Disney/DreamWorks One-Shots (Modern AU)

California: a Hiccstrid One-Shot

A/N: This is a high school modern AU! May explore this piece some more later, may slide it into a future multi-chapter fic? who knows! but for now I'll post it how it is

Rapunzel Corona puts on a total rager every Fourth of July since she first moved here in 7th grade. Just about everyone came- every social group under the sun that is East High, even including the Nerds. One Nerd in particular spotted a lone Hiccup Haddock sulking outside the back door of the girl's house. Well, sulking more than usual. Hiccup was considered one of the Bad Boys at their school- edgy clothing, even edgier attitude with tattoos and piercings galore. Despite their difference in cliques, Jack still considered Hiccup a friend, technically, because they worked together on that science project once, and he got Hiccup's number out of it, so that counted for something, right? Jack was definitely the Mom Friend of his group, so he couldn't just let Hiccup be so sad and alone, so he approached the punk boy trying his very best to be (what he thought was) cool. "So, the stars sure are... out... tonight...?"

Hiccup was on his phone and hardly looked up to reply, to keep up his rude Bad Boy reputation, of course, only gave the boy a "Mhmm." In response.

Jack let out a huff of breath, "Okay, let's cut to the chase. Something's wrong, what's up?"

Continuing to pretend to be on his phone, Hiccup sassily replied with a short "Don't know what you're talking about."

"Really? Because your face says 'I hate this party, please, ask me what's wrong.'" He gave a smile, more-so mocking smile.

"I'm fine, really," the punk insisted.

"You do realize that you don't have to act so tough all the time, right? It's okay to have feelings."

Hiccup lightly chuckled, "Of course I do, my reputation's on the line."

The nerdy boy raised his eyebrows, "Your reputation? Must be pretty fragile. Seriously, why do you pretend to not care all the time? I know you don't like it."

Hiccup sighed, "There's only so many fucks a person can give," he flashed a smile, coming off more passive aggressive than anything else.

Jack peered through the sliding glass door of Rapunzel's back porch, studying Hans having his arm around Hiccup's very recent ex-girlfriend, Astrid. He considered Astrid to be associated with the Bad Boys clique, making her an obvious choice for the punk at hand. The nerd nodded in their direction asking Hiccup, "So why don't you and Astrid talk anymore? Haven't seen you two together in a hot minute. Is that what this is about?"

Hiccup raised his glass in Jack's direction, "I'm not drunk enough for this," and took a lengthy drink.

Jack crossed his arms at the comment, "I hope you know that I'm not leaving 'til you tell me."

The punk teen rolled his eyes, "Love is confusing and life is hard, happy?"

"So?" Jack challenged. "What makes it so confusing for you?"

Hiccup swiftly put his phone down and spat out, "Can you tell me what's wrong with me?"

"Well for starters," the lanky teen started, "kid, you take life too seriously. It's really not as bad as you make it seem to be," and took a sip of his drink.

Hiccup ran his fingers through his hair, "She told me she loved me and I believed her," he shook his head.

"Well did you? Love her?" Jack asked.

The punk took a long breath, "... I think about her all the time. I've even been dreaming about her. Fuck love. I told her I loved her and then she was gone... She was fucking another dude."