10 Years • Joel Pimentel

Chapter 4

2 years Later......

I love it here. There's moments in where I miss my old home but that thought soon vanishes as I remember that my parents have never been this happy before. My father works in construction with Joel's father. My mother wanted to start working too but decided to wait until I start school, again. Which is tomorrow. I felt nervous and excited as I lay out my clothes on my fluffy pillow. Tomorrow's my first day of my third grade year. When I moved here two years ago, It was the summer. I was six and I did second grade--obviously at age of seven--in the same elementary as Joel since his mother convinced my mother to sign me up there.

"Are you excited for tomorrow?" My mom appeared in the doorway. I looked up at her and nodded "I'm also nervous." I admitted.

"Don't be." She bend down to my height and hugged me. "You have Joel and the boys."

Joel and the boys...that's all I had.

"Mom, I love the boys but I-i think I should find some girl friends. Don't you think?" She let go of me and looked at me concerned. She stare at me for a solid minute, thinking.

"You're right." She said. "But just be careful." She said whispering the last part to herself. I understand I have to be careful because many girls can be mean and take advantage of my kindness, but why does mother look so worried?

----
I got off the car and waited for the rest of the boys and Patty. Boys and girls from all ages walked hand in hand with their parents meanwhile I stood there alone. Some eager to see their friends again and others throwing tantrums.

"Amelia, do you know who's your teacher?" Asked Patty bringing me back to reality.

"Yes. Mrs. Brown room 30" I half smiled and returned my attention to the front gate where there stood my principal welcoming us.

"That's next to Joel's" she said. "I'll walk you too." She grabbed Gabriel's hand then Israel's. Emanuel said his goodbyes and headed towards the upperclassmen classes. We passed by our principal who smiled from ear to ear.

I looked around amazed although I've been attending this school for a while now. We passed through the small garden to where room 29 and 30 where. I waited outside Joel's classroom with Gabriel and Israel by my side.

"Are you nervous Gabriel for preschool?" Asked Israel. Gabriel didn't say no word but his face expression said it all.

"Okay let's go." Patty came out of the classroom and grabbed my hand. "Don't worry. Your mom has me on your emergency card." Patty whispered.

How did she know I was scared that they wouldn't allow her to drop me off?

I looked inside the classroom and soon spotted a red head girl with curly hair looking down shyly. To my luck, I still had Ramon Jackson in my class. He's a trouble maker and is always trying to kiss me. I looked at my teacher and she was a tall blonde maybe around her early thirties.

"Good morning! I'm Mrs. Brown. And you are?" She faked smiled at me. I know it's wrong to judge without knowing her but I can already tell I won't like her at all. It was this gut feeling.

"I'm Amelia Rodriguez." I said looking at her blue eyes. She looked at me then back at Patty. "You must be her mother, right?"

"Oh no. I'm her mom's friend, Patty." She smiled down at me and gave my hand a squeeze assuring me that everything will be okay. Sometimes Patty knows me more than I do and it leaves me speechless.

"Well Amelia go take a seat in the front of the class. Next to Ramon please." First day of school and she wants my day to be horrible already. Sit next to Ramon? Not happening. "Can I sit next to someone else?" I asked biting my lower lip.

"Um no sweetie." She said a bit cold. I turned around and saw both boys and Patty wave goodbye. Please take me with you. Mrs. Brown bend down to my height and looked me straight in in the eye. "Now take your damn seat, peasant."

"What?" I asked shocked as she gave me a disgusted look. She lightly shoved me inside causing me to loose some balance. I looked up at the parent behind to me to see if they notice and the White woman chuckled coldly. I cannot believe.

I made my way to the front of the class and sat on Ramon's left. "Hi Amelia! Good to see you again!" He said smiling.

"Hi Ramon and I see you lost your front teeth." I tried to seem less annoyed.

"Oh yeah. My momma took it out." He chuckled. After a couple of minutes, all parents left and everyone settle down. I noticed that everyone in the front row, my row, were all Latinos expect Ramon who was African American. Wait a minute...

"Good morning!" Mrs. Brown said smiling. She looked at the front row and rolled her eyes. "I promise this year will be unforgettable. Trust me." She said looking at me smirking. Oh how I wanted to run out and just go home. I don't want to be here. Dios dame fuerzas.