Maya's POV

I ran quickly down the steps holding my dress up so that I wouldn't trip and fall. I tried to keep sight of the back of Farkle's head weaving through the crowd of people at the market. Before we ad left he merely said he wanted to show me something very important, and promptly started running. Now people were staring at me, probably thinking, "What kind of girl runs through the street like that? I feel so bad for her poor parents." Yeah, well, that's what most people thought about me, until they realized who I was. So, I tried to ignore the incredulous stares and kept sight of Farkle's head.

This was definitely not fair, he had trousers on and flat shoes. I had to wear a dress that was hard enough to walk in, let alone run. Plus, these stupid heels that kept getting stuck In the cobblestone street. I am so going to get him back for this I thought.

Soon enough I had lost sight of Farkle in the middle of the busy market. I stopped running and looked around me, taking everything in. The first thing that I registered was all the people around me. The market was always moving and changing. There were merchants yelling "Fish for sale! Best in the city!", and there were husbands telling their wives that, no they couldn't get this they already had three of them at home. While the wives looked around at everything with big eyes and hopeful hearts.

The next thing I registered was the smells. Oh, how wonderful the bread smelled at one of the merchants stands. I stuck my hand in my pocket looking for some change while my mouth watered. I found 10 cents and went up to the bread stand.
"How much for one slice of bread?" I asked.

"Five cents, for you, beautiful." The man answered.

I blushed and handed him the five cents taking the bread, and thanking him. Then, I looked around trying to get my bearings. From the looks of it I was on Beckett Street, only two blocks away from the castle. So, turned around heading back the castle, hoping that Farkle would realize I wasn't following him anymore. Knowing Farkle though, he probably wouldn't. Once he gets something in his head he becomes oblivious to the world.

Just as I turned around to head back, I smacked right into a very tall man. When I looked up, up, up to meet his eyes, I gasped. He had the most striking green eyes I had ever seen. He was also very handsome, with a chiseled jaw and light brown hair...

"Are you alright ma'am?" He asked with a slight southern drawl, snapping me back to reality. He looked at me concernedly.

"Um, y-yes. I'm so sorry!" I said starting to recover my wits.

"Well, that's alright ma'am. Where are you headed in such a hurry?"

"I'm not really in a hurry. I just lost my friend in this crowd and was heading home."

"Well, I should probably walk you. Just in case you decide to run into more people." He said as he smirked at me.

I raised an eyebrow, "I don't need an escort, sir." I hated it when men thought I was just a damsel, always in distress. "I think I can make it home alive without you. Thanks." I said sarcastically.

"I don't know. You don't seem like you could make it to the other side of this street without falling down. I mean, I saw you running earlier. You don't seem very coordinated.

I bristled. Who was this man to speak to me like this? I decided that I didn't not want to deal with this right now. So, I tried to step around him, but he caught my wrist and put my hand on his arm. I scoffed and tried to retract my arm, but he only held on tighter. So, I relented, and started walking. Somehow it was kind of comforting to be walking with someone who didn't know who I was. Before I could think to much about that I stopped myself and thought about something else instead. Like, for example, how absolutely annoying he was.

"So, what is your name, lovely?" He asked.

I refused to speak to him. Looking forward with my chin jutted out instead.

"Oh, okay, I see how it is." He said smiling, not even bothered that I wouldn't speak to him. "I'll just have to make a name for you! Mmmm, how about Sunshine? No, that won't work for you."

I scoffed.

"Oh, oh, oh, I know! Shortstack! That's what I'll call you!" He grinned.

"Alright fine! Then I'll call you Ranger Rick. How about that?"

"It's perfect! Very witty." He commented.

Despite myself, I laughed. He grinned, and we were both silent for the rest of the way. Which I was very happy about.

When we finally reached the palace, I stopped. Almost making Ranger Rick fall over (I laughed about that, but at least it was quietly!).

"This is my stop." I said, blushing.

"What? Let me guess, I was actually just walking with the princess." He said sarcastically.

When I didn't laugh or say gotcha! His smile melted.

"Wait, I was actually just walking with the princess?"

"Yes." Just as I was about to say more, Cory came down the steps in front of the palace. Abruptly ending my conversation with Ranger Rick (I have to find out his real name!).

"Maya! We have been looking everywhere for you. Where have you been? Who is this hoodlum?"

"I was at the market, and this hoodlum as you so kindly put it offered to walk me home." I didn't mention that I didn't want to walk home with him or that I really didn't like Ranger Rick. I figured he would already be in enough trouble, so I stayed quiet.

Ranger Rick piped up "I'm Lucas Friar, sir. I just wanted to make sure she got home safely. I didn't realize that she was-"

"Yeah, yeah, thank you Lucas, but Maya needs to go now. Goodbye." Said Cory. I could tell something was wrong, but I didn't want to ask in front of Lucas (Found out his name!). So, I just said goodbye.

"Bye, thanks anyway. I's say I'll see you some other time, but I probably never will, so.."

"Goodbye, Shortsack." He said as he took my hand and kissed it.

I blushed. Hard. Luckily, Cory whisked me off into the castle, before I could say or do something stupid.