During the past few years, my dad either didn’t go home, or went home late at night. If my memory served right, he rarely. ever came home this early. He looked really gloomy when I saw him. Thus, I chose to go back to my room with my schoolbag at once. But then, when I tried to walk away, he blocked my path and slapped me across the face. I thought that he had found out what happened today. I knew that I was wrong, so I didn’t defy him. My mother wasn’t around, so there was no one to help me out. But even if she were here, she probably wouldn't be able to

do anything to stop my father from teaching me a lesson. He pointed his finger at my forehead, scolding me for what happened today. For the sake of his mistress’s son, he was willing to scold his own son. As I stared at my father’s face, I felt disappointed. Perhaps because of my indiffe rence, he was so annoyed that he prepared to hit me again. That year, there was a Students’ Sports Meeting in the city. While I was dribbling the bask etball around the court, numero us people were calling my name. Because we were participating in the spo rts’ meet as representatives of our scho ol, we had cheerleaders. The girls would . often hand me water bottle s and towels

I saw Eve line again that day. It was a competition between my current high school and the junior high school t hat I went to before. It was then that I . realized that she was already in j unior high school. I hadn't thought of how long I hadn’t see n her. But seeing her again now, I noticed that she was much taller than before. Her . facial features were more r adiant, and she looked even more beautiful than before. Based on her outfit and the pompoms in her hands, she must be a member of their school’s cheerleading team. Because of her, I was a little out of it when th e basketball match began