A forehand planted firmly in a palm, a knee rhythmically bobbing up and down as the clock ticked too slowly. Her eye might have twitched when the professor began his oration on the Mississippi River. That massive, mocking, great body of water. Unrestricted, freely flowing water. She darted her eyes away from the images being projected on the screen and chose a spot on the wall for her eyes to linger on. The other knee joined in the incessant dance, a ritual meant to make the struggle easier. The spot on the wall did nothing for her, so she allowed herself another glance at the clock. Too much time to go before she and her eighty-seven classmates would be let free. The door wasn't so far away. Just a few quiet steps and she could end this displeasure. But the professor's podium stood dauntingly close to the exit. She tried crossing her legs and removed her eyes from the door. The boy sitting next to her uncapped a Poland Spring and took a swig. The water sloshed around in the bottle as he raised it to his lips. Even when she looked away, the sound of it still teased in her ear. She made a personal vendetta against this boy as she casually deafened herself by pressing her ear into her shoulder. She'd forget this grudge by the time she finally found relief, but for now it was just another distraction.
Her legs uncrossed and began bobbing again. Her fingers dug into her scalp and tangled into her hair. Her stomach moaned in disagreement. She felt a sweat come over her and the frustration peaked.
"I will see you Thursday for our next class," the professor's voice boomed.
There was a flurry of pages and feet, but no one was able to reach the door before she did as she raced around the corner and into the bathroom.















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