Rewrite the stars- Rayllum AU (book 1)

Ch. 2 Town

Callum:

Callum decided to go out to town to see if anyone was up for trading anything. 

He walked with his head low, avoiding eye contact. Still people judged, their prying eyes slowly cracking the facade he worked so hard on keeping up everyday. He was a walking disaster, a disgrace to his mother's name.

 When he gave up he decided to sketch on the bench, tracing the fine lines he made with the charcoal. 

He sketched the local baker, who was making some sort of pastries. He found that he felt at peace when sketching, it was the only thing he was really good at.

He watched as the baker put some fresh cakes on display,  his mouth watering. He got up and went to the stand, wanting to admire the delicate details of the cakes.

The scent of freshly baked goods hit him like a ton of bricks and he just felt his stomach screaming at him.  He got up close to the display case and smiled at the cakes, gorgeous flowers and swirls adorning the smooth cylindrical surface.

Wary of strangers, he had a heart attack when the baker noticed him.

"Hey there? What's your name?" The baker asked. A friendly smile graced his features, causing Callum to relax slightly. 

He cleared his throat and attached his sketchbook onto his satchel. "My name is Callum." He said quietly. 

He looked up to see the baker's eyes softening even more, if possible.

The baker grabbed his dirty hand. "What brings you here Callum?"

Callum smiled and cleared his throat. "Trying to stay alive."

The baker laughed and retracted his hand to grab something. "Well Callum, you look famished. Here, on the house." He said handing him a small box. Callum's eyes widened as he slowly took the box, not used to the kindness.

"Thank you." He croaked, taking out his sketchbook and ripping out the picture that he drew. "Here, I drew you before." 

He handed him the drawing and watched the bakers eyes light up. "Thank you Callum, feel free to stop by for free food all the time." 

Kindness in exchange for kindness, this is how the world should work. 

Callum bowed slightly and  went back to his bench. He quickly sat down and opened the box, eyes widening at the sight. A dozen jelly pastries sat perfectly in the box, the sides perfectly golden and the center a deep red color. 

 Callum picked one up and bit into it, melting into the warm gooeyness. He skipped breakfast and dinner last night, so this was like heaven.

Rayla:

Rayla sat in her carriage, holding her chin up in her palm.

She watched as the houses slowly got worse and worse. Soon they were just shacks with a roof barely holding it together. It made her sad, it always makes her wonder if she's just a waste of space, like without her people would be more rich because less food is wasted.

It was just a thought, it wasn't like she was actually gonna carry out her thoughts.

That's when they ended up the trading center, properly snapping her out of her not so great thoughts. 

She shouldn't be thinking like this, but she can't help it.

She got out and sighed when she saw people lying on the ground. 

Poor people who were dying, people who were fighting for food. 

Because of her, because of her family.

The town always fuels her nearly suicidal thoughts, she almost has nothing to live for anymore.

The townspeople shot her looks of surprise, their mouths parted and eyes widened.

 She felt self conscious of her horns and ears. All elves are royalty, and since the barely any elves left, it was a sight to see.  She walked to the bakery stand and handed him one gold coin. He looked up and almost dropped his rolling pin. 

"Your highness, what do you want?" The baker asked slowly bowing.

Rayla's cheeks felt suddenly really hot and she tugged in her dress. "I want to give ma dads, excuse me- the kings a surprise tonight." He raised an eyebrow in surprise and nodded.

"What shall I make?"

Oh.

"Somethin that you think will please them." She said with a smile.

"Yes of course, it'll be ready in an hour." He said that with another bow before running into his shop.

"Thank you." She whispered, and proceeded to another stand.

Ignoring all those bad thoughts that are looming over her head.

Callum:

Callum sat up when he saw a young girl go up to the baker, looking no more than 16.

Not realizing who she is he started sketching her, since that's what all weird introverted people do.

He sketched all of her features, her beautiful dress, her snow white hair, her tear drop shaped marks on her face. Her ears, wait a minute.

His cheeks went immediately pink with embarrassment when he realized that he was sketching princess Rayla. 

The princess.

She can have him hanged for this.

He quickly shut his sketchbook and got up to leave. 

Hiding his face he quickly got away, but forgetting his box filled with treats