The watch

01.25.2025

Jacob’s eyes glazed over the computer screen, barely processing what he was reading. He sighed, unable to concentrate on his research, still wondering how his parents managed to convince him to do a masters in speech pathology. 

It was nearly 11 at night; the only sounds in the library were the click, clack, clack of fingertips dancing across keyboards. He rubbed his face with his hands and packed his things. 

Minutes later, he found that his feet were carrying him to the vending machine adjacent to the library exit. Hands working faster than his mind, he scanned his card and selected a Snickers bar.

With a dull thunk, it plopped to the bottom of the machine. Jacob reached down and grabbed the bar quickly, ripping it open and eating it in less than a minute.

He always hoped that if he ate quickly, the watch would not detect the act. But no, it always did.

As soon as the last bite slid down his throat, the watch on his left wrist buzzed. Unable to look away, he stared at the numbers in dread.

The number, 78 years and 241 days, ticked down to 78 years and 219 days.

Jacob clenched his jaw then threw his hand down. He briskly walked out of the library to catch the bus.

***

Jacob was in the middle of brushing his teeth when his watch buzzed again. It must be midnight – he was about to be hit with the daily round up.

Toothbrush sticking precariously out of his mouth, he lifted his wrist to assess the damage.

Total step count: 4,539 (he lost 40 days); Total water intake: 3.1 liters (this added 18 days back); Total non-exercise activity thermogenesis: 159 kcal (a loss of another 14 days); Total time asleep: 7 hours, 19 minutes (a drop in 3 more days).

The watch went on and on until his final number to end the night was 78 years 189 days.

After nine years of this shit, Jacob thought he would be desensitised to it by now. But the watch was addicting - more addicting than any social media app. And, unlike social media, you could not escape it. In an effort to combat the various health epidemics plaguing the nation, the watch could not be removed.

Before the watch mandate, Jacob thought he had been a fairly healthy guy. He ate salads every so often, sometimes would go for a jog, usually got six or seven hours of sleep. But none of that was good enough for the watch. He was forever imperfect, forever chasing an unattainable standard, forever taunted by the fluctuating numbers on the screen.

He spat out his toothpaste and shuffled over to his bed. Though it was past midnight and he had a 9 a.m. class the next morning, Jacob indulged in his regular nightly ritual: taking an edible and watching anime. 

He popped the gummies into his mouth (the watch docked another 40 days off of his life), and opened Netflix.

***

“So how’s your thesis going?” Charlotte chipped, sitting down with a heaping salad.

Trying to shield his eyes from the sun, Jacob trailed just behind her, carrying a similar meal. “It’s pretty slow work. I feel like I’m not that invested in it right now.”

“Mmmm, hang in there then,” she said, shoving a forkful of salad in her mouth.

Toward the end of their meal, both of their watches buzzed. Upon hearing the vibrations, Charlotte’s eyes immediately sought Jacob’s watch, which he instinctively covered with his hand. 

Pursing her lips, she sighed, glancing at her own watch. “I just love coming to this place, because it usually adds around 20 days. Just makes me feel so good.”

Jacob nodded mutely.

“I wonder if it adds the same amount of days for you as well.”

He didn’t reply, just tracing the rim of the takeaway box.

Charlotte cleared her throat. “So, like, how many days did it add for you then?” She paused then added, “Like, what’s your number right now?”

Jacob slammed his hand down on the table. “Charlotte, do you know why I always wear long sleeves when I hang around you?”

She jumped back, eyes wide with surprise. “What?”

“You’re always talking about your number and how much this and that added to it. How fucking healthy and perfect you are, how you’re better than everyone,” he spat. “And you can’t stop there – you’re so damn nosy, always asking about other people’s numbers or trying to look at our watches.

“None of our friends like that you do that,” he snapped. “We hate having to put up with this holier than thou attitude you’ve got going on. Sorry that not all of us go to pilates five times a week and eat all the fiber in the world and only drink water from the unicorn springs of health in New Zealand.”

Jacob sat back with a sigh, unable to meet Charlotte’s eyes for some reason.

When he did look up, he found her eyes brimmed with tears. She closed her mouth and stood up abruptly. Spinning around and strutting away, she left Jacob stewing by himself.

*** 

Music thumped, and the bass practically shook the club. Jacob didn’t normally like clubs, but his friend Johnston was turning 25, and he insisted the group of friends celebrate at Crescendo. They had invited Charlotte - Jacob even apologised over text and asked her to come join - but she didn’t show.

Jacob had been nursing a gin and tonic all night, his left wrist feeling heavier than usual. Finally Johnston pulled him and a few others to the men’s bathroom, where he whipped out a plastic bag filled with powder.

“Is that coke?” Jacob asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Hell yes it is,” Johnston exclaimed. “Come on boys, just tonight let’s give it a try.”

The others seemed keen, but Jacob, rubbing his watch, mumbled, “Nah, I’ll stick to my drink.”

Johnston clapped his back. “Nooo, come on, It’s my birthday. Just for tonight – it’ll be fun I promise.”After a few minutes of prodding, Jacob finally gave in. He was the last one to snort up the cocaine. It felt so uncomfortable shooting up his nose.

But just minutes later, the bathroom suddenly became brighter, the music more intense. He was actually excited to be at the club to party with his friends for once.

Leading the group back onto the dance floor, they all cheered, ready for one amazing night.

***

Jacob woke up on his bed – not under the covers, but sprawled atop them. He was still wearing the clothes from last night. The sun was shining brightly through his window.

Jacob rubbed his head and, heart pounding, stole a glance at his watch. His eyes widened when he saw the number.

He had lost nearly one and a half years of his life last night. 

This was the biggest drop in a single day Jacob had ever recorded. 

He clutched his head and groaned. 

“You know, what, fuck it,” he shouted at no one. “If one night is all it takes, then … FUCK IT.”

Jacob rushed down to the school cafeteria and returned with everything he always wanted but never let himself have. Cakes, cookies, sodas, pizzas, fries, chicken wings.

He sat on his floor and feasted. He gorged himself, and when he thought he couldn’t eat anymore, he washed it down with beer and kept indulging.

When he had finished, he looked around at the remains. For once, it wasn’t the buzz of the watch that upset him -- it was the sight of all the empty wrappers, bags, plates, and beer cans.

He surveyed the destruction for a few moments.

Then Jacob brought his hands to his face and sobbed.

Unbeknownst to him, his watch dropped another 92 days.