A/N: That ending wasn't planned, it kinda just happened. Hopefully this story will continue to evolve and grow. I'm excited for this chapter. Are you guys finally ready for some Snotlout x OC time? ;) I am! Hold on to your seats, because you guys will LOVE this chapter :) I know that Pennys stubborness is kinda cliche, but these guys are vikings so...they have to be stubborn :P
We are alone.
My heart is beating violently in my chest, I don't want to look at him. I don't know what to think, what will happen if I open my mouth and say something? It was odd really. Sven was nowhere in sight, and there was no reason to hide anymore.
I wish for things to get better, that the invisible brick wall between us to be knocked down and destroyed forever. Maybe its hope inside me, something treasured long ago that should have never left. But it won't come true. There is nothing, no evidence to ensure that my wish will come true. That things will return to how they were once.
Even if it were to come true, I'd want to know why it had to happen, why my presence was no longer important and why he had to stomp all over my heart. I know that he might never tell me, but I wish he would. For the life of me, I wish I knew.
"Well, this is awkward," Snotlout manages to say, scratching his left ear with his hand. He looks over the rock in the direction of Svens farm, but through the tree's we can hear an echoe.
"Uuuungrateful!" Sven calls, "get back here!"
"We should leave," I ignore the pain in my heart, the stab of negative emotion that is trying to push my words into silence, and keep me seated on the ground. True I wanted to die inside, but getting caught would have serious consequences...and with Hiccup being the chief, and getting pressure from some of the new elders, I didn't want things to get more awkward between anyone in the group.
Without waiting for Snotlout I start walking into the opposite direction, not familiar with this specific forest made it difficult to get my bearings. "Wait!" Snotlout calls, getting up and running after me. He's a few steps behind, but manages to catch up, but still stay behind me. Baby.
I don't know how much longer we walk in silence, but the stars are difficult to see through the amount of tree leaves above. I squint, trying to see in between the leaves, but as we proceed I find it harder and harder to see the sky. Finally I stop, and head for a thick tree trunl. Snotlout watches only for a moment, and when I place my foot on the trunk and hall myself up to grab the branch he speaks, "What are you doing?"
"Climbing."
"Why?"
For a moment I'm tempted to answer, but my mouth doesn't open, and I don't push myself to force audible words. So I don't answer and pull myself up into the tree, and continue to climb its branches. I reach high enough to see the the town far off in the distance. In the dark night, its hard to see, but the large torch like things all around town make it easier to spot. The problem is its distance from our location. I rub the sweat off my forehead, and try to remember the exact layout of the island...even though this forest is a mystery.
When I think I have all the information I need I slowly start the climb back down. Berk disappears, and all I see are tree's and bush. I have to be careful not to fall, and when I finally get to the ground, my feet firmly planted on the earth, I brush my arms. Snotlout is standing there, arms crossed over his chest. I look around, it was hard figuring out where we were. The forest was getting thicker and finding a way out may be close to impossible. Despite all that I start in the direction of Berk. East.
"Do you even know where we're going?" Snotlout asks, trailing behind.
I push a branch out of the way, "Berk is this way." Any sign of confidence in my voice is fake. It was hard to determine the path, seeing only the overall view of the island and not the details. I wish I knew which was best, like people who have compasses built into them.
We continue to walk. The forest gets thicker and thicker as we get "closer" to Berk, Snotlout returns to silence, speaking only when needed. Once and a while he pushes his opinion on to me, "Why are we going this way?", or "Excuse me, but I think we should be going in the opposite direction." I try to ignore him, for every time he talks I feel my heart rip through my chest. It was difficult to be around him, to even see or hear him made me want to jump out of my skin and run away. Not out of fear of him of course, but fear of hearing some talk about how great Ruffnut was, or how amazing courting her could get. I didn't care to hear it, I didn't care to have those words floating through my memory. So I don't speak.
"Now what?" Snotlout folds his arm, we stand in front of a large rock wall, "you know. We probably would have gotten out if I led the way."
I want to slap him in the face, I'm standing there with a heart that feels like its about to blow up. He still looks depressed, and that's all he can say? For a while I want to punch myself in the face, because this must be a dream, but I hold back. Instead I tighten my fist into balls and stare at the large rock. It was too steep to climb, too wide to examine from this spot.
"Lets go back."
He starts in the opposite direction, still speaking, but I don't hear what he says. As he walks away I debate about whether its a good idea to follow him or not, if we follow the rock we might find its end, and if we find its end we might see a path. Yet again, my sense of direction is as bad as that of a newborn pup. I take a moment to breath, my heart accelerating faster than before, "Lets go this way," I argue, pointing in the direction the side of the rock is heading,"we might find a clearing on the other end."
"Or we might get lost," Snotlout turns his head so I can see his face, "you have no sense of direction. I, on the other hand, have a beautiful gold compass built in my brain. I can get us out of here."
Another spout of bragging, but I don't give in, "If you lead the way, we'll be dead in an hour."
"Oh so now you're all about "life and death."
"Survival. Getting home," I cross my arms over my chest.
"You're just being stubborn."
I glare, hard. I am scared of my own reaction, though I cannot see it.
"What?"
But I don't speak, stubborness is playing at its finest, "Nothing."
"I'm going this way."
No trust. I know he doesn't trust my sense of direction, neither do I. But deep in the woods is who knows what. Near the rock the tree's are thinner, more spread out. I don't want to go back into the forest, its dark, uninviting. Staying against the wall looks safer. Snotlout disappears within the thick of the forest. That takes care of that decision.
I'm on my own now.
My hand touches the stone wall, and I start heading north. Its peaceful and quiet. The only noise is the distant sound of dragon roars combined with cricket chirps. All the while, my mind is at work.
There is nothing in me that takes Snotlouts refusal to listen to me offensive, my sense of direction was bad and he was the worst viking to bargain with. Especially with his stubborn, obnoxious character. Though, honestly, I had found that closer to Drago's attack, his personality was growing soft. But this doesn't stop me from trying to understand him, trying to grasp why he does what he does because it is still a mystery. For the short period of time we dated, I never got to understand him fully, I never got the chance to help him with anything. Neither did he with me.
I knew more information about him than most, I knew that for sure, but there are times when I wish I knew more. Wish I understood more.
But how can I? How COULD I?
The tree's make it impossible to stay near the wall as they thicken, so I try to maneuver around them. But with each maneuver, I find myself getting farther and farther away from the wall until I can't see it anymore. I try to get my bearings, but I have no idea where I am, "Great."
Suddenly I feel a slight chill blow against my back and I hug myself in desperation. But I am a viking, strong, stubborn. So I push on. I'm getting tired, my legs are beginning to burn. I don't know how long i've been walking before I get to the edge of the forest. The tree's clear, and I now stand on a cliff overlooking water. To my right, I can Berk in the far distance.
"Sweet. I can see Berk, but I'm stuck..." I sit down, my legs dangling over the edge of the cliff, "...and by myself." Honestly I don't care, my heart has stopped accelerating for now, but whenever my mind reflects on what happened a while ago, it starts back up again. I do not want to think about it and shake my head, "No. Stop." I say, "stop thinking about it." I hit my head.
Something rustle's in the bushes behind me and I flinch, almost losing my balance and falling into the water. Whatever it is, it has the power to push me down in the deep abyss or eat me. But I'm a viking, brave, stubborn. I stand up and prepare myself to defend. I find some pebbles and start throwing them at the rustling bush.
"Ouch! Hey!" I hear a familiar voice. Snotlout comes out of the bush, holding his forehead, "that hurts!"
I drop the pebbles, "Sorry. I thought you were a wild dragon."
"Do I look like a wild dragon?" He retorts.
"What are you doing here?"
Snotlout comes a little closer, stopping when he's a few feet away, "I found the a path. But you weren't behind me so I came back. Seriously? A girl can't be by herself. You'll get carried off by a dragon or something!"
"Really? Carried off by a wild dragon?" My heart has sped back up, but I try to hold back a laugh that is trying to pop out.
"Yes!" Snotlout exclaims, "do you know how many wild dragons there are out here?"
"A lot?"
"Hundreds!"
"And they're going to carry me off?" I'm trying to hold in my laugh, but with each moment i find myself having a harder time holding it in.
"Seriously, you're asking me all this! Your life is in danger!"
I can't hold it in anymore. A laugh erupts from my mouth and I hold my stomach, trying to contain myself.
"What?" Snotlout asks, "stop laughing at me!"
For a few minutes I can't answer, and if I try I start laughing again. I take a deep breath and try to compose myself, "You sound so silly."
"Huh?" Snotlout looks at me.
"That sentence. It was silly," I say again, "wild dragons aren't going to carry me off."
"Of course they will," He replies, "stop laughing at me! Nobody laughs at Snotlout!"
I smirk, "Sure." Finally I'm composed, I start noticing my heart accelerate again, "lets get out of here."
"Of course. That's I am trying to do," Snotlout snaps, heading back into the thick of the forest. I take a breather, trying to compose myself before venturing after him.
We walk for a while before Snotlout can relocate the path, "See! Told you I could find it."
I shake my head.
The path loops around Svens farm and heads into the village. When we pass the first set of houses I speak, "We're back."
Snotlouts face falls further than it was already, "Yeah."
"Welll...uh..." I scratch my neck, "I guess-"
"Penny!" Someone exclaims, I turn towards the voice and I recognize it...Astrid.
Snotlout and I look at each other for another second, then I turn to Astrid, "Hey!"
"Where have you been!?"
"uh..." I try to find the words, "...walking." Admitting that we got lost would not be a good idea.
She looks at Snotlout, "You were alone...with him?"
"Its not my fault!" Snotlout glares.
"Whatever," Astrid snaps, "I'm stealing you." She grabs my arm and drags me away. I turn around as Snotlout gets smaller and smaller with each foot I step away.
"Somethings going on here," Astrid crosses her arms over her chest, "and I want to know.
We are on one of the sea stacks farthest from Berk, the night air is chilly against my skin. After stopping at my house for a warmer coat, Astrid and I took Stormfly to where we currently were. My legs are dangling off the edge and I stare at the horizon. Slowly I explain everything as Astrid sits down beside me. I talk about my "date" with Grease, how I end up with Snotlout and Ruffnut, and when Snotlout and I got lost in the forest, "I swear things were normal," I say, placing both hands on either side of me, "well, kind of. It was kind of awkward."
"He is your ex."
I sigh, "Yeah. To this day I don't know why he broke up with me..."
"Snotlouts pretty complicated," Astrid notes, "he use to be simple but people change."
"Why?" I ask, "why do you think he..."
"Broke up with you?"
"Yeah," I frown.
She thinks, "Honestly I don't know. Maybe his father...but I can't be sure." Astrid sighs, "Why does it matter so much to you? I mean, once you break up with someone you're not suppose to like them anymore...right?"
I shake my head, "I wish it were that easy. Loving someone is hard," I reach my hand up to the sky, "This has taught me that love is strong. Even when you're heart breaks..."
There is silence.
"Maybe I still love him. I don't know," I sigh again, "I'm so confused. Thinking about him makes me...want to die. Seeing him with Ruffnut doesn't make angry, it makes me sad. And then when I'm finally with him..." I stop talking, I feel dizzy, my head throbs, "...I don't know what to think."
Silence again.
Astrid doesn't look at me, she stares a head. I watch her for a moment, "Do you find it like that?"
"Huh?"
"With Hiccup," I manage to say, "I mean, do you still like him?"
No reply. Astrid looks down towards the ocean, I wish I could read him her mind, "I...don't know." She finally replies, "sometimes I wonder if its worth it."
"Probably not," I push myself to say it, otherwise I would be lying, "maybe things will get better. Hey," I get up and pat her on the shoulder, "at least we still have the dragon races. Those haven't changed."
Astrid laughs, "And i'm going to win."
"We need to bet on this."
"No need," She smiles, "I always win."
"Excuse me?" I laugh, "Toothless and I have won a few times."
"Yeah, by default."
"You were there for two of those races. It was not by default."
"Fine, I usually win."
"I wonder why," I roll my eyes, I don't give a reason to my response, Astrid must already know what I was going to say. How I was going to mention that Fishlegs and Snotlout try to help Ruffnut, and yet three heads together always manage to lose to one person. I look at Astrid, "wait a minute. Isn't it team day tomorrow?"
"Oh yeah. I forgot about that. Whatever, we'll win," Astrid chuckles, "I mean Snotlout and Fishlegs are so busy fighting over Ruffnut that they don't ever do anything but lose." I wish she didn't mention Snotlout, even though we had a short conversation about him already. Tomorrow would be like any other race, difficulty concentrating because he was there.
But there was something else. In my heart I want Hiccup to race with Toothless tomorrow, last minute changes were beginning to bug me. Sure I love racing with Toothless, but he needed Hiccup. I'm NOT Hiccup. Deep down, I want to know why Hiccup won't fly with Toothless, why he won't make Toothless happy in that way. I wish he would, I wish everything would just fall into place.
"Penny," Astrid looks at me, "do you think...Hiccup will race tomorrow?"
I frown, "I wish I knew Astrid," My eyes go back over to the horizon, my mind is racing. Tomorrow would be another race, something kept so vikings would attack each other, "I wish I knew."
We are alone.
My heart is beating violently in my chest, I don't want to look at him. I don't know what to think, what will happen if I open my mouth and say something? It was odd really. Sven was nowhere in sight, and there was no reason to hide anymore.
I wish for things to get better, that the invisible brick wall between us to be knocked down and destroyed forever. Maybe its hope inside me, something treasured long ago that should have never left. But it won't come true. There is nothing, no evidence to ensure that my wish will come true. That things will return to how they were once.
Even if it were to come true, I'd want to know why it had to happen, why my presence was no longer important and why he had to stomp all over my heart. I know that he might never tell me, but I wish he would. For the life of me, I wish I knew.
"Well, this is awkward," Snotlout manages to say, scratching his left ear with his hand. He looks over the rock in the direction of Svens farm, but through the tree's we can hear an echoe.
"Uuuungrateful!" Sven calls, "get back here!"
"We should leave," I ignore the pain in my heart, the stab of negative emotion that is trying to push my words into silence, and keep me seated on the ground. True I wanted to die inside, but getting caught would have serious consequences...and with Hiccup being the chief, and getting pressure from some of the new elders, I didn't want things to get more awkward between anyone in the group.
Without waiting for Snotlout I start walking into the opposite direction, not familiar with this specific forest made it difficult to get my bearings. "Wait!" Snotlout calls, getting up and running after me. He's a few steps behind, but manages to catch up, but still stay behind me. Baby.
I don't know how much longer we walk in silence, but the stars are difficult to see through the amount of tree leaves above. I squint, trying to see in between the leaves, but as we proceed I find it harder and harder to see the sky. Finally I stop, and head for a thick tree trunl. Snotlout watches only for a moment, and when I place my foot on the trunk and hall myself up to grab the branch he speaks, "What are you doing?"
"Climbing."
"Why?"
For a moment I'm tempted to answer, but my mouth doesn't open, and I don't push myself to force audible words. So I don't answer and pull myself up into the tree, and continue to climb its branches. I reach high enough to see the the town far off in the distance. In the dark night, its hard to see, but the large torch like things all around town make it easier to spot. The problem is its distance from our location. I rub the sweat off my forehead, and try to remember the exact layout of the island...even though this forest is a mystery.
When I think I have all the information I need I slowly start the climb back down. Berk disappears, and all I see are tree's and bush. I have to be careful not to fall, and when I finally get to the ground, my feet firmly planted on the earth, I brush my arms. Snotlout is standing there, arms crossed over his chest. I look around, it was hard figuring out where we were. The forest was getting thicker and finding a way out may be close to impossible. Despite all that I start in the direction of Berk. East.
"Do you even know where we're going?" Snotlout asks, trailing behind.
I push a branch out of the way, "Berk is this way." Any sign of confidence in my voice is fake. It was hard to determine the path, seeing only the overall view of the island and not the details. I wish I knew which was best, like people who have compasses built into them.
We continue to walk. The forest gets thicker and thicker as we get "closer" to Berk, Snotlout returns to silence, speaking only when needed. Once and a while he pushes his opinion on to me, "Why are we going this way?", or "Excuse me, but I think we should be going in the opposite direction." I try to ignore him, for every time he talks I feel my heart rip through my chest. It was difficult to be around him, to even see or hear him made me want to jump out of my skin and run away. Not out of fear of him of course, but fear of hearing some talk about how great Ruffnut was, or how amazing courting her could get. I didn't care to hear it, I didn't care to have those words floating through my memory. So I don't speak.
"Now what?" Snotlout folds his arm, we stand in front of a large rock wall, "you know. We probably would have gotten out if I led the way."
I want to slap him in the face, I'm standing there with a heart that feels like its about to blow up. He still looks depressed, and that's all he can say? For a while I want to punch myself in the face, because this must be a dream, but I hold back. Instead I tighten my fist into balls and stare at the large rock. It was too steep to climb, too wide to examine from this spot.
"Lets go back."
He starts in the opposite direction, still speaking, but I don't hear what he says. As he walks away I debate about whether its a good idea to follow him or not, if we follow the rock we might find its end, and if we find its end we might see a path. Yet again, my sense of direction is as bad as that of a newborn pup. I take a moment to breath, my heart accelerating faster than before, "Lets go this way," I argue, pointing in the direction the side of the rock is heading,"we might find a clearing on the other end."
"Or we might get lost," Snotlout turns his head so I can see his face, "you have no sense of direction. I, on the other hand, have a beautiful gold compass built in my brain. I can get us out of here."
Another spout of bragging, but I don't give in, "If you lead the way, we'll be dead in an hour."
"Oh so now you're all about "life and death."
"Survival. Getting home," I cross my arms over my chest.
"You're just being stubborn."
I glare, hard. I am scared of my own reaction, though I cannot see it.
"What?"
But I don't speak, stubborness is playing at its finest, "Nothing."
"I'm going this way."
No trust. I know he doesn't trust my sense of direction, neither do I. But deep in the woods is who knows what. Near the rock the tree's are thinner, more spread out. I don't want to go back into the forest, its dark, uninviting. Staying against the wall looks safer. Snotlout disappears within the thick of the forest. That takes care of that decision.
I'm on my own now.
My hand touches the stone wall, and I start heading north. Its peaceful and quiet. The only noise is the distant sound of dragon roars combined with cricket chirps. All the while, my mind is at work.
There is nothing in me that takes Snotlouts refusal to listen to me offensive, my sense of direction was bad and he was the worst viking to bargain with. Especially with his stubborn, obnoxious character. Though, honestly, I had found that closer to Drago's attack, his personality was growing soft. But this doesn't stop me from trying to understand him, trying to grasp why he does what he does because it is still a mystery. For the short period of time we dated, I never got to understand him fully, I never got the chance to help him with anything. Neither did he with me.
I knew more information about him than most, I knew that for sure, but there are times when I wish I knew more. Wish I understood more.
But how can I? How COULD I?
The tree's make it impossible to stay near the wall as they thicken, so I try to maneuver around them. But with each maneuver, I find myself getting farther and farther away from the wall until I can't see it anymore. I try to get my bearings, but I have no idea where I am, "Great."
Suddenly I feel a slight chill blow against my back and I hug myself in desperation. But I am a viking, strong, stubborn. So I push on. I'm getting tired, my legs are beginning to burn. I don't know how long i've been walking before I get to the edge of the forest. The tree's clear, and I now stand on a cliff overlooking water. To my right, I can Berk in the far distance.
"Sweet. I can see Berk, but I'm stuck..." I sit down, my legs dangling over the edge of the cliff, "...and by myself." Honestly I don't care, my heart has stopped accelerating for now, but whenever my mind reflects on what happened a while ago, it starts back up again. I do not want to think about it and shake my head, "No. Stop." I say, "stop thinking about it." I hit my head.
Something rustle's in the bushes behind me and I flinch, almost losing my balance and falling into the water. Whatever it is, it has the power to push me down in the deep abyss or eat me. But I'm a viking, brave, stubborn. I stand up and prepare myself to defend. I find some pebbles and start throwing them at the rustling bush.
"Ouch! Hey!" I hear a familiar voice. Snotlout comes out of the bush, holding his forehead, "that hurts!"
I drop the pebbles, "Sorry. I thought you were a wild dragon."
"Do I look like a wild dragon?" He retorts.
"What are you doing here?"
Snotlout comes a little closer, stopping when he's a few feet away, "I found the a path. But you weren't behind me so I came back. Seriously? A girl can't be by herself. You'll get carried off by a dragon or something!"
"Really? Carried off by a wild dragon?" My heart has sped back up, but I try to hold back a laugh that is trying to pop out.
"Yes!" Snotlout exclaims, "do you know how many wild dragons there are out here?"
"A lot?"
"Hundreds!"
"And they're going to carry me off?" I'm trying to hold in my laugh, but with each moment i find myself having a harder time holding it in.
"Seriously, you're asking me all this! Your life is in danger!"
I can't hold it in anymore. A laugh erupts from my mouth and I hold my stomach, trying to contain myself.
"What?" Snotlout asks, "stop laughing at me!"
For a few minutes I can't answer, and if I try I start laughing again. I take a deep breath and try to compose myself, "You sound so silly."
"Huh?" Snotlout looks at me.
"That sentence. It was silly," I say again, "wild dragons aren't going to carry me off."
"Of course they will," He replies, "stop laughing at me! Nobody laughs at Snotlout!"
I smirk, "Sure." Finally I'm composed, I start noticing my heart accelerate again, "lets get out of here."
"Of course. That's I am trying to do," Snotlout snaps, heading back into the thick of the forest. I take a breather, trying to compose myself before venturing after him.
We walk for a while before Snotlout can relocate the path, "See! Told you I could find it."
I shake my head.
The path loops around Svens farm and heads into the village. When we pass the first set of houses I speak, "We're back."
Snotlouts face falls further than it was already, "Yeah."
"Welll...uh..." I scratch my neck, "I guess-"
"Penny!" Someone exclaims, I turn towards the voice and I recognize it...Astrid.
Snotlout and I look at each other for another second, then I turn to Astrid, "Hey!"
"Where have you been!?"
"uh..." I try to find the words, "...walking." Admitting that we got lost would not be a good idea.
She looks at Snotlout, "You were alone...with him?"
"Its not my fault!" Snotlout glares.
"Whatever," Astrid snaps, "I'm stealing you." She grabs my arm and drags me away. I turn around as Snotlout gets smaller and smaller with each foot I step away.
"Somethings going on here," Astrid crosses her arms over her chest, "and I want to know.
We are on one of the sea stacks farthest from Berk, the night air is chilly against my skin. After stopping at my house for a warmer coat, Astrid and I took Stormfly to where we currently were. My legs are dangling off the edge and I stare at the horizon. Slowly I explain everything as Astrid sits down beside me. I talk about my "date" with Grease, how I end up with Snotlout and Ruffnut, and when Snotlout and I got lost in the forest, "I swear things were normal," I say, placing both hands on either side of me, "well, kind of. It was kind of awkward."
"He is your ex."
I sigh, "Yeah. To this day I don't know why he broke up with me..."
"Snotlouts pretty complicated," Astrid notes, "he use to be simple but people change."
"Why?" I ask, "why do you think he..."
"Broke up with you?"
"Yeah," I frown.
She thinks, "Honestly I don't know. Maybe his father...but I can't be sure." Astrid sighs, "Why does it matter so much to you? I mean, once you break up with someone you're not suppose to like them anymore...right?"
I shake my head, "I wish it were that easy. Loving someone is hard," I reach my hand up to the sky, "This has taught me that love is strong. Even when you're heart breaks..."
There is silence.
"Maybe I still love him. I don't know," I sigh again, "I'm so confused. Thinking about him makes me...want to die. Seeing him with Ruffnut doesn't make angry, it makes me sad. And then when I'm finally with him..." I stop talking, I feel dizzy, my head throbs, "...I don't know what to think."
Silence again.
Astrid doesn't look at me, she stares a head. I watch her for a moment, "Do you find it like that?"
"Huh?"
"With Hiccup," I manage to say, "I mean, do you still like him?"
No reply. Astrid looks down towards the ocean, I wish I could read him her mind, "I...don't know." She finally replies, "sometimes I wonder if its worth it."
"Probably not," I push myself to say it, otherwise I would be lying, "maybe things will get better. Hey," I get up and pat her on the shoulder, "at least we still have the dragon races. Those haven't changed."
Astrid laughs, "And i'm going to win."
"We need to bet on this."
"No need," She smiles, "I always win."
"Excuse me?" I laugh, "Toothless and I have won a few times."
"Yeah, by default."
"You were there for two of those races. It was not by default."
"Fine, I usually win."
"I wonder why," I roll my eyes, I don't give a reason to my response, Astrid must already know what I was going to say. How I was going to mention that Fishlegs and Snotlout try to help Ruffnut, and yet three heads together always manage to lose to one person. I look at Astrid, "wait a minute. Isn't it team day tomorrow?"
"Oh yeah. I forgot about that. Whatever, we'll win," Astrid chuckles, "I mean Snotlout and Fishlegs are so busy fighting over Ruffnut that they don't ever do anything but lose." I wish she didn't mention Snotlout, even though we had a short conversation about him already. Tomorrow would be like any other race, difficulty concentrating because he was there.
But there was something else. In my heart I want Hiccup to race with Toothless tomorrow, last minute changes were beginning to bug me. Sure I love racing with Toothless, but he needed Hiccup. I'm NOT Hiccup. Deep down, I want to know why Hiccup won't fly with Toothless, why he won't make Toothless happy in that way. I wish he would, I wish everything would just fall into place.
"Penny," Astrid looks at me, "do you think...Hiccup will race tomorrow?"
I frown, "I wish I knew Astrid," My eyes go back over to the horizon, my mind is racing. Tomorrow would be another race, something kept so vikings would attack each other, "I wish I knew."