The Drive to Your Heart

Part Two

With a plastic bag shielding my head, I dashed toward the gate, seeking refuge beneath the small overhang of the guard's office.

My shoes squelched in the puddles as I pressed my back against the wall, trying to wriggle into the driving school's premises.

The guard gave me a puzzled look through his window. I just offered a sheepish nod.

He probably thought I was a weirdo, but I was drenched enough already. Finally reaching the other side, I sprinted to the building ahead.

I pounded up the stairs, nearly slipping as I hurried through the automated double doors.

"Phew, that was good exercise," I muttered, pushing my damp hair out of my face and patting myself mentally for making it inside.

This was the closest driving school to my apartment and university. After scouring the internet, I found out it was my best bet.

Shaking off the rain, I made my way to the front desk, unknowingly leaving a trail of mud from my shoes behind.

Which was probably why the woman at the desk glared at me as I approached her.

"Hello, how can I help you?" she asked, her smile turning strained.

I fished the soggy poster from my jacket pocket and plopped it on the desk. "I saw this poster about discounted driving lessons and wanted to check it out."

The receptionist's smile wavered as she eyed the muddy mess on her desk. "Um, do you mind..." She gestured at the poster with a slight grimace.

"Oh! I'm so sorry," I said quickly, grabbing the poster and wiping the mud with my sleeve.

Ew! Why did I do that?!

She probably thought I was gross, but I was having a slight panic by the social interaction, is all.

"Let me print out a clean copy," she said, her tone a bit more strained as she turned to her computer.

I nodded gratefully, shoving the ruined poster back into my pocket. When she returned with a fresh copy, she handed it to me with another forced smile.

"Our driving school is offering discounted lessons and preliminary tests for students. You'll need to check if your university is on the list and meet the requirements."

"Thanks!" I replied, heading to the side to read through the details.

My university was on the list, so I qualified for the discount.

I skimmed the requirements, filled out the necessary forms, and walked back to the desk.

"I'd like to sign up for the driving lessons and the test, please," I said, handing over my student ID.

The receptionist tapped away on her computer. "With the special first time student package, you will get 45% off for the lessons and 25% off for the test. Your total will be about $182.50."

"Um, just a moment." I took out my phone to make sure she wasn't miscalculating.

Basically, each lesson costed $50; make that five lessons which costed $250. But with the first time student package and 45% off, I'd pay $137.50.

And the preliminary test costed about $60 but with the 25% student discount, it was reduced to $45.

So, in total, that means parting ways with $182.50. Dang, she was right.

I reached into my pocket for my wallet, only to realize I was twenty dollars short. My face flushed as I counted my cash and coins.

"I'm really sorry," I said, embarrassed. "I only have about $160. Can I pay the rest tomorrow?"

She raised her eyebrows but maintained her smile. "We need the full amount to finalize the registration. You can come back tomorrow to pay the remaining twenty point fifty dollars."

My shoulders slumped in defeat. "Okay, I'll come back."

As I turned to leave, I glanced back at the receptionist, who looked relieved to see me go. I understood; it was pouring rain, and I was definitely intruding on her quiet time.

But was going out worth it?

I stopped, debating whether to wait out the rain or brave the storm. At last, I concluded that I should give that woman a break.

Getting into a running position outside the automated doors, I rocked on my heel as I mentally prepared for the sprint back to the guard's office.

"Okay, one, two, three..." I counted under my breath, ready to dash, but then stopped. I had just dried myself off—how was I supposed to run through the rain without getting drenched again?

"Don't be a wimp, just do it." I hissed to myself and just as I was about to take the plunge, a voice interrupted.

"You can have this."

I jumped, startled, and turned to see a guy holding out an umbrella.

"How long have you been standing there?" I gasped out, a hand on my heart.

"Long enough," he replied, his tone a bit curt.

I looked at the umbrella and then at him. "Hey, I saw you earlier near the bus stop. I must have surprised you when I popped up out of nowhere."

My words made him blink, then a look of recognition crossed his face. "Oh, right. I remember that."

I reluctantly touched the umbrella and glanced at the pouring rain. "What about you? Don't you need it?"

He shrugged. "My car's parked right ahead."

"Well, how will I return it to you?" I asked hesitantly.

"Keep it," he said with a small smile.

Fine. I will.

I accepted the umbrella with a grateful grin. "Thanks!"

He gave me a nod and started to walk away. I held the umbrella out and clicked it open... accidentally hitting the guy in the face.

He groaned, stumbling back on the stairs as he covered his face with one hand. My eyes widened when I noticed some blood trickling down his mouth.

"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry!" I exclaimed, horrified. "I really didn't mean to!"

"Don't worry about it," he mumbled gruffly through his fingers, though he looked pained.

"I'm really sorry," I repeated, trying to help, but I felt completely swamped.

He gave me a dismissal wave and hurried away to his car. I winced to myself.

I had a long way to go with driving, and apparently, with not causing unintentional harm to strangers.

I hope he wasn't the type to hold grudges.

***