We're at the halfway point. Hope you've enjoyed it so far. Thank you for all your reviews. Nothing quite tops the feeling of reading your thoughts after an eight hour shift. Please don't deprive me of that joy. :)


Momentum

"You're killing it! You're killing it!" she screamed angrily.

The tires screeched against the asphalt, leaving a wavy black trail behind them. The car came to an immediate halt, jerking their heads forward. Her body pressed on the strap diagonally fastened against her chest then vaulted a centimeter back into the chair. She opened one eye and unclenched the passenger side handle, knuckles returning their color as she did. Her body finally released its intensity and sighed with relief when she realized she was in fact, still alive.

"I said clutch first, then shift. Clutch then shift!" Her frustrations ended in a heavy sigh and covered her eyes with her hand.

Ash lowered his head and nervously played with his fingers. "Sorry... I forgot."

"How could you forget? I told you five minutes ago! You're lucky no one was on the road with us!"

"Stop yelling! This was your idea! I don't understand why I have to do this!"

"Because..." her sentence hung. "It's easier if you do it this way!"

"Easier?! This is anything but easy!"

"It would be if you'd listen to me!"

"I can't if you're yelling all the time!"

"Fine," Misty held her breath to reset the atmosphere. "It's like a ballet, Ash." She gestured her point, imitating how each petal should be pushed at just the right time and pressure. "This one first. That one second."

He shook his head. "You're not making any sense. Ballet? What does that have to do with anything?"

"It's a metaphor, Ash! Gosh, how dumb can you be?"

It was the last straw. The seat belt zipped off when he unbuckled and he stormed out the vehicle. The car shook as he angrily slammed the door, leaving her alone. Misty watched him stomp off a few yards away. Even though he was out of earshot she could tell his mood. She always could. For a minute, she was unsure how to proceed. Then, finally after cultivating enough courage she stepped out of the passenger side and shut the door, not nearly as loud.

Everything changed as soon as she exited her car. The warm salty breeze evaporated her mood in seconds, gently moving thin orange strands across her forehead. It dragged the puffy clouds along the sky. The sun lazily slid into the calm ocean, making a perfect half circle, ensuring a few precious moments of sunset left. It was a beautiful scene. They could probably enjoy it more if it weren't for the situation.

He was a few feet in front of her, slightly bent over the metal rail guarding Route 25, overlooking the serene view of Cerulean City's Cape.

She took a few long steps to join him, listening to the continuous hush of the rolling waves on the white sand.

"I'm sorry, Ash."

No answer. "Come on... don't make this hard on me. I'm just looking out for you."

"You sure have a funny way of showing it."

"I know. I know." Misty rubbed her arms and focused on the timid sunset.

"Why do I need to learn how to drive stick anyway?"

"I know its seems overwhelming, but if you learn how to do it this way you'll be able to drive any kind of car."

"It's too hard," his head sunk lower. "I can't even get out of first gear."

She leaned on the railing too. "First gears the hardest, Ash. It's just how it is."

"Why?"

The sun was almost gone now, under the ocean's infinite expanse. The last beams of light faded into nothing, ushering in the dusk.

"It's kinda hard to explain. It has to do with momentum."

"Mo-what-a-mum?"

"Never mind. You just need to get the car moving before you can shift into second, then third."

"Wish it was easier though."

She faced him. "It will be... once you get going. Just keep at it."

"Fine. But only if you stop yelling at me."

"You got it," she hooked her arm around his neck. "Come on, kiddo. Let's go." She pried him away from the ridge and together they started walking back to the car.

"So... momentum, huh?"

"That's right," she grinned, knocking on his head.

"Where'd you come up with that crap?"

"It's physics, dummy. All we really need is a little momentum."

"We?" Ash stopped. "You mean me, right?"

"Uh... uh..." her stammers matched her blush, and she pulled away. "Of course I meant you! Why?"

Ash lifted an eyebrow. "Nothing. For a second I thought we weren't talking about driving anymore."

"Well... we were! Are! That's all we're talking about." She made a fist and stomped the ground.

He stared at her for moment, shaking in her shoes. He shot a cocky grin and opened the driver's door. "That's too bad, Mist. Too bad."

They entered Misty's small Honda, with Ash manning the drivers seat. He started the ignition and shifted into first gear. It was a choppy take off, just like the ones before it. The car ran like it was powered with a dying battery, fast then slow and ultimately came to an abrupt halt. It was dark now, with very little light, and Ash had to turn on the high beams just to see the road ahead. It was a rough ride all the way to Misty's house but they managed to make it back in one piece. But never once did Misty get angry with him. Not for stalling the car a hundred times, or almost crashing into a telephone pole or burning through her precious gasoline. Even at one in the morning when they mutually opted to try for another day, she never rose her voice or slapped him upside the head.

He still has trouble starting the car and grinds the gears to no end. Why he doesn't buy his own car rather than wreck hers is beyond her, but she never hesitates when he asks her for a lesson now and then. It always ends with a few near death experiences and very little progress, but Misty remains content and hopeful. She realized something that night by the Cerulean Light House, overlooking the ocean. All that boy needs is a little bit of momentum to get going. Who knows, maybe... just maybe those properties might transfer with her too.

This is for all those who have attempted a manual transmission. Don't forget to review! :)