Dead silence.
My left knee trembled uncontrollably. Why did no one speak? My hands beganto shake so I pulled them behind me-like one condemned. My eyes gauged thedistance to the door.
Then someone began to clap. More joined in. Tim looked into my eyes andsmiled. He smiled!
Joy, oh joy. My soul overflowed with rapture. I had done it! He noticed me!All the shame, all the worry, and all the castigation melted away in thatmoment. I knew how to make him love me. I simply had to speak better, singbetter, act better, and write better than anyone else. Determined, I joinedcompetitions, played in concerts, and wrote essays that were read in class. WhenTim transferred to the A.P. class, so did I. I threw myself into classdiscussions, attempting to dazzle him with my intelligence and intrepidity.Making friends with his friends, I dogged his steps.
The next summer Tim moved away. I never heard from him again. But thetransformation in me had taken place. Now I was involved for the simple pleasureof being involved. Challenging people surrounded me. Biff taught me to love.Dave taught me to laugh. Ramez taught me to break my limits. Alit gave meconfidence. Whenever I was in danger of reverting to a wallflower, one of my newfriends would drag me into another club or activity.
因篇幅问题不能全部显示，请点此查看更多更全内容