And the plot rears its ugly head. Bring. It. ON!
ENJOY! XD
Ruff exited the school bus with Tuff close behind trying to cram his homework into his bag. "You know if you did it last night you wouldn't be wrinkling the papers."
"But I was tired," Tuff shrugged. "Besides. It's just homework. We both know you don't need to be smart to be in the circus."
Ruff rolled her eyes. "Idiot."
"Hey guys!" Fishlegs called as he ran up to them.
"Hey," they nodded simultaneously.
"What are you so chipper about?" Tuff asked.
"Our physics test today," Fishlegs smiled at them. His smile then dropped when he saw the look of confusion on their faces. "You did study for the test right?"
"I thought that was next Wednesday," Ruff scratched her head.
"Nope," Fishlegs shook his head. "It's today."
Tuff shrugged his shoulders. "Guess we're going to fail."
"Maybe you," Ruff pushed her brother. "But I have till after lunch. I think I can cram for the exam."
"Hey!" Tuff laughed. "You're a poet and you didn't even know it."
Ruff punched her brother's chest and continued walking. "Shut up. I've got to focus on studying to fail for this test."
The three entered the hallway towards their lockers as they chatted about nonsensical things, but stopped when they saw Astrid and Snotlout. Ruff was about to call out to her friend but stayed silent to figure out what was going on.
Snotlout was talking with her but Astrid didn't seem interested. He then tried to place his hand on her hip only for him to be grabbed and twisted against the locker. Astrid spoke something in his ear and then slammed her locker and walked away.
"Does anyone else feel like those two don't actually like one another?" Fishlegs asked.
"What are you talking about?" Tuff scoffed. "We all know Snot has been trying to date Astrid since he first saw her."
"Yeah," Ruff agreed. "But I'm with you Fish. Ever since those two have dated, they have never acted like a couple. I sometimes feel like Astrid doesn't like him."
"Oh good," Fishlegs sighed. "I'm not the only one."
"I really need to talk to her about this," Ruff mumbled to herself.
Astrid tried to focus on the routine during practice. She hated having her back turned to Hiccup. She wanted to look at him. But she took some comfort in knowing that he was there. She was happy for that. Whenever they spun, she tried to get a glimpse of the tall, lanky boy, but it was usually all for naught.
She tried to distract herself by thinking of the routine but it wandered again. It went to what she had to do after practice. Homework: I have a few sheets of vocab in English, start my history essay, memorize some of my foreign words, and complete my physics packet. Oh great. That's going to talk forever!
As she spun and kicked in the air, she suddenly remembered that tomorrow morning was garbage day. Put the cans out when I get home. Hopefully I won't knock them over. Stupid gutter.
The routine was over and Gothi shouted for a five minute break. She walked over to the benches with Ruffnut chattering her ear off about some crazy routine they should do. But she wasn't listening. Instead, she could finally watch Hiccup. He was talking with Gobber about something, causing him to walk onto the field and do some changes.
Her mind wandered back to what she had to do when she got home and mixed with the image of Hiccup, causing her to tangent to a memory of long ago.
It had been two days since the day in the forest and Astrid was still full of excitement. It was an amazing day for her. It was entry worthy in her diary and she wrote for hours. Her parents thought there was something wrong with her but when she came down with a genuine smile, their worries were gone.
Astrid smiled as she did some research on Berk. Their house finally had internet and Astrid decided to take the opportunity to learn more about Berk. She Google Earth-ed Berk and saw the Wal-Mart Hiccup talked about and was even able to quickly point out Hiccup's house because his was the only one with the front and back covered by a canopy of trees.
"Astrid!" Emily called from the kitchen.
"Yes mom?"
"Can you take the trash out for me?"
"Sure," Astrid said as she got up from the computer. Just as she left, an advertisement flashed across the screen for a large man with a large red beard.
Astrid trudged the large bag to the front yard and to the trash can. She easily tossed the bag into the can and was about to turn and leave when she saw her neighbor put his can out on the street. The neighbor saw her watching him and informed her what he was doing.
"Tomorrow morning is garbage day. Put your cans out tonight so you don't have to worry."
Astrid nodded. "Thanks!"
Astrid went back to the can and pulled it to the street. She wasn't used to the deep gutters and the can began to fall. What's with the depth of these gutters? They're hard to do anything with. Just as the contents of the can were about to spill out, another hand helped her catch the can and upright it.
"Thanks," Astrid said to the person who helped her. She looked up thinking it was the neighbor but instead of a man, she saw a woman.
She was middle aged and full of life. Her green eyes shined brightly on her smooth, tanned skin. She smiled at Astrid, which formed crows feet by her eyes. It was obvious to Astrid this woman smiled a lot.
"It took me a while to get used to the gutters as well when I moved here," she said sweetly.
"Yeah," Astrid nodded. "They're a pain."
"Well, they come in handy when it snows. That's why they're so deep."
"Oh!" Astrid said in understanding. "It's for when it melts."
"Yep."
"Well, thanks again ma'am. I would be out here picking up trash for hours if you hadn't come when you did."
"Don't worry about it," the woman smiled again. "I was watering my plants when I saw you."
Astrid smiled again but then furled her eyebrows. She seems familiar. Where have I seen her before? Astrid looked closer and saw that her long brown hair was blowing to the left from the gentle breeze and it clicked.
"Oh! Are you Hiccup's mom?" Astrid asked bluntly. "I know that seems like a strange question but I only saw her from the back and you have the same hair…
The woman began to laugh making the crows feet once again. Her eyes sparkled as she put her hand on her stomach. "And here I was worried of introducing myself to you without seeming like a strange person. Yes, I'm Hiccup's mother. My name's Valka."
"Hello Valka. It's nice to meet you."
"Same here," Valka smiled. "I was wondering when I'd meet you. I've been meaning to thank you for what you did at Gobber's."
"Like I told Hiccup's dad, it was nothing," Astrid shrugged.
"Oh, you can call him Stoick. But don't call him Mr. Haddock. He doesn't like it."
"Alright," Astrid nodded. "I'll tell my parents." Haddock. That name again. Where have I heard it before?
"I hope we get to meet them one day," Valka said. "But I'm sure they're pretty busy with settling in and all."
"Yeah. We just got internet today and my dad is so much happier. He does a lot of his business online."
"Well, I'll let you get back to your parents…um," Valka stopped and looked at Astrid sheepishly. "I'm sorry. I'm not good with names, as you can tell by Hiccup's. What's your name again? Lily? Daisy? I know its flower."
Astrid giggled at Valka. I see where Hiccup gets his fun side. "It's Astrid."
"Astrid! That's right. I was close."
"Yes you were."
"Astrid!" her dad called.
"I've got to go Valka," Astrid smiled.
"I hope we meet again!" Valka called as Astrid ran up the driveway.
"Earth to Astrid!" Ruff waved a hand in front of Astrid's slightly smiling face.
"Huh?" Astrid shook her head.
"Yeesh! You were really in daydream land weren't you?"
"Um-no," Astrid shook her head. "More like memory lane."
"Ah!" Ruff cocked her eyebrows playfully. "Remembering the good old days with Hiccup?"
Astrid did a double take at her friend. "Wh-what?"
"Wh-wh-what?" Ruff mimicked overdramatically. "You zoned out when you looked at him."
"Oh. I didn't notice," Astrid lied. I really need to keep my thoughts and emotions in check. I can't risk anymore slip ups for his sake.
"Yeah. Sure," Ruff rolled her eyes.
"Girls!" Gothi called. "Break is over."
"I still think you have feelings for him," Ruff said softly so the other wouldn't hear as the two walked back onto the field.
"No I don't," Astrid said sternly. "We stopped being friends before high school started. Remember? Then I began to date Snotlout-"
"And that's why I'm bring this up," Ruff nudged Astrid. "You and Snot haven't been acting like a couple from day one. You don't kiss, don't hold hands, don't even talk. You don't like it when he gets all sweet on you."
"So I don't like it," Astrid shrugged. "What's the big deal?"
"The big deal?" Ruff placed her hands on her hips in disbelief. "The big deal is that even the toughest of women like to be pampered every once even in while. Even me. And seeing how you were more fun loving and accepting of those kinds of things in the past, I have a hard time believing that you 'outgrew' them."
"Why are you getting on my case about this?" Astrid asked. She was beginning to get angry. She knew Ruff was hitting a little too close to home for her.
"Because I feel like you still have strong feeling for Hiccup. You're not very good in hiding your emotions when it comes to him. You don't make fun of him, you steal glances, you always seem to go off on some trip down memory lane when he's around or mentioned. I'm not blind. Stupid, maybe." Ruff saw that Astrid was getting annoyed at her talking and sighed. "The point is Astrid, have you considered being friends with him again?"
"We broke it off Ruff," Astird snapped. "End of story. There is no going back." She turned her attention towards Gothi and began the cheer routine. At least until I graduate.
Snotlout marched into the locker room where Hiccup was putting away the equipment. He was fuming. He had been put into a new position on the team and he knew when his father found out, that he would be livid. It didn't take Snotlout long found out that it was Hiccup's fault.
He walked up behind Hiccup, grabbed his collar, and pinned him against the wall, knocking the breath out of Hiccup.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Snotlout screamed in his face.
"Um…putting the footballs away," Hiccup answered, a bit disoriented.
"I meant about the play," Snotlout fumed. "Are you trying to ruin me? Are you trying to make my father disappointed in me?"
"What are you talking about?" Hiccup was completely confused.
"Why did you tell Gobber to put me as the Quarterback instead as the Receiver?"
"Is that what this is seriously all about?" Hiccup asked slightly amused.
"Yes!" Snotlout snapped. "This is very important! I need to be the one to score the winning point so my father, the team, and the school will be proud of me!"
"Look!" Hiccup said as he pushed his cousin back so he could stand up straight. "I'm not trying to hurt you or ruin you or embarrass you or do anything to you."
"They why would you suggest such a thing?"
"Because you make a great Quarterback!"
Snotlout was taken aback by Hiccup's stern reply. He had never seen Hiccup so confident before, or even defend himself before. It was strange but somehow befitting of him.
"What do you mean? I've always been the Receiver."
"I know," Hiccup said calmly. "And you've been good at it. But I saw that you have a great throwing arm as well. I told Gobber this and suggested that Tuff be the Receiver because he is smaller and more agile to dodge the opposing team members."
Snotlout thought about what Hiccup was talking about. He has a point. Tuff is quick and slinky. He could make it past.
"I then suggested that Fishlegs punt the ball to you because with his size, he could easily defend you enough for you to throw the ball successfully to Tuff, who would have very little problem catching it. Besides, if the circumstance calls for it, you could also easily take off running with the ball and score a touchdown."
Snotlout continued to think about Hiccup's analysis of the team. He's right.
"Is not the goal of the game to win as a team?" Hiccup asked. "I know Uncle Spitelout wants you to be the star but would you rather be the star of a team that loses or a member of a starring team? I was only trying to make it easier for our school to win championships. That's all."
"You're right," Snotlout nodded.
"Wait. What?" Hiccup was taken aback by Snotlout's approval. "You agree?"
"What you said makes sense. I do have a good arm and Tuff can weave better than me. And you're right. I'd rather be on a winning team than be the star of a losing one." Snotlout paused for a second then puffed his chest out in confidence. "I don't care if my father approves of the change or not. I will help Berk win. Who cares what dad thinks."
"But you just said…"
"I know what I just said," Snotlout snapped. "And for a while now I've been feeling like I should do my own thing. I guess I just needed a shove." Snotlout turned to head out of the locker room and then paused. He turned and grinned at Hiccup. "Thanks for the illumination."
The two men received their orders and began their mission. They drove down to Berk and rented a hotel room for a week. They knew if they stayed longer in one location, the easier it was for them to raise suspicion.
Once checked in, they drove down Main Street and turned onto Chieftain Street. They stopped in front of a house with massive amounts of vegetation.
"Is that it?" the younger dark haired man asked.
"Yep," the older, scruffier man nodded. "The Haddock residence."
