Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Write something in the YOUNG ADULT or TEEN genre (06/07/07)
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TITLE: Wheels | Previous Challenge Entry
By Kenneth Bridge
06/14/07 -
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Under his dad’s watchful eye, he buckled the three-point seat belt, carefully adjusted the mirrors and turned the ignition key, thrilling to the sound of the engine coming to life. “See you at eleven,” he shouted.
“Better be ten pm if you don’t want your driving career ending after just one night,” his dad reminded him.
“New license, new car, new freedom,” exulted Justin. “But ten pm on the Friday night I get my OL and car for my birthday. That’s way too confining,” he said to himself as he unbuckled the seat belt.
Justin punched the buttons on the dashboard sound system until his favorite rap station was cranking. A few minutes later he pulled into the driveway at Kyle’s house and tooted the horn.
“Cool wheels,” admired Kyle, still a couple months and two uncooperative parents away from his own transportation, as he slid into the deadman’ seat next to Justin. “Let’s cruise.”
A couple hours of cruising White Mountain Boulevard became boring much faster than Justin had expected and so they parked next to an EGame store and went in to check to see what was available in the swap section. Matthew Parker and Joshua Santo, two kids from Justin’s homeroom were there. Other than homeroom, Justin and Kyle ran with a different pack than these losers, but Justin was bored and these guys had a knack for finding excitement. They seemed appreciative of his new wheels and before anyone knew what was happening, the four were cruising the Boulevard, windows down and the stereo cranking.
Justin felt a little uncomfortable when Matt and Josh lit matches in his back seat, and a lot more uncomfortable when he realized the sweetish aroma from their home-rolled cigarette was not tobacco. When they started yelling out the window at other cars, Justin had enough and found an excuse to drop them off in their neighborhood.
It was getting late so Justin dropped Kyle off and began heading homeward, suddenly feeling very tired. He glanced at his watch and noticed that he really had to get moving to make it home by ten. He decided to cut through a side street he seldom used. His attention was drawn to the light of an open door where a woman was talking to somebody inside. Suddenly Justin’s heart leaped as he saw the car rolling down the driveway toward him. As he started to swerve to avoid it, the woman spun around and screamed, “My baby.”
It was only a few seconds, gone by way too fast for conscious thought, but Justin took in the infant car seat, the rolling car, the hilly street leading into a main highway with fast moving traffic, and stopped midswerve to cut across the driveway.
An awful grinding sound seemed to tear at all his hopes and dreams. Then everthing came to a stop.
Justin’s fender was pushed around the wheel. He wouldn’t be driving it away. The other car had only a paint scrape. More importantly, the soft crying inside meant the child was safe.
Justin was embarrassed at the fuss the mother was making. He didn’t feel like any kind of a hero. He simply felt tired, and very young and scared. Looking at the accusing 10:42 on his cell phone as he dialed home, he was frightened and relieved at the same time when he heard his dad answer.
“Dad, can you come get me?”
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Some teens may see this as preachy and unrealistic, although this adult certainly liked it...a great deal!