Cruisin' is just not the same; Gas costs change teens' lifestyles.

Byline: Benjamin Chesna

WORCESTER - Before he obtained his driver's license a few months ago, Emmanuel Pastor would bum rides from friends; he always thought it unfair when they asked him to chip in for gas.

Now the 17-year-old understands perfectly.

"I used to think people were stingy when they would ask for $5 if they gave me a ride home, but now that I'm driving people around I know how much is really costs," the new driver said. "If I ride with someone, I give them money, or if I give someone a ride I have no problem asking for money because it adds up."

While adults are shouldering the bulk of the distress prompted by rising prices, gas stations do not discriminate. Teenagers will tell you they can feel their wallets getting lighter this summer, as well.

Free rides and road trips have fallen by the wayside.

"I never drive out of my way. If I worked far from my house I wouldn't be able to survive on my paycheck," said Emmanuel, who lives on Lincoln Street and works in the Greendale Mall selling sunglasses.

For Emmanuel and many other young drivers, the new cost of driving is shocking and, as gas continues to hover around $4 a gallon, he and his peers are learning that their driving habits and their lifestyles need some alterations.

Some summer-vacationing teens, such as Gregory Peart, 18, of Worcester, don't have the luxury of working down the street. "I have had to work more hours this year than ever, just to cover driving to and from work," he said.

Gregory said that when he saw the line waiting last week to gas up at the Gulf Express station on Park Avenue - where a special promotion offered regular gas for $1.99 a gallon - he was shocked by motorists' determination to save money.

"I was going to stop, but the line was way too long. It just shows how crazy these prices are making people when the line for gas is around the block. It's ridiculous. I hate driving and wasting money."

Webster neighbors Steve Engsterand, 17, Rob Engsterand, 18, and Beyan Kamara, 20, say they simply don't drive unless it is necessary and if it is, they ride together.

"Because we live so close, we can carpool a lot, but we plan trips and do not go out just to get one thing," Steve said. "If we are going to the mall we wait until we all need to go and then make a day out of it - work out, shop, get food, whatever."

His brother Rob said the high prices have had a big impact on his social life.

"Last summer, we would go to the beach every other day. This year we have only gone twice," Rob said. "I can't always fill up my tank, and if I know I don't have the money I will just stay home."

While cutting back on driving is cutting into Rob's social life, his friend Beyan finds he's in better shape because he avoids being in the driver's seat as often as possible.

"Back in the day, I would drive to Steve and Rob's house; now I cut through backyards and hike around the neighborhood," he said. Beyan has found himself walking and running considerably more often since gas prices skyrocketed.

Walk, run or ride a bike, young people are trying anything to save some cash this summer.

Anne Bogart, 16, and her sister Sara, 18, say their weekly travels to friends' houses' take them across Worcester and into surrounding towns. These trips do not allow for biking or walking, so they find other ways to meet the high cost of gas.

"I hate to pay so much to fill up, but I have no choice. So I just don't spend as much on clothes or eating out," Anne said as she stood outside Showcase Cinema North during what she said was a rare splurge of funds.

"We wanted to see a movie, so we decided to go to a matinee and save cash," Sara said, laughing about the sisters' logic. "I like to think I am being frugal but saving $3 at the movies probably won't help all that much when it costs eighty dollars to fill my Jeep."

The sisters said they try to pay for their own gas but sometimes their parents help out. Sara, who just turned 18, wants to pay her own way but concedes the cost of living is forcing her to rely on her family for food and shelter.

When John Mullen moved out of his parents' house in Millbury almost a year ago, he knew about high gas prices and the expensive bills he faced, but as the discrepancy between his own wages and the cost of living grew, he became alarmed.

"As the price of oil goes up, everything goes up - gas, electricity, natural gas, even food," John said. "The money I make at my job doesn't go as far, it's really tough."

The 19-year-old Assumption College student pays for his apartment on Hermitage Lane, his tuition and all of his expenses.

"You have to pay the bills to live and as the cost goes up, my spending money goes down. It is just the sad reality right now."

"Welcome to the real world" can be read on adults' lips all over the world.

Gas and food money is necessary, but what about fun? Isn't a teenager allowed to have some fun while on summer vacation?

Steve, Rob and Beyan think so. They agreed that while gas prices are a drag, they just have to be more vigilant with their spending because socializing is necessary.

"We like to go out with friends and if we're smart about it and share the driving we still can go out and have a lot of fun; we just cut out the aimlessly driving around," Steve said.

ART: PHOTO

CUTLINE: Gregory Peart, 18, of Worcester says he pumps just enough gas to cover his immediate driving needs.

PHOTOG: T&G Staff/MARK C. IDE