Just Cause

The Parking

"High school is a walk in the park. College is a walk in the same park, but without legs."
~someone on tumblr

I drove frantically throughout the university, not a single parking space to be found. Not even the grassy area by the entrance, which I so heavily relied on whenever I found myself running late, could provide a single, tight space for my car to rest.

I continued looking through an area I rarely found myself exploring. The parking space for all the desperate students who chose not to take classes so early in the morning. The area reserved for those who were only looking out for their own well-deserved rest. It was my last hope.

With my trusty car I searched and searched relentlessly, the clock ticking down as I realized I only had seven minutes to get to my classroom. As I rounded a corner, I thought I noticed a particularly blank spot in the corner of the parking area.

Praising every god from every religion I knew, I rushed to the spot, only to realize the lines were painted in blue.

A handicapped space.

I looked at the clock once again. Five minutes before class started. I began to measure my options.

I was technically handicapped, as I did have a condition which was now very well under control by my heavy medications. But I lacked the sticker to prove my situation.

I couldn't afford the parking ticket, however. Not after what had happened last week, no! I still have nightmares...

With a heavy heart, I bade the empty space farewell and continued my search throughout the parking lot.

Just as all hope seemed lost, and my worst fears of having to park outside the university had almost become a reality, a beam of light appeared from the sky, revealing a beautiful, white sedan. My heart nearly stopped as the headlights flickered on, and it began to slowly move out of its space.

It was a gift from heaven. I watched the driver with dreamy eyes as she drove out. Her chocolate brown eyes seemed to cry out to me:

Go forth, young one. Claim your prize.

We nodded towards each other in that moment of understanding, but as she finally drove away to reveal my sweet relief, I froze.

Standing before the now open space was a new competitor. A truck as deep blue as the night sky, its driver glaring at me with crazed eyes as he looked between me and his potential prize.

There was no time to think. One sharp turn and rough kick to the gas later, I had forced myself into the wedge between my rival and a near accident. It was messy, crooked, and very stereotypical for a woman such as myself, but I had done it. I claimed the space before the blue truck could even hit their turn signal.

I turned the car off and strode outside with a spring in my step, proudly admiring my victory. The man in the blue truck slowly drove his way past me, offering one last glare in my direction before reluctantly continuing his own journey towards his own eventual relief.

No one said college was easy. It's a jungle in there, and only the fittest may survive.

But today, I made a stand. And I proved to the world that I was the predator, not the prey.

Fin