Under Age and Undercover: A Hannah Clark Novel (under edit)

8. Old Town (edited)

As we pulled into the parking lot I noticed a semi-run-down wooden plackard that read “San Diego: the birthplace of California.” Old Town was an absolutely adorable tourist attraction filled with street performers and musicians and magicians of all sorts. On top of all the live performances, there was a shop or booth for just about anything you could imagine. Every shop window was filled with the most unique gift ideas and souvenirs I had ever seen. Even I, who absolutely detested shopping, couldn't help but take a step inside each one.

Monique had found her heaven on earth running from shop to shop while attempting to talk to the salespeople in Spanish. Shane and I walked slowly from shop to shop, enjoying the atmosphere of the classic Latino town and talking with each other about anything unimportant that came to our minds.  Against all of my better judgment that told me getting to know Shane was a bad idea, talking with him I concluded that I actually enjoy his company. I was surprised to discover that we could have an actual conversation about something I enjoy talking about; zip lining, for example.

“Oh my God Hannah, you have to see this!” Monique ran over for what seemed like the thousandth time to where Shane and I were sitting and eating churros. “Isn't this just the cutest thing?” She held up a purse made of candy wrappers. “and it's, like, good for the environment! Because it’s recycled, see? Do you think I should get it?” I rolled my eyes at her dramatics, taking a bite of my churro.

 “I don't think you need it.” I answered. “You already bought a beach bag today. Do you really need to waste money on another bag?” Displeased with my response her face dropped sadly and she walked off muttering that I was 'as bad as her mother.'

We continued through the town with a similar pattern of stop, look, and listen to Monique as Shane and I got to know each other a little more. He wasn't very willing to share personal information- a trait all agents seem to have in common- but once I found a topic of interest he was very articulate and seemed to enjoy talking with me as much as I did with him. I found after much prying that Shane came from an upper-class family in Northern England. He has two older brothers- both in college now- and a sister only a year younger than Bryce. He lives with his mom but revealed nothing more about his parents or family life.

I shared a few stories about my mom and Nana and all of the silly things about Bryce. We talked about schoolwork too and I was happy to learn that we both have equally nonexistent social lives.

Shane was most entertained it seemed by the stories I told of my friends at school. He apparently was a very sheltered child and wasn't exposed to any of the childhood mishaps I shared with him, like the time Monique had managed to give both of us a bloody nose while trying to jump from the top bunk to the couch across the room on one of our many sleep overs. All of the friends he had managed to make in America he’s only met in the past few years, and the lifelong friendships I shared with him were the most intriguing topic for Shane.

In exchange for my childhood memories Shane shared stories of his many professors and physical trainers in England and told me about his many adventures as a bored and mischievous young boy. Most of his stories included some sort of explosion or another expensive end- something that hardly surprised me.  He was, after all, a notoriously fire-happy FSS agent as I read in his file.  It was obvious to me that he came from a very well-off family, although Shane hardly gloated over the fact. He talked lightly of dinner parties and conference calls his mother would receive invitations to, and the many colorful people he met when he had attended or hosted such events. Those stories intrigued me even more by his casual and easy-going demeanor after learning of his uppity family background.  I was beginning to realize that Shane was much more complex than a typical heir to a large family estate.

We walked around the little town for a couple more hours, buying a few trinkets and stopping for a late lunch before Monique became, and I quote, “too bored to stand.”