Bear with me on this one, guys! It's all part of the plot! (Get it? All part of the plan? Whatever.) No, but seriously. This is a huge plot point, but I had to trim it down in the interest of chapter length. Why can I still hear a train whistle with my headphones on? Oh, wait. Never mind. My computer's muted. =D
Alright, enough with the hijinks. I'm done.
Chapter 5
Halloween Party
8:28 AM
Monday, October 31, 2016
Freshman Hallway - Berk High School
Monday was not Hiccup's favorite day of the week. As long as he could remember, he had always hated Mondays. This wasn't because he hated school; it was because he didn't like going back to school to see his cousin. Stanley was a bully, and he always had been. Hiccup wasn't sure Stanley had ever been taught proper manners. Among other things, the kid picked his nose half the time, for crying out loud! It drove Astrid crazy whenever she saw him doing it.
Astrid.
Hiccup knew Astrid would be there at school with him, and it brought him comfort. She always supported him and scared all the bullies away, especially after slapping Stanley, the top bully in the school, during class. And then there was that kiss she had given Hiccup shortly afterwards. It had been nothing more than a light peck on the temple to comfort him, but Hiccup was still confused. Had she meant something more by that very short contact?
When Hiccup arrived at school on that Monday, the day of Halloween, he noticed something strange. Stanley wasn't anywhere to be seen. He looked around the hallway and saw the Thorston twins, but still no sign of Stanley. Gulping, he walked up to the twins and said, "What's up?"
"Nothing," said Tom. "Sup with you?"
"Nothing," said Hiccup. "Just feels a bit weird not to have Stanley here. I wonder where he is."
"Isn't it obvious?" said Rachel. "He got suspended."
"What?" Hiccup realized he shouldn't have been shocked by this, but he was. "You're pulling my leg."
"We're not doing anything of the sort, Hiccup," said Tom. "We heard Stan got suspended the day he broke your dragon."
"Are you serious?" said Hiccup. "That's ... not what I was expecting."
"Well, it doesn't surprise us," said Rachel. "He talks to us pretty much every day. We know just about everything he's done to you."
"Really?" asked Hiccup. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"Well," said Tom, "for one thing, Stan said they were just pranks. For another, we didn't want to tattle on him."
"That's understandable, I guess," said Hiccup. He looked at his watch. "It's almost time for class." He realized the twins were wearing strange outfits. "Um, what are you wearing?"
"We're zombies!" said Tom. "We just can't have fake blood right now."
"Oh, that's right!" said Hiccup. He face palmed. He had completely forgotten to wear his Halloween costume. "I completely forgot to wear my Halloween costume today. Heather and I woke up later than usual and forgot it was Halloween."
"Are you going to Jack's party?" asked Tom.
"Yeah, I'm going," said Hiccup. It took him a few seconds to realize what Tom said. "Wait a second. Are you going?"
"Yeah," said Rachel. "We're both going. It's gonna be a blast! Normally, we're having too much fun pranking people on Halloween to care about parties."
"Or we just forget," said Tom. "That's a thing we do."
"Alright, everybody!" Mr. Johann had opened the classroom door. "Time for class! Take your seats!"
"Well, here we go," said Tom.
As soon as Hiccup took his seat, he looked towards Astrid, who had already taken hers. When she noticed him, she smiled and gave him a subtle wave. Hiccup reciprocated her actions and started to take his stuff out of his backpack.
He knew it was going to be another three hours before he would get a chance to talk to her properly.
11:35 AM
Lunch Area
Ever since he had started eating outside, Hiccup had taken to a particular table that never seemed to be occupied by anyone else. After he and Astrid became friends, she sat there with him every day during lunch. Eventually, Jack, George and Heather noticed this and joined them. Hiccup welcomed the company, but sitting alone with Astrid felt special to him. He and Astrid always tried to get to the table before everybody else, and this day was one of those days that they got just a few minutes to talk alone.
When Astrid arrived at the table, he jokingly said, "Long time, no see."
"It's not my fault we're not doing any class projects together," said Astrid, sitting down next to him and opening her lunchbox.
"That's not even true anymore," said Hiccup. "We're going to be working together on the Dragon Project in Engineering. Anyway, did you hear about what happened to Stanley?"
"Yeah," said Astrid. "It's all anybody's talking about."
"I honestly had no idea he would be suspended," said Hiccup. "How long do you think he'll be gone?"
"Maybe he'll be back next week," said Astrid. "I mean, it's not like he brought a knife to school or anything like that."
"Where's your Halloween costume?" asked Hiccup.
"At home," said Astrid. "Where's yours?"
"Same," said Hiccup. "I completely forgot to put it on. So, we haven't really talked since Friday. What's up?"
"Not much," said Astrid. "I'm just excited for Jack's party."
"I know, right?" Hiccup agreed. "Heather got me super hyped for that over the weekend. She knows Jack much better than I do, turns out."
"Are they secretly a couple or something?" asked Astrid.
Hiccup burst into laughter. "I don't think so," he said. "One time, I asked her if she was interested in Jack, and she said she thought I'd lost my mind."
"That's what I call avoiding topics," said Astrid. After a brief silent moment, she said, "Hiccup, there's something I wanted to talk to you about. Something that's been on my mind for a while."
"What's that?" asked Hiccup.
Astrid saw that Jack, Heather and Fishlegs were coming to the table and she said, "I'll tell you later on. I don't really want anyone else involved."
"Okay," said Hiccup.
For the rest of the day, Hiccup meant to ask Astrid what it was she wanted to talk about, but the opportunity never presented itself. As soon as he got home, he finished what little homework he had and went upstairs to put his Star Wars Jedi costume on. When he went to the bathroom to check himself over in the mirror, he found Heather doing the same in a ninja outfit.
"Are you sure you want to wear that?" he asked.
"Jack had a similar plan," said Heather. "We're gonna be a dynamic duo."
"Alright," said Hiccup. "I just don't think it's smart to wear all black."
"I'll be careful," said Heather.
"That's exactly what I said when I sped ahead of you on my bike," said Hiccup. "And I paid for it with my leg."
Heather glared at him. "I'll stay off the streets, if that's what you mean."
"Alright," said Hiccup. He went back to his room to get his lightsaber. The Haddocks had taken a Disneyland trip during the summer and the green lightsaber was his memento. After checking the batteries, he walked downstairs with the saber and his pillowcase. He was ready.
4:20 PM
Jack Collins's Residence
After Hiccup and Heather said goodbye to their mom, who had driven them to Jack's new house, they started to walk up to his front door, which was open.
"You know, this isn't far from Astrid's house," said Hiccup. "It's just around the corner."
"I noticed," said Heather. "And to think he moved here, of all places. Honestly, we should have seen him around here by now."
Jack's dad, Tim, walked outside, carrying a toolbox. "Harry! Heather! Hey, guys!"
"What's up, Mr. Collins?" Heather asked.
"What's up is the party in the backyard!" said Tim. He looked at Hiccup. "Hey, wait a minute! You're the kid who Jack says got Stanley suspended from school. I'm not sure whether to kick him out or let him stay."
"Wait, Stanley's here?" asked Hiccup.
"Yeah," said Tim. "I was going to kick him out, but Jack said to let him stay. I don't know if he's planning some kind of social experiment to put this kid in his proper place, but I'd watch my back if I were you, Harry. Jack's told me how much of a meanie Stanley is."
"Alright," said Hiccup.
"Party's in the back," said Tim. "I've been working on my car. Trying to proof it against this DD guy. I've heard that every time he kills, he uses a stolen getaway car. Don't want it to be mine next time."
"Okay," said Heather.
She and Hiccup made their way to the back of the house. Sure enough, Jack and Stanley were in the backyard. Hiccup could just make out what Jack was saying.
"I know you want to give him a hard time, but I'm gonna give you three strikes before I kick you out, Stanley. My house, my rules."
"He's my cousin," said Stanley. "And you're sounding like my dad! 'You're such a disappointment! Suspended for a week? What kind of cousin are you?'"
"Why do you think Hiccup reported you to the dean? And why do you think you got suspended?" The voice belonged to Astrid, and Hiccup noticed for the first time that she was carving a pumpkin at the patio table.
"Okay, fine! So I got a little over-the-top that time."
"Yeah, you could say that," said Hiccup, butting into the conversation.
Stanley turned around and saw his cousins in the patio doorway. "Oh! Hey, guys!"
Hiccup noticed Stanley was wearing black robes and carrying a red lightsaber. "Oh, wow," he said. He held up his green lightsaber and said, "This is so awkward."
"Now we have to act like foes at each other's throats," said Stanley. "I'm Kylo Ren and you're ... I'm not sure what you are. Some masculine version of Rey?"
"No, I was meant to be Luke Skywalker," said Hiccup.
"Oh," said Stanley. "Still a Jedi, so I guess I have to be a bully, which will get me kicked out of this party."
"Well, if that's the case, then should we settle it in a duel?"
"I always win, Hiccup," said Stanley.
"I might have an advantage," said Hiccup. "I'm smaller than you."
"Okay," said Stanley. He lit up his lightsaber and walked into the grass. "Come at me, cousin!" Hiccup lit up his lightsaber and followed suit.
The duel was short and resulted in Hiccup tripping on his prosthetic leg. After a few more tries, the same thing happened again and again. "Okay, you win!" Hiccup finally said.
"Hiccup, you're not supposed to give up so easily," said Astrid, having finished her carving. She held out her hand and said, "Let me try."
"Don't kill him," said Hiccup, handing Astrid his lightsaber. He then noticed Astrid was wearing a skeleton costume. "Nice costume, by the way."
"Thanks," said Astrid. She focused on Stanley and said, "It's time you met your match."
"Was that a dating joke?" asked Stanley.
Without warning, Astrid launched a series of attacks on Stanley that he could barely block. "This is what you get for flirting at the daughter of a police officer!" she replied. She soon knocked him down and held the saber to his neck. "Happy now?"
Snotlout stared wide-eyed into her threatening glare and said, "You are amazing! How did you do that?"
"Just a little something my dad taught me," said Astrid, stepping away from him. She handed the saber back to Hiccup. "You want to carve a pumpkin? There's plenty. They're from a pumpkin patch owned by Jack's aunt." There was a pile of pumpkins from which to choose on the patio and carving tools on the table.
"This looks fun," said Hiccup. "I think I'll carve one!"
After a while, Hiccup had carved his pumpkin. Instead of the spooky pumpkin most people make, he tried to make it look as friendly as possible by giving it rounded eyes and a smile with no fangs. Astrid's pumpkin looked like a skull when it was finished. "I wanted it to match my costume," she said. Stanley's pumpkin ended up looking like a face with round eyes, a small triangular nose, and fangs. Heather's pumpkin had a long nose and a rectangular mouth with semicircular eyes.
"Are you guys ready for the best pun in Halloween history?" asked Jack, hiding his pumpkin's face.
"What is it?" asked Hiccup.
Jack turned around his pumpkin and revealed his carving. Instead of a face, he had carved his name into the pumpkin. "You know why I relate so well to pumpkin faces? Cause -haha- it's ... a Jack-o-Lantern! Ba-DUM! TSHH!"
Hiccup suppressed a smile when he heard the pun, but he had to stifle a laugh when Jack made the rimshot sound effect with his mouth. Astrid shook her head in disappointment, but struggled to keep herself from smiling. Heather chuckled.
"Astrid, I give you full permission to kill me," said Stanley.
"How about no?" said Astrid. "I'd rather not do the time."
"Jack, I wanted to laugh so badly, but it's not the best joke I've ever heard you tell," said Hiccup.
"Well, the best joke I've ever told is probably the one about the five people in a room where the first person to reach the only door is the last person to leave," said Jack.
"That's not joke; that's a riddle," said Stanley. "I hate riddles!"
"I'm gonna rid this world of haters because haters are garbage!" Jack thumped the trash can they had dumped the insides of the pumpkins into.
"Gosh darn it, Jack!" said Stanley. "I should have known that was a pun setup!"
"Did I set you up there?" said Jack, grinning.
"STOP!" Stanley exclaimed.
Jack took out his phone and held the home button. "Show me a picture of a stop sign."
Before anyone could react, Fishlegs stumbled through the door in a wizard costume. "Hey, guys!" he said. "Sorry I'm late. It looks like it's time to go Trick-or-Treating."
Jack tapped the home button again and pocketed his phone. "That it is, George," he said. "Alright, enough puns. Let's go put these pumpkins outside, put candles inside them, and see what happens."
As soon as they were finished setting up the Jack-o-Lanterns on the turf, Jack said, "Okay, time for the main event! I promised a game, and you're getting a game. We're going Trick-or-Treating, but everyone has to buddy up into teams. We're competing for the team to get the most candy."
"I'll partner with Hiccup!" said Astrid.
"I'll go with Jack!" said Heather.
"Are you really sticking me with Fishface?" Stanley grumbled.
"That's strike one for being mean, Stanley!" said Jack. "Two more and you're disqualified from the prize."
"I mean, sure! Let's do this, George!" Stanley amended. "We're gonna win this ... this... Wait. What's the prize, anyway?"
"Dibs on the pizza," said Jack.
"Can we join?" asked the familiar voices of Rachel and Tom Thorston. They walked up to the porch with empty pillowcases in hand.
"Sure, even though you were late... creeps," said Jack, visibly cringing. "You went a little crazy with the fake guts. That is hideous." He wasn't lying. The twins had transformed into real zombies with rotten skin and extra eyeballs.
"Hey, don't judge us!" said Tom.
"He's right," said Hiccup. "You look scary, Tom."
"Then let's get on with this," said Stanley. "I'm about to throw up."
"Oh, are you squeamish?" asked Astrid, a little teasingly.
"No!" Stanley yelled. "I'm just sick! No, I'm not sick, either! I'm just..."
"It's okay to be squeamish," said Astrid. "You're just like my brother."
"You just don't get it," said Stanley, crossing his arms.
Jack waited for everyone to quiet down and looked at his watch. "Teams, you have until 8:30 to come back with your loot to weigh. Disperse. Game starts ... now!"
Hiccup hadn't gone Trick-or-Treating since the loss of his leg, but he found it just as fun as he had when he was younger, if not a bit more. Part of it was because he was older and could handle more scary stuff than he could when he was little. But now, he was having a lot more fun since Astrid was with him. And she seemed to be having just as much fun as he was.
After going through a haunted house, Hiccup was about to continue on to the next street, but Astrid stopped him. "Hold on a second!" she said.
"Okay," said Hiccup. He turned around and saw her leaning against a tree near the corner of the street. "Hey, you alright?" he asked.
"I'm fine," said Astrid. "Just trying to recover from that big jumpscare." She seemed to be breathing heavily. "That creep in the corner was trying to grab at me."
"It's just an act," said Hiccup. "If he really was trying to get you, you could have taken him down easily." He held up the saber for emphasis. Its green glow lit up the darkness under the tree. "You know how to handle that."
"I know," said Astrid. "But ... remember before, when I wanted to talk to you privately?"
"Yeah," said Hiccup. "What is it?"
"I'm kind of paranoid right now," she said. "I mean, yeah, I'm wearing a skeleton costume and all, but Heather, Jack and Stanley are wearing pretty much all black. I'm worried about them."
"You think they'll get snatched?" asked Hiccup.
"Something like that," said Astrid.
"I had a similar concern about Heather," said Hiccup. "I thought she'd get hit by a car because she's wearing that ninja costume."
"You couldn't convince her to do something else?" asked Astrid.
"There was nothing I could do to change her mind," said Hiccup. "Besides, she's got Jack with her. What could possibly go wrong?"
Astrid gave him a blank stare.
"You know what? Never mind," said Hiccup. "I shouldn't act like he's her guardian angel." He paused for a moment. "We should get going." He looked at his watch. "It's almost time to head back to Jack's place, anyway," he said. "Are you ready?"
Astrid held up her pillowcase, which looked half-full of candy. "Might as well be," she said. "This is very unhealthy."
Hiccup laughed. "Alright, let's go."
It was 8:45 by the time they got back to Jack's house. When they got there, they found Fishlegs, Stanley, Jack and Heather in the kitchen.
"Either way, I win!" said Stanley, staring Heather in the face.
"Not if Hiccup and Astrid got more than you did!" said Heather.
"Why would they do that?" said Stanley. "Their skinny stomachs don't even have room for this much candy, so they'll obviously lose!"
Astrid stopped in her tracks. "No, he didn't," she fumed.
"He did," said Hiccup. "He belittles people like that. Don't let it get to your head." He stepped forward and announced his presence. "Hey, let's get this over with so you two can stop arguing!" He placed his pillowcase on the scale and Astrid stacked hers on top of his. Jack read the scale, wrote the weight on a piece of paper, and groaned.
"Stanley and Fishlegs win," he said.
"Yeah!" said Fishlegs.
"See?" said Stanley. "Stanley is the best!"
"To be fair, there was way more candy in Fishlegs's bag, so I think you were just slacking off," said Jack.
Before Stanley could react, a strange alarm sounded on all their phones.
Hiccup pulled it out and read the alert. When he did, his heart sank.
Town lockdown in effect due to a potential spotting of DD. Lock yourself inside and turn off the lights. Stay safe.
"Town lockdown?" Stanley read aloud. "Who the heck is DD?"
"Are you serious?" asked Astrid. "You've never heard of the serial cop killer DD?"
"Sounds made up," said Stanley.
"Oh, he's real," said Hiccup.
Stanley crossed his arms in defiance. "Humph! Believe what you want! I'm going home!" He marched towards the door.
Tim latched the door shut and said, in the sharpest voice Hiccup had heard from any adult besides his own dad, "No!"
"'Scuse me?" said Stanley. "I said I was going home."
"You're not going anywhere, kiddo!" said Tim. "None of you are! This town is on lockdown! Jack, would you turn off the lights upstairs and close all the windows? Blinds, too?"
"Sure, Dad," said Jack. He sprinted up the stairs.
"What'll we all do now?" asked Stanley.
"Looks like it's going to be a sleepover," said Tim. "There's a wall we knocked down upstairs to merge two of the bedrooms into one theater. Lucky for you, we haven't moved all the furniture up yet. If this town is on lockdown because the police are looking for an evasive serial killer, it's likely that they'll cancel school tomorrow. These circumstances warrant a sleepover."
"Are you serious?" asked Stanley. "I have to spend the night with all these guys?"
"What reason do you have to grumble?" asked Tim. "You're not even supposed to be here! You should be thankful Jack told me to let you stay! Help me bring the pizzas upstairs, will ya? The rest of you, get upstairs. Jack will help you get settled in."
"Wait a minute!" said Astrid. "What happened to Tom and Rachel?"
"Their parents came to pick them up," said Tim. "They looked mad. I guess the kids didn't say they were going out."
"Oh," said Astrid. "Okay."
Hiccup thought he could detect an uncharacteristic level of concern in Astrid's voice. "Astrid, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Hiccup," said Astrid. "What about you?"
"Astrid, you can't act like this," said Hiccup. "I'm spooked out that he's back, and you're just fine? After what he did?"
"Hiccup, not a day goes by that I don't think about that monster!" Astrid snapped. "I'm just peachy, okay?"
What's going on with her? he wondered silently.
Hey, guys. Sorry this took so long! Enough said about that! If you've been reading this story and you're thinking Astrid hasn't been taking her father's death very hard, that will be addressed in the next chapter! Thank you, Sonochu, for that comment. I appreciate it. The next chapter is an extended version of what I had before, when I originally wrote this story. I didn't think I was going to dedicate an entire chapter to the sleepover, but that's what ended up happening! I can't wait to get started! =)