Our Perfect Story

Chapter 1: First Meeting

New town, new school. And of all years chosen, Astrid Hofferson's father decided to move in her first year of high school. All she wanted was to graduate with her friends back in her hometown, and her father had to destroy her plans with an 'exclusive once in a lifetime job opportunity' in Berk City. She didn't mind her new house, it had a swimming pool where she could swim her daily fifty laps, a garden for her golden retriever Stormfly to run around in, and a bedroom way bigger than hers back in their apartment on Wing Island. Her main reason for not wanting to leave the island, however, was the fact that it had been where she had the most memories with her mother, who passed away when she was nine due to breast cancer.

Ever since, her dad tried his best to play both parent roles, not wanting his precious daughter miss out on a 'normal childhood' which her grandmother claimed she was being deprived from. She pressured her son to remarry after the death of Astrid's mother, he never agreed to, trying his best to convince her that he never wanted another. One might doubt when he said his mother wasn't a reason for him wanting to move away, after years of being tricked into blind dates he never approved of. To him, no one could ever replace his late wife and sweet daughter.

It was a sunny morning, two weeks after the father and daughter team began to single-handedly move their furniture and appliances into their new home. Astrid woke up at the crack of dawn, ready although slightly reluctant to start her first day at a new school. She slipped on her new uniform for school: a white dress shirt, a grey knee-length skirt, a matching blue jacket with the school's emblem, and a silver and red striped tie. She braided her hair to the side before giving her side bangs a quick brush. By the time she made it to the kitchen, her father had prepared her favourite breakfast, blueberry waffles with his homemade marmalade, and a lunch bag with peanut butter and banana oats he cooked sat beside it. Yup, he was an excellent chef and always spoilt his daughter with food.

"Thanks dad," Astrid cheered as she gobbled down the breakfast, sighing in content. Her dad chuckled at her happiness before tossing another waffle from his pan onto her plate across the kitchen, landing perfectly in the centre.

"And good morning to you, sunshine," he greeted her with a grin. He wore an apron Astrid got for his birthday that said 'badass chef on the block, watch out' over his office attire to avoid stains. "It's your first day and we both don't want you to be late. I'll be meeting the principal with you before you head to your first class," he said as he placed his own plate of waffles next to her.

Astrid rolled her eyes while hiding a smile. "Dad it's totally fine, I know how to handle the paperwork myself. Besides, I'm turning seventeen."

"No one says you're too old to have your father by your side, and I just want to have a chat with the principal. Now get your stuff ready and feed Stormfly. We're leaving as soon as I'm done with my waffles."

The words 'feed Stormfly' definitely attracted the attention of the family dog, who came dashing down the stairs from Astrid's room. She made her way to the kitchen and jumped about before standing on her hind legs with her front paws on the counter, smiling at everyone and trying to snatch a waffle. Astrid laughed and lured the golden fluff to her food bowl, pouring her dog food into it.

"Astrid honey, it's time to go."

She grabbed her backpack and lunch bag and ran to the car, not before giving Stormfly a kiss goodbye. The golden barked at her owner once as she locked the front door, before running towards the front windows to watch the car pull away. Throughout the ride Astrid and her father sang along to their favourite bands, mostly rock music. During their free time, both father and daughter would jam in their music room with their electric guitars and now a new drum set he got after moving in. He was once a drummer, and sadly no one would've appreciated a neighbour playing drums in an apartment.

At school, her father had a long talk with the principal that made him late for work, but according to him it was worth it. Before he left, he gave his daughter a quick kiss on her forehead. "I'll be here to pick you up at 2pm sharp."

"But dad, I can walk home. You should be working."

"It's still your first day, I don't want anything happening to you on the way back. This weekend we will explore the routes and find the safest alright?"

Astrid groaned but agreed. Although extremely overprotective, she knew it was all because he loved her, and her mother.

As he drove away, he yelled out, "if any guy dares to flirt or harm you, call me!" She chuckled to herself before following the principal to her new class.

As Astrid entered the classroom, the attention of the students immediately turned to her. With all eyes on her, she became extremely nervous.

"Good morning class. From today onwards, you will have a new student joining you. Her name is Astrid Hofferson, and I expect every single one of you to treat her well and accept her as one of your own. Anything you would like to say, Astrid?"

Astrid quickly glanced at the principal who nodded and gave a gentle smile of encouragement. She took a deep breath before introducing herself. "I'm Astrid Hofferson and I'm seventeen this year. I'm from Wing Island and moved here for my dad's job. I'm looking forward to make new friends in our last two years of school."

To her relief, a few smiles from the class returned hers. The home room teacher led her to an empty seat next to a boy with extremely messy and oversized auburn hair and friendly green eyes and smile. She smiled back at the boy's sweet welcoming gesture.

"Hey, I'm Hayden but my friends over there call me Hiccup. Really nice to meet you," he said in a nasally voice and gestured towards a few students behind him who waved at her. Astrid waved back and shook Hiccup's hand before they both turned back to the teacher's lesson. Looks like a new high school won't be so bad after all.