10 THINGS SHE HATES ABOUT GENDRY
Hey guys, here's the next chapter, that leaves about 5 or 4 chapters before the end of this story. Have fun reading it !
Chapter 10
They rode the horses to the beach, toward the parts were no one hung out. Indeed, the wind was blowing quite strong, messing up Arya's hair, and cooling their skin.
-You're not too cold ? Gendry asked after a while of silence. I can lend you my jumper if you want to.
-Thank you, she smiled, but I'm fine. My jacket is warm enough.
-Good. Let me know if you need anything. By the way, I brought some towels, if you want to go swimming a bit.
-Sure, let's go swimming, if the water's not too cold.
They dismounted and tied the reins to a tree before taking off their clothes, keeping only their underwear. They walked slowly toward the sea, the water coming just to their knees for now. Gendry suddenly grabbed Arya before throwing her away in the sea, laughing. She screamed in surprise, and coughed the salted water out of her lungs, and turned her best glare toward her friend.
-You're so going to pay for this, Waters ! she yelled.
-Bring it on, Stark !
They playfully fought for half an hour before going back to the beach. The ride back was quick, and filled with jokes. When they got back, Gendry went back into the kitchen and found water bottles. He tossed one to Arya, who caught it mid-air skilfully and gladly emptied its content.
-Hey there kids ! a woman cheerfully said as she entered the kitchen. Oh, you must be Arya !
-Yes, ma'am, Arya smiled as she went to shake the woman's hand.
The woman however hugged her tightly.
-I'm Johanna, Gendry's mom. I've heard a lot about you from my eldest son.
-Did you ? Arya blushed as she sent a quick glare to Gendry. I hope he didn't say too many embarrassing things.
-Oh, all I've heard in the last weeks was how beautiful you are – which he didn't lie about I can see, how spirited your comebacks were in literature class, and basically how great you are according to my son. And I'm sure you are great, considering you're able to put up with him.
Arya laughed. She already liked Gendry's mom.
-Mom, Gendry whined. Please don't embarrass me…
-It's okay, son, if she's already here, I'm sure she can handle this. Now, will you be staying for dinner, Arya ?
-Umm… Well, I'd love to, but I don't think my dad would be okay with that, she politely declined. He just accepted that me and my younger sister are going out, I better not push my luck. But thank you for inviting me, I hope we can do this another time ?
-Sure ! Just tell Gendry a few hours before coming. Anyway, I have to go back to the stables. And thanks for taking care of Nymeria, she's way calmer now. How did you get her to calm down ?
-I let Arya rode her, Gendry smiled. Nymeria seems to accept her.
-Good ! Well, I better go, Bella won't like it if I let her do it all by herself. See you later kids !
And with that she just walked away.
-Well, that was interesting… Arya smiled. So you've been talking about me to your family ?
-Please, Gendry groaned. You already know I like you and I've fallen for you, so don't push it, okay ?
-Okay. Well, I better get back home before Sansa does. Our dad isn't going to be very pleased, I have to take care of the storm.
-You truly love your sister, don't you ? Even though you might sometimes have been a bit hard on her.
-Yes, Arya smiled. I do love Sansa very much. Just like you love your family.
-Come on, he nodded. I'm driving you home.
A few days later, on Friday, Arya and Sansa were walking out of the high school together.
-Jon isn't with you ? Arya noticed.
-No, he finished one hour earlier, and went to go home because his dad got home early for the weekend. But don't worry about me, I'll take the bus, you can go with Gendry.
-No, let's go home together. I'll meet with Gendry later.
-Okay, Sansa smiled. Let's go then.
-No, we'll wait just a minute, I wanted to make sure Myrcella has a ride home or can catch the bus.
-I saw her leaving with Brandon Tully just a minute ago, the red-haired laughed. He asked her out yesterday, and is taking her on some awesome date later, from what I heard.
-Oh.
It was all Arya could answer. Well, she was happy for them. Brandon seemed to be a nice guy, and Myrcella looked happy with him. What was actually bothering her was that Gendry still hadn't asked her out officially. He brought her to his ranch twice, yes, but they never called it a date. They hadn't even kissed the second time. Well, she hoped he would ask her to be his girlfriend soon.
-Hello ! Earth to Arya ! Sansa yelled in her ear.
-Huh ? Yeah, sorry, I zoned out. You were saying something ?
-Nothing, Sansa laughed. Come on, let's just go before dad begins to call all the stations in town and have us brought back home in police cars with sirens and all.
Arya laughed and they got into the car before driving away. The ride was joyful and funny, and when they got home Sansa made her the coffee she loved, and fixed herself some mint tea with lavender honey inside. They sat down at the living room table and did their homework side by side in silence. Eddard got home later, and stopped in front of this unusual sight.
-Good evening, girls. Did I miss something ? Why is it so peaceful ? Why aren't you fighting each other, or whatever it is you do when you're both at home ?
-Good evening to you too, dad, Arya rolled her eyes. How was it at the station ?
-As always, I guess, he shrugged. We sent two boys of seventeen to a rehab centre for drug addicts, one girl of seventeen too to a hospital 'cause she was beaten by her boyfriend, who has been sent to jail. What about you ?
-Uneventful, Arya said. I got an A minus in history.
-Not bad. What about you, precious ?
-I'm okay, I might just need some help later on this politics assignment I just got. It's for Wednesday.
-Yeah, sure, Eddard nodded. No boys tonight ?
-Jon is spending time with his dad this weekend, Sansa answered without looking up from her Valyrian exercises.
-I told you, Arya said. I'm going to Gendry's for dinner. His mom insisted on seeing me again.
-You told me ? Eddard repeated. When ?
-This morning. I repeated it, like, four times to make sure you would remember it.
-Oh. I see. Well, maybe I can drive you ?
-It's okay, Gendry will come pick me up in an hour, and will drive me back after, Arya smiled. Which remind me, I have to go and change. Sansa, do you mind giving me a hand ? Nobody knows clothes better than you after all.
Sansa jumped up excitedly and followed her upstairs, leaving an astonished Eddard in the living room. Arya hurried to take a shower while Sansa was rummaging through her sister's closet.
-Who knew you had such stylish clothes ? Sansa exclaimed. And how come you dress so strangely at school when you own these ?!
-Because I don't want people to notice me for my clothes, Arya answered a she walked in, draped in her towel. Anyway, what do you think I should wear ?
-Well, I have two or three outfits laid out there. I didn't know if you needed something very formal or not.
-Well, no dresses or skirts, Arya winced. It's just dinner, nothing too fancy.
-Then, you should wear this, Sansa smiled. You'd look awfully pretty, but not too fancy. And that's the goal, right ?
Arya considered the clothes Sansa had chosen. A white shirt, a light grey jumper, black skinny jeans, and black stilettos.
-Do I have to wear heels ? Arya groaned.
-Yes you do ! Sansa dramatically exclaimed. Gendry is so tall, how do you plan on reaching his lips to kiss him if you're too short ?
-Well… He'll lift me ? Arya laughed.
She grabbed the clothes and slipped them on.
-Perfect ! Sansa squealed. Now, sit over here, I'll do your make-up and your hair.
-But I want to keep it natural, Arya whined.
-Yes, but that wild mane you have is a bit too much if you're about to meet his whole family. I promise it'll be perfect. Trust me ?
Arya slowly nodded, and let Sansa work her magic. When she looked in the mirror again, her hair was down, framing her face nicely, and her make-up just concealed the dark rings under her eyes, and enhanced her eyes and her lips.
-Wow… Thanks, Sans'. It looks absolutely great, Arya said with a small smile.
-Yeah, I wasn't going to turn you into a cake don't worry. You look stunning.
The sisters shared a smile, and Arya grabbed her purse and her phone.
-Well, he's going to be here any minute now, I better get downstairs, the older one said.
They got out of her room and heard voices in the living room.
-With all due respect sir, Gendry was saying, the Winterfell's Wolves don't stand a chance against the Highgarden's Thorns. Highgarden has the best quarterback of Westeros.
-Son, have you ever seen the Winterfell's Wolves play ? Eddard shot back. Our quarterback is so much better than that blond ballerina they have in Highgarden.
-I still believe Highgarden will win next week's game.
Arya walked down the stairs, catching the two men's attention.
-Arya ! Gendry exclaimed. You… Wow… Y-you look absolutely... Gorgeous ? Pretty ? Beautiful ? I mean, not that you aren't every day, but now you're… I sound stupid, don't I ?
-No, Arya smiled. And thank you. Sansa's work. So, you two have met, I believe ?
-Yes Ari, your friend and I were talking about the football game next week. We can't agree on which team is the best.
-Winterfell's Wolves, Arya said as she checked she had everything in her purse. We have this new wide receiver that does an amazing job on the field.
-The voice of reason has spoken ! Eddard laughed. I'll tell you what son, what don't you come for dinner next week ? Then we'll watch the game together. What do you say ?
Arya lifted her eyebrows with a smile. Gendry slightly blushed, but nodded.
-I'll have to tell my mother of course, but I'm sure she'll be okay, he answered. I'll let Arya know. Thank you, sir.
-You're welcome. Well, you two might as well go or you'll be late, and no mother likes it when her son is late for dinner.
The two chuckled, and Eddard walked them to the door. Sansa watched the whole scene from the top of the stairs, smiling.
Once they were in the car, Gendry and Arya released a relieved breath. Then Gendry started the engine and drove toward the Narrow Sea.
-Well, Arya eventually said. That went pretty smoothly. I'm sorry, I didn't know you were waiting downstairs.
-No, it's okay. Your dad is nice. I talked about football because I noticed he was watching replays on the TV, and that's when you came. You look like a goddess by the way.
-Thanks, she blushed. Well, we now know what we're doing next week. So, who's going to be there tonight ?
-My mom, Bella and Angelica, Cara, Rickon, Lommy, and my mom's friend Oberyn Martell. He's from Sunspear, in Dorne. He arrived when I was a little kid, and my mom offered him a job because he's one of the best with horses. No romantic feelings involved though. Oberyn lost his wife to cancer long ago, before he came here. But they take care of each other. He's nice, you'll see. Oh, and maybe there'll be his son, Robb. He's said to look just like his mother, and not at all like his father. He's twenty, and we basically grew up together. And I think he likes Bella more than as a friend or a sister.
-Okay. Well, I'm nervous now, Arya nervously chuckled.
-Don't be, Gendry smiled as he took her hand. They're all really nice, I promise. And why wouldn't they like you ? You're beautiful, smart, funny and strong-minded.
Since there wasn't too much traffic, they arrived in the ranch pretty quickly. Gendry rushed to open her door, and took her hand as they walked toward the house.
-Well, here we go, she muttered as he took his keys to open the door.
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