Essays

Essays. The dreaded. They're not for a while yet - thankfully. Winter Break is shielding us from them for another 2 or so months. But I decided I'd write this now. 


Tick-tock. 
The pencil bobs above the piece of paper, unsure, uncertain. 
Tick-tock. 
Come on, write! I readjust my grip on the pencil as it attempts to wriggle from my fingertips. It wants out nearly as much as I do. 
Tick-tock.
I feel something stirring inside of me. Anxiety? 
Tick-tock. 
Hurry up! my mind desperately pleads. I ignore it. Why can't I write? 
Tick-tock. 
Now my palms are sweating, and it's even more difficult to hold onto my reluctant pencil than it was just a moment ago. 
Tick-tock. 
All I can here is the swift scribbling of other peoples' pencils echoing about the room. They're teasing me, aren't they? Taunting and teasing, telling me I'm no good. I'm stupid. 
Tick-tock. 
Now, that's just not true. I'm not stupid. Another feeling rises inside me. Fierce determination. 
Tick-tock. 
Shut up, clock. Taking a deep breath, I stare down at the pencil. At its stubborn graphite face. 
Tick-tock. 
And then I write.