Game of Thrones: Crossroads

Chapter 25 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

Reviews

Veridissima: Thanks, glad you are enjoying it; glad you liked the girl talk, things may not be as good as you think, remember the web cam in Mycella's room, recording everything. Glad you like it and the introduction to Lyle; thought it would be better for him to have a small appearance, rather than just being an unseen character. Glad you liked the Rickon/Shireen stuff and the bit with Bran, as well as the part about Arya; as well as the scene with Stannis and Rickon :)
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks :)
Boris Yeltsin: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it; there will be a few here and there.
Marina Ka-Fai: Yeah, that's the way I feel too actually, thanks, glad you enjoyed the chapter.
rubini25: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it :)

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.

Chapter 25

Gendry sighed as he sat in his English class, the last class of the day. The teacher wasn't present, but that was hardly surprising. They had all known for a long time that Mr. Arryn was due to retire soon. As such they had to wait every day to see if it was him, or someone else who would be taking the class. It was at that moment the principal, Stevron Frey, entered and the class, which had been rowdy, immediately went quiet. There was only a moments silence before he spoke.

"As you've probably all assumed by now, Mr. Arryn has retired. Luckily we have been able to get a good replacement for him. So I'd like you all to welcome your new English Teacher; Mrs. Stark."

There were a few surprised murmurs around the class, as well as a few gasps. Gendry's eyes widened as, sure enough, Catelyn Stark entered the classroom. He couldn't help but smile at that, just the thought of Arya's mother becoming a teacher at this school was enough to make him wonder.

'Would this change anything, it's possible, hopeful even.'

Casually he glanced over at Sansa who was seated at the other side of the classroom, she was staring wide-eyed and in shock at her mother. Clearly she hadn't been expecting it; however, Gendry soon found himself facing fresh worries; It was Friday, six days had gone by for the bet and he was still no closer to any solution, he was running out of time, and ideas, worse than that, still none of the ideas were good, or morally correct.

The final bell rang; Arya was the first one of her seat and heading to her locker, relieved the school day was over.

'Finally the weekend.' She thought to herself. 'Now I don't have to be as careful, there's nothing arranged this weekend, I don't need to worry about those asshole until Monday.'

She shook her head, she would still need to get home first, only then could she relax. She tugged irritably at the hem of the short skirt she was wearing, Sansa had insisted on her wearing 'cooler clothes' ever since Arya had joined her. There were limits, she felt, but she kept her feelings to herself. She had more important things to do after all. As she walked towards her locker she passed Sansa who was heading to hers with Jeyne. Both Arya and Jeyne shared a quick look and nod. It was then Arya overheard what Sansa was saying.

"I mean, I couldn't believe it when the Principal said it, but then she walked in. It's true, mum's our new English teacher."

That caught Arya off-guard; she hadn't expected that. She bit her lip, wondering just how her mother would react when she saw first-hand what happened in the school, what the Popular crowd got up to, she just hoped it wouldn't cause her plans to backfire, or things might go from bad to worse for poor Sansa. Finally she reached her locker and began putting everything away; her mind still occupied with dealing with Sansa's problem.

With a sigh she closed her locker, saw Aegon standing there grinning at her and nearly jumped.

"What the hell?" She cried out.

Aegon laughed. "Jumpy, relax, it's just me."

Arya shook her head. "You trying to give me a heart attack, sneaking up on me like that."

Aegon simply laughed again and shook his head, they began walking to the school entrance. Arya was all too aware, and trying to ignore, Gendry at the other side of the school lobby, glaring over at them. Suddenly Aegon gently grabbed her arm, stopping as he did so. She stopped to and turned to face him, at which point he let go of her arm.

"Arya, there's something I was wanting to ask you." He said quickly.

"Yeah?"

He looked at her and smirked. "I just wanted to ask if you'd like to go out with me."

Arya narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "You mean like, a date?"

"Yeah." Aegon replied as if it was obvious.

Arya bit her lip and let out a slow sigh. 'I was afraid of this; he's a great friend but…I'm interested in him like that. How do I…Oh screw this, might as well be honest.'

So she cleared her throat and did her best to explain to Aegon about how she liked him as a friend but did not have any romantic feelings towards him and that she didn't want to go on the date. She did her best to be polite about it and explain things carefully. Aegon simply listened in silence.

When she finished however Aegon glared and shook his head.

"Yeah right Arya, nice try, I don't think…"

"Aegon." She said calmly. "It's the truth."

But that wasn't good enough for him, he just wouldn't accept a simple no. In the end she found, despite her best efforts, she lost her temper and soon they were arguing in front of the whole school. Gendry stood amazed, as did everyone else that was witnessing the event. In a way he felt relieved, perhaps happy that Arya didn't return Aegon's feelings. At that moment Arya told Aegon, in no uncertain terms, to 'go fuck himself' and stormed off. Aegon glared after her, muttered something which sounded like 'ungrateful' and also stalked off. Gendry took his chance and hurried after Arya. He caught up with her a few streets away and ran up to her.

"Arya!" He called out.

She spun around and glared. "Oh it's you, what do you want Gendry, I don't…"

Gendry shook his head. "I saw what happened, with Aegon. Look before you start, I'm not trying to convince you to come back to us. It's just, I was worried, when I saw you two arguing, when you just left like that."

He was babbling he knew; Arya knew it too.

"Will you just get to the point already?" She asked impatiently.

Gendry sighed and then made his offer, the plan formed itself in his mind, even if he didn't like it, it was his only option now. "Look, like I said, I'm not expecting you to come back, but if you want I could buy you a drink, help you calm down…No one else needs to know."

Arya stared at him incredulously before; with a soft sigh, she agreed.

Gendry had to admit, despite his doubts; things had gone incredibly according to plan. What had started as a simple drink soon became several, although he kept himself under control. Soon he and Arya had ended up back at his house yet again, once more making love. This time however the house was empty and Gendry decided now was the time to take the next step in his plan. They both lay on his bed, spent, but not yet tired. Gendry casually reached his hand out, it rested on his bedside table, his index finger just above a button that was part of an object on the table.

"Hey Arya, you know how, when we were at the bar…I told you a secret about myself?" He said quietly. It had been something small, nothing of truly great importance, but something he kept secret none the less.

She nodded at his side; entirely too drunk to focus.

Gendry cringed inwardly at what he was about to do, but then continued, reminding himself that it was for her own good. "Why not tell me something about yourself, something you've never told anyone, something you keep secret. It's only fair you know."

She hesitated briefly before sighing. "Okay, fine."

Gendry hit the button on the object and waited quietly. The words that came out of Arya's mouth shocked him; he never would have believed it, in all the time he knew her, it just seemed so ridiculous. Yet he could see in her eyes she was telling the truth. Arya had just confessed to him that she harboured a secret passion for dancing; specifically Jazz Ballet; something that many would consider girly and completely out of character for her, no wonder she kept it hidden. It wasn't much on its own; true, but in perspective, knowing Arya, it would be something she would be too ashamed to let become public.

Feeling guilty but at the same time, determined, Gendry hit the button again as soon as Arya was finished and had fallen asleep. He then slipped the Dictaphone, which had been recording what Arya had said, into the drawer. He would use it for the final step of his plan in the morning. He allowed himself to drift off into a troubled sleep, praying that his instincts; that it was going to be worth it in the end, were right.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.

Well, things get interesting, Gendry's just recorded Arya spilling a secret about herself she doesn't want to become public.

Also, in case you are interested, yes the thing about Arya's interest in dancing is inspired by Maisie Williams.