Merida turned over in her covers to reach the alarm on her nightstand. With her eyes still closed and half asleep she continued to reach for the off button. Each time her fingers would miss causing a delayed ringing to sound off in her head. As she constantly continued to miss she was thrown into a heat of frustration grabbing the alarm and throwing against the wall.
The ringing was put to an end as metal pieces found their way scattered across the floor. She took a breath, satisfied that she could get back to sleep. But her head still pounded as if the sound still rang.
Her headache only worsened when she heard the growing footsteps of someone running in the hall. She heard her door swing open, as she could only picture her mother standing in the doorway with panic written on her face.
"Merida what is the fuss so early in the morning."
"Please not so loud." Merida said slowly opening her eyes.
Elinor saw the shattered pieces of what use to be her daughter's alarm clock. She walked over to Merida and brought her head down to hers. Elinor gently touch her head to Merida's and pulled back.
"Heavens your burning up. How on earth did you catch such a high fever."
Elinor tucked Merida back into the covers and fluffed her pillow. Her hand retracted when she felt the texture of something slightly more softer and damp. Elinor pulled out a towel, and dug her hand into the roots of Merida's hair.
"For the love of everything sane Merida no wonder you're sick. How many times have I told you to dry you hair when you get out of the shower.
"I'm not sick I just need a little more rest. I'll be up and ready in a few."
"Nonsense, I'll go and make some cream of haggis soup."
Merida shot up immediately regretting it. Her whole body shivered as she choked down the urge to vomit.
"You know what?" She said in breaths. "I don't need to rest. I'll use the bathroom and get dressed."
"Young lady you will be doing no such thing. Now you are to lie back down. I will go and get the soup started and I'll bring up some water and blankets. Just stay put."
Elinor returned moments later with soup in hand on a tray accompanied by a glass of water.
"Here you go. Be sure to finish it all."
"Gee thanks."
"I'll have to run some errands at the ranch so it will be just you and Maudie until the boys return home. Don't move around too much."
"Can I at least have my phone?" Merida said gesturing to it on the desk.
"No you may not. You need to rest."
"I need to tell Rapunzel I won't be at school and tell Mulan I won't make practice….and so she can bring me my class work cause that is what is most important."
"I'll make the call while you start on the soup."
Elinor went to push the home screen and realized that the phone was off. When she managed to get it on she was surprised to see one message pop up after another.
"Merida can we talk."
"Merida I want to see you."
"I know I went overboard and shouldn't have shut you out. Please talk to me."
"Merida I'm coming over. We need to speak face to face."
"Mom?" Merida asked blowing on the soup. Elinor slightly clutched the phone in her hands glad that the volume was on low. "Everything okay?"
"If your fever worsens I'll take you to the doctor when I return. When you finished the soup be sure to lie back down. I'll have Maudie check in on you periodically."
"My phone?"
"You'll get it back once you're fully recovered."
Elinor shut the door to Merida's door and gave a heavy sigh. The situation was not going in the direction she wanted it too.
(0.0)
On the other side of town Hiccup woke up with just as heavy a head. He didn't feel like moving. He tossed and turned so many times that he couldn't go to sleep.
To make matters worse when he headed out the front door to give Toothless his morning walk he was greeted with a disappointed stare from his father.
To be fair in Hiccup's opinion it was just slightly worse than the usual. And if that wasn't bad enough his car wouldn't give him that satisfaction of starting.
The only silver lining in all of this was that his mother was home. She had stayed up last night time waiting for him to come home, she'd woke up even earlier to make breakfast, and she had even shot down his dad who offered the idea of him 'being a man' and walking to school.
"Make sure to invite Jack and your friends over for dinner one of these nights. I really want to get to know them." Valka said in the car.
"Mom you've already met Jack a bunch of times."
"Not Jack. Your friends from the football team not to mention…"
"Mom please, not right now."
"You never did tell me what happened last night. Did you talk to her?"
"No. I drove all the way there and realized it was way too late to do anything."
Which technically wasn't a lie.
"Maybe you can speak with her today."
"Maybe."
As Hiccup descended the halls of Arthur Walter High he sensed the eyes of every student watching him, judging him. He knew the words about to come out of their mouths that would soon fill the halls.
"He was dumped."
"Knew they wouldn't last long."
"I couldn't believe they went out in the first place."
"What a loser."
"Okay I get it." Hiccup yelled.
"Damn dude calm down." said Jack. "I won't talk about practice anymore."
Somehow he had made it all the way to his locker and he hadn't even realized it.
"Oh sorry Jack, I didn't mean to snap on you, sorry man. I hadn't even realized you were there."
"Gee that makes me feel even better. What's your problem?"
"Nothing. I'm fine."
"You sure? You seem pretty broken up over something."
"Broken up? We're not broken up. Why do you say that?"
"Cause you're obviously spazzing. More so than usual."
"Hey!" Came a loud a happy voice. "How are my newest football Knights." Flynn said as he smoothed out his hair.
"Well I'm good but Hiccup's being weird." explained Jack. "He's all freaked out and jumpy."
"How's that different from any other day?"
"It's like times 20."
"Well whatever it is fix it. I need you in top mental and physical form. But mainly mental form. We can't come up with awesome plays if your heads not in the game. So getcha head in the game."
"Look I'm fine there's just a lot on my mind."
"Like what?" They both asked simultaneously.
"Well for starters my mom's back."
"Finally descent food. Your mom's cooking is always the best."
"Secondly me and Merida maybe…probably…broke up."
"Seriously." Jack said surprised. "I'm sorry dude."
"Sad face." Flynn said running his finger down his face before Jack elbowed him. "Wait seriously?"
"What does maybe mean?" Jack asked.
"Maybe-as in I'm not sure."
"What she say?"
Hiccup pulled out his phone and after a few moments of scrolling and tapping handed it to the boys. Jack and Flynn looked at one another perplexed before reading the phone.
"Wow. Break up text, been awhile since I've seen or heard of one of these." Flynn said. "Sorry Hiccup. I was rooting for you…towards the end."
"Now wait a minute. Read the message it says if you want to break up. She's obviously giving him a choice. Letting him decide the break up, which means she doesn't really want to."
"Merida doesn't give choices, ultimatums sure and even then they include threats, but choices." Flynn shook his head. He looked at Hiccup in the corner of eye and started to feel bad for the guy. "But on the other hand if Merida was going to dump you she wouldn't do it in a text, completely not her style. So you should probably just talk to her."
"I wanted to but that didn't really work well."
"It's hard going after a princess in a tower when you have to face a dragon…or worse a queen." Hiccup thought.
"Don't you have a morning class together? Just ask her then."
"There's no way I could ask something like that. Hey Merida pass these papers behind you and oh yeah are we still dating? Not to mention her…Hey Rapunzel." Hiccup said awkwardly, trying his best to lean against the locker in a nonchalant way.
"Hiya boys."
"Morning Blondie." said Flynn wrapping his arm around her waist.
"Looking good Punz. Nice to see the uniform making its first debut of the semester." Jack said with a thumbs up.
"Thanks I'm trying to pump up the school's spirit and in hopes that'll encourage people to try out for the cheerleading team, and get a bigger turn out for the games. But I don't need to do much thanks to Hiccup." Rapunzel said with a glint in her eyes.
"Me?" Hiccup said confused. "What did I do?"
"Oh come on Hiccup, you're the talk of the school. You gave Colin a KO at the Celebration Festival and now you've joined the football team."
"Everyone knows." Hiccup said nervous. "Great so I've just publicly put a target on my back." He said throwing his hands up.
"Come on Hiccup. Everyone thought it was cool. Everyone who goes to our school that is, everyone who goes to Blue Ridge wants you murdered on the field, mostly the girls, and a fair amount of guys. But none of that matters because you've got the entire Knight community on your back, ready to follow you into the battlefield." She said proudly.
"I'm not really a member of the team, I won't even set foot on the battlefield. If anything I guess you describe me as a glorified consultant."
"Funny you should bring that up." Jack chimed. "Me and Flynn went ahead and filled out a registration form. Coach Phil wanted you to be allowed to be near the action and since only team players, coaches, and cheerleaders can be on the field we had to make you one. So technically speaking you're a player. Technically."
"Why would you do that?"
"We thought you would want to fill part of the team. Everyone knows you're not gonna play. We just needed you on the field, and we knew you wouldn't fill it out."
"Yeah because I wouldn't have. How'd you even get my signature?"
"I didn't do anything." Flynn said immediately.
"Right. I'm sure we all believe that."
"It was either that or water boy, and that job usually goes to a freshman."
Hiccup let out a huge sigh.
"At least I won't have to play." Hiccup started to look around and felt the stares once gain. 'I guess that's why everyone was looking at me' He thought.
The three looked up as the sound of the bell went off.
"Well that's my cue." Jack said clapping his hands together. "If I'm late for Mrs. Hearts class she'll have my head." He said turning on his heels.
"Lets go Blondie I'll walk you to class."
Flynn took her hand and started leading her down the hallway. Hiccup realized this would be his only chance to ask about Merida.
When he did stop them Flynn took the hint and kissed Rapunzel on the lips telling her he would see her later.
"What's up Hiccup?"
"Have you seen Merida today?"
"No…You haven't talk to her yet?"
"Not since I started my career as MMA fighter."
"Well why not?"
"I've tried but she wouldn't answer her phone, and then she sent me these messages, and now I'm confused on whether she wants to talk to me at all."
"You need to talk to her as soon as possible."
"I'm trying too but I'm pretty sure she's avoiding me. She didn't even bother to come talk to us before the bell."
"She's not avoiding you, she's home sick. Her mother wants me to bring her her classwork after school."
"Sick? Is she okay?"
"Nothing majorly serious just running a bit of a high fever."
"When you see her can you tell her to call me."
"No."
"No?"
"NO. Not to be mean Hiccup, but I can only be involved for so much of your relationship with Merida." Rapunzel twisted her backpack around and unzipped the main compartment pulling out a folder of papers. "Here take these. I was suppose to take it to Merida, but I think you should use this as an opportunity to talk and sort things out."
"I can't go to her house."
"Why not?" Said Rapunzel, hands on her hips.
"I have no problem visiting Merida, I really want to talk to her." Hiccup thought. "But…running into her mother scares me, if we're being honest. And the simple possibility that I could run into her father terrifies me to my core."
"Thanks Rapunzel but I'll just wait until…"
"How cute." Rapunzel said placing her hand on his shoulder. "You think you have a choice. Look Hiccup you will go to Merida's and you will talk to her."
Rapunzel snatched up Hiccup's hand placing the folder in his hand. Never breaking eye contact. She then gave a quick turn and strutted down the hallway.
"Well that figures."
(0.0)
Later Hiccup stood in front of Merida's doorsteps. He could feel the overwhelming pressure weighing on him. He clutched the folder Rapunzel had given him in his hands. The thought that this could possibly be his last time seeing Merida shook him. He wasn't even sure of what he would say to her.
Assuming he could get passed the front door.
His heart almost skipped a beat when the door opened. He hadn't even realized he was holding his breath until he released the pent up air. He was all prepared to see Mrs. DunBroch when he was greeted by Hubert, who was standing on the back of Hamish. They had fashioned themselves their own human stepladder to open the door. Harris, however had jumped in front of both of them ready to fire his slingshot.
"Hi fellas." Hiccup said relieved.
He'd much rather be pelted with acorns then face another meeting with Mrs. DunBroch on her doorstep. They boys also seemed to be happy to see Hiccup being that Harris lowered his weapon and Hubert climbed down.
"Are your parents home?"
Headshake no.
"Is Maudie here?"
This time the boys didn't answer but pulled him into the house, getting behind him and pushing on his legs.
"Wait you guys I don't think I should be here if no one is home."
Hiccup could tell they weren't too concerned about his worries. He could also tell that Maudie was indeed home when she yelled for the boys to come here. Hiccup could feel tiny arms and legs hurriedly pushing him towards the stairs. Before he was able to ask what was going on he was made to sit in the cupboard under the stairs.
"Guys what the heck are you doing?"
His voice fell as Harris closed the door motioning for him to be quiet, and he did just that. Being caught in the house when he was 'technically' not invited in would look bad, and it would make him look completely desperate. Once the coast was clear he'd made a break for the door.
He tried his best not to move although the cupboard was obviously not meant for someone his size. He was sitting on shoes and boots while an umbrella poked in his side.
"Boys I've been looking for you." Maudie said. "What are you up to?"
With their blue eyes turned up they smiled at her.
"Awww you look like pure angels when you do that, but that look only means you've done something. What are you three hiding?"
Hiccup felt his heart dropped. "Please. Please don't open the door." He thought.
"Why do you have a slingshot. That's not an indoor toy. Don't tell me you've broken another vase."
In a split second Hiccup heard the pitter patter of tiny feet running off followed by a fit of giggles.
"Oh no you don't. Boys you come back here and give me those toys." Maudie said running after them.
As the sounds faded into the distance Hiccup slowly opened the door peeking to see if he could safely make it out. He quietly sneaked out of the cupboard unsure of who else could still be nearby. He felt ridiculous and nervous as he crept on his tip toes looking around for Mrs. DunBroch. He had only made a full 2 steps before he heard laughter near the front door.
Hiccup quickly turned around and this time headed towards the stairs. For once in his life he was thankful for his long legs as he jumped two at a time. He rounded the corner when he heard the voices clearly.
"Why wasn't the door locked?" came a man's deep voice. "Maudie! Boys!" he yelled.
"I'm going to go check on Merida." came a voice all too familiar.
Hiccup panicked as his body automatically moved for a place to hide. He scanned the hallway before him filled with doors. He saw a door that was slightly ajar. He could see no lights coming from the room and assumed no one was in there. He slipped in and closed the door softly.
He figured he was in the clear when he heard the sound of another door not far away opened. He heard the muffled sounds of a Mrs. DunBroch ask if 'her lamb was ready'. The sound of the back and forward conversation talking place kept him from moving from his hiding place.
"This is bad. Very Bad." Hiccup thought.
The sound of his heart was becoming louder than the voices he could hear from the other side of the door. He placed his hand on his chest in an attempt to calm down. Taking slow deep breaths and exhaling as quietly as possible. Instead Hiccup could feel the hairs in his nose begin to tickle. Slowly backing away from the door Hiccup covered his mouth with his shirt. He hoped to muffle the sound as he could no longer suppress it.
"Achoo." He paused. "Please. Please tell me no one heard that."
When he didn't hear any of the voices, mainly Mrs. DunBroch, say 'who was that' he counted himself lucky.
But when had he ever been lucky.
Hiccup could hear the low sounds of something else in the room. He wasn't only in the room, and he could recognize it all too well.
When he had first met Toothless, he sounded very familiar to the low sounds coming from within the room. It was very rare for animals to be friendly when be intruded upon by a stranger.
In the dark room Hiccup could make out two sets of eyes coming near him, their growls slowly becoming louder.
"Good boys. I'm not here to hurt you." Hiccup said just above a whisper. As they got closer he could make out their silhouettes. "I'm a friend."
Hiccup could tell nothing he was saying was getting through.
*BARK BARK
"No no no. Shhh please. I'm a good guy."
As Hiccup was slowly being pushed back, he saw one dog move dash forward. He quickly swerved his body to the left dodging, but in his attempt to escape the jaws of the dogs he tripped over something on the floor that made a loud sound when it clattered to the ground.
"Oww."
*BARK
Hiccup tried his best to stand back up but one of the dogs managed to make it the other side surrounding him, baring teeth and growling. By this time Hiccup had given all hope that no one had discovered his presence.
*BARK
"So this is how I go." He thought. "Mauled to death by dogs."
Hello and sorry I was supposed to post this long ago, but my laptop would not upload to Doc Manager. So I send this via the library. The public library where others like to think aloud, listen without headphones, and sit beside me while there are plenty of other chairs. But I digress. I actually like the library, today is probably a bad day. So as my timer counts down my remaining minutes I would like to apologize for any and all typos. I hope you enjoy and please comment. xoxoxoxoxo.