AN: Yes, this is a silly trashy rom-com drama. It even says so in the discreption. If you can't read that and get angry for getting exactly what it says at the front... well, not my problem ;) Aside from that, thank you for the nice and funny comments. ;)

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Chapter 6

Astrid barely remembered how she'd made it home, how her uncle had called a greeting as she entered, or how she must have given him some incomprehensible answer as she hurried past him and up the stairs. All she remembered was lying on her bed for what must have been hours, staring at the ceiling in her room, as tears ran freely down her cheeks.

She'd been so stupid. She'd tricked herself into believing that Hiccup might have a crush on her, just like she had on him, that his warm smiles every now and then meant more than just shy friendliness. That his obvious closeness to a fiery girl like Cami was nothing but friendship. So so stupid… He was always with Cami, after all. Why was is so surprising that he was also with Cami? And he'd really only agreed to her asking him because she'd taken him by surprise in front of everyone.

The same thoughts turned around in her head over and over until her phone buzzed with the familiar tune that indicated it was Heather calling.

"Happy birthday!" she singsonged through the connection, confusing Astrid a bit. Was it really midnight already?

"Thanks," she replied with as much enthusiasm as she could muster.

There was a short pause before Heather continued. "Is everything all right, babe? You don't sound so well."

Astrid had to actively fight down the noise she wanted to make at that, something between hysterical laughter and frantic sobbing. "Yeah, I'm okay," she lied. She didn't feel like talking, not yet. But Heather knew her too well.

"You don't sound okay," she insisted. "At all. What's up?"

Astrid squeezed her eyes shut, and considered to simply hang up. But Heather was her best friend and deserved better than that. "Okay, you're right. I… Actually, I'm feeling a little sick." Not a lie, technically, even if the reason was something else than Heather was thinking.

"Oh no, missy, don't you dare. You're not getting out of finally having this date by playing sick. If I have to then I'll come over and drag you to the dance myself."

A weak smile tugged at Astrid's lips. She had no doubts that Heather would actually do that. "I'm not chickening out, okay? I promise. But I'm really not feeling well, so I probably won't come to college tomorrow. Actually, I think I really need to sleep now. Good night, Heather. See you." She hung up, having heard Heather's "See you,", but not giving her the chance to pry further.

Sighing heavily, Astrid plugged in her phone on her bedside table and turned off the light, before she tried to sleep and to not think about the burning hole in her chest too much.

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With a light frown, Heather glanced at her phone after Astrid had hung up on her. So, she was sick? Sure she was... Snorting in light amusement, Heather shook her head and placed the phone on her bedside table to charge.

It was late and she had to get enough sleep for tomorrow. But if Astrid thought she could duck out of her date just like that, then she was wrong. Heather knew just how head over heels her friend was for the lanky freckled boy, and no amount of stage-fright would keep her from finally going on a date with him. Heather wouldn't let that happen.

The next morning came too soon for her taste, but it couldn't be helped. Even with the spring dance tonight and classes being cancelled tomorrow because of it, today was still a normal college day. Heather went through her usual morning routine without really worrying over Astrid and her rom-com drama. Sure, Astrid was good at chickening out, as she'd called it herself, but Heather was still sure that everything would work out in the end.

So she was all the more surprised when she arrived at her first class – a little late, as so often – and found that Astrid's usual seat next to hers was empty.

Oh, I can't believe it, she thought to herself, rolling her eyes, and already made a plan how to coax her best friend to her date later should she insist on being an idiot. A part of her kept hoping that Astrid would make up her mind and show up after all, to a later class at least. But when she didn't even come to their usual lunch gathering, even Heather had to accept the truth. Apparently, Astrid seriously planned to play sick today.

Watching Hiccup during lunch was a little heartbreaking. He'd been all excited and nervous when Heather had entered the cafeteria, his eyes searching the entrance behind her. But when it became clear to him too that Astrid wasn't coming, he visibly slumped down in his seat, the small box with a bow in his hand vanishing into his bag.

Heather's heart missed a small beat as Cami threw her a confused and questioning look, clearly just as concerned for her friend's date as Heather was for Astrid's. But all Heather could do in response was give a noncommittal shrug. Odin, how hard could it be to play matchmaker for a friend?

Shaking her head at Astrid's stubbornness, Heather pulled out her phone and typed, 'You're horrible, do you know that? You're breaking the poor boy's heart. You better show up later at the dance, or I'll come and drag you there myself.'

For the rest of their lunch break and during the last two classes she had afterwards, Heather kept checking her phone for a response from Astrid. The ongoing lack of any message gave her a bad feeling. Was it possible that Astrid was really sick? Was she maybe puking her guts out? Or was she in bed, asleep with a fever? It was possible, after all. Highly unlikely, but possible.

Worried, Heather opted to drop by at where Astrid lived in her uncle's house to check on her, when she finally got a response after all – and stared at the angry message for at least two minutes straight.

Maybe you're right and I am horrible. But I'm pretty sure I won't 'break his heart' by not showing up to that stupid dance. If you want, tell him to have fun without me, because I'm sure as Helheim not coming!

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I think... someone's been having a bad day...