Ticking.

Seven.
Six.
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
We are almost
Done.
The countdowns on people's phones show insignificant numbers. The number of opportunities we have to make a difference in our high school is slowly diminishing. Our term limit of incarceration is almost up. Graduation is one year away.
Some may view this is as a terrifying occurrence, hearing the ticking of the clock and envisioning it counting down to when we are thrown unknown territory. From the viewpoint of a junior, some may say I have not experienced the full extent of "senior-itus". However, I know that I have been counting down the days since my awful freshmen year to walk across that stage and get out of that place.
High school is safe. The halls we walk and the faces we see everyday never change. We know what we are expected of and have found every loophole in our 13 year old contract. Now presented with the responsibility of being on top, we now are presented the ability to make a difference in what happens to us every day. Student body presidents are typically seniors, and upperclassmen are usually the ones to question whether something is unjust, but that window of  time is shrinking. In terms of sports, two or three years of hard work has now gotten us to the top, and we are all fighting for that last title. We cannot take losses lightly, because this may be our last time competing. We want to make an impression, but we do not have much time left.
On the other hand, some feel the countdown seems to linger after every tick. With each day comes unbearable difficulties that we are tired of putting up with. These same faces in the hall all have awful memories associated with them and we long for a different view from these halls. Some see no use is changing the system because through our years we have figured out how stubborn it is. We find encouragement when we see the days slip away, and cannot help but smiling when our government teacher says, "you guys have done 11 years you can do the next one standing in your head." That diploma is the ticket to a bright new future for us.
No matter the emotion we feel, the ticking is not slowing, and the end is inevitable.
JSL