essay [irwin]

one

"tic-tok. tic-tok." the clock clicks with every second. i've been sitting at this desk for hours, staring at my composition notebook.

the words used to flow to me like a calm river bank, but now nothing. every writer comes to a writers block, and this was sooner than expected. "tic-tok. tic-tok."

i stand from my old wooden desk, sliding out of my black-leather spin chair. looking at the walls, i see the same old tan wallpaper chipping away at the edges. the paintings are beautiful yet poorly hung with steel nails stabbed into the frame.

my professors words still ring in my head. "you are to write an essay." "it must be nothing less than perfection. " "show your feelings."

walking over to the nearly fallen door and slam my head against the wall. "why won't you work?" i whisper to myself.

i close my eyes, begging for sleep.

"no, you have to finish this."

but before i could do anything else, my phone rang from the dresser. i run over and quickly slide my finger across the screen.

"hello?" i ask rather harshly.

"babe, you said you'd be here!" jake-my boyfriend- whines through the phone.

"oh, i did. i'm sorry but i can't come. i'm caught up in this essay my professor assigned us." i explain.

it takes him a minute to answer again. "can't or won't?" he challenges.

jake does know how to make me cave in. he's done many times before tonight.

"won't." i tease.

the boy chuckles. "damn you. please come! it'll be fun. i'll bet that essay isn't due for another month."

"three actually. but fine." i fake sigh before hanging up.

i quickly gather my things including my phone and rush out the old broken house.

i take off into town until i realize i'm in jakes neiborhood. i never trusted this area where he lived, but it was the only place he could afford to live on his own.

eager to finally get to a safe place, i speed up my pace towards his house. and right when it comes into view:

"oww!" i yell, running into someone.