WonderEyes- Wonder the world through my eyes

Sunday morning

Sunlight streamed through the expansive windows of the Dlamini-Lopez household, painting the vibrant living room in a warm glow. The air buzzed with laughter and the cacophony of excited chatter as Alicia's friends and their families spilled in for their weekly Sunday lunch tradition. It was a riot of color - tablecloths adorned with blooming sunflowers, an explosion of exotic fruits piled high in a woven basket, and the joyous blend of mismatched chairs pulled up around the long mahogany table.

Mama Dlamini, resplendent in a flowing Ankara maxi dress, bustled around the kitchen, her laughter mixing with the rhythmic sizzle of frying plantains. Mr. Lopez, sporting a worn but well-loved guayabera shirt, serenaded her with a slightly off-key reggae tune, eliciting groans and delighted shrieks from the younger generation.

"Tio Roberto, you're butchering the song again!" Lorenzo, Alicia's ever-teasing brother, mock-complained, earning himself a playful swat from his father.

At the heart of the chaos sat Alicia, a contented smile gracing her lips. She watched her friends - a motley crew united by their shared love of mischief and a deep affection for each other. There was Johnathan, his dark hair tousled from a playful tussle with Randal, his teammate and resident class clown. Rivers, Isis's younger brother, sat engrossed in a graphic novel, occasionally glancing up with a shy smile. And Randal, of course, regaled everyone with an exaggerated account of his latest basketball game, punctuated by dramatic sound effects and gesticulations.

A wave of nostalgia washed over Alicia, transporting her back to a sun-drenched afternoon seven years ago. It was moving day, the Dlamini-Lopez family piling out of their rickety van, a whirlwind of boxes and nervous excitement. Goeth, a small town filled with multicultural respect and understanding and the family being located at the fair end of the town with its middle-class houses and manicured lawns, felt alien compared to the bustling township they'd left behind. It was here, in this very same area, that they'd met their future neighbors and Alicia,her ride or die.

A flashback flickered to life - two pigtailed girls, Alicia and Isis, both seven years old, staring curiously at each other across the threshold. Alicia, shy and unfamiliar with the surroundings, clutched her Mama's hand tightly. Isis, on the other hand, radiated an air of confidence, a hint of mischief sparkling in her bright brown eyes.

"Hi," Isis had piped up then, her voice laced with a hint of American twang from a recent stint with her grandparents overseas. "I'm Isis. You must be the new neighbors."

That simple introduction had blossomed into friendship. Soon, the two girls were inseparable, exploring the nooks and crannies of Goeth town, their laughter echoing through the quiet streets. They were joined by three boisterous eight-year-olds - Johnathan, already brooding and enigmatic then, Randal, a ball of boundless energy, and Rivers, perpetually lost in a world of comic books.

The memory faded, replaced by the warmth of the present moment. Sarah, The Misfit's vice captain and the only other female "friend ",other than Isis,in the neighborhood, admired the intricate beadwork on Mama Dlamini's headwrap. Johnathan, seemingly out of character, engaged in a surprisingly animated conversation with Mrs. Lopez about her prize-winning orchids. Even Mr. Dlamini and Mr. Kim, Nathan's close uncle were deep in conversation, united by their shared love of classic cars.

As Alicia surveyed the scene, a sense of belonging washed over her. This wasn't just a Sunday lunch; it was a celebration of family, chosen and biological, a testament to the vibrant tapestry of cultures and personalities that made up their little corner of Goeth town. The challenges they faced, the betrayals they'd endured, paled in comparison to the love and support that filled the room. Here, amidst the laughter, the shared stories, and the irresistible aroma of Mama Dlamini's cooking, Alicia knew she had found her anchor, her misfit family, a source of strength as she navigated the complexities of junior year.