To celebrate the new year and to "celebrate" going back to school after 2 weeks of none, I wrote a chapter to introduce a new character. I wrote it on the plane while visiting my mom's side of relatives to celebrate my uncle's marriage.

Seems like it's just a time to celebrate! Hope you all had an amazing new years!

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Maximum Ride, just the plot of this story.

Mabel POV

"You're very beautiful," someone said from behind me.

"What?" I turned, expecting Prince Naresh, but only found another guy. He was pretty good looking also. He had short blond hair and blue eyes, giving him a very clean look. He'd caught me trying to clean up for Naresh after he saved Eavan from the merchant. Naresh had invited me for dinner but I still didn't plan on staying long. My family and I could survive on the streets.

"I said, you're very beautiful, while you may be covered in grime, your beauty cannot be masked," he said softly. A faint blush was on his cheeks.

Oh god, not another one.

While back in the city, there was no shortage of men who thought that I was a prostitute. I almost obliged once, but my mother stopped me.

"Who are you?" I asked, glaring at the guy's perfect figure.

"I am Prince Dewitt*, at your service my lovely princess." He bowed over dramatically and I snorted. I crossed my hands, leaning against the crystalline sink that was in the room Naresh had lent me.

"Look, pal, I don't know how you got in, but could you please get out now? I need to get ready." I glared. He didn't seem to mind however.

"In time, you will see that I am a better pick," he said, grinning. "But for now, I will leave you to your thoughts." And then he rushed out of the bathroom and over the balcony, disappearing over the edge. I slowly walked to the balcony and saw that Dewitt was gone without a trace.

When I was wondering how he was able to jump off the ten foot high balcony, Naresh showed at the door and I let him into the room. He was holding some rolls of cloth and was dressed differently from before. When he had saved Eavan, he was just wearing a plain brown cloak but now, he was richly robed. They were a rich dark black that matched his alluring eyes.

"Mabel, please choose a fabric," he said, spreading out three rolls of cloth on the velvet bed sheets of the giant bed. I walked over, still plainly dressed in the dirty shirt and pants I'd stolen from someone's clothesline a few months before.

The first fabric was a midnight blue with mica pieces scattered across the whole fabric. It had a velvety feel and was very warm to the touch. It reminded me greatly of the night sky.

The second fabric was pure white. It too had mica pieces embedded in the fabric which made the fabric sparkle when it moved. It had a soft texture that was also warm.

Finally, there was a warm honey colored fabric. It was cool to the touch and smooth. Soft and silky.

I fingered each cloth, comparing the feel and the temperature. I finally settled on the honey colored one, not sure what this decision was for. Naresh smiled from the couch and then called for the tailors.

They scurried in a few minutes later and Naresh sat back not the couch in the room while the tailors fussed over me. Naresh cracked a half smile, admiring as the tailors took measurements of my waist and my body.

"Please stand still Miss Mabel," one of the women tailors grunted as I moved away from her as she started wrapping the honey fabric around me. She carefully placed a few pins int he fabric and stepped back to admire her work, then she took the pins out and rushed out of the room. The other tailors were close on her heels, all shouting orders to each other but I couldn't distinguish which tailor's commands from another.

"Lively bunch, aren't they?" Naresh called from where he was. He had a very important air around him that he didn't have when he was just wearing the cloak. He almost seemed inapproachable to me as I was very low on the social ladder.

A servant came in bringing tall glasses with colorful drinks inside. I was offered one of these glasses and I took it hesitantly.

"Yes… your majesty" I said hesitantly. "What was the fabric and the tailors for?" Naresh's dark eyes seemed to have a spark of playfulness in them.

"You'll see." He said mysteriously. Just then the door slammed open and a very pale young man barged in.

"PRINCE NARESH!" He cried when he saw Naresh. "Where in Nedisia have you BEEN? Do you know how alarmed I was when I heard that there was a scuffle in the city? What would've happened if you were to be hurt and-" The pale one faltered when he saw me, staring wide eyed at him. "Who... is this?" He asked pointing to me, but not addressing me.

"Ilario, this is Mabel. I found her in... a predicament while in the city," Naresh said with a smile.

There was a slight pause with the pale one. I nervously took a sip of my drink.

"Is she a prostitute?"

I choked. Coughing loudly, I tried to stop the liquid from going down the wrong pipe. Eventually, Naresh gently patted my back until my fit of coughs had subsided.

"No, she's not," Naresh calmly replied.

"Oh. Shame," Ilario shrugged and regarded me with a scornful eye.

"It's a shame that I'm not a prostitute?" I nearly choked again, glaring at Ilario.

"Yes, I bet you'd be good in bed..." Ilario winked at me. I shot him the bird. "Well then, Prince Naresh. I'm just glad you're safe."

"Thank you for your concern," the prince said. He seemed very elegant and refined. But that was just how royalty is, I guess. "Mabel."

I turned. "Um... Yes, my lord?" I saw Naresh's mouth clench but he didn't say anything.

"Would you care to have dinner with my family?" He gave a small, almost hopeful smile. How could I say no to royalty when my place was lower than dirt.

"Certainly, your majesty." I said, mouth watering at the thought of a full meal tonight. "May my family attend to?"

"They may. Your garments are being made as we speak." That's what the tailors were for... Oh...

"I... I don't want to cause any trouble, my lord..." I said hesitantly.

"Nonsense, they're already in the making." Naresh stood and Ilario mirrored him. "The servants will be in soon to have you try you clothing. I'll be in my room if you need me." I was left in the room with nothing but my old clothes, and the furniture in the room. On the way out of the door, Naresh paused.

"You may stop with the formalities. Just call me Naresh." And then he left. Ilario cast a glance on the way out too. He winked at me again with a cocky smile. I ignored him.

"Thank you for everything... Naresh." I whispered. Then I flopped on the couch and promptly fell asleep. Today was especially tiring.

Max POV

It was a school day. Monday, the most horrible day of the week.

I opened my crusty eyes to the radiant morning sun.

Ugh, why is it morning? I thought.

Steadily, I got up and staggered to the bathroom. I was me again.

My dreams had shown me a memory of the past. How much was there to remember? How much of it was happy?

I brushed my teeth, combed my nasty hair and got dressed.

"Come on, Max! We're going to be late!" Ella yelled at me. "Why did I ever agree to have you drive me to school when we're both in high school?"

"I'm coming! Keep you panties on!" I yelled back, grabbing a bagel out of the toaster and rushing out of the door.

"Have a nice day, girls!" Dr. Martinez, our mom, called after us.

We arrived ten minutes late to school. Ella complained but I just blocked it all out. We sped down our separate hallways and I burst into my classroom panting.

"Nice of you to join us, Max. You may take your seat." The teacher said in mid sentence. He eyed me, irritated. "As I was saying, before Ms. Martinez interrupted me, was that I wanted you to welcome Dylan Blackwood. He just transferred to our homeroom, so I want someone with a common schedule to help him around school."

A blond hair, blue eyed boy stood in the front of the classroom. He was skinny but well muscled. There was an intelligent air around him that told other people that he was smart but approachable.

And he looked just like Dewitt.

*Dewitt (Dylan) is German for Blonde.

So! I hope you all enjoyed! Please read and review! It means a lot to me and also speeds up the writing process and inspires me to write! You want that right?