Wow! Thank you for all the support I've been given! It's good to know that people are willing to let me take my time and write this story the way it should be. I'm so grateful for you all! But now, here's the actual chapter 6! AND IT'S 8 PAGES! 5 MORE THAN LAST TIME! Haha! I hope you all enjoy. (Oh and no Toothless this chapter. Focusing on Hiccup and Astrid. Sorry dears.)

Disclaimer: Yeah I don't own this in case you were wondering or something.

-Ash

I could feel my entire body shaking. I've never done anything like this before. Is this illegal? I'm pretty sure it is.

I stood outside of Gobber's shop and slowly opened the old, rickety window. I gulped nervously before climbing in sneakily. Gobber wouldn't be mad if I used the shop without him there, right? He's trained me well enough to know that I'll be safe. I hope. I quickly and quietly turned on the burner to get it heated. I took out my sketch pad and a much larger sheet of paper. I examined my drawing to get a reference on how this tailfin needed to be designed. I started sketching out blueprints to create this tail for Toothless. Once the burner was hot, I got to work building this thing. It took me hours and hours to just get everything right, but I did it. I grinned as I held up Toothless' new tailfin and closed it up.

He would be back in the air soon. Although, it started to worry me… what if Toothless left as soon as he could fly? He probably wouldn't want to stay in that cove of all places. Even if he did, it'd probably only be for the food anyway.

I trotted back to my house, holding this huge dragon fin strapped to my back. I kept my weight steady as I opened my front door to walk into my living room. I lost my breath when I saw my dad sitting on the couch with a cup of coffee. My eyes widened and I slowly started to sneak my way to the stairs. As my luck would have it, I tripped on the last stair throwing the fin off my back into the upstairs entry.

"Harold? Son, are you home?"

I awkwardly crawled back down the stairs, "Hey dad! You're home, this is great. I hadn't even noticed you."

"Yeah, I didn't hear you come in. Why don't you take a seat, son? There are some things we need to discuss."

I gulped noisily and cautiously strode over to my father. I took a seat on the loveseat across from him as I felt his eyes watch me. I bit my lip and twiddled my thumbs before speaking up, "So… what did you need to talk about?"

"Well son, I've been visiting with Gobber today."

My eyes became silver dollars as I cleared my throat, "Y-You did? He didn't say anything about his shop did he?"

My father eyed me in confusion, "No? He talked to me about you. On the bus."

"Oh! Right, so this isn't about blacksmithing…?"

Dad shook his head and laced his fingers together, "No, it's about school."

I nodded awkwardly and rubbed my neck, "Yup, my favorite part of the day."

"Harold, are you being picked on?"

Time suddenly stood still. What had Gobber told him? My father had never cared about if I was being picked on. He just wanted me to be a tough guy and play sports. I swallowed thickly, "Maybe sometimes?"

"Son, why didn't you tell me?"

I shrugged hesitantly, "I didn't think it was that important. I figured other things would be more important than that."

"Harold if people are bullying you, then that is something I should know. I could call the school and set up a meeting. If things get even worse I can put you in the prep scho-"

I held up a hand to stop him, "Dad, the prep school would be worse. No matter where I go I'm going to be a freak. There's nothing I can do about it, that's just me."

He stood hurriedly, "Well maybe if you stopped… all this, you could make some friends and make a name for yourself. Are you sure you there's no sport you like and could try out for?"

"You just gestured to all of me…" He opened his mouth to speak again, but I spoke up first, "My arms are noodles, Dad, I'd break one just trying to throw the ball. I'm weak and scrawny. I'm socially awkward and I'm good a doodling things on a paper. That's all I can really do."

"Maybe you're a late bloomer?"

I shot off the couch, "Dad! I'm fifteen! This is who I am! Why can't you just except that?"

"Because I won't have any son of mine being a failure!"

My shoulders sank (along with my heart). I slowly slid back down to the couch, a huge lump was growing in my throat. "…You think I'm a failure?"

He sighed and sat back down, "Son, I didn't mean it like that."

"It sure sounded like you did."

"Well it's not." He placed his face in his hands, "I can't have you being bullied. You need to stand up for yourself." My father gave me a stern stare. "You have a month to prove to me that you can make friends and do something socially, or else I'm pulling you out of school."

"What!? Then what am I supposed to do?" I asked.

"We'll get you a tutor and you can learn here."

I scoffed, "I'm pretty sure that locking me away from society is not going to make me a social butterfly."

"I'm serious, Harold. This is a serious matter. You make some friends or else I will be taking matters into my own hands, do you understand me?"

I was about to retort, but I knew it held no use. I sighed, "Yes sir."

"Good. Now I'm going to work on very important project. So don't come barging in the room. Please knock."

"Right…"

I watched as my father retreated to his office, like he does every day. I groaned and lay sideways onto the couch. My father thinks I'm a failure, nobody likes me, and I have 500 pound dragon living in my backyard. This is just how my life should go…

I paced myself down the hallway towards my locker. If dad's threat was serious, I don't know what I'll do. To consumed in my own thoughts, I wasn't paying attention and rammed head first into Samuel. I stumbled backward and the next thing I knew, his hand was gripping the front of my shirt.

"Watch where you're going, Haddock!"

I gulped slightly, "Ah… sorry about that. I wasn't paying attention."

He spun me and slammed me against the lockers, "Well learn! Don't cross me again! This deserves some type of punishment. Don't you think so Tuffnut?" Samuel sneered as he glanced over at his friend Terrance.

"Yeah!" Tuffnut paused, "Like what?"

Samuel snorted, "Maybe some time in a locker will do you some good."

I hesitated before speaking, "Oh come on, isn't that so old school? Nobody shoves people into lockers anymore."

"Are you trying to get out of this?" He growled.

"Ah… No. Not at all. I'm just- questioning your bully techniques. I mean, shouldn't you do something more recent? Like swirlies are so old school too. There are so many new things you could try, am I right?" I might be digging my own grave here, but with these two idiots it might back them off.

Terrance was thinking too hard for himself to handle, "Maybe he's right."

I would really like to have my feet back on the floor sometime today. If I could just keep playing these guys maybe they would let me go. Samuel didn't seem convinced. "How about I just punch you in the face? That's more recent right?"

"Ah no! That's not a good idea at all!"

He began to rear his fist back. I scrunched myself up and prepared for the impact. "Leave him alone, Snotlout!"

My eyes sprung open when I heard the voice. I glanced over and saw Astrid standing to my left. I slightly gazed back at Samuel. He seemed stunned, "Look, babe, this nerd ran into me. He needs to learn some manners."

She crossed her arms irritably, "The only one who needs to learn manners is you, stupid. Now put Hiccup down, and you and I won't have a problem."

"What are you going to do? Throw a softball at me?' Samuel snorted.

"No. I'll kick your ass into next week and tell your football coach that you're picking on the mayor's son. Then you'll be kicked off the team for sure. Need I say more?" The blonde gave a prideful grin. Damn, she's good.

"You wouldn't!" He sneered.

"Oh Snotlout, you and I both know I would."

Samuel growled before releasing the front of my shirt. I slid down the locker to my butt with a thump. "Ow…" I muttered.

"You can leave now."

"You know, babe, you're hot when you're angry." Samuel said as an attempt to flirt. Gross.

"Listen here, babe, you can walk away right now or I can kick your testicles into your stomach. Your choice."

Terrance grabbed Samuel by the shoulder, "Um, Snotlout, maybe we should go…"

"Yeah." Samuel puffed out his chest to try to keep his pride, "But we're only leaving because we have to get to class. So yeah." The two "macho men" sped away in a huff.

I sat up from my place on the floor, "Thanks."

"Yeah whatever." Astrid grabbed my arm and yanked me off the floor. I tried not to show my pain. I didn't want her to think I was anymore weaker than she knew I was. She eyed me, "You're a twig. You know that?"

I shrugged, "Yeah. I guess all the muscles are hidden away somewhere."

"Maybe you should lift weights?"

"And break my arm? No thanks."

She snorted, "You might actually have a point there. Well, see you Hiccup." As the blonde started to walk away, I felt a sudden emptiness. I knew she might kill me, but I spoke up anyway.

"Wait Astrid!" I immediately regretted my decision. She told me not to talk to her. She told me to leave her alone. I wasn't supposed to exist to her.

But to my surprise, she calmly spun around, "What?"

"I, um…" I gulped.

"C'mon, spit it out." She coaxed with a gesture of her hand.

"Could you meet my dad?!" I blurted out quickly.

Astrid was taken aback and reared away from me. Her eyes widened at me, "What?!"

I shook my head, "Sorry, that didn't come out right." I sighed, "Look, I have to prove to my dad that I have a friend or else he's going to pull me out of school. I mean, I don't really know if you consider me a friend, but if you could just meet him and act like you're my friend that could suffice too…"

She held a hand up in my face, "Okay. First of all, stop babbling. You sound really stupid. And second of all, why would your dad pull you from school?"

I rubbed my arm awkwardly, "He found out that people have been messing with me. He said I need to be more social."

"And he thinks that homeschooling you is the way to do that?" She asked as she cocked a brow.

"Yeah… I said the same thing. But whatever he says goes. You're the only person who will talk to me… so I just thought you might…"

She crossed her arms, "I get it. Did I do something that would make you think this is okay?"

"Um. You joked about being my friend?"

Astrid let out a snicker, "Fine. I'll meet your dad, Hiccup. But only because I need you to keep helping me with art. And I can't do that if you're not in class with me."

I laughed awkwardly, "Right."

The blonde then gave me a punch to the arm, "But don't you dare tell anyone I did something nice for you. Got it?"

"Oof!" My replied came weakly, "Got it."

"Ms. Abby… do you think Astrid is starting to like me?"

The brunette picked up a tub of paints and set it down on the table. She sat down at her desk before responding with a shrug, "She might be, Hiccup. Why do you ask?"

I took a seat at one of the art tables, "I dunno, she's started to be nice to me. Astrid's not nice to anyone. She agreed to come meet my dad so that I could stay at the school."

"You know you could've just asked me to go talk to your dad."

I shook my head, "No. He'd only accept people 'my age'."

Ms. Abby chuckled at that, "Well, on the subject of Astrid, I think she is taking a liking to you. I notice her watching you during class."

My cheeks flushed slightly, "What? You do?"

She smiled, "Yeah. She watches you when you're painting or drawing. It's almost dreamily."

My eyes widened, "Wait what? 'Dreamily'? What's that supposed to mean?"

"It almost looks like she's in awe of you. Or that she might even have a crush on you." Ms. Abby said with a wiggle of her eyebrows.

I scoffed, "Oh that's funny. Astrid Hofferson liking me? That's ridiculous."

"I dunnooo," She chimed, "You two have been spending a lot of time together. Maybe she's realized what a dream-boat you are."

I stared at her as if she'd grown a second head, "Are you trying to taunt me with what I can't have or…?"

"You like her?"

"Well… she's pretty." I paused, "She's athletic and she's the only girl my age to ever speak to me. So I don't know what kind of 'like' you're referring to. But it might be both ways."

Ms. Abby stood from her desk and moved over to sit next to me at the art table. She ruffled my hair fondly, "Just take your time with her, Hiccup. There's a sweet girl underneath that hard exterior. She's like an egg you need to crack."

"She doesn't want to be though."

She giggled at me, "Use that Hiccup charm and get her to see how amazing you are."

I placed my head on the table, "I'm not that amazing."

There was a quick knock on the door before it opened, "Ms. Jackson? Oh, Hiccup? What are you doing in here?"

I looked up to see, of all people, Astrid standing in the doorway. Ms. Abby smiled, "Oh Hiccup always comes and spends his free period in here with me."

"I don't have anywhere else to go…" I grumbled.

Astrid held up the sheet of artwork that I had been helping her on. She seemed almost excited about it, "I went ahead and finished this during lunch. Since it was free period, I thought you'd let me turn it in." The blonde sat the picture down on the table, "Does it look good?"

Ms. Abby grinned, "It looks wonderful, Astrid. I knew this guy," She placed a hand on my shoulder and shook me, "could bring the talent out in you."

Astrid smiled slightly, "So how many more assignments do I have to make-up for?"

Ms. Abby scrunched up her nose in thought, "I think you have three more? And then you'll have to do this week's assignment." She turned to me, "You're done with yours for the week, right?"

I nodded, "Yeah."

"Good! Then you two can focus on Astrid's art! I look forward to seeing the next one!" She exclaimed.

Astrid stroked her braid lightly, "Thanks Hiccup. I wouldn't admit it to anyone else, but… you've helped me a lot."

My eyes widened to the size of saucers, "Um, you're welcome Astrid. I hope we can get your assignments done soon. Are we meeting here or at my house?"

She thought for a moment, "Your house, then I can meet your dad. Right?"

"Well… I don't know if he'll be home today. Maybe I should talk to him and set up a time?" I replied.

The blonde nodded as she started towards the door, "That's fine too. But I'd still rather do the tutoring at your house. You have food and a nice couch."

I snorted at that, "Alright. I'll see you there then."

"Yeah, see you." She said as she walked out the door.

As the door closed behind Astrid, Ms. Abby turned to me with a smirk. She ruffled my hair once more, "Someone's got it bad."

"Who? What?"

"You like her. A lot."

"Is this something I'm allowed to discuss with a teacher?"

She just let out a laugh at me, "Listen, don't push it. But let her start to like you."

I was gladly saved by the bell at that moment. Free period was over. I stood uncomfortably, "Yeah, we'll see how that goes for me." I fled the scene quickly before Ms. Abby could say anything else.

Astrid? Astrid Hofferson could never like some dork with an overgrown lizard in his backyard. …Right?