A Year of High School To Remember

Chapter 4

We were just above the tree line before we landed, and Hiccup made a jump from Jake's back in such a rush that we would have thought there was a fire. When we landed, Hiccup ran over and took Astrid off my back and hugged her for the longest time. Over Hiccup's shoulder, I could feel Astrid's eyes burning a whole in my back.

When Hiccup released Astrid, she stomped away in an angry march, trying to leave me behind. Hiccup didn't bother to chase her, he just yelled, "Call me if you need me!" After he watched Astrid leave the proximity, Uncle Jake and Hiccup remained as they waited for me to speak.

"What was that?" Hiccup questioned as he broke the unwanted silence. "Dude, you can fly!"

I cut off his next few sentences of rambled on excitement with short phrases of "I know" and "Hiccup can you stop." I finally got Hiccup to stop talking and to listen to me.

"I know I should have told you about this before," I began.

"I don't care!! This is so cool!!" he interrupted. And I had lost him. I faced the fact that Hiccup wasn't going to stop talking, so I let him ramble for as long as he needed. After he finished, he asked with concern, "Hey, what's up?"

I struggled to find my answer but when I gathered my thoughts, I answered strongly, "I've never told anyone about my powers and still can't. Right now, only you, Astrid, Uncle Jake and my parents know. It's not that I didn't trust you or anyone, but I didn't want to be the guy who was friends with everyone because he could fly. I see others who can fly and their always giving their friends a ride. I didn't want to be like that so I hid it. I should have told you, but I couldn't will myself to tell. Anyways, now that you know, you have to promise not to tell anyone. I know I don't have to worry about you, but we need to find Astrid to make sure she doesn't tell anyone." I made a smile that expressed most of my worry.

Hiccup saw my worry and responded in a comforting voice, "Don't worry bud, we'll find Astrid and explain it all to her."

With that I turned to Uncle Jake who was standing there looking into the distance where birds were splashing in a bird bath.

"Uncle Jake?" I asked to get his attention. "Thank you for your help today."

"No problem little buddy! Anytime you need help, or just want to talk, give me the signal and I'll be there. Good luck with this school year!" And with that, Uncle Jake flew away and was gone in an instant.

"Ok Hiccup! Let's go find Astrid!"

•••

Hiccup knew right where Astrid was. The only difficulty in talking to her was she didn't want to talk to me.

She was in her room with Anna and you could hear the anger in her voice as she talked with Anna. I decided that Hiccup should go in first to try and calm her down.

Hiccup knocked on the door that was answered by Anna. "Hey Anna. Is Astrid in there?"

"Yeah. Ummm,... But,... Hold on. I'll be right back," Anna hesitated.

"Ok. I'll be here," Hiccup said as she closed the door and mumbles began behind the door.

I stood a ways down the hallway so that Hiccup could talk Astrid and get her to not be so angry. Then they would leave the room and go to the courtyard. That's where I would show up and apologize. Hiccup was nervous about the plan because he did not like to lie, especially to his girlfriend.

He looked to me and gave me the thumbs up.

Anna came back to the door and opened it. She whispered something to Hiccup that I couldn't hear. He responded "No, he's not with me."

With that Anna let him in and she looked up and down the hallway. I hid in the hallway of the staircase so that no one would see me. Anna closed the door and I was left to wait.

Eventually, Anna left the room and was followed by Hiccup and Astrid. They were holding hands and Astrid had more of a smile on his face. The three of them were headed down the hallway away from me to get to the courtyard. Anna turned into another hallway and was separated from the group. Astrid and Hiccup continued to courtyard.

I followed shortly after they had cleared the hallway. I began to wonder what this school year would be like if my secret had gotten out. I figured that Anna knew, since she was in the room with them. The last thing I want is for everyone to know.

It took a long time for me to wander to the courtyard without looking suspicious. I finally arrived and I saw another thumbs up from Hiccup. That meant that Astrid was less angry and most likely ready to talk to. I walked over while staring at my phone. It looked like I was just strolling through the courtyard.

That was when I heard Astrid. "Jack!!" She sounded happy, almost relieved. I looked around to make it look like I didn't know she was there and saw her. I smiled and waved as I slipped my phone back into my pocket.

I got the the area of grass where they were sitting and stood by them.

Astrid started the conversation. "I didn't mean to storm off earlier. I just don't like when people keep secrets."
Her smile faded as she tilted her head towards the ground. She looked like she was about to cry.

"Don't worry Astrid. I'm not mad at you. It's my fault. I should have told my friends about it. I hope you understand." I stopped to see if it needed more explanation.

"It's fine. But why did you keep it a secret?" She questioned with hope for an answer.

"I... Um... Well, I see other people who can fly and they are always carrying their friends along. I didn't want to be like that. I also didn't want everyone to be friends with me just because I can fly." I concluded. I looked at Astrid while she nodded in understanding. "And Astrid," I continued after a brief silence. "Will you keep this a secret? We'll tell our six, but no one else."

"Yeah. Definitely., Astrid responded.

Hiccup cut in and said, "So Astrid, are you still mad?"

"No. I understand. I just wish you would have told us," Astrid responded. there was a pause where all of us were quite but then Astrid asked, "What do you guys want to do? I was thinking we could go get Frozen Yogurt, but I'm up for whatever."

"I'm in for some froyo. What about you Jack?" Hiccup said.

"I don't know. I was hoping to get ready for basketball practice tomorrow. Being the captain, I have to plan the drills maybe some other time?" Jack responded.

"Yeah. No problem. Maybe some other time though?" Astrid said.

"Definitely. Once practices become regular, I'll be able to schedule time with you in. See you later Hiccup!" And with that, I left the courtyard and headed to my room.