Chapter 18

Daenerys Targaryen POV

I'm happy for Jon that he got into college, but I'm scared of what this means for our relationship. I'm nervous about it all, but I decided to visit Cersei and Jaime right after New Year's. They headed back to get ready for the spring semester, and I'm staying with them for a few days. I deserve a break, I was helping the homeless on Christmas Day and then I was at Jon's. My dad was with our other family, I honestly am starting to like being with the Starks more than I like being with my own family.

Cersei and I are drinking together on her bed when I start to actually worry about Jon and I's relationship. Then I start to worry about leaving my dad. God, I'm so worried me leaving will ruin everything. I start tearing up, which is probably partially because I'm tipsy.

"Are you okay?" Cersei asks me.

"I'm just worried," I say. "About Jon, about my dad. About everything."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm scared, Cersei. I'm scared to go to college. I don't want it to ruin my relationship with Jon, and I don't want my dad to struggle without me."

There's a pause. I think she's actually thinking about how to comfort me, despite being drunk.

"You need to quit worrying," she finally says. "You have your whole life ahead of you."

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"Sometimes I feel like what you complain about are first world problems," she says. "Like, I lost my baby and you didn't comfort me at all."

"Yes I did! I immediately came over."

"And then we never talked about it again. That was the only think I had to live for for a time, and it was ripped away from me because I was too scared to go to a doctor."

I stay silent for a bit. Maybe she's right, maybe I haven't been a great friend to her. I didn't think she wanted to talk about the baby, so I never brought it up. Maybe I should've.

"I'm sorry, Cersei," I say. "Do you want to talk about it?" She just nods.

"Did they say what caused the miscarriage?" I ssk her.

"They couldn't say for sure," she responds. "They said it was most likely a genetic deformity that went untreated."

"Did you ever tell Euron you were pregnant?" She looks at me confused, like she doesn't understand why I would bring up Euron, even though she told me the baby was his.

"Oh," she says, realizing. "No, I didn't. It doesn't matter now."

"Maybe telling him would help you move on."

"It wouldn't," she says. "It would just cause more drama. Plus, I don't want to talk to his slimy ass ever again."

I understand where she's coming from, but I still feel like the father should have known. I would immediately tell Jon if I was pregnant. Maybe if Euron had known, he would have made her go to the doctor and things could have gone differently.

"I know you'll be a mom one day," I say, hugging her. "If that's what you want."

"It is," she responds. "It's definitely what I want. Once I become a famous journalist, I'll have all the babies I want."

"I know you can do both," I say. "And you'll find a super hot husband." She just chuckles at that. I hope she does find all that, she deserves it.

Sansa Stark POV

My dad is taking me driving today. I took the classroom portion of driver's ed over the summer, but I still need to do the hands-on driving portion. I like driving with him more than my mom, she's way too high-strung. My dad is also just a better teacher.

"Okay, you ready?" My dad asks me as we're walking out of the house. I've driven a couple times before, but I need more practice before I get to the classes.

"Yep," I respond. "I'm excited." I am. Maybe learning to drive will help me be more independent and not rely on my friends so much.

"Sansa, you have to check your blind spot," my dad says after I change lanes. Crap, I always forget about that. "That's really dangerous."

"There's no one out right now," I respond. "I didn't need to look."

"I don't care," he says. "You always need to look." There's an awkward pause. At least it was him getting onto me, my mom would've just screamed at me.

"How's school?" He asks me after a pause.

"It's okay," I say. "I don't really want to go back, though."

"I always felt that way during vacation, too." I let him think that's why, even though it has more to do with Ramsay and Myranda.

"The speed limit says 30," I say, changing the subject. "Should I go 25?"

"The weather's nice, so 30 is fine," my dad says. "Good on you for asking, though."

I seem to do alright for the rest of the lesson, and my dad suggested we stop at a local burger place. I don't want to eat that, so I just order a Diet Coke while my dad orders a full meal.

"Are you sure you're not hungry?" He asks me. "I didn't see you eat breakfast."

"I did," I lie. "I had some toast."

"Well, if you want any of my food I'll share." I take a fry and nibble on it to shut him up.

"Did I do okay while driving today?" I ask him after a pause.

"Besides the blind spot issue, yes," he responds. "But you do need a little more practice before taking the hands-on lessons." He's probably right, I just really want my license.

"When can we go drive again?" I ask.

"Maybe in a couple days," he responds. "I have a lot of work to do." Of course he does. I wish my parents spend more time with us kids, sometimes I feel like we were mostly raised by Jon and Robb.

When we get back, I go up to my room and see Arya reading.

"How was it?" She asks me. I know she wants to go with me driving soon.

"It was fun," I say. "Dad got onto me for not looking in my blind spot." Arya laughs at that.

"I can't wait to drive," she says. "I'm going to go on so many adventures when I can."

"I'll secretly teach you when dad doesn't know." Arya smiles at me.

I really mean it, I will teach her. My dad kind of babies Arya, I'm worried he'll be reluctant to teach her to drive. And don't get me started on us dating, he's never liked that idea. I know Arya doesn't like that, and I'll make sure to teach her and help her with everything that our dad doesn't.

Jon Snow Stark POV

Sam and I are meeting Gendry and Tormund for bowling today, we wanted to hang out before we started back up at school. When we get there and get our shoes, Gendry and Tormund already have a lane and are picking out bowling balls.

"Hey," I say as we walk up to them. "You guys got here early."

"Yeah," Gendry responds. "We wanted to get a lane."

We pick out our bowling balls and set them onto the conveyor belt. As we're doing that, Tormund looks behind him and then looks back at us.

"Guys," he whispers. "Look who's two lanes over."

I look over and see Coach Tarth two lanes over playing with some friends. She's actually pretty young, like 23 or 24. She's definitely pretty, and I can see why Tormund likes her even though she isn't the typical feminine type. It's still weird that he's actually trying to pursue her at school.

Tormund tries to forget that he saw Coach Tarth, and after we play a couple games we head to the restaurant area of the bowling alley and order some nachos.

"So how's Margaery?" I ask Gendry.

"She's good," he responds. "Things are going well for us."

"I really never saw you dating someone like her," Sam says. "She's so popular."

"Honestly, me neither," Gendry says. "But she's actually really cool and smart, and pretty sexy."

"Oh, definitely," Tormund says, sounding a little creepy.

"Tormund?" We hear as we're eating. We look over and see Coach Tarth standing in line to order food. "I thought I saw you earlier."

"Oh, hey," Tormund says, trying to sound chill. "Are you having a good break?"

"Yeah, just trying to get back in shape for the spring."

"I think you look great," he says. It's a little weird, but she smiles at him anyway.

"It's good to see you guys," she says before walking away. We wave at her back.

"Was I being cool?" He asks us when she walks off.

"Very," Gendry says. "Why do you like her?"

"She's strong, and I like a girl who could kick my ass. Plus she seems very independent, which I like. Not everyone wants to go after popular girly girls like Margaery."

"Dude, I'm not judging," Gendry says. "I was just curious."

"You don't actually think you have a chance with her, do you?" Sam asks.

"Why wouldn't I?" Tormund asks. "Not now, but maybe after we graduate."

"Good luck with that," I say, chuckling. "I'll applaud you if you manage that."

I like that Tormund is unapologetically who he is and isn't afraid of being judged. I think he's a little delusional thinking he can actually get with a coach after he graduates, but at least he's confident. I wish I could be more like that. Not that I care what others think, but I definitely don't voice my opinions and try to stay out of the way for fear of being shut down. I hope I can become more strong-willed once I leave high school.

A/N: Holidays are keeping me busy so posting will be less frequent in the coming weeks, sorry!