Tick tock. It’s currently 10 o’clock. It’s time for bed yet I can’t go to sleep. I lie awake listening to the branches outside talking through the wind. Whatever leaves are left on a cold winter night flying away, farther from their homes. Tick tock. I stare up at my ceiling. At the walls. At the door. As if someone will walk through it. Can someone walk through to save me from this desperation? Tick tock. It’s currently 12 o’clock. Midnight. I should definitely fall asleep now. Yet I just can’t, some kind of force is stopping me. Maybe I should do some reading. Either to distract me, make me feel sleepy, or finally accomplish something. Tick tock. I can’t even do something as simple as reading a book. I can’t go on my phone. I might as well give up on getting any sleep at that point. Time to get up for a glass of water for the fiftieth time. Tick tock. It’s 2 o’clock. Maybe I can make a late-night snack. You do feel sleepy after a full stomach. Is that even healthy at this time? Tick tock. It’s currently 4 o’clock. I need a last resort. What about counting sheep? It’s the oldest trick in the book. One, two, three…..forty-four, forty-five, forty- six…a hundred twenty-two, a hundred twenty-three, a hundred ugh. Alright, this obviously isn’t working. Tick tock. Is it a bad idea to go for a walk right now? Maybe go get some fresh air. Nothing bad can happen, right? No, I shouldn’t, I need to get as much sleep as I can now. Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock. What time is it now? Brnnngg. Oh, 7 o’clock. Time to get up.