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

Chapter 12 - Take Your Time

take your time - the pale white
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josephine's pov

The following few weeks, I'm barely home, or in the garage. With Levi pulling a few strings with some people he knows for me to get my driver's license quicker than most people, I'm busy dividing my time between studying for that and trying to fix my grades in school. Luckily, Dad is just as busy as me so he doesn't really notice when I'm gone. I also couldn't keep my promise to Priya, seeing her less and less, or forgetting to text her back.

Between trying to balance all this, Hero has been distant ever since that night with Gianchi. Emilia had taken over the driving lessons for me and even though she was a great teacher, I missed the conversations with Hero and the fun we had. It seemed like he always went to do something, anything else whenever I entered the room but since the studying kept me busy I pushed it to the back of my mind, for now, intending to talk to him as soon as my life got a little less busy.

On the day on my driver's test, not long after I passed the theory test, I'm already wide awake at my desk, rubbing my eyes, bleary from the light of the laptop screen. I smile to myself as I look at another perfect score on a practice test. This is the hardest I've ever studied for a test in my life. I've always found studying to be calming. Focusing. Whenever life got hard, learning's always been a familiar constant, a way to think about anything but my problems. 

Shutting my laptop and rifling through my closet, I grab a pair of dark jeans a yellow jumper before softly heading down the stairs to the kitchen. As I enter I find Dad sound asleep at the breakfast table in the cool light of the morning, snoring softly. I approach him and notice the table is covered in documents and photographs, police files, about the investigation. Whenever I did see him lately he seemed more and more frustrated with the case, seemingly not able to get a good lead on the crew. Even in his slouched position on top of some of the files, slumbering with his head on his folded arms, he looked worried and stressed.

One of the papers he's sleeping on top of has a bold header: TARGETS. Glancing at him and pressing my lips together, I move slowly so as not to wake him, gently trying to slip the paper out from under Dad's arm. He murmurs, stirring slightly and I freeze, holding my breath. But he doesn't wake. I let out a quiet sigh of relief and pull the paper free.

Scanning the list, I see it's full of names of potential targets. They must think the Mercy Park Crew is going to steal from these places. Looking at the names, I don't recognize any of them. This is a long list. Dad must have no idea what the crew is doing next. I gently place the paper next to him on the table and leave the kitchen to head for the front door. Glancing back at his sleeping form, I sigh. 

"Wish me luck..." I softly close the door behind me.

I take the bus and get off near Tanaka Auto Body. When I enter the garage Emilia is grinning at me, approaching.

"There she is. Ready for your big day?" She asks and I can't help but return the grin, nodding. 

"As ready as I'll ever be. Just here to get one last motivational boost." I say.

"Levi's just about done with the tune-up. Come." Emilia say, gesturing for me to follow her and I do so, slightly confused.

"The.. tune-up?" Levi pops out from under a car, caked in grease with a big smile on his face.

"Josephine's here! Hey! Just getting this beauty in tip-top shape for your exam. I might've also taken the liberty of installing a few modifications of my own design." He says and I watch as he gets up and Emilia walks over to the car, leaning against it.

"You don't mean-" I start, staring at them and they share a look. "Guys!"

"It's a 1969 Ford Mustang. Hero chose it, says it would fit you." Levi says and I step forward, running my fingertips over the shiny black surface, completely in awe as I look at the vehicle. Finally, I tear my gaze away and look at the two in front of me before pulling them in a hug.