From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent (Anthea )

Exhausted.

But Tanya held on.

Because she knew her parents had been through worse over the years.

Experiencing a fraction of their hardships before it was too late seemed right.

Meanwhile.

Anthea decided today was the day to take her driving test.

Since she had promised Tanya, she sent her a video call.

The call connected quickly.

On the screen, Tanya appeared in a diner uniform, "Annie, what's up?"

Anthea said, "Didn't we agree to take our driving tests together? Which driving school did your mom sign you up for? I'll meet you there." Tanya smiled, "Annie, I've taken up a summer job, so I don't think I'll have time to take driving lessons with you. Sorry for bailing on you again." "A summer job?" Anthea raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah."© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Just then, someone off-screen called for Tanya.

Tanya quickly responded and then said, "The diner's getting busy! Annie, gotta go. Let's catch up later."

With that, she hung up.

Without Tanya, Anthea had to go alone.

She found a local driving school online that seemed decent enough and was nearby.

The instructor was a middle-aged man in his fifties, named Mr. Wu.

He seemed stern when he wasn't smiling.

With school just out, many students were signing up for driving lessons. Some seemed bright enough, but learning to drive was a different story. Repeating a maneuver hundreds of times and still not getting it right!

Mr. Wu was getting a headache just thinking about recent graduates.

Seeing a staff member leading Anthea over, Mr. Wu inwardly groaned, "You're a recent high school graduate too?"

Anthea nodded.

Mr. Wu scratched his head, opened the passenger door, and said, "Hop in."

"Sure." Anthea sat in the back seat.

Another student was in the driver's seat.

Mr. Wu instructed, "Let's start with the S-curve."

"Okay," the student nodded.

The car was quiet at first, but within a minute, Mr. Wu was losing his patience, "What's with students these days? Can't understand simple instructions! Did you actually pass your exams?"

"I said brake, not gas! Are you trying to commit murder?"

The student's face turned red, flustered and fumbling everywhere.

"Full lock! Full lock! Turn the steering wheel all the way!"

Anthea glanced at the front seat, a smile playing on her lips.

Mr. Wu turned around, annoyed, "And you in the back! What are you laughing at? Think you can do better? Put that phone away and pay attention!"

Anthea replied, "Actually, I've practiced driving at home. I'm here to check in with you and schedule the tests for the different stages."

Mr. Wu was speechless.

Young people these days, always boasting!

He'd been an instructor for a long time but had never met anyone so full of it.

A pretty girl like you should be more grounded!

"We have rules here. You can

schedule the next stage 10 days after passing the previous one. You think getting a driver's license is that

easy? Like snacking on peanuts!"

Anthea raised an eyebrow, "So, I need to wait at least thirty days to get my license?"

Thinking of getting it in thirty days?

That would take a miracle!

Hearing this, Mr. Wu was even more

incredulous, "Dream on! The

quickest of my students took two months to get theirs! For someone like you, it'll take at least three or four months!"

Mr. Wu had seen it all.

Pretty girls usually don't do well behind the wheel.

Otherwise, the term 'woman driver' wouldn't have such a bad rap.

Anthea smiled slightly, "Don't worry, I won't fail."

"Won't fail?" Mr. Wu frowned, "Alright then, show us what you've got! Dinah, you hop out."

The student, Dinah, quickly exited the car.

Anthea took the driver's seat.

Though the car wasn't top of the line, it would do.

Enough to scratch the itch.

After buckling up, Anthea turned to the instructor, "Ready?"

"Just drive. I'll remind you, this is the gas, and this is the brake! Make sure you don't mix them up!"