The Sound Of My Voice

Car Anxiety

Cars, the vehicle that gets us where we need to be. I see people get in their cars and drive off. I see my classmates get in their new car that was a birthday present, while you have me, 17 and doesn't have a driver's license. I think it's for the best, I can't last 5 minutes in a car without having a panic attack. My mom and three brothers have their own car and this is one thing I don't see as a 'playing favorites' kind of thing. This thing I have for cars, it's not some sexual fetish. It's called Car Anxiety.

"Hey, Melody? Walking to school?" Freya asked.

Freya doesn't know I have Car Anxiety, if she knew she'd never let me live it down.

"I like walking to school. Good exercise."

"School is a 40 minute walk from your house."

"Good exercise and fresh air."

"Whatever, have fun walking, loser."

I couldn't care less about a 40 minute walk, I just don't like cars. I took a deep breath and walked into the school.

"Melody, the office wants to see you." Dennis said.

I walked into the principal's office and sat down in his chair.

"You wanted to see me, sir."

"Yes, I went through your record and saw your grades. You are at the top of this school."

"Meaning?"

"You are the smartest in this school and you could graduate with scholarships."

"Really, that's great!"

"But I went through old rules of this school and you just need to take one class to graduate."

"And that would be?"

"Mechanics."

"Mechanics?"

"Fixing bikes, buses, trucks, cars."

"Cars?"

"Yeah, you'll have to fix a car and drive it to get the credit."

"But I don't have my license."

"That's ok, there's a race track for a class like this. You'll be fine."

Not if you have Car Anxiety.

"Um, is there any other class I could take in order to graduate?"

"Uh, it's either this or joining the Anxiety Club."

"The what club?"

"Anxiety Club, a club filled with students with different kinds of anxiety."

"I don't know."

"You get more credits than taking the mechanics course."

"I'll take it."

"Ok, you'll just have to be the host and you'll get 3 credits."

"Alright."

"Great, you may get to class."

I was walking down the hall when Dennis came up to me.

"Aren't you supposed to be in class?"

"We're 2 peas in a pod, we're in this together."

"Aw, thank you."

"So what happened?"

"I need to take a mechanic course to graduate."

"Can you handle that?"

"Or join the Anxiety Club."

"Do you have anxiety?"

"No, I just need to host the club and I'll get 3 credits."

I wanted to tell him about my car anxiety. But maybe this is something I need to keep to myself? Fuck it.