FACE VALUE

Modern High School AU. Nerdy outcast Astrid Hofferson finds herself the centre of attention when word gets around that she has a famous relative. Suddenly popular and accepted, can she tell genuine friendship from the machinations of users? And who will be her Prom date?

Disclaimer: I don't own How To Train your Dragon. Rights remain with Cressida Cowell and Dreamworks.

A/N: This is pretty much the opposite of my last story. Yes, I will be continuing Dark Valkyrie (slowly) but this is just a change to write. It's a short story so won't take too long. Based on a story idea by Vala 411. Enjoy.

ONE:

No one paid her any attention. She was walking through a hallway full of students and she was almost invisible. Of course, she wasn't completely invisible because she was still jostled and bumped, sometimes by carelessness but more often deliberately because she was a nobody.

Astrid Hofferson adjusted the rucksack over her shoulder and twisted as she avoided an especially exuberant Junior who was showing off to a group of his friends. It was Gustav Larson, an awkward kid with scruffy black hair, bright grey eyes and impenetrable self-belief who wanted to be one of the Jocks with his heroes Simon 'Snotlout' Jorgensen and Derek 'Dagur' Oswaldson. She cast him an exasperated look and moved on.

Astrid was pretty-and would be considered more so if she would conform to the Senior Class definitions of attire for one of the 'In' crowd. But as she stomped along in her brown beanie, wisps of her braided golden hair poking out and framing her face with the cheeks pinkened from the Berk winter cold outside and bright blue eyes sparking, she didn't care. She was short of money because her father had died in Freshman Year so she cycled to school and she had long since realised that a fashionably short skirt, high heels and expensive coat wasn't an option. So she trudged towards the class in her winter ski jacket, a thermal tee shirt and azure blue baggy jumper underneath, her skinny dark blue jeans tucked into moderately beat up mid-calf length boots.

She heard a burst of laughter and she glanced up, seeing the Queen Bee and her entourage occupying the warmest spot at the far end of the Hallway as they discussed their weekends. Atali Winger was tall and confident with bright red hair in a high ponytail and glittering green eyes, her expensive Designer dress flattering her athletic shape. Heather Oswalsdon, Dagur's half-sister who had been Astrid's best friend in Middle School, glanced at Astrid and stared for a moment. Slender and poised, Heather's raven hair was braided over her shoulder and she wore grey, her green eyes briefly meeting the outcast girl's. Unknown to her friends, Heather still sometimes contacted Astrid-though even that was becoming less and less frequent-but in school, she had to ignore the blonde. So then she looked away and turned back to the discussion of the fact that a big Hollywood film was actually being filmed on Berk and if they could possibly get to see the stars.

"That Dane is soooo dreamy," Raquel 'Ruffnut' Thorston commented.

"I'd like to get my hands on Thorbjorn Ulricson-what a hunk," Mindy Mayder added.

"Me likey too," Ruff added.

"It's so thrilling that Fearless Films are making 'Son of Odin' here on Berk!" Heather enthused, feeling the smallest pang of guilt at ignoring Astrid once more-after all, they had sworn to be friends forever. Though that was until… She shook herself to get her head back in the game. "There are film stars literally everywhere!"

"Except here," Atali sighed. "If only we could get onto set...I am sure they would hire us as extras…." She grinned. "One look at me and they're sure to want me in their movie!"

Shaking her head, Astrid walked on. She was a serious student, probably a bit of a nerd, who knew exactly what she wanted in life. Her grades were important because she needed to secure a place at College to study biochemistry and then work on defeating cancer like the one that had shattered her family. She knew that her mother had never come to terms with his death, with her life-partner feeling unwell and going into hospital, with being diagnosed with stage four lymphoma and with him dying two days later. There had been no time for goodbyes, no preparation, no nothing. Ivan had been so strong and then he was gone-and gods, Astrid still missed him. But she had to be strong for her Mom.

She walked into the classroom and was shocked to find she wasn't the first one there. Hiccup Haddock was at the back, his head buried in a book, some old leather-bound tome that was marked with half rubbed-off runic letters in gold. Tall, lanky and a bit awkward, he was handsome with his dark auburn hair and forest green eyes but he kept himself to himself. He had been friends with the jocks until Junior Year when a house fire had cost him his left lower leg, his place in the athletics team and his friends, who had dropped him as a friend. Since then, he had been ostracised and treated as a pariah, bullied by his former friends and casually abused as a 'cripple' by many of the students. He was fully Astrid's equal in the nerd stakes and they vied for top marks but her own little pool of independence and bitterness at her lot in life had pushed away anyone who tried to make friends with her-and Hiccup had been one. After all, pretty much everyone she had trusted and cared for as a friend had betrayed her and she was loath to trust anyone to get that close to her again. Even Heather was finally withdrawing and the familiar blanket of loneliness was firmly wrapped around her.

Shaking her head, she flopped down in her usual seat and took off her coat and scarf, though she kept her beanie on. She had endured too many hours picking gum or glue or other things from her hair to risk it.

"You okay?"

She started, her head snapping round to look at the other student. Hiccup's voice was a light, slightly nasal drawl but the tone was kind and concerned. She shrugged.

"Why shouldn't I be?" she asked more sharply than she had intended. There was a a wary expression at her defensiveness and he shrugged.

"You look sad today," he told her.

"I'm fine," she replied firmly and looked away-and then kicked herself for being rude. It had been a kind gesture. She looked back.

"Thanks," she added and managed a small smile and he sketched a slight bow.

"Anytime, Milady," he replied with a smile and turned back to his book. She looked at him for a little longer and then turned back to her folder. The truth was that she wasn't so much sad as worried: her mother had been under the weather and getting a cold and cough that she had minimised but still...Astrid was down to her last parent and though her Uncle Finn was always happy to be contacted, her Mom was her responsibility. Quietly she checked her phone: no messages.

The bell rang and suddenly the room was thronging with students, all talking loudly and jostling, shattering Astrid's peace. There were the usual sniggers and as she sat there, her Textbook sitting in front of her, she cast a glance at the popular girls once more. She had been one, before life kicked her hard and she had made the only choice she could, giving up everything that wasn't necessary and that they suddenly couldn't afford and instead, working to help her Mom. And they hadn't understood, instead treating her like crap because she had apparently hurt their feelings by not coming round and 'hanging' when she had been looking after her bereaved Mom or finding a job to help earn some money. Even when it was her tragedy, it was all about them.

Mr Throk, the English teacher, walked in briskly, his stern face filled with concentration. He was rumoured to have a sense of humour though no one had ever seen it and he was extremely serious about the Romantic Poets-unlike everyone else in the class. Astrid largely ignored them but today, she found herself seated in the middle of a cluster of Jocks,-Snotlout, Dagur, Eirik 'Eret' Eretson and Theo 'Thuggory' Meated. All were whispering and craning to look over her shoulder to copy what she had written. Exasperated, she handed in her homework before they could copy that and then they started the class, examining one of the poems of Keats.

"To Autumn is one of his more famous works," the tall teacher said in his grave voice. "Please read through and make some notes for ten minutes and then we will discuss." There were widespread groans and Snotlout put his hand up urgently.

"Can't we go it in groups?" he asked quickly. "I'm sure that would help with the discussion element…" Mr Throk glanced around the room and then sighed.

"Okay-groups of four or five only and your ten minutes start now…" he said. Astrid opened her book and stared at the words, aware there was no movement around her. She looked up.

"We're with you, Hoff," Snotlout said, gesturing at the other three.

"Really?" she asked sarcastically. "You mean you want me to do all the work and you then share the credit?" Eret grinned.

"She's got it, Snot," he chuckled. She turned away.

"You better read the actual poem, muttonhead," she said in a growl. "You'll look really stupid if you don't even recognise what I'm talking about."

"You?" Dagur asked with a raised red eyebrow. "We'll be doing all the talking, sweetcheeks! You just analyse the poem like a good little nerd." She looked up and glared at him.

"Why should I?" she snarked.

"You remember when we wanted you to help us with our Math and you refused?" Thuggory reminded her with a nasty grin. She bunched her fists.

"It took me an hour to get out of that dumpster," she said angrily. "You had flipped the catch and I had to wait until someone came past to let me out!"

"Plenty of dumpsters in Berk," the dark-haired, dark-eyed boy reminded her and she turned back to her work, writing furiously and plotting painful revenge on the handsome and selfish young man. Struck by a pang of guilt, Eret lifted his book, found the page and began to read, nudging Snotlout. Unfortunately, the stocky jock didn't have a self-conscious bone in his body and he shoved Eret back then turned back to his conversation with Dagur and Thuggory. Astrid glanced up, saw Eret's action and sighed, then got back to her work, rapidly scribbling a quick analysis and then writing a second analysis-just for the boys.

After the time was up, the groups were invited in turn to offer their analysis. The group at the back of the room-where Hiccup had been ambushed by the popular girls just as Astrid had been by the jocks-made a strong start and Atali preened at her smartness in getting a nerd of her own, casting a smug look at Snotlout. The stocky boy narrowed his blue eyes and snatched the paper from Astrid, sitting up straight and smiling smugly at the teacher.

"Simon Jorgensen?" Mr Throk said next and the stocky boy stood up, peering at Astrid's writing.

"Well, I read the poem and these are all my own thoughts," he announced. "The poem is clearly a veiled allegory to waning sexuality of late middle age. The references to the season imbue a sense of sorrow that potency is coming towards and end and the ability to bear children-bear fruit-has reached its apex. The third stanza in particular harks back to the optimism and hope of the young, the promise of a life of sexual fulfilment ahead and the bittersweet recognition that the reader's sexual life is gradually coming to an end, flying away like the fleeting flight of swallows."

He grinned and looked around the room to meet a full house of dropped jaws and astonished and frankly concerned looks. Dagur and Thuggory were grinning but Eret-who had actually read the poem-was facepalming while Astrid and Hiccup at the back of the room were trying not to laugh.

"Jorgensen-what in Odin's name was that?" Mr Throk yelled. "I mean, I know you're an immature sex-obsessed teen but this is clearly a poem about Autumn. The season. Not some woman of that name. Good Odin-you really need some professional help if you imagine that is the interpretation of this classic work!" Snotlout stared at him and tried to glare at Astrid without giving away the fact that he had stolen the answers from the girl.

"But I thought…" he began as Throk pointed at the door.

"Get. Out!" he snapped. "Everyone here will be required to provide a critical analysis of 'Ode to a Nightingale' by tomorrow morning!"

"Way to go, Snotty!" Atali sneered. "We need to be preparing for the Valentine's Dance and you've landed us extra homework…"

"Oh come on!" Snotlout flared up. "It's not me-it's Astrid's fault."

"And why pray tell, would this be Astrid's fault?" Throk asked quietly.

"Because she was supposed to give me the answer and this was what was written on the paper I got off of her!" Snotlout snapped back.

There was another silence and Snotlout slapped his hands over his mouth.

"So you expected another student to do the work and you to just take the credit, hmm?" Mr Throk realised. Astrid nodded.

"That was why he suggested the group work, sir," she confirmed and handed over another sheet. "Here are my actual answers." Throk's caramel brown eyes flicked down the sheet.

"Excellent work," he complimented her. "Okay-Messers Jorgensen, Oswaldson, Meated and Eretson and Misses Winger, Oswaldson. Mayder and Thorston-you are to complete the assignment as planned. The rest of you...I hope you understand that group work means everyone contributes, rather than one person doing all the work and having to support his or her lazier classmates." He glared. "Back to your desks. We'll start reviewing more works of Keats, starting with 'Ode to a Grecian Urn'..."

As she turned back to her work, Astrid heard Snotlout hissed in her direction. "I'll get you later, Hofferson."

But five minutes before the bell, the door opened and Miss Queen, the Principal, walked in. She was a tall, elegant women with a page-cut strawberry blonde hair and green eyes and as she scanned the room, her eyes fell on Astrid.

"Excuse me, Throk-I need to speak to Astrid." She turned to the girl, who was looking up, her expression suddenly worried. "Gather your things, my dear. Your Uncle is coming to collect you. I am afraid your mother has been taken unwell."

Astrid jerked to her feet, almost knocking over her chair.

"Is she…?" She couldn't force the words out but Mala Queen gave a reassuring smile.

"Your Uncle is on the way," she said and escorted the shocked girl out. Casting a final look to the class, she saw Hiccup look concerned and offer a small crossed-fingers sign. She managed a small nod in acknowledgement and then she was gone.

But the bell had just rang when there was a squeal and Mindy pointed a finger at the window. A huge back stretch limousine had pulled up at the school door and the driver opened the door to allow a tall, handsome man in his fifties to emerge, his blonde hair greying elegantly and his manicured beard ruffling in the breeze. His piercing blue eyes swept over the school and his dark grey silk suit was completely out of place in freezing Berk. But everyone knew who he was: the owner and Producer of Fearless Films, Finn Hofferson. And then his face lit up with a smile as the scruffy shape of Astrid emerged from the main school doors with Mala Queen at her side. Astrid managed a wan smile as Finn embraced her warmly.

"Is that Nerdstrid Hofferson?" Atali asked and Heather nodded.

"Fearless Finn must be her Uncle," she realised. "I never knew. It never clicked."

"When did you last actually talk to her?" Hiccup asked her pointedly.

"Shut up, hopalong!" Snotlout snapped, craning his neck and clambering onto a chair to see over the melee of students pressed against the window. "Oh my Thor-she's getting in the limousine. That is just plain wrong!"

"How?" Ruff asked, frowning at him.

"Because I should be in the limousine, not her!" the boy said without any shame.

"Except that he's her relative and he's come because her mother is clearly very ill," Hiccup spoke up, levering himself up to his feet and gathering his things. "Enjoy being late for the next class, guys." And he managed to elbow his way through and left the room.

"What's eating him?" Dagur asked in surprise and then he shrugged.

"Guys-we have to be sensible," Atali said. "Clearly Astrid is the key. Finn is her Uncle and he's here with the huge film production. We have to find a way to get her to introduce us to him…"

"And be our ticket to fame and fortune!" Mindy added. Heather frowned.

"How is that gonna work?" she asked. "I mean, you have spent the last three years being consistently mean and unkind to her. Between ignoring her as well. And you guys have been even worse." Atali gave a scornful laugh.

"That's simple," she said as if it was obvious. "When she returns, we become her friends and she then introduces us to her famous uncle." Snotlout glanced at his friends.

"While it's even simpler for us guys," he added with a smirk. "Valentines is in couple of days-and Nerdstrid will be without a date as usual. Imagine how she'll react when she finds her luck has changed-and the most eligible guys are chasing her." There was a frosty silence as Atali glared at him as did Mindy, his current girlfriend. "Awww, don't be down, baby," he said patronisingly to Mindy, seeing the girl fold her arms furiously and flicking her short dark hair off her broad face. "It's not for real-just to get Hoff to introduce her new boyfriend to her loving uncle-and then when he takes me to the set, I can bring my best friends with me!"

"Why do you think it'll be you, shorty?" Thuggory asked him pointedly. "Maybe Hoff would prefer someone with more height and the body of a Norse God?"

"Such as me?" Eret teased him dryly.

"Or me," Dagur added, folding his powerful arms across his chest. Snotlout scowled at them.

"May the best man win," Eret said reasonably.

"I will," said Snotlout as the bell rang.

"And we're all late for Viking History," Freddie 'Fishlegs' Ingerman announced. A big husky boy with short blonde hair and blue-green eyes, he was a smart guy with a kind heart. "Oh dear-Mr Grimborn will be very unhappy." All the students shared a look at the realisation the harshest and most sarcastic teacher in the school would be waiting to issue them late citations.

And then there was a stampede for the door. The plotting would have to wait until later.