Things Do Get Better (HTTYD Modern AU)

Never Felt This Way Before

Hello. My name is Astrid Hofferson. If you've been reading this the whole way through, Hiccup has already introduced me to you. He ask me to write something I experienced. To give a different point of view on an event he's already writing about.

And while there are a lot of events I could give my view on – meeting him for the first time is up there, there is one event that sticks out to me, just as much to him. The day he had his accident.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Before that point, we had been friends for about a few months. We would hang out every day with each other, whether we help each other with our work or just hanging out. There wasn't a day at school where we didn't see each other. So, it came as a shock when he didn't turn up one day.

After school, I tried to call him to find out where he was, but he didn't answer. I went to his house, but no one opened the door, not even his father. I started to get worried, but I wasn't the only one. Because everyone knew I would hang out with him, my form group asked me if I knew what happened to him, but even I didn't know.

I was honestly afraid. I thought he might have left town, probably because of all the mockery he was subjected to, but never told anyone. I didn't want that, since I was getting used to his company. He was smart, kind. Sure he can be so sarcastic, but that made him funny to me. I didn't want him to leave.

Thankfully, he didn't leave town. It was something much worst.

Soon, Gobber told the whole class what happened – Hiccup was in a car accident.

I don't think I've ever felt so much anguish and fear than I did that day. I asked him if he was going to be OK, but even he didn't know. I... I couldn't believe it. How did it happen? Would I ever see him again?

Because of this worry I had, I became out of focus at school for a while, which is something I never felt before, but it was Hiccup. He was my friend, a great friend. I didn't want to lose him. I just didn't.

But then, while I was in my room, trying to focus on my English homework, I got a phone call. It was an unknown number, so I didn't pick up. Then, I got a notification for a voicemail. So, I listened to it.

'Hello, Astrid. It's me, Stoick, Hiccup's father. I don't know if you know this, but Hiccup is in the hospital after an accident. He's OK, but... he lost his leg. I was wondering if you wanted to come and visit him? He's still unconscious, but you could still see him. If you can, give me a call.'

I immediately called him back, where he told me everything. He also told me what hospital they were staying. The next day, I went to the hospital.

I waited at the reception for Stoick to come and take me to see Hiccup. My hands were shaking so much. I didn't know what to except, but I was afraid. Soon, I saw Stoick coming over. I prepared myself before getting up from my seat to greet him. He greeted me back before we began to walk down some corridors, heading into an elevator.

"Has he woken up yet?" I asked.

"I'm afraid not." he said.

I sighed. "Will he... wake up?"

"They say he will, but they're not sure when." he explained. That made me a bit better, but I still felt a sense of unease. The elevator then stopped and we walked down another corridor, when... I saw him.

He was just... lying there, on the bed, with only his chest moving from him breathing. Other than that, he wasn't moving. He had an oxygen mask on his face and tubes were sticking out of his arms. I could hear the beeping sounds of the monitor, which kind of made me feel better, knowing he was still alive. However, it also made me worried, fearing I might hear the sounds of the monitor flat lining.

I walked slowly up to him, standing on the side of the bed. Even though he was unconscious, I could see the pain in his face. Knowing he had surgery to remove a part of his left leg, it made sense for him to be in pain.

I then heard a phone ringing, which turned out to be Stoick's phone.

"Sorry, but I have to take this." he mentioned. I nodded, before he left and answered his phone, leaving me with Hiccup.

I just stood there, staring at him, even though he wasn't looking at me. After a while, I grabbed a chair and sat down, still on the same side as I was standing, still looking at him.

"Hey... Hiccup. It's me." I said, knowing full well that he wouldn't answer me. "I... I'm sorry I took long. I didn't know where you were. I... didn't know what... happened."

I started to feel tears developing, but I stopped myself, not wanting to burst out in tears. I took a deep breath as I was still looking at him. The monitor continued to beep, but it felt like it was taunting me. I wanted to ignore it, but no matter what I do, it was still there. I then reached my arm out, pushing some of his auburn hair back, away from his eyes. I did the same to my hair.

"You know... everyone misses you. I know it's surprising, but it's true. They kept asking me if I knew and when Gobber told us, we were all shocked. Even Snotlout was." I chuckled, but immediately stopped. Normally, he would laugh along with me when I say things like this. I know it's not a big deal, but surprisingly, it was to me.

I was now in a battle with my tears, as one by one, they would fall down. I kept fighting them, but they somehow always found a way to break through. I didn't want to cry. I couldn't. But how could I not? My friend was lying in the hospital, fighting the pain running through his body and... I couldn't do anything. I don't think I've ever felt this hopeless.

All I could do was grab hold of his hand. Even though they felt limp, I held it like there was no tomorrow.

"You're going to be OK, Hiccup. I know you will. You... you always do. You have to. I... I don't... want you to go. You have to wake up. You... you have to. Please, Hiccup. I... I..."

At that point, the tears won. They were now steaming down my face and I was now officially crying. I really didn't want to, but realising the situation, seeing it in front of my eyes and the possibility that I could never see him again got to me.

I realised that moment how much I actually cared about him. Not that I never did, long before we were even friends, but it's like what Hiccup said before – accidents like this make you truly realise who you have and how much you need them. And I needed him. He made me laugh and made me think things differently. I didn't want to loss that. Not then, not now and not ever.

Thankfully, he was OK. Seeing him at school, in a wheelchair but still his old self was one of the happiest day of my life. Even with the amount of pain and suffering he went through, he came out of the other side stronger and I couldn't be anymore prouder.

I was proud to be his friend, and now, I am proud to be his girlfriend.