Whispers Among The Magnolias

Four

We rode in silence for a long moment before Hunter looked at me, "Do you want to talk about it?" He asked tapping his fingers on the steering wheel.

"Nothing to talk about," I said pressing my forehead to the cold window.

He let my statement hang in the air for a long moment before he turned down an unfamiliar road. I sat up to see in a few minutes, we were seemingly in the heart of town. Restaurants lined a long strip before us as cars parked on either side. I looked at Hunter as he parked in an available spot.

"We are way too early for curfew and I'm starving let's eat," He turned the car off and hopped out of his seat, I unbuckled myself and opened my door as Hunter met me at my side, he held out his hand to me and helped me out of the car.

"Could you go for tacos?" He asked as he dropped my hand and closed my door.

"Sure," I chimed as we crossed the street and began to walk the strip. I watched people walk in and out of the different stores and restaurants on either side of the cobblestone road. Bright string lights connected both sides of the strip down the main road and the sound of live music wasn't far away.

"This is cute," I said surprised at how much I meant it, I always loved living in the city and it's not like this was close at all but I liked the smaller feel it had, it seemed less daunting being the new girl here.

"This is where we host a lot of our events in town, I don't go to many but the chili cook-off and the fair, but my mom comes here on the weekend to sell her art at the town square sometimes," He said and I nodded.

He opened the door for me as I walked inside the restaurant the soft music playing through the speakers. We took a seat right by the window so I could still people-watch if I got bored.

Our waiter came to the table as we sat down. He sat a bowl of chips and salsa and some water on the table. I picked up the menu looking over it for a moment.

"I'm guessing the usual Hunt?" The boy said as Hunter smiled and nodded.

"Okay a double steak quesadilla with extra sour cream, and a mango jarritos," He didn't write it down just looked at me.

"Wasn't familiar with your game Hunt," he said as I glanced up from the menu.

Hunter laughed a bit and shook his head, "This is Magnolia, she's my mom's friend's daughter, she's staying with us for the school year, definitely not my date."

I pursed my lips together for a bit but tried not to take his laugh to heart, "Nice to meet you, can I get the birria tacos and a Sprite please."

"I'll have that right out for you guys," He took the menus from us, "I'm Leo, I also go to Peach Heaven High, so I'll see you around," Leo gave us a bright smile and walked away.

"The high school is named after the town?" I asked as Hunter took a sip of his water.

"There's only one so it's not like they had to get creative, and wait you didn't know the name of the school you were going to on Monday?" He laughed a bit.

"I was going to figure it out eventually," I shrugged smiling too.

I took a sip of my water clearing my throat, "I kind of pictured you as a loner, are you and Leo friends?" I asked and he shrugged.

"Leo's parents own this place and my mom and I come here a lot, we hang out sometimes but not really one on one," He said.

I nodded, "So you are a loner?" I said and he flicked some water on me.

"Play nice," he scolded and I flicked some back on him.

"You play nice I'm just trying to get to know you," I said and he put his hands up in surrender.