Greenhouse Effect

5.

"This is..." I start to say but trail off, unable to think of the best word to capture the quaint little town we've stumbled upon. My concentration is focused out of the passenger window, dragging along the mismatched buildings that are all squished together along the street.

"Perfect," Nina finishes my thought. I tear my eyes from outside to look at her and she seems just as awestruck as I feel. "I mean who knew all this... was hiding in plain sight less than an hour away from stupid East Ridge?"

"Not me," I mutter. I watch as she leans forward onto the steering wheel, peering up at the homemade shop signs. The car drifts a little onto the wrong side of the road as she does this, so I quickly grab the wheel and guide us back onto our side. She gasps and looks at me, clearly a little embarrassed at the slip up.

"Let's park and explore?" I suggest with a laugh.

"Good call," Nina chuckles and pulls into a spot in front of a building with chipping white paint, 'Rey's Diner' is painted neatly on the blue door.

"I'd be willing to bet that place is better than every restaurant back home combined," I say to her as she crosses to meet me on the sidewalk.

"It's settled then, we'll eat there before we head back," she smiles up at the cozy looking establishment.

We waltzed around the block, pointing out which buildings we thought were the most aesthetic. She pointed out a white-washed brick one with black shutters around the windows; it was sort of elegant in an outdated kind of way and I could easily understand her appreciation for it. I pointed to one that was painted a perky yellow color and had an excessive amount of weathered decorations hung on the windows and door frame. I liked the warmness of it and Nina nodded thoughtfully at my choice.

Before long, we noticed a highly trafficked area ahead with dozens of people hovering around what looks to be vendor stalls. A flea market, maybe?

We follow the commotion and my suspicions are confirmed once we get closer. No two stalls are the same, selling things ranging from antique planters to caramel apples. I drink in the variety of it all, being reminded of a patchwork quilt with how many different things can be pieced together to make something beautiful. With everyone taking their time to browse through the market and enjoy the nice weather, it feels more comfortable than I expected a flea market to feel.

Nina wanders over to a vendor who appears to be selling homemade jewelry and I follow close behind. I peer over her shoulder at the various wire-wrapped stones that dangle off of necklaces. They're all intricate and absolutely gorgeous.

Nina's fingers clasp gently around one of the black pendants. The dark stone is covered with little white blossoms that look like snowflakes.

"Snowflake obsidian," she mutters quietly and the elder woman tending the stall nods appreciatively.

"For helping one to get through rough times," the woman says with her wrinkly hands clasped in front of her politely.

So it's not just plant teas that have magical powers then... I don't know how much I believe that stones have influence over your wellbeing, but then again I was skeptical of Potter's teas too. I have been feeling particularly happy today, just like Potter said his lilac tea was good for. Though, I can't be sure if that's from the tea, getting out of East Ridge, or good company.

I examine the array of necklaces and find that one stands out to me. It's a light aquamarine color and it's laying in a bed of loopy bronze wire. I reach out from beside Nina to touch the pendant and the woman hums in acknowledgment.

"You drawn to that one?" She asks me.

"Sure, yeah. I mean, it's beautiful," I admit, not sure I want to entertain the 'being drawn to it' thing. She raises her eyebrows at me.