“Traveling!”

We met team Class 3 Grade 5 in CZ Primary School Annual Basketball Competition. C was our team leader, team Class 2 Grade 5. We two had discussed tactics in noon break, nearly waken some other sleeping classmates.

“You are very acute. You move so fast. Run some fast break with me. They can’t catch us.” Two minutes before jump ball. C was bouncing the ball.

“Fine. I am sure to pass it to you.” I nodded.

It was their first offense. I defended at right side. He tried to drive lay up, but I stole the ball. I saw C running forward so I sped up. There were three defenders around me. Alpha was just stolen, at my left; Beta was in front of me, on the centerline; Gamma was the right bound. They cut all my ways.

“Give it to me!” I heard C yelling.

I must handle it, I thought. I ended dribbling, hold the ball with both hands, stepped twice and jumped, did a baseball pass in the air. I imaged how C would get two points.

But I heard the referee blow his whistle.

“Traveling!” The referee, my P.E. teacher said.

I turned to him. I saw his foldless eyelid and square face. No facial expression and black whistle on the neck.

“No! I didn’t!” My voice was high.

“Traveling!” He said again firmly but not louder, pointing to my legs.

I turned to C. He came back, gave the ball to referee, and said nothing. He even didn't give me a glance.

This was the first violation I got in a match, also in my life. I forgot how the match was going on then. I even couldn’t remember the result. Cause I suddenly felt really boring about all of it.