Astrid awoke almost in a panic as her mother stuck her head in the room and gave a smile. "Wake up, Astrid!" she announced. "Time to get moving!" Ingrid walked into the room without hesitating or permission and firmly pulled the curtains back, turning to her daughter. She paused and reached down, lifting a pillow. "What's this doing on the floor?" she asked with a frown.

"Oh...I couldn't get comfortable so I tried without it," Astrid sighed, sitting up and stretching and wondering where Hiccup had got to. "I'll go for my run later. I feel a bit...tired still. Can I get another few minutes?"

"You know your father's rules, Astrid!" her mother told her slightly impatiently. "Up on time every day, do your exercise, homework on time, no slacking!" The girl huffed.

"And no fun," she added. Ingrid stared at her...and then sighed.

"I know he seems hard, my love, but it's for your own good," she reminded her. "You know if you keep that straight A average, you'll get that Ivy League place you want."

"He wants," Astrid muttered. "Mom-can't you talk to him?"

"Astrid-I agree with him," Ingrid said firmly. "You are our only daughter and we only want the best for you-a degree from a top University so you can have that Law career that you..."

"That YOU always dreamed of," Astrid retorted grumpily. "I don't want to be a lawyer. I want a career in Sports Physiotherapy!"

"Astrid-you must be realistic!" her mother reminded her. "You are better than that-and Hoffersons only want the best!" Astrid sighed.

"Isn't what I want what's best for me?" she asked pointedly. Her mother turned to the door and paused...then sighed.

"I'll bring you breakfast in your room, if you want," she smiled. "What would you like?" Astrid paused and then smiled.

"Muesli, scrambled eggs, lots of toast, juice and tea!" she said promptly and Ingrid's eyes widened.

"Enough for two!" she smiled. "You'll need a longer run today-can't have you getting fat! You know what your father says!" Astrid's smile immediately evaporated.

"Yeah," she sighed. "Mom-would it be possible to have one single conversation without asking what my father says? Aren't allowed to have any thoughts of my own or wishes of my own or desires of my own? Aren't allowed to be a Senior just for once? To have fun? Hang with my friends? Go to parties...?"

"You father has made a huge concession in permitting you to go to the Prom," Ingrid told her firmly. "Now get up! I'll be up in ten minutes!"

Astrid only relaxed when the door closed and collapsed back on the bed. There was a scuffle and Hiccup slid out from under the bed, where he had shot as soon as the door opened. For a brief moment, Astrid looked at him-really looked-and saw the dark auburn hair sticking out in all directions, the bright emerald eyes amused and pale face with a scattering a faded freckles turned towards her. With his sharp jaw and without his scowl or smirk, she realised he was actually fairly handsome, though she doubted anyone gave him enough attention to appreciate it.

"Sorry," she sighed. "I forgot Mom always comes in and has no boundaries when it comes to my personal space." He stretched, his neck cracking and grimaced. Sleeping on the floor couldn't have been comfortable but he didn't complain.

"Well, I'm used to rude awakenings as well," he admitted. "Kinda guessed you didn't want me to be found here." She face-palmed.

"Er-no!" she sighed. "I would literally never hear the end of itI I think my parents think boys are spawn of the devil!"

"To be fair, most of the school share that opinion of me as well," he sighed, running his fingers through his tousled hair. It only made it look more wild. She stared at him.

"So why?" she asked him. "I mean...why did you help me?" she asked. "We're not friends...I haven't exactly been kind to you...you could just have walked away." He stared up at her, then rubbed the back of his neck. He looked self-conscious.

"Hey, I may be a smart-ass and not really care about school but that doesn't mean I am prepared to stand back and let you or anyone be deflowered by Dogsbreath," he told her.

"Deflowered?"

"I read," he protested at her amused tone. "Would you rather I just said raped?" Her smile faded and she wrapped her arms around her body. She shook her head.

"Sometimes, I think my Dad is right," she sighed as he scrambled to his knees. He shook his head.

"Actually, I think you are," he told her calmly. "You get to be a Senior once. You get to spend time with friends and hang out and have fun once. If you waste that chance, it never comes back again!" She looked at him and sighed.

"Won't your parents be worried?" she asked.

"Do I frickin' look like I'm phoning home?" he asked her sharply. "You had me taped. No one cares." Her eyes widened in sympathy and she looked at him.

"I'm sorry," she said and he looked up, searching for sarcasm...but finding none.

"Yeah, well-sucks to be me," he admitted and then stiffened. Steps were closing and he slid under the bed again as Ingrid walked in and slid a tray onto the desk.

"Come on-move yourself!" she told her daughter. "Do you want your father to catch you still in bed?" Astrid sighed and shook her head, reaching for the covers and swinging her legs out.

"Mom-a little privacy?" she asked and Ingrid left with a grin. Instantly, Astrid was up, locking the door and resting her back against the door, breathing hard. "It's okay," she sighed as Hiccup emerged again.

"Guess that's my cue to leave," he said but she grabbed his arm and pulled him to the desk.

"No-muesli's mine-the rest is for you," she told him and his eyes widened.

"What?" he asked her in shock.

"Well, least you deserve," she told him with a smile, grabbing the bowl and spoon and sitting cross-legged on the bed. Hiccup stared at her in shock, then nodded warily.

"Um...thanks..." he said and sat at the desk, tucking in hungrily. He cast her a few glances as he wolfed the lot, seeing her watch him thoughtfully. "Feeling a little self-conscious here, to be honest," he admitted as she slowly finished her muesli.

"I've never had a boy in my bedroom before," she admitted and he smirked.

"So I'm your first," he teased her, munching toast. She blushed.

"Oh gods, as long as Ruff never hears about this," she sighed and he slurped the tea wiping his mouth on the back of his hand.

"And that would be a bad thing?" he asked her lightly.

"I have a reputation to maintain!" she reminded him tartly.

"Me too...though this could really boost my popularity. What d'you think? Spending the night with Miss Perfect Class President?" She flushed more angrily.

"I really hate that name!" she snapped.

"And I hate being called Useless," he reminded her.

"In case you hadn't noticed, I've stopped calling you that since I found out you weren't!" she reminded him. He slammed the mug down and rose.

"I never was," he snarked. Then he visibly calmed down. "Look, Astrid-I'm really grateful for the warm bed and breakfast but I ought go. I've got work..."

"You work?" she said, her voice astonished.

"Yeah, well don't wanna stay in Berk forever," he told her. "I work in a garage, the Forge. Have for years. About the only place I'm happy, to be honest."

"My Dad won't allow me to get a job," she sighed. "Says it would distract me from my studies."

"Wow! He really has a stick up his ass, doesn't he?" he commented. "Try it. I've never regretted it!" And he grinned, his slightly lopsided smile sending a little thrill down her spine. Then he winked and ruined the illusion as he rose and walked to the window.

"Hiccup?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks. I really mean it," she told him. He sighed as he swung his leg over the windowsill.

"I'll believe that when you don't blank me on Monday," he said and jumped down. She walked to the window, seeing him stuff his hands in his pockets in the cold morning and bury his chin in his coat, then start the long trudge into town and Gobber. She closed the window and headed for the shower, his words rolling around her head.

No one cares.