We Meet Again

One song

The first week was stressful, getting to know students and getting them to warm up to me.

I also have to keep giving Ruffnut updates on my new quest to find Hiccup for her.

"Honestly, it's a village can you not find the man?" I felt I was growing an extra wrinkle from this conversation.

I rubbed my forehead as I tried to calm down. "I've been back a week and I'm busy with work. Dad said he's still here but changed, so for all I know that could mean he's a... criminal that's good looking apparently?"

I heard her scoff on the other end. "I told you, I haven't seen a picture but sure Snotlout is his cousin and he never talked to him when he was in school or after he left. But all of a sudden he calls giving out about how the family is 'Hiccup you've grow', 'I knew that you'll be this and that' and how-"

"Wait he left school early?"
"Yeah? It was 3rd Year, the end of it I think so like it's been 6 years since any of us saw him." I nodded

"Yeah, yeah. Look I have to go, look after your Dad and I'll talk to you" Ruff sigh but said her goodbyes.

I got up and looked around, "Astrid? The bus will be here in 10 minutes and it's a 5 minute walk, you should head out now." I smiled.

"Thanks Dad, I'll head out now."

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I walked around the music shop, I headed out to a town that was a bit far out of the village.

"Is everything alright? Need anything?" An employee asked "No, thanks" they nodded and walked off.

After I got a CD or two and a guitar music sheet book. "You don't have a spot that's calm to sit around here do you?" I asked.

"There is a river, just if you turn right and keep going straight. It's quiet and mainly locals go out for walks but there is a spot along there that's isolated" she said, "will that be all?" I nodded

"Thanks."

I headed out to were the employee said to go. There was a wide footpath next to the river, as it was the start of Autumn the leaves were falling and the trees were red, yellow and orange.

I walked until I saw a curtain of leaves from a tree just to the side of the walk.

I walked through the leaves, there was two benches there and a small stream that I guessed joined the river next to the pathway.

The seats faced away looking at the small stream.

I sat down, taking the guitar out of its case and opening my new music sheets book.

Picking Memories by Marcoon 5, I started to learn the song.

It took me a while but I started to get the hang of the start, I still was able to hear the odd chat as people walked by so it wasn't late, I ran through it one more time until I heard clapping behind me.

I turned around and Henry was there "Miss. Hofferson, I didn't know you could play?" He smirked.

I nodded as he came around and sat at the other bench smiling.

Though it's been a week I still wasn't sure about Henry. He seemed flirty, talking to a lot of the female workers as they got redder but they all seemed to like him.

But the older teachers seem odd, not they don't dislike him or fear him but just someone needs to apologies.

"I teach music also but I'm only in Berk for P.E." he smiled "what a shame."

I also couldn't tell the smiles, they felt fake - forced at times.

"You're talented, I heard you mumbling the lyrics as you played. Maybe you can play this song one day? When you're finished?"

"One song won't hurt, I guess"

"C....could I ask something?" I hesitantly asked, he looked off for a split second, scared but not, though he nodded.

"You live in Berk?" He nodded again, eyeing me.

"How long have you lived here?" He looked at me, he seem hesitant to answer "I moved here over a year ago, why?"

"You won't be related to Steven Jorgenson?" His smile dropped and it felt cold.

"Too personal, sorry just a friend is trying to find an old classmate. I don't have any proper memory of him and I you kinda resemble him."

He smiled "How so?" I started to place everything away as I talked.

"Brown hair just flatter, I think? I can't remember his eye colour. He had the same nose, but he was shorter and quiet thin compare to you but like it's.. It's been a while so he could have changed."

Henry nodded "name? How long has it been?"

I shrugged "his nickname was Hiccup and I can't remember his proper name."

I closed my bag and case "a few years since I last saw him, maybe 7 or 8 years?" He stood up

"Your looking for him just for your friend?" I was taken back by the question, I just nodded.

He smirked, "well can't say but there is a lot of guys who are brown haired in the village."

I nodded "well I can give you a lift home, it's getting dark and it wouldn't feel right to leave a lady here.... No matter her strength."