I enclose it in my hand. My single black key and a controller connected to a shiny key ring. The key goes into the ignition and turns at my power. The engine revs a couple of times before I hear a few dings signalling that my black Ford Focus is ready to drive. I take a look around at the unusual empty seats, I am on my own. It has finally arrived, my freedom, something I have been waiting a long time for. I can drive when I want, where I want, with few restrictions. I have gained a new responsibility that I am excited about, well, for now. I buckle my seat belt, put the gear in drive, and take off through my neighborhood and out into the world.

The car is slowly rolling into the space between the white lines. Once it has filled the space, I put the car in park. Normally at this time I would be logging my driving hours on my phone or taking the key out and handing it to one of my parents, but this time is different. This time the key is my responsibility.

Standing up and out of the driver’s seat, I close the door and press the lock button on my controls making the car exert a loud click. A walk on the pavement towards the building. Inside awaits someone to interview me. This is a big opportunity that will affect my responsibilities and possibly my ability to enjoy my freedom. This interview may just determine how long I will last on the streets.

I walk out of the building the same way I came in. I stroll back to my car with confidence, feeling prominent. I sit back down on the leather seat behind the wheel and recount in my head how well that went. I may just be driving out on my own for quite a while.

I’m sitting on the smooth, squishy leather car seat behind the wheel with a seat belt strapping me in. Foot on the gas, I hear my car accelerating after sitting at a stop light. My momentum shifts as I make a right turn and continue to my destination. The buzzing from the car is only slightly acknowledged by my ears because of the exuberant music blaring out of the speakers. I sing along loudly, but my voice is also taken over by the bass thumping throughout the car along with the deafening sound of the music. This excites me, though, as I enjoy finally being able to do this on my own.

I am a little girl with big hopes and a new driver who is ready for new responsibilities. I am one of the youngest out of my friends. Always experiencing anything last regarding age. Just recently passing a milestone, I am getting into the next stage of maturity and adulthood. I am responsible for my own transportation now, and that comes with duties like paying for gas, some food, and other personal wants. I do not need as much parental assistance anymore as I am starting to experience a new part of the real world. I can be categorized as a fun, outgoing, sometimes wacky person when I am in comfortable situations or with close people, most of the time outside of school. This new ability will allow those characteristics to shine even more. I enjoy my new freedom, but let’s see how well that feeling stays when I have to endure the hardships of the responsibility portion.

Whether I feel the pressure of responsibility eventually or continue to fly high, I’m ready to experience new things on my own. Most teenagers go through this process, and it is nothing new to the community, but to me this is important for myself. This is my next milestone and my next chapter in my life.