Astrid's P.O.V.

I almost spilled Heather's secret. Thank Thor I stopped myself before I could. I was sweating heavily. My whole body was jittering with anxiety but I did a good job of not making it obvious. Hiccup was silent the whole time. I don't know what he was thinking nor can I read what his reaction was. He seems to be thinking... hard.

"You know, you can always tell me if you're uncomfortable with us acting like a couple." He spoke for the first time that moment. Acting like that was his idea and now he wanted to change it? I mean the idea is okay and it doesn't, I repeat, doesn't make me feel uncomfortable. In fact, it kinda makes me feel at ease because when he started this idea, it's like our 'awkward phase' was starting to fade away.

"You decide, it's your idea after all." I said simply. I wanted to know what he thought, no, what he thinks about it. I needed to know.

"Is it okay with you if we keep the act for a bit? We could always have a sudden breakup if you like... but let's not do that cause I think they'll be disappointed but I'm not sure about it, I mean, it's just my opinion about it and I don't really know what they think about us but it's up to you wether you like or not because I don't want to disregard your opinion about it and - "

"Hiccup, it's okay. We could keep the act." I cut him off. I can tell that he was nervous about it cause he's explaining nonstop. I already admitted that I have feelings for him so there was no point denying that I'm not enjoying this little game of charade with him.

"So... uhm, I guess we should head to the hideout. We still need to finish our task." I suggested.

"Uh, yeah, about that. Toothless really miss sleeping in my hut. We'll sleep there tonight. Is is okay if we don't come just for tonight? " He asked. I know Toothless was just an excuse. He loves sleeping with Stormfly. Why is he making an excuse? He could always tell me that he doesn't want to but I know he has reason why so I replied "I'll be fine."

"Thanks, Astrid." He said.

"I guess I'd better go now." I said.

"Yeah." I mounted on to Stormfly and we took off leaving Hiccup and Toothless in the Clubhouse.

Hiccup

I asked Astrid to do our mission for the mean time. I used Toothless as an excuse but I can't tell if she believes me with my pathetic excuse or not. All I wanted was some time to think. And I can't do that having her around. She was and is a distraction from me.

When I'm with her, sometimes I just wanted to walked over to her and smashed my lips against hers. It was kind of blunt but she was too attractive. I, myself, cannot believe that I can resist the urge to be with her, to hold her close and make her feel safe. Even though I wanted to, I can't do that. I won't ruin our strong friendship because of my feelings for her.

But I wanted to tell her badly.

That was the reason why I wanted us to spend some time apart. Today was too much to take in for the both of us. If I wanted to confess, I need to do it right. I've only got one shot at this. I don't want to mess up.

To do that, I'm gonna need a plan.

Astrid

"Let's not head yet to the secret cave, girl." I said and we changed our direction. I needed some time to think. Hiccup and I are a couple in the gang's eyes but I don't want that. I want us to be a real couple. But how am I gonna tell him my feelings? It took me long enough to admit it to my own self and I know it would take more than my guts and nerve to tell him how I feel. I just need a plan on how.

"Let's make this ride fun and useful Stormfly. Fly as fast as you can girl. Maybe we'd reach another island we haven't set our foot on." I said. Hiccup is rubbing on me with the whole exploring thing. We both do love adventure.

As Stormfly and I were rushing through the wind, I was planning on my head what next move should I make on Hiccup if I was really going to tell him my feelings.

I know, I'll take it slow.
Get to know if he feels the same way.
Then give it a go.

There. Three simple steps. It couldn't be that hard to tell your feelings right? It was as simple as that. C'mon Astrid, you've faced much more frightening situations than this one. You can do this.

By the time I convinced myself, Stormfly and I already landed on an island we have never been on before. I got down from her back and walked around the land. It was the normal island that we usually spot - same trees, same animals, average size - except for one certein flower. The end of its petals were bright sky blue while the inner part of it was red. I've never seen such beautiful combination before. I inched my hands closer to picked one but just as my hands touched the stem, I retreated it. Thorns. My hand, specifically the lining on my index finger, has a small cut about two inches long but it wasn't that deep. Blood spilled from my finger and wiped the blood against my shirt gently.

So much for a beautiful flower.

Since it was getting darker, I decided to leave the flower on where it should be and come back for it when I had the time. I i structed Stormfly to get us back into the Edge and fly straight to the secret cave since we still have a task to finish.

It was probably midnight when we got there. I did the usual thing we do there - got the bottle of poison, pour a single drop on the herbal plant, close the lid, hid it, and make a campfire so I can sleep. My finger still hurts but I shrugged it off. It was just a small wound and I've deal with scars more painful than this. And what damage could it possibly do?

Guarding the plant tonight was kind of lonely, mainly because it was only Stormfly and I. No Hiccup or Toothless. It's funny if I really think about it, I think I already missed them but it's only been a couple of hojrs since we last see each other. How could I missed them so quickly? How could I have missed Hiccup in such short time. Oh yeah, because I love the heroic dragon rider.

It still scares me whenever I thought of confessing my feelings to him. I'm not good with words and all these lovey-dovey stuff. I don't want to ruin the wonderful relationship we already had. Maybe I could just show him how I feel? By kissing him, maybe? No, that was a terrible idea. Maybe he'll think thaf it's one of those kisses back then when we were fifteen. But we're old enough now right? So that would mean if I kiss him by anytime, it wasn't one of those innocent kiss like before.

Arghhh! This is so frustrating! It sounded so easy when I think about the three-step-plan I made earlier on the flight but now that I'm trying to picture it and imagine the whole scenario my stomach flips in nervousness. What if Hiccup doesn't like me that way? What if the gestures and actions that he had shown to me was just his natural response because I am his best human friend. What if there was really nothing special of the way he treated me?

I keep thinking about the same things over and over again until I'm finally able to relax in a slumber.

Hey guys, long time no update... sorry. School is very busy lately since we're preparing for a competition and we wanted to win badly. I know I put in the last chapter that 'next week' was the next update. Apparently it was 'next few weeks.' I'm still going to put down when the next update will be but I can't promise anything whether I can really update on that exact day. The purpose why I'm doing that is because I need to set my goal. My teacher taught us that we should set an specific time when we want to do something and try to accomplish that task if we can. He said it will help us be more responsible so I'm making it a practice. I hope you don't mind.

Anyway thank you for reading, voting, following, commenting ang putting this story on your reading lists. This chapter was short and maybe the next one will come up longer. Night...

Updated: Saturday, November 26, 2016
Next Update: Saturday, next week (hopefully)