vii.
She gets a text five minutes after she sits back down at her desk and her heart pounds as she opens it.
Hey, Astrid, it's Hiccup. Just reminding you that we have a date tonight. Don't forget to send me your address!
A slow smile spreads across her face. She types out her address, tacking on a smiley face at the and along with a 'see you at eight'
She feels rather bold; this isn't something she normally does. She only had serious boyfriend - Eret - and he didn't exactly woo he. She wonders if this will be different.
She wonders if a relationship with Hiccup could be different.
She scolds herself for thinking such thoughts. It's just one date. Who know what will come of it?
Her heart flops over in her chest at the thought of it becoming something more, something great. She's never felt this way - so excited and nervous all in one - over a boy.
She knows she shouldn't think these thought, but she has a feeling there's just something different about Hiccup Haddock, a good something different.
viii.
True to his word, he picks her up promptly at eight. She notices his breath hitches bit when she opens the door, his eyes raking over her red dress and her black flats, eyes traveling back upward to the knot at the nape of her neck, and he gives her a lopsided grin.
"You look fantastic," he tells her.
She blushes. "Thanks. So do you." And he does, in his blue button-down shirt and khaki shorts.
It's his turn to blush, the color setting nicely on his cheeks, but he offers her his arm. "Shall we, Milady?"
She bites her lip, shyly accepting the arm he holds out for her. He leads her to his car, helping her in the passenger side like a true gentleman before rushing around to get in himself. The conversation flows quite easily as they make the short to restaurant.
He doesn't let her lip put of the car until he runs around to open the door for her, and he takes her hand in his large one, not letting go as they walk inside. Her heart pounds in her chest.
Dinner goes by pretty smoothly, and she finds herself opening up to him more than she has, telling him about her involvement in her soccer games, how she knows Snotlout, and even a little bit about her previous relationship wirh Eret.
"Eret?" Hiccup asks, nearly spewing his coke everywhere.
"Yes," Astrid says, raising an eyebrow in amusement.
"Wasn't he a year behind me in school?"
She nods.
"That guy was a dick."
She giggles, ducking her head. "Yes, well, I just found out a little bit later…"
"I'm sorry, Astrid," Hiccup says, reaching across to take her hand. "A guy like that certainly didn't deserves a girl like you."
He sounds so sincere, and his gaze is so intent, she has to look away, looking at his hand resting on top of hers instead.
"It's okay," she finds herself saying. "I mean, yes, he was kind of an asshole – after all, I caught him cheating on me – but it was a learning experience, you know? Now I know exactly what kind of guys not to date."
"Still," he murmurs, his fingers brushing over the back of her hand, "I'm so sorry. Not all us guys are like that, I promise."
She gives him a small smile. "I know."
He smiles back.
"Hiccup Haddok?"
Her head snaps up, and she sees a girl, standing at their table, looking between Astrid and Hiccup with an amused expression on her face. She smirks, folding her arms.
"Well, well, well," she drawls. "What have we here? Are you harassing this poor woman?"
Hiccup's cheeks was red, and he just looks down at the napkin in her lap.
"Do I know you?" Astrid's voice is cold, and it makes Hiccup look up. She's staring at the girl, his eyes narrowed, and she clearly doesn't know her. His hand grips Hiccup firmly.
"No, I suppose you don't, but you could. I'm Heather. What do you say you drop Fishbone here and grab a bite to eat with me and my friends?" She flutters her eyelashes, her entire persona exuding charm.
Hiccup swallows.
"No, thank you," Astrid says instead, his voice still cool. She tightens his fingers around Hiccup's hand. "I actually think I'm fine - better than fine – right here."
Heather's gaze hardens as she looks from Astrid to Hiccup, her mouth set in a thin line. " I see," she says. "Well. I hope you two will enjoy your evening."
"We will," Astrid assures her.
With one final glare, Heather leaves.
"I'm so sorry," Hiccup groans, covering his face with his hands. "She's been intent on making my life a living hell since we broke up."
"Hey," Astrid says gently, prying his hands away from her face. Her thumbs gazes his cheek.
"It's not your fault – don't apologize."
"She broke up with me when she discovered that I had lost a leg after the accident."
"Oh, Hiccup," she whispers.
Astrid remembered the accident; it was after he won the last game of the season.
He shakes his head, but he gives her a small smile. "I don't care so much anymore, the experience taught me a lot, actually.
Astrid nods.
"You're cool, Astrid," he says, squeezing her hand. "Really cool."
She blushes.
"Ready to go?" he asks, raising his hand for the check.
She nods.
ix.
"I had a great time tonight, Hiccup," she tells him as he walks her to her door, her arm looped through his.
"Me, too," he says quietly, beaming down at her.
They reach her porch, and her heart pounds in her chest. She doesn't know why, but she feels like something big is going to happen. "Well, good night," she says.
He looks at her for a moment, the he steps closer, cupping her chin as he gently presses his lips against hers. Astrid feels fire start underneath her skin as soon as his lips touch hers, starting in her fingers and toes and spreading to every part of her body. She melts into him, wrapping her arms around his neck, drawing him impossibly closer to her.
They finally break apart, and he presses his forehead against hers, the smile still on his face.
"Wow," she whispers. "I've never… I've never felt like that before."
"Me neither," he whispers throatily, leaning down to press a quick kiss to her lips once more.
She giggles, shoving his chest lightly as she unhooks her arms from around his neck. "I really do have to say good night."
"I know," he sighs. "But I'll see you tomorrow?"
She smiles. "Yes, tomorrow."
"And I can see you again?"
"You'll see me tomorrow, Hiccup," she teases.
He pouts, lower lip jutting out. "You know what I mean."
She pauses, biting her lip to keep from grinning. "Yes, you can see me again."
"Cool," he grins. "Good night, Astrid."
"Good night, Hiccup," she murmurs as she walks to his car. She watches him pull out of the driveway, and then she goes inside, leaning against the door once she shuts it.
Tonight was fantastic. She can't imagine anything more perfect.