Astrid's eye had come up in a lovely bruise that she had managed to conceal with Hiccup's advice. She had been saddened that he knew so much about hiding bruises and wondered absently how many he had been forced to hide. He had been very quiet that evening, musing on what they had discussed and planning something. She had asked him if he could help her with her Math and he had patiently sat down, revising the latest set of equations Mildew had given them. Hiccup, of course, had spent all detention struggling with Math so he was ahead of the game. Astrid smiled that Mildew hadn't considered that all the extra Math he had given the boy had forced him to practice and learn better than anyone in the class. It still didn't make the lessons any more fun.

"Are you going to do anything to Savannah?" she asked Hiccup as she frowned and attempted a problem unsuccessfully. He frowned and circled the area she hadn't worked out correctly.

"I think something must be done," he said thoughtfully.

"Not slime?"

"I reserve my right," he smirked and then burst out laughing. "Only as last resort...because they will guess it's me. I know Mr Treacher is suspicious...especially as he ended up slimed and on his back...but he's got no proof."

"Just...be careful," she advised him. "I meant what I said."

"Me too," he reminded her gently. "Which is why vengeance will be mine! Ours! Sorry...ours!" She punched his shoulder. "Owww! Astrid...I could just let you punch her out...that would finish her off..."

"Not my style," she reminded him. He rubbed his shoulder with a pout.

"Except with me," he grimaced. "I guess I'll be going to Plan A."

"Plan A?"

"For Anarchy..." he grinned. She put her fingers in her ears.

"Lalalalalalalala! Not listening!" she said as he grinned and leaned to call into her ear...as Martin walked by and paused. Hiccup glanced up...and drew back as if shot, a flash of anxiety filling his emerald eyes. He stared at the rug, head down as Martin glared and then continued on his way. Astrid stared at him and then after her father and sighed. She knew her Dad was seriously overprotective but Hiccup's reaction disturbed her: he was only teasing and she had been enjoying having a few minutes of fun during her work. It had lightened the mood and she smiled, then turned back to her work.

Over the next couple of days, school had been awkward. Somehow, word had gotten out that Astrid had been so clumsy she had gotten a black eye during Cheerleading practice and she was fuming at the lie. Her friends had countered the rumour but somehow everyone was pointing at her and laughing and it took every ounce of her strength to control her temper. But she could see Lilah boasting to her Junior Year admirers that she should be Cheer Captain because she was graceful, reliable and far the best in the School.

Hiccup had remained in the shadows, though he watched and used his phone to take pictures of the girls in question...plus one or two others but always ducking away when noticed. Astrid was getting more and more uncomfortable that her friends had such a downer on Hiccup but she had no way of knowing how to tell them that he was her friend...let alone that he lived at her house. But she knew she had to find a way...

Hiccup paused for a long moment as he twirled his pen while he sat at the back of physics class. Mr Mulch, the small round Physics teacher was explaining about fluid and gas mechanics and the boy was bored. He had needed to understand this in detail in repairing engines so he had read up the relevant sections in his texts the previous year...so when he was picked out first-as always happened-he answered the question correctly. Mulch gave a cheery smile.

"Well done, Mister Haddock!" he grinned. "It seems to be a good day for fluid mechanics!"

"It's always a good day for fluid mechanics," Hiccup mumbled, unable to help himself. It was almost Mulch's refrain and the little man gave a brief frown and then nodded.

"Glad you appreciate my humour," he said and turned to the next boy. Once everyone had answered a problem, the class was set a series of problems and Hiccup turned back to his, sighing. He read the first and began to write.

"Psst!"

He looked up...and met Fishlegs's round blue eyes. He groaned.

"What?" he hissed. The husky boy looked offended.

"I'm stuck on three," he hissed.

"Can't you ask Mulch?" Hiccup asked, glancing at the questions and frowning: it seemed straightforward to him.

"You know he just talks and never answers! Why doesn't the equation work?"

"You have to convert the gas to standard temperature and pressure first..."

"Oh Thor. How did I miss that?" Foshlegs said and grinned. "Thanks, Hiccup!"

"Um, you're welcome..." he mumbled and stared. He was even more confused than usual: Fishlegs ignored him with the rest of the Team...except those who actively hunted him. And then there had been the fight where the boy had been trying to beat him up...why had he helped Fishlegs? Then he blinked: it was instinctive reaction. And the boy had been grateful... He sighed. Maybe another ten years and Fish might feel able to talk to Hiccup openly...

As soon as the bell rang, he handed in his book and sped out. He had work to do before he could snatch some lunch...not that he looked forward to the experience. Still, he slipped into History and carefully painted over the chalk with correction fluid then headed for the girl's locker room. Locking the main door, he located the lockers he needed and swiftly opened them. It would only take a few minutes...

He arrived late at lunch when the line was all but gone and he grabbed himself some pizza and fries, walking quietly to a table at the far side of the canteen. He urgently bit into his pizza, reviewing his plan and toying with his fries, stealing a glance at Astrid, who was blanking him as usual. Of course she couldn't be seen talking to him but sometimes, he wanted to shout at her friends that he had as much right to be here as everyone else...though he knew the trouble it would cause. And he wasn't surprised though, when Snotlout and Eret grabbed his tray and tossed it aside. He sighed.

"What now, muscleheads?" he asked wearily. He was hungry and his stomach was growling

"I hear you were seen hanging around the girls' changing rooms," Snotlout sneered.

'Um...if that was true, that would mean you were hanging around the girls' changing rooms as well," he pointed out. Snotlout opened his mouth and he stared wordlessly.

"You shut up!" he growled eventually. Eret grabbed Hiccup's shoulder and grinned.

"Stay away from the Cheerleaders...or we'll make you pay!" he growled. "We know who slimed Lilah!" Hiccup gave a bright smile.

"I have no idea what you're talking about!" he said amiably.

"We know you're trouble!" he sneered. "I know ALL about you!" Hiccup's eyes darkened.

"Yeah, Gobber can't keep a secret to save his life," he muttered. Eret shoved him backwards.

"Any trouble and you'll be sorry!" he threatened with a final shove. Hiccup stared at his scattered lunch.

"Know what? Permanently am," he sighed.

History was after lunch and everyone filed in well ahead of the final bell-except Hiccup, who sauntered in on the bell, then tripped and sprawled over Savannah's desk. He gave his lopsided grin.

"Hello, gorgeous!" he leered and she pulled a face.

"URGH! I need a shower!" she choked. Mr Grimborn grabbed the back of Hiccup's collar and hauled him back.

"Back to your seat, Mr Haddock...before I feel you would be better visiting Mr Treacher than the glorious Viking era..." he growled, throwing the boy sideways. Unbalanced, Hiccup slammed sideways into a desk and clutched at his bruised side.

"Thank you, sir," he groaned and slid into his seat. Lilah smirked at his discomfort and nodded to Savannah as Mr Grimborn turned to the front of the class and began talking. Everyone listened carefully-even though Viking trade routes were very dull-because he was clearly in a bad mood...but when he turned to make notes on the board...nothing happened. He frowned and tried again. But the chalk wouldn't write.

The students stared at one another in agony. Everyone wanted to laugh but they all know it would be fatal because Mr Grimborn was turning scarlet with rage, his famed controlled facade cracking. Hiccup bit his wrist to stop himself laughing as the man tried another chalk and another...and finally roared in rage, throwing the chalk across the classroom.

"Turn out your bags!" he shouted and the students hastily grabbed their bags and began to empty them out. Hiccup watched very closely...as Savannah let out a piercing scream. A huge spider raced across the desk from her bag and she backed away, eyes wide. The teacher instantly turned on her, about to speak when the correction fluid rolled out as well. He snatched it and glared at the girl. "And what is this?" he growled.

"I've never seen that before!" she protested. Mr Grimborn retrieved a piece of chalk and looked very closely at it, seeing the faint brush marks of correction fluid. He smiled.

"And yet here we are," he said calmly. "I think we need to discuss this after class, Miss Svendsen!" Everyone quietened down and the lesson continued...but Astrid frowned as Hiccup grinned. He stared at her and winked as they rose and left...him for detention and her for practice.

In the locker room, the Cheerleading Team were chattering as they entered, mainly sympathising with Savannah, who had clearly been framed...mainly because everyone agreed she just wasn't smart enough to think of that prank...though it had wasted half the lesson. But as they opened their lockers, an avalanche of pictures fell on them...showing Savannah with a variety of boys in close embraces. Eret, Snotlout, Tuffnut, Fishlegs, Dagur, Thuggory, Savage, Madguts, Dogsbreath...even Roland, the chunky class loser. Astrid picked up one of Savannah and Dagur and grinned. Cami turned round one of Savannah and Dogsbreath and roared with laughter.

"Such a sweet couple!" she scoffed and Lilah gave a scream, then lunged at her.

"Gimme that!" she screamed. Cami threw it at her with a grin.

"I prefer this one!" she laughed, waving one of Savannah kissing Roland on the cheek.

Then their phones all beeped. Laughing at Lilah trying to collect up the hundreds of pictures, Astrid checked her phone and opened the new notification...Lilah's homepage had pictures of Savannah getting into trouble and all the pictures of Savannah with every boy in the year.

"So stupid she'll do anything I ask and even go out with Roland!" Astrid read aloud, turning her screen round to show the others.

"What did you say?" Savannah shouted from the door. Astrid turned her phone round to display the page. Savannah took it all in and then turned to Lilah. "How could you?" she screamed.

"I don't know what you're talking about!" Lilah protested, not having seen the notification. Savannah marched up to her, holding Astrid's phone and showed her. Lilah's jaw dropped.

"Come on, Sav-you know I wouldn't..." she protested as Astrid rescued her phone.

"I hit Astrid Hofferson for you and you humiliate me?" Savannah screamed. "You bitch!" And then she lunged at Lilah. The two went down with a crash on a pile of 'Savannah with-' pictures. Ruff was chanting "FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!' and Heather and Cami were unhelpfully encouraging Savannah to kill Lilah. The rest of the team were all laughing as Coach Thora Bergstrom entered. taking in the scene in a quarter of a second. She lunged forward and dragged the two girls apart.

"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?" she bellowed. She was a huge hairy woman with a big nose and massive arms.

"Savannah just admitted to hitting Astrid on purpose on Lilah's instructions before they started fighting!" Heather reported and everyone else nodded. The Coach looked over at her Captain and nodded.

"I misjudged you, Miss Hofferson," she said calmly. "You have my apologies. I should have known that with your balance and accuracy, you would not be the one at fault for Monday's incident." Astrid gave a small smile.

"It's okay," she said graciously as the Coach turned her ire to the two girls in her hands.

"However, I won't have disruptive elements in my team," she announced. loudly. "It's clear you two have your own agenda and when it involves injuring another member of my team for your own silly games, then I won't have it! Lilah, Savannah-you're off the Team! Leave!"

"You can't!" Lilah protested. "I'm far and away the best..."

"Miss Dagmar, you aren'r even sixth best on the team!" Coach Bergstrom told her. "And Savannah Svendsen can barely recall the routines anyway! I think we'll be better off without you. Reserves-time to step up!" She glared at the two girls. "Why are you still here?" she asked coldly. "Leave."

Astrid turned away as they left, knowing they would be glaring at her. And though she had nothing to do with the way things turned out, she guessed she knew a boy who did...

oOo

Walking home after practice, she looked at Hiccup quietly for about half a street before being unable to wait any longer.

"Okay-spill!" she demanded. "How the Hel did you do it?" He glanced up at her and a small smirk lifted his mouth.

"Um...you mean how did I ensure Savannah was detained in class before practice, how I doctored pictures from her website with almost every guy in the year, including Roland-who is actually a nice guy when you get to know him, by the way- and how I sneaked them into the locker room to distract everyone and then hacked Lilah's homepage so that Savannah-who isn't very bright-would blow up and let it slip what she had done?" he asked.

She nodded dumbly.

"What can I say? I needed to make her so pissed that she'd say something stupid...and I've always wanted to try the correction fluid gag...."

"You know they'll figure out it was you eventually?" she asked him after they walked silently for another few yards.

"Lilah will be too busy trying to save face in front of her cronies and Savannah will spend the next week realising she doesn't have any friends and then the next month trying to make it up to Lilah!" Hiccup told her smugly.

"But you hacked her homepage," Astrid said in surprise. "Thought you..."

"Just because I couldn't afford a phone doesn't mean I can't use a computer...and Lilah and Savannah aren't bright," he admitted. "Their passwords were pretty basic. I mean...who still uses 'password' as your password?" Astrid stared and started laughing.

"No way!"

"Way!" he chuckled "Savannah used her name-and she spelled it wrongly!"

"Oh my gods..." Astrid giggled and then she sobered up a little.

"That was a lot of trouble to go to just to pay them for elbowing me," she said seriously. He gave a shrug. "Even the twins couldn't have thought of that one!"

"Hey-if you're comparing me to the twins, I'm in trouble," he protested but she grabbed his hand.

"You're a good friend," she murmured. His mouth lifted in a smile and his emerald eyes twinkled.

"You know, I'd just settle for 'friend'," he admitted. She smiled back and then groaned as she remembered what had happened.

"You do realise we're gonna have to work twice as hard to get up to speed for the Visithug match?" she sighed.

"I have complete faith in you," he said gently as she slid her arm through his. "I'm sure you'll be great!" She snuggled against him, smiling at his faith.

"Thanks," she said as they headed home. "My hero."