Chapter 3

(Hiccup's POV)

"My grandfather is alive?" I choked out for the fifth time (I think). All three of my friends looked at me, their mouths open. I was just as surprised and amazed as they were.

Suddenly, Merida started talking. Okay, maybe blabbering might be the perfect word for it. She started blabbering nonstop about who knows what. Jack, Rapunzel and I just stared at her. She seemed to feel three pairs of eyes burning on her because she abruptly stopped blabbering. She looked at us and silence followed. I heard a giggle and I turned around to see Rapunzel doubled over laughing. Jack followed suit, and before I could help myself, so did I. Merida blushed and I laughed harder. She seemed so cute when she blushed. The way her cheeks tainted pink brought out the blue in her eyes was just too much.

As I looked at her, my laughter died away and the world seemed to fade right along with it. It was just Merida and me. My eyes felt like I was seeing her for the first time. Her red curls were tied up in a pony tail. When had she tied it? I didn't seem to notice. Her big blue eyes stared back at me. Light pools of blue. Somehow her eyes reminded me of the sky. She was tall; five feet five, I think. She wore skinny jeans that hugged her small but tall form. With the oversized jacket added to that, she looked beautiful. Before I knew what I was doing, I leaned in closer. To my surprise, so did she. We were only inches apart now; I could feel her soft breath against my lips. Just a little closer…..

Jack coughed behind me, breaking the spell. Both Merida and I jumped back. Her blue eyes widened and she blushed. Obviously, I also blushed. Then I turned my head and glared at Jack. He just smiled and winked. Rapunzel caught the small gesture and giggled.

"So," Jack said, still smiling. "Do you lovebirds know that there are more important things we need to look at right now?"

Again, Merida and I blushed.

"I don't think there's anything else more important than love," Rapunzel murmured softly. "Jack."

Jack looked at her with a weird look on his face. Okaaaay. This just got awkward. It was MY turn to act like a hero.

I coughed, grabbing their attention.

Woooow. That's really heroic, Hiccup.

"Guys! We have better things to do, alright?" I exclaimed, then, turning to Merida, I said more softly, "What where you blabbering about awhile ago?" I asked her with an amused smile.

Of course I knew the answer. She was speaking rapid Scottish English. She was obviously Scottish based on her accent. When she said "your", she pronounced it "yer". I myself happen to be Scottish and that's how I know about it. Anyway, I didn't say anything because I wanted to hear her voice say it.

"I talk really fast when I am excited," She replied. I grinned.

"Ooh, ooh, ooh!" Rapunzel raised her hand excitedly. "Me too! Especially when I eat sugar!" Jack looked at her and a knowing look past between them and it was Rapunzel's turn to blush.

Merida laughed; the sound was wonderful to my ears and sadly, it was interrupted by talking.

"Come on!" She exclaimed. "Let's go get some ice cream and then look at Hiccup's email from his grandfather."

The next part of the sentence got me remembering. After all these years, I thought my grandfather was dead rather than missing. But what if it wasn't him that sent this email? What if it was someone else who knew his email address? Well, we'll find out later together.

Jack and I drove in our car; Merida and Rapunzel drove in theirs. We followed the girls since we were new here and we had no idea where each place is save the school and our houses.

A few minutes later, we parked in front of a small Dairy Queen store and went inside. As usual, boys and girls stopped by to admire our car. To be precise, it's Jack's car. But I still felt kind of proud about that car. I loved all the attention it got me and Jack. He is my best friend after all.

We sat down on an empty table and started talking. It was awkward, really. We just met two new, beautiful girls and we take them straight to an ice cream shop? I've got to admit, that is weird.

In the middle of our awkward conversation, Rapunzel stood up and said, "there's a new store that just opened nearby and I hear they sell all the latest dresses this year." She grabbed her bag. "Do you want to come, Merida?"

"You know I'd rather die than buy a dress, right?" she groaned. "I can't even look at dresses let alone buy one."

"I'll come with you," Jack said, suddenly standing up. I raised an eyebrow at him and Rapunzel raised two.

"Dude, you do know that store is only selling stuff for girls, right?" I said.

"Uh, yeah!" Jack replied, giving me the I-don't-care-and-I-really-want-to-go look. "it's not like I'm going to buy a dress. I'm just going to go and get some fresh air." He said sheepishly, looking at Rapunzel.

She studied him with bright, green eyes. Green eyes stared into bluish brown ones and I could feel the tension in the air. Suddenly, as quick as a blink of an eye, she smiled, showing white, dazzling teeth. I always thought Jack had the most perfect teeth in the world because his Dad was a dentist. But obviously I was wrong.

"Ok," she laughed then grabbed Jack's arm and then whizzed away with Jack close behind.

Okay. So now it was just Merida and me sitting across from each other.

"So…" I said. "What's your favorite color?"

To my horror, Merida looked at me like my nose was made of bananas.

"What kind of guy would start a conversation with 'What's your favorite color?' these days?" she looked at me in the eye.

I stared back. I tried frowning but it was soon covered by a smile. I couldn't help it. Her blue eyes were mesmerizing.

"Okay, then. Tell me about yourself." I winked and she laughed.

"Well, my parents are both architects and they are currently working on improving the palace in England where the royal family lives in." My eyes bulged.

"Wow. They must be really rich, huh?" I asked her. "How big is your house?"

"Seriously, Hicc?" Merida raised an eyebrow.

Hmm. Hicc. I like it. No girl has ever given me a nickname before. Just before I could reply her, a waitress came by.

"What are you guys having?" She asked. Merida and I were already looking at our menus. Merida raised her head and replied, "I'll have a large cheese burger please. With some fries on the side." As the waiter turned to me, I heard Merida quickly add, "Oh, and coke."

"Sure thing, miss. Diet or regular?"

"Regular."

Woah. For a girl with a body as good looking as hers, she has one big appetite.

"And you, young man?" She turned to me, still looking at the paper in her hands in which our orders were in.

I raised my head. "I'll have the same thing as hers." The young waitress jotted it down and I took my time to study her. She was a brunette. I guess she was pretty. But I've already gotten my eye on one girl.

"Okay, the-" She looked at me and something else showed in her green eyes. Was it interest? She smiled and she spoke, her voice lower. "Is she your girlfriend?" She whispered, gesturing towards Merida.

Before I could reply, Merida had already overheard.

"Nope." She replied for me. "I just met the dork today."

Wow. Another nickname. Why do I have a feeling that I don't like it?

Just to annoy my precious red-headed-devil, I said, "Wrong again honey bun," I winked at her. "You're the love of my life."

Okay. I definitely just risked my life. I was getting desperate. The waitress was looking at me like I was some kind of fruit. So I invented the worst lie ever. The waitress's face dropped in disappointment and she pouted. I sighed in relief and glanced over at Merida. Boy did Merida look mad. Then, just as quickly, her expression changed.

Merida's (POV)

Did he really just call me the love of his life? It did give me butterflies in my stomach but I quickly shoved it back down. At first, I was furious. Then I had an idea so I pretended to be sweet.

I smiled at him seductively and his expression was of complete surprise.

"Oh stop it, you silly thing," I pretended to blush and playfully swatted his hand lightly.

I heard the waitress huff and stomp away. I felt something cool inside me. Was I jealous? No way. But my inner self was yelling.

WAY.

"Yes, she's gone!" His voice was playful and full of relief as he raised his hand. "High five!"

I stood up at the same time as he did and raised my hand to give him one. I purposely missed and slapped his face, hard.

"Oops. I missed." I said, trying not to giggle at his face right now. He obviously wasn't hurt and so he faked. He had crossed his eyes, his head lolled to the side, and his tongue was out.

"Nope. You got me." He said while keeping his face like that. I laughed and so did he. We were clutching our sides and wiping away our tears when Rapunzel and Jack came in.

"What are you guys laughing about?" Jack asked as he sat down next to Hiccup.

'Nothing," He replied, trying his best to stop laughing. I did the same and it worked.

"Okay, let's look at that email and figure this out." Rapunzel said. Gesturing to Jack with a smile.

Wow. She actually smiled THE smile; the kind of smile where she tilts her head to one side and is one of her best looks. That kind of smile of hers that she rarely shows.

Jack took out his computer and Hiccup logged in.

A few minutes later the waitress had come back with our orders. Jack and Rapunzel had ordered the same thing; fries and regular coke.

Hiccup opened his email and we all crowded in to look. The message looked like this:

Don't look for me. Look for the Guardian's staff and it will lead you to where I first started this mission. I'm sorry to place this burden on you, but you are the only person I can trust. Please do not alert the police about these matters. Your main goal is to find the staff and follow where it leads. I will be either sending you emails regarding as to where your next mission will be or I will be sending messages and people to help you and guide you along the way. DON'T FAIL ME.

"Don't fail me?" Hiccup looked taken back. "that's not my grandfather at all."

"What if it's someone else?" I asked him. "Maybe someone hacked his email and used it."

"Maybe," Jack agreed. "what should we do?"

Until now Rapunzel hadn't said a word.

"Simple," She finally said, her face serious. "We follow the directions of what the email said. Then we can find out the truth."