One-Inch Picture Frame

Students sit facing forward with their laptops open. A professor gestures at the front of the classroom, referring to the PowerPoint displayed behind him. A constant low hum fills the air, but it does not seem to have a source. Half of the lights in the room are on, illuminating the expressions on the students’ faces. All of them seem uninterested in the lecture. Upon further inspection, a few students have their phones hidden in their laptops, and many others are playing games on their laptop screens. The sound of typing breaks the awkward silences after the professor asks a question. Very few of the students sit up straight, adding to the idea that everyone is bored.

—Sara