Never Have I Ever

Chapter 9

“Well that’s because you can’t drive, dumbass,” says Celia, her arm around his shoulders. “The only one of us who can drive is Seraph. We live in LA. there’s no point knowing how to drive.”

“My car is indestructible anyway,” I say. “At least I think so. Jack, with me. The rest of you, watch out of a window. There’s walls in the front garden, smaller ones that won’t bring the whole house down. I’m going to teach you to drive in fifteen minutes.”

We run through the house, and into my car. I ride shotgun as Jack slides uncertainly into the front seat. I smile at him.

“How much do you know?”

“That’s the wheel, that’s a stick shift and the pedals are by my feet.”

“Clutch is the left, brake is the center and gas is the right. Start the car with the keys.”

The engine rumbles to life.

“Press your clutch all the way down, and put the stick in reverse. Then start lowering the pressure on the clutch until the car starts to move. Steer with wheel.”

We back out from where we’re parked fairly smoothly, until he released it too fast and stalls the car.

“Did I break it?”

“No. You stalled it. That’s what happens when you release the clutch too fast. My truck is a veteran, so it runs slower than a lot of others. Chelsea’s is more for speed, but we picked mine because you can’t break the bloody thing even if you tried. Start it up again, and take it backwards around the fountain. We’re just gonna practise going backwards first.”

We do the circle a few times before I’m satisfied he’s doing it correctly, then I tell him to go forwards.

“This is easier than backwards. Just don’t touch the gas yet. I can’t risk it going nuts and you accidentally running something over.”

He nods, and we take it slowly. He parks it back again, and I smile.

“Right, you’re gonna reverse backwards to the gate, don’t hit it. Then gas it as much as you can, pressing the clutch to change gear when the revs go over 3k. Slam the wheel round, so you don’t hit the corner of the wall. And whatever you do, don’t hit Chelsea’s car. I can’t afford to replace it.”

He nods, and I get out of the car, joining the others in the hall. We rush to the window in the kitchen, watching Jack reverse carefully down the drive. I forgot to tell him about the mirrors. Who cares, they’re optional anyway.

He reaches the gate and puts it into forwards, and slams the gas. The car accelerates at a dangerous pace, and he manages to avoid the fountain and slam straight into the wall beside it. I throw my fist in the air and make my way outside. He climbs out of the car, and I steal his seat, gunning it backwards and reparking.

“That. Was. Epic.”

“I know, right? You’ll be street racing with Sam soon.”

“Actually, with the skill you have, Seraph, I’m looking more into you.”

“What, reversing?”

“How tight you willingly took the corner.”

“Yeah, well, my car is slow af, so I can’t keep up with you lot at all.”

“Maybe you should try out Chelsea’s sometime. That alright, Chels?”

“Yeah, if I die, you can have my car. That alright?”

“Sure,” I laugh, walking back in. “Shall we play something else while we play? We’ve only got Chelsea and me left today, so we might as well have some more fun.”