The Years Blown by Spring Breeze
In the first semester of my second year of middle school, Shangguan Xuanyun transferred to our class. This little girl was remarkable; in just a month, she had built good relationships with her classmates.
She was a girl adored by everyone, blooming like a flower wherever she went. Her sweet appearance and friendly demeanor, accompanied by her gentle and soft words, made people feel as if they were bathed in the spring breeze. Even our homeroom teacher liked her. With good grades and politeness, it was hard not to like her. I was puzzled; how could a new transfer student be so popular?
Initially, I didn’t like her, even detested her a bit. Her beauty was a threat to me. Seeing her smile like a flower when talking to others, I secretly thought to myself, this girl is really flirtatious. I had a nickname in the class, “Ice Beauty,” because I was relatively cold to others and didn’t usually socialize. So, everyone called me that. I didn’t mind; as long as my grades were good, no one could call me a “pretty but useless girl.”
I despised those pretty girls who were as dumb as pigs, who relied on their good looks but were ignorant and spent their days flirting with others. I thought Shangguan Xuanyun was such a girl. Otherwise, how could she remember all the classmates’ names in just a week? While I marveled at her memory, I also scorned her efforts.
However, during the first unit tests in various subjects, I was taken aback. Except for Chinese, she scored full marks in all other subjects. Although my grades were also excellent, compared to hers, I was still “a small witch meeting a great wizard.” My long-standing position as the top student was suddenly broken.
My classmates were overjoyed. A girl even shouted, “Shangguan Xuanyun is amazing!” It made me angry, as if my not getting first place was something that made them happy. Was I really that bad? Thinking about it made me a bit sad. Shangguan Xuanyun seemed to have some magic; everyone, regardless of gender, smiled like flowers when around her.
My disappointment was evident. Being surpassed and neglected was unpleasant, especially being outdone by a newcomer. But no one cared about my feelings. Usually, I was used to doing things my own way, indifferent to others, with no close friends around. I stared out of the window at the blue sky, my heart mixed with various feelings.
Shangguan Xuanyun was indeed extraordinary. She was not only beautiful, popular, and sweet-talking, but also excellent in her studies. Seeing her being the center of attention made me feel sour. Especially when a boy, whom I didn’t usually like, deliberately mocked me in front of her, I cried out of grievance on my desk.
The classroom suddenly fell silent, with only my sobbing. I think everyone was curiously watching me cry, yet no one came to offer me a tissue. Reflecting on this later, I still felt very sad, realizing how much I had failed in socializing. Only Shangguan Xuanyun came to comfort me, but at that time, I didn’t appreciate it, being annoyed with her.
I angrily told her, “Go away, stop being pretentious.” She didn’t leave, and I ran out of the classroom crying. On the rooftop of the teaching building, I cried in grievance and sadness.
After a long time, someone beside me said, “Tired of crying? Take a break.”
I was startled and looked up to see Shangguan Xuanyun smiling at me, holding a stack of tissues.
“Wipe your eyes, they’re all red,” she said.
“Are you laughing at me? Are you happy now?” I angrily asked.
She stared at me silently for a while, then said, “Just because of one test, you’re crying like this? It’s not like your usual style.”
Her words made my face flush red, and I lowered my head, speechless. She patiently comforted me for a while, then naturally put her arm around my shoulder. Feeling the warmth from her, I felt a bit embarrassed about my previous attitude towards her. From initial resistance to gradually accepting her and opening up to her, this process was beyond my expectations. I couldn’t help but admire her affinity. It was hard to maintain my indifference and rejection in front of her.
That time, we talked a lot, and I learned her story. It turned out she also had a past where she wasn’t welcomed, but she met a good teacher. The teacher asked her to try smiling at herself in the mirror and at the people around her every day. After a while, she saw the miracle the teacher mentioned, as people around her began to like her and treated her kindly. Shangguan Xuanyun wanted me to try it too, saying that it would bring endless happiness.
That sunny autumn afternoon, Shangguan Xuanyun skipped a class to keep me company. Our heartfelt conversation became the deepest mark in my memory because from that day on, I learned to smile and to give love. I not only gained Shangguan Xuanyun’s friendship but also gradually won the goodwill of my classmates. I truly saw the miracle she mentioned. My classmates not only treated me well but also said my smile was like a bright sunflower. I no longer wanted to live with a stern face. How wonderful it was to smile happily.
After graduating from middle school, Shangguan Xuanyun moved to Xiamen with her parents. The rest of us went to different high schools. Every time we had a reunion, we would talk about her first, about her always smiling face, her unbeatable grades, and her enviable popularity. Talking about her, everyone would get excited and talk endlessly. Although she only stayed in our class for two years, she was the most popular and missed person in our class.
I knew that it wasn’t just me; many classmates had received Shangguan Xuanyun’s help and comfort in various ways. She not only always noticed others’ strengths but also helped others discover their own strengths. She was like a breeze in spring, forever lingering in our beautiful and warm memories.
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
