Sansa

She had been eager for the bus to arrive, so when their mother had called them Sansa had been on her feet and at the living-room door before Arya started shouting her refusal.

'Stop stroking your hair, it'll make it all greasy,' she hissed at her sister before slipping through the door. 'God forbid you look clean for once.'

She tiptoed out into the hallway, taking care not to trample on any dogs as she made her way into the kitchen. Reaching down briefly she rubbed each little puppy head, then entered the kitchen. Her mum was staring at the bus outside but turned to face her when she came in.

'Aren't you going to take them for a walk?' Sansa asked, moving over to Catelyn and pecking her affectionately on the cheek before taking her bag from the table. Her mother smiled.

'Robb said he'll do it before he goes to work. Now go on, you'll be late.'

'OK,' Sansa smiled. 'Have a good day!'

She picked up her schoolbag and headed for the door. As she stepped out into the garden a small breeze made her dress ripple around her knees. She patted the hem down with her left hand, right hand making sure the schoolbag was secure over her shoulder. It was a beautiful day. The sun was bright and its warmth hinted at its later strength. Her father had said something about a hot summer, which was followed by his usual dour assurance that cold winters were preceded by hot summers. Sansa had laughed at this. Why worry about weather that was so far away?

She clicked the door closed behind her, then jogged over to the bus. The driver usually got impatient if he were kept waiting too long. Beyond the sun's reflection in the bus window Sansa saw the back of her crush's blonde head, turning slowly to face outwards. Quickly, she switched her gaze to her friend Jeyne sitting in the next seat, and waved. She put on her brightest, most dazzling smile, hoping that Joffrey would see. Jeyne waved back, and Sansa stepped on board the bus.

'Sorry I'm late, Mr Payne,' she said. 'My brother and sister aren't coming today.'

The driver made a wordless sound, somewhere between a rattle and a harrumph, and pulled the door lever. As it creaked shut Sansa made her way down the aisle towards her friend. She said hello to those she knew, and let her eyes wander over the other students before halting beside her seat. She found herself looking for a fraction of a second longer at Sandor Clegane, the older boy with burn scars on his face. He was sitting on his own opposite her own seat, his scarred left cheek facing the window. His eyes flickered up to meet hers angrily. Sansa blanched, ashamed that she had been staring. The bus jerked away from the kerb and roared away. She swung down into her seat beside Jeyne.

'Hey,' Jeyne said. 'Where's your adorable little brother?'

'His class had a 'work with parents' day, so he's at the office with Dad.'

'And Arya?'

'She's coming in, but she's getting a lift with her friend Gendry.' Sansa said.

'Ooh,' Jeyne said. 'He's in my AP Maths class. Your sister's a clever girl. He's so hot.'

'Oh please,' Sansa said. 'Dark hair? I don't think so. Blonde hair is way nicer.'

She pitched this comment slightly louder than normal, intending for it to be received by someone other than Jeyne. As hoped, Joffrey took the bait.

'Thank you Sansa,' he said, pulling himself up so that his face appeared above the back of Jeyne's seat. Sansa's stomach lurched just a little at the sight of his handsome face, and the fact that he was talking to her. Jeyne, mostly unseen by Joffrey, made an excited face and gently prodded Sansa's leg. Sansa ignored this.

'So Joff,' she said. 'You going to the graduation dance?'

He smirked. 'Maybe. Haven't really found anyone to go with yet. Are you going?'

'Oh,' she said, casting her eyes downwards in mock-embarrassment. 'I'm not in the right year. I'd have to be asked by someone who's graduating.'

Joffrey looked at her intently for a few seconds. His eyes are so blue, Sansa thought.

'Good to know,' he said, then lowered himself back into his seat. Seconds later, he and his friend Boros began talking loudly about last night's football game, and Sansa and Jeyne shared a wide-eyed, trembling glance.

'Oh my god.' Jeyne mouthed.

'I know.' Sansa felt a wide grin pull at her face, but she dampened it quickly. It wouldn't do, to let Joffrey know how much she fancied him.

Jeyne covered her mouth with her hand to conceal her own smile, and turned towards the window. Sansa faced the seat in front, and in doing so caught a glimpse of Sandor out of the corner of her eye. Just a quick look, she thought. Pretend you're looking at the seat behind him. She craned her neck to take a look at the seats behind, and let her eyes pass over him on the way back.

Sandor Clegane was a tall, sturdily built teenager, in the same year as Joffrey. His dark hair grew to his collar, the better to cover his scars, and he was wearing some rock band t-shirt with faded, ripped jeans. His face was still turned towards the window, but she could see the unscarred side twitching. Sansa didn't know whether it was a tic or some kind of suppressed laugh. She often found herself glancing his way. He was part of her sister's little gang, but she never saw him at their house the way she did Gendry or Hot Pie. From the gossip she heard, he didn't have a very nice home life. His older brother was in a juvenile delinquent facility, and there were rumours that when they were kids they'd set a car on fire together, and that's how Sandor got burned. Sansa doubted it. Sandor was quiet, and the simmering look in his eyes was often half anger, half hate, but he didn't give off the same crazy vibes as Gregor Clegane had. It sometimes crossed her mind to talk to Sandor at school, or just to smile at him in the corridor, but she could never summon the nerve.

As if he felt her gaze, Sandor swivelled his head around and locked his eyes onto hers. A lightning-fast sneer crossed his face, and he turned his upper body towards her. Still staring at her, not saying a thing, he moved his head slightly off-side so that she could get a clear view of his burns. His upper lip curled back in derision. Sansa's mouth fell open slightly. At this, the corner of Sandor's mouth twitched. Sansa closed her mouth. The burns were dreadful. Not having a tough disposition, she felt tears prickling the backs of her eyes. She was ashamed, and confused, and felt sorry for him, but couldn't look away.

'Oh, look at this!' Joffrey called. 'Sansa and Sandor are eye-fucking!'

That did it. Sansa snapped her head back to face the front of the bus, face burning hot with embarrassment. They were nearly at school, and she felt the bus decelerate minutely. Thank God.

'Fuck you, Lannister,' She heard Sandor growl. She stole another glance at him. Haven't you looked enough? Sandor's eyes had gone to Joffrey but the second Sansa turned her eyes back he glared straight at her. His eyes were filled with hate, and she felt her heart sink at inspiring such an emotion in anyone. Her mouth opened again, to apologise, to calm them both down, to say something, to say anything, but Joffrey got there first.

'I don't think it's me you want to fuck though, is it?'

Sansa's stomach churned at the horrible words coming out of her lovely Joffrey's mouth. The fact that they were said in reference to her only made things worse. Her eyes scrunched close.

'Maybe you want to ask her to the graduation dance? How about it, Sansa?' He laughed. To Sansa's immense shame, Joffrey was addressing her now. She opened her eyes, and turned her head to look at him. A smile was dancing across his face, and his bright blue eyes mocked her. 'I think he'll want to pop your cherry in some side alley after the dance.'

Sansa's jaw clenched, and for an instant she felt a flash of hate towards him. He's being territorial, she told herself. Just like the pups and their dinner. Arya would growl she was no-one's territory but her own, but Sansa knew boys could be silly like that.

'Don't be rude, Joffrey.' She whispered. She always tried to remember her manners.

The bus slowed, and finally parked beside the school's front gate. People didn't want to get up, they were so transfixed by the drama unfolding before them. Joffrey exclaimed at her response.

'Rude? Talking about the freak going to a dance or talking about your cherry?'

There was a thud to her left, and Sansa whirled around. Sandor had stood up and was towering over her, stooping slightly under the bus's low roof. His eyes were filled with rage, and she saw him clench one hand tight. He stretched across her to put his disfigured face less than twenty inches from Joffrey's.

'Shut your mouth,' he said. 'or I'll shut it for you.'

Joffrey recoiled, a grimace of fright unfurling across his face. Even Boros, who was both bigger and stronger than his friend, was loath to do anything but sit still and avoid Sandor's eyes. At their reaction a deep, grating laugh escaped from Sandor's mouth. He turned and walked off the bus. Everyone watched him leave, then stood up themselves. Sansa exhaled with relief.

'Maybe I'd better do this to keep you safe from him,' Joffrey said. His air of swagger had returned. 'Sansa, would you like to come to the graduation dance with me?'

Sansa's stomach lurched again, though this time she was unsure whether it was from anxiety or disdain. You're just freaking out after that little episode. She told herself. You still want to go with him.

'Thank you Joffrey,' she said. 'I'd love to.'