Hi there, Cass is here! I never really intended to have three days wait between updates, but My sister insisted on a spontaneous Jurassic Park-marathon, cause her class went in to watch it today (Lucky bastard -.-) So, a little later than anticipated but here nonetheless, I give you Chapter 6.

Enjoy!

Chapter 6: Astrid

School next morning comes faster than I'd thought possible. The afternoon with Jack and Elsa turned into night, and I'd never anticipated going from hanging out with an almost complete stranger, to dining with one slightly closer friend, who I could communicate with at ease. Jack has not only a natural way of completely relax around people, but also a natural way of making people around him feel relaxed. It didn't take long, before I had no problem speaking with my voice around him. He has such a trustworthy aura that almost seems magical. I had a genuine smile painted on my lips when he went home last night. I had gained a new friend that evening, and I was glad I never went for that round of tag in the park.

I groggily get out of bed, so glad that it's Thursday. Only two more days of school before complete relaxation with Elsa, and maybe even Jack.

As I look on my cell phone, a message popped in late last night from Anna.

Hey, Astrid. Me and a couple of friends are going to a party Saturday night. Wanna join?

Anna and I met as friends at Elsa's birthday party back at Felton. Otherwise, she'd always been that little sister, craving for her big sisters attention whenever she had company. We'd talked since, and I consider her close, trustworthy. My fingers glide once over the screen before they spell out a reply.

Uh, sure. A couple of hours of reckless party might just be what I need. Who's hosting?

Oh, it's my long-time crush, McDreamy. He's soooo cute. I was so pumped when he invited me, so I'll bring a few friends to calm my sister. We'll pick you up at 8. Cool?

Yeah, cool. See ya then

See ya!

I put the cell phone down, throwing clothes around the room as I try to find my red tank top. I'd just bought a new head piece that would go great with it.

Elsa is standing and talking with Punzie by her locker by the end of the hall. I focus on their conversing hands, trying not to look too much around me. Though, I feel pairs of eyes looking at me, I try desperately to shut them out. They're not worth it. You'll just feel worse.

Then the one thing that could go wrong goes wrong. A tall male figure stumbles into me from the right. He seems to be talking with someone, and doesn't notice me. I'm too focused at Elsa and Punzie to see where I'm going, so of course we clash together. I hear a mumbled cry out, and I immediately turn my head to see a tall read-haired guy with thick sideburns. Strong jaws and cold green eyes.

"Watch where you're going, freak." his lips move faintly, but I can still observe every spoken word, and they cut deeper and deeper. I nod, looking down. I'm sure I'll never forget those green eyes, though I hope never to see them again. I scurry off to Elsa and Punzie, hoping nobody saw the incident.

Who am I kidding? He definitely looks important of some sort, and everybody knows who I am compared to him. I'll bet the whole school's talking about it before lunchtime.

As we all three get into class, I find a spot towards the back along with Elsa. Punzie, as usual, joins the teacher at the desk. The lecture begins, but my focus drops as I see who slanders in in the middle of a question. I immediately freeze on the spot, trying not to overreact. I slowly turn towards Elsa, who looks at me quizzically.

"Elsa, do you know that guy over there? I accidently crashed into him this morning, and I fear the worst." Elsa turns her gaze in his direction, and gasps.

"Astrid, oh my god that's…" Punzie comes down before she can continue.

"Girls! Boy-chit-chat later, you're in the middle of a class! If I see as much as a fingerspell between you two that isn't about biology, I'll find some duct tape and silence you for the rest of the class. I know you two are very independent of each other, but focus!" She scolds, before returning to the teacher. The lecture goes on without another sign between Elsa and I, but I still fear the worst. That guy is bad news, I can just feel it.

Hiccup

Whoever invented PE as a class for second period is surely deranged. Now, not as deranged as Coach David (Or Coach Daggur, as the team calls him), but nevertheless, I have zero energy for PE in the morning. Toothless, my dog, demanded playtime on his morning walk. My body still hurts from the countless times he knocked me over for a lick in the face, and my face is still a bit sticky after that.

But I would give up my left leg to make sure he's alright. He was my first ever friend. I found him as a lost puppy in some street. He was halt on his left hind leg, and I was determined to take him home and treat him. I still remember the red cast he had all over his leg. It suited his sleek body with the long hanging ears.

I'd never seen a black golden retriever before, but I came to love him, even though he was tiny, hurt, and hence his name, toothless.

As I'm caught up in my own thoughts, I'm immediately ripped out of them, as my eyes spot a blonde head walking towards me. As I get a good look at her, I drop my jaw internally. Everything becomes slow-motion, as I take in her goddess features.

Her long, well-trained body sways with the right amount of curves, highlighting her loose skirt. Her red tank top matches her skin colour perfectly, and as my eyes lock on her face everything stops completely. A bomb could be exploding right behind her, for all I care. Her round head carries her golden locks with grace, as they sweep into a traditional Celtic braid down her left shoulder. Her eye-long side-swept bangs partially hide the most ocean blue eyes I've ever seen. I would get lost and drown in them, if I look for too long.

Speaking of water, the one most awkward thing that could happen happens. Some muttonhead had spilled some water in the hallway, and of course do I have to be the one skidding on it, so I look like a complete fool in front of her.

I barely even feel the pain as I fall, but no matter what I keep on looking at that girl. Once she sees me, her eyes widen, and she takes a careful step towards me. I give her a toothy smile as I try to get up, but as lucky as I am I skid once more. This time she rushes to my side, looking at me. Are you okay? I can read her eyes perfectly, even though her mouth is not moving. I can't talk either. I'm too dumbfounded by her presence to even think straight. She holds out her hand, and I take it automatically. I still have a pathetic smile smeared on my lips, as she smiles shyly at me. I let go of her hand, and she waves shortly at me before moving on.

My gaze follows her dreamily until she's out of sight, and I'm snapped back to reality by Snotlout.

"What happened to you, cuz? You're zoned out." I shake my head real quick trying to focus on him.

"Uh, yeah, I'm fine. Let's go. Coach Daggur hates when we're late." I never realize that I still have that smile as I enter the gym, but I don't care.

I think I just found my 'Merida'. But, this one's not really Merida. She's way more.

Astrid

Lunch couldn't come faster. I have to tell Elsa about what happened on the way to second period. My pocket tickles, allowing me to leave class with Elsa agonizingly slow in tow.

As we finally arrive out at the tree where we can talk freely, I sit her down on a root.

"Elsa, you would never believe what happened on the way to second period." My hands moves frantically, as I try calm down.

"Relax, Astrid! I've never seen you like this! Not since that Eret-dude back Felton. What's happened?"

"Elsa, I've interacted with a hearing stranger."

"What?! How?" She suddenly gets just as hyped at me.

"I don't know what came over me! I just calmly walk down the hallway, until me eyes catch a rushed movement. No one else was in that hallway, it seemed. A guy had skidded in some spilled water, and he just landed flat on his butt. The next thing I know, I'm freaking nearing in on him. I really don't know what's going on but as he falls again, I rush towards him. First there I realize that he has this really big toothy grin smeared all over his face."

"Was he mocking you or anything?"

"No, that's exactly it! It wasn't anything like that. He looked at me like a blind man that sees the sun for the first time. He looked so dumbfounded… it was almost cute. It didn't really help either that he had a handsome trained physique and the most mesmerizing green eyes I'll ever see." I take a deep breath after falling down on the root beside Elsa. She looks somehow sad, for some reason.

"Handsome physique, you say?" She hesitantly signs. I nod, looking at her for an explanation.

"Reddish brown shaggy hair, muscles but thin as a paper?"

"Yeah, that's the guy. What's up with him?" Elsa sighs, looking at her hands.

"Astrid, that's 'McHandsome'. One of 'the fantastic four' of the ice hockey team. He's third or fourth-in-command. Nevertheless, really close to Hans. You don't have a thing for him, do you?" I gasp at her seriousness of that question.

"No, of course not. I've only met him one time."

"Yeah, and I wouldn't put my hopes up too high for a second time. This guy has prestige among the girls. You'll probably never see him again." I gape a bit, realizing it myself. That dude surely must have dozens of girls waiting in line to get hooked up.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. But what about Jack? Isn't he highly ranked on the ice hockey team too?" I ask.

"Yeah, he's second-in-command. Even closer than your man."

"He's not my man! Back on track, why would Jack hang out with us then? He's even more important to Hans than that dude is." Elsa shrugs shortly.

"He sought me out to begin with. I guess, because he's so highly ranked, Hans gives him some sort of free will to do whatever he wants. And if that's to hang out with us, then by all means, let him." Elsa doesn't realize it, I think, but as that last sentence leaves her fingers, she blushes.

"You gotta crush, Elsa? Aww, how cute." I tease. She gasps, eyes widening.

"I do not have a crush on Jack! Why would I? We've only just met a few days ago." she defends, but I shrug it off.

"Some people get a new crush by a single glance, Elsa." She blushes, but then smirks.

"Yeah, some people." She teases, poking me in the ribs. I gasp, not believing her.

"You're so… ugh!" I exclaim, flicking her upper arm.

"I'm just saying!"

Jack

Hiccup lays flat on my bed after school, playing a bit with the Xbox controller.

"Tekken 6, coming right up." I say, as I start up the console.

The game starts, and we fight for a couple of rounds, but Hiccups seems… dull somehow.

"What's up, man? You're zoned out. Have you been talking with Merida or what?" I ask, knowing he still has a huge crush on that Scottish girl.

"What, Merida who? No, no this one's even better. Her." He sighs. I pause the game, turning around to face him.

"Her?" He nods, and seems to disappear to somewhere else than this planet.

"Hiccup? Earth to Hiccup!" I say, slapping him gently on the arm. He returns with a shake on the head, rubbing his eye a bit.

"Who's this girl? One from school this time?" I cross my arms, preparing for a long outbreak.

"Oh, Jack, she's gorgeous! I saw her on the way to PE this morning. I was thinking about Toothless for a short amount of time, and as I return to my surroundings, she's there. She's all I see, so of course I make complete fool out of my self by skidding on some jerk's spilled water. I'm too lost in her ocean blue eyes to even feel pain. There's only her, and her golden hair was braided so beautifully around her shoulder. In a Celtic braid! She has Scottish roots like me! And I swear to Thor that she had a halo. I think it was a head piece or some sort of bohemian circlet, but it shined. It shined so brightly, it was so beautiful!" I start to laugh, a little too much perhaps, but Hiccup could be the next Shakespeare.

"So you've found your 'Merida'?" He focuses on me, furrowing his eyebrows a bit.

"No, Jack. I haven't found my 'Merida'. I've found a Valkyrie. My Valkyrie."

"Woah, Mr. Norse Viking. What's a Valkyrie?"

"It's an Angelic female creature within the Norse Mythology that leads the dead warriors to Valhalla – or Paradise."

"So you're saying that she'll be the end of you?"

"No! I'm just saying that she's gorgeously beautiful, and she's an Angel that's come to earth. That's all."

I try to hold back my snicker. Hiccup is so lost in this girl, it's insane.

"Do you know her name?" I ask, but then his gaze drops.

"No… I don't. But when I meet her again, I'll know it's her. Not many girls on the school go with a head piece, or that sort of braid. I'm sure I'll see her again." I slap my face once it sinks in. I know that girl!

"Hiccup, this girl you're speaking of, is Astrid. Remember Elsa? They're best friends. Astrid just transferred to here. She's hard of hearing, so she's not really known among the students. You recall that 'DeafGirl that spoke?' It's her. Now I don't say that's a bad thing. I've spoken to Astrid, and even hung out with her, and she's awesome. But it takes a bit to get to her insides. She's really not that open to hearing people. I was only accepted because of Elsa." He sighs at my statement.

"So… how do I talk with her? How do I get to see her again? I have to!" I snicker as his emotional eager.

"Hmm… I guess… I'm meeting up with Elsa and Astrid for a bit of ASL practice. I guess I can bring you along with me? I can introduce you properly, explaining your reasons. You're eager to see her, and be a bit closer, right?" He nods like an idiot, and I can't help but laugh.

"Now, this helped back when I did it with Elsa. I showed her that I knew her culture, and that I respected it. You could do the same in front of them. Just something simple. I've just learned a sentence you could use, along with signing your name to them. It'll warm them up a bit, but I could do the most of it. They trust me the most."

"But… What if they won't approve of me? I'm… part of 'the fantastic four', you know?"

"So what? I'm too. You just have to show them that they can trust you."

"Wow… You sound like me. I usually say that whenever I introduce people to Toothless." I laugh a bit.

"Just be grateful I didn't impersonate you. With all your hand-gesturing and nasal voice, you'd realize what a goof you are sometimes." He slaps my arm, rolling his eyes.

"Very funny, Frost. But I don't over-articulate with my hands!"

"Wanna bet?"

Astrid

Elsa and I sit by the tree, talking casually. We have to give Jack a name, or he has one, but an ASL name. It's a bit tiring to keep fingerspell his name, and we're probably gonna use it the year out.

"He always says 'awesome' and 'cool'. Oh, and his last name is 'Frost' So… Initials or persona?" She asks, looking straight at me. I shrug, trying to think of something. He's coming whenever, and we want to greet him with his new name.

"What about both? Yeah, you know… the motion for 'awesome' and his initials incorporated. J at the top and F at the bottom." Elsa tries it out a few times, seeing if it could work.

"Yeah, not bad. I'm fine with it."

"Good, for here he comes, and oh… Elsa! ELSA! He's, he's…" I can barely even finish my sentence. Elsa looks over and gasps.

"Okay, so Jack's brought McHandsome? I'm sure they've spoken yesterday. I mean, what if McHandsome has sought out Jack to talk about what happened? I know they're quite close."

"Yeah, but seriously? One ice hockey guy isn't enough? Hans is gonna kill us for stealing all of his meat!"

"Stealing his meat? They're just hanging out with us. There's nothing wrong that." Her signing gets more and more discrete and comes to a halt as Jack and McHandsome approaches us.

"Hey, Jack. Who's this?" Elsa only signs, not really sure on McHandsome. I'm too caught up in that brown haired guy's features to even focus on Jack's answer and the following introduction. His nervous eyes are even greener and brighter than I remember. I gulp nervously, when our gazes lock. His look is warm, making me feel less nervous. So he isn't here to do anything to me. Good. I'd totally take on a toothpick like him easily, but his reputation is too big around here.

"Astrid… Astrid? You there?" I'm snapped out of the green eyes by Elsa flicking my arm lightly. I nod, rubbing my eyes lightly.

"Yeah, what's up?"

"This is Harold 'Hiccup' Haddock. The Third, I think." She talks aloud for the sake of Jack's and Hiccup's – Hiccup?! – comprehension.

"Hiccup? What's up with that?" I sign, and Elsa says aloud. Hiccup's faint Adam's apple and his wide smile form a laugh.

"Yeah… there was this one time where I got the hiccups. Big time. Seriously it started at breakfast, and I couldn't sleep the following night because of it. So one of my elder friends started to call me Hiccup, and it just got stuck. Even my own dad calls me that from time to time. Other than 'Son', that is." I giggle slightly at his rather awkward story, and smiles at him.

Elsa and Jack have started speaking with each other, so Hiccup hesitantly sits by me on my root. I move a bit on my hair and head piece, trying to calm down.

"So… Hi. I'm H-i-c-c-u-p. Nice to date you." My eyes widen at his greeting, but I can't stop myself from giggling at his nervousness. Why would he even be nervous? It should be me that's nervous.

"No, it's nice to meet you." I correct him with a smile, redoing the sentence for him.

"Oh, oh it's like that. Gods, can't believe I screwed up in something that simple. Sorry. I don't want…I mean… What am I even saying, never mind." He mumbles quite a bit, and his hands over-articulate as a nervous habit. I grab him by the shoulders, taking a deep breath.

He follows my silent advice and takes one himself. Once his green eyes return their focus on me, time stops a bit.

"Can… can we try that again? The introduction, I mean." I nod, focusing on his lips. Behind them he has the cutest tooth gap that shows whenever he smiles.

"Hi. I'm H-i-c-c-u-p. Nice to meet you." He signs, bearing a shy smile. He's a leftie? I haven't met many ot those in my eighteen years. I smile back, signing to him.

"Hello. I'm A-s-t-r-i-d, or Astrid." I start by fingerspell my name slowly enough for him to follow, followed by my sign name. I have a close look on his lips, seeing if he's pronouncing my name right.

"Astrid? So… and this is your… sign name is it?" I nod, while signing a yes. I reposition his thumbs a bit, but otherwise he has it right.

"Cool. So eh… I was wondering… is there a reason why you don't use your voice? It's completely okay if you don't want to answer." I look down as the last word leaves his lips. It's… it's too early, I think.

I shake my head, looking back up at him. He has an understanding smile, and a kind look.

"As I said, that's completely okay. I respect that you have your lines, and I'll do everything to not cross them." I smile weakly back at him. A question pops into my head, but I'm not sure how to ask him so he understands it. I quickly look over at Elsa, but she's deep in a conversation with Jack, partially spoken, partially in ASL. Dammit. I look back at Hiccup, taking an unnecessary deep breath.

I start by gaining his full attention, before pointing at himself and Jack.

"Okay, me and Jack." I nod, continuing. I clap my thumb against my other fingers, impersonating a speaking mouth.

"Me and Jack talk…" I nod, pointing at me.

"Me and Jack talk you… Me and Jack talk about you?" I nod once again, shrugging.

"Why Jack and I talked about you?" I nod one final time, glad my question got through fairly easily. He hesitates a bit, thinking of how to explain it, I think.

"Well… After that accidental meet yesterday, I was… zoned out all day. Jack snapped me out of it, and made me confess it was because of… you."

"Me?" I only point, still not sure on any vocal communication.

"Yeah. I felt so embarrassed by falling on my butt in front of you. You were so pretty, and to be honest, I was lost in those ocean eyes of yours. My gods, did I just say that? I mean… I screwed it up again, I'm so sorry!" he flushes immediately, looking down. I stiffen a giggle, trying to compose myself.

Is this guy even for real?

3.777 words of pure Hiccstrid-development. And it was worth it! I thought it was about time for these two to meet, and of course, he's just as star struck about Astrid as he is in the movies xD Anywho, really hope you enjoyed this, if you did let me know and I'll see what I can do about a next chapter :3 My family is moving this weekend, so I might be able to update next week, and also, I've got a 5-hour marathon coming up tomorrow xD IT'S GONNA BE SO GOOD!

So, until next time,

See ya!