It was Wednesday afternoon. The sun was angry. It was that kind of heat that makes the road look like it is melting.
Stan was walking from the Faculty of Science. He was sweating, but he didn't wipe it. In his mind, it wasn't sweat; it was "glistening."
He saw Amaka walking ahead. This was his chance to walk her home and secure the bond.
But then, a sound. Vroom.
A silver Toyota Corolla pulled up beside Amaka. The windows rolled down slowly. Cold air from the AC rushed out.
It was Destiny.
Destiny was the enemy. Destiny had an iPhone 14 without a cracked screen. Destiny wore cologne that smelled like vanilla and money. Destiny had a car.
"Hey Amaka," Destiny smiled, leaning over the passenger seat. "Sun is too hot. Hop in. Let me drop you."
Amaka stopped. She looked at the cool, comfortable car. She looked at the long, dusty road ahead. It was a tempting offer.
Stan caught up to them. He stopped beside the car door. He looked down at Destiny.
"Stan!" Amaka said, looking guilty. "Destiny offered us a ride."
Destiny looked at Stan. "Oh, hey man. Back seat is full of my gym clothes. Sorry. Only space for one."
It was a challenge. Destiny wanted to take the girl and leave Stan in the dust.
Stan looked at the car. He looked at the tires. He looked at the dashboard. He let out a small, pitying laugh.
"Heh."
"What is funny?" Destiny asked, his smile fading.
"Nothing," Stan said, putting his hands in his pockets. "I just admire your bravery, Destiny."
"Bravery?"
"Yes," Stan said, his face dead serious. "Driving a 2010 model with that engine sound? In this heat? You know these engines overheat when the AC is on max. It's a ticking time bomb. I prefer safety."
Destiny looked at his dashboard nervously. "My engine is fine."
"That's what they always say," Stan said darkly. "Before the smoke starts."
Stan turned to Amaka. He didn't ask her to stay. He just gave her a choice.
"Amaka, you can go with him. Sit in the machine. Breathe the recycled air. Risk the explosion. It is comfortable."
He took a step back.
"I will walk," Stan continued. "I need to clear my mind. I need to connect with the street. A man who cannot walk is a man who cannot think."
He looked like a philosopher. He looked like a monk.
Amaka looked at Destiny. Destiny was now revving the engine to prove it was fine, which just made a loud, ugly noise. KRRR-VROOOOM.
She looked at Stan. He was standing tall, unbothered by the sun, looking cool even though he was definitely roasting.
"Destiny..." Amaka said. "Stan is right. I... I feel like walking today. I need the exercise."
Destiny was shocked. "Are you serious? In this sun?"
"Bye Destiny!" Amaka said. She walked over to Stan.
Stan nodded at Destiny. "Drive safe, bro. Watch that temperature gauge."
Destiny drove off angrily, tires screeching.
Stan and Amaka walked side-by-side in the burning sun.
"You really think his car was going to explode?" Amaka asked.
"Anything is possible," Stan lied. "But today, I just wanted to show you that you don't need a machine to move forward."
"You are so wise, Stan," she said.
They walked for 20 minutes. Stan's legs were hurting. He was thirsty. He wanted to cry. But he kept his face straight.
He had defeated a Toyota Corolla with nothing but words.
Mission Status: Alpha.