Anna slumped in the driver’s seat, her fingers tapping anxiously on the steering wheel. Beth, her best friend, leaned over the open hood, peering into the engine with a furrowed brow. "I swear, it was working fine this morning," Anna sighed.
"Maybe it’s the battery?" Beth suggested, though her tone betrayed her uncertainty. Anna tried the ignition again, the engine sputtering but refusing to start. They exchanged a look of shared exasperation, the reality of their situation sinking in. "We might be here all night," Anna joked half-heartedly.
Beth sat back on her heels, a smudge of grease on her cheek, and Anna joined her on the ground. "I’m out of ideas," Beth admitted, running a hand through her hair. Anna, meanwhile, stared at her shoes, lost in thought. "What if we’re missing something simple?" Anna mused aloud.
Beth suddenly laughed, breaking the silence. Anna looked at her quizzically. "Remember when we used to say taking off our shoes makes everything better?" Beth recalled with a smile. Anna chuckled, the memory of their childhood antics bringing a spark of hope. "Worth a try," Anna agreed, slipping off her shoes and socks.
With a sense of playful determination, Beth followed suit, her eyes twinkling with mischief. Anna turned the key once more, and to their astonishment, the engine roared to life. "I can’t believe that worked!" Beth exclaimed over the engine’s hum. They both burst into laughter, the absurdity of the situation only adding to their relief.
Anna steered the car back onto the road, a newfound confidence in her grip on the wheel. "Next time, we’ll start with the shoes," Beth teased, leaning back in her seat. The two friends drove into the night, the road unfurling before them like a ribbon, their spirits lifted by the unexpected success of their unlikely solution.
