Typical Nerd

Chapter 24

"Did you know that Valka's didn't actually belong to my mom?"

Hiccup and I are now both laying on our backs. The countless of beautiful stars were above us as if it were a blanket covering the sky.

"Valka's actually belonged to my grandparents. They just named it after my mom. So truth be told, I never really knew what my mom did or what she was good at doing. But I do know that the business was just passed down to her unwillingly." Hiccup said.

"Didn't your dad ever tell you?" I asked.

"No. He would always avoid talking about my mother. I got tired of asking him for years, and he wouldn't even answer me. I gave up and stopped with the questions." He answered.

"Is that why you wouldn't take on your mother's business?"

"Well, not entirely. You see, I've always wanted to become an engineer. I like building and discovering things."

"Yeah, I can see you doing that. An engineer pretty much fits you well." I commented.

He laughed, and then it was a comfortable silence right after that.

I sighed and closed my eyes.

"Thank you, you know." I said.

"For what?" He asked.

"You know, for the cupcake... and... for everything else."

I turned my gaze from the stars to him, but he was already looking at me.

My heart started to pound. Why is he looking at me like that?

He then broke the gaze and stood up.

"Come on, it's getting late. I'll take you home." He reached out his arm to help me up.

***

"Thanks for the ride, Hiccup." I said as we stood in front of my house.

"Yeah... sorry if this day wasn't really fun." He rubbed the back of his neck and looked down.

"Nah, I had an amazing night with you tonight." I honestly said.

Trust me, just the two of us spending the night under the stars and talking about life? Tonight was probably the best night I've ever had in such a long time.

He looked up at me in the eyes and smiled. He then walked me in front of my door.

"I'm also glad I was able to talk about my mom with you and not anyone else."

I smiled. "Thank you. I really appreciate that."

I took out my keys and opened our front door. I went in and turned around. "Drive safe," I said.

"Thanks."

"Goodnight" I started to close my door, but then stopped when Hiccup called my name.

"Oh, Astrid?" He said.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"I wasn't really able to tell you this earlier but... You looked beautiful tonight." He smiled and then walked to his car.

I saw him off before completely shutting the door. And right when I did, I leaned against it and touched my fast-beating heart. I smiled. Only he can make me feel this way.

Today was the best night ever.

I started heading over to my room.

As I was halfway on the stairs, I heard voices and yells.

My parents are probably fighting, again. I quickly ran to my room and shut my door.

If I had something that I wanted to hide from the world, it would be that I am a coward.

Yes, to a lot of people, it might seem like I'm very confident. But truth be told, that confidence is really just a mask.

I have a lot of fears. More than you think. And most of them, I don't even face. I run away and pretend that it isn't there. Just like what I did when I heard the rising voices of both my parents.

What if I mess up? What if interfering with their fights would make our situation worse?

But, I am a woman with pride. Yes, I'm a coward. And the thing I really fear the most is people looking down at me. Which is why I never told anyone about my situation.

Nobody knows that not a single day passes without my parents arguing. Nobody knows the struggles we're facing financially. And all this, just because of me. So I could get into a good school. So I could still play my sport and travel a lot for competitions. So I could have the latest basketball shoes.

I got to play little miss perfect through my parents' struggles. Loans. Debts.

I covered my crying face with my pillow.

I guess this is another night session of getting my pillow soaked.

When I'm outside, I never show anyone my tears. The only person who really got to witness it, was Hiccup.

Every time I think of him, he makes me genuinely happy. He makes me forget about my problems for a second. But at the end of the day, those problems are still there. They don't disappear.

Hiccup has a perfect life. I don't even know how he still bothers to study and rank 1st in our school. He could just get a failing grade for thor's sake and he could still get into college with his money.

But me? A single mistake could mean death. I need to work very hard. I need to study hard. Train hard. Because if I don't, all my family's sacrifices could go in vain.

Hiccup and I are very different. We are nothing alike. Which is why it was silly of me to have feelings for him.

But then again, who wouldn't fall for an amazing guy like Hiccup? I'll never regret liking a guy like him.

Plus, it's not as if he would like a girl like me anyways.

"You looked beautiful tonight."

Remembering what he said made me smile and stop crying.

With another thought of him in my mind, I peacefully drifted off to sleep.