Similar to most emotionally charged 16-year-olds, I jumped to get my learner's permit after the monumental birthday passed for me in the end of May. Probably similarly to them, I failed the test. An unfortunate rescheduling while I was still at sleep away camp later in the summer took away my second my chance to pass the 25-question exam. Several months later, I decided to retake the challenge during spring break. This time, no one knew about my upcoming report to the D.M.V., unlike the first two times of failure. Days before returning to school from the two-week break, I thought I'd be able to show off my shiny new permit, but I was wrong. I added another "X" to my record of taking and not-passing the permit test.

People said it would be an easy test, that it's just common sense. But I hate when people say things because they're usually wrong. Fast forward another year -- just to clarify, we are now in my senior year. It used to not really matter, not being able to drive or the absence of a car, but in my 12th year of school it really affected me. I felt so restricted and I felt like a child compared to others in my class and something needed to change. Similar to the year before, I went into the test without telling anyone, my personal secret, and hopefully not another personal failure.

Sprang break 2K15 was filled with a trip to Florida, way too many college rejection letters and this test that I finally passed. Only a few weeks went by until I started driving school. Nothing and no one beats Donna at Fresh Green Light. My end of senior year wasn't your average finale to a high school experience. Nights spent at FGL and afternoons of in-the-car lessons with Donna filled my time. Per the Connecticut rule, if you attend the 30-hour driving school within the four months after getting the learner's permit, you can take your driver's license test, instead of the usual six-month waiting period.

Before I knew it, July had arrived, a summer of working at the beach with kids on sailboats was halfway through, and I was ready to take my driver's test! Guess who passed on the first try? This girl. And since my 18th birthday had passed during those four months, none of the annoying curfew or passenger restriction rules applied to me. I was home-free. Now, the only thing I need is a car.