Time is of the Essence

Thursday, October 9th, 2008
by Josh L

2:13—that was the time.

Although school only ended at 2:35, it almost seemed like an eternity away. Time seemed to be passing by slower than ever. I looked away from the clock, and back to the board to copy the notes. I looked at the teacher, but heard no words coming out of his mouth. I was completely zoned out. We had our first basketball game today after school, and I had to make sure I got to the gym right away to shoot around and warm up before the big game. I drew a picture of a basketball on the corner of my paper, but then quickly erased it. That was about the tenth ball I had drawn this period. I looked once again to the board, and started scribbling down something about conversions, but didn’t pay any attention to the material. I looked at the clock again.

This time it read 2:15.

What the heck is going on here!? It was almost as if the clock was working against me. I had an idea. It was pure genius. I pushed my chair back, and got up out of my seat. I put my pencil down and walked toward the door; I was going to the bathroom. I didn’t need to use the bathroom, of course, but it ought to have killed some time. I made it to the bathroom, and checked the time on my cell phone.

It read 2:17.

It was working like a charm. As I entered the stall, I realized something: I actually had to use the bathroom. I did my business, and washed my hands, very slowly. Maybe it was because I wanted to waste more time, or maybe it was because I wanted to make sure I eliminated any chances of there being germs on my hands. Who knows…? It was definitely a time-killer. I dried my hands, and left the bathroom. I pulled out my cell phone, and glanced at the time.

It was now 2:24.

As I re-entered the classroom, I happily looked at the clock, already knowing what time it would read (2:25). Only ten more minutes. I sat back down, and picked up my pencil. As I looked at the board to copy the notes I missed, I couldn’t focus. I tried, but soon gave up. I found myself thinking about what would happen in the game, what big play I could be a part of, or what shot I could make. I sat there in wonderment planning out in my mind how everything would go. I looked out the window at the big blue sky, and continued to zone out. I looked back to my notebook, and drew another basketball. This time I left it there. This one came out nice. As I finished the basketball, I looked up at the clock. I couldn’t believe it.

The time read 2:32.

I was amazed, because it seemed like only seconds ago that I checked when it read 2:24. Well, I wasn’t complaining! I closed my textbook and tucked it neatly under my notebook. I did likewise with my planner. Everything was arranged in a way that when the bell rang, I could just scoop them up, throw them in my bag, and head out.

I was ready.

I looked at the board, and then to the teacher, and at least acted like I was paying attention. That was the least I could do. After all, I had already spent the past ten or fifteen minutes thinking about everything other than conversions, so I kind of owed it to him. I looked toward the teacher, but once again, no words came out of his mouth. I couldn’t do it. I looked at the clock once again, and this time, I was almost there.

It read 2:34.

One more minute. I closed my textbook, and pushed it towards the center of the table, so it wasn’t visible to the teacher. I smiled, and knew the gym was waiting for me. Every tick on the clock was like another minute, and I sat there, anxious. I looked down at my planner, and read the words across the cover. The words read, “Worcester Academy”. Wow. This is a really good school. I looked out the window at all of the buildings and trees, and just thought about how fortunate I am. Not everyone gets an opportunity like, “RING!” The bell rang. I snapped back into reality and almost effortlessly threw my books into my bag. I ran down the stairs so fast it was almost like I teleported. The game started at 3:30, but the earlier I got to the gym, the better.

I arrived at the locker room, changed, and bolted up the stairs. I got to the gym, ball in hand, and I was the first one there. My uniform was perfectly clean, as were my sneakers. I walked onto the court, and looked up at the basket. I did my routine stretches, and started to shoot around. My teammates began to arrive, and joined in the warm-ups.

A little while later, I saw a bunch of unrecognizable players walk in, and they were putting their bags down. Then, it hit me. It was the other team. They were today’s objective. It was my goal to send them back to their school on a bus full of quiet and disappointed players. I continued to shoot around, as the other team prepared in warm-ups. This was going to be a good game. I couldn’t wait until, “RING!” The buzzer on the shot clock rang. I looked up at the clock, and stood there silently.

The time was now 3:30.

It was game time, and I was ready.

Photo Credit: ToniVC

Photo Credit: Joel Bedford

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