Game of Thrones: Not So Different – Arya

Chapter 17 of my Game of Thrones collaboration with Marina Ka-Fai, enjoy.

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Now onto the story; this chapter of course corresponds with and happens at the same time and so shows the same main event as Marina's chapter, but the start and end are different.

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

Chapter 17

Seated in the car, looking at the school building, Arya bit her lip. This was her first day back since the incident and she had to admit, she was dreading it.

"You don't have to go in Arya." Her mother gently reminded her from the driver's seat. "If you're not ready we can."

Arya shook her head. "It's alright, mum, really...I, I have to know I can do this and if I leave it. It'll be harder to do so."

Sansa gently touched Arya's shoulder. "You're not alone, remember that."

Arya nodded and, with her sister by her side and her resolve renewed, she walked from the car towards the school building. This was it; she was back for the first time, she could only imagine how the other people in the school, not just her classmates, but teachers too, would react.

Almost as soon as she was inside, amongst the throng of students Arya felt the eyes on her. She did her best to ignore them however; she wasn't going to be intimidated. With Sansa still by her side she made her way across the school's main hall.

Most of the students were there, many where whispering and even staring, all in amazement she noticed. What startled her the most was she could not detect one judgemental stare amongst the entire group of students; even from those she never got along with before.

Her reunion with her friends had been the highlight of her day so far. They all been so amazed to see her they simply froze. Then Shireen had smiled widely and hugged her, overjoyed by her return and that prompted everyone else; Lommy, Hot Pie, Devan Seaworth, Edric Dayne and Edric Storm, all to welcome her back warmly.

Then she looked up and grinned as she noted Lancel entered the school. Her friends knew all about what happened to her and how she had befriended Lancel, they knew his story too. Sharing a quick look with them all she stood up and began to approach; laughing as she saw Sansa suddenly appear and practically through herself at Lancel.

"Wow, easy there, I'm not that desperate for a Lannistark nephew." Arya joked as she approached them.

Lancel only smiled.

"Welcome back." She added

"Thanks. You too." He said cheerfully.

Arya then grinned. "I've talked about it to my crew, you are more than welcomed to share lunch with us."

He gaped, startled but then replied. "Thank you."

It was then Hot Pie came up to them. He was out of breath, clearly having ran the whole way.

"Hot Pie?" She asked "What is it?"

"Just got an idea!" He burst out.

"You can have ideas?"She joked.

"Funny." He shot back, rolling his eyes. "Say, I know that Sansa and Lancel are together. Maybe Sansa wanted to have Lancel with her at lunch? So, what if, for once, our two groups of friends joined? Everyone would enjoy Lancel's presence and it'd be like a huge welcome back party."

Arya could see in his expression that Lancel felt touched beyond words. It was a small attention, yet it meant the world to him. Hot Pie barely knew him but cared enough to think of that. He was Arya's friend, Sansa's boyfriend, and that seemed to be enough for this man to make him the important person of the day, trying to ease both sides.

"You just say that because you want to hang out with hot chicks." Arya joked

Also laughing Hot Pie replied. "And that too, I have to be completely honest."

"That's a great idea!" Sansa said "But, Lancel, you're okay with this? It could be a huge crowd for a first day?"

"Maybe, but the more the merrier, so bring it."

"I didn't know the school was into charity." A voice exclaimed

Joffrey was facing them from afar, his eyes clearly judging them all. Arya rolled her eyes, she was not in the mood for Joffrey's shit.

"You've sunk to a new low, Lany."

"Only my close friends and the ones I love get to call me that. And you aren't my friend, nor do I love you, Joff." Lancel replied, surprisingly cold.

The hall fell silent as everyone realized what was going on. Meek, shy and awkward Lancel, just returned from a mental home, was looking at the school's bully, and his cousin, with such a firm face he looked even taller than he was, he had a newly found charisma and his words had been polite but icy. Even the temperature beyond the Wall wasn't that cold. Lancel had bitten back and Joffrey had definitely not expected that to happen, he had lost his composure.

He quickly recovered and scoffed however "You think I care that you love me?"

"Then, if you don't care, why are you so interested in my social life?" Lancel replied calmly.

Arya couldn't help but smirk at this; she had never expected this from Lancel but now she was even more glad of their friendship and more certain than ever now of her decision to have him join them.

"Because you're a Lannister and we don't act like fools. Befriending another mad bitch, taking as your lover my leftovers, you are desperate." Joffrey snarled.

Lancel seemed unfazed, but what irked Joffrey even more was a simple move from Lancel's hand, that made everyone gasp:

Lancel Lannister was flipping the bird at Joffrey Baratheon.

"With my regards."

On these last words, they all left, Arya felt like laughing, the look on Joffrey's face was so priceless.

Returning home at the end of the day, Arya bit her lip. While the morning had been eventful, what had followed had been a somewhat trying time for her. Many of her classmates, especially those whom she never got on with, didn't give her a hard time, not in that way. What had been the issue was that many of them had acted so differently towards her.

'Like it was their fault I tried to kill myself, that they didn't see how far gone I was...' She reflected. 'They all felt guilty and acted apologetic...I couldn't stand that.'

It was true, she had been firm with them having had enough by lunch time. She didn't want their pity; she was still herself and things thankfully calmed down.

"Arya."

She looked up and smiled when she saw her father approaching.
"How as school?" He asked.

She nodded. "It was alright...a little, draining however, overwhelming."

Ned nodded, he could see that clearly on her face. Smiling softly he guided her to sit by him on the sofa and hugged her, doing his best to comfort her. Arya also smiled, appreciating the gesture and once more feeling foolish for doubting her family's love for her. She returned the embrace, hopeful that things would be easier the next time.

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