Ages:

- Robb, Jon, Gendry, Meera – 22; Sansa, Joffrey – 21; Arya – 19; Bran, Jojen, Myrcella – 18; Rickon, Tommen, Shireen– 14

MEERA

Senior year was amongst them. Thankfully, Meera had trained herself with time management way back when she was still in middle school. So, yes, everything was balanced, spending time with her family and friends, doing household chores, and doing schoolwork and extracurricular activities.

Another thing she was happy about this year, was Arya joining them in ATU and taking up Architecture. She was one of the only girls she got along with really well. Arya was like a little sister she never had. And of course, like her older sister, Sansa, Arya had legacy advantage and eventually lived in the Kappa Phi Sigma chapter house. Her Dad was right about what he had said when she first started college, that Arya would scare the living daylights out of Mrs. Whent, their house mom. She literally jumped back in surprise the first time she saw Arya. You look very much like Lyanna. She had said. As for the extracurriculars, Meera had convinced Arya to join the ATU fencing team and became the third female fencer on the team.

And since the Stark girls live under the same roof with her, Meera had been the de facto arbiter when they clashed. They tend to argue at almost anything, no matter how big or small the problem is. It was one of the reasons why their Mom, Catelyn never arranged for them to be roommates in the chapter house.

About three months into the school semester, Gendry, of all people, kept asking her questions about Arya, which definitely unfazed her. She wasn't even sure if Robb was aware of it, because Gendry carefully ask his questions when Robb wasn't around. And whenever all five of them, namely: Gendry, Robb, Sansa, Arya and herself get together on their usual free time, Gendry and Arya would sit as far away from each other. But she also was able to notice Arya and Gendry exchanging smirky glances at each other.

One day, Meera just couldn't contain herself, so she decided to confront Arya about it on a Saturday morning. She managed to find Arya's room and knocked on the door.

A girl with blond hair opened the door. It was Meredyth Crane, from Red Lake in the Reach, Arya's roommate. She knew her because she was Rycherd Crane's younger sister, and Rycherd was her assigned thesis partner, Rylene Florent's boyfriend.

"Hey, Merry," She greeted. "Is Arya here?" She asked.

Meredyth opened the door wider and gestured for her to come in.

"Thanks," Meera entered the room.

Meera can see that the room is really divided. Like her, Meredyth is a medical student, a Psychology major. So naturally, her side of the room was organized. Books were arranged across the shelf above her study desk and her bed was neatly made.

Arya's side of the room was messy, and Meera was not surprised. She's definitely an artist, Meera thought. The sides of her study desk and the shelf above it were full of neon-colored sticky notes. Books and Architecture magazines were piled up on her desk next to her laptop, which was running a computer-aided drafting and design program. A mug of coffee, probably half-empty was placed amongst her six pencil holders that held different types of paint brushes and different colors of pens and markers.

Arya was sitting on her swivel chair, her hand on a computer mouse as she intently focused on her laptop screen with music beats on.

"She's been at it since last night." Meredyth explained. "I don't know if she actually slept, because before I went to bed, she was in that chair. And when I woke up today, she's still in that chair." She sighed. "Honestly speaking, Arya's pretty cool, she's just messy. But she's an artist, so I guess that's understandable."

Her bed wasn't any better. A few 'massing' scaled models of buildings were on it. More magazines and books pages open with sticky notes on it.

Meera approached Arya and rapped her knuckles on the study desk. "Knock, knock." She said.

Arya noticed her for the first time. She took off her beats. "Meera, hey." She greeted. "What are you doing here?" She asked.

Now, she needed Meredyth out of the room so she can really talk to Arya. And thankfully, she just happened to know how.

"I was just stopping by," Meera started to say. "You're an Architecture student, that means you're in the Arts and—"

"You know what," Meredyth spoke up. "I'm gonna leave you two." She said as she stood up. "I can't really understand Art stuff."

"Okay," Meera managed as she and Arya watched her head out the door.

"I swear she has OCD or something." Arya speculated. "But I told her I'd kill her if she touches any of my stuff."

"Okay, now that we're alone," Meera said. "Forget what I said earlier. I want you to tell me the truth."

"The truth about what?" Arya asked.

"About Gendry." Meera blurted out.

Arya had a momentary surprised look on her face. "What about Gendry?" She asked, as she went back to her laptop screen.

"Come on, Arya," Meera crossed her arms. "Don't play games with me. I really found it weird when Gendry Baratheon, of all people, started asking me questions. Questions about you." She explained. "Then I was like, why didn't he just ask Robb about it, Arya's his sister. But instead, he comes to me asking what type of flowers you'd like or what's your favorite drink or your favorite color pens you use to…um, I don't know your term for it."

"Render." Arya said. "We render our drawings. Manually or digitally."

"Anyways," She continued. "Since we're friends for a long time, and sorority sisters, I'm just gonna go ahead and ask you. Are you and Gendry dating?" She asked.

Arya looked her directly in the eyes. "No." She said instantly.

Meera snorted. "Arya, if there's one thing I've learned from being friends with you Starks over the years," She said. "It's that you are terrible liars, especially Bran."

Arya blinked and opened her mouth, but no words came out. Guilty, Meera thought. She took off her music beats from around her neck and placed them next to her laptop. She then sat down at the foot of her bed. "Alright, I guess there's no way around it." She sighed. "Yes, we're dating." She blurted out. "And not like the others who are on the no labels kind of relationship. We're exclusive."

Meera grinned. "He's your boyfriend? Oh my gods!" She squealed. "I knew it!"

Arya held out her hands. "Shh, lower your voice, Meera." She warned.

Meera looked around. "What? It's not like anyone can hear us." She frowned. "Wait, does anyone else know about this?" She asked.

Arya shook her head. "As of now, you're the only one who knows." She admitted. "And please keep it to yourself. You can't tell anyone."

"Not even Robb?" Meera asked.

"Especially not Robb," Arya urged. "Or Sansa for that matter, or anyone, actually."

"But they're your brother and sister." She reminded her.

"Meera, come on," Arya said. "You remember the last time a Stark dated a Baratheon."

Meera nodded. "Yep, Robb nearly beat the shit out of Joffrey after what he did to Sansa." She remembered. "But either way, he's still gonna flip when he finds out that his bestfriend is dating his sister."

"Yes, Joffrey and Sansa's relationship didn't work out." Arya pointed out. "But Gendry is not Joffrey and I'm not Sansa. What happened between my sister and his brother won't happen to us, hopefully." She sighed.

"Exactly, everyone knows you guys are different." Meera pointed out. "What's the point in keeping it a secret?" She asked.

"It's not that," Arya said. "I'm more worried about our parents, especially Gendry's Mom. Ugh, she hates me just because I look too much like Aunt Lyanna." She sighed. "Just please, Meera. Don't tell anyone." She pleaded.

Meera took a deep breath. "Alright, my lips are sealed." She promised. "But if this comes out if not in the way you expect it, I don't know if I can defend you guys."

"I'm already working on that." Arya said, giving her a hug. "But thanks. At least now I have someone I can talk to about it."

As it turns out Sansa was right. That Arya was gonna find herself a significant other before Robb can. But anyways, she still was hoping for that overload pizza that Robb had promised.

. . .

Late that afternoon after their date, Tyrek had invited her over to the Gamma Delta Pi chapter house, the fraternity he was in.

"I can't come in." Meera insisted. "Unless I have brother who's a member of that fraternity, in which I haven't. Everyone knows you can't get in without family visitations rights."

"It's gonna be fine." Tyrek assured. "You'll be able to enter, if you're stealthy enough."

"Oh my gods, Tyrek—" She started to say.

"Just trust me, okay?" Tyrek said. "Mr. Greenfield's basically glued to his computer by this time. He won't notice."

He took her hand and entered the frat house, tiptoeing their way to the staircase up to the second floor to Tyrek's room.

Like hers and Arianne's room in the Kappa Phi Sigma chapter house, the room had two beds for two people along with wardrobes, shelves and desks. But what caught her attention were the war toys.

"Whoa!" She smiled at him. "What is that?" She pointed at his study desk.

On his study desk had a miniature battle diorama with tiny catapults and two groups of soldiers in armor and swords flanked south of a blue painted river labeled Blackwater, with hills and fake trees. Facing them were another army and three dragons about the size of her fists with three people riding each at a point labeled Stony Sept.

"It was famously known as the Field of Fire," Tyrek said. "Where the Lannister army of the Westerlands and the Gardener Army of the Reach faced—"

"No, I meant, what is all this?" Meera asked as she sat down on his bed. "Since when were you making battle dioramas?"

"I couldn't sleep one night," He explained as he sat beside her. "So I went to find something to do, rather than tossing and turning in bed."

"Wow, and here I thought you're a medical student." Meera said sarcastically.

"Well, I am." Tyrek said. "But it wasn't my first choice. I wanted to study in WMA, but my Dad never approved. He says it's ridiculous and that he can't risk losing his only son to the Westerosi Army." He explained. "So, I had to choose between Medical and Engineering, and I'm terrible at Math so you would guess why."

Meera chuckled. "You and Jon would've gotten along well." She said. "He's in WMA, and I hadn't seen him in like, four years."

"Good for him."

"It's shame," She said. "You would've looked handsome on a black Military Army Service Uniform, with your messy blond hair." She ruffled his hair.

Tyrek grinned. "Well, anyways," He leaned in closer to her. "My roommate Marwyn Belmore went home for the weekend," He started sniffing her neck. "So I was hoping we could do something fun."

Meera gently pushed him away. "Like what?"

"Stop talking." Tyrek interrupted, then kissed her. His hands, however, started moving and touching her in places that made her uncomfortable.

"Tyrek, stop." Meera said, pushing him away. "Tyrek!"

Tyrek held his hands up, then slid farther from her on the bed. "Can we have an honest conversation about this?" He asked. "Meera, the whole point to being boyfriend/girlfriend is that we hang out and spend all this time together so that we can appreciate and trust each other."

"I totally appreciate and trust you." Meera argued.

Tyrek stood. "And what better place is there to explore…certain aspects of ourselves than here?" He pointed out.

That comment made her mad. "Are you telling me that the reason brought me up here and all that just so I'll let you touch me in places?" She shrieked.

"What? No!" Tyrek said. "No, of course, not. But I feel like you won't even consider it. Like you don't care that it's bumming me out." He pointed out. "Well, what do you want me to do?"

"I just don't want to be pressured into doing something I don't want to do!" She was yelling now.

"Who is pressuring you, Meera?" Tyrek asked. "I've been the most patient. I mean, back in Lannisport, I used to stop calling a girl when she won't let me into her pants after six hours—"

Meera's jaw dropped. "What?" She exclaimed. "Ugh! Then go be with one of those girls!" She stood up. "Go!" She urged. "Have fun!"

Tyrek placed his hand on her shoulder. "Meera—" He started to say.

She swatted his hand away. "Don't touch me." She said. "I'm out of here."

"Meera," Tyrek tried to pull her arm.

She slammed the door as she left Tyrek in his bedroom.

Meera walked back to the sorority house. She had a lot of things in her mind that she wasn't even annoyed when one of her sorority sisters, Jynessa Blackmont, from Dorne, asked her which tank top would be better to wear to the party later at the Alpha Theta Psi frat house.

"Aren't you coming?" Jynessa asked.

"Nah, I think I'll pass." She managed.

After eating dinner, she sulked up in her room. Her phone kept ringing with calls from Tyrek, which she didn't and wouldn't answer. He had stepped over the line. She was done with boys treating her with disrespect. There was Ramsay Bolton back when she was in high school. Sure he creepily stalked her and gave her weird looks from time to time, but at least he never touched her.

She thought Tyrek was different. And yet, what he did was inappropriate. Sure boyfriends and girlfriends do stuff for their own pleasure but she wasn't ready for all of that. She had made out with him a couple of times, yes; and way, way before that, with Bran. But that was it. She had never gone past first base with anyone. And if she would someday, it would be with someone she trusts completely.

Meera kept herself busy through the night, as her sorority sisters went partying. She read a book while hugging Mykel, the stuffed animal husky Bran had given her as a gift.

At around a few minutes to midnight, her phone buzzed. She never checked it out as she figured it would be just one of Tyrek's cliché I'm sorry text messages.

Suddenly, Arianne burst into their room in her party outfit. She reeked of alcohol and Meera could tell that she was already a bit tipsy.

"Hey, having fun?" Meera said absent-mindedly, keeping her eyes on the book she was reading.

"Meera, what have you been doing all night?" Arianne asked. "And have you even viewed the photos I sent you?"

"What photos?" She asked. "I haven't touched my phone since this afternoon. Tyrek kept calling and texting me and it's annoying."

"Oh my gods," Arianne said. "You've been fighting." She guessed, sitting by the foot of her bed. "I know it's not my business, but what happened?" She asked.

Meera found herself telling Arianne everything, how Tyrek smuggled her into their frat house behind their house dad's back, then how he tried to touch her in places and the argument they had after.

"So that's why he's so drunk." Arianne speculated. "You basically told him to 'have fun'."

Meera frowned at her. "I don't actually mean that." She said. "And Tyrek doesn't get drunk."

"Well, have you tried looking at the photos I sent you?"

Meera reluctantly grabbed her phone from her nightstand. She had fifteen missed calls from Tyrek, no surprise there; she's been avoiding him all evening. But then Arianne had sent her two photos. One photo showed Tyrek, with his arms around a girl with strawberry blond hair; the other had him grinding on her.

"Look, Meera," Arianne said. "I'm not saying Tyrek's on the verge of cheating. And I'm not, not saying it. Like my Uncle Oberyn always says, a snake can change its skin but it's still a snake. Or in Tyrek's case, lions." She pointed out. "And especially if that guy's last name is Lannister. You know what people say about Lannisters who couldn't keep their shit together in their pants."

"Tyrek's not like that." Meera said. "Or at least I think he isn't. And not all Lannisters are the same."

"I know he loves you, and you love him." Arianne said. "But that was pre-Kyra. That girl is poison."

"Pre-what?" She asked.

"Kyra," Arianne repeated. "That bitch Tyrek had his arm around is Kyra Frey, she's a senior, like us. She transferred here from Harrenhal U in the Riverlands because she got a cheerleading scholarship. And according to Jynessa Blackmont, Kyra's already the co-captain of the ATU Dracaenas, alongside Leonette Fossoway."

Her phone buzzed again. Ynys Yronwood had sent her another photo concerning Tyrek and the girl, Kyra. Ynys' caption was Meera, your bf is in danger!

Meera set her phone down. "Great, what am I supposed to do?" She complained. "I'm not that kind of girl who makes a scene about it."

"Well, Arya had already 'accidentally'—" She quoted her fingers in the air. "—spilled her drink on her so, that's a start." Arianne claimed. "But you have to get out there and pluck him away from that bitch's clutches." She suggested. "You need to show her that Tyrek is your man."

Meera sighed. "Look, I'm not gonna be paranoid about Tyrek." She decided. "Either he wants to be with the real me or he can go."

. . .

Meera hadn't heard of or seen Tyrek over the weekend. That was fine with her, as it kept her focus on her schoolwork. Until one afternoon, the girl Kyra Frey came across her path as she walked back to the Greek Row from class.

The girl Kyra, was in her cheerleading uniform, which was quite similar to the uniform in KLA but the long-sleeved bodyliners were black instead of white.

"Hey, you must be Meera," Kyra said. "I'm Kyra." She introduced herself.

At that, she could already tell that she doesn't like her. Kyra's had this bitchy plastic vibe that you want to slap her in the face just for talking. "Um, hi." Meera managed. "Can I help you, Kyra?"

"I was just wondering how things were going between you and Tyrek." Kyra said. "He said he kept calling you all night but you wouldn't answer it."

"Well, whatever it is," Meera said. "It's not your business so—"

"Hey, I'm just trying to be helpful." Kyra pointed out. "Tyrek got drunk and he wouldn't stop talking about you."

Meera may have a surprised look on her face, because Kyra said. "Oh, Tyrek didn't tell you?" She asked. "After your 'don't touch me' incident, he came running to me. You know, after your girl, that Stark bitch, spilled her drink on me, Tyrek lend me one of his shirts." She said as she started walking away from her. "Funny, because when we went all the way that night, the only thing that came out from his lips was your name. And you weren't even there."

Her jaw dropped. She ran towards the chapter house and placed her things in her room, then took the school shuttle to the Blackfyre Stadium. She was supposed to go to Fencing practice for the rest of the day but she wanted to know the truth. It's only four in the afternoon, and she knew Tyrek's still on football practice with the team.

Meera had her fists closed as she trudged through the locker rooms. Few of the guys wrapped in towels from the shower stalls, nearly jumped back at the sight of her. She continued to search and soon enough she spotted Tyrek, still with his shoulder pads on, picking stuff from his locker.

As she got closer to him, she began to notice that Tyrek was in the same row of lockers as Robb and Gendry. But she didn't care, she walked towards him. She slammed his locker close and glared at him, much to his surprise.

"Meera?" Robb called. "What in seven hells are you doing here?" He asked.

Meera didn't pay Robb any attention as she was too busy glaring at Tyrek.

"Meera, hey," Tyrek broke into a smile. "I was just about to call you—"

"Tell me the truth." Meera said suddenly.

"What?" Tyrek asked as if he'd misheard her.

"I wanna hear it from you." At that point, her eyes began tearing up. "She told me, you know. What you did last weekend. Please tell me she's just lying to mess with my head, and you didn't really cheat on me, especially with h-her."

"What?" Gendry exclaimed loudly.

"Tyrek, what the fuck are you doing, man?" Robb demanded.

Tyrek sucked his breath and looked down in shame. "Meera," He said softly.

"Oh my god." Meera gasped.

"I'm sorry—" Tyrek started to say, as he tried to hold her hand.

Meera shook him off. "Just stop."

"Meera, I'm sorry—"

"Just stop!" She yelled, pushing him away. "We are done." She said before walking away.

Tyrek was about to follow but Gendry had placed a hand on his shoulder and pushed him to the lockers. Robb ran after her.

"You cheated on her?" She could hear Gendry's voice. "What the fuck is wrong with you?" He demanded.

Tears started streaming down her cheeks, when Robb caught up to her.

"Hey," Robb spread his arms out and she didn't hesitate to hug him. "It's gonna be okay." He assured, gently patting her back. "Tyrek seemed to forget that you have three bestfriends who wouldn't hesitate to beat him to a pulp."

"Two," Meera corrected. "Jon isn't here."

Robb offered her his handkerchief and she took it from him. "I know something that'll cheer you up." He said. "A bucket of fries from Brynden's Burger's. Or if it's not enough, I'll have to drive to Dunkensdale to get you your favorite coffee from a Northerners' Brew there." He suggested.

Meera chuckled as she wiped her tears. "The fries will be fine."

Robb drove her to the Brynden's Burger's to Dragonstone's neighbor island of Driftmark and ordered a bucket of fries as he promised. Thirty minutes after, Gendry arrived.

"Meera," Gendry said as soon as he sat at their table. "Are you okay?" He asked.

"I don't know about being completely fine," Meera answered. "But, I'm better than I was earlier."

"You're just in time, Dude." Robb said as he brought the tray that carried their meals. "Where have you been anyway?" He asked.

"I had to do a double fist dance on Tyrek's face." Gendry said.

"What?" Meera gasped. "But he's your uncle."

"I know," He replied. "I told you, I'd pick your side any day. And don't worry, if he ever comes near you, I won't hesitate to do it again." He made a tsk sound. "Tyrek lived up to the Lannister family reputation, and I'm not surprised."

Arianne had explained it to her what people are saying about the Lannister family. That the male kin are womanizers and most of them were either divorced or unmarried. It's in their blood, Arianne had said. And she also remembered what Gendry had said about his Mom's two brothers, who were in their forties and weren't even married yet.

"Yeah, well," Robb spoke up. "Just remember, we're here for you."

Meera had to smile. "You guys are really sweet." She said.

. . .

That night, she cried her eyes out and the next day she was fine. Well, sort of. A couple of her sorority sisters found out about it before breakfast and came asking her for questions when she made herself an iced coffee.

"Oh, leave her be," Arianne scolded, as she shooed the other girls away. "She needs some space." She handed her a plate with a sandwich on it. "Don't worry, it's only eggs and grilled cheese, no meat."

"Thanks." Meera said as she took the sandwich and sat on the dining table.

Arianne sat beside her. "So, how are you feeling?" She asked.

"I little better, I guess." She replied.

"You shouldn't worry about that douche bag," Arianne said. "It's his loss."

Carellen Smallwood came in from the foyer with a box heavily packed in duct tape and a bouquet of blue flowers and walked towards them. "These came in the delivery today." She said. "Mrs. Whent said I should give it to you guys."

"There's one for Arianne Martell," Carellen announced. "Sent from Norvos, Essos." She placed the box on the table.

"Oh, wow." Arianne said without enthusiasm. "My Mom sent me a package." She took the box from Carellen. "This better be good."

"Good for you." Meera said.

"And another for Meera Reed." Carellen handed her a bouquet of flowers.

Meera groaned in annoyance. "Carellen, do me a favor," She said. "Throw those in the garbage bin, please."

"What?" Arianne and Carellen said at the same time.

"Meera," Carellen said. "Not everyone gets flowers around here." She pointed out.

"I know," Meera replied. "And it's not everyday I ask you to please throw it in the bin. I have no use for it."

Carellen frowned. "Don't you even wanna know who sent it to you?" She asked.

"Oh, I know who sent them." Meera said. "That's why I wanted it in the bin."

Arianne took the bouquet from Carellen and gasped. "Seven hells, are these winter roses?" She asked.

Carellen nodded. "Yeah, those things are pretty rare," She said. "And only they grow in the North. I should know, I grew up in a farm in the Riverlands."

Arianne searched the bouquet for a tag, but didn't find any. "There's no tag." She narrowed her eyes on Carellen. "If this is from Tyrek Lannister, I will throw these to the bin myself." She said.

Carellen shrugged. "Well, you guessed it right, Arianne." Then she gasped. "Wait, what?"

"Yes, please and thank you, Arianne." Meera agreed.

After breakfast, Meera got ready to go to her classes. As she walked out of the Greek Row to catch the school shuttle, she heard someone call her name. And she immediately knew who it was.

"Meera," Tyrek called again as he ran after her.

She cursed as she walked faster. "Really?" She complained.

"I'm sorry." Tyrek said.

"For lying to me?" Meera guessed as she kept walking. "Hmm."

"For breaking your trust." He said. "Meera, wait." Tyrek stood in her way. "Look, I screwed up. I made a stupid mistake and I wanna make it up to you. Please just let me say I'm sorry."

Meera shrugged. "You shouldn't have to." She said. "You are who you are, and everyone kept telling me who you were before I got into this. It was stupid of me to try and stand up for you and prove them wrong. And they're right, it's in your blood. You aren't gonna change."

"But I did change." Tyrek insisted. "I'm not that guy anymore."

"Oh, but you are." She said. "You'll always be that guy."

ARYA

Arya should've been more discreet. Well, they should've been more discreet. And if Gendry didn't ask Meera questions, she wouldn't be so suspicious and she never would've confront her on a Saturday morning and threatened to tell Robb about them.

It had started when she went to Fleabottom for art supplies in her senior year of high school. And he was suddenly there. As stubborn as he is, he drove her all the way to Winterfell and even bought her coffee and brownies on the way. Before Gendry went back to Dragonstone that night, he had asked for her number. They texted each other for the rest of the year and when she started going to ATU for college, they started going out.

Well, not exactly. Gendry, Robb and Meera often get together to hang-out during their free times, like after extracurricular practice, and he would offer Robb to bring along his sisters if they were not that busy. Meera had a brilliant response to that, as she would gladly drag her and Sansa with them. She and Gendry would sit as far away from each other and start a conversation through text messages to avoid suspicion from their other companions, especially Robb.

Robb had always been overprotective of them. And Arya doesn't blame him. He'd seen things like, Bran falling off a tree and nearly drowning; Rickon engaging to a fistfight at age eight to get back at the people making fun of Shireen; Sansa being physically abused by her ex-boyfriend; and he himself got into a fistfight with Ramsay Bolton for groping her. Growing up, Robb shared the Big Brother responsibility with Jon. And with Jon out of the picture, being in Military school and all, Arya felt like Robb pressured himself into watching over and taking care of his younger siblings. Robb also has trust issues, he doesn't trust anyone outside the family, except Gendry and Meera.

Arya and Gendry had only been together for two months. Meera had recently found out about it, and she is currently the only person who knew about their relationship. Luckily for them, Meera promised not to tell anyone, but she also told her that she can't help them if their relationship comes out to public unexpectedly.

Now, she was driving back to the Greek Row after a tiring fencing practice. Wednesdays were always those times when the fencing coach, Brienne Tarth, from Tarth Island in the Stormlands teach them new routines and make them compete with each other by Friday. And it was also the first practice session where Meera hadn't attended. And Meera never misses practice. Sure, Meera was in the archery team too, but she had a schedule worked out about it. On Tuesdays and Thursday, Meera had Archery; and on Wednesdays and Fridays it's Fencing.

Arya only assumed Meera was catching up with her boyfriend Tyrek. She wondered if Meera knew about that certain girl, Kyra Frey flirting with Tyrek last Saturday. Arya had done her part trying to keep the girl away from him, by 'accidentally' spilling her drink on her clothes. Nevertheless, Arya's going to check on her when she gets back to the sorority house.

As she parked her car, her phone buzzed. She pulled her fencing bag that carried her saber and checked it out her as she walked towards the chapter house. It was a text message from her brother, Robb.

Robb; 17:15

Meet me in your living room. Now! You and Sansa both.

At first, she was like, uh, oh. Robb must've figured out about her and Gendry. But then why was he calling Sansa too? As she reached the house, she went directly to the living room, and sure enough, Robb was already there, seated on the couch with Sansa.

"Hey," She said, shouldering her fencing sword bag. "I got your text. What's wrong?" She asked.

Robb stood and motioned his head towards the couch. "Sit."

Arya obliged, and sat next to Sansa.

"Do you have any idea why he called us here?" Arya asked her sister.

Sansa simply shook her head. "Not a clue." She admitted.

Robb cleared his throat as he faced both of them. "Little and baby sister," He started to say. "I—"

"Whoa!" Sansa interrupted, raising her hand. "First of all, do not call us that."

"Yeah," Arya agreed. "And why in seven hells are you here?" She demanded.

"Oh my gods," Sansa exclaimed. "Please don't tell us to befriend a certain girl that you like again."

"What?" Robb raised an eyebrow. "No, I—"

"Because the last time you talked to Arya and I like this," Sansa said. "It was because of that. The way you did back in high school." Her sister turned to her. "What was her name again?" She asked.

"Jeyne Westerling." Arya recalled. "She was a transfer from Cerelle Lannister Academy for Girls in Lannisport."

"Okay, this isn't about me." Robb spoke up. "It's about Meera." He said. "Tyrek—"

"Cheated on her with Kyra Frey." Sansa interrupted again. "Yes, we know."

Arya turned to her sister in surprise. "Wait, what?" Her eyes widened in surprise. "Are you serious?" She asked in disbelief.

Robb shrugged. "I thought you both already knew about this." He speculated.

"I did." Sansa answered. "The girls in the squad were talking about it."

"Well, I didn't!" Arya said. "How come nobody tells me anything? What the fuck?! I'm gonna kill that guy!"

"Now, now, baby sis," Robb raised his hand. "It doesn't have to involve murder."

Arya frowned. "Sansa, you're in the cheerleading squad and so is that bitch, Kyra Frey, maybe you can do something to you know, avenge Meera."

"Like what?" Sansa asked.

"Oh, I don't know," Arya said. "Like what if you 'accidentally'—" She quoted her fingers in the air. "Drop her off the top of the pyramid." She suggested.

"Okay, that's a little bit overboard," Robb said. "She might break a bone or something."

"Who cares?" Arya argued. "They broke Meera's heart. And it's only physical pain, not emotional. She'll get over it."

"No," Robb protested. "We are not doing that. That's way too far."

"Well, maybe I could talk to her about it or something." Sansa suggested. "I don't really have any authority in the squad yet. Kyra Frey is head cheerleader with Leonette Fossoway, our chapter president, they're like co-captains. There's nothing else I can do."

Arya sighed in frustration. "Bitches like Kyra Frey won't settle for little talks, Sansa." She pointed out. "Everyone knows that."

"Hold on, why are you so intent on killing this Kyra Frey for Meera?" Robb asked. "Gendry already beat the shit out of Tyrek yesterday, isn't that enough?" He asked.

"I'm not gonna kill her, Robb." Arya countered. "I'm fighting justice for Meera." She corrected. "And besides Meera's like an older sister, I actually get along with." She glared at Sansa.

Someone cleared their throat from behind Robb. "I'm sorry," A female voice said.

All three of them turned and saw Arianne Martell, Meera's roommate, on the archway before the living room.

"I couldn't help but overhear that you guys are talking about Meera." Arianne said. "And if this is—" She gestured to them and the room. "—Whatever this is, an intervention to help Meera get up and back to her feet again. I totally want in."

Robb gestured for her to join them. "Please."

"Thank you, Robb." Arianne said as she sat down next to Sansa on the couch.

"So, how is she doing?" Robb asked Arianne.

"She's sulking up." Arianne said. "I mean, she's had like, seven or eight cups of iced coffee in the last three days but—"

"What?" Robb interrupted. "Did you say she had been drinking iced coffee?" He asked.

"Yeah," Arianne said. "I literally just said it."

Robb shook his head. "Well, there you go." He said. "When she drinks iced coffee, it means she's really upset and it's like, getting to a depression stage." He explained. "The last time I've ever seen her drink iced coffee was when her Dad had a minor heart attack and that was two years ago. She drank two cups the whole car ride from Dragonstone to White Harbor."

"Oh my gods!" Arianne gasped. "And I thought that was just to help her pull an all-nighter, you know, for studying."

"Iced coffee, huh?" Sansa spoke up. "Maybe, I should try that when I'm manually filling up ledgers."

"Don't you have computers for that?" Arya asked.

"Yeah, but our professor wants us to do it by hand." Sansa said. "So we really learn, he says."

"Guys!" Robb said urgently. "Come on! I'm asking you help Meera. She probably doesn't show it, but she's miserable." He said. "And even with my family visitation rights, thanks to both of you being here," He gestured to both her and Sansa. "This is how far I'll go in this house."

"What in seven hells do you think I've been doing, Stark?" Arianne raised an eyebrow at him.

"Well, now that you've said that, Arianne," Robb said. "I trust you'll be needing more help in doing so. So, I think my two sisters will be wonderful help."

"Oh, anything for Meera." Sansa said. "I'm totally in."

Arya had begun analyzing the situation. This Frey girl's in the cheerleading squad. But Robb snapped her back to reality.

"Oh, no," Robb said. "I know that look. You're up to something. Whatever it is, don't do it."

"I thought you wanted us to help Meera." Arya said.

"Yeah, but not in the way you're thinking right now."

"And how in seven hells do you know what I'm thinking?" Arya argued. "You're a psychic now?" She asked.

"The last time I saw that look on your face," He recalled. "You sold me out to Mom and Dad for that incident at Great Barrowton. And I got grounded for it."

"Whatever." Arya sighed. "Anyways, we're still up for Friday in Driftmark, right?" She asked.

"Don't change the subject, Arya." Robb said.

"I'm not," She replied. "So are we?"

Robb sighed in annoyance. "Yeah, we'll go right after football practice."

It was sort of their routine every Friday. Gendry, Robb, Meera, Sansa and herself enjoy dinner meals in Driftmark after their football, cheerleading, and fencing practice.

"Good." Arya said. "Meera and I will meet you in the stadium."

"Oh, no," Arianne spoke up. "No. Tyrek's in the football team and Kyra on the cheerleading squad. And they practice their drills and routines in the stadium." She pointed out. "It's a bad idea."

"You're missing my point, Arianne." She said. "We're going to kill two birds with one stone."

"I don't like where this is going." Sansa complained.

Robb shook her head. "Arya—"

"Trust me, okay?" Arya interrupted, smirking. "It's going to be a win-win situation for all of us." She said.

"You can't come in!" One of the girls yelled from the foyer.

"Please, just let me speak with her." Answered a familiar voice.

"Oh, hells, no." Sansa said. "Please tell me it's not who I think it is."

All four of them went to the foyer and saw Tyrek Lannister arguing with two of their sorority sisters, the Fowler twins, Jennelyn and Jeyne.

"Arianne, hey," He said when he saw them. "Is Meera okay? I need to talk to her."

Arianne rolled her eyes at him. "Obviously, she's not available right now." She said. "Now, if you please, step outside. Boys aren't allowed here."

"Then why in seven hells is Robb in here?" Tyrek pointed out. "How is he allowed and I'm not?"

"Robb has family visitation rights." Arianne explained. "He has two sisters here. But you don't. Now, out!" She waved for him to go out of the door.

"You heard her, man." Robb provoked. "Get out."

"I just need to talk to her." Tyrek argued.

"Meera doesn't wanna talk right now." Arya spoke up. "You need to respect that."

Tyrek turned to her. "I'm sorry," He said. "But this is none of your business, Arya."

"Hey!" Robb yelled. "You don't talk to my sister like that!"

"Robb, please," Arya pushed her brother back. "I got this." She stood before Tyrek, clutching her fencing sword bag. "First of all, Lannister," She said as she took out her saber from the sword bag. "Anything you do became my business when you cheated on our girl, Meera with that Frey bitch."

Tyrek held his hands up in surrender. "You're gonna stab me?"

"I doubt it." Arya said. "So here's what's gonna go down, I'll give you two choices: You stay here and I'll skewer your nuts, left or right or both, that's your choice; or you get out, walk away and live to be a douche bag another day." She glared at him. "You have thirty seconds, starting now."

Tyrek took a deep breath and stepped out of the door without another word.

Afterwards, Arya went upstairs to Arianne and Meera's room.

Meera was sitting on her bed, clutching what looks like a Northern Husky stuffed animal, and drinking iced coffee.

"Hey," Arya greeted. "You missed practice today."

"I didn't feel like going." Meera replied.

"So why didn't you tell me about the whole thing with Tyrek?" Arya asked as she sat down beside her. She pulled the cup of cold coffee out from Meera's hands.

"What the fuck, Arya?" Meera exclaimed.

"This is what? Your fifth cup in the day?" Arya guessed. "Come on, Meera, too much caffeine will kill you." She said as she placed the cup on the nightstand. "You're a medical student. You should know that."

"Look, I just didn't want to bother anyone with my problems." She answered. "And besides, you and Gendry are barely keeping it together."

"We're fine." Arya assured. "And your solution to your problems is sulking up in your room, huh? Genius."

"Leave me alone, Stark." Meera said.

"Hey, we care about you." Arya said. "I mean, why do you think Robb held an urgent meeting downstairs with me, Sansa and Arianne for?"

"He what now?" Meera asked as if she's misheard.

Arya nodded. "You're like sister to me. Like one I actually get along with." She said. "Truthfully, I look up to you more than Sansa, and don't tell her that." She admitted.

Meera chuckled. "That's flattering." She said. "So, what should I do now?" She asked.

"After fencing practice this Friday," Arya started. "I want you to come with me to the Blackfyre Stadium."

"Arya, I can't go there—" Meera argued.

"I know what you're thinking," She interrupted. "Your douche bag of an ex-boyfriend will be there, and so is his bitchy side-chick. But no worries, I got that all figured out. Trust me, you'll have to be there."

. . .

When Friday came, Arya went ahead to the stadium and sat on the stands. She had bought herself a red-cherry smoothie from the University Cafeteria. She specifically bought it because students complained that the red dye on the drink leave hard-to-remove stains when it becomes contact with clothes. Just perfect for her plan. And also she had borrowed a book from the University Library. It was a two-inch thick crimson book with the words on the cover, Aegon Targaryen University: Policies, Rules and Regulations. Original Draft by: Aenys Targaryen; Maegor Targaryen, Revised by: Lucerys Velaryon; Symond Staunton. 300 A.C.

Meera followed after and sat on the stands next to her. "I don't understand why you're brother arranged for us to meet here." She said.

"Oh, Robb didn't arrange this." Arya smirked. "I did."

Meera narrowed her eyes at her. Then she glanced at the smoothie in her hand and the book on her lap. "Oh my gods, Arya!" She exclaimed. "I know that look. You're up to something." She said. "Is this the reason why you brought me here?"

"Why would you think that?"

Meera sighed. "You have a book with you. Who brings a book to the stadium?" She pointed out. "Unless it's a novel, but it isn't. And bought a smoothie. You hate smoothies. And it's the red-cherry flavor."

"Well, well," Arya said. "You got a good sense of deduction, Reed. But not as good as Jon's though."

On the field the players of the football team were practicing drills. On the tracks, the cheerleading squads were practicing their new routines. But the squad kept repeating and repeating because one of the captains, looking at her strawberry blonde hair and Arya was positive that it was Kyra Frey, kept yelling at almost every ten minutes.

Arya continued to observe the ATU Dracaenas. But when Kyra started to yell at Sansa, the blood in her veins became restless.

She clutched book on one arm and the smoothie in her hand as stood from her seat in the stands.

"Where are you going?" Meera demanded.

"Stay here," Arya said. "I'm going to teach someone a lesson."

Arya walked down to where the cheerleading squad was practicing on the tracks. When Arya got closer to the benches, where the girls from the squad placed their bags, Kyra wasn't done scolding Sansa yet.

"What are you gonna do about it, huh, Stark?" Kyra asked Sansa. "Call Daddy?"

Sansa was smart not to answer.

"This isn't the North, honey, where everything is probably one call away." Kyra pointed out. "We're in ATU on Dragonstone Island. Can you tell the difference?"

"Well, this isn't the Riverlands either." Arya spoke up. "Specifically not the Twins. Can you tell the difference?"

Kyra turned to her. "Well, well, well, if it isn't little sister off to the rescue." She said sarcastically, then turned to Sansa. "Sansa, would mind telling your sister to bugger off?" She said. "This is a closed practice."

Sansa sighed and turned to her. "Arya, please."

Arya snorted. "Really?" She interrupted and looked around. "It's an open field, and you're practicing your routines on the tracks. So, technically, I'm not trespassing into your 'closed practice'." She quoted her finger in the air.

Kyra huffed. "Look, whatever happens here is not your business." She said. "I'm captain and my word is law."

Arya raised an eyebrow at her and crossed her arms. "And because you're captain," She answered. "Everyone just has to accept whatever you say is gospel truth?" She asked. "We live in a democratic society, Kyra, so quit turning this squad into your freakin' little empire."

Everyone in the squad turned to her in surprise now.

"For your info, Stark," Kyra said. "They voted me captain. That means I tell them what to do, and be someone they can look up to."

Arya chuckled. "Whoa! If that were true, I'd quit the squad right away." She said. "Because you are not a role model to look up to."

Kyra looked offended. "I beg your pardon?" She asked as if she'd misheard.

"Arya!" Sansa gritted her teeth.

Arya ignored her sister. "You heard me." She said. "Or do I have to repeat it through a megaphone to your ears?" She asked. "You're not a role model, because you prefer sleeping with guys who have girlfriends."

Most of the girls' jaws dropped. Even Kyra was surprised.

"What's the matter, Frey?" Arya said, stepping closer to her. "Are you surprised that someone finally says it to your face what kind of a bitch you are?" She smirked. "Hmm, did no one tell you that before? That's sad."

Kyra snorted. "So, what are you gonna do?" She asked. "Petition to kick me off the squad? In case you don't remember, you're not even in the squad and I'm the captain."

"Actually, you're a co-captain." Arya corrected her. "Right? And since this is a democratic society, did you know that since they voted you up the ranks of the ATU cheerleading hierarchy, they can also vote to demote you from your current position?" She made a tsk sound. "I'm just saying."

Kyra paled. "What—you can't do that!" She cried.

"Oh, yes, they can." Arya said with enthusiasm. "It says so in this book I found in the library." She held out the two inch thick crimson book she was carrying.

Arya tossed it to one of the girls. Jynessa Blackmont barely caught it with her hands

"Turn to page two hundred and fifty seven," Arya instructed and Jynessa did as she said.

"It says, Article XI, The Accountability of School Officers," Arya recalled. "Sub-section Two states that: Any member of an organization, club or team has the right to raise point to demote a leader and/or captain from current position regardless of the reasons, with a vote of at least two-thirds of all its members." She said. "And judging from all the things you've done, and how a tyrant you are of running this squad, I have a feeling it's gonna be more than two-thirds of the whole squad."

Leonette Fossoway stepped forward. "Well," She spoke up. "As co-captain of the ATU Dracaenas, I move to demote Kyra Frey from being co-captain of the squad." She said. "Those in favor can show of hands."

All the girls in the squad raised their hands.

"Majority." Leonette smiled. "I'm sorry, Kyra." Then turned back to the squad. "Now that the position is left open, we need it filled. Nominations are open."

Jynessa raised her hand. "I nominate Sansa Stark." She said.

Leonette nodded in approval. "Anyone else?" She asked.

Most of the girls just turned to each other. Leonette took the silence as the closing. "Well, then, all in favor for Sansa Stark as co-captain of the ATU Dracaenas, show of hands."

Everyone smiled and raised their hands in agreement, all except Kyra.

"It's decided, then." Leonette said, then shook Sansa's hand and shook it. "Congratulations, Captain."

Kyra stomped her foot in frustration. "I'm going to the University President for this!" She said.

"Even if you do," Arya spoke up again. "There's nothing he can do to help you. It's in the book. Do you want me to find that section for you?" She offered.

Kyra glared at her. "You're not getting away with this, Stark." She said.

"What are you gonna do?" Arya asked. "Call Granddad Walder? Touché, right?" She chuckled. "Oh, and one last thing." She took off the lid from her smoothie and spilled all the contents onto Kyra's cheerleading uniform, which made everyone gasped. Even the guys on the football field turned their heads toward them.

"What the fuck?!" Kyra yelped, wiping the stain from her uniform.

"That's for Meera." Arya said. "And also to cool down your hot temper." She leaned in closer to her. "Never cross a Stark." She warned.

Kyra ran, probably to the nearest restroom to clean up. And when she did the girls in the squad turned to her.

Suddenly, Jynessa Blackmont clapped her hands and others followed. "Well done, Stark." She complimented. "I couldn't have done it better myself."

MEERA

Meera had seen the whole show Arya put up in the Stadium. Even though it was sort of, evil, she couldn't help but had this wave of satisfaction surge through her when she saw that. She told Robb and Gendry about that incident when they eventually went to Driftmark later that day.

"Yeah, we know," Robb said. "We were there. We saw the whole thing."

"So," Arya spoke up. "How's that for a show?" She asked.

"It was awesome." Meera admitted. "Even though it was sort of, evil. But, whatever."

"And Tyrek?" Gendry asked.

"Look, I know he's your uncle," Meera said. "But she can have him. I don't care."

"There's the Meera we know." Robb exclaimed.

On the weekend, she went home to Greywater Watch. It was mostly to get away from all the stress of schoolwork and all the drama and it was also to check on her Dad and her little brother.

One afternoon, Jojen took the car and drove to Winterfell to the Stark Manor for a school project he's doing with Bran. It left her at home with her Dad. And most of their bonding times, were doing stuff together in the kitchen. Right now, they were making a Strawberry Spinach salad.

"So, how are you feeling?" Howland asked as he meticulously removed seeds on the strawberries.

Meera frowned at her father. "What do you mean?" She said as she sliced the spinach from the food drainer.

"Your break-up with Tyrek." He blurted out.

Meera's scowl deepened. "How did you know about that?" She asked.

Howland shrugged. "You may not talk about it," He said. "But your friends do. I'm thinking Robb told his family, Bran told Jojen, Jojen told me, and I'm asking you right now."

Meera sighed. "At first, I was just hurt and angry, and embarrassed," She admitted. "Because he turned out exactly like what everyone said he was." She said. "And then I was like okay, fine, it's over. But then he was sending me flowers, and he's begging like he's the victim. It's just all so Schizo." She placed down the knife. "I'm just glad we didn't end up…"

"Doing the humpty-hump?" Howland finished, then laughed.

"Oh my gods, Dad!" Meera held up her hands. "I'm scarred for life." She said.

"You know, your mom went through the same thing before." Howland brought up. "Mm-hmm. And you would not guess the guy's name…Tygett Lannister."

"What?" Meera gasped. "That's Tyrek's dad." She grunted. "Ugh! I feel so stupid right now, it's like I repeated history."

Meera knew something was up with Tyrek's dad when she met him in Dragonstone. There was a clear distaste in his voice when he recognized her as Howland Reed's daughter, but softened when he mentioned that she resembled her Mom, Jyana.

"Just think of it this way," Howland said. "It's in the past. You learn from it to guide you in the future. And you know what, I'm glad that you waited and dodged that bullet." He went over to the sink, washed his hands and wiped it dry with a hand towel. "Your first time is something you can never get back." He placed his arm around her. "You need to hold out for a good guy this time. Not just one you have feelings for, but someone you can trust."

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Robb/Talisa in the next chapter! Stay tuned.