'Hey, Esme!', a familiar face called out

She turned around to see Colin from the other day running towards her,

'Hey, Colin, what's up?'

'Did you go to the compeition the other day? It was crazy, the Kingdom just can't stop talking about it.

'I was really busy, I couldn't make it to watch the competition'

'You missed out, someone decided to dress up in this insane outfit and confront the Mayor in front of everyone, so they could compete. I mean, who would have reason to do that? What situation would you have to be in to have create a whole new persona?'

'That is strange, I'm sure whoever did it had their reasons, though'

'Yeah but what if they're dangerous? I'm surprised Mayor Atlas even allowed them to compete. I guess he was just as curious as the rest of us'.

Colin was not letting the subject go, so Esme had to find a way out of this.

'I wouldn't worry about it, Colin. It's probably fine. But listen, I'm really busy and need to pick up some provisions, but I'll see you around?'

Colin seemed taken aback

'You're a funny character, new girl. Very mysterious, you always seem to have somewhere to be?'

'That not it at all', she responded, worried she'd upset him, 'I just don't have any food, it's really nothing odd'

'Whatever you say, I'll see you around'

Esme was glad she'd finally ended that uncomfortable conversation, and turned her focus to the market stalls. As she picked up a variety of foods that she could cook with, she realised she was running out of money, and fast. She's have to start trying to figure out a way to make ends meet. Life was different now, and there was no turning back, so she'd have to start figuring it out.

She was suddenly jostled out of her deep thoughts and knocked to the ground.

'I am so sorry, I wasn't thinking', a voice said.

'No, no, I wasn't looking where I was going', she tried to respond, 'I'm sorry, I should be more careful, I'm so clumsy'.

The voice had come from a man, around her age, who was now helping her up off the ground.

'Let me help you, you're food must be completely crushed now. You must let me repay you.'

Esme tried to quickly gather her things and get away when she got a glimpse of the man she was now in a tangle with. He had the most beautiful wide, grey eyes, and dark shaggy hair. He was dressed in extremely nice clothing, with a navy jacket covered in gold detailing from head to toe, he was obviously fairly wealthy.

The man was now staring at her as well, which made her embarassed, this wasn't exactly the state she wanted to be seen in.

He broke the silence.

'I haven't seen you before, are you new here?'

'No, I've just been away for a while', she brushed the hair out her eyes, 'I should get going'

He grabbed her wrist,

'You must let me repay you for the food. Where are you staying?'

Esme felt she was in deep water now, she had to think fast,

'The food is fine, and I lost my house when I left...in a fire. I'm staying in the forest now until I can find a new place.'

'That forest is extremely dangerous, you can't possibly stay there. I have a small cabin, and I absolutely insist that you say there until you find somewhere else.'

'I couldn't possibly do that, where will you stay?' She asked.

He couldn't stop himself laughing at her awkwardness, 'I live somewhere else, it's a family-owned cabin, we rent it out to people, but if you're homeless, you can stay there for the time being'.

This was an offer Esme just couldn't refuse.

'I guess just for a while then. Thank you so much for your kindness, sir'

He laughed aain.

'It's Theo, and you are?'

'Esme'

'Then Esme, I shall take you to the cabin now.' He had an almost flirtatious sense about him, the way he gave her this little look just made her feel like this was a man who was used to getting the ladies, and she wasn't falling for it.

Within 10 minutes, Theo and Esme had reached his cabin, it was small, but exactly what she needed. There were stairs to a raised platform with a bed on it, and comfy chairs and sofas surrounding the sitting room. She even had a working fire, something she hadn't seen in a long time.

'I really cannot thank you enough'

'It's not really meant to be lived in, but if it's just you then you should be OK.'

'OK? It's perfect, thank you, Theo'.

As she turned away to put her suitcase on the bed, Theo gave her another look. She's beautiful, he thought, and charming. He wondered what her story was, where she'd been, what she was interested in, and mainly if it was just her at the moment. She turned back to him and glanced in his eyes again, but quickly looked away.

'I'm kind of tired, I might have a rest if that's OK with you?', she was trying to diffuse the tension so he didn't start asking questions.

'Of course, I'll leave you to it', Theo stepped towards the door, and then turned back, 'But I will see you soon, will I?'

She looked back at him, 'Well I'm staying in your family's house, so I assume so.'