Fate~ Hiccstrid Modern

Chapter 3: Friends again

Once I was out of the gym, I kicked the nearest trash can. I was just so mad. Not only at those girls, but also at myself. Questions flooded my mind. Why did I think Volleyball was more important than a real friendship? What was wrong with me?

While I was having this internal questionnaire battle, I didn't notice Hiccup come up to me and ask me something.

"I'm sorry, Hiccup, what did you say?" I asked, embarrassed.

"Oh, I asked if you were okay?"

"Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Just getting ready to walk home," I said, feeling awkward.

"I can give you a ride if you want?" Hiccup said.

"Oh, no, I couldn't ask you to do that. Thank you, though." I turn and begin walking.

"No, Astrid. I insist. I really don't want you to walk home all by yourself," Hiccup said, chasing after me. "Please. I just want to spend some time with an old friend."

I smile wide. "Okay, but I'm going to buy you some ice cream so we can catch up on what we missed. How about it, Hiccup? Want to have some fun like the good old days?"

Hiccup smiled his signature half smile. "Great. Shall we get going, M'lady?" he said, goofy.

"We shall," I reply, giggling.

Hiccup put his arm out to me and I took it. We walked to his car and drove to our childhood ice cream shop, laughing the entire way.

"Wait, so you and your dog, Toothless, lost a leg in a fire? How'd that happen?" I asked, taking a bite of cookie dough ice cream.

"Yeah, well, my dad has a lot of enemies being the town sheriff, so one set our house on fire. At that time, dad was upset that I brought Toothless into our lives. So, dad was mad and left the house for some unscheduled work and people attacked the house with Toothless and I inside fast asleep. And that's when Toothless pulled me out and broke his leg. I woke up not long after we exited the house." Hiccup placed his ice cream on the table and looked away. As if the memories were playing live.

"The fire caught onto a tree and traveled to our neighbors house. It traveled quickly and most of the family got out, but the youngest daughter. The father tried going in to get her, but was held back by his family saying to wait for the firemen. I didn't want the chance of death in that family. I burst through the door in search of the young girl. When I found her, she was unconscious, so I carried her. At that point, the whole house was on fire. I was about two yards away from the door when the roof collapsed. Toothless was with me, limping on three legs, so, when the roof fell on my leg, I told him to take the girl and get out. He did and the next thing I know is that I'm in a white room with half a leg missing," Hiccup finishes, picking up his ice cream and eating again.

I was shocked. I didn't know Hiccup was such a heroic guy. If the girls knew, they'd fall at his feet. Well, foot.

Then, a thought came to mind. "Wait, then how did Toothless lose his leg?"

"Oh, yeah. When he broke his foot, he continued to use it to save the young girl, causing permanent damage. They had to remove the leg, just like they had to remove mine."

Every word he said made him wince. As if it might happen again and again.

Hiccup had a hand on the table, so I gently placed my hand on top of his. A sign that showed that I really care about him.

"So," Hiccup started. "What's been going on with you these past years?"

I smile. "Well, for years I have been receiving notes from someone and I really want to talk to them, but I don't know who that is. So, I wrote a note to them and placed it on my locker. Hopefully, they'll know it's for them and respond."

Hiccup smiled a big, toothy grin. "I don't think anything can stop him from talking to you."

I blush lightly. "I hope so."

~

Cover Art: by wild_turtle_art on Instagram

Thank you for reading!