1 Young Dreams

Bei Shi Yi was a young and studious girl. She had been brilliant ever since she was a kid. Her only aim was to study and get the top rank and her only dream was to make her parents proud.

She had always focused on her studies and dreamt of going into a good university. She loved her books, which were second only to her family.

But that year changed everything in her life. She felt drawn to something more than just books. She had never thought that except her family and books, there will also be others who would become dear to her.

It was late summer. In the scorching heat of the sun, young boys and girls ran through the school street and into the school. There he was, Teacher Wang, in his usual sports tracksuit, punishing the students for being dress defaulters. He punished the students to stand facing the school street with their hands up.

He had always believed that students will only learn a lesson when they felt embarrassed for being punished. So, whenever a student used to try to face the wall, he would comment,

"If you are worried about your face, then, don't show up among these defaulters tomorrow." He would chuckle when students would hide their faces in front of their friends or the ones whom they wanted to be friends with. Anyone would feel by his look that he really liked his job of punishing defaulters and was surely satisfied with his methods.

Where there were students who were embarrassed, there were also regulars.

Regulars were of two kinds. One, who regularly wore proper uniform and others, who regularly stood as defaulters.

Both these kinds were not afraid of Teacher Wang. Bei Shi Yi was among the former kind. She was always in proper uniform, with her long, black hair tied in a neat ponytail, nails thoroughly trimmed, knee- length skirt, polished shoes. She was as white as snow. She had a natural beauty with a touch of serenity.

A black Bentley drove across the school. Bei Shi Yi got down from the car. She carried her blue bag on her shoulders as she got down from her father's car.

"Bye-Bye.. Papa." She waved to her father, who was sitting on the passenger's seat next to the driver. Her eyes gleamed with joy as her father took out two chocolates. She took them and turned to his father with a cute face.

"Papa knows me the best. Love you daddy." She said as she curled her hands on her head and made a heart with her arms.

THUD!! and the school bag fell down.

Her father nodded at her with a smile, "Take care of yourself and the one beside you." He said as the car drove by. She took one chocolate and gave one to the one by her side. Standing next to her, was her little sister, Bei Shi Mei , who was four years younger to her. She had accidently dropped her school bag while looking for a notebook. She had always been clumsy and always dropped things whenever she was tensed or worried. So, whenever she looked tensed, her mother used to take any breakable thing from her hands, before it would shatter to pieces.

"Mei, didn't you say, you had packed your bag yesterday? So, what are your things doing out of your bag, on the street?" She casually teased her little sister.

"Sister Yi, why does this happen to me? I couldn't even wave to daddy and I am getting late for classes." she said as tears streamed down her face. Bei Shiyi melted at this sight. She just couldn't bear to see her sister cry. She had joked with her, thinking that she would reply with her cute, angry look but she had begun to cry.

"Hey, don't cry, come here. How many times have I told you, only weak people cry, moreover, you can't shed your precious tears for such a trivial matter." Bei Shiyi said as she hugged and comforted her sister. After Mei had stopped crying, Bei Shiyi handed her the chocolates and she bent down and started collecting the books which had scattered on the street , while Mei stood at the side as she wiped her tears and unwrapped her chocolate.

After, Bei Shiyi packed her bag, she gave it to Mei and said, "Be confident and face your weaknesses. Weakness is not a reason, just an excuse. If you persevere, you can turn your weaknesses into strengths." She patted her back , "By the way, give me my chocolate."

Mei put on her cute and apologetic look and showed the two empty wrappers in her hand.

"Sis, I think, chocolates give me strength."

"Huh!, you little chipmunk." Bei Shiyi huffed and held Mei's hand.

"If I am a chipmunk, then, you are a chipmunk's sister. Ha Ha.." Mei laughed as she managed to say as she freed herself from her sister's grip.

As, Bei Shiyi was running behind Mei, they neared the school gate. Mei entered the gate and turned back to look at Shiyi. She teased her by putting her thumbs down and her tongue sticking out.

Shiyi saw Teacher Wang and tried to stop as she neared the school gate.