Drive [h.f-t. & j.l.] (COMPLETED)

Chapter 7 - No Pressure

no pressure - the kooks
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josephine's pov

Just a few minutes later Hero is parking his car in a parking lot near the auto shop. I felt excited but at the same time couldn't help but let my nerves get to me. Hero looked determined though, giving me a small smile for encouragement.

"Okay, watch my feet. Gas.. brake.. and clutch pedals. And the lever between us is the gear shift.." He starts and I nod along, watching him closely as he walks me through the various systems, dials, and meters. "And we'll ease you into all that.. But honestly, the best way to learn is to do." He says, giving me a wink and moving to open his car door.

"Wait, what are you saying?" I ask and he chuckles.

"I'm saying you're about to drive." Hero says casually, slipping out of the driver's seat and walking around the car to open my door.

"Already?" I ask as I hesitantly get out of the car myself. Hero places his hand on my lower back and leads me over to the driver's side.

"You want to start living your own life and not watching others do it, right? C'mon, you take the wheel." He says, gesturing for me to sit down and I do so, feeling butterflies in my stomach as my fingers wrap around the leather steering wheel. Hero closes the door and hops in the passenger seat. "Just like we talked about. Remember the steps?" He asks and I nod, moving to clutch the pedal, pressing it down and then the brake pedal, holding that down too. "So far, so good. Go ahead. Turn the ignition."

I twist and hold the key and beneath me, the car rumbles to life. Holding the wheel, I can feel it's power vibrating through me. When I look to Hero he has an approving smile on his face.

"You're doing great. What's next?" He asks me and I bite my lip as I love the gear shift left and up the way, Hero showed me.

"To first gear. And then." I say quietly, more to myself, as I press the gas pedal down, revving the engine. The rumbling intensifies as I press the accelerator, seeing the tachometer needle climbing.

"That's it. Just below." Hero says beside me and I nod. "You feel the clutch engage?" He asks and I smile.

"Yeah." I say, clutching the pedal, releasing it slowly. As I do, the car begins to move. I automatically let out a small gasp, tightening the grip on the wheel. "I'm doing it!" I exclaim and Hero relaxes back in his seat, chuckling.

"Damn right you are. You, Josephine, are officially a driver. C'mon, take us for a spin around the lot." Hero says and I delicately spin the wheel counterclockwise, making the car turn. "There you go. Slow and steady, troublemaker."

"Hero, I'm actually driving." I say, my heart beating fast in my chest at the thought of actually handling a car. It feels good.

"You're picking it up quickly. Now, if there's one thing I've learned from personal experience, it's that what's behind you is as important as what's ahead of you." Hero says and I glance at him, raising an eyebrow.

"What's behind you, meaning police cars?" I tease him and he laughs, nodding.

"Among other things. I'm gonna teach you how to reverse. When you're in a jam and there's no way forward, it'll get you outta here." Hero says and I carefully slow the car, looking at him.

"You really think I'm ready for this?" I ask him. The way he was looking at me, made me slightly less nervous and I give him a small smile. 

"I know it. Now, brake to a stop. Then use the same clutch motion to move the stick to R. He says I take a deep breath, doing as he tells me. "And if I were on the real street I should check my mirrors, right?" I ask, licking my lips.