Referred to as my hero, Jack, my brother, held significance in my life. Since he did everything before me, he always guided me and shared with his experiences I would have never had otherwise. As a master of learning and sports, he always accompanied me to study and take exercise. And he even got me through difficulties in life.

My first steps into high school were exciting but nervous, and I believed my extracurricular grades would be seen and valued by colleges. However, this sudden shift was difficult for me. Luckily, my brother noticed it all.

During that time, Jack was beginning his senior year and was finished with all the stressful subjects from junior year while I was studying for my very first math exam. Rather than just break into my room and sit down next to me, he let me decide by myself. He didn’t want to bother me because having someone sit next to me and micromanage my every move made me feel uncomfortable, leading to more stress and a feeling of distrust. Knowing this, he would leave me chips and snacks by my door, so I could pick them up whenever I felt like taking a break. He was there to help whenever I needed. With his encouragement and company, I became more confident while doing my homework.

The workload was just a major struggle for me during high school. Homework from advanced classes began piling up, and I was often stressed about different projects and deadlines. Moreover, there was also a math competition that my parents valued a lot, which needed plenty of practice every single day.

Even though I liked the time my brother gave me to figure out things on my own, it was reassuring to always have somebody who was willing to help me when I was stuck on an unsolvable problem. He would help me memorize formulas, explain different terms to me, and point out traps in different questions. And with his reputation as the best math student in our school, he could make those topics and questions simple to understand.

I began to spend hours at my desk focusing on getting a good score in the math competition.

Later Jack and I went to the same college and joined the same sports club.

On the first day of Grade 6, I sat in my quiet classroom and observed all the people I would eventually be friend. I looked around and noticed that most kids were dressed in their nicest clothes. My eyes stopped on a shy-looking girl in the back of the room. She wore an old yellow shirt with a pair of worn jeans. Her hair was unusually short and unwashed. I caught myself thinking, “That’s disgusting (令人反感的). Doesn’t she know what a bath is?” As I looked around, I found others were probably thinking the same.

The teacher began checking the attendance. “Terri Jackson?” the teacher asked. Silence. “Um, Terri Jackson?” Finally we heard a trembling answer from the back of the room. We all turned back to see what had happened. “Frightened Terri’s shirt has a crack!” one boy joked. “Eww, I bet it’s a hundred years old!” another girl said. One comment after another brought a roar of laughter. I was probably laughing the loudest. Certainly, it made her feel awkward. Terri was the joke of the whole sixth grade that year.

With my birthday coming closer, I began to invite my classmates. It struck me that I should also invite Terri to make us happier. So I came to Terri’s seat. “Hey Scary—I mean Terri—you want to come to my birthday party on Friday? “A lot of girls were laughing beside us. I noticed Terri’s face buried in her hands. She was crying.

“What’s got you all upset? All I did was invite you over, ”I whispered. She looked up and watched my eyes. “Really?” That was all she could say. Her seldom-heard voice amazed me. “I guess so. ”My voice sounded surprisingly sincere. I’d never seen her smile so brightly. I felt good the rest of the day. I was even looking forward to my birthday party.

When Friday came finally, Terri and my classmates arrived on time.          

From then on, Terri and I became best friends.                  

My students were already talking about Christmas plans, even though it was only October. With each day passing, everyone became more anxious, waiting for the final school bell. As soon as the bell rang, everyone would rush for their coats and go home, everyone except David.

David was a small boy in ragged (破烂的) clothes. I had often wondered what kind of home life David had, and what kind of mother could send her son to school dressed in so unsuitable clothes for the cold winter months, without a coat, boots, or gloves. But something made David special. I can still remember he was always wearing a smile and ready to help. He always stayed after school to straighten chairs and mop the floor. We never talked much. After he finished cleaning, he would just simply smile and ask what else he could do, then thank me for letting him stay and slowly head for his home.

Weeks passed and the excitement grew into restlessness (坐立不安) with the coming Christmas until the last day of school before the holiday break. I smiled with relief when the last of them hurried out of the door. Turning around, I saw David quietly standing by my desk.

“I have something for you,” he said and took out a small box from behind his back.He handed it to me and he said worriedly, “Open it.” I took the box from him, thanked him and slowly unwrapped (打开) it. I lifted the lid but to my surprise, nothing was there. I looked at David’s smiling face and looked back into the box and said, “The box is nice, David, but it’s empty.”

“Oh no, it isn’t,” said David. “It’s full of love. My mum told me before she died that love is something that you couldn’t see or touch unless you know it’s there.”

Tears welled up in my eyes.

From that day on, David and I became good friends.