Accidental Fiancé

5: Mistaken

Five: Mistaken

"So I am proud and delighted to announce the engagement of my daughter, Astrid, to her childhood sweetheart, Hiccup Haddock!"

There was a deafening silence to the announcement-before there was an outbreak of cheering and whooping. Snotlout looked personally affronted, the twins head-butted and Fishlegs was applauding wildly. Astrid found herself swept up in a huge hug by her father-and then her mother. Relative after relative swung her around in hugs and embraces until she was feeling completely dizzy-but as she was passed from person to person, she snatched a glance at Hiccup, who was standing stock still, surrounded by his excited friends and his beaming father. But what her eyes also noticed was the furious shape of Arabella, her eyes narrowed and face like thunder, glaring at the auburn-haired man. Hiccup looked pale and shocked, his eyes dark with...fear?

"Why didn't you tell me?" Ruff asked urgently. "I love weddings..."

Astrid snapped back to the present and stared at the female twin.

"Hmmm?"

"I call Maid of Honour!" Ruff hissed urgently. "Pleeeeeeease?"

Frowning, Astrid shook her head.

"I haven't made any decisions," she said firmly. "I need to talk with Hiccup..." And she pulled away, grabbing her purse and heading towards the auburn haired young man who was almost backing away as Arabella was haranguing him.

"You know, I knew you were a worthless, useless, spineless article but how dare you think you can humiliate me like this?" she yelled as he flinched. "Engaged? What the Helheim were you thinking?"

"I-I..." he stammered as he stared in shock at the raging blonde.

"Of course-you don't actually think, do you?" Arabella snarled. "I told you not to speak to that women and instead, you lie to me and go out with her...and now this? What did you do? Just stare into her big blue eyes and go "I wuv you-please marry me...because I'm so utterly goddamned pathetic...?"

"I-I didn't..." His voice was hurt, trying to defend himself but Arabella was on a roll.

"And childhood sweethearts? Where did that come from? You told me you never had a girlfriend before! What else haven't you told me?" she demanded, her finger jabbing brutally into his chest. Hiccup was shaking his head and cringing at the painful impacts.

"I-I h-haven't ever h-had a g-girlfriend..." he managed as Astrid felt her blood boil at his tone. "I-I..."

You wanted to tell me for a while-but I left, she reminded herself.

"And you were a virgin when we first got together...not that you're anything but a disappointment now," Arabella sneered and Hiccup's head dropped, his cheeks scarlet with humiliation.

"I-I'm s-s-sorry..." His voice was barely a whisper, his cheeks flaming with shame. Hearing more than enough, Astrid strode forward.

"Hiccup-I need to speak to you," she added aloud, her eyes fixated on the tall young man. His eyes snapped to her and there was fear, shock and acute embarrassment there.

"I'm not finished!" Arabella snapped but Astrid leaned froward, grabbed his hand and tugged him away from her.

"I think you are for the moment," she said and pulled him away. Enraged, Bella grabbed at Astrid's hand and the Soccer Captain ripped her hand away. "And keep your hands off me!"

"Keep your hands off my boyfriend!" Bella screeched and lunged at Astrid, her swinging fist glancing Astrid's cheek. Without even thinking, Astrid blocked her next swing and shoved the other woman back, dumping her in an untidy heap on the floor.