Chapter 15

Daenerys POV

"Robb? Robb!" I call down the corridor. I've waited two hours since this morning's scandalous assembly to speak with him, because his Thursday morning electives are different from mine, and that's two hours too many.

To pass the agonising waiting time, I acted on my brother's instructions and sat next to the hipster clique leader, Drogo, in double Geography. He seemed nice enough when we talked, and I know that my brother could have forced me to befriend much worse people. But he lacked a certain spark, a certain intelligence, never attempting the problems from the textbook on his own, always demanding (sometimes a little aggressively) help from me or one of his other friends in the vicinity. I tried to find common ground with him, talking about what films were on at our local cinema in Essos, but when I attempted to arouse his interest in the tragic, troubled-heroine sort of movies that tend to be my favourites, he dismissed me with a curt "too deep for me". That's a type of ignorant close-mindedness I know I'd never get from a man like Robb.

Robb. I look at my reflection in the glass door at the end of the corridor, and see a wistful smile appear involuntarily on my face at the thought of his name. I only catch myself partaking in such vain pursuits when Robb himself pushes the door open, followed by his friend Theon.

"There's this guy in the year below. Ramsay, I think he's called. Always sits next to me on the bus, and tries to talk to me. Creepy as hell," Theon rambles. From what I've heard, their friendship seems to rely on the sharing of simplistic anecdotes like this one. I've never had many friends, but I just cannot see myself in a friendship where humour and banter are more important than trust.

Theon sobers up when he sees me, though. I don't know for sure, but something in his eyes, a sort of smirk, tells me that he might know more about my feelings towards Robb than I would like. "I'll leave you two be," he says, with an almost suggestive nod towards to me, and walks off in the direction of our homeroom.

I'm alone with Robb, for the first time in about fifteen hours, which feels more like eternity. "Guessing you need to talk?" he asks, jogging slightly to catch up with me.

"'I need to talk.' It's like we're in a soap opera," I joke, playfully punching his arm.

"Ha. Bloody. Ha," comes his dry reply. "Should we sit on the back steps? It's quieter out there."

We go to Robb's proposed location, at the top of a flight of imposing stone steps covered with amber leaves discarded at this time of year by the school's numerous elm trees. This part of the school is a popular choice for students who need a little peace and quiet to finish their studying, but today it's empty, most people snacking in the cafeteria or having rowdy conversations in the classroom instead. Robb and I press ourselves as close to the banister as we can, both of us having a natural need to shy away from the spotlight, even when there's no one watching.

"So, Mr Baelish," Robb says, after a comfortable minute of silence.

"Indeed, Mr Baelish," I repeat.

"There isn't much more to say," he says, laughing slightly. "But seriously, we already knew not to trust him. I'm questioning whether his little speech was such a big deal. Shouldn't we just leave him be and get on with the real problem, which is bringing Tywin Lannister and his family to justice?"

This annoys me. Robb doesn't seem to be able to think outside the box! It's like he has a one-track mind, completely focused on Lannister revenge, not thinking about any of the obstacles standing in our way. Sometimes I wonder if he actually listens to anything I say, or if he just agrees with me because he feels he has to so I'll like him.

"But what if it wasn't the Lannisters, Robb? Have you thought of that? You probably haven't, despite the fact I've mentioned it to you about a thousand times." My voice sounds angrier than I intended, and I regret speaking when I see the hurt look on his face.

"I'm sorry, Robb," I say, softer now, tentatively placing a hand on his knee. "But Mr Baelish knows everything about what happened. He must do. He wouldn't send all those subliminal messages out in assembly if he wasn't trying to show off the fact that he knows something we don't. All we need to do is get the information out of him."

"And how are we going to do that?" Robb snaps, his tone still irritated.

I sigh. "I have a plan, but you have to understand that the school has ears," I say remorsefully.

Robb rises to his full height and grits his teeth, and his face is disturbingly similar to how it was when he accused Joffrey in the corridor. "Stop with the stupid analogies already, Daenerys! It's not helping anything! If you didn't chase me around everywhere being cryptic, I would know who killed my father by now!" He stops in his tracks. "Oh, I didn't mean that. I really didn't."

"Didn't you?" I toss back in reply. Robb doesn't realise the mistake he's making here. We only met yesterday and we're already fighting – I'm not surprised he had such a short fuse with Joffrey in the corridor. "This whole thing isn't even my business. Why do I even try to help people who aren't Targaryens?" I start to walk away. Unlike Robb, I mean every word truthfully. My goal in life is to restart the Targaryen firm, so why should I get sidetracked with people who aren't going to help me reach that goal?

Robb blocks my way down the steps. He's several heads taller than me and a lot bulkier, so I don't try to push past.

"Don't go," he says pathetically. "I really didn't mean it. Without you, I'd still be making stupid decisions, like getting into a fight yesterday. I need you, Daenerys. And I'd do anything for you in return. Please. I won't get impatient like that again. I'm sure you're right about Mr Baelish, and we do whatever it is you're planning when the time is right. You're a better judge of that kind of thing than me."

I'm partially satisfied by this. I'm not stupid enough to believe Robb won't have an outburst like that again, or that he'll agree with every plan I make, but I understand how much he needs me, and needs to trust me.

"Fine, fine. You get another chance. I know that old saying "The North Remembers", how you lot are a bit obsessed with holding grudges against the Lannisters. All that stuff's natural. But you seriously need to watch your mouth, though, Stark." I walk back into school without letting him reply. I'm sure I'll have to give him more than one chance, but I hope my firmness has convinced him for the time being. We avoid each other for most of what remains of the day.

Although, we don't completely avoid each other. It depends on if you think that it's okay to text someone while you're trying to avoid them. It's first period after lunch when my phone buzzes in my skirt pocket, and I discreetly pull it out. There's a message from an unknown number, which I'm guessing is Robb's:

Hey. I am SO SORRY about earlier. That sounds fake, but I mean it. Honestly. Could I make it up to you by inviting you to ours for dinner tomorrow night? I already persuaded my mum to allow my half-brother over, and she said I could bring a friend from school too. Don't worry about what she might think. She knows about you, they all do. They think you're my new lab partner :D

A minute later, there's another message. An afterthought, almost.

Don't ask me why I couldn't ask Theon over. That's a long story involving him forever alienating my mother by swearing at the dinner table. Can't believe him. Or his 300-strong list of phone contacts. He had your number, and he hasn't spoken a word to you in his life.

Another vibration. Another afterthought.

Daenerys, even if I could invite Theon, I…I'd invite you, okay? Eurgh, that sounded creepy. Sorry.

I blush slightly at this despite myself. Every bone in my body goes on red alert at the thought of meeting the family of a boy who was so furious at me earlier – not for the first time today, I feel a pang of annoyance at myself for forgiving him. But I'm curious, and the last text makes the curiosity overpower any remaining annoyance. My reply is simple:

Sure :) What time?