=Astrid's POV=
(Monday, 5/13/19-11:45 am)
(Berk, Archia Isle)
(Hooligan High School)
I still couldn't believe what happened a few weeks ago with Tristan getting worked up and almost hitting me, but I guess I could understand the annoyance on his side that while we were having sex, I called my husband's name because I was remembering our wedding night. I'm still on my sex break, that ordeal with Tristan scared me a bit, and made me afraid of having hookups with the others I have in the past who got upset about Hector returning home soon, or me having to leave them to get home. I was afraid of any of them becoming too angry or annoyed and reacting in a way that could land me hurt. I had heard Hector talking to our friends after I went to get dressed, I was surprised he got so defensive and worried for my safety. Hector was willing to throw the arrangement we had a way to keep me safe. Of course, I knew that wasn't fair to him. That's why I did what I did and let him keep having his hookups with other girls. I knew it kept Hector in a good mood, and stress-free. I knew it also allowed him to tolerate me; I wasn't his favorite person after the way I've acted since we got married. I still have Hector's words in my head, about him being here for me and reopening up the offer that when I got off my sex break, if I wanted to sleep with him again; all I had to do was find a way to let him know. I'd like to say things were okay for us, not good or great, but okay and better than where we'd been when this started in August after getting married and moving into this apartment together.
The break I'm taking is more than just from sex, as I explained to Hector that night. I need time to get ready for finals, prom, and graduation. I need time to figure out my working situation because after I graduate, the company will be in full merge with Hector running it and I won't work in the same place as him. I also need time to go over my feelings, and where my head is at regarding Hector. I wasn't honest with Hector when we talked about why I wanted the time to focus on me, I didn't want to tell him I might have feelings for him until I knew for sure and I needed time away from men to do all that. Go over how things have been since we started this marriage, feelings and situations. Hearing what Hector told me when we made the new deal a few weeks ago, it sounded like Hector was okay with the idea of trying to make things work again, and at that stage; we stop sleeping with others completely and work on each other. I wasn't sure if it would still be the roommate thing, or if perhaps we could go the dating route like how we act at school. Still acting married where we had to, but outside of that, be actual girlfriend and boyfriend and work our way through stages up to actually being a married couple. I knew that was probably the long-term goal in things.
Hector and I, when we had a child eventually, would have to be parents who are married. Kids knew too much and were very honest too. Hector and I would have to sit down and discuss all this, but for now, I just needed to figure out my feelings, employment, and finish high school. Perhaps at the end of June, Hector and I can revisit the idea of no more hookups and try to make things work. I was hoping prom would be good for us too, all the pairings have been set. Heather and Flynn, Roxanne and Evan, Alexia and TJ, Madison and Syrus. I believe the last one set was Cassandra and Theodore. Obviously, Hector and I would be going together. Finals were in two weeks, and then prom was set for the first Saturday in June. Beyond that would be all graduation preparations for June 15th at 3:00 pm at The Great Hall. It was a convention center, more than big enough for a graduation ceremony. The hope was that the ceremony would be over by 6:00 pm, and then all of us with our families were doing one big party for 6:30 pm. At least, that was the plan, for the time being. It could still change. Right now, we're in school and it's the start of lunch. All of us are sitting together and I can't help but notice that Hector doesn't seem himself today.
For starters, Hector woke up late and it was rare for him to do at all unless he didn't sleep well the night before. I know Hector didn't have any hookups last night and our homework for today was finished before we had dinner. Both of us had gone to bed at 10:30 pm, so I didn't understand how Hector overslept until 6:45 am. He made it to school on time regardless, but he's also flying the fastest dragon known to humans; a Night Fury. I still had to drive to school because I didn't have my flier license yet. If all went well, I'd get that by the end of June and so would all our friends. Madison, Alexia, Cassandra, and Theodore had dragons now too. Madison had a male Razorwhip named Silverspine, Alexia also had a male Razorwhip she calls Spearstrike. Cassandra has a female Changewing she is named Camo, and Theodore has a Monstrous Nightmare named Killer. I believe Drew and Evan still hadn't bonded, but I'm sure they would soon. Yeah, but I left for school at 6:45 am, and Hector told me he'd meet me here on time, so he did. Still, he looked tired and not like he was all here. I'm surprised our friends haven't noticed it.
"How's thing going at work, Hector?" Syrus asked. Hector hadn't heard him, he was reading something for work. I didn't like that our fathers were giving work to do during school now. Hector said it was fine because in two weeks, finals would be done and there wouldn't be more work after that. "Uh…" He trailed off when Hector didn't reply.
I tapped his wrist twice and he seemed to return and looked around. "Yeah?"
"Syrus asked you a question and you were zoned in those papers," I smiled at him.
"Oh, sorry. It's hard to talk to me when I read. You gotta get my attention cause I won't hear you talking," He set the sheets down and looked at Syrus afterward. "What did you ask me?"
"I asked how was work?" Syrus chuckled.
"It's fine, I guess. The central hub should be done in two weeks, and I know most everything for taking over as CEO. Dad and Mr. Hofferson want me to start taking over at meetings once finals are done. Since we'll just have graduation practices until noon, then we're off the rest of the day." Hector informed.
"Are they going to shorten your shifts, or will you be working from 12:30 pm to 8:30 pm?" Heather wondered.
"That's only for right now because of school. When I graduate, I'll work your average 7 am to 4 or 5 pm. I assume sometimes it'll be later for dinner meetings or events. I plan on making it so I'm not working my life away. Dad took most of it already," Hector muttered the last bit. Well, if anything, Hector said he'd never forgive, forget, or let go of that fact; that his parents took his life from him with the arranged marriage, and becoming CEO. The anger was gone, but Hector wasn't letting go or forgiving what already happened. I guess I couldn't blame him.
"How are things between you two?" Madison asked lightly.
"It's alright," I replied, seeing that Hector went back to reading over his papers. I think it was something to do with work tonight, his schedule has adjusted to getting the weekends off because neither of our dad's ever worked on a Saturday or Sunday in all their years of running their companies. It was only fair to Hector, who was soon going to run the merged business, that he didn't have to work basically seven days a week. Weekends were now reserved for events, like the annual Christmas party, and also the event where Hector would become official CEO. It was like a joint retirement for our dads and welcoming for Hector. I was expected to be at his side for that and didn't mind. I'm still working out how I feel for him and things like this were the perfect chance to see how it would go. "We have a better understanding for one another,"
"That's really good," Alexia smiled. "Maybe one day, you two won't have to act like a married couple," She giggled.
"Heh, yeah…We'll see," Hector chimed in, having set the sheets down again to eat a bit more. It looked like Hector only brought a water bottle and turkey, mayo, lettuce, and cheese sandwich. Well, he was rushing this morning, maybe that's all he had time to make?
"We're just leaving things as they have been. Acting married in public, a regular couple here, and roommate at the apartment," I added in. We never told our friends that I've allowed Hector to continue sleeping with girls and me on the sex break. I think they're under the impression we've both stopped, that's the last idea they heard before leaving a few weeks ago. Hector and I said we wouldn't tell them, so he now has to be careful that they don't get suspicious of why he isn't over sometimes. But I guess, if they start to wonder, we'll tell them the truth. For now, it's okay to leave it like this.
"So, Hector?" Roxanna said when she noticed Hector stopped reading.
"Hm?" Hector replied while taking a bite of his sandwich.
"What's that you're working on?" TJ asked the question.
"It's one of dad's lame tests to see if I can spot errors," Hector sighed. "Last Friday there was a meeting and this stuff is basically a typed-up report of what was in the meeting. My job is to check it over for errors, and if spotted, mark it down in red. Today, dad will quiz me on what I marked wrong and then have to tell him why it's wrong. It's a test to ensure I don't let anything past me that could cause flaws or problems in the company." He explained.
"Safe to safe that's a copy that does have errors in it? That they didn't give you the real one?" Flynn assumed.
"Basically," Hector nodded to him and yawning before picking the sheets up again.
"Still tired, brother?" Drew's voice stopped Hector from starting to read again.
"I'm good. Woke up late, forgot to set my alarm," Hector stated. No, he didn't, I heard it going off at 5:30 am. Why was he saying that he forgot? Obviously, something was up. Hector went back to reading the sheets over, clearly trying to get it done before lunch was over since we had dragon training during Study Hall.
As the time through lunch continued, I chatted with the others and glanced over to see Hector still working on the papers. He'd finished eating, and occasionally jumped in for talking, but he wanted to get the corrections done. I think he was just about finished. I saw he only had a few pages left and from another thing I picked up on, he wasn't even touching his phone which was going off frequently. A few glances showed me that they were his hookups, but other messages were our fathers. I still believe something is up with Hector because he seems out of it, and not in the way of being zoned into his work. Hector looked tired and like he couldn't focus. I also worried about his low appetite, it seemed like he forced himself to eat the sandwich and ate it very slowly too. Everyone else just saw him hard at work, I saw that maybe he wasn't feeling alright and I guess I was concerned. Maybe I did have feelings for Hector. I wouldn't say anything yet, I wanted to be sure. I'd love someone to talk to about this, but I didn't know who. Heather, Cassandra, and Madison were all great listeners. Roxy, unfortunately, might spill to her brother, who would tell Syrus, who blabs about everything. If I had to pick someone, it would be Heather. Maybe Cass and Maddie too. They'd be sworn to secrecy, and this would be more for advice or a direction to go in.
I wouldn't throw all this confusion on Hector when we just got on decent terms with one another, and he's not stressed despite finals, prom, graduation, and becoming CEO coming up in the next month or so. So until I knew for sure that I had feelings for Hector, whether crushing, like, or love…I won't say anything until I'm sure of my feelings. I'm sure Hector and I would need to sit down and talk about that if I confessed to him that I've actually come to have feelings for him in all the time we've been married. My mother claimed up and down that we'd come to get along and possibly like one another. I didn't believe her…Guess I was the one wrong now. The issue would be if Hector felt anything for me. I knew he had a crush on me a long time ago, like middle school years…But I don't know if he grew out of that since I was never interested in him. I told him I'd never like him. Guess that's out the window and I feel it would be a strange conversation, but I know that if we were going to make things work, communication was key. I would have to talk to him when I sorted things out for myself.
We were almost to the end of lunch now, there were about ten minutes left. I saw Hector had set his papers away. "All finished?" Evan wondered.
"No, but it's giving me a headache," Hector stated as he slipped his things into a folder in his backpack. I watched him seal the bag zippers and then toss them over his shoulder and stand up.
"Where are you going, babe?" I asked him softly.
"Bathroom, nurse, then class. See you in Study Hall, Milady," Hector placed a kiss on my forehead, and then he waved to the others and left the cafeteria. I rolled my eyes as people were saying how cute it was and that we made such a good pair. Did we look good together? Even though it was an act? Well, that was probably why people thought we were good because we were acting. Would Hector and I be good together if we weren't acting? I guess that remains to be seen, and only if Hector would be down to try again. He said we could revisit the idea later on when I got off my take time for me break. I watched Hector leave the cafeteria and go out of sight for the D-Hall restrooms. I hoped he was okay.
. . .
(1:45 pm)
All of us were on the field for dragon flying practice with Hector, but it started fifteen minutes ago and Hector wasn't here yet. I was starting to get a little worried. Hector was usually here first for our Study Hall period training. Study Hall was on a different day every day. Our schedules for school weren't the same Monday through Friday, but regardless, I'm concerned for Hector. I know something seemed off, but him missing dragon training is really odd. Finally, Hector showed up with Toothless, but they didn't look ready for training. It was more like Hector was about to leave the grounds.
"Why are you packed up to go home already?" Heather beat me to asking the question.
"I am going home, Heather…" Hector mumbled.
"But what about the training, and the rest of school today?" Syrus wondered. I walked by and smacked him upside the head with an annoyed sigh, then shaking my head.
"He's obviously not up for it today," I informed. "Are you not feeling well?"
Hector nodded. "How could you tell?" He asked.
"You slept late today, and from the times I've seen you…You're really out of it." I admitted to him.
"Well, you're not wrong," Hector replied. "Yeah, I feel like shit. I'm tired, have a headache, no appetite…I grabbed an aspirin after lunch, and then during last class ended up throwing up. Went back to the nurse, she said I had a fever and to go home and rest…So that's what I'm doing," Hector informed calmly.
"Go on. I'll be right home after class ends…Unless you want me to come with you now?" I offered. "You look like you're gonna throw up again. Are you sure flying is a good idea, Hector? I could leave too, it's only Study Hall I'm missing. I could drive you and the dragons could fly there on their own?"
"Actually…Yeah, that sounds like a good idea…" Hector agreed and I was a little surprised that he had said yes to my offer. "I promise I'll make the lesson up to you guys when I'm better." He told our friends.
"It's no problem, Hector. You worry about getting better," Flynn stated calmly.
"I'll go sign out and meet you at my car in the lot?" I told him. Hector nodded to me as I rushed off to get done quickly. It didn't take too long for me to get inside the building and sign myself out. I explained that Hector was going home due to being sick, with nurse permission and he wasn't in any shape to fly himself, so I would drive him home. It was fine because we were married and both eighteen anyway. I gathered what I would need to do for work tonight and then rushed to get to my car in the lot. Hector was already waiting outside of it, trying to make sure he didn't hurl. I felt bad, I knew something had been wrong. "Are you okay to make the ride?" I asked him softly.
'I'll be fine…Just don't take any hard turns that jostle the car…" Hector mumbled some.
"Got it," I agreed and we both got into the car, then were soon headed to the apartment.
. . .
(2:05 pm)
(Haddock Apartment)
The ride was quiet, Hector looked like he was fighting back a headache, so I didn't talk and kept the radio off for him. Our dragons followed us in flight above the car. Once to the apartment, Hector rushed out of the car and right inside. By the time I gathered our stuff and made sure the dragons were good, I heard him in the bathroom puking. He probably held it back the whole ride. I felt bad and hoped I got a redeeming chance to take care of him. I was thinking back on our fights where he said I never helped him when he was sick. Right now, all I could do was wait for Hector to get out and ask if there was anything I could do to help. Quietly, I just began putting things away and then figured to start my homework while also considering what I could make for dinner tonight. I doubted Hector would eat, but still. I needed to stay on top of things if I ever wanted to prove to Hector that I was a good wife and we could work out as a couple.
