Heart of a Dragon (A Hiccup x Astrid HTTYD AU Fanfic)

Chapter 40: Getting Interviewed

After helping me up, we went back to our bench, where Coach E was all smiles.

"That's how you close out a game." he remarked and the cheers continued again, everyone was rustling my hair and patting my back, "But that was too close for comfort. Even though we won, we became careless and let them get back to the game. We still need a lot of work to do but let's enjoy the wins. We're currently the first ranked and I would like to keep it that way." he followed, "Hiccup", "Yes sir?" I asked, "Keep it up!" he told me and the cheers was heard again.

We started packing up our things from the bench when suddenly someone was calling my name, "Henry Haddock III?" a woman wearing a sweater and holding a microphone accompanied by a guy with a camera approached me, "Uh, yes. That's me." I replied, "I think they will ask you for an interview." Cedrick told me, "Can we ask you for some few words?" the woman asked, "Uh, sure. I guess." I said, "Go. We'll handle this. I'll tell Coach E too." Cedrick pushed me to follow them.

"Hello Henry. Nice meeting you. I'm Thalia, I'll be asking you some common questions like how you feel after the game and what you think it will be going forward in the Qualifiers. Just answer normally, don't get pressured. We can edit things and make sure you look good." she told me and I just nodded.

Then the real interview started, the camera was set up and I was standing there awkwardly, "Hello, I'm Thalia Brooks from dailysports.com. Congratulations on winning your back-to-back games." she started the interview, "Uh, T-thank you." I replied,

"Is this really your first game in high school basketball?", "Y-yes. I transferred here from Old Thor Middle School where I spent my middle school.",

"It's surprising to know that since in your debut game, you amassed an amazing 50 points, the highest points scored by a high school player in his/her first game and you even paired it with double digits in assists and rebounds. What can you say about that?", "I'm just doing what I can to help my team. Of course, I'm honored and humbled getting some recognition but in the end of the day, it doesn't matter if we don't win. I always follow the mantra, "Go Big or Go Home.".",

"Go Big or Go Home.", why this mantra?", "My father always tell me that do your best in everything you do and don't do things half-hearted. That's why I always leave everything on the court so that I won't regret anything.",

"The 'Dragons' in the past years were not really someone to look out for, are the 'Dragons' today capable of taking this all the way?", "I can only speak for myself but I think we are all willing to do what is needed to win.",

"Let's go to your second game, it was a close game at the end but what can you say about your team losing the 17 point lead in the fourth quarter?" she asked, "There will be times like this that the opponent will catch fire and come back so we must only do our best to bounce back as well." I replied.

"You scored 42 points and the winning three pointer, how do you feel about that?", "It feels good to step up when your team needed it the most. I wouldn't be able to do it without my teammates help as well. They set me up for the shot and it was my job to sink it. Thankfully, It went in.",

"What are your thoughts going forward in the Qualifiers and the tournament? Do you think that you have chance to go the distance and win the National Championship?", "I'm excited since I'll be able to play with good players. Of course, we hope that we can move past the Qualifiers and bring our talents to the bigger stage. The National Championship is on the top of our list and we plan to take it home.",

"Thank you for your time. This is Henry Haddock III from Berk Institute Dragons. A rising star that is needed to keep an eye on." the interview ended and I exhaled all of my nervousness.

"Was I okay?" I asked the interviewer, "Yes, I think we can use all the footages." she replied, "Okay.", "Another thing, will it be okay if I come up with a nickname for you?", "It's okay. I have no problem with it. I'll be looking forward watching the interview." I smiled, "Thank you for agreeing, we'll make sure you will look good." she thanked me and I smiled before going to the bus where the team were waiting for me.

The 'Valkyries' congratulated me as soon as I got in, "Thank you." I uttered before sitting at the far back of the bus, where Fishlegs, Astrid, and Heather were also sitting.

The bus left the arena and we were on our way back to the academy, "Congratulations, Hiccup." Astrid told me, "Thanks." I smiled, "How can you score 50 in the first game then 40 in the second, all in one day?" Heather followed with a question, "I just did my best." I replied, "Back at it again with your tacky replies." she told me, "I saw you being interviewed earlier before we left." Astrid said, "Yeah. It was scary. I felt extremely awkward when she was asking me questions but the one who interviewed me was nice and gave me some advise." I told her.

"What was her name and where was she from?" Fishlegs joined the conversation, "If I remember correctly, her name is Thalia Brooks from dailysports.com.", "Woah! She's from dailysports.com? They are a kinda well known sports media portal.", "Really? That's cool.", "That's your reaction?", "I don't know what to do, should I jump for joy?", "Ah! Forget it." Fishlegs said and I heard Astrid and Heather snickering.

- - - - -

We arrived at the academy at around 8 pm and went straight to the gym where we held a quick debriefing and team meeting.

It was already 10 pm when I arrived home, I greeted my dad who was on the couch watching TV. "I'm home!", "How's the game? Did you do well?" my dad asked, "It was awesome. We played two games today and we were able to win both. I scored 50 points in the first game and 42 points I think in the second game." I answered, I saw him turn around with shocked expression.

"50 points and 42 points in the same day?" my dad asked, "Yup." I replied, "That's cool. I need to watch one of your games so tell me, okay?" he said, "Sure. Oh, I also even got interviewed." I told him, "Are you going to be shown on TV?" my dad asked gleefully, "I don't think so. I still don't know where it will be posted." I said while going through the fridge to get something to snack on and to drink, "You want something to eat? I can cook you something?" my dad asked, "No need. I think I'll fell asleep after snacking on these." holding up the foods and drinks I chose.

"I'll head to my room. Good night." I went up to my room, took a quick shower, and changed into a hoodie and sweat pants.

When I lied down on my bed I felt the pain throughout my body starting to show, the spots where I felt elbows and body contacts started hurting, and my joints were beginning to hurt.

I wasn't even able to touch the snacks and drinks I brought because I immediately fell asleep from the exhaustion of playing two games.

- - - - - 

I was woken up by the sound of my alarm going off at 4:30 am and purring on the side of my face, I looked for my phone and saw the time, "Oh man! I forgot to turn off my alarm." I grunted before turning it off, I tried going back to sleep but I wasn't able to anymore so I pushed myself up on the bed and tried checking if anything hurts.

Luckily, nothing was hurting as much so I decided to go for a morning run instead, I wore my running shoes and didn't bother changing my clothes.

I immediately thought of a certain place to run to that defeated me last time and that is the Berk Peak. I arrived at the bottom, warmed up and sweating. It took me about 20 minutes before I reached the top and compared to before, I'm not that out of breath and it was much easier than before.

I sat on one of the benches, admiring the view of the whole town of Berk, and absorbing the warmth of the sun. I stayed there for 30 minutes more before heading home.