HICCSTRID: Going On Tour ❌DISCONTINUED❌

Chapter 3 - My Guy

Standing by the passenger door of the nondescript black car, holding a big black umbrella, is a big, burly man with a bald head so shiny I'm almost certain I can touch up my makeup in it.

"This is Larry," Hiccup says. "He might look intimidating, but actually he sings along to Whitney Houston songs in his spare time and would choose a bubble bath over a shower most days." Hiccup gives his bodyguard a friendly punch in the arm as we pass him to get in. "Isn't that right, Larry?"

"You got me, sir," he says. "And you must be Astrid?" He gives me a friendly wink and I instantly feel at ease. I know why Hiccup wanted to reassure me about him—he looks like the sort of man you might see standing at the doors of a nightclub on a Friday night, keeping everyone in order. From what Hiccup just said, though, perhaps he'd most likely be found inside the club—at the karaoke machine, dancing around with a pink cocktail in hand—than outside it, pulling fights apart.

I'm imagining him belting out "I Will Always Love You" as I reply: "Hello! Yes, nice to meet you, Whitney." I hold out my hand, but my face flushes red as I realize what I've just called him. This was not the introduction to Hiccup's entourage that I had pictured! What ever happened to sophistication, intelligence, or even normal words? Straightaway I stammer out an apology, trying to rescue the situation, but Noah steps in.

"You're definitely not the first to call him that, Astrid," Hiccup says, laughing.

Larry gives me a wink and a smirk. "Well, from now on, Astrid, you can call me Whitney. Just don't go expecting any sing-along sessions, unless you're willing to join in." Larry hops into the driver's seat while I nervously laugh along with him.

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Although the drive to the Concert Centre isn't very long, it feels good to finally be with Hiccup. He slides over into the middle seat to sit beside me, his arm wrapped round my shoulders.

"It feels so good to have you next to me!" he says, squeezing me close. "How did your exams go?"

I shudder. "Don't ask," I say. "But they're over now. I can't believe it's time already!"

I lean into his chest and feel his heart beating; I can't help but think this is way better than Skype. I stare up at his chiselled jaw, messy auburn hair, and green eyes. How did I get so lucky? I'm normally the unlucky girl who's always caught in the rain without an umbrella, who never has her number drawn in the school raffle, and who always loses at Monopoly. Maybe life has been storing up all my wins just for this: so I can be with Hiccup.

"Are you excited for tonight?" He squeezes my hand and I realize I've been staring at him in awe, like a complete weirdo.

"Oh . . . Yes! I can't believe it. You're opening for a band so big that even I've heard of them!" Hiccup's face goes a bit white, and I realize I must not be helping his nerves. "You're going to be amazing, I know it. Are you nervous?"

"I'd be lying if I said no, but I'm mostly just pumped. This has been my dream since I was twelve, and now I get to do it all, and with the best girlfriend on the planet." He lifts my hand to his mouth and kisses it, and I blush a deep red. "I guess my only wish is that my parents were here to see it, you know?" Hiccup turns to look out of the rain-streaked window as we pass the seafront, dark and grey under the thick clouds, and I feel a deep pang of sadness for him.

His mother died in a tragic skiing accident only a few years ago, and I knew the pain was still fresh for Hiccup. He and his younger cousin, Bella, went to live with Hiccup's dad, the wonderful Stoick, but I knew there would always be a hole in his heart big enough to hold the ocean, a hole that only his music could help to fill.

"They are incredibly proud of you, Hiccup, I'm sure of it." I squeeze his hand back and he turns to look at me with a smile. "How are Stoick and Bella?" I ask.

"Oh, they're great. Bella's starting first grade this September, and dad's business is booming!"

I smile and Hiccup laughs. Then he reaches up and cups my chin, pulling me forward gently, and we kiss for the first time in three months. Oh my gosh, I have missed this boy so much that it almost kills me.

"I've really missed you, my gorgeous, goofy girl," he says as if he's reading my mind.

"I'm pretty sure I've missed you more. In fact, I'm willing to bet on it."

"I really love that dress on you, by the way."

"Thanks, I really like those dimples on you . . ."

"Well, you're going to be seeing these dimples a lot more while we're away on tour together. I'm so happy that you decided to do this with me, Astrid. It's going to be the greatest adventure."

"Well, adventures are my favourite . . . once we get past the flying part!" I laugh, although it doesn't quite cover up the nerves I feel at the thought of all the planes we'll have to take on the tour. Hiccup recognizes this in my eyes almost immediately.

"I promise you that I will look after you. We're going to have the best time."

His reassuring words bring a smile to my face. I can't believe I was so worried that things wouldn't be the same between us. In fact, I have a feeling things are going to be even better than before. "Hey, Larry—are we close?" Hiccup asks, craning his neck to see out of the front windscreen, the fast-moving wipers and thick drops of rain doing their best to obscure the view.

"Just round the corner," Larry replies.

"Can we drive past the front? I want to see the turnout."

"Sure thing, boss."

Hiccup grins at me, his eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. It's a look I recognize from when we first met—and the end result was that he showed me all his favourite New York places. I don't know what he's up to, but I'm intrigued.

The road outside the Concert Centre is packed with people already queuing to enter, and Larry has to slow to a crawl to drive past. The crowd must be at least ten people deep, some in colourful macs, others huddling together under umbrellas to avoid getting completely drenched. All of a sudden I feel a wave of anxiety come over me at the intensity of what I am seeing. My boyfriend is Hiccup Haddock. All these people are going to be watching him sing onstage, and if they don't already know who he is they will after tonight. Some of them are even holding handmade banners that say: MARRY ME, HICCUP; and WE LOVE YOU, HICCUP.

I think about how lovely it is that he has so many supporters when he is the opening act for such a huge band. Most of these girls will only know him because of YouTube, and each one will have played a part in making him as successful as he is. Of course, there are a lot of people who are only there to see The Sketch—it helps that all four members look as though they have stepped out of a poster for Abercrombie & Fitch. I feel a huge sense of pride for Hiccup and this crazy journey he is about to embark on, and I do a little wiggle of happiness at the thought that I will be by his side along the way.

Hiccup clicks open his seat belt and I stare at him in alarm. "What are you doing?" I ask.

"I'm going to go out and say hello!"

"But it's pouring outside!" I say, stating the obvious.

"I don't care! I could probably do with a shower anyway . . . and guess what!" He holds out his hand. "You're coming with me."

"What?" I say, my eyes opening wide.

"I want everyone to see us together, and I want you to experience this with me. Be back in a second, Larry."

The car pulls to a stop, and Hiccup leaps out, dragging me behind him. I hesitate at the door, but then I see Hiccup's beaming smile and it gives me strength. I grab my bag, pull my camera from it, and jump out of the car.

My ears are pummelled with the shrill sound of fans screaming his name, and they wave frantically as he walks towards them.

There is something really magical about watching Hiccup chatting away with his fans. His face lights up, and he just doesn't care that he is getting wet and his hair is getting messier and curlier by the second. He's in his element.
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That's it for this chapterrrr 💗 next one coming soon, but I'm going on camp for a while so yah