A Dry Frustration
by Franklin Dong (Staff Submission)
Streams of cold wind came in through the slightly opened window and brushed against his bare arms, resting gingerly at his sides. The room was so hot that he could feel the trapped air charged with temperature pressing against his blushing cheeks. Coughs and clearing of throats came incessantly, dry scratches on his irritated body. The lecture was about halfway done, but there was still an hour left, and somehow the hands of the clock had begun to move slower than before. The thorny feeling of heat crawled from his face and down his back. He had taken off his coat and sweater and sat in his t-shirt, trying to turn his body to the window, which seemed to offer an only reprieve. But it was no use. It was too hot, the room too crowded, the lecturer’s voice too loud and stifling. He had bought a bottle of water before the lecture and thought the cold liquid would cool him down. Reaching into his bag, he took out the plastic bottle and was de-