Chapter Text
Sansa took a deep breath, and tried to settle the fluttery feeling in her chest. You can do this, she told her reflection. None of this is your fault. It was the start of September, and the start of Sansa’s sophomore year, but this year Sansa knew was going to bear little resemblance to Freshman year, where she’d easily made friends and the teachers had been considerate of the Vice Principal’s daughter. Not so now. Over the summer break, startling revelations had been made about her father’s activities in that role. As it turned out, more authority and a higher paycheck weren’t the only perks in Mr. Stark’s new job; he had also made a second living through the embezzlement of the school’s funding on the side.
When the news broke, she had been on summer vacation for a week. Everything seemed perfect, until it came crashing down around her. Her father had been arrested, her boyfriend’s father taken in for questioning, and then the whole storm had broke. The truth was announced in national headlines: “School Leader Responsible for Embezzling Millions from Funding”. Her father had lost his job, and she had lost her house, social status and dignity, all in one fell swoop. Friends had stopped responding to her calls, and one day her boyfriend’s mother had actually come storming round their house, screaming at her mother about how her husband had had to resign over the scandal. Their house had been huge, one of the largest in the area, but with court costs and the money her father had been ordered to pay back to the school, it had been necessary to downgrade. Now, she was forced to share an apartment with her mother, sister and three brothers, and everyone’s tensions were increasingly high.
Stepping away from the mirror and picking up her bag, she winced as she remembered her boyfriend’s – no, ex-boyfriend’s – reaction to the news. She’d gone to see him, to say sorry and plead that she’d had nothing to do with it. He’d slapped her so hard she had tasted blood and tears had sprung to her eyes, before spitting that it was over and leaving her sitting on the ground, dumbstruck and heartbroken. She didn’t tell her mother. She had cried that night, and every night for the next week, as all her belongings were packed into boxes around her. Her sister had tried to comfort her, but nothing Arya said could do anything to change the fact that everything she loved was crumbling around her.
Sansa straightened up and made her way to the door. That was over now, all in the past, and it was time to move on. Still, she couldn’t stop her fingers from shaking as she clutched the bannister and made her way downstairs. In the hallway, her brother was waiting for her. He gave her a small smile when she saw him, and Sansa tried to return it. In the kitchen, loud voices and the clinking of bowls told her the rest of the house was still eating. She thought she could hear her sister Arya over the others, and a pang of jealousy went through her as she thought how Arya was too young to be starting high school. She’d been 12 when they first moved to the Crownlands, and now at thirteen was still a year away from starting at Kings. With any luck by then things would have settled down, and Sansa had no doubt that Arya would make plain sailing of it. It was Sansa who had to bear the brunt of it. And Robb, of course. But at least he was a senior, and since he was a year older than most and a star football player, somehow Sansa didn’t think he’d have too many problems. They were heading for the door when their mother called out.
“Robb, Sansa, are you off already?”
“We have to leave now if we want to get there on time, and you don’t want us to be late, do you?” Robb replied.
“No sweetling” Sansa’s mum said as she entered from the kitchen, her long auburn hair, so like Sansa’s, tied up hastily on top of her head. She looked at them and smiled, but Sansa could see the uncertainy behind it. “Sansa, can I have a word in the lounge?”
“Sure” Sansa followed her out. “As long as it’s quick though, Robb’s right.” Sansa thought she knew what her mother was going to say, and when she turned to face her her suspicions were confirmed. Her mother’s face had settled into a look of concern.
“Sansa, are you sure you’re going to be okay today? I know how hard this summer’s been for you, and with your dad-“
Sansa cut her off quickly. “Honestly mum, I’m fine,” she lied.
“I’m sure it’s almost completely blown over by now,” her mother said, trying to affect an air of breeziness that didn’t quite work. “But if you do have any problems, or find yourself struggling, let me know, okay?” Sansa nodded, and her mother kissed her on the head before clutching her to her chest.
“I love you mum,” Sansa said, hoping her mother could hear her sincerity. Her mother smiled “And I you, sweetling. Make sure your brother stays out of trouble for me, would you?”
Sansa smiled at that. “I will. I’ll see you this evening, mum.” She hurried out after her brother, who was at the front door, waiting impatiently.
“Hurry up, sis,” he said exasperatedly, and Sansa scurried after him. She could do this.