When Different Worlds Collide

Hey, guys! I hope you enjoy this part! Happy reading!

Jack

It's not until five to ten do me and Hiccup pack up our things and start heading home.

"See you, Tiana!" I called back to the waitress as I opened the door.

She waved cheerfully back at us. "Have a nice night, boys! Oh, and tell that pretty girl to come more often! You and her really liven up this place!"

She said that last comment to Hiccup, whose cheeks turned red. He mumbled an 'okay' and headed out the door. I winked playfully at Tiana, who giggled and shooed me out with her hand.

Once outside in the chilly weather, I nudged Hiccup teasingly. "That was quite a display there back at the diner, hm, Haddock?"

"Not. Another. Word," Hiccup grouched.

I laughed, holding up my hands in surrender. "All right, all right, I can take a hint."

We walked in silence for a few blocks before I cleared my throat. "So, did you ask Merida?"

He slapped a hand to his face. "I forgot," he sighed frustratedly. He looked at me apologetically. "Sorry, Jack, I-"

"Hey, hey, it's okay," I said, smiling. "There's always next time you guys run into each other again."

"I'll text her," Hiccup mumbled to himself, already pulling out his phone and going into his messages, as if he didn't hear what I just said. He typed quickly on his phone and sent the message. A few seconds after a reply came through and he nodded. He looked at me. "She said she could come."

"Great," I smiled. "That means every one of us can go."

"Excited?"

"Very," I grinned.

"It'll be my first time going to an art show," Hiccup admitted. "My dad was never into that type of stuff. Said it was too prissy and boring for us to go there."

I snorted. "Hic, we're talking about your pop, the guy who watches cat videos in his free time. Sometimes parents just don't know what they're talking about."

He chuckled. "Yeah, I figured that out when I was like, five.

"If you don't mind me asking," Hiccup said carefully, glancing at me, "why do you still want to go to the art show? I know, it's a dumb question, but..."

I shrugged. "Just wanted to see the other students' works, that's all," I said vaguely. "Can't let one little thing that happened to me keep me from enjoying stuff, can I, Hic?"

"True," Hiccup nodded in agreement.

The art show was in two days and I was really excited. Nervous, but excited. I had invited the others to come with me, and they all agreed to come. Some were a bit confused as to why I would still want to go, since I'm "not entering" (like Hiccup, for instance), but none of them questioned me further than that.

"Anyways," Hiccup said, dropping the subject, thankfully, "what are we going to eat when we get back?"

"Oh, that's right," I smirked, "you were too busy putting on a show for us, the audience, and being Romeo to get anything in your stomach."

He scowled. "I had coffee," he said stubbornly.

I chuckled. "Coffee isn't going to calm that stomach of yours for long, Haddock. Don't worry, there's some hot dogs we can heat up back at the dorm."

"Good," Hiccup sighed in relief. "Because I'm starving."

We came back to our dorm and thankfully, Hans wasn't there (but he never really stays here for long anyways, which is a huge relief for the rest of us). Hiccup went and brought out the sausages and announced to me that he was going to heat it up at the break room (since none of the dorms have microwaves. We live in a dorm, not a suite).

When he left, I rushed to my drawer and made sure that my drawing was still there. Yep, it was. It wasn't as big and eye-catching as my first attempt, but I felt that it would do.

I skimmed over the drawing twice, just to make sure that I didn't miss any important details. I pressed my lips together in an attempt to keep off the goofy smile from creeping to my face.

Perfect, I thought to myself, nothing amiss here.

I took one last glance at the drawing before sliding the paper back into my drawer. I'll have to submit it to Ms. Merriweather tomorrow after school.

Be perfectly cool and calm, I thought to myself as I heard Hiccup's footsteps coming back. I went back to my original spot where I had been and pretended to be riveted with my phone.

"The sausages are ready!" Hiccup said happily.

"Great!" I said, standing up. "I'll go get the buns and we'll have a feast, my friend."

Yeah, perfectly normal.