As much as I really hate to say this, I might have to start doing one or two or three updates a day from now on, since I feel like I've been rushing everything I post recently. I don't want to rush anything; I want to take my time on it so it actually feels like a good story. I'm sorry, but you guys are so awesome, and I don't want to give any half-hearted word or anything that took me half-hour to write. So, I'm sorry about that. I'll try for three updates a day. :) Shout-outs:
silverwolvesarecool: HAHAHAHAHAHA! Hot sauce in the soda? Oh good grief. I would be so mad. XD. I would be, really, and probably plot revenge when they least expect it. :)
HiccupHaddockIII: YES I love seeing Hiccup and Astrid's mischievously clever sides. We don't see them very often. :D
Silver Electricity: FOR SPARTA! FOR COFFEE! FOR NARNIA! FOR MOM AND APPLE PIE FOR DA WWWWIIIIINNNN! COOOOOFFFEEEE! :D :D :D
Wanli8970: Yes, I do think it is quite ironic. :) Hearing all about her makes me want to write Seaworthy even sooner than I planned to! She sounds like such an awesome character. And thanks for letting me use her, too. :D
Tvd-Fan-Forever: Thanks! :D
AnimeAngel: I've thought about writing a sequel for it. It's my longest story, and quite possibly one of my favorites. Of course, "Remember Me" is my very favorite. After I finish the rest of the stories I'm working on, I'll have to work on something for "To Help Your Leader", because I really enjoyed writing that story,l and kind of miss it. :) Thanks for all your reviews! Does Aquaria like pizza, too?
CrackedCrow: DARN *smacks forehead* I knew there was something there I was missing! :D Maybe I'll re-do that chapter sometime. Thanks for letting me know, and thanks for the review! :D
Jesusfreak: YES I used your joke in it. :D Thanks for that! And yeah, my family's always facepalming and groaning and just moaning "Haaaaannnnnaaaaahhh!" whenever I do anything like that, haha. But I love puns. :D
reconghost5: Thanks for the review! :D
xFaerieValkyriex: Haha! That is a great idea. I've never actually inhaled helium before from what I remember, but I want to! :D Some of my friends did once, and I couldn't stop laughing. :D
The phone rang only once before Valka picked up. Hiccup had already inhaled helium as Astrid had commanded, and now waited, hoping it would wear off before he had to use his voice.
"Hey, Hiccup," said Valka over the line. "How are you doing?"
"Fine," said Hiccup. He mentally smacked himself in the face for the high pitched tone the helium made his voice.
"Oh my goodness, Hiccup!" Valka exclaimed. Oh, and that was another thing; Astrid had made him go on speaker phone, so she could hear Valka's reaction. Astrid laughed, barely able to contain herself.
"You don't sound fine at all!" said Valka. "What happened!?"
"Someone..." said Hiccup after sucking in another mouthful of helium only because Astrid told him that he needed to keep his voice high, "who shall be nameless..." He shot Astrid a look, "made me inhale helium before calling you."
"Oh," Valka laughed. "Well, don't do it again. You really had me worried for a second there, Hiccup."
"I won't do it again," said Hiccup, his voice still two octaves higher than usual. "Bye."
"Bye," said Valka. Just before the call was ended, Hiccup was certain he had heard laughter in the background. Hiccup put his phone back in his pocket and looked at Astrid, the helium finally wearing off.
"Can I go bury myself in a hole and die now?" he asked.
Astrid laughed. "Nope," she said. "It's your turn."
"We should probably stop before it gets too...desperate," said Hiccup. "Do you agree?"
"I can't say that I don't," said Astrid, "because I do."
"Good," said Hiccup. "Phew. Glad that's over." He paused. "And...um...Astrid..." He hesitated. "There's something I need to tell you."
"Yeah, me too," said Astrid.
"You go first," said Hiccup.
"No, you go first," said Astrid.
"Okay," Hiccup pulled out his phone, and after searching through it a few times, turned it around and showed Astrid. He was in his picture library.
"I recorded all your dares," said Hiccup.
Astrid gasped. "What a coincidence," she said, pulling out her phone. "So did I!"
They both broke into hysterical laughter.
...
A week passed. Slowly but surely, Valka became less protective (she was still protective, don't get me wrong) of Hiccup. Astrid was hardly ever seen without him, too, except in early mornings and late nights.
One afternoon, Astrid was dragging Hiccup down the sidewalk. She had blindfolded him, telling him that she was going to give him a surprise.
"Look, Astrid," said Hiccup, "I know you're trying to act all mysterious and mystical, but could you at least tell me where you're taking me?"
"Nope," said Astrid. "We're almost there. You'll learn in just a few minutes."
So, she continued to drag him, until she came to their destination.
"We're here," said Astrid, taking off Hiccup's blindfold. He gasped.
"Why are we..."
"The music store!" Astrid interrupted. "Yep, the music store, that's right! I sent for a new guitar for you last week, and it finally got here!"
Hiccup turned to her. "You...did what?" he asked.
"You heard me!" Astrid grinned. "All we have to do is pick it up!"
"Astrid..." Hiccup started. "I-I can't accept this."
"Oh sure you can," said Astrid. "You've been one of the bestest friends to me the past month and a half, and this is the least I can do for you in return."
"Well...I don't know what to say, Astrid," said Hiccup. "Thanks."
"Well, let's go on in!" said Astrid. "I can't wait for you to see it!"
She grabbed his hand and yanked him inside. After stumbling and catching himself with a few more steps, he went with her. They waited in the longish/shortish line behind another boy with a bulldog. The bulldog was sitting at his side, looking very obedient and proper.
"Your dog is beautiful," said Astrid.
The boy turned around. "Thank you," he said. "Her name is Meatlung."
"Meatlung," said Hiccup. "Cute."
The bulldog turned around and grinned at the two youths.
"Thanks," said the boy. "My name is Fishlegs. And you are?"
"This is Astrid," said Hiccup. "And I'm Hadley, more commonly known as Hiccup."
"Okay," said Fishlegs. "Do you two have any pets?"
"I have a cat named Toothless, and a lizard named Sharpshot," said Hiccup.
"I have a parrot named Stormfly," said Astrid.
"Cool," said Fishlegs. "I love animals. Although I think I'm kind of a nerd for them. At least, people at school call me a nerd."
"Nothing's wrong with being a nerd," said Hiccup. He tapped his glasses. "I need these to see."
"Oh, really?" said Fishlegs. "I thought they were fake."
"Yeah," said Astrid. "That's what I thought too when I first met them. Fake hipster glasses are kind of in style nowadays. Lots of kids at school are wearing them."
"Where do you two go to school?" Fishlegs asked.
"My Mom homeschools me," said Hiccup.
"I go to Berk High," said Astrid. "Although my Mom's thinking about starting homeschooling next semester."
"Sweet," said Fishlegs. Then, it came his turn. He picked up some music books, and then headed off. Hiccup and Astrid stepped up to the counter.
"I have a reservation under Hofferson," said Astrid.
"Oh, right, Hofferson," said the clerk. "Let me go back real fast." He turned and went to the back of the store, and then returned with a guitar case. He opened it up and showed it to them. "Is this it?" he asked Astrid.
"Yep," said Astrid. Hiccup remained dumbfounded.
"Okay," said the clerk. "You pre-paid for it already, so here you go." He handed it to her, and she took it.
"Thanks," said Astrid. Then, she and Hiccup turned and left. As soon as they were outside, Astrid handed the guitar to Hiccup. He took it after a moment of silent hesitation and looked at it.
"This is amazing," said Hiccup. "Thank you, Astrid."
Astrid shrugged. "Consider it a gift," she said. "Your birthday is next week, isn't it?"
"Well...actually, yes, it is," said Hiccup. "One week and a half, more like."
"It doesn't matter," said Astrid. She sat down on one of the benches and motioned for Hiccup to do the same. "Well?" she said. "Play it!"
"Um...okay," said Hiccup. He unstrapped the case and took out the instrument. It was an acoustic guitar, and looked a lot like his old one. He got into position, and then played.