Um. Hi. Remember how I said I wanted to get this finished in January? Well, obviously, that did not happen. A lot of stuff happened in my personal life, and I literally just stopped writing. I have not written a single word in months. I took Creative Writing 3, but we were mentors for the CWI and CWII students. So, I just didn't write. I'm sorry that this story got put on hold again after literally have only one chapter left, but it's done now! Thanks for sticking around since 2012. ;D

-Ash

Chapter 21

Stepping out of a limo on a prosthetic leg almost seemed like some heroic imagery or something, however, I didn't think I was a hero. I just wanted to protect the people I cared about. Of course, the town didn't know the details of mythical creatures being real. The news story stated that I had saved a lot of endangered animals from an illegal trafficking ring that was underground in our town. That was sort of true, I guess.

As I stepped out of the stretched vehicle, I leaned my weight onto my father who stood in front of me to help me out of the car. I shouldn't be complaining, since the bus would have been much more difficult to maneuver after leaving the hospital a week prior. It was the end of the school year, and the ceremony for awards had been postponed for my arrival. A few other students were receiving other academic awards and such, so the principal decided to put together one honorary ceremony for all of the students, not just me. I was completely fine with that. I wasn't big on gathering a lot of attention. Obviously.

My father supported me as I hobbled to the entrance of the school where Astrid stood waiting for me with a grin shining brightly on her face. I beamed back at her as she took my hand to help stabilize me.

"Are you ready?" she asked.

I nodded with a smile. "Of course."

Astrid leaned forward and pushed the double doors open, and I was immediately taken aback by what I saw. The halls were full of balloons and streamers hanging from the ceiling and lockers. There was a large banner hanging that read "Welcome Back Harold." When the doors opened a loud cheer erupted and balloons were tossed in my direction. Gaping, I glanced at Astrid, who just giggled at my surprise. She helped me trot into the hallway as fellow students and faculty applauded my entrance. In the middle of the chaos stood Ms. Abby waiting on mine and Astrid's arrival. The two of us followed after her as she led us to the auditorium, and the crowd trailed behind.

Ms. Abby led us to the stage as a few other students, who were also receiving awards, followed. She sat me down in the first available chair as Astrid took her leave out into the audience.

My art teacher smiled at me as she took to the microphone behind the podium. "Welcome students, family, faculty, and friends. We've all gathered here today to award some of our most prestigious students for all of their hard work over the last school year. I'm eternally grateful that all of these wonderful minds are all still with us today to be on this stage," she announced with a glance back at me.

Other teachers took the stage and began their speeches about their star students they chose. I was chosen as Ms. Abby's star student (to no one's surprise) as well as the recipient of the Scholastic Art Award.

I watched as my fellow students stood to receive their awards and shake the principal's hand. Was I nervous about trying to walk across the stage? Hell yes. I didn't want to trip and fall like the natural klutz I am. Though in the past the reaction would have probably been a fit of laughter, the reaction at the current time would have been cries of distress as the crippled boy fell face first onto the woodwork.

After the cheering had settled, and I was the last student left, Ms. Abby took her place back behind the podium. Her hands trembled as she stumbled to unrumpled the sheet on which she had written her speech. She gazed straight out at the audience; I could tell from her emotional state that she was unable to look at me just yet.

"Sometimes as teachers we get the joy of teaching a student who touches our heart like no other. We never know who that child may be when they walk into our classroom, but I knew as soon as this young man turned in his first piece of artwork with that cooky grin on his face that he was something special. He may not be the most popular guy around. He may be that nerd that hangs around in my classroom during break hours when the rest of the students are outside," that earned her a chuckle from the audience and I hung my head to fit a slight blush. "But what he lacks in big muscles, he has in heart. Some people lose their way in life. Tragedies happen and they turn themselves into stone. But this young man is one who can reverse the curse. I've seen him do it with my own eyes."

I glanced up at Astrid as I heard these words. I knew she was exactly what Ms. Abby was referring to. Peaking up from behind her blonde bangs, Astrid smiled timidly at me. Never in a million years did I ever think that Astrid Hofferson would gaze at me in such a vulnerable way. But this was real. All of this was real.

"I don't know what I would have done," her voice wavered as tears weld in Ms. Abby's eyes. "I don't know what I would have done if we had lost this young man all those weeks ago in a tragic accident. He was doing what was right and almost gave up his life to do so. This young man amazes me every single day. And my star student this year is Harold Haddock."

Pushing myself out of the seat, I began my slow pace across the stage over to Ms. Abby's waiting arms. She never grew impatient and kept her arms open for me. When I reached her and wrapped my arms around her, the crowd let out a roar of applause. She beamed down at me and handed me my certificate as the principal reached over to shake my hand. The audience continued to cheer as the representative for scholastic made his way over to the podium next to Ms. Abby.

"Harold, would it be possible for you to stay there for a moment?"

I nodded and leaned onto Ms. Abby for support as the man began to speak. "I don't know how I'm supposed to follow that, woo," he announced as he wiped a tear from his eye. "I'm grateful to meet this young artist today. He is a stand up young man, and a stand up artist. I would like to clarify that Harold was chosen for this award before the accident, so there was no bias choice. We picked him solely on his artwork, and we believe this young man has a bright future ahead of him. Congratulations, Harold," he said with a beam and held out my plaque to me.

I shook his hand and took my award with a grin. Glancing out into the crowd, I saw my father and Astrid standing with the fellow onlookers with enormous smiles on their faces.

Finally. Everything was perfect. …Well almost.

Astrid guided me forward with the blindfold wrapped around my face. I held my arms out to feel for any obstacles in the way, but I'm pretty sure I just looked like a knock-off Frankenstein.

"Astrid, I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but I have one leg so balance isn't my easiest forte and you've taken away my sight. If I fall and break something, it is so your fault," I snarked as she held onto my shoulders.

She scoffed. "Oh, quit it, ya big baby. We're almost there."

"Where are we going anyway?"

"You'll see! It's a surprise, but I'm sure you'll like it," she chimed.

I groaned. "Astridddd…"

"Shhh!"

After stumbling around a few times, Astrid finally stood me still and unknotted the tie. "Okay, you can look."

Blinking open my eyes, I was greeted by a familiar pair of cat-like green eyes staring back at me with black scales surrounding them. I beamed. "Toothless!" Wrapping my arms around my dragon's neck, I heard him croon in response. I pulled back from him to get a good look at him. "Oh, bud, I've missed you so much. Have you been good?"

The dragon crooned and flicked his tail happily as a reply. I laughed and patted him on the snout before turning back to Astrid. "Where are we? What is this place?"

She threw her arms out. "You're new dragon training facility. You're in charge! It's yours to do as you please. It's a good bit of acres out of the public eye where dragons can roam happily and do as they please without giving away too many secrets."

I eyed the land around me. "This is amazing!"

"I'm glad you think so," a voice boomed. I spun on my heel to see my dad standing behind me. He plopped a hand on my shoulder. "Turns out all we needed was a little more of…" he waved his hand at me, "this."

"You just gestured to all of me," I said with a smile.

Astrid whipped me around and placed her lips on mine. She pulled away with a smile. "Thanks dragon boy, for everything."

ANNNDDD THAT'S A WRAP. THANKS FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS.