Chapter 8

Sansa Stark POV

I'm hanging out with Arya this weekend. She's still grounded, but my mom said we could hang out if I didn't take her to go see Gendry and she knew where we were going. I had cheer this morning, but we're hanging out after.

"Do you want to go do something?" I ask Arya after changing in our room.

"Are you sure you can't take me to see Gendry?" She asks.

"Yes, I'm sure," I say. "I really don't want to get in trouble."

"Okay, fine," she says. "Will you go on a walk with me, or are you too tired from cheer?"

"That's fine," I say. "We can do that."

We walk out of our room and I poke my head into my mom's room. "We're going for a walk," I say. "Just wanted to let you know."

"Okay," my mom says. "Be back before dark."

We head out and start walking around the block. "I'm sorry you're grounded," I say. "Was it just because of the smoking?"

"I know that was the main reason," Arya says. "Mom obviously doesn't know that Gendry and I had sex."

"How are you going to get out of this?"

"I'm not sure how long I'm grounded to begin with," she says. "If I can't convince her and dad that Gendry stopped smoking, I'll just have to sneak around to see him. I used to do that all the time, so I'm used to it."

"I'm sorry this is happening," I say. "I know it's been kind of a rollercoaster with Gendry."

"It's so annoying," Arya says. "I feel like there's always some hurdle I have to get past just to be with the guy I like."

I feel like telling her that maybe that's a sign that she shouldn't be with him, but I know that isn't what she wants to hear. Plus, I like her and Gendry together so I'm also conflicted. Normally I wouldn't approve of her being with someone so much older, but Gendry is definitely different from other guys.

"I get that," I say. "I also get their concerns, but I feel like none of this is as big of a deal as Jon or mom and dad are making it out to be."

"Me too," she says. "They said they'd have to have 'serious talk' with me soon about Gendry, I don't know what that means and I'm scared." She put "serious talk" in air quotes, I didn't know it was that big of an issue.

"God, I'm really sorry Arya."

"It's okay," she says. "I don't really want to focus on it anymore. Do you have any update on Myrcella?"

"Not a major one," I say. "I think she went to stay with Podrick this weekend."

"And her dad let her?"

"I'm pretty sure he's out of town," I say. "She can always come here, but I get that she'd rather be with him."

"I'm sorry she's going through this," Arya says. "I know Gendry hates Joffrey too and wishes he could help her more."

"It really sucks," I say. "I mostly feel bad for Shireen because she's so young."

"Yeah, I bet," Arya says. "I wouldn't know how to deal with all that at that age."

We finish up our walk and go back inside. I'm glad we can still hang out, even though she's grounded. It's not like my parents can prevent us from hanging out. I hate what's happening with both Arya and Myrcella, even though Arya kind of got herself into this situation. I still feel like my parents are overreacting.

Myrcella Baratheon POV

It's Sunday, which means I either have to go home today or finalize a plan with Podrick. We had an okay time together this weekend, he had to work Saturday but I was able to hang out at the apartment with Gendry. He was able to find a job at his school, so that means he usually doesn't have to work weekends.

"Have you thought about what you want to do about your situation?" Podrick asks me as we're hanging out in his room.

"I've thought about it, but I don't know what to do," I say. "I really don't want to go home."

"I don't want you to go home either," Podrick says. "The thought of you going back there where Joffrey is sickens me."

"Me too," I say. "But if I don't go back today, my father will come looking for me."

"Do you really think he will?"

"He would eventually," I say. "He may drink a lot, but he's good at putting on a good show about caring about us when he needs to."

There's a long pause. "Do you think there's any way you could move in here?"

"Pod," I say. "You have no idea how much I want that, but I really don't see that working."

"Why not?" He asks. "You're in high school, but you could work towards getting your drivers' license and me or Sansa could give you rides. It would work fine."

"I just don't think there's any way my dad would allow it," I say. "But I wish it was possible, I really do."

"What if you asked your dad?" Podrick asks after another long pause.

"What?"

"Would it really hurt to ask?" He repeats. "You could say you can't be with Joffrey anymore, you could mention it caused you to relapse."

"Even if that worked, what would I do about Shireen?"

"Cella," he says. "I know you love her, but right now your mental wellbeing is more important than anything."

"You're right," I say. "I guess I can call my dad, but it's on you if I get in trouble."

"Okay, deal."

I call my dad, my hands are shaking so much. I'm terrified because I know this isn't going to work, but I'm so scared of what will happen if I have to go back home.

"Hello?" My dad says when he answers.

"Dad?" I ask. "Are you home yet?"

"No, I'll be back today," he says. "Is everything okay?"

"I'm at Podrick's," I say. "I really don't want to come back home, dad."

"What? Why? What's going on?"

"Joffrey is being so horrible to me and Shireen," I say. "I've been trying to tell you that, dad. I feel like I can't take it anymore."

"Myrcella," my dad says sternly. "I've told you that you just need to rise above it and it's not worth it."

"I've tried, dad," I say, tearing up. "He just won't stop, he bullies Shireen too. Even Tommen has started to pick up the same behavior."

There's a long pause. "I've been struggling because of it," I continue. "I really don't want to have to go back to treatment."

"What's your solution?" My dad eventually asks. "Where would you live if not with us?"

"Podrick has already invited me to live with him and Gendry," I say. "Him and Sansa can both help in taking me to school."

"Do you really expect me to let you just live with your boyfriend?" He asks.

"No," I say. "But I'm going to be here as much as I can, regardless."

There's another long pause, I can tell my dad is thinking about what to say. "If you really don't want to come home, then I guess I shouldn't make you," my dad says. "I think this is a really bad idea, though."

"Nothing can be worse than staying with Joffrey," I say. "I firmly believe that."

"I'm only letting you stay there because your cousin is there," my dad says. "And I'll be here when your relationship with Podrick fizzles out, I know it will if you do this."

"Thanks dad," I say. "I'll be home to get some stuff later."

We hang up, and Podrick looks at me. "He actually said yes?" He asks.

"I think he doesn't care if I'm actually home," I say. "Plus, he's only letting me because my cousin is here and he thinks our relationship will fizzle out soon."

"Well, it won't," Podrick says, kissing me. "I promise."

"Can we go to my house tonight so we can get more of my stuff."

"Of course," he says. "I'll be right by your side through all of this."

I can't believe that actually worked, and I know it probably won't stick long-term. The fact that I even can have a temporary break from Joffrey is a better outcome than I was expecting, honestly. I am worried about Shireen, and I feel horrible for leaving her. Podrick is right though, my wellbeing is the most important thing right now and I really don't want to have to go back to treatment. I'm afraid that's where I'm headed if things don't change.

Part of me was hoping my dad would say he was going to knock some sense into Joffrey, but I think even he realizes it might be too late. It's not too late for Tommen, I'm more worried about him. If things get too bad with Shireen, I'll figure out a plan to help her. I'm just relieved my dad said I could stay with Podrick, even if it's just for a little bit and even if it doesn't seem like he really cares about me. I can figure out the rest later.

Daenerys Targaryen POV

Today is my first day as a hostess at the restaurant. I'm excited because I know it'll be good for me, but I'm worried Cersei will embarass me by slacking.

I'm doing my my makeup in the bathroom when I get a text from Jon. He's doing some studying at the library and then getting ready to start his job at the student center by talking to one of the faculty members today.

Ding. *Good luck today, I know you'll crush it.*

I smile and send him a text back. *Thanks babe. I love you 3.*

Ding. *Love you more.*

I walk to the restaurant and meet Cersei outside. "Hey," I say. "You ready?"

"Yeah, I guess," she says. "I'm just glad they scheduled us to train together for our first shift."

We walk inside and let the hostess on duty know who we are, she sends us to the back to get our work shirts.

"These are so ugly," Cersei says. "I was hoping it wouldn't be so covered."

"Why do you need to show your boobs at work?"

"It's just better for this kind of job," Cersei says. "When did you become such a prude?"

I roll my eyes. "Whatever, you're crazy."

We get changed and then head to the front again. The manager we met with to interview and get our paperwork isn't here today, we ended up leaving our signed paperwork in the back office when we got our shirts. I guess it's time to start, I'm just pretty nervous and I wish Cersei took this more seriously.

…

Cersei and I are getting our stuff in the back when our shift ends and getting ready to head out. I think it went well, I like the job so far and it didn't seem too hard. We basically just shadowed the hostess training us and she taught us how to seat people and math out the way the seating area is organized. I'm just worried it'll get a lot harder on busier days.

"What are you doing when you leave?" I ask Cersei.

"It's my first date with Bronn tonight," she says. "We're going to eat at this Italian place."

"Oh," I say after a long pause. "I didn't realize you were actually going to go through with going out with him."

"I want to see where it goes," Cersei says. "I feel like we could have something."

"If you're sure," I say. "I just don't think it's a good idea."

"Why not?" She asks. "Not that I care what you think, but I'm curious."

"Just after what happened before," I say. "I don't think you should get mixed up with the stuff he does."

"Yeah, I figured you'd say that."

"I just care about you," I say. "I want you to stay safe and end up with a good guy."

"I know," she says. "But you don't have to worry, I'll be fine."

I know I do have to worry about her, but at least she's not getting angry at me that I care now. I'm not going to clean up Cersei's mess if things go South with Bronn, even though she probably expects me to. I hope she's right that she'll be fine, but I really don't have a good feeling about this.

Cersei Lannister POV

I'm actually really excited to meet up with Bronn after my shift. I think my first shift went well, but I honestly don't care much about this job. Learning responsibility by doing a job that I'm not going to keep is honestly stupid to me.

I leave the restaurant after changing in the bathroom and walk to the Italian place, I made sure to not drive so I could drink tonight. I even brought my fake ID, I hope that doesn't turn him off. I doubt something like that would since he deals drugs on the side.

When I get there, Bronn is waiting outside. "Hey," I say when I walk up. "You're here early."

"I wanted to make sure I got here on time," he says. "You look nice, wasn't today your first shift at the seafood place?"

"Yeah, but I changed."

"How did the shift go?" He asks.

"It was fine," I say. "Dany and I just trained together, it went well I guess."

"You want to go inside?" He asks. "Are you hungry?"

"For sure," I say. "I didn't eat at the restaurant, I just had a snack before my shift."

"Okay, let's go eat then."

We walk inside and get seated, this place is actually pretty nice. I hope I'm not underdressed, I just feel like I'm kind of messy looking. I order a cocktail, and Bronn just orders a beer.

"I'm surprised I didn't get carded," I say when the waitress walks away. I lower my voice to a whisper. "I'm still only 20."

"Oh, that's right," he says. "Your birthday is Christmas Eve, right?"

"Yeah," I say. "My dad always said Jaime and I were his and my mom's Christmas present."

"Aw, that's sweet," Bronn says. "How is Jaime?"

"I think he's okay," I say. "He doesn't know that I'm going out with you."

"Do you plan on telling him?"

"I'll have to eventually," I say. "But I'm not excited about it, he doesn't exactly approve of me spending time with you after what happened over the last couple years."

"I guess I understand," Bronn says. "If I had a sister, I'd be protective of her from guys like me."

I know he knows about us. Jaime either told him a while back or implied it, I just hope Bronn never asks about it since I have no intention of stopping things with Jaime. That may sound bad, but I know Jaime won't cut it off either even if I'm dating someone.

We get our drinks and order our food, there's a pause of silence after. "Can I ask you something?" I ask eventually.

"Of course."

"What are you looking for with this?" I ask. "I mean, I'm not exactly big on serious relationships. I'd just like to know if you're using me for sex."

"I'm really not," he says. "I'm not interested in something super serious either, but I definitely like you and want to spend more time seeing where things could go."

"Thanks," I say. "I'm all for just sex, I just need you to tell me."

"Don't get me wrong, I really really want to have sex with you," he says. "But I'm not against dating more exclusively if things go in that direction."

We get our food and start eating. I really thought he might say he just wanted sex from me. He still might want just that, which I honestly can live with.

"Do you have a main job?" I ask. "Or do you just do your other hustle?" I'm trying to be discreet so people around me don't really know what I'm talking about.

"Just that hustle," he says. "But it definitely makes me enough money."

"I bet," I say. "I definitely can't judge you for it, I know I would do something that easy if I could."

We finish eating, and I end up giving Bronn head in his car before he takes me home. Next time he'll have to do something for me if he wants this to continue.

"I had a good time," he says as he's dropping me off. "I hope we can see each other again."

"Me too," I say, kissing him. "Have a good night."

"You too."

I get out of the car and walk into my apartment, Jaime is sitting on the couch. I hope he doesn't have an inkling about what I was doing. "How was your first shift?" He asks me.

"It went well, I guess," I say. "Dany and I got a bite to eat after."

"Did she like the job okay?"

"Yeah, I think she did better than me," I say. "She definitely cares about the job more than I do, but that was to be expected."

"I'm glad you decided to stick with it," he says. "You definitely didn't have to."

I felt like I had to, otherwise he would think less of me. We watch some TV and then go to bed. We sleep in the same bed, he tried to make moves on me and I pretend I'm just too tired. It feels too weird having sex with Jaime on the same night that I met with Bronn and fooled around with him.

I feel bad for lying to Jaime, I know he'll be mad when he finds out about me and Bronn and it'll be even worse if he finds out I lied. I'll eventually tell him, I just need to figure out the best way to do it. I hope Dany doesn't say anything before I get that chance, that's something I really don't need.