My dad got a new job. We had to pack up and move away from everything we were familiar with. There were so many changes. We came from the north, and now we were almost as far south as possible. We landed in South Florida, and we were total strangers. We moved over during the summer vacation, so I didn’t have to deal with school right away. Summer passed by while we unpacked, arranged furniture, found stores we liked, and adapted to the Sunshine State.

School was coming, and I was afraid of it. I was not an adventurous person. Being shy and quiet, I read a lot and did not make friends easily. My head was filled with fears and worries. Would I make friends? Would If it in? Would I survive in this strange new world? Anyway, there I was, attending a new school full of people I didn’t know.

I had a difficult time adapting to the new school. However, I still loved learning and reading. I even loved homework, and I was good at doing my homework. Loving books and reading helped me to get good grades. Teachers loved that about me. Other kids, though, did not. Although I always answered questions in class, I seldom talked with my classmates. I was unpopular. I felt like a total failure and nobody would like me.

The none day, at all boy walked over to me after an English class. He introduced himself and told me he was in the school basketball team. I knew him—he was the star player! “Hey,” he said. “You do really well in English class. And you know, my teammates and I spend much time competing and practicing. The subjects, especially English, really bother us. Do you think you could help us?” “Yes. Oh, definitely yes. I could, and I would,” I replied with surprise. We made the deal with an exchange of smiles.

Something gradually changed after that.

Meanwhile, the basketball players taught me how to play basketball.

Word spread that Derek Rodgers, who had Down's Syndrome (唐氏综合征), wanted to attend the Homecoming Dance (返校日舞会).

I, a new journalist for the Campus News, was curious who would be his dance partner and decided to cover his story. When I accompanied him on the way home one day, we were approached by Kelsey Stuart, a popular student.

“Derek, I’d like to ask you to the Dance,” she smile.

Derek was shocked. He couldn’t believe that one of the prettiest girls in school was asking him.

Derek’s face went red. “Why me?” he asked, “And shouldn’t boys be the ones to do the asking?”

“I doubt you would, after all the rough experiences you’ve had. And we actually have more in common than you think. We both really want to go to the Dance. And we are not like those who are only-concerned about personal appearance.”

“But what do you see in me? How can I be the sort of guy you want to go with?”

“I know you are a gentleman and you'll treat me like a lady and I’ll feel safe with you.” She said, leaving with a smile.

The entire school went crazy when they learned that Kelsey was Derek’s dance partner.

At first there were words that were not so nice about them. Their classmate, Billy, made fun of them by giving them stupid names. Betty, Kelsey’s best friend, stopped hanging out with her because she couldn't understand her choice at all.

Despite the words around, every day after school, the two still stayed behind to practice their dance routine. Kelsey patiently taught Derek how to lead the steps, move to the beat of the music and spin (旋转)with elegance. Slowly but surely. they improved their dancing together.

The day of the Dance arrived. Kelsey got into a new dress and Derek put on a well-cut suit.

Finally, the two getting ready, the Dance began.

My teacher held up a piece of broken glass and asked, “Who broke this window?” Thirty boys tried to think about not only what they had done, but also what our teacher might have found out. She seldom became angry, but she was this time.

“Oh,” I thought. I was the one who broke the window. It was caused by a naughty throw of a baseball. If I admitted guilt, I would be in a lot of trouble. How would I be able to pay for a big window like that? I didn’t even get an allowance (零花钱). “My father is going to have a temper,” I thought. I didn’t want to raise my hand, but some force much stronger than I was pulled it skyward. I told the truth, “I did it.” Then I was silent. It was hard enough saying what I had.

My teacher went to one of our bookshelves and took down a book on bird field guide. She then began walking towards my desk. I had never seen my teacher to strike a student, but I feared she was going to start with me.

I was so afraid that I closed my eyes tightly.

I was very moved.