Sarah WCounting Down

Counting Down

Sarah Winters, 2020

Aika looked at her watch. Seventeen minutes left.

Fourteen minutes left now.

Nine minutes. It had been months since she put her application in, and she was dying to find out whether or not she got accepted. Her entire day was spent watching the seconds go by; they seemed to progress more slowly than usual. Each class in school dragged on, but each minute was a small step towards her destination.

Aika knew she should stop stressing. She knew that no matter what, she’d be accepted somewhere eventually, and there were plenty of wonderful schools that provided the education she needed. She could even transfer in a year if necessary. But she had spent eighteen years dreaming of this particular university. Aika’s four years of high school were dedicated to her getting into her dream college. And those four years in college would determine her future friends, her future family, her future career. Years and years were influenced by this seemingly tiny acceptance or denial.

Earlier, Aika had tried to be productive, but it was no use. She tried to read a book to make the time go by faster. Whatever happened to time flies when you’re having fun? No activity she tried

you’re having fun? No activity she tried seemed to have any effect on the second hand’s painfully slow movements. Were all of her clocks suddenly broken? She had to have been reading for at least five minutes. Alas, it had only been two. She was so close, but so far.

Seven minutes until she knew.

Three more minutes. She had already been rejected twice. Of course, both schools were complete reaches, so she didn’t expect anything, but this was her last chance. The past few months, whenever she talked about college, she always ended her sentences with “if I get in.” In six minutes she would know. Those few words would never have to be uttered by her unsure self again. Of course, whenever she said that, her friends and family would say, “of course you’ll get in!” or, “they’d be crazy not to let you in!” Flukes happen though. Flukes that could change Aika’s future.

Should she be nervous, excited? Terrified or elated? Heartbroken or ecstatic? She’d know soon enough. What would she say if she didn’t get in? What would she do? For eighteen years she’d expected to be accepted. Her parents, friends, siblings, teachers expected it. What if she messed up the application? What if the recommendations weren’t sent correctly? Her heart beat fast but the seconds still went on slowly. Aika refreshed the page, over and over and over and over. She would know soon. It was so close. Her sweaty fingers left marks on her keyboard. Her breaths became fast and her head felt light.

Five, four, three, two, one...she refreshed the page.