Free at last

Me: (sip tea, clear throat) I've been thinking, I think I want to stop the carpool thing starting next week.

Courtney: (almost immediately) That's cool.
Amy: (silent)

Me: It's becoming more like a chore than fun. Plus I really enjoyed driving to school on my own during Spring Break.

Courtney: That's alright(or something to that effect).
Amy: (silent).

Me: (looking around) Is that okay with you guys?
Courtney: Yeah.
Amy: Yeah. (pause) Now that the weather is nice I can walk to the station without going through piles of snow.

Me: Plus I kind of want to stay after school occasionally for the ekiden club (a complete lie at the time, but this morning while standing outside I actually did get invited to practice with the ekiden club after talking with the track coach, and my new JTE asked me to try the kendo club with him).

So, free at last. How does it feel? Kind of like this guy (courtesy of Osteen).