Astrid Hofferson stares up at the school without moving. I can't believe I'm here. I thought I would get away from everything and never have to come back. Ten years. Ten years is a long time. I wonder if anyone who might remember is still around. But maybe, just maybe, I'm safe.

"Astrid! Come on!" Anna calls. "We're gonna be late! I still need to bring you to the principal's office and make it to first period on time."

Astrid snaps out of her daze. "I'm coming!" she runs to keep up with her cousin. Anna pulls her along as they rush past schoolmates and classrooms. When they get to the principal's office, Anna tells Astrid that she'll see her at lunch before heading to class. Astrid enters the office to meet with the principal.

"Mr. Warner is just with another student," the secretary informs her. "Please have a seat."

Astrid sits down and starts thinking again. This is all a mistake. I was happy with gramps and gram. I'd moved on and put everything behind me. I love Aunt Laura and all, but I don't think her and Uncle George's experience in raising Anna makes them better guardians for me. How am I supposed to go on with the new life I've given myself if they're throwing me back here?

The door to the principal's office opens, and a lanky brunette walks out. "Just get your excuse form from the secretary, Hiccup," the principal's voice calls out. The name acts like a jolt of electricity through Astrid's body. She sits up suddenly, frozen to her seat as she tries to look at the boy from the corner of her eye. It can't be. Among all places, why here?

"Miss Hofferson, the principal will see you now," the secretary interrupts her thoughts. At the mention of her name, Hiccup looks up to see who the secretary is talking to. He glances at the girl behind him, but she quickly ducks into the principal's office. Something about her is vaguely familiar, but he can't quite figure out what.

"Here's your signed excuse slip," the secretary hands him a form which Hiccup takes. His thoughts drift from the familiar stranger, and he makes his way to class.

"So, Miss Hofferson," the principal begins. "I'm Principal Warner. I hope that you'll enjoy your time here at Northridge High. If you have any problems, please don't hesitate to come to me. I understand your cousin Anna will be your personal guide. Lucky for you, your cousin is quite a prolific member of the student body, so you're in good hands. I've discussed your arrangements with your uncle and aunt. They told me you spent your childhood here, is that correct?"

"Just a part of it, yes," Astrid answers. "I moved in with my grandparents when I was six, and I haven't been back here since."

"That's understandable," the principal nods sympathetically. "Yes, I recall some events pertaining to that. I know the past mustn't be brought up, but I hope you will find it pleasant and, even, thrilling to be back. The students are all very friendly, and we have an excellent track record with regards to academics, athletics, and extra-curriculars. You'll find something that suits you."

"Thank you," Astrid replies, somewhat stiffly.

"Well, I don't want to keep you from the gift of learning," the principal says lamely. He stands and shakes her hand as he shows her the door. "Just get your class schedule from Miss Emily, and you can go to your first period."

The morning periods come and go uneventfully. She is introduced to her class at the start and easily blends in after that. After attempting to pay attention to the last lecture before lunch, her mind wanders as she suddenly recalls Hiccup who, thankfully, didn't seem to recognize her.

Maybe he's just pretending that he doesn't recognize me because he knows what really happened to my family. He's changed over the years, but I would have recognized that name anywhere. It's not exactly a common one. Hopefully, Hofferson is common enough for no one to link me with my parents. Even I don't want to be associated with them.

I wish I could have gone on living blissfully unaware. It was bad enough to know we had lost our fortune, and that I had to leave the life and friends I knew here to move in with gramps and gram. I wish they could have protected me forever and kept making me believe that mom and dad left the country to regain their wealth. I wish they never revealed to me that my parents weren't the victims but the criminals of the entire scam and were on the run. I wonder if my childhood friends knew the truth from the start, or did they only find out later on, like I did?

The bell for lunch rings, and Anna is waiting for her outside the classroom. She asks Astrid if she wants the school tour now. Astrid tells her that it can wait till tomorrow. Anna suggests that they eat with her friends, which Astrid unenthusiastically agrees to. Anna introduces Astrid to her friends, and they all welcome her into the group. They talk and gossip about their schoolmates and teachers in order to give Astrid an idea of the school setting. Astrid only pays attention part of the time as she focuses on eating and wishing that the day would just end.

Halfway through lunch, Anna tells her cousin and friends that she needs to check out her test scores in chemistry. Her heart beats faster as she walks to the faculty area. Chemistry has never been her best subject; in fact, it's her worst. She can't seem to grasp the concepts, which frustrates her immensely because she excels in almost all other subjects. She scans the list attached to the door for her name and grade. Another C+. Most students would be pleased with a passing grade, but Anna is devastated. She needs to pull up her grades. She can't help but compare herself with Rapunzel, thinking that Rapunzel probably never had trouble with chemistry.

As Anna walks back, she notices the glass case displaying all the awards garnered by students for the school over the years. The one that catches her attention is the display of various trophies and ribbons for science-related competitions. In the recent years, she notices one constant face and name in the display – Elsa Isles. Anna thinks admirably how the senior seems to excel in the sciences. Suddenly, she gets an idea amd takes off for the seniors' side of the school. She knows that she must lower her pride if she wants to conquer her chemical enemy. In her haste, she accidentally knocks into Kristoff.

"Woah there, white rabbit," Kristoff steadies her.

"Sorry, Kristoff," Anna reddens with embarrassment. "I didn't see you there."

"Are you late for a very important date?" he teases her. When he notices the confused look on her face, he sighs and says, "Didn't you have a childhood? Alice in Wonderland?"

"Oh right," Anna laughs nervously. "I didn't realize you were quoting a movie."

"Hardly anyone ever does," Kristoff shakes his head in mild frustration. "So why are you in such a hurry?"

"I have to find Elsa before lunch period ends. Would you know where she is?"

"She should be in her classroom by now. I guess you better hurry then."

"Yeah, okay," Anna responds as Kristoff starts to walk away. "Thanks, Kristoff!"

He turns to wave and adds, "Yep, see you later at the pep rally preparations!"

Anna hurries off and finds Elsa in her classroom. Elsa doesn't immediately see Anna trying to get her attention from outside. She's surrounded by a few classmates who are animatedly chatting with her while she smiles and engages them pleasantly. After a while, Anna finally catches her eye, and Elsa graciously excuses herself from the company of her classmates. She smiles at Anna and steps out to talk to the sophomore.

"Hi Anna," she greets the younger girl warmly. "What brings you here?"

"I have a huge favor to ask you, Elsa."

"What is it?"

"Would you have time to tutor me chemistry?" Anna looks at her. "I just need to get my grades up, and I know that you're probably busy and have a lot of better things to do with your time than teach me, but I saw that you've been in a lot of science competitions, so who else would be better to teach me than you, so I was just hoping that maybe you'd do it? " Anna says all this very fast without taking a breath which causes Elsa to smile in amusement. Anna decides to add quickly, "I'll even pay you!"

Elsa shakes her head and tells the redhead, "You don't have to explain so much. I'd gladly tutor you. And of course you don't have to pay me."

Anna's eyes widen in surprise. "Are you sure? Just like that?"

Elsa lets out a slight giggle. "Oh Anna, you're so funny. Don't be so disbelieving in the capacity and desire of people to help. Are Mondays and Thursdays fine?"

Anna jumps and hugs Elsa tightly, much to the senior's surprise. "Yes! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I promise to be the best student ever!"

Elsa smiles at her and tells her that they'll start the next Monday in the library before going back to her classroom.

"How was your day, girls?" Anna's dad George asks them that night during dinner.

"I got a tutor today," Anna shares. "I just want a little extra help to get my grades up."

"How responsible of you, sweetie," Laura commends her daughter. "What about you, Astrid? How did your first day go?"

"I don't know," Astrid says, not taking her eyes off her food. "I guess it was okay. I can't really tell, though."

"Don't worry, Astrid," Anna chimes in. "You don't have to worry about making friends. You can always hang out with us. I just know that you're going to love it here!" Anna doesn't tell her that she's told her friends about her cousin's tragic past.

"It's not that easy, Anna," Astrid tells her, somewhat sadly. "I was already happy where I was. No one likes being uprooted and forced to readjust to a completely different environment, especially one she's been running away from." She adds the last bit under her breath, so her relatives don't hear.

"I'm sure that you'll find your place here in no time," George tries supportively. "You have us, and, from what I know, the school has a great reputation. You're in the perfect place to start fresh. Didn't you meet anyone interesting today?"

She hesitates but decides to answer anyway. "No one I'd like to become friends with, in particular, but I did talk to Hans Isles. He recognized me from our childhood play days and came up to say hello."

"Wow," Anna says in amazement. "What a small world! I never knew you knew them. That's great! They're all awesome. Elsa, the eldest, is the one who's going to tutor me in chemistry. She's really nice and friendly and pretty and popular, but she kind of keeps to herself. Like, she's not always followed by a posse. Hans is like that too. He's the artsy type and is the school photographer, so he's kind of everywhere, even when you don't see him. Hiccup's the most…I guess, average of the three. I mean, he's a top tennis player and all, but he has a regular set of friends. So I guess that means making friends shouldn't be a problem for you, huh? What, with all your popular connections?"

"I only said that Hans approached me, not that I want to get reacquainted with him or any of them," Astrid can no longer hide her frustration with her current state. "Don't you guys get it? I hate being here. I thought I was done with my past. I cut myself off from everything and everyone just to end up back here? Just to be reminded how soiled the Hofferson name is?"

"Now, Astrid," Laura calmly tells her. "Your grandparents said that you've talked about this. What your parents did all those years ago was of their own doing. It had nothing to do with you, so you shouldn't take it as a burden on yourself. Your parents' past mistakes should not define who you are today."

"You can say things so easily because you don't know any better," Astrid says rudely.

"Don't take that tone with us," George warns his niece. "We're only trying to help you. You have no choice now. You're living with us, so you might as well find a way to get passed your demons and move on. Look, isn't it a sign that childhood playmate of yours talked to you?"

"Well, it's not like he tried to talk to me in the past how many years," Astrid retorts.

"But he tried today anyway," her uncle insists.

"I don't really know Hans, but everyone says he's a nice guy," Anna adds, trying to be helpful.

"Look, I don't really want to talk about this anymore," Astrid says, preparing to stand up.

"Where are you going?" Laura asks her. "You haven't finished your spaghetti."

"I'm full," Astrid lies. "I think I'll just practice in the garden for a bit."

When Astrid leaves, Laura looks at her husband in concern. "They told us about this – her escape to the martial arts."

"What do you mean?" Anna asks.

George decides to explain to his daughter. "Your grandparents said that after they told her the truth about the whole embezzlement scam, Astrid began this obsession with all things related to martial arts. She started studying and taking classes for taekwondo, karate, jiu-jitsu, everything she encountered."

"What's so bad about that?"

"Well, it wasn't bad at first," Laura says. "At first, they were happy she found a hobby that interested her, but after a while, they noticed that she would turn to it whenever anything remotely related to her parents was brought up. Did you know that Astrid was supposed to move in with us a year ago?" Anna shakes her head. "Well, it took a while because Astrid avoided discussing it for as long as she could. She was almost never home, always going to classes and competitions. Eventually, though, they were able to sit her down and prepare her to live with us."

"I had no idea that's how unhappy she is. I feel so bad for her. Is there anything I can do?"

"Just be there for her," George tells his daughter. "Be patient with her. Try to find things that might cheer her up, distract her, or at least keep her from becoming more distant."

"Okay, I promise," Anna looks out sadly at the silhouette of her cousin practicing moves in the dark.