The American Dream

Moving to the United States was a big step for me and my family. I was just twelve years old when my mom decided to move to Los Angeles. My father had left us about 3 years ago; he wanted that American dream everyone wanted for their family and children to have a nice home, go to the best schools, and not work for a lousy wage that couldn't feed his family. So when my father left to the United States he told us he would send us money when he was stable and settle down. My father dexterous abilities had found a job at Gaviña &Sons a coffee company in Vernon, California. The hardest day of my life came when I had to leave Mexico to move with my dad. It was very a sad day for me because I was leaving behind the people I care for the most; my grandparents who had raise me since I was a newborn and all my friends from school. The following week came I was starting junior high in Gage Middle School. I was really nervous didn't know what to expect, I walk into class to Ms. Ramos class I introduce myself to her and my classmates the good thing she spoke English or I would have been so embarrassed since I didn't speak any English. My  first day was going pretty good until I got approach by this group of girls who were very pretty and dress nice asking for my name  I told them” I’m Adilene, nice to meet you.” They just scoffed at me making fun of my clothing and shoes I was wearing and push me. I was so scared after that I didn't want to go to school. The next day, they threatened me to hit me with another group of friends’ after school just because they didn't like me. I told my mother when I got home about the situation and she said I couldn't stay home that I had to go to school. Since I couldn't stay home or be in school. I started skipping school going to this arcade in town. I met some older kids from high school who would skip school as well except they would go over after the arcade to friends’ houses to go drink and smoke. I felt really uncomfortable and though it was wrong but all I wanted was too finally fit in with people, I decided to join them by drinking and smoking. Soon after that I started skipping school for almost a month, until my mom gets a call and that’s when she found out I was not going to school. When I got home, I knew she was mad because she looked very upset. She drove me to this area in Downtown La, where many people in the streets lived and ask me if I wanted to be like them having no home and being addicts with no future plans in life. I said “No.” She told me of the sacrifices she made for me to have a better life. I felt despondent that I wasn't making her proud but disappointing her and not taking advantage of all the opportunities in school so I was resilient to do my best in school and throughout the years I stay away from those mean girls. I remained strong and determined to finish school and graduated top of my class.