Ugh.

First day back at school after the holidays and Merida was not looking forward to it. Yes, she'd see Rapunzel, Jack and Hiccup again but besides that, what was there to be optimistic about?

Her feet scuffed the cracked pavement as she hitched her satchel firmly onto her shoulder. One thing she was happy about though was her growth spurt during the holiday. She finally seemed to look like she was supposed to be, she'd filled out a little more and her hips were wider, more defined. More like a young lady, her mother had cooed to Merida's annoyance. Anyway, it wasn't like anyone was going to notice, or care, for that matter. She plugged in her headphones and pressed play - not concentrating on anything but the music as her feet led her along the familiar route to school.

"Oi Red!"

It was Jack, waiting for her and the others at the school gates. Merida paused her music and yanked out her headphones, stuffing them into her pocket.

"Shut up Frost."

Jack gave her a grin and she rolled her eyes. "How was your summer?"

"Boring. All of you were away; what was I supposed to do for fun?"

"See your point," Jack shrugged, then scanned her up and down quickly. "Hiccup's going to look forward to seeing you."

"And why would that be?" Merida asked, every syllable literally dripping with sarcasm.

"You really haven't noticed?"

"Noticed what?"

Jack shook his head disbelievingly and sighed. "I'll let you find out."

Lucky that Rapunzel always had such good timing. It looked like she'd bought a new backpack, a purple one with flowers and sequins which she'd embroidered herself. Her hair was pulled into several plaits and then plaited again into one braid which reached her lower back. Merida had to suppress a grin at the look on Jack's face, one of wonder and astonishment. She squealed when she caught sight of Merida, running at her with her arms outstretched and swooping the red head into a rib cracking hug.

"MERIDA!"

"Careful - Punzie - too - tight..."

Rapunzel pulled away with a giant smile, then went for Jack, giving him a hug too, but not as enthusiastic as the one she'd given Merida. Jack caught sight of Merida's expression over Rapunzel's shoulder, grinning and making kissy faces at him. He mouthed shut up! before Rapunzel let go.

"I've missed you all so much!"

"Well it wasn't my fault you decided to take a different holiday camp for every week of the holiday!" Merida said with her arms folded.

"You know how much I wanted to - where's Hiccup?" Rapunzel stopped mid-sentence, looking around for the brunette. "He's usually here before us."

"Not today he isn't," a familiar voice laughed from behind Merida. She turned and found she had to look up. If she thought she'd grown over the summer, it was nothing compared to him. He wasn't so lanky and wiry anymore, he'd seemed to sprout shoulders from seemingly nowhere and, was that stubble?

"You need to shave," Merida said coolly, much more than she felt anyway. She was confused. Nowhere in the rules of puberty did it say that eye colour would intensify and hair become silky and generally become more attractive; this wasn't fair...

"Yeah," Hiccup replied, running his fingers across his chin. His well defined chin, leading into one of the sharpest jaw lines Merida had seen in a long time - shut up. "I woke up late, didn't have time, so my hair's in a right state."

He wasn't wrong. It was messy, but in a nice way. Really nice. It was almost feather-like, the way it hung now. She found herself wanting to run her fingers through it for no apparent reason.

"You've grown," he remarked, a tiny smile playing on his lips and Merida's eyebrows shot up like a bullet.

"I know, but apparently not as much as you," she said, slightly huffy. Hiccup chuckled to himself.

"Yeah, but you're more, well, you know..." He trailed off awkwardly and Jack grinned, stepping forward, nudging him in the ribs.

"Yes, more what, Hiccup? You've got us on tenterhooks."

"I, well, uh," Hiccup stuttered and Rapunzel started giggling which did not go unnoticed by Merida. The bell rang at that precise moment; the red head grabbed Rapunzel's arm and they headed off to their form, while Hiccup and Jack went to theirs.

"What's with you and Hiccup then?" Rapunzel nudged Merida and let out a giggle, again. Merida groaned.

"Nothing! There's nothing Rapunzel! We're just friends!"

"Even after the summer?"

"What the hell are you on about?"

"Well he's," Rapunzel giggled with her hand over her mouth in an attempt to stifle it, "he's more, well, developed, isn't he?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Merida's jaw was set and her hands were balled into fists in her pockets.

"Don't you think he's attractive then?"

"What?" Merida asked, almost laughing from the incredulity. "What? Hiccup? Are you serious? Him? He's still a walking talking fish bone with ligaments!"

"Merida," Rapunzel said in a hushed voice, "have you seen him?"

"Yes..."

"And?"

"And what?"

"Don't you think he, well, you know -"

"No!"

Rapunzel smiled to herself. One day she swore she'd get her best friend to admit her feelings.