My Hometown

Smoothies Here we Come

I drove into the parking lot of Kieva Juice.  We walked in and looked at what choices we had.

"What are you going to get?"  I asked Hunter.

"I think Orange Obsession?  What about you?"

"Mello Mango."

"Alright."  He said then walked up to the register.  "Can I have two 24 ounces.  One Mello Mango and one Orange Obsession."  He payed the cash register.  

"What was that for?"

"What?"

"You payed for my drink.  Here let me pay you back."

"No, no, no.  This is my treat.  You drove us here it is the least I can do."  I shoved the money towards him and he shoved it back.  I shoved it back again and he did the same and are hands ended up touching.  I felt a spark pulse through me and I saw Hunter's face turn red.

"Just keep it Cora.  This is pointless."

I sighed.  "Okay fine.  But if we do this again, I pay.  Okay?"

"Okay.  When do you want to do this again?"

"I dunno maybe next time we work on the project."

"Okay sounds like a date."  He joked.  Now I could feel my face heat up.

"Whatever Hunter.  By the way what's your last name?"

"Dawson.  What about you?"

"Lowell."

We talked for a while.  He learned a little bit about me and I learned a little bit about him. 

"So I was wondering..."  Hunter said biting his lip.  "Maybe some time you would want to go out... like on a date.  I understand if it's too early to ask or if you don't want to.  It's just that I kind of-"

"That's sounds like it'll be fun.  And I'll be paying."

"Yeah we'll see about that Lowell."

"We will Dawson.  So I can drive you home whenever you need to be home."

"Nah not yet.  Going home means I will have to deal with my homework and snobby older brother who will be interrogating me.  I don't usually go anywhere after school.  And when I do he always seems to know.  So yeah he'll be surprised."

"Yeah my younger brother is probably going to be questioning me too.  He always seems to want to know what going on in my life.  And I want to know for him too.  He probably has a new girlfriend by now."

"Oh yeah.  That's funny.  How old is he?"

"13.  He's a 7th grader but he is quite the ladies man I guess."

He laughed.  I felt so comfortable around Hunter.  He would be a good friend.

"So how often do you get boyfriends Cora."  He joked around.

"Never really.  I don't mind.  I'm not really trying to get one.  What about you?"

"It's the same for me.  So I saw you were hanging out with some of the popular kids today at lunch."

"Yeah.  I guess.  They just invited me over.  There were really friendly."

"Well if you hang around with them for long enough you will become popular too.  So don't leave them."

"Nah.  I don't care about being popular really.  To be honest I'd rather not be here."

Hunter looked offended.  "Here like at Kieva Juice?"

"Oh no.  I mean really in Colorado Springs.  I'd so much rather be in Florida except for the fact that I've met some cool people."

He kept quiet for a minute.  He finally said, "Well maybe I should head home.  My family might get worried about me."

"Okay."  I said reluctantly.   

We hopped in the car and he led me to his house all while we jammed out to some music.  I pulled up into the driveway.  

"Have a good rest of the day."

"You too."  He opened his door and walked to the driveway.  Before I could drive away I got an Instagram notification.  It was from Hunter.

Have you left yet?

No.

Can you come to the front door and ring the doorbell?

Yeah sure.  Why?

I'll tell you in a minute.  Hurry!

I stopped the car and went and rang the doorbell.  A tall guy with hair similar to Hunter's answered it.  

"Hello.  I'm here for Hunter."  The tall guy raised his eyebrows and looked considerably surprised.

"Hunter.  Someone is here for you."

"Oh hey Cora."  Said Hunter.  Then he whispered, "Will you pretend you are my girlfriend?  Please?"

I rolled my eyes and nodded.  

"Hunter I came to visit you.  I just get so lonely without seeing you very often."  My voice didn't sound believable to me.

"Oh Hunter is this your girlfriend?"  Said the tall guy.

"Yes she is."

"Dude I don't believe that for a second.  You two look so awkward together."

I bit my lip and then threw my arms around him.  He hugged me back.  

"Now why don't you believe we're dating?"

"You guys don't look like a couple.  You're going to need to prove it better than a lame hug."

"Well we're not going to kiss.  We've only been dating a few weeks.  That is not that long."

"Fine whatever.  But I expect to see you around more."  He walked away back into his house.

"Who is he?  What is going on?

"Let me explain."  Hunter said and invited me inside.