The Unknown
September 3, 2001
I sat on a bench under a tree which provided shade and sheltered me from the violent heat of the day. I was alone, while only moments ago my friend was sitting in the shade with me, bouncing a ball against the table. I sat and thought of the conversation my friend and I had. It wasn’t very interesting and I became bored with my own thoughts quick enough. My attention was immediately brought to the unimaginable dryness of my throat. I was thirsty.
The day was hot, around 97 degrees. With my hand I removed the slight dampness that began to form around my face. My mind came across the idea of water, and the water bottle I had next to my backpack inside the school building. I began to slowly walk up the small steps to get to the building. On any other day, those same steps would have been easy to go up, but not on that day. The heat, dehydration, and lack of sleep had made my short journey to the school building a workout. I walked to the couch and saw my friend who was talking to two juniors. The two juniors were sitting on the couch studying while my friend stood in front of them and spoke, as if performing for them. I was excited that I not had someone to talk to and didn’t have to sit alone outside.
I acknowledged my presence in the hallway and joined in there conversation. As we talked, I bent over to get my water bottle. What I saw before me was sad and disappointing, and torture. My water bottle was completely empty but for small drops that would slowly creep down the side of the bottle and form a tiny puddle of water at the bottom. It wasn’t nearly enough to quench the overwhelming thirst I was feeling. Then I remembered, and there was a glimmer of hope. I turned around to see a water fountain mounted to the tile wall behind me. With and excited grin on my face I filled my bottle and quenched my thirst.
