AN: I told you there'd be some rom-com drama ;) And angsty? No, I wouldn't call this story angsty. At least not compared to what I normally write xD But there will be a bit tension, because otherwise, it would be a little boring...

. o O o .

Chapter 5

Ever since she blurted out that question at that inept moment last Tuesday, Astrid's head was an absolute mess. She didn't see Hiccup that day again, but that was probably good. It meant she couldn't continue to make a fool of herself.

On Wednesday, they only met shortly with everyone else in the cafeteria. But since Ruff and Tuff were being their usual selves trying to outdo each other with their food constructions, there was not a single moment to exchange any words or even have a quiet conversation. She and Hiccup barely managed to share a brief and awkward smile before everyone needed to hurry to their next class.

Thursday and Friday were a bit calmer then, and although they didn't get the chance to talk – and to be honest didn't have the courage to do so either – the flushed smile he threw her every now and then and how excited he looked made her heart flutter.

Maybe Heather was right. Maybe he really did like her, and was waiting for the spring dance with the same sense of anticipation as she did.

The weekend seemed to last endlessly. Astrid's mood constantly changed from giddy excitement to something close to panic and back again, and without Heather, she probably would have lost her mind.

"We're going shopping," Heather announced on Sunday morning. "I know you'd planned on wearing your favourite red dress, but I can't stand watching you being all squirrelly all day."

At first, Astrid wasn't too sold on spending her well-earned money – she worked part-time as a waitress in a cafe – on a new dress when she already had one that perfectly suited her case. But she agreed to go nonetheless, and when Heather pulled one dress off the rack to show it to her – deep blue with only one strap over the left shoulder, tight on the breast and waist, and with a beautifully flowing skirt – she was instantly sold. It was a gorgeous dress, brought out her eyes as Heather commented, and Astrid had to secretly agree. This date with Hiccup felt special enough to rectify spending money for new clothes.

On Monday then, the anticipation for the next day reached nearly crazy heights. It was the one day where she and Hiccup actually had one class together, Literature with Professor Grimborn. But although it usually was a subject Astrid enjoyed greatly, she was hardly able to pay attention today. She either had her eyes on Hiccup or firmly on her hands when he looked up to gaze at her in return. It was complete madness, and not even Heather's teasing comments were able to annoy her.

After their last class, they walked to Heather's car – she would drop Astrid at the archery range as usual – and as so often on those occasions walked past Hiccup and his bike. He was just done putting on his riding jacket, the heavy helmet still resting on his bike's seat, and as always the sight gave Astrid weak legs. Hiccup looked always good, but in his black riding leathers? He looked delicious. And, oh, what would she give to join him on his bike... To wrap her arms around him, to feel his warmth and the speed as he drove her whenever he wanted.

"Bye, Hiccup," Heather said in passing, her wide grin practically audible.

Hiccup turned and glanced at Heather at her words, but only a second later, his eyes were on Astrid instead. "Bye," he said too, and his lips stretched into his trademark lopsided smile. "See you tomorrow."

Astrid sucked in a breath, his gleaming eyes on her once more rendering her unable to think. "Yeah, tomorrow," she breathed, staring at him with wide eyes. "Bye, Hiccup." They shared another smile, a moment that seemed to call for singing animals dancing around them before Heather dragged her on.

"Oh, Freya," she muttered, and shook her head, a tone of faint amusement in her voice. "I think the rest of us will need to carry around water guns at any time for a couple of weeks, just to get you two to cool down every now and then."

"Haha, funny," Astrid deadpanned, and rolled her eyes. As if she and Hiccup exchanging smiles was that bad. Although…

Once again, the idea of kissing Hiccup – the image that Heather's comments had conjured up the other day – came to her mind. And she had to admit that she wasn't against it. Not at all!

How would it feel to kiss those lips that were so quick to pull into a crooked smile? Would his hair feel as silky as it looked when she buried her hands in it?

All day, her mind added more and more options to the scenario. Would he make the first move or would he be too shy and wait for her to kiss him? Would he be passionate or sensual? Would he be quiet? Would it really happen tomorrow, on their first date, or rather someday later? Or would they, maybe, do even more than just kissing? Astrid surely wasn't averse to that idea of at least a little more. It would make for a good foundation for later dates...

In any way, she was finally hopeful that there would be later dates.

"Ouch!" Astrid cried out, pain tearing her out of her daydreams. The bowstring had slipped between her fingers and hit her elbow before she'd even really aimed. Grimacing slightly, she rubbed her arm. It stung, but truth be told, even this – making a mistake, failing – wasn't able to dampen her mood. Not today.

"Where's your concentration today, Astrid?" Atali, her trainer, frowned at her target in the distance. "You certainly had better days already," she reprimanded gently. "Is something bothering you? You need a clear head to hit your target. All other thoughts should stay outside."

Sighing, Astrid laid her bow onto a sideboard and flexed her fingers to relax them. "I know, Atali. And I'm sorry. But no, there's nothing… bothering me, not really." She couldn't help but grin as thoughts about the spring dance tomorrow and Hiccup once more invaded her mind. "Quite the opposite, actually."

"Oh?" Atali's eyebrow rose and she smirked. "Well, that smile already says enough. And don't get me wrong, I'm happy to see you this happy. But if you can't concentrate then you shouldn't be practising. You'll only hurt yourself."

Wincing, Astrid placed her hand over the treacherous red mark on her arm. She'd meant to hide it, but, of course, the motion only drew Atali's attention.

"Go home, Astrid," she sighed, smiling faintly. "I figure you'll need a good night's sleep before the spring dance anyway. Go home, rest, have fun tomorrow, and I'll see you again on Thursday for the preparation for the tournament."

Astrid didn't need to be told this twice. She loved her archery training, but Atali was right; her training today hadn't been exactly fruitful. So she gladly took her trainer's advice, packed her things, and was on her way home only minutes later.

Once more, she couldn't think of anything but Hiccup and the upcoming day, and she barely paid any attention to her surroundings. After walking this way home to her uncle's house, where she lived in his spare rooms on the upper floor since she'd started college two years ago, she knew this way well enough, after all. So when she heard Hiccup's voice, her first thought was that she had to be imagining it. But what he said quickly put an end to that.

"Gods, I'm so happy you're here, Cami. Honestly, I can't imagine what I'd do without you."

The words cut into her thoughts and her heart like a knife. Cami? Hiccup was with Cami? They always insisted on just being friends when the occasional teasing comment came up, but… but… With one quick step, Astrid hid behind a nearby tree. She didn't want them to notice her.

Cami's true and loud laughter rang through the night. It was a sound Astrid enjoyed under different circumstances as it was quite contagious and usually meant a lot of fun. But right now, it only served to make her sick.

"I know, I know. You'd be lost without me," she chirped. "But don't worry, I'll always be here for you."

Astrid felt her heart drop to her stomach. So she'd misread the signs after all? Despite her better judgement, she leaned around the tree, and looked in the direction of their voices. She had to see… But when she spotted them, she wished she hadn't.

Hiccup and Cami stood in front of the closest house, and Astrid dimly remembered that it belonged to Cami's family. But they didn't just stand there. They were entangled in a tight embrace, Hiccup all but wrapped around Cami, and Astrid quickly went back into hiding. She could definitely have forgone that image tonight. They exchanged more words, but quieter now, whispering. Then there was the unmistakable smacking sound of a kiss, and something inside Astrid died.

"See you tomorrow then," Hiccup chuckled, now louder again, and Astrid knew only one way to react.

Before Hiccup had the time to reach the walkway where he would undoubtedly have spotted her eavesdropping, she ran. She ran away, as fast as she could, and barely even noticed the tears running down her cheeks.

. o O o .

Of course, there's a misunderstanding... But no, Astrid is no stalker xD