The room is silent, other than the slow drone of the teacher prattling on about ancient Mesopotamia... or l'argent de poche.

The student opposite shiftily glances around the room... they stare down at their transparent, flimsy utensil transporter. It's the perfect opportunity. They root silently around in the pencilcase... and draw out a long, grey graphite rod.

The urge becomes too great... the tension builds in their eyes... in their fingers. The accused, sitting lazily, elbow on the desk, head resting like a slovenly troll on their hand.

The pencil comes down unconsicously, still loosely clenched in their hand. Once, twice, three times.

My pupils widen, and my fist tightens. The anger level raises, and my face turns a mighty shade of red.

This, my friends, is the most irritating noise in the WORLD. The tapping of a pencil.