The Hunt

CHAPTER THREE •••

I made my way over to the women standing in a line in front of the driving course. As I approached, a woman stepped out of line and made her way over to me. "Can I help you?" She asked. "I'm here for my drivers test." I stated. She looked around the parking lot to the cars behind the course. My SUV was the only one parked. "This way please." She said plainly. We walked toward my car and on the way in, my mom gave me a one last good luck. The woman quizzed me on small features and functions of the car before actually beginning the test. When we finished the beginning portion, she gave me the go to start driving.

The drive around town was short, but with many turns and certain directions. When I had finished the final portion in the parking lot, I parked the car and watched the woman go over the testing papers. I was extremely nervous, actually. Although I could just retake the test, I really wanted to pass today. She called out my scores as 5's on every area except one, which was parallel parking. It's definitely not the easiest task. The woman finally started to tell me my end result. "Well, seeing as you made 5's in all areas but one, and the only one not a 5 being a 4, that gives you a high enough score to..." She trailed off as she was writing notes, "pass the test. Congratulations." We got out of the car and went into the building back across the parking lot. The inside of the building smelt of must and hit you with cold air as you entered. We walked down the long hallway to the last room on the left. In the corner, a camera and back ground were set up. She walked over to the counter and laid down the papers from my test. She instructed me to stand I'm front of the camera so she could take a picture of me for my license. I never did like taking pictures. Actually, it wasn't the photos I didn't like, it was my face. I never really believed I was beautiful in any way. I recently recovered from depression, or should I say, learned how to forget, my depression. But, I did recover from self harm. It's been 2 years. It was the first time I was actually proud of myself. My mom doesn't know, but I am okay with being on my own with it. The woman began counting to three as I flashed my smile. "Alright, I got your picture, wait outside and I'll bring you your license." She said plainly. I thanked her and ran back out to my mom to give her the news.

"Mom! I passed!" I yelled excitedly. She ran over and swooped me up in a big hug. We danced around like a couple of kids in front of our car. "I'm so proud of you!" She said. Just as we stopped prancing around, the lady approached us, almost smiling. "Here you go, have a nice day." She said as she walked away. My mom and I looked over at each other and squealed like young girls. As soon as I ran toward the drivers seat, she grabbed my arm. "Not just yet, I have to tell you one more thing!" She says. More surprises? This day is the best. "Well, not tell you, it's actually waiting for you at home." she finishes. She ran over to the passenger side and waved to me to get in. Surprise two, I'm on my way.

We have a fairly large home. It's a two story, Spanish styled house with a fountain in the front yard. We have a large amount of money. Not as much as Amira's family, but we're not on the poor side. As I pull into the drive, I reach for the garage door opener when my mom yells "WAIT! Not yet." I was startled by her sudden yell. "I want you to close your eyes, and when I say 3, open! Okay?" She says, excitement apparent on her face. "Okay..." I reply. I slowly close my eyes, and wait for my moms count to begin. "One....two...THREE!" I opened my eyes to the garage door wide open, and I saw it. A brand new, cobalt blue, 2014 Toyota corolla with a big red bow on the top. I could not contain my joy. I jumped out and ran over to my new car. "MOM-" I started. "MOM! -" I just couldn't finish. "It's all yours! You definitely deserve it!" She said jumping up and down. I had no words. I could only think. And my main thought was, I'm driving myself to the movies tonight.

I was up in my room when I realized the time. It was 5:30. Amira and I are heading out to the movies at 7:00. I decide to get up and get ready, but then remember I have to tell Amira I got a car. How could I forget! I dialed Amira's number, and waited for her answer for what seemed like forever. "Hey! What's up?" She says. "Hey, I forgot to call, but you're never going to believe this." I say, unable to contain my happiness. "I GOT A BRAND NEW CAR, MIRA'." I yell. "What?! No way, what about your moms rule?" She asks. "Well apparently she dropped it! Looks like I've got a ride to the movies!" I say laughing. "Well that's awesome but sad at the same time, now I don't have a jam partner, anyway, meet ya there out front! Bye!" She hangs up. I stand there for a few moments looking through my closet for an outfit for tonight. I quickly grabbed a pair of dark washed skinny jeans rolled up at the ankles, a plain white t-shirt with a small pocket on the right side and cuffed sleeves, paired with a black polk-a-dotted pair of Keds. I gathered my clothes and walked to the bathroom to get a shower. When I had finished I put on the clothes I picked out and blow dried my hair. I've had long hair ever since I was little, it stretched to the small of my back. It's always been board straight, and parted down the middle. I planned on keeping it down the whole night, but I put a hair elastic around my wrist just in case I get irritated. I put a small amount of eyeshadow on and lip balm. I don't enjoy makeup much, unlike other girls now a days. I have clear skin, and I don't see the point in potentially ruining it. So, I like to keep it natural. I put on perfume and deodorant then check the time. It's 6:30. I run down stairs and get a quick bowl of cereal, and make my way back upstairs to brush my teeth. In the middle of brushing I got a text. It was from Amira. It read: "Hey loser! I'm heading over, don't be a slow poke! See ya there!" I grabbed my car keys and walked to the garage door. "Hey mom! I'm leaving! I love you!" I shouted. "Okay honey! Have a good time! Be safe!" She yelled back. I opened the door to the garage, and walked over to my car. I was still taking it in. It still had that new car smell. I started it up and immediately plugged in my iPhone to listen to music. It felt like Amira's car in the mornings. I put on my sunglasses, and backed out into the dim sunlight left out of the day. And with that, I drove down the street toward the movies.

As I pulled up to the movie theater, many people were already walking in. I parked my car a distance down the street from the building, quite a long walking distance. I didn't want to get it banged up on the first day. I got out of my car and walked to the front of the building. That's when I caught sight of Amira. How could I not. She was wearing a tight black jeans, with a loose button down top, wedges, her blonde hair in curls, and a load of makeup on her face. "Woah, Mira', how are you comfortable?" I ask. "Oh honey I'm not, beauty is pain!" She says laughing. We linked arms and walked up to get our tickets. We hadn't planned on a certain movie so we ended up watching a scary movie. I love scary movies. They always have a great story behind them, and even through the jumps and chills they give me, I can watch over and over. We get a ton of candy and two large sodas. We make our way into the room in which our movie will be shown. There are tons of people in our room, considering the movie just came out today. Amira and I made our way to the very top row in the very center. Amira and I always sat in that same spot each time we came. It was a signature thing. And seems to be the same, unchanged.

"Quit hogging all the candy, you loser!" Amira picks at me. "Oh yeah right, I've had a piece!" I say laughing. She takes a skittle and throws it at me. "Very mature!" I say smiling. We laugh and joke until the lights dim. "SHH! It's starting!" She says quietly. I punch her arm and we get comfortable to watch the movie. This has been the best birthday ever, I think to myself.

When the movie was over it was 8:45. I thanked Amira for the movie and the great time. She headed out right after so she could make time to see her boyfriend for an hour or two. Before heading home I make my way to the bathroom. When I enter I expect a long line, and, of course. There is. But, I wait. When I finally get my turn and make my way to the sink, almost everyone has cleared out of the theater. I wash my hands, and comb through my hair with my fingers. I pull it back into a pony tail, and head out to my car.

When I make it out in front of the building, the workers are cleaning up and closing. I walk outside and the air has changed a small amount. It's slightly colder, but bearable. I fish my keys out of my purse and start the long walk to my car. As I walk, I hear my footsteps, clearly. The wind blowing slightly in the distance. I feel, isolated. It feels quiet. Almost completely silent other than my footsteps against the pavement, and the sound of my breathing. I'm coming up on my car, relieved, the silence making me squirm. I rumble my keys around, until I come upon the car key. I reach for the door handle when I feel the strong grip around my waist pulling me backward, and the tight clamp of a hand over my mouth.