CHAPTER 4: How To Calm Your Nerves.

There was only a week left before the Ball and I was starting to freak out. It was Monday and the Ball was Friday night. I wasn't even sure how to dance, or what to wear, or how I should take her. I think the people who organized the Ball said that we're supposed to fly our dragons there. Toothless should have fun with that. He's never been too fond of Astrid. I told him before of how much she used to torture me. I guess I should tell him soon that we are a couple now.

For the most part, Snotlout did leave me alone. Astrid must have really talked to him. By talked to him I mean she grabbed him by the nuggets and said, "If you ever mess with Hiccup again, these will come off." I started liking the idea of having a tough girl as my girlfriend. I felt protected, safe. Kind of ironic considering she was the one I was most afraid of.

"Dude, you've got to calm down. Stay cool, fresh, like me," Fishlegs was telling me.

I was breathing deeper than I ever thought I could. "Easy for you to say. You are just going with Ruffnut as friends. I actually have a "date" date. What if there's a slow song? What if we hug?" I cup my hands over my mouth, "What if she kisses me?"

Fishlegs bumps my shoulder, "That would be great! You need some *snogging. Chicks dig a guy who can kiss."

"How would you know," I asked, "You never kissed anyone either."

Fishlegs smiled, "Yes that is true. But I talk with Ruffnut a lot and she tells me that kissing is very important to a girl."

What if she does want to kiss? What if I suck? Would she start hating me again? My mind was racing with "what ifs."

"Alright, I'll tell you something. Get some hot coals and bring them down to the lake in the middle of the woods. Put the coals in and the water will be nice and toasty, or at least in that area. Soak in there for a bit. That should calm your nerves." That actually sounded really nice. All of the times I went down there to take a bath, the water was warm or cold.

Just then, Ruffnut, Tuffnut, and Verona walked by. Tuff and Verona had their arms locked.

"Hey guys," said Tuffnut. Fishlegs and I both waved. I was waving mostly to Verona. She was still the most beautiful girl in the whole school.

Fishlegs asked Tuffnut, "So, are you sure it's alright for me to take your sister to the Ball?"

Tuffnut waved him off, "Of course it's fine. It's not like I'm going to take her. You two have fun."

"We will," Ruffnut smiled at Fishlegs and left with Tuffnut and Verona. I watched as the tall brunette walked away, her wavy hair flowed back and forth when she moved. It was mesmerizing.

"I think I'm going to have fun at the dance," Fishlegs said.

I agreed. "I think will too."

Later that day, I took Fishlegs' advice and took some hot coals down to the lake. I put them in a metal pack (it would burn though my woven bag) and flew on Toothless to the forest. I rubbed my dragon's neck.

"Thanks for taking me out here. Fishlegs said I need to relax so,"

I opened up my metal container and showed Toothless the orange hot coals. I tipped the container and let the coals fall into the water. They sizzled and fell into to the bottom. I could see steam start to rise from the lake. So, I stripped down to my underwear and got into the water. At first, the heat was overwhelming but after a second my body got used to it and it felt reeaallly good. I sat down so that only my head was sticking out of the water.

I think I fell asleep, I don't remember. But I do know that when I got in, the water was steaming and the sun was straight up in the sky. The next thing I knew, the water was warm again, the coals were black, and the sun was almost setting. Toothless was lying on the ground with his head resting on his arms. I turn around to talk to him.

"Woah buddy. How long was I in there for?" Toothless gave me a tired look. I understood that he must've been waiting a long time. I got out of the water and noticed something weird.

"Oh my gods. Where are my clothes?" I couldn't find any hint of my shirt or pants. I looked at toothless expecting an answer. I got one because Toothless looked right up at a tree. I looked where he was looking and noticed something hanging off of a high branch.

"You've got to be kidding me."

So there I was, climbing up a tree mostly naked. It was freezing and I could barely hang on but I had to get my clothes back. I would have taken Toothless but he was too tired to fly me at the moment.

I was almost half way up when I heard a "What are you doing up there?" Oh No! It was Astrid! I didn't want her to see me like this.

"Um," I called down, "Could you look away from a second? I just need to get something."

Astrid's Nadder was with her. She and Toothless were talking in dragon. Astrid looked at what I was getting.

"Are those your clothes?"

"Yes. Yes they are. I have no idea how they got up there but I need them back so I climbed up here." I crawled up higher on the tree.

"Here," She called up, "I think I'll help you out here." She got on to her Nadder, Stormfly, and flew to the top of the tree where my clothes were and picked them up. She got lower to where I was and held out a hand.

"Come on. I'll help you down." I really didn't want Astrid to see me this humiliated but it seemed like taking Astrid's hand would be the easiest was to get down.

"Okay." I took her hand and she flew me down.

When we reached the bottom, I tried to get my clothes back but she pulled them away, smiling.

"Come on Astrid. Give me my clothes." She shook her head and pulled them away even more.

"Nope. If you want them, you're going to have to try harder."

I got closer so that I could reach my hand to hers. It was then when Astrid wrapped her free arm around my waist and pulled me closer to her. I blushed and forgot all about the clothes.

"Uh, what are you doing?" I said. My face was bright red.

She smiled and leaned her head closer to mine. "You're just too cute without these clothes." She planted a kiss on me and I returned it back. It sent wonderful tingles down my spine and I enjoyed every moment. After a second, she let go. I didn't want it to end but I had to breathe sometime.

I smiled and said, "That was nice. Thank you"

"No, thank you," She replied, "You are a wonderful kisser. Here, you can have your clothes back." She handed them to me and I took them. I slide one leg into my pants and then the other leg. After getting my shirt and vest on, I finished with my waist belt that held everything in place.

Astrid placed a hand on my shoulder. "This ball should be really fun."

I nodded in agreement. Damn! I did it again. "I'm really excited now," I told her. "I'll pick you up with Toothless on Friday."