Chapter 15: Driver's Education

Aaron and Smolder arrived home from watching the new Captain America movie. Aaron chuckled as he and Smolder were heading towards the kitchen.

"Ross becoming a Red Hulk," Smolder said. "I can't believe that happened."

"It was obvious from the start," Aaron said. "It happened to him in the animated Marvel TV shows."

"Guess I should've gotten more info on the Marvel series," Smolder said. Just then, Liam came downstairs.

"Hey, there you two are," Liam said. "How was the movie?"

"Full of action," Smolder said. "Hopefully, the next movie will be just as good."

"Well, then," Liam said. "Aaron, since you're now sixteen, both of you have to start studying."

"For what?" Aaron and Smolder asked. Liam then held up some flashcards.

"Driver's Education," Liam said.

"Wait," Smolder said. "We actually get to start driving?!"

"Not until you study," Liam said. "When Smolder turns 16, we'll go to the DMV for both of you to take the test to get your Learner's Permit."

"How did you make all these flash cards?" Aaron asked.

"He had a little help," came Ocellus's voice. Aaron and Smolder looked towards the voice and saw her coming down the stairs. "Marissa let me use her computer to copy the multiple choice questions and answers. On one side, there are the questions and the answers that you have to figure out which one is right. And on the other side, there are the answers colored. Green for the right answer, red for the wrong answers."

"Sweet," Smolder said. "Guess it's time we start studying."

"We better start studying then," Aaron said. Liam then handed Aaron and Smolder a couple of Florida Driver's Handbooks so they could start studying. Ocellus then followed them with the flashcards to see how much they knew.

It had been almost two months since then that Aaron and Smolder started studying Driver's Ed. Ocellus was currently giving them a practice test with the flashcards while they were all in the main part of the house. They were sitting at the Dining Room Table.

"'There's a bicyclist with his left arm held up at a right angle. What does that indicate?'" Ocellus asked, reading the flashcard to Aaron and Smolder.

Smolder groaned, thinking about it. She then said, "The... bicyclist is gonna turn right."

"Correct!" Ocellus said. "You both have been doing so well. I think you're ready."

"Looks like it," came Liam's voice. They all looked and saw him coming from the stairs. "Okay, I have already set up appointments for both of you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Smolder asked. "Why tomorrow?"

"Don't you remember what today is?" Aaron asked smugly with Ocellus also giving a smug look.

"Uh... what's with the smug looks?" Smolder asked. Aaron then stood up and changed into his dragon form. He then pulled Smolder out of her chair and towards the door that led to her part of the house. "Hey, what are you doing?"

"Haven't you been wondering why we haven't been studying in your part of the house?" Aaron asked. "Well, this is why." Aaron then opened the door and pushed Smolder through it. She then gasped at what she saw.

"SURPRISE!!" in Smolder's part of the house, it was decorated for a birthday party. And the guests were composed of the Mane 6, Starlight, Sunburst, the rest of the Young 6, Paul, Kyle, Megan, Slab and Dang.

"What is this?!" Smolder asked.

"It's April 8th," Aaron said. "Your birthday."

"Ohhh..." Smolder said, going wide eyed. She then smacked her forehead. "How could I have been so stupid?"

"Whatever you were doing gave us plenty of time to set this party," Rarity said.

"Yeah, what were you doing?" Twilight asked.

"Studying the rules of the road," Aaron said. "We're going to learn how to drive."

"You're gonna be learning how to drive one of those... ponyless carriages?!" Rainbow Dash asked. "That... is... AWESOME!"

"Very awesome," Gallus said. "So, what kind of car are you gonna get?"

"Well, we have to get our Driver's Licenses first," Aaron said. "To do that, we're gonna have to get our Learner's Permit by taking a test, and then we'll have to have experience driving, then we'll take the driving test at the DMV."

"I just hope both of you kids will be careful," Marissa said. "I don't want either of you to get into a car crash."

"We won't, Aunt Marissa," Aaron said. He then looked towards Smolder. "Right, Smolder?"

"Rules first, drive later," Smolder said. "I get it. I'll learn."

"That's good," Liam said. "Because I'm gonna take you to the DMV tomorrow after lunch. Marissa had already called your boss and told him about the test."

"Sweet," Smolder said. "A day off for the written test."

"It's a good thing that we have Smolder's official papers in this world," Marissa said. "Her birth certificate and social security number."

"That's needed in this world to get a license?" Gallus asked.

"We had to talk to the President himself to get it done," Marissa said. "Aaron, I also pulled yours out for you. Anyway, let's get back to the party."

"CAKE'S UP!" Pinkie said, bringing a cake out from around the corner. It was a chocolate cake that could feed 25 people. Smolder then went over to blow out the candles. But to do that, she had to be human, which she changed into. She then blew out the candles.

The next day, at the DMV, Aaron, Smolder and Liam were sitting in one of the many rows of seats, waiting for their numbers to be called. Aaron and Smolder were both in human form. Aaron had the number D12 and Smolder had E6. After both of their numbers were called, they went to the counter where they were told to head over to the computers to do the written tests.

"We got this," Aaron said.

"I hope so," Smolder said. "Let's do this." They started the tests and they were focused on nothing but the computer screen. They were going through the test as quickly as they could.

Eventually, they finished their tests, and they waited for their test results. Eventually, they received their test scores. They passed their tests. Then they had to get their pictures taken for when they eventually get their Driver's Licenses. They received paper Learner's Permits so they could start practicing their driving.

"Well, we did it," Aaron said as he and Smolder were walking up to Liam.

"That's right, you did," Liam said. "Now, let's go home." Then the three of them left the DMV and headed back home.

On the following Saturday, Liam was supervising Aaron and Smolder with behind the wheel training. Aaron was the first one to be trained behind the wheel. They were practicing on a street a couple blocks away from the house. They were using Liam's truck for practice. Both Aaron and Smolder were in human form so they wouldn't hurt their tails.

"That's it, Aaron," Liam said. "Take it nice and slow."

Aaron took a deep breath and said, "I got this." He then put the truck into Drive and drove on the street. He was practicing turning, parallel parking, U-turns and even backing up.

"Good job, Aaron," Liam said. "Now, pull over so Smolder can start driving." Aaron then pulled the truck over to the curb and put it into Park. Then he and Smolder swapped seats. Smolder put on the seat belt. "Alright, Smolder, remember the first thing?"

Smolder then adjusted the mirrors so she could see what was behind her. Smolder then took a breath and put the truck into Drive. Smolder did the same driving practices Aaron just did.

"Alright, Smolder," Aaron said. "You're doing good."

"Don't distract the driver," Smolder said.

"Distracted driving is a test as well," Aaron said.

"He's right," Liam said. "You have to be prepared for any eventuality that comes." Smolder then finished the driving portion. "Good job, Smolder. Now, how about we head back home? Drive us home." Smolder nodded and started driving back to the house.

Aaron and Smolder got home from work. They were holding their paychecks they got from working at Mel's Drive In and handed them to Marissa.

"Alright, kids," Marissa said. "You've got finals coming up. You've gotta prepare for the last tests of the year."

"Don't worry, Aunt Marissa," Aaron said. "We got this."

"We better see if we have passable grades," Smolder said. Aaron then brought out his laptop and checked the school website for his grades.

Aaron's grades were good. Biology: B+. Algebra: A. PE: A-. Auto Mechanics: A+. English-2: A-. World History: B-. Advanced Art: A+. Guitar: A-. He then handed Smolder his laptop and she signed in to see what grades she had. Smolder's grades weren't too bad. Biology: B-. Algebra: B+. PE: A+. Fashion Design: A+. English-2: C-. World History: C-. Advanced Art: A+. Guitar: A-.

"Looks like I need some work to do in English and History Class," Smolder said.

"And the final tests are worth a third of our grades," Aaron said. "Let's prepare for the last tests." Smolder nodded and she and Aaron went into Smolder's part of the house to start studying for the finals.

Author's Note

VOTING TIME!!

Okay, Aaron and Smolder had gotten their Driver's Licenses and were about to start the summer. But Marissa and Liam had gotten a surprise for both of them. They had gotten Aaron and Smolder their own set of wheels. You get to vote for which vehicle they have gotten for Aaron and Smolder while they were at work.

Option 1:

Ford Maverick

Option 2:

Ford Escape

Remember, only one vote per commenter. See you all next time.