Chapter 5: 5 Seconds of Summer
Precious stolen moments between four friends enjoying the summer in The Reach. Ned and Gendry share a bond with new revelations about their connection.
Lommy slapped a poster on the table one morning during breakfast. They stilled as he slid in beside Gendry. He redirected the other teenager's fork into his mouth, ultimately stealing the piece of waffle. Arry, who sat at the center of the booth, was the first to react. She screamed and tried to jump up, bumping the table with her hands and knees. Everyone scrambled to catch the jug of juice, syrup, or their glasses, complaining that it was too early for this level of energy. Ed waved her down, then passed out some napkins to help clean the mess.
"We don't close the last night of their showing," Lommy began as he made his plate, indifferent about the glares he got for the guys. "It would be the best send-off before we head further west." He licked the syrup from his fingers, smirking as Arry buzzed in her seat.
"From what I hear, those concerts get rowdy. I don't think I'm comfortable-" Ed paused when his daughter whined. Lommy protested next, along with Hot Pie, who complained about leaving her behind. The older man glanced at Gendry, who had quietly been fighting with the blond about whose fork he'd stolen and wanted back. "There will be drinking, and the crowds tend to be unsafe for-"
"It's Acorn Hall," Arry reasoned as if that explained away the whole thing. "I never get to go to their shows, and I won't be alone!"
"They're playing on the outskirts of the carnival, sweetling. Surely, you can hear them from the safety of-"
"That doesn't count!" She bit her bottom lip, then brighten as an idea popped into her mind. "Gendry! Gendry will be with us, and he's bigger than most folks. No one would even think to mess with us."
The boy in question looked up from his spot beside Ed, oblivious to the conversation, and then glanced down at the poster. "Who is Acorn Hall?"
Arry, Lommy, and Hot Pie dropped their forks and lamented about his ignorance. All three speaking over each other about a.) the greatest upcoming band in Westeros, b.) how he called himself a fan of rock, c.) his taste in music needed an upgrade. Gendry and Ed stared at them, at each other, then back at them.
"It's decided, then, Gendry must accompany us. His level of cool depends on this concert." The blond took a drink of the other teenager's juice, knowingly stealing his friend's things to provoke him.
"We can prop Arry on his shoulders. Safe as uh fiddle, that one," Hot Pie chimed in and picked up another waffle from the center plate.
She opened her mouth to argue about another short joke but then raised her brow. "I could see the stage better without getting too close! Perfect!"
"Do I get a say in any of this?" Gendry slapped Lommy's hand away and took back his juice.
" No, " they collectively announced.