Dani goes on a family vacation to Cancun. She finds someone she might like. A year and a half later she sees him again, sleeping under the same roof as her.
"I don't want to go on this trip," I whined to my dad. I through clothes my step mom got me into my luggage. She specifically bought them for this trip, as she does every year.
"You honestly sound like an ungrateful American girl. When I was your age, I was living in the projects with your grandma, saving up to buy new shoes. My biggest issue was making sure I didn't get jumped on my way to school," my dad said.
My dad's from Durango, Mexico. Him and my grandparents moved to the United States when my dad was four. They lived in the ghetto because the apartments were cheap. A few years after settling in, they had my aunt.
Although my mom wishes to be in my life, she isn't. Both my parents were 17 when they had me. My mom was young, but that didn't stop her from attending medical school and becoming a nurse. Now, she travels around the country working for hospitals in need of nurses.
"You'll have fun. Maddie's family will be there, so you won't be alone," my dad said to me before leaving the room.
***
I stepped out of the airport into the humid Cancun air. I could already feel my curls begin to frizz. A van took the three of us to our hotel. The palm trees and ocean views we passed made the thirty minute drive tolerable.
The hotel doors slid open creating a pathway for us. I was in awe. There were multiple cafes and shops to choose from. We checked in and got our room immediately.
"I call bed next to balcony!" I shouted as I kicked my Nike slides off. I belly flopped onto the king size bed. I slowly sunk into the mattress.
"Dani, I saw a corner store across the street. Do you want to come get snacks with me. We'll probably need some for the hotel," My dad told me.
I haven't really introduced myself. I'm Dani not Daniella. It's not short for anything. I'm thirteen yearls old, and I play volleyball, sand volleyball and regular. I'm also the only child. I'm from Dallas, Texas and speak fluent Spanish.
"Yeah, let me put on my Vans." I searched in my Vans backpack for my flamingo print slip on's. I quickly put them on and left with my dad.
We walked across the street. The outside of the store smelt strongly of fish. Oddly, I wasn't bothered by it.
I walked into the store. It was mostly quiet besides the sound of a small radio struggling to pick up signal. I looked over at the cash register. One young man, around the age of eighteen, sat in a chair with his eyes shut.
I grabbed a bag of takis, churritos, and a large coke. My dad also grabbed a few things. We put it on the counter and paid.
"Edward wants to go to dinner tonight at Lorenzillo's . He made reservations. ," Maddie shouted from the restroom as soon as we walked into the room. Edward is Maddie's older brother. He's a multimillionaire who loves spending money. That's why he chose the fanciest restaurant in Cancun, Lorenzillo's.
"So that means I have to wear a dress?" I groaned.
"Yes, wear the black body con one with the black heels. It'll look cute! But hurry up and shower or whatever, because we have to be already at the restaurant in two hours," My step mom informed my dad and I.
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