The Nerd Falls in Love

The Deal

"WHAT?!" I whisper-yelled in his ear.

Instead of replying, he smirked back at a fuming Cami and before I knew it, he was dipping me low. He had one hand on the small of my back and one on the back of my head so it looked like he was going in for a kiss. I gasped loudly as he put his cheek against mine and whispered in my ear.

"Play along." He growled quietly.

I scoffed. "In your dreams, Haddock!" I whispered back.

I felt the hand on my back ball into a fist. "I swear, Astrid. Do as I say or so help me, your 9th birthday photo in the bathroom will be posted on every bulletin board in this school!" He threatened.

My eyes widened. That photo was taken by him when he accidentally caught me kissing a photo of Brad Pitt (my forever celebrity crush) the night of my 9th birthday. How dare he use that against me. After deciding to keep my dignity, I sighed and glared at his smug face then put a hand on the back of his neck.

"Pull me up." I whispered.

He did what I said and kept our arms around each other. I looked over his shoulder to find Cami glaring at me.

"Are you kidding me?!" She screeched.

I rolled my eyes then played the game. "I thought you knew everything that's going on here, Cami? So why weren't you aware of this?"

I motioned towards our hugging figure then smirked at her. "Losing your touch, huh?"

I felt Hiccup snicker. Cami growled then stomped her foot and exited the cafeteria, her goons on her tail. How mature. As soon as the simpletons were out of sight, I tried pushing Hiccup away from me but he kept his arms around me.

"Hey muttonhead, barbie's out of sight. You can let go now." I said, glaring at him.

He moved his head next to mine again and whispered, "Will you pipe down? The whole school's looking."

I turned my head slightly. Shit. He was right. Everyone was looking. I felt my cheeks burn with embarassment. My eyes then landed on our friends the twins' video camera was out, capturing the whole thing. Snotlout raised a brow at us while Fishlegs and Heather were barely containing their laughter. Then I thought, why should I care? It's his problem, not mine. I glared back at Hiccup.

"So what?" I said. He rolled his eyes then stood up. He grabbed my arm and hauled me up as well then dragged me out of the cafeteria and onto the school grounds. He sat us down on one of the kiosks.

"Why'd you drag us out here?" I asked.

He placed his backpack on the seat then faced me.

"You know, for a nerd, you were kinda stupid back there." He said, smirking at me.

I resisted the urge to punch him in the face and let me tell you, it's one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life.

"Hiccup, get to the point!" I exclaimed.

"Astrid, the whole student body saw what happened in there."

"Yeah I get that."

"So," he continued, "if we just go back to the way it was before that incident, word will get back to Cami and she'll never stop bugging me. Ever." he finished, emphasizing on the last word.

"Come on, Hiccup. Stop making it sound as if we have to pretend to be a couple." I said, laughing humorlessly then I realized that it was what he was trying to suggest.

My eyes widened as I paled. "No way, Hiccup. Not a chance!" I said, shaking my head vigorously.

He groaned. "Come on, Astrid! It's not that hard. You pulled it off a while ago!"

"Dude, I just did that because you threatened to spread my childhood scandal around here!" I argued. "Need I remind you, we loathe each other remember?"

He rolled his eyes. "Duh, I know that, nerd."

"Again with the name-calling!"

"Please just do this for me until Cami completely stops chasing after me. After that we no longer have to have any kind of interaction." He begged.

Huh. I kinda like making him beg. I smirked as I realized that I have total control of the wheel now. I get to set the rules. Hiccup was on the verge of pulling his hair out when I faced him again. I ran a hand through my hair then took a deep breathe.

"Alright, Haddock."

"Really?! You'll do it?" He exclaimed, a grin crept up his face.

I internally groaned. What was I getting myself into? I nodded. Hiccup pumped a fist in the air.

"Yes!"

"One condition though, Hiccup." I said.

He put his arm down then looked at me. "What is it?" He asked.

I locked eyes with him then said, "You have to promise NOT to fall in love with me."