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For the rest of our lives, we'll e...
Chapter 21
**
Not long after the second semester of the second year of junior high school started, the school held a school basketball game.
I seem to have the impression that it was the first basketball game of our school, and the only one I participated in during my time at school. Because for some reason it was not held the following year or something, I don’t remember the details.
In short, this kind of school-level activity is sure to make all the students in the school excited. After the teacher announced the start of the basketball game, each class had to sign up. Our class quickly decided on the three starting players. Brother 6, who loves playing basketball and plays very well, was of course the first one to be selected.
The competition with two other classes of the same grade will begin in the second week. So after the starting lineup is confirmed, Brother 6 will practice with his teammates on the playground every day after school.
"I'm going to practice first,"
Almost every day after school he would come to my desk and say, "Would you like to come and see?"
"Of course," I nodded. "I'll come right after I pack my bag."
After going downstairs, I could see Brother 6 from afar wearing a T-shirt, running around on the basketball court practicing shooting. He was tall and fair-skinned, and was particularly eye-catching.
I put my schoolbag aside, took a bottle of water, and sat on the fence next to him to watch him.
Soon, he noticed me, handed the basketball to his teammate and ran towards me.
"I'll be back in a while," he said, smiling as he stood in front of me in the sunshine. "How was your fight?"
"Good," I handed him the water, "Drink."
"Really?" He gulped down half the bottle and his smile grew wider.
"Really, I think our class can win the championship."
I am not saying this against my will. Class One is not that strong, and although Class Two is on par with us, I certainly hope that Brother 6 will win.
"I'll do my best," he returned the water to me, "Baby, can you help me get my schoolbag and clothes to your side? I'm afraid someone else might take them away."
"OK."
He quickly returned to the field. I took his clothes and bag to my side, and then I saw two female classmates from the two classes who were on good terms with each other walking towards me.
"Hey, your brother No. 6 is really good," one of the girls, Xiao Zhang, looked at me with a sly smile, "Everyone in our class says he's the best at basketball and he's the key defensive target for our class team."
I died of laughter, "Is it really okay for you to tell me all the tactics?"
"Don't underestimate the boys in our class. They're all tall and fast runners. I'm afraid even your sixth brother might not be able to carry Class 3 by himself."
"There are no friends on the battlefield," I joked with them, "until the game is over next week."
By the time Brother 6 finished practicing, it was around 5:30, so we went home together.
At that time, the sky was already slightly dark, and there was a gentle breeze blowing on my face, which was very comfortable. Brother 6 held my hand and walked slowly towards my home with me.
I looked at his profile and my heart was filled with joy.
I continued to practice basketball with him for the next two days. During that time, I seemed to have caught a glimpse of our head teacher passing by the railing upstairs. It seemed like she was looking at me, but when I looked up, I didn't see her.
I was completely focused on my training and didn't care if she saw me or if I would get another warning or talk to her.
...
Soon, the basketball game officially began.
The basketball schedule is that there are games every day at noon, and the game between our class and Class 1 is scheduled for Wednesday.
It was only at this time that I realized how enthusiastic everyone was. Starting from Monday, not long after lunch time, everyone had hurriedly finished their meal and gathered around the playground and the railings on each floor, holding their breath and waiting for the heated discussion about winning or losing.
It looks really spectacular from the outside. From the first floor to the sixth floor, every floor is packed with people, and the playground is also surrounded by people.
As soon as the last class ended on Wednesday morning, Brother 6 and several team members rushed out of the classroom to get lunch.
Brother 6 only ate for about five minutes before taking the lunch box out and coming back to get the specially prepared basketball jersey for the class.
I remember the basketball jersey was black and his jersey number was 10.
"Will you come down with me?" He walked over to me with clothes in his hand and asked me.
"Okay." I didn't feel like eating anymore and followed him out of the classroom.
He went to the bathroom with the other team members to change clothes, and then went downstairs to the playground together.
Many classmates in our class and Class 1 also ate quickly and followed them down, so when we arrived at the playground, there were already quite a few people gathered around.
Brother 6 gave me the clothes and water bottle in his hand, and went on the court to warm up with the players.
I could tell he was a little nervous, but looking at the way he shot the ball, I felt like he seemed to be in good shape today.
Soon, the physical education teacher blew a whistle and the game officially began.
Hundreds of eyes were staring at the small basketball court, and our team members and those from Class 1 were running quickly to compete for the ball.
Brother 6 had a good understanding with his teammates. During the scramble, a teammate passed the ball to him, and he jumped up and shot, scoring the first goal of the game.
The whole audience was boiling.
I didn't hide my excitement at all. I jumped for joy while cheering with my classmates. I could also see girls from other grades and classes not far away pointing at Brother 6 excitedly.
"I guarantee it," said Xiaowei, a good friend beside him, "after this game, your mushroom head will become famous."
I laughed my ass off. "Really? A basketball superstar, right?"
Xiao Wei said, "And praising the school hunk is too arrogant. He should at least be the hunk of our grade, right?"
Classmate Jicao really performed brilliantly. Under his leadership, our class directly surpassed the opponent by 6 points in the first half.
During the half-time break, he ran to me sweating profusely and asked me for some water. I got him a towel to wipe his sweat.
In order not to disturb him and his teammates discussing tactics for the second half, I deliberately walked aside, but before he went on the court, he still ran up to me and touched the top of my head.
"How is it?" He looked at me with a smile like a child seeking credit.
"Great, you will definitely win," I gently pulled his hand, "Come on!"
When I walked back to where I was standing, I could see all sorts of looks from other students I didn't know. A braver junior who knew me ran up to me and quietly patted my shoulder, "Senior."
"What's the matter?"
"Are you and XX in a relationship?"
I thought about it and nodded naturally.
"Wow, you two are such a good match."
I smiled.
I was cheering him on on this occasion, and it was obvious that I couldn't hide the relationship between him and me. I felt particularly proud at that time and had no fear at all.
In the second half, Team 1 strengthened their defense against Brother 6. Because he was defended so tightly, I could feel that Brother 6 was not playing well for a while and he looked unhappy.
There was a short timeout, and when he came down I told him, "Relax, if you can't shoot, let someone else shoot. You don't have to be the one shooting."
"Okay," he looked at me and nodded.
Afterwards, he and his teammates used a new tactic and widened the score that had been narrowed.
The final whistle blew and our class won.
The whole audience cheered, even the old class teacher who came down to watch the game looked very happy. Brother 6 and the other team members were smiling and high-fiving on the court. Everyone in our class surrounded them and congratulated them with laughter and shouts.
I was looking at the shining Brother 6 in the crowd, and Brother 6 was also looking at me, and we just stared at each other and smiled stupidly.
Soon, the crowd dispersed, and Brother 6, I and several other team members were at the end.
Everyone went up the stairs to return to the classroom one by one. Brother 6 and I deliberately walked the slowest because we wanted to talk. While he was putting on his shirt, he secretly kissed me when no one was paying attention.
My face flushed red and I turned around to look at him. His dimples were so obvious from his smile.
Unfortunately, the good times of girlish heart overflowing with joy did not last long.
After class that day, my brother 6 and I were going to go home together, but our teacher suddenly called us to his office.
I had no choice but to wink at him and ask him to wait for me outside the school.
There was no one else in the office. I had some idea that it might be related to me and Brother 6, and I was prepared to make jokes like I did last time.
But who knew that as soon as I sat down, the teacher's face turned serious.
"You didn't seem to listen to what I said to you last time," the teacher said. "Every day after school, you practiced with XX and went home together. This is not something others told me, but something I saw with my own eyes."
I was young at that time, so when this situation happened, I was a little panicked.
"Not only do your classmates know about your affair, but students and teachers from other classes have also heard about it and reported it to me. You're the class monitor, and he's an excellent student. You've had a very negative influence on the other students," the teacher said patiently. "I like you very much and have given you chances, but you haven't changed. So, if I find out about you two being close again, I'll tell your parents directly."
I'm confused.
The matter of reporting my parents had a huge impact at the time. My face turned pale instantly. I felt that it was useless to say anything at this time. The teacher also looked determined.
I was really panicking.
"I know," was all I could say finally.
After leaving the office, I took my bag and walked out of the school gate dejectedly. From a distance, I saw Brother 6 standing at the opposite corner, waiting for me boredly.
He saw me and wanted to come towards me, so I quickly gestured to him to go forward and get out of this dangerous area first.
I didn't go to meet him until we were three or four blocks away, one in front of the other.
"What's wrong?" He immediately grabbed my hand. "Did the teacher talk to you again?"
"Well," I said weakly, "This time she's serious. She said she's going to tell my parents."
Brother 6 was also stunned for a moment.
"Starting tomorrow, let's try not to talk to each other at school," I said. "Just keep your distance. If you have anything to say, just pass it on. And try not to walk together after school for the time being. At least we have to endure this period of time."
"I don't want to," he immediately frowned. "Ordinary classmates can talk, so why can't we?"
"Now, there are people who might snitch not just in the class, but all over the school. It's really too dangerous."
I shook my head. "She'll tell your parents, too."
His lips moved, "...but I don't want this."
"You think I want to?"
He didn't say anything else, and after a few seconds, he hugged me in his arms.
The sun was about to set at that time.
All I remember is that I hugged his shoulders tightly with both hands and buried my face against his neck.
Many things may be destined by fate. After this day, everything changed drastically. It was a reality and resistance that we could not fight against or resist at that time.
I don't know how long it took before I let go of her hand.
It was like letting go of the love of my youth.
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Brother 6: Little Liuya crying expression, baby wrote it very well. And you remember it very well.