The Nerd Falls in Love

Ex - Best Friend

Time seemed to move much faster when you're having fun. In my case, I was enjoying history. Well, more like trying to. Everytime I would answer questions in class correctly, someone from the class would whisper "nerd." Okay, maybe not a someone. I knew perfectly well who that jerk was. I was listening intently on Mr. Gobber's discussion on Norse Mythology, when a ball of paper hit me on the side of my head. I groaned internally and resisted the urge to turn to my snickering seatmate. A few more minutes passed and when I thought I was left alone, the muttonhead decided to chuck used up gum on my desk.

"What the hell?!" I screeched.

Then I realized that I must've said that loud enough for the whole class to hear. Mr. Gobber stop writing on the board and turned to look at me.

"Is there a problem, Ms. Hofferson?" He asked.

I wanted the ground to swallow me up then and there. I shook my head and tried to smile embarrassingly.

"No, sir. I'm sorry, please continue." He shrugged it off then went back to writing about Odin on the board.

I slumped back on my seat as I glared at my barely containing his laughter seatmate. The discussion went on smoothly after that incident and when the bell finally rang, I breathed a sigh of relief. The class made their way out the door slowly until only auburn creep and I were the only ones left in the room. I decided to know what his problem is. I packed my stuff then arched in front of him. He raised an eyebrow at me then his infamous smirk creeped up his face again.

Great Odin's ghost.

I just realized how attractive this guy is now that I can see him up close. He has messy, tussled auburn hair that was swept to one side as if he had just returned from a walk on the beach. He had a strong, sharp jaw, a stubble growing. Freckles were scattered lightly along the bridge of his nose and some on his cheeks but his eyes were the real winner. It was a beautiful forest green. There was a hint of mischief but there was something else in it that I couldn't quite make out. It was like I've seen those eyes before but I couldn't remember when and where.

I must've been staring too long because he broke th awkward silence and said, "Why don't you take a picture? It'll last longer." I shook my head then glared at him.

"Listen, uh, whatever your name is-"

"Hiccup."

"I'm sorry, what?" He rolled his eyes.

"Name's Hiccup, nerd." Hiccup.

I've heard that nickname before but I couldn't remember whose it was. I clenched my fist as I heard that endearment again.

"Whatever. Listen, I don't know what you're problem is but you better stop what you're doing and leave me alone." I growled as I pointed a finger at him.

He scoffed. "Yeah? Or you'll do what?"

I opened and closed my mouth like a fish out of water but nothing came out. He laughed humorlessly.

"Thought so." He said as he pushed my finger away from his face.

I took a deep breathe then stepped closer, trying to be as intimidating as I can but my height wasn't really helping. He was like two inches taller than me but still.

"Look, Hiccup. I don't know what your deal is but if you wanna have kids in the near future, I suggest you stay the hell away from me."

He laughed for real this time. Damn, that laugh. It sounded so pure. I swear I've heard that laugh before.

"You know, you can be pretty scary if you want to, Astrid."

That was the first time I heard him say my name instead of nerd. I smirked at him.

"So you'll stay away?"

He pretended to think about it for a minute then moved closer, making me shiver though I hope he wouldn't notice that. He already thinks I'm scared of him.

"No." He whispered in my ear.

I growled in frustration as I watched him shoulder his backpack and walk to the open door of the room but before he walked out, he stopped abruptly then looked back at me again with his signature smirk.

"See you around, M'lady." He said as he disappeared from view.

M'lady? My brows furrowed in confusion as I picked up my things and headed to my next class. Then my eyes widened in realization, making me stop in the middle of the hallway. Only one person knows how much I hate that nickname. It all made sense now. The auburn hair, the mesmerizing green eyes, that laugh, his nickname. Now I know why it seemed so familiar.

The guy that made my already ruined day much worse was my childhood best friend. Well, ex-best friend. That was Henry "Hiccup" Haddock. The room seemed to spin as realization dawned on me.

Oh shit.