Chapter 1

Everybody knew how temperamental she is.

Like the way her eyes would instantly flicker with anger when someone reminds Gendry about being bastard-born. Or how her eyes would change from sad to excited when Jon hands her a bag of those chips that Sansa deemed bad for her diet.

And everyone knew how often Gendry and Arya bickered.

The first time was during Sansa's birthday party. Arya hated it. She hated dressing up for it, getting her nails done for it, having someone tug and prod at her hair because she had to make it tamer than usual.

I hate this party! I hate this pink, frilly dress! I hate these heels! I hate my pink nail polish! I hate Sansa's friends! I hate all of them!

By the time dinner was finished and everyone got up and around to mingle, Arya already felt exhausted. She ran up to her room, stripped out of the dress and changed into an old pair of jeans, shirt and her dirty sneakers. She grabbed a brush and almost brutally ran it through her hair, as if that would make the hair spray go away. Before she stepped out of the room, she grabbed Gendry's blue hoodie (he never asked for it back anyway) and ran down the stairs as fast as her short legs would allow.

"Hey! Hey! Where are you off to?" Robb asked, his brow raised as high as it could go.

Arya rolled her eyes. "Do you really need to ask?"

This time, Robb rolled his eyes. "Can you not wait until tomorrow to see Gendry? It's Sansa's party, as if you didn't know."

Arya sighed. "You know I hate Sansa's parties, Robb. Besides, she's already being ooh-ed and aah-ed over, I don't think she'll miss me when I'm gone."

"What do I tell Mom and Dad?"

Arya's brows furrowed. "I went out for ice cream?"

Robb laughed. "There's plenty of ice cream here!"

Robb stopped laughing as soon as he saw that Arya was fidgeting on her feet. He sighed and pulled her into a hug. "I'll tell them you'll be back from Gendry's by midnight."

Arya's face beamed. "Thanks!"

"Go on, now. Drive carefully."

"What the fuck is this guy doing?"

"He's hunting ghosts, Lem," Gendry answered, reaching for the tub of popcorn. "At least that's what he says he's doing."

"This show is a joke!" said Anguy, grabbing the remote from Lem. "Let's watch something else!"

Hot Pie raised his hands in exasperation. "This is the fourth time you've switched channels! Can't you just stick to a show till the very end?"

Anguy continued surfing channels.

Hot Pie sighed. "Obviously not."

"Well," Lem said, taking a swig of his beer. "I didn't think this country believes in ghosts. The only Ghost I know is Jon's wolf."

Gendry laughed. "Yeah, well. Maybe because you almost got your ass bitten off by Ghost."

"And I almost killed him, if only he wasn't Jon's pet!" Lem argued. "It's not even funny, Waters!"

The guys continued laughing over Lem's unfortunate accident with Ghost, until a knock sounded on the front door.

"Are you expecting anyone?" Hot Pie asked, taking a handful of popcorn and shoving them into his mouth.

Gendry frowned. "No. The Starks are having a party for Sansa's birthday so I don't think Arya's coming tonight."

He opened the door quickly and found a grinning Arya standing there. Wearing his old, blue hoodie.

"Hi, boyfriend!" Arya wound her arms around him and pulled his face down for a kiss.

Gendry was surprised to see her that he didn't immediately react to the kiss. He earned a smack on the head for that.

"Ow! What'd you do that for?" Gendry complained.

"For not kissing me back, stupid! You're supposed to be happy and responsive when I kiss you!" Arya said, putting both hands on her hips. "Well?"

Gendry rubbed the side of his head. "I was just surprised, princess."

They continued standing there for a few minutes until Arya asked if there was anything wrong.

"Aren't you even going to invite me in? We could make out until you're delirious with need, you know…" Arya said suggestively, running a finger down Gendry's chest.

Someone snorted.

Arya froze. "Who's that?"

"Uh…one of the guys?" Gendry answered, craning his neck to look at the guys in the living room.

"You have company?" Arya asked, her brows raised.

Gendry rolled his eyes. "I have friends too, Arya. Do you think I'd just be sitting here, watching some crappy tv show all by myself?"

Arya's anger started to flare. "I just asked you if you had company!"

She quickly turned and started walking down the hallway. She slammed her palm onto the elevator's down button and folded her arms.

"Arya."

She ignored Gendry, even if she felt him standing behind her. He was so close; she could take half a step back and she'd be leaning on that broad chest of his.

"Arya, don't go."

"I'll go somewhere else." she replied, still not turning to look at him.

She felt him gently pull her by the elbow and turned her towards him. They were now standing face to face, but she was looking at his neck rather than his eyes.

"What's wrong." Gendry asked, pulling her chin up to make her eyes meet his.

She shook her head.

"Arya…"

"I hate Sansa's parties, that's all." she quickly blurted out, her cheeks flaming in embarrassment.

Now that her anger has subsided, she didn't even know why she got angry in the first place. Gendry was right - he has friends of his own and she and Gendry do not need to be together every minute of every day.

She felt him pull her into an embrace. She loved these. It's as if he could envelop her in tight embraces and all her hurt and worries would go away.

"I know you hate them, but it's your sister's birthday." He pulled away for a bit and looked at her gently. "What if on your birthday, Sansa runs out of your party? Wouldn't you feel bad at all?"

Arya bit her lip. "That won't happen. Sansa would probably organize my party, for fuck's sake."

Gendry laughed. "Okay, say Jon runs off to see Ygritte instead of staying for your birthday party?"

That must have been the trick. Arya's eyes suddenly became sad.

"I'll go back. I promise." she said softly.

Gendry smiled. "You do that. But I'll pick you up tomorrow, okay?"

Arya nodded, a smile forming on her lips now. "Mmm…'kay."