Junior High Limited Time Essay - (Ma Xiaotiao's Essays)

Author: Yang Hongying
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: At fourteen, I had already outgrown the naivety of childhood but had not yet joined the ranks of adulthood. My parents called me a child who didn’t understand things, while my classmates said I understood too much. Little kids aged six or seven called me big brother, but older people in their sixties and seventies called me a little kid. I didn’t know whether I was an adult or a child, nor was I clear whether I was a little kid or a big brother. In short, I had changed. At fourteen, I had changed.
At fourteen, I became more concerned with my appearance. Every time I left home, I had to stand in front of the mirror to check if my hair was neat and my clothes were clean. I grew to love laughing heartily, laughing passionately and wildly. I no longer wanted to share my secrets with my parents, who were once considered my confidants. At fourteen, I had my own friends. I loved sitting with them and chatting endlessly about everything under the sun—from space shuttles to submarine, from the World Cup to video games. Together, we laughed, sang, and danced, linking together the dreams of youth like a delicate and transparent necklace.
At fourteen, I no longer lived carefree. Some worries drifted into my life from nowhere. When friends noticed me staring blankly at my seat and asked me if everything was okay, it often brought a touch of sweetness to my heart. Whenever this happened, I would grab a soccer ball and run wildly with my friends on the playground, turning my worries into strength and letting the flying ball carry them away. After a game, all unpleasantness would be forgotten. I would be like before, telling my friends jokes and making them laugh uncontrollably.
At fourteen, I pursued independence in life, wanting to manage my own time, but in many ways, I still had to rely on teachers and parents and follow their constraints. However, I didn’t resent them at all. I knew they were doing it for my own good.
At fourteen, I still cherished the joys of childhood. I would pause in front of the dazzling and ever-changing video game machines, and I would be drawn to the dazzling and colorful toy shops. I would even take a water gun and have a "wild" time with my classmates until both of us were soaked to the skin.
Fourteen—possessing innocence, friendship, and too many dreams. Fourteen—possessing joy, beauty, and sincere blessings, and warm memories.