10 THINGS SHE HATES ABOUT GENDRY
Hey guys, posting this chapter real quick before going to classes ! Have fun reading it !
Chapter 8
The following morning, day of the prom, Arya laid awake in her bed, thinking about her sister and the dance. She got up and went to open her window when she spotted Sansa, sitting on the swing they made with an old tire when they arrived here. She looked so sad and depressed. Arya went back to her bed and grabbed a book, needing to change her thoughts.
The evening arrived, and Arya sighed. She really was hoping that she was doing the right thing. She slipped on her shoes, took her purse, and walked downstairs. Eddard was watching TV in the living room. She inspired deeply and walked straight to the door.
-Bye, Dad, she said without stopping. I'm going to the prom.
-Funny, sweetie, he replied without even glancing up.
Then he heard the front door closing, and stood up. Sansa was walking down the stairs.
-What's that ? Eddard asked once he noticed her outfit.
-A prom dress, she smiled.
-I seem to be hearing that word a lot lately.
The doorbell rang and Sansa opened to reveal a very handsome Jon standing there. He was wearing a crisp white shirt with no tie, a grey three-piece suit, and black smart shoes.
-Hi, she smiled.
-Wow, was all he replied as he took in her outfit. I… Uh… Umm… Wow.
Sansa was gorgeous. She had let her glorious red hair down on one shoulder, and had copper-coloured make-up on her eyes only. Silver necklace and earrings, silver high-heeled open-toes sandals. And she was wearing this insanely beautiful long silver dress. The skirt was falling straight to the ground, cut from the middle of her right thigh to the bottom, and the top was hugging her torso tightly, with a deep sweetheart shape.
-Bye, Daddy, Sansa said as she was about to step out.
-Stop, Eddard's voice commanded. Turn. Explain.
-Okay. Remember how you said I could date if Ari dated ? Well, she found this guy, who's actually kind of perfect for her which is perfect for me, because Jon asked me to go to the prom and I really, really wanna go, and since Ari went, I guess I'm allowed to, based on the aforementioned rule, and its previous stipulations, of course.
-Nice to meet you, Jon said as he outstretched his hand for Eddard to shake.
However, Sansa grabbed the hand and pulled him outside in a haste.
-Now, let's go, she said.
The prom had already started when Arya arrived. She could hear the teenagers screaming, and the band playing. She went up the stairs to the ballroom it was held into, breathing nervously.
-Wow, a voice softly said behind her, making her turn swiftly.
-You too, she said to Gendry.
He handed her a winter rose, she smiled fondly – it was the only flower she liked, because it reminded her of her old home in Winterfell – and put it in her hair.
-Where did you get the tux at the last minute ? she asked as she took his arm.
He had the complete look, and she had to admit, it suited him. Black tuxedo, white crisp shirt, black bowtie, and even this black belt that men wore for parties like that one !
-Oh, just something I had, you know, lying around, he smiled. Where did you get the dress ?
-Oh, just something I had, you know, lying around, she mimicked him with a smirk.
She was drop-dead gorgeous according to him. Some strands of her wild hair were pulled back, and her make-up beautifully enhanced her features. She had black, ankle high, high heeled boots, black tights, and a high halter collar, short dress. It was white, except for the band of fabric that was around her neck, which was black. It reached mid-thigh, and was hugging her body tightly.
-Listen, she said. I'm really sorry that I questioned your motives. I was wrong.
He sighed, feeling the guiltiness inside him.
-You're forgiven, he playfully answered.
-Okay. Ready for the prom ?
-Yes, m'lady.
-I'm not a lady, she grumbled as he escorted her to the dancefloor.
They started dancing, and Arya spotted Sansa dancing with Jon somewhere in the room. The sisters exchanged a glance and smiled. Then Arya was nearly attacked by a very good looking Myrcella. She had the dress on, matched with nude high heeled sandals.
-Have you seen him ? she desperately asked her friend.
-Who ? Arya frowned.
-Brandon. He asked me to meet him here.
-Oh, Myrcella, please tell me you haven't progressed to full-on hallucinations.
Then Gendry smiled and lightly tapped Myrcella shoulder before pointing to the stage, where a handsome Brandon was standing, looking straight to the girl of his dreams. He had a black shirt, a black tie, black pants, black smart shoes, and his jacket was red and black striped, vertically. He walked across the dancefloor to her, smiling.
-Milady, he greeted her.
-Milord, she answered as he kissed her knuckles.
Arya snapped a picture for her friend, and they disappeared on the dancefloor. The short girl chuckled, happy for Myrcella. Then the next song began to be played and she jumped out of surprise.
-Oh my God, it's… she screamed in excitement.
The band Halestorm – her favourite – was on stage, starting to play Bad Romance.
-I called in a favour, Gendry told Arya.
She looked at him in wonder. The singer walked through the crowd, singing, and winked at the both of them before going back on stage. Gendry leaned forward and gently kissed her before hugging her.
Sansa had left her boyfriend a minute to go refresh her make-up in the girls' bathroom. She was standing in front of the mirror, and nearly jumped in surprise when she spotted the blond girl standing behind her.
Margaery had this dark beige dress that was flowing fluidly around her body. The V-neck went – literally – to her belly-button, showing way too much skin for a high school event. She also had a necklace that caught the attention and was drawing the eyes to her chest. Sansa winced internally, her ex-best-friend really was dressed like the bitch she revealed herself to be.
-What are you doing here ? she asked calmly.
-I know you'd think you were the only freshman at the prom, Margaery sneered. Joffrey just picked me up.
Sansa rolled her eyes. Of course, he did.
-Oh, well, congratulations, she replied with a cold face. He's all yours.
-Very generous, princess. And just so you know, Joffrey only liked you for one reason. He even had a bet going with his friends. He was gonna nail you tonight.
Sansa gasped. Now, she already knew what a jerk and a prick he was, but that, that was too much. She hurried out of the bathroom, the anger flaming inside her.
On the dancefloor, Gendry was dancing rock with Arya.
-Highgarden, he suddenly said as he spun her.
-What ? she asked as she stopped in his arms before spinning again.
-That's where I was last year. I wasn't in jail. I don't know Marilyn Manson and I didn't sleep with a Spice Girl, I don't think. You see, my grandpa, he was ill so I spent most of the year on his couch watching The Sand Snakes Adventures and making spaghettis. End of story.
-No way, she laughed as he dipped her.
Their dance was then interrupted by Joffrey who angrily pulled Gendry with him. Arya rolled her eyes but kept her temper in check, dancing on her own while Gendry finished whatever business he had with that prick.
-Hey, Joffrey groaned. What's Sansa doing here with that cheese dick ? I didn't pay you to take out Ari so some little punk could snake me with Sansa !
Arya froze and bore her eyes into Gendry's. No. No, he didn't. How could he ? Why would he ? Oh, of course. The money. That's what he wanted all along. And she fell for it. She was supposed to know better ! She saw Gendry's face full of sadness, regret and guilt. But it was too late to feel guilty.
-Nothing in it for you, huh ? she just said before running away.
-Arya, wait ! Gendry said as he chased after her.
Myrcella and Bran, who were dancing nearby, shared a look. That was not good. Bran hurried to Jon's side and tapped him on the shoulder.
-The shit has hit the fan, he warned as he pointed to Joffrey.
Jon sighed, but Brandon walked in front of him.
-Joffrey, pal, compadre ? Bran called.
Joffrey didn't listen to him as he shoved him away to face Jon. Jon rolled his eyes in annoyance as he went to help Bran up.
-You messed with the wrong guy, and now you're gonna pay, Joffrey threatened. You and that little bitch.
-All right, that's enough, okay ! Jon growled. You crossed the line.
Joffrey chuckled as he leaned back slightly and threw a punch, which Jon skilfully avoided by ducking to his left.
-Oh come on, come here you little punk ! the blond provoked.
Jon was about to tackle him and make things clear when a delicate white hand tapped Joffrey's shoulder lightly. He turned and was immediately greeted by Sansa's fist violently colliding with his nose.
-Shit, Sansa ! I'm shooting a nose spray ad tomorrow ! he groaned after a few seconds of shock, now cradling his nose.
-That's for trying to hit my date ! she yelled before punching him again. That's for my sister !
She grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him down as she moved up her knee, hurting him right in his manly attributes – if he had some, that is.
-And that's for me, she added before shoving him onto the ground.
She walked to Jon and cradled his face, searching for any wound.
-Are you okay, hon ? she asked worriedly yet with a proud little smile.
-Never been better, he whispered as he leaned in to kiss her.
Out of the ballroom, another drama was unfolding.
-Would you give me a chance to… Gendry was trying to say.
-You were paid to take me out by the one person I truly hate. I knew this was a set-up ! Arya yelled.
-Arya ! It wasn't like that, okay, he said as he grabbed her by the arm, stopping her from running away.
-Really ? What was it like, a down payment now and a bonus for sleeping with me ?
-No, I didn't cared about the money, okay ?! I cared about… I cared about you, he admitted.
-You are so not who I thought you were, she spat as she turned away.
He grabbed her by the shoulder and turned her to face him before crashing his lips roughly on hers, but she shoved him away and ran as fast as she could, away from this place and away from him. Sansa came just then, running, but saw her sister running away and couldn't do anything. She shared an apologetic look with Gendry, and went back into the ballroom to dance with her boyfriend.
The following morning, Arya was reading a book, sitting on the rail of the porch, enjoying the morning sun on her skin. Sansa walked to her and handed her a mug. Coffee, a bit of sugar, a bit of cinnamon and some milk, just like she loved it.
-You want ? she said with a small smile.
-Thanks, Arya weakly smiled.
-So, you sure you don't want to go riding with us ? It'll be fun, Sansa tried.
-No, I'm fine.
-Look, Sansa sighed. I don't know if I ever thanked you for going last night, but it really meant a lot to me.
-I'm glad, Arya nodded.
Footsteps could be heard and Jon made an appearance in front of them.
-Hey, he smiled fondly to Sansa.
-Hey, she replied with a shy smile and a blush.
-You ready ?
She nodded and went to grab her bag.
-See you later, Jon waved to Arya with a sympathetic smile.
-Bye, she answered.
-Is… Is she okay ? he asked Sansa as they walked away.
-I hope so.
Eddard walked out of the house just then.
-Where's your sister going ? he asked Sansa.
-She's meeting some bikers, big ones, full of sperm, Arya said without even looking up from her book.
-Funny, her father shot back as he sat down next to her. So, tell me about this dance. Was it hoppin' ?
-Parts of it, Arya chuckled.
-Which parts ?
-The part where Sansa beat the Seven Hells out of some guy.
-Sansa did what ?! Eddard yelled, shocked by the news, eyes wide open.
-What's the matter, upset that I rubbed off on her ? He deserved it, by the way.
-No, impressed, he corrected. You know, fathers don't like to admit it when their daughters are capable of running their own lives. It means we've become spectators. Sansa still lets me play a few innings. You've had me on the bench for years. And when you go to the House of the Black and White, I won't even be able to watch the game.
Arya frowned, she thought she heard wrong.
-When I go ? she repeated.
-Oh, boy. Don't tell me you've changed your mind. I already sent them a check.
Arya smiled widely as she threw herself at her father's neck, hugging him tightly.
Aaaaaand here it is ! Until next time, bye.