill herself by jumping off the roof of Archian Preparatory, and had it not been for Hiccup's insane rescue dive with Toothless; Astrid might have succeeded. However, as Hiccup came to learn at the end of the day when he went to get a few things from his locker; Astrid never wanted to commit suicide until the populars put it in her head that things would be better if she were gone. Hiccup knew he could handle things one of two ways. First, Hiccup could get Astrid to tell Mr. Meatsen, or even Chief Jorgenson that the populars pushed her to such a low state of mind. Or, Hiccup could get revenge on them for all they'd done to Astrid since she lost her parents in November, and then was abandoned by the people she thought were her friends in December. It was now the second week of March in the year 2022; three months to go until the Senior Class would graduate, and leave the halls of Archian Prep forever. Hiccup knew the simplest solution was to tell the authorities, and yet; Hiccup felt that this called for something worse than legal justice served. No, Hiccup wanted to do something that would give them a taste of their own medicine.
After arriving home on the 4th, Stoick and Valka tried to sit down with Astrid to get her to talk about what happened. Hiccup hoped Astrid would tell them the truth, but hearing Astrid speak about how sad she'd been feeling; Hiccup suspected that perhaps Astrid already felt a bit suicidal because of everything that had happened. Astrid confessed that before Hiccup saved her the night of the snowstorm and made her come home with him; she wanted to die because of all she had to go through since losing her parents. However, this didn't alter Hiccup's decision to get back at the popular crew for whatever they did to Astrid on Friday the 4th of March. It was clear they had some hand in pushing Astrid over the edge as the six of them confronted Astrid to keep her mouth shut about whatever happened earlier in the day. Hiccup knew Astrid likely wouldn't tell him because she was afraid of the information getting out and her getting bullied again. On that note too; Hiccup still refused to return as the dragon trainer. Stoick and Valka tried, even Gobber, but Hiccup wouldn't budge on his choice. Mogadon was nervous because he knew that March through May until Finals was the most imperative time of the dragon training program.
March through May was all flying and laws of the sky regarding dragon riding. Things that they would need to know to pass their Final Exam in Dragon Training, and obtain their flier/trainer licenses. Dagur had been Mogadon's hope, but Dague also refused because he didn't agree with what Hiccup had to go through on a weekly basis. Also, Dagur admitted that he didn't know everything Hiccup did about dragons. Hiccup said he would take his friends at 2 pm from Archian Prep and train only them at his house so that they wouldn't fall behind in lessons. Hiccup wouldn't punish them for the mistakes of five popular, over-privileged jerks. Right now, Eret, Nadia, Camicazi, Thuggory, and Ragna had only missed one day of class, and that was Friday the 4th. With it being Monday now; they would begin missing out on the crucial information. Astrid and Hiccup arrived at the school at 7 am with the Jeep, and went to get their things from the lockers. Mogadon asked Hiccup to go with him and talk, and this left Astrid alone to wait for him.
Astrid sighed as she leaned against the wall of the main office to wait for Hiccup to come out. Unfortunately, she soon discovered the populars walking, and only assumed that she wouldn't be alone much longer. Astrid put her head down, looking at her phone to avoid them.
"Hey," Ragna greeted, shoving into her. "Oops, sorry. Didn't see you," she snickered.
"I-It's fine…" Astrid said quietly.
"Look at you, so obedient and scared all the time," Gruffnut scoffed.
"I can't believe we were ever friends with you," Thuggory added. Astrid didn't say anything, and unknown to her Hiccup was hiding around the corner with his phone out, capturing the entire scene.
"We're talking to you, bitch," Nadia pushes Astrid against the wall.
"Well, maybe I don't feel like talking back," Astrid muttered.
"Too bad. You're gonna do something for us," Eret remarked.
"Why should I do anything for you?" Astrid asked. "You cheated on me for four months, and the rest of you abandoned me," she huffed. "You claimed to Hiccup we were real friends, and in the end; it turned out he was right. You're nothing but a bunch of fakes," Camicazi elbowed Astrid in the gut, and she grit her teeth trying to ignore the pain.
"Hiccup is pretty fond of you, so you're gonna convince him to come back as the dragon trainer," Camicazi demanded.
"He won't do it," Astrid said. "His parents and uncle tried all weekend,"
"Yeah, well you haven't, and you're going to," Thuggory stated. "My dad is all stressed out about us falling behind, and you know if we don't pass here; then we have to repeat everything from the start of the year at an outside location,"
"That's your fault for bullying Hiccup out of jealousy!" Astrid retorted. Ragna banged into Astrid, making her hit the wall, and she winced.
"Make him come back; he'll listen to you," Gruffnut said.
"No, because I agree with Hiccup; he shouldn't have to deal with it. Hiccup doesn't deserve all you've done to him when he's never wronged any of you!" Astrid defended quickly, taking Hiccup by surprise. "He even protected you at the start of the year, when you ticked off Hookfang. Hiccup could have let the Nightmare attack the person who did it, and he could have pressed charges, but he didn't because he's a good guy! Hiccup let us stay with him instead of throwing us into the blizzard because he's a good guy. Hiccup hasn't done anything to any of you, so no. I won't try to convince him to come back and subject himself to your abuse!"
"Stupid little bitch. Didn't you learn anything last Friday in the locker room?!" Nadia scolded as she socked Astrid in the stomach, making her gasp out. "We told you that nobody wants you around, and you aren't proving anything to anyone by staying,"
"Leave, Astrid. You got nothing left. Your parents are dead; you lost your home, your car, fortune…After high school, all your friends will go about their lives and abandon you. They only stepped up because they feel bad; they don't care about you any more than we do," Camicazi smirked. Astrid lowered her head and Hiccup knew it was time to stop this, and he had all he needed on video now. Hiccup put his phone and away walked up, shoving the males back.
"Back off her," Hiccup warned.
"This is nothing to do with you," Thuggory said.
"Oh? From where I was standing you're trying to make her convince me to come back and train you about dragons," Hiccup informed. "So it seems that this whole thing is about me. I'm not coming back, and you acting this way for no reason is exactly why. Maybe you, Thuggory, should go tell your dad the real reasons I quit the trainer job instead of acting innocent like you've done nothing wrong,"
"We haven't done anything," Gruffnut stated.
"You honestly believe that? I say we revisit my birthday party where I warned you to back off; I wouldn't advise you to test me because you never know who is watching and might catch what you're doing; then turn it in. I'm not coming back to train you five; it would take a miracle even to get me to consider it, and you are proving that you're sorry for the things you've done. But I refuse to train you as you are now. "Come on, Astrid," he led her away to their first class.
. . .
{7:25 am}
(B-Hall; History Class)
Entering the classroom, Astrid took a seat and sighed heavily. "Are you okay?" Hiccup asked.
"Yeah…Yeah, I'm fine, Hiccup. Thanks for…Stepping in back there," Astrid stated softly.
"You're welcome; I said you'd be safe with me. I'm sorry I didn't come before they started getting physical; I wanted the video proof that they did it to you to make me come back," Hiccup sighed.
"Don't worry about it; I'm okay…" Astrid smiled some.
"Astrid…Last Friday…What happened in the locker room?" Hiccup inquired. Astrid tensed a little.
"N-Nothing; they were just…Talking shit," Astrid lied. Of course, Hiccup knew better, and it's when Gruffnut happened to walk in, and glare at her. Hiccup knew she wasn't telling the truth, and it's because she was afraid of what would happen if she told after being warned last Friday not to say anything.
"Snot, keep an eye on Astrid for me," Hiccup told his cousin as Snotlout nodded.
"Where are you going?" Astrid asked.
"Bathroom," Hiccup told her as she nodded and Hiccup left the room. Out in the hallway, Hiccup moved to the restroom and pulled out his phone while checking to make sure he was alone in there. Hiccup pulled up a number and pressed the green button as he put it to his ear. "Hey, it's me. I have a task for you. Up for it?" he asked. A pause. "Good. I'll double the standard rate because I'm asking a lot; I need you to dig up as much dirt as you can in a week on six people," he stated. "I'll text you the information," he added, then ended the call. Hiccup sent the names of Eret Trapp, Camicazi Boggs, Nadia Warrier, Thuggory Meatsen, Gruffnut Thorston, and Ragna Falk in a text to the number he had called.
Satisfied that he provided his contact with everything he'd need; Hiccup exited the bathroom and went back to class just before the bell rang. Hiccup took his seat and got his things out for the first period; all he had to do now was wait for what he asked for.
. . .
{Wednesday, March 9, 2022-6 am}
(Berk; Haddock Manor)
It was finally her birthday! Eighteen years old at last, and somehow; she felt she was doing pretty okay given that she didn't have her parents to celebrate with her. Sure; it was still a semi-sad day, but Astrid was determined to try and stay positive. After getting up at 5:30 am, Astrid grabbed a shower, then got dressed, grabbed her bag before leaving the bedroom. Astrid hurried down the stairs to join the Haddocks and Gobber for breakfast, and upon entering she saw all her favorites as the rest of the family hadn't sat down yet, and were smiling at her.
"Happy 18th Birthday, Astrid!" Stoick, Valka, Gobber, and Hiccup, who was holding Runa in his arms, announced. Astrid gasped, entirely surprised.
"Oh, thank you…" Astrid choked up a little.
"It was all my parents' idea," Hiccup said softly.
"You helped, son. You told the cook her favorites and reminded us that it was your birthday. I knew it was March, but I never remember the day," Stoick admitted.
Hiccup shrugged a bit, still feeding Runa her bottle but smiling. "We knew it might not be an easy day for you, so we thought to remind you that you're not alone," Hiccup said. Astrid wanted to cry, but she wouldn't. Instead, Stoick, Valka, and Gobber hugged her; then Hiccup managed to do the same with one arm. "Come on, let's eat breakfast," Hiccup told her. Astrid nodded, still grateful as she sat down and began eating with the others.
. . .
{11:50 am}
(Archia Isle; Archian Preparatory)
Astrid was very surprised about the mini-celebrating this morning with Hiccup's parents, Gobber, Runa, and Hiccup. It was something that she had not expected and made the start of her day just a bit happier. Arriving at school, Astrid hoped the rest of the day would be just as good. Hiccup knew he did a good thing and was glad to see Astrid smile. Unknown to her; Hiccup was planning something for her birthday, but it wouldn't happen today. Hiccup was working on a party for Friday night when their friends would be over, and they could enjoy the weekend hanging out and making sure Astrid had a great time. Right now; it's lunch hour, and Dagur was bringing in cupcakes for just their table to enjoy as a small celebration for the actual day of Astrid's birth.
"I'll meet you in there; I'm going to use the bathroom first," Astrid told Hiccup as he nodded. His spot in the cafeteria allowed him to see if anyone slipped into the bathroom after she went in; his way of protecting her in a place he wasn't able to be in without good reason. It worked out that she wasn't going to be at the table because Dagur arrived with the cupcakes, and he would be joining them for lunch. In the bathroom; Astrid immediately came face to face with the populars.
"You know how much trouble they'll be in if they are caught in here," Astrid stated.
"Whatever," Gruffnut said. "Hiccup can't save you in here," Astrid tensed a little as the girls backed her into a corner while Eret, Thuggory, and Gruffnut took turns keeping a watch for anyone coming.
"Get her phone," Camicazi said as Nadia got it then threw the device on the floor.
"No!" Astrid pleaded. The others laughed at the desperation. "Please?! Please, I don't care what you do to me…But don't ruin it…Please!"
"What's so special about it?" Nadia snickered.
"I-It has the last messages from my parents…Before they died. Please…Please don't break it…" Astrid begged. Smirking, Camicazi and Nadia held her back as Ragna proceeded to smash it several more times until the screen cracked and broke beyond use. Astrid's eyes widened as tears began falling from her eyes.
"Pathetic!" Ragna socked Astrid in the stomach, and then the other two girls joined in.
"Don't mark up her face," Thuggory reminded. Astrid did what she could to defend herself from the assault, but seeing her destroyed phone made it hard to stay strong.
. . .
{12:05 pm}
The girls stopped beating on her when Eret warned that Heather was coming towards the bathroom with Minden and Ruffnut. The populars made a quick escape into the boys' bathroom across the entrance from the girls'. The three girls walked inside as Heather almost screamed seeing Astrid barely conscious on the floor, crying while cradling her inoperable cell phone.
"Oh, my Gods! Astrid!?" Minden dropped down to check over her.
"Who did this!" Heather demanded. Astrid didn't reply, she just cried still and whimpered in pain as Ruffnut and Minden tried to help her up. Astrid knew if she said who did it; they would be furious and probably attack her again. When Astrid didn't answer, she called Hiccup as the three girls were sent by him to check on Astrid, who had been in the bathroom for fifteen minutes and wasn't answering messages from him.
"What's up?" came Hiccup's voice.
"She got attacked in the restroom," Heather stated.
"What?! I'm on my way…How bad?" Hiccup asked quickly.
"Bad…" Heather said grimly. Seconds later, Hiccup managed to get inside the bathroom without being seen and ended the call as he laid eyes on Astrid's battered form. "She wouldn't answer when I asked who did it," Heather informed. Hiccup crouched in front of Astrid, inspecting the injuries closer and seeing the phone's mangled state.
"Astrid," Hiccup said, but Astrid wouldn't look at him. Hiccup lifted Astrid's chin up, making her look into his eyes. "Astrid, tell me who did this to you," Hiccup demanded.
"I-It doesn't…Matter…" Astrid forced out through her tears.
"Yes! Yes, it does, Astrid! I left you alone to use the bathroom, and this happened! You know that I need to be aware of who did this, so I know who to contact about actions to be taken," Hiccup hinted as Astrid sighed almost, wiping her eyes; she had forgotten that she's a target, and Hiccup is her protector for all intensive purposes. Hiccup needed to know to either contact his uncle, or Mr. Meatsen. "Tell me who did this, Astrid. Please?"
"Camicazi, Nadia, and Ragna did the physical. Eret, Thuggory, and Gruffnut kept watch…" Astrid lowered her head again. Hiccup clenched his fist until it cracked. The populars would not get away with this; Hiccup had enough of it. Hiccup stood up now.
"Take her to see Nurse Mala, and when she asks what happened; you can tell her bullies that she was unable to identify," Hiccup said.
"But we do know-," Ruffnut began as Hiccup stared.
"And I will deal with it, Ruff," Hiccup said moving to the door as he looked across to see the door to the boy's bathroom moving a little. "Take her, and say what I told you to," Heather, Ruffnut, and Minden nodded, helping Astrid up, out of the door, then down the hall to the nurse's office. Hiccup moved over to the boy's restroom, and opened the door fast, seeing the others back up quickly. "Usually people who want to avoid being caught will flee the scene or at least hide better and not make it so obvious,"
"W-We don't know what you're talking about, Hiccup," Ragna said.
"We came in here to have a little fun," Camicazi said, rubbing her rear against Thuggory's lower half. Thuggory put his hands on her hips, playing along.
"Right…" Hiccup rolled his eyes. "You're all terrible liars, and maybe next time you plan to beat someone up; you hide your faces so they can't identify you. I know what you did to Astrid, and I hope you know that I won't be going to Mr. Meatsen about it. It's your lucky day, isn't it?"
They froze and eyed him carefully. "Y-You're not?" Gruffnut asked.
Hiccup shook his head. "No. There's no point because you'll lie your way out of it, and I have no proof other than Astrid's word. So, I'm not going to say anything about what happened in the girl's bathroom," he informed calmly. "As I said; I believe in Karma…And yours is coming soon," he put his hand on the handle with a slight chuckle that honestly scared the six popular students. "I can feel it," and then Hiccup walked out of the bathroom casually leaving the populars to wonder what he meant. Outside the door, while walking down the hall to the nurse's office, Hiccup put his phone to his ear. "It's me. How much have you found?"
"Oh, I think you'll be pleased with my findings, Master Hiccup," came a somewhat cheerful voice. "I have a little bit on all of them,"
"I'm looking forward to your results, Johann," Hiccup replied. "Meet me on the Archian Prep DT field at 2 pm with whatever you have," he added.
"Will do," the man, Johann, replied. Hiccup ended the call with a slight smirk, and hands in his pockets.
"It's time I help Karma catch up a bit," Hiccup said before moving into the nurse's office to check on Astrid.
