The Jamaican Student: Welcome To America

Reality

Jeminye

Back to the real world and by the real world I mean back to work. As I got to the floor of my cubicle I see some kind of mini celebration going on.

Intrigued I went towards the mini crowd, I saw my supervisor handing a small award and a gift bag to my Hispanic coworker. Is it her birthday or something?, if so I'm definitely looking forward to mine.

"Everyone please give a small round of applause for our employee of the month!", everyone started clapping slowly some looking confused.

Wait what?.

"No one has shown as much consistency and dedication to this job like Eliza does, keep it up you have a bright future ahead Miss Garcia". He complimented.

Looking around I see everyone looking at me with sympathy eyes which I ignored. Finally Eliza made eye contact with me, didn't I help her with an assignment at one point?

With sad eyes she whispered a sorry, I looked away.

This is just how my life has always been, being in a good mood from the date. Now I come to work seeing someone else being awarded for working the 'hardest' so what have I been doing?

Nevertheless my mom always taught me to clap for others without envy and wait until it's your turn and that's exactly what I plan to do.

Even if it hurts.

My phone vibrated in my pocket letting me know I got a message.

Bray❤️: I hope you have a lovely day at work, and I'd like to pick you up afterwards if that's okay.

Even though I was currently feeling down a small smile tugged at my lips.

"And that is exactly why you didn't get that title", a voice whispered in my ear.

Looking up of course it's Mr Rodriguez, "And that's fine you and I both know how hard I work and that i deserved that award but as my granny says the harder the battle the sweeter the victory", I responded calmly.

"This isn't a game Jeminye and don't think because you had a few good ideas that makes you better than everyone in here", he said while pulling me aside.

"You've been distracted lately and I would say I know why but that's none of my business but ask yourself this. Don't you think the person you're giving all your attention to hasn't already accomplished everything in life?".

"Do you think that person had someone distracting them?, at this young age you must choose what is more important all that other stuff can come at a later time. I may have not always been the best supervisor to you but you do have tremendous potential and it would be a shame to see that go down the drain", he said then walked away.

And suddenly I felt dizzy.

Have I really been distracted?

I went to check my email, I saw several messages from Mr Smith that I missed.

Shit, shit, shit.

How could I let this happen, my mom warned me and I was so naive and eager to get away that I didn't listen.

Speaking of her it's been weeks since I've called her but what am I gonna say?.

What have I accomplished since I've been here?

And all this over a man, shame on you Jeminye.

I need to snap out of this, it's time to focus.

No more distractions.

I went to my phone and deleted all his messages and blocked his calls.

I then went on to delete all social media on my phone even though I don't use them that often but I want to be rid of anything unnecessary.