4. Let's Drive
"Dude, you're never gonna guess where I just came from," Stiles grinned at his best friend.
Scott eyed Stiles skeptically, noting that the excited energy his friend usually displayed was coming off of him in waves. Stiles shifted from one foot to the other. He looked expectantly at Scott, his eyes practically begging him to question what was going on.
"Okay I'll bite," Scott relented. "Where did you come from?"
"Well if you must know," Stiles started. Scott gave him an exasperated look. "I just got back from Mr. Riley's house!"
Scott looked questioningly at the excited teen in front of him for a moment before realization sunk in.
His eyes widened, "You didn't!"
"Oh yes I did," Stiles beamed. "And she's awesome. Way cooler than we imagined. Like on a scale of one to ten she's not even on the scale anymore. She broke the scale because she's so freaking incredible!"
"Is it here?" Scott looked over his friend's shoulder, trying to see out the window.
"She's not an 'it' Scott," Stiles stated obviously. "And duh! You think I'm gonna leave her all alone when I just got her?"
Scott rolled his eyes but continued looking out the window.
"So," Stiles started. He pulled a set of keys out of his pocket and waved them in front of Scott's face, drawing his attention away from the parking lot. "Wanna go for a ride?"
The bell rang through the halls and they both flinched. Lockers slammed shut and all around them their classmates hurried into the open doors to begin the school day. Scott and Stiles watched as the hallway started emptying.
Stiles drew his attention back to Scott and waved the keys again. Scott smiled at the jingling sound. He threw an arm around Stiles' shoulders and spun him towards the door.
"Let's get outta here."
Scott grinned as the wind blew over his hand as he held it out the open window. He ran his fingers over the blue metal that was still warm from the sun. He looked over at his friend who was clutching the leather wheel tightly with both hands, a lopsided grin plastered on his face as he pressed down on the accelerator.
Scott watched Stiles yank the wheel sharply as he turned the Jeep onto a dirt road. They were surrounded by trees, moving further from town with every moment.
"Do you realize how awesome this year is about to be?" Stiles looked over at Scott. "We have a car now! A freaking awesome car!"
Scott grinned and nodded. "It's gonna be great dude."
"We can go anywhere now. No more walking to school or practice or anything," Stiles rambled excitedly. "We have a car!"
Scott laughed at his friend's enthusiasm. "You're repeating yourself Stiles. I think you need to calm down."
"Calm down," Stiles scoffed. "How can you be calm right now? We've been talking about this moment since we were kids. We can finally drive without our parents in our own brand new, slightly used Jeep!"
"You mean you can drive your Jeep," Scott corrected.
"Dude, you know you can drive her whenever you want," Stiles said. "What's mine is yours my friend."
Scott chuckled slightly shaking his head. "I know, but I can't drive. No license remember?"
"You turn sixteen in like 3 weeks," Stiles pointed out. "That's not too dramatic of a wait."
Scott nodded and turned slightly in the passenger seat. He stared out the window, watching the trees pass by as Stiles sped down the road.
"What's up?" Stiles questioned.
Scott sighed. He wasn't surprised that Stiles could tell something was bothering him. He usually knew that something was wrong with Scott before Scott even realized it himself.
"It's nothing really," Scott began. "I just don't think I'm going to be getting my license."
"Why not? The test is easy as pie. I aced it first try." He chuckled lightly at his accidental rhyme.
Scott didn't reply. He continued staring out the window.
"You've been to all the classes haven't you?"
Scott nodded.
"And I've seen you studying a few times, which is more than enough. It's an easy test dude."
"I know," Scott replied sounding slightly annoyed.
Stiles looked confused. "Then what's the problem man?"
"Just drop it Stiles," Scott said. "I'm not in the mood right now."
Stiles closed his mouth and focused on the road for a moment. He made a sharp turn and eased up on the gas a little. He noticed Scott watching his every move from the corner of his eye.
"How many hours do you have logged?" Stiles asked nonchalantly.
His question caught Scott slightly off guard. "Huh?"
"Hours," Stiles explained. "How many hours have you driven with your mom?"
Scott fidgeted in his seat and returned to staring out the window.
Stiles sighed knowingly. His suspicion was founded as usual. He could read Scott like an open book with giant font and pictures.
"Have you ever driven?"
"My mom works nights and I'm at school all day," Scott explained, offended. "It's not like I have a bunch of time to practice. I don't need you to be a jerk about it and hold it over my head.
"I'm not attacking you Scott. No need to get defensive," Stiles replied sharply.
"Sorry," Scott apologized. He watched Stiles for a moment, noting that his excited energy had calmed down and his smile was gone. He had ruined what was supposed to be the best day ever for his friend.
"I must be the only kid in our entire class that doesn't know how to drive a car," Scott said quietly.
"Yeah probably," Stiles replied. "Loser."
Scott turned to look at Stiles, about to snap back at him when he realized the car was coming to a stop. His face went from angry to confused as Stiles put the car in park, removed his seatbelt and turned to look at Scott with a toothy grin on his face.
"What are you doing?" Scott questioned.
"You said it yourself dude, your mom works nights and you've got school all day."
"So?"
"So," Stiles rolled his eyes. "We're not in school right now and I'm practically like your second mom."
"Stiles," Scott began to protest.
"I'm not going to best friends with the only kid in our class who can't drive a car," he added matter of factly.
Scott glared but a smirk was tugging at his lips.
"Now come on, switch me seats young grasshopper," Stiles grinned. "I'm a great teacher."
"You're an idiot," Scott corrected. He unbuckled his seatbelt and shoved the door open. He wiped his palms on his jeans, surprised to see that they were sweaty. He walked around the front of the car and almost ran into Stiles.
Stiles stopped him with a hand on the shoulder.
"You look nervous Scott."
"A little I guess," he admitted. "My dad always talked about how he couldn't wait to teach me how to drive." Scott shifted awkwardly.
Stiles gave his shoulder a sympathetic squeeze. "His loss dude 'cause now you're mine. Driver's Ed according to Stiles. Anything could happen."
Scott laughed and shrugged his friend's hand off. "This sounds dangerous."
"Would I ever put you in a dangerous situation?"
Scott smirked, "No, never."
"Alright buddy," Stiles clapped his hands together. "Let's drive."
This was a little light hearted one to make up for the heavy subject matter of the previous ones. I hope it at least made you smile a little bit. Thanks for reading!
