I reference Randall not being able to drive in my stories. Well, I think it's time I change that, he could get a little help and some words of encouragement from Mike to get behind the wheel, and some comfort thrown it, because why not? More of Mike being supportive and caring towards Randall, so let's tell a tale. Enjoy, and don't forget to review, favorite, and follow!


~Pedal Persevere~

It felt like he was the only monster on campus who couldn't drive. Sure, there were other monsters that didn't drive, but it felt like he was the only one unable to mature and move towards adulthood without something hindering him. He wanted to, but his poor vision and nervousness made such a thing nearly impossible, even with his glasses on. He wanted to be more independent, he wanted to not be so helpless. He wanted to take driver's ed, get his permit, yet he was so nervous about causing an accident. He felt like he'd jump out of his skin if he even got behind the wheel of a car. He felt like if he touched a button, the car would probably explode knowing his luck.

His roommate could drive. Mike already had his license, though he didn't drive much. Living at the campus kinda made driving irrelevant, unless he had to go into town and run some errands or something. He'd usually accompany Mike when he went out, to help him, with his curiosity taking over and he'd watch how Mike behaved behind the wheel, seeing how he steers, brakes, and parks the vehicle. Parking seemed like an ordeal, especially parallel parking.

Randall cringed at the idea of hitting the accelerator too hard by mistake while attempting to park the car and end up slamming into somebody else's vehicle. He could hear the angry rants of the pissed off car owner, threatening to sue him for damaging their car. Of if he went into say a store, he forgets to put the car in park and disaster strikes.

Mike had noticed Randall feeling down when it came to driving. His roommate was upset by the fact he couldn't drive, he had attempted to cheer up his best friend with his efforts being in vain. He hated seeing Randall so down. But he wasn't giving up.

"Hey, Randy, I got a surprise for you." called Mike from behind, catching the lizard monster's attention.

Oh, Mike, such a kind and wonderful monster. Randall appreciated everything the cyclops had done for him, unable to hide a smile when his roommate spoke. "Aw, Mike, I'm flattered. So, what's the big surprise?" He asked.

Mike answered by taking out a driver's manual. At first, bewildered, then the realization hit Randall like a ton of bricks. His eyes widened through his large, rounded glasses.

"That's right, buddy! We're gonna beat the odds, I'll help you with driving and get your permit!" Mike told him. Randall's heart skipped a beat, he sniffled but tried his hardest not to cry.

Randall's eyes glistened up, he blinked a couple times and looked at Mike. "... Mike... Do you mean it...?" He asked, choking back a sob. "Y-you want to help me get my permit?"

Mike didn't say anything, smiling as he threw his arms around Randall in a hug. Naturally, the emotional lizard monster hugged him back, hugging the smaller green monster a little tighter and sniffling as a couple tears fell from his face and hit his friend.

"Yeah! We can use my car to practice, there's an abandoned supermarket where you can practice, enough space for you to get the basics of getting behind the wheel." Mike spoke, breaking the hug and handing Randall a tissue. "Mark my words, you'll be a driving lizard before our first year is up!"

Randall felt his spirits rising, only to have them come crashing down. What if he wrecks Mike's car? He'll lose his only friend. No, he couldn't risk it, Mike was everything to him and he couldn't risk losing the only monster to give a damn about him here.

"... I appreciate you're optimism, but I can't, Mike. I'll end up wrecking your car." Randall frowned, but Mike reached out and squeezed his hand gently. "Huh?"

"Listen, Randy, I know you're nervous and scared. I was too when it came to driving, but I got through it and hey, I got it done and for as small as I am, I can reach the pedals. If I can drive, then so can you." Mike came back.

"I don't want you to hate me, Mike! A car is like a teen's pride and joy, I can't take something you earned and ruin it! What would your parents think?" Randall tried to come up with any excuse to back out of this, though deep down he really wanted to drive and take Mike's offer.

Randall could be so stubborn at times. Mike sighed, remaining firm and grabbing the lizard monster's other hand and forcing their eyes to meet. The conviction Mike held for his friend was there, he wasn't letting go till he got his best friend behind the wheel.

"You won't wreck it though, Randy." Mike said firmly, squeezing his hands gently. "A monster as smart as you will get the hang of it fast. Driving's not too hard once you get used to it and don't worry, I'll be sitting right next to you if anything happens."

"But my vision, Mike. And I'm too nervous to drive!" Randall was pulling every excuse he had, frowning as nothing seemed to phase Mike. Oh, Mike, why do you have to be such a dear friend to me?

"You can drive, if your eyes are messing with you, we'll get you a stronger pair of glasses. But as far as I can tell, you can see me with the glasses on and with four arms, that quick thinking brain, and your fast reflexes, you'll do fine. Trust me, Randy." Mike boasted, confident in his roommate's ability.

The praise and kind words came. Mike knew just what to say to flatter and touch the lizard monster. Randall almost wished he was never this open about his feelings, but at the same time, he was moved by the monster's care and support. He nervously rubbed his free set of hands together, looking down and sighing.

"Okay... I'll do it, for you, Mike." Randall sighed, but Mike let go of his hands and hugged the lizard monster once more.

Randall smiled and hugged Mike back, pulling his best friend closer. Mike with tears in his eye, faced his best chum. "Chum, you'll do this for the both of us and you'll succeed. Because you're Randall and I know my best buddy can do anything when he puts his mind to it. Perseverance is key." He stated, poking the bridge of Randall's glasses.

Breaking the hug, Mike went over to his desk and pulled something from the drawer. Randall's eyes widened when he recognized it, a car key. He could already feel his body shaking a little, rubbing his hands together nervously.

"Mike, I don't think we should be too hasty about this." Randall nervously chuckled, looking around. "Best I've done with driving is at arcades when I was little."

"Now's as a good a time as any and plus, I trust you, Randy." Mike replied, tossing the keys to the lizard monster.

Randall paled, but held out his hand and caught the key. He looked at the car key, the instrument with which he'll have the means to starting the car. Fear and doubt were in his mind, but he felt a budding desire to take the keys and get in the car, feeling excitement at what'll be like starting the engine from his perspective.

Clutching the key, Randall faced Mike and adjusted his glasses. "Let's go do some driving then."

"There's the eagerness of my favorite monster!" Mike praised him, patting him on his scaly back.

Randall smiled, but was mentally screaming at himself for doing something so dumb. He's gonna crash, he and Mike are gonna get sued, or they'll put somebody in the hospital. So much ifs were going through his mind, what if everything went wrong when he started the engine?

They exited the dormitories and headed into the student parking lot. Mike's car was an older model, but it got him where he needed to be and he didn't care about street cred. It was a small green car big enough to fit two small monsters, having a fanged monster grille, horned rear-view mirrors, it had a couple big eyed headlights, and clawed spoilers.

Feeling his fingers twitch slightly, Randall looked at the keys he's holding and at Mike's car. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, deciding it's now or never to do some driving practice.

Randall reached out and opened the driver's side door, climbing into the driver's seat and turning around, allowing his tail and back feet to sit in the seat. Mike followed suit, taking the passenger seat. Randall looked at the key in his hands.

"Go on, start her up, Randy." Mike said.

Gulping, Randall put the key in the ignition and turned it, hearing the car come to life. He nearly jumped out of his seat. Putting all four of his hands on the steering wheel, he took a deep breath, he could feel the power of the vehicle in his hands. It was incredible, but scary at the same time.

"Now, let's shift into reverse and pull outta here." Mike instructed, also giving Randall a warning. "We really should head parking lot fast, since you don't have a license and it wouldn't be pretty if we get caught."

"You could've told me that before we did this!" Randall facepalmed. Great, he has to be paranoid about being pulled over. Yeah, a monster without a license operating a vehicle that doesn't belong to him. Grand theft auto, anyone?

Mike acted dumb. Randall kept one set of arms on the wheel, moving his hands to the ten and two O'clock positions, he reached over and grabbed the gear shift, putting his right foot on the brake and pressing on it. Shifting into reverse and easing up on the brakes, he backs out without trouble. He turns the car around, keeping his foot on the brake.

"Good, good. Now, put her in drive and gently step on the gas pedal." Mike told him, pointing to his feet. "It's best to use your right foot to operate both pedals, just keep your left one on the floorboard."

"You can do this, Randy." Randall whispered to himself, looking at his reflection in the mirror and taking his foot off the brake, and shifting into drive and gently pressing his foot on the accelerator.

The car began moving forward and Randall made sure to make the correct turns, thankfully the parking lot they're in doesn't have too many cars around. He pressed a bit harder on the gas pedal, with Mike nodding and encouraging him to go a little faster.

"Before we pull out onto the main road, look both ways, make sure there's no cars coming, then give her a little gas and pull onto the road. Okay?" Mike instructed, reaching down and squeezing his hand to reassure him. "You're doing fine. Just keep a clear head and you'll get this."

Driving on, Randall hit the brakes when he's about to exit the campus. He adjusted his mirror, looking in both directions. His vision was kinda blurry, but thankfully his glasses were allowing him to see better and he saw no oncoming cars. Mike gave a thumbs up, prompting Randall to push on the accelerator and make a right turn, pulling the car onto the main road and driving off.

Pushing away his initial jumpiness, Randall lightened up a little bit and drove the car down the street. He's driving! He's actually doing it! A sense of satisfaction washed over the lizard monster, he smiled as he looked out onto the road ahead of him.

"Told you, driving isn't that hard and you've got it down!" Mike cheered him on.

"If we don't get caught doing this, I'll say this was a good bit of practice, but still." Randall remarked, keeping his eyes on the road. Driving wasn't as hard as he thought it would be.

"Let's make some turns and see how you do with braking." Mike instructed him, it would be good for Randall to get some experience before they really start to practice. "There's the turn signal!"

Hitting it, Randall turned the wheel and eased up on the gas slightly, turning the car down another lane. Applying back some gas, Randall patted his foot on the gas pedal, inadvertently speeding up.

"Best not play with the pedals, they can be a little sensitive." Mike warned him.

The car briefly sped up, but Randall hit the brakes and slowed down a little. He continued driving forward, making another turn and going down another street. So far, so good.

Randall's in awe, looking around at the city surroundings. It was mainly just restaurants and small shops, but he blinked and smiled, he was actually driving for the first time in his life, he was doing something that he never thought he'd be capable of. Relaxing in the driver's seat, Randall stepped on the accelerator and moves into another lane, with Mike proud of the lizard monster's success.

"Told you, nothing to worry about, pal." Mike patted him on one of his arms. "Excellent driving for a beginner."

"Why thank you, Mike." Randall remarked, though happy Mike complimented him.

Continuing their drive through town, Randall saw a traffic light coming up ahead. The light was yellow and they're approaching it, not wanting to risk running the caution light, Randall hit the brakes and the car stopped smoothly right as the light turned red. He'd done it!

"I didn't even have to tell you about the traffic lights, did I?" Mike jokingly remarked.

"Please. I think every monster with a single functioning brain cell would know what a red light means." Randall spat back playfully. "Give me more credit than that."

"You definitely are way smarter than the blue idiot." Mike responded, as he and Randall shared a laugh. "I'm surprised he even maintains a C average."

Randall continued laughing, being interrupted the sound of a horn honking. Panicking, he frantically slammed on the brakes, causing the car to come to a screeching halt, with the two monsters jerking forward in their seats. Shaking the daze off, Randall saw a sports car speeding off, with a bunch of jocks inside laughing as they pulled off.

"Ugh. Some monsters really shouldn't be allowed to drive!" Mike commented. "Good braking reflexes though, you got braking nailed down."

That was nice brake work on his part. Still, he was surprised his jumpiness didn't make him go into a full blown panic attack. Mike looked over to Randall, deciding it was time to maybe get off the road and do some practice driving in the parking lot.

"For your sake and just so we don't have any run ins, let's move to that vacant parking lot." Mike said, not wanting Randall's confidence to fade just because of some clueless fools on the road.

Nodding, Randall turned the car to the right and headed down the road in the direction of the abandoned supermarket. They approached the decaying building, the parking lot was empty, save for a couple light posts and some weeds growing from cracks. Randall drove into the parking lot, stepping on the brakes.

"So, how was your first time on the road, Randy?" asked Mike.

"To be honest, not too bad." Randall replied. "Aside from that incident, it was really nice. I think I've got steering and braking down."

"We'll try accelerating next." Mike told him. "But I'm proud of you, Randy. Despite being nervous and some poor eyesight, you can get behind the wheel. I can smell a permit for Randy Boggs coming in the near future."

Randall appreciated the praise and flattery, but he doubts he'd get his learner's permit. I mean, yes, he's done so far pretty good on the roads for a lizard monster with next to no driving experience, even with Mike's help and encouragement, he felt like he could still mess things up and that scared him.

"Maybe we shouldn't, Mike. With my feet, I don't want to hit the pedal too hard and lose control." Randall explained, looking down at his two feet in the floorboard.

"Feet are a-okay. Your tail's also not an issue." Mike replied, pointing at Randall's two back legs and tail in the seat. "Don't get nervous, Randy. First, take your foot off the brake and gently press on the gas pedal."

"Okay." Randall took his foot off the brakes first, narrowing his eyes and trying to keep calm. He's ready.

Looking down, stepping on the accelerator and the car moved forward. Pushing a bit harder on the gas pedal, he begins to go a bit faster. The engine revs a bit more as Randall applies more gas to the car and he begins going a decent amount of speed, the speedometer going past the twenty mark.

"Now do some turns and avoid the lights." Mike told him, wanting to see if Randall can avoid hitting anything. Though, his mom probably won't be too happy if his friend ends up scratching or denting the vehicle. Insurance is costly.

Randall saw a light coming up and made a right turn, avoiding it. The car moved through the parking lot, as they saw a discarded shopping cart, which they narrowly avoided. Mike watched as Randall was avoiding the obstacles around them. It was as if Randall were taking his driver's test.

"Good, good, maybe push it to thirty now." Mike suggested, grabbing his seat belt.

Pushing harder on the gas pedal, the car accelerated and this would be a real test of Randall's driving skills. At thirty miles an hour, Randall was moving closer and closer towards a light, his eyes widened within his glasses and he made a sharp right turn, missing the light pole. He turned the wheel again, driving in a circle as he pulled out and continued driving.

"I think thirty's about the peak for now. Don't want to push it too much for you." Mike responded, as Randall smiled and kept the car at a steady thirty.

They spent a good thirty minutes practicing in the parking lot, with Mike giving him a rundown on the basics and promising to teach him more from the driver's manual when they return to the dorm later.

"Now let's find a parking place and we'll see how you do with parking." Mike instructed, pointing a parking spot prime for taking. "Slow down, make sure the car's straight as it can get and park this baby!"

Slowing down, Randall drove towards the parking spot, keeping his hands on the wheel and easing up on the accelerator, stepping on the brakes as he pulled into the parking space. He shifts the car in park, parking the vehicle.

"How was that, Mike?" asked Randall.

Opening the passenger door, Mike stepped out and went to inspect. The car was a little off center on the right, but otherwise it was a fine enough parking job. "Fine job parking the car, Randy. We'll work on it and I'll help you out when it comes to parallel parking." Mike replied, hopping back in the car. "Your driving lesson has concluded for today. Good job."

"Thanks. That means a lot to me." Randall whispered, humbled. Maybe he does have a shot at driving.

"Tell you what, since we're out, why don't we grab a pizza? Think of it as a way to celebrate my best pal learning to drive." Mike said, putting an arm around Randall, with the happy lizard monster wrapping his tail around the cyclops in thanks.

"I'd like that." Randall smiled, getting a bit of a confidence boost and adjusting his glasses. "Um... Can I drive us to get pizza and you know, back to the dorm? I know it's kinda illegal, but hey, more practice is good right?"

Why not? Randall's earned his right to drive tonight. "Sure thing, pal. Just don't get too wild behind the wheel." Mike jokingly remarked, poking the lizard monster's snout.

"Wild? Yeah, right?" Randall rolled his eyes, shifting back in drive and stepping on the gas pedal. "I'll see about taking a class on driving too."

"I can already see that permit. Hope you have a big smile when you get it." Mike laughed.

The two friends laughed and smiled, driving away from the abandoned supermarket and back into town. Randall had more confidence in himself and his ability to drive, he wasn't going to let his poor vision hinder him and his doubts were pushed back. New prospects were coming up, he was looking forward to them with his amazing best friend by his side.

The end.


Looking at Randall's eyesight when he ditches his glasses and how he squints his eyes, I think it's safe to say Randall doesn't have the best vision. I could say that hurting his confidence and self-esteem. But he's got Mike and he'd make a fine driving instructor, just got by the short he's in. Felt like doing a wholesome bit of Randy learning to drive. Let me know what you think, love to hear some feedback. RandallBeast19, out!