School started far too soon and the more Hiccup pondered on Astrid's words, the more worried he got. Because there was no doubt she was right. So he had struggled to complete his homework and practice on his crutches because the first morning back after the break had him up early, showered and ready but almost unable to eat for anxiety. Ingrid had looked at him carefully, making sure he wasn't sickening for something but he managed to down some toast to allay her worries.

Astrid sped downstairs as Snotlout rang the doorbell and Hiccup got up. He looked pale and anxious, his bag slung across his body and crutches clamped firmly in his hands. She smiled and grabbed her toast, then pressed a quick kiss on his cheek.

"It'll be fine," she reassured him as she adjusted his green scarf.

"Wish I had your confidence," he muttered as they made their way to the car. Hiccup felt even worse because Snotlout was looking really serious.

"Game face on," he said to Hiccup. "Now listen. You are to be with me or one of the guys at all times. At the worst, you must be with one of the girls. Do not get isolated from us-understand?" Hiccup glanced at him: this was the Snotlout he never saw, the Captain of the Team who was laying out his play.

"Um...okay?" he replied. "What if I need to...you know...?" Snotlout sighed.

"Hope you're with one of the guys," he told the boy and they drove in silence until they parked in front of the school.

"Ready?" he asked Astrid and she blinked in shock.

"I should be asking you that!" she apologised.

"But you're going to be seen walking sort of near me in daylight," he reminded her. "Hey, you might even acknowledge I exist!" She blushed.

"Of course I will!" she protested but he gave her a small smile.

"Wait until you get inside before you promise anything..." he advised her as they clambered out. Snotlout nodded and they walked to the doors. "Here we go," Hiccup sighed and walked on.

There was a noticeable lowering of the volume in the hallway as the class pest appeared on crutches flanked by Senior Class President and the Captain of the Football Team. The intensity of the glares was stunning for a long moment...and then life resumed, full speed and full volume.

"AST!"

"How was your Snoggletog?"

"Get any good presents?"

In seconds, Astrid was surrounded by the girls as well as a crowd of well-wishers-Anna, Damien, Lucy, Helga, Yorgi, Olaf-all chatting at the top of their voices and asking questions. She grinned and automatically answered, asking questions back and catching up at top speed.

"SNOTMAN! The dude is back in the house!"

"How was your Snoggletog?"

The Team surged forward and Snotlout found himself in the centre of a crowd, back-slapping and fist-bumping. Banter flew and Hiccup stared at them...then sighed. He had been jostled aside as the students surged around their leaders and he realised it was going to take a while for them to get free...and for him to get to his locker. Determinedly, he leaned froward, swung his crutches through and moved off up the hallway, heading for his locker. It took all his concentration to avoid the other students and weave up towards his locker. His emerald eyes flicked over the students, his stomach clenching as he saw Savage and Thuggory watching him.

"Mind if I walk with you, dude? My locker is just by yours," Tuff said, falling into step by him. Hiccup glanced up to meet the grinning male twin.

"It's a free hallway!" he admitted, though his tone was relieved. Tuff took a few steps thoughtfully before he inspected the invalid.

"You shouldn't have taken off," he said slowly. "Savage and the others are watching you...and they don't look friendly..."

"Ya think?" Hiccup asked, the sarcasm instinctive.

"Yeah," Tuff sighed. "Look...my sister reckons Astrid's in love with you...and has been since you saved her at the party." Hiccup's eyes widened. "And I think she's right. So do you care for Astrid? She's been a friend for years and I don't want to think you're just playing her..." Hiccup ground to a halt and stared at him in shock.

"That is the last thing from my mind," he said slowly, breathing hard. "I really really like her...and have for a while...but I wouldn't say anything because...well, she was Astrid Hofferson! I mean, I would probably be arrested for even thinking about asking her out, let alone being her sort of boyfriend..."

"Sort of?"

"Yeah...not that I can actually be seen in public with her..." Hiccup sighed. "Her friends will keep her busy and I'll just try to keep out of trouble...and out of the way. I don't want her to end up being targeted by Lilah and her cronies for going out with the school screw-up." They stopped.

"My locker's over there, dude," Tuff said with a grin. Hiccup smiled.

"I can probably open my locker without killing myself," he noted as he thumbed in the combination, adjusted his crutches and carefully dumped the books he didn't need while making sure he had what he did in his bag. Then he closed the locker door...and came face to face with Savage. Hiccup's eyes widened and he backed up half a pace, breathing hard.

"Fishbone!" the larger boy snarled. Hiccup gave a nod.

"Savage! How great to see you! Always a pleasure!" he said.

"Looks like you had a little accident!" Savage sneered. Hiccup looked surprised.

"Accident? Me? Oh...you mean this..." he said, gesturing with his crutches. "That would be where a pair of psychopaths mowed me down day after Snoggletog. Deliberately. Hear the cops got 'em though..." He paused and stared directly into Savage's cold eyes. "Heard from Dagur yet? How's he enjoying prison food?"

Savage slammed his hand onto the locker door, barring Hiccup's way. "You know, if you drop charges, they could be let out..." he growled.

"Actually, I don't think it works like that," Hiccup said quickly. "I mean, there were witnesses, surveillance video, my blood all over the car...and the police have already pressed charges."

"Why should they go to jail for just disposing of trash?" Savage snarled.

"Um...because they tried to kill me..." Hiccup said warily.

"Is there a problem, dude?" Tuff asked, grinning. Savage didn't even spare him a glance.

"Just checking my friend here is okay...I mean, he looks like he's had an accident...and it would be a shame if he had another one..." he said grimly.

"Why should he?" Tuff asked thoughtfully. "You coming, Hic? We're in the same Viking History group..."

"Sure, Tuff..." Hiccup said casually, his heart pounding in his chest. He gently pushed Savage's arm out of the way. "Excuse me!" He confidently swung his crutches through, tensing as Savage nudged him but staying upright as he fell into step by the male twin.

"Sorry, man-didn't see him coming up on you..." Tuff murmured apologetically. "He must've been watching." Hiccup nodded.

"Yeah...I think there's a lot of that around," he muttered as they reached the classroom as the bell rang. Casting a glance at the scowling Mr Grimborn, Hiccup eased himself into his seat, rested his crutches against the desk and opened his book, fishing out his homework. Astrid slid in as the second bell rang, her eyes widening as she saw Hiccup already in place and she blushed as she headed for his seat. He sighed and turned to his work: no matter what she said, being his friend wasn't that simple...

He was escorted around all morning by Tuff, Fishlegs-who was rapidly developing into a friend as well-and Snotlout. Only Eret eyed him with distinct hostility and Hiccup found himself really hoping that his safety didn't rely on the guy. Astrid was monopolised by her friends and Hiccup was a little disappointed that she hadn't acknowledged him in the three classes they shared during the morning...but he could understand: she had other friends and he was asking an awful lot of her, to come out as his friend. He sighed. As long as he had her at home, he would endure the isolation and sneers of the rest of the student body, from Freshmen to Seniors.

A few jokers jostled him and he discovered he could parry kicks quite effectively with his crutches...not that he wanted to have to do so regularly. He was aware of the eyes on him and was feeling more and more anxious...especially when the Football Team were all called for a meeting just before lunch. He glanced around and found himself suddenly bereft of all his escorts... and with a rather pressing problem. He even considered texting Astrid...but recalled she and the other Cheerleaders were also in the meeting for the next match against the Lava Louts. He glanced around: the hallway was relatively quiet and his major problems-Savage and Thuggory-were all in the meeting...so he headed off for the bathroom, manoeuvring into a cubicle simply because it was far easier to lean against the partitions...

...and then he heard the door open and the sounds of several sets of footsteps enter.

"Okay, so you're sure he came in here?" Dogsbreath growled. There was a pause.

"Yes," Savage said calmly. "The rest of the team are all at the meeting. So he's on his own."

There was the sound of a nasty laugh and a fist smacking into a palm.

"Good," Dogsbreath announced. "I think it's time we talked. Find him."