The world slowed. I watched as Eli’s flying elbow met with the dirty paint water cup. The slow rock as the water sloshed back and forth. Back and forth.

Eli’s face went slack with horror and he made to move and catch the cup before it tipped over and got all over the painting below.

He was too slow.

The brown water finally tipped fully over and cascaded down to the painting. The still water paint began to mix and smear. Eli fell to his knees in dismay.

“No! My painting!” He screeched. You would think that someone had died.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. You can just start over!” I waved my hands nervously around in the air, trying to comfort him, just not well.

“I was going to turn that in as my final! It’s due in 2 days!” He slumped backward and covered his face with his hands.

“I am sure you can whip something together before than,” He stilled and the silence stretched on. “Or not.” Though, it frankly sounded more like a question.

“I have been on that forever. Johnny.” The words came hauntingly. “Sure! Lets just whip something together real fast! It’s not like this is worth 60% of my grade!”These words came with overly fale enthusiasm.

“We will figure something out.” I said reassuringly.

I repeated those words in my head as we started to clean up.