Gossip was rife as Astrid arrived and walked to her locker, smiling to the students and answering a few queries. She swiftly dropped off her bag and collected her books for the first few lessons, then turned to the corridor and Anna and Olaf, a pair of recent transfers to the Senior Year from Areyndel High, who wanted a discussion about participation in the Senior Prom Committee. She turned to them with a smile-and then she froze and a tall shape barged by, hands stuffed in pockets and bag slung over one shoulder. She gaped: it was Hiccup. Excusing herself from the others, she turned and strode after him, her eyes shocked. As far as she was aware, he was suspended-so why was he in School now?

"Hey-wait up!" she called, running after him. He didn't pause, his hood up over his tousled auburn hair, his head down and eyes fixed ahead. 'Hiccup!" He didn't slow down so she darted through the milling students and grabbed his arms. His head snapped round and he glared at her.

"What?" he snapped. She paused, breathing hard and let go.

"What are you doing here?" she asked him. His emerald gaze flicked over her.

"Attending school," he told her snarkily. "Thought that was what this building was. Or have I accidentally wandering into a Rail station?"

"I mean..." She dropped her voice. "I thought you were suspended!" He stared at her, brows furrowing and his gaze bored into her.

"What is it to you?" he shot back.

"But why are you here then?" she asked him.

"I got unsuspended..." he said shortly. "Look-Miss Perfect-I don't wanna be here any more than you apparently want me here. But I was ordered to turn up...so here I am."

"Do you know what happened?" she asked. He stared at her and then turned away.

"One of the others must've said something," he said in a low voice. "Because Dagur and Snot have been suspended for another week." Astrid stared at him and felt a sudden sinking feeling in her stomach.

"They are?" she breathed. He quirked an eyebrow.

"Bad News for the Football Team," he said sarcastically and walked away. Astrid stared after him, then shook herself as the bell sounded and ran towards her English Class, just making it in time. She forced herself to concentrate on the play they were reading and made copious notes that would make no sense later, just to force herself not to drift. Because she had a horrible feeling she had been the one who said something.

By morning recess, word had gone round that Hiccup Haddock had done a deal with the Principal to get himself off suspension. And that deal had condemned the two best players in the Football Team to an extra week of detention-meaning both wouldn't be playing on Friday. Astrid heard a number of students discussing the revelation-both in shock that he had rolled on his friends and that his actions had crippled the Berk Vikings Football Team. She sat in study hall, listening to Jayden, Helga and Linda chatting.

"Word has it that Dagur and Snotlout don't know yet," Jayden explained, twirling his pencil. "Wouldn't give a dime for his chances when Dagur finds out he rolled."

"Huh! Half the school are after his ass for ruining our chances!" Linda interrupted. "It's Meathead on Friday-our biggest rivals for the Archipelago Cup. And without our best players!"

"But he was suspended," Helga commented. "And Hiccup is the last person anyone would expect to roll on his friends."

"Maybe his family put pressure on him?" Linda asked.

"Well, I heard Dogsbreath and Madguts are looking out for him," Jayden told them cheerfully. "Wouldn't like to be in his shoes when they get their hands on him. He'd wish he'd remained suspended."

Astrid rose and walked thoughtfully out of the room, wondering where Hiccup was. The boy in question was due in Art after the break so she headed for the studio early...after found him sitting at the back, looking at his phone. Swiftly, she walked and sat down by him. He rolled his eyes.

"Not you again?" he sighed.

"Have you heard what they have been saying?" she asked him.

"Let's pretend I'm never being muttered about and don't automatically zone out the comments?" he suggested sarcastically. She felt the irritation rise but stamped on it determinedly. He is one of the Senior Class, she reminded herself.

"Rumour has it you rolled on the others," she told him. His eyes widened.

"Hel, no!" he snapped, sitting up straighter. "That's the last thing I'd do. I..." He paused. "Has Dagur heard?" he murmured.

"Well, all the school knows," Astrid commented as the other students started to file in. "And some guys called Dogsbreath and Madguts are looking for you." His eyes widened in shock and concern. "I don't remember them," she murmured.

"Devron Henderson and Mikkel Mason," he murmured. "Other friends of Dagur's. We didn't get on in Freshman year." He stared at his phone for a moment. "I need to speak to Dagur before he hears..." But as he made to rise, Astrid grabbed his arm and hauled him back into the seat for Miss Sylvester had appeared. She nodded and smiled to the class...and then noted Hiccup texting very obviously. She paused until he sent then walked to him.

"May I take that until the end of the lesson, Hiccup?"she asked him directly, holding her hand out. His emerald gaze flicked up rebelliously and he was on the verge of saying something but bit his lip and and handed it over.

"Sorry, Miss Sylvester," he said quietly as the phone beeped. Dagur had responded...but he would have to wait the best part of an hour for the reply. He took a deep breath. This was his favourite class and he managed to produce a competent-though not brilliant-sketch by the bell, then approached Miss Sylvester for the return of his phone. She handed it over to him without a word but her eyes were disappointed. "I really am sorry," he repeated and she nodded.

"Please don't let it happen again," she requested and he nodded, having the grace not to look at the reply until he walked out of the room. Dagur was predictably terse.

DID U ROLL IF YES, U R DED.

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He knew exactly who had leaked his supposed snitching. The Principal. And thanks to Alvin, he was effectively a marked man.