Chapter Text
Chapter 1
Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. If the students of Westeros High were to be called a family, then they were the most extraordinary of unhappy families. Each individual family that sent their child there was rich, moderately good-looking, and, above all, unhappy. However, every unhappy family has an exception, just as darkness cannot exist without light. Sansa Stark was one such exception.
Young, beautiful, and with a heart of gold- anybody and everybody who met Sansa recognised that remarkable purity in her soul, that rare quality of hope that very few have. Everybody adored Sansa; even Sansa adored Sansa.
But every rose has its thorn, and Sansa’s was Joffrey Baratheon. She was the most beautiful girl in school, and he the most handsome boy. Weren’t they bound to be romantically involved as per the unwritten and unspoken laws of high school?
“I miss you.” Sansa whispered into the phone, twirling a strand of her auburn hair.
“Yeah,” Joffrey replied. “But I’m going to see you tomorrow.”
“I’m so glad summer break is over.” Her voice grew excited. “I’ve been working on this art project all summer and I think I’m finally-“
“Yeah,” Joffrey interrupted. “Cool. Hey, wanna hang out after school tomorrow?”
Sansa blushed, knowing exactly what he meant by hang out. “I can’t. Mum wants me to teach Arya some of my “good manners”.”
“I know exactly how well-mannered you are.” He snickered.
Her blush deepened, and she thanked the gods that he couldn’t see her face. “Maybe the day after?”
“Maybe.”
There was an awkward silence.
“Okay, I have to go. See you.”
“Sure, bye. I love you.” She said, but Joffrey had already hung up.
Sighing, she dropped her silent phone.“It’s because his dad died over the summer.” She told herself. “That’s why he’s been so… weird. It can’t be easy to get over your dad’s death, so maybe I need to give him a little space.”
And she had given him more than just a little space. She’d barely met her boyfriend over the summer, and their conversations grew shorter every day. Was Joffrey getting bored of her? Probably not, since he had asked her to hang out with him.
“He hasn’t kissed me all summer.” She thought, a little guilty to be feeling upset about such a trivial matter.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on her door, and Robb poked his head in. “Are you done?”
“Done with what?”
“Mushing your boyfriend.” He came in and sat next to her.
“That’s not a word.”
“Mushy. Mushing.” He said in a patronising tone. “So what does the golden boy say? Did he mush you?”
Sansa glared at him and he laughed heartily. Robb had his father’s laugh.
“Anyway,” Sansa said slyly. “When are you going to ask Jeyne out?”
“I don’t date my sister’s friends. It’s a rule.”
“Jeyne Westerling.”
Robb flushed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“We-ell, you know how she-“
“Okay,” Robb cut her off hastily. “That was a nice conversation, now I’m going to go to bed.”
“And dream about Jeyne Weeesteeerling.” Sansa mocked him in a sing song voice.
Her brother threw a pillow at her on his way out.
“Happy mushing!” She heard as the door slammed shut.
“This is beautiful, Sansa.” The art teacher said admiringly. “I love how you used the rose and the thorn as a metaphor for the assignment “Good vs. Evil”. And your use of light is brilliant!”
“Thank you, Ms Martell.” Sansa could not keep her obvious pride out of her voice. “I worked really hard on it all summer.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Arianne Martell said as she noted down Sansa’s grade. “I was afraid that you would waste all your time with that boy Joffrey, but clearly I was wrong. You’re not only talented, but dedicated. That’s not a common combination.”
Sansa was delighted. “That means a lot to me, Ms Martell, especially from you.”
Arianne looked her in the eye. “Have you considered a career in art? There aren’t many who have your kind of aptitude for the subject. I’d be willing to do anything I can to help you excel at this.”
Sansa knew that Ms Martell was famous for being the most passionate teacher in all of Westeros High, sometimes even frighteningly passionate.
“I’m… not sure what my parents would think.” She hesitated.
Arianne pursed her lips. “Just because you’re a girl, Sansa Stark, it doesn’t mean you can’t stand up for yourself. You have as much right to choosing your own path as your brothers do.”
Sansa turned red. “I’ll think about it.”
Averting her gaze from Ms Martell’s disappointed look, she snatched up her project and rushed for the door.
“Thanks again, Ms Martell!” She called out, hurrying to get to class on time.
Clutching the paper to her chest, she jogged up the stairs, panting for breath. Showing up late to her first day of World History wouldn’t make a good impression. Absorbed in her own thoughts, she nearly ran over her own boyfriend.
“Hey!” He caught her. “Are you trying to run me over?”
She glanced at the Clegane brothers standing on either side of Joffrey with more than just a little surprise. She hadn’t thought to see Joffrey with them.
“Sorry.” She said, catching her breath and looking him in the eye. “I wasn’t looking.”
"That’s obvious.” He smiled his half-smirk at her and her heart lifted. Maybe things between the two of them would go back to normal after all.
“After you.” He gestured at the classroom door, still smiling.
Holding back a smile, Sansa pushed the door open and Joffrey followed her inside.
“You’re late.” Mr Seaworth said with a mildly disapproving tone. “Take your seats quickly.”
“Yes, sir.” Sansa murmured, staring at the two new students who stood by Mr Seaworth, looking calm and composed.
The boy was handsome, definitely. Probably even better-looking than Joffrey, but he had a very soft spoken air about him. He was like an effeminate version of Prince Charming. She sensed that he’d have all the girls swooning over him in no time at all. Joffrey wouldn’t like that.The girl next to him, evidently his sister, was beautiful. She was beautiful in every sense of the word and Sansa gazed enviously upon her dazzling brown curls as she took her seat.
“As I was saying,” Mr Seaworth continued. “These are our newest students, Margaery and Loras Tyrell. I’m sure you’ll do all you can to make them feel welcome.”
Margaery smiled with shimmering teeth and her brown eyes met Sansa’s blue ones. “I’m sure we’ll have a great time.”