My name is Danielle Charles. I'm 16 years old and I'm from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. My parents decided to finally move to the U.S. after visiting once a year for 3 years. My dad decided to move us to Philadelphia. And I know you're wondering: How can you speak English? Well...NEWS FLASH! Not every Caribbean girl doesn't know how to speak some English! Anyways, I'm moving in two days and to be honest I'm gonna miss it here. Mostly my friends and just the essence of my home will be hard to leave. I go to Ecole Jean Marie Guilloux (School of Jean Marie Guilloux) and my closest friends are Chantelle Pierre and Jean Paul. I also have a 12 year old brother that goes to the middle school part of my school. My dad is usually never here because he's been working double shifts to make sure we have enough money for when we move. But I know it's for a good reason.
6:04 am
Mom: Danielle!!! Li lè pou yo ale nan lekòl! (It's time to go to school!)
*still asleep*
Mom: Ay yiyi. (She says as she walks in Danielle's room) LEVE PITIT! (Oh my gosh. Wake up child!)
Me: huh?...
Mom: Get ready, school time.
Me: ok..
As I get up lazily, I go into the shower and afterwards brush my teeth. Then I put on my uniform and by the time I was done it was 7:15 and I have to take my brother Samuel to school before 7:45. I already share a room with my brother and we're always so cooped up. I love my brother but he's also disgusting! So I walk to the kitchen and I can see that he's playing outside with a basketball while my mom makes breakfast. We live in a one floor house, that's why we have to share a room. I walk outside and pinch his ear.
Me: Kisa w'ap fè? Nou gen lekòl jodi a ti gason! (What are you doing? We have school today little boy!)
He looks at me and rolls his eyes as he drops the basketball and comes back inside to grab his book bag. Then he walks out the door and leaves me behind. I roll my eyes as my mom chuckles and kisses my forehead.
Mom: Li pral aprann yon sèl jou. (He'll learn some day)
Me: Yeah, yeah.
I grab my book bag and try to catch up with Samuel. Finally I do and he looks upset.
Me: Why do you have be mad every morning? You can play when you're home.
Samuel: I don't care anymore.
Me: Ok Sam.
The walk to school was silent and took about 20 minutes, so we were about 10 mins early. Before I left my brother to go to his part of the school and I went to mines, I grabbed him.
Me: Fe bon, manman pa bezwen ou fè nenpòt ki pwoblèm. (Be good, mom doesn't need you making any trouble)
Samuel: Mwen pral eseye. (I'll try)
Then he runs off and I smile. However, my smile turns into a frown knowing this is going to be my last day in my hometown. I walk into the cafeteria and see my best friends. I run to them as they do to me and hug them for a minute which only felt like a few seconds. Still in the hug, a tear shed a bit.
Me: Mwen pral manke nou. (I'm gonna miss you guys)
Chantelle: Aww mwen mem tou Cheri. (Aww me too honey)
Jean: Pa bliye sou nou Danielle! Oh epi mwen pral manke ou tou. (Don't forget about us Danielle! Oh, and I'll miss you too)
We all laughed and just looked at each other, then we hugged one more time.
Chantelle: Kite a fè jou sa a dènye ke li kapab. (Let's make this day last while it can)
I smiled at her and we ate some breakfast while talking until it was time for class to begin.
*skip to the end of school*
4:15 pm
Jean: Mezanmi, Monsieur Jack se lèd. ( Oh my gosh, Mr. Jack is so ugly.)
Me: Oh, poukisa ou tèlman difisil? (Why are you so harsh?)
Jean: Kisa? Mwen di verite a. (What? I'm telling the truth.)
Chantelle: Li pa bay manti. (He's not lying)
We all laugh and walk to one of the most popular restaurants in the city and order some food. Then, we walk home and drop off Chantelle home first because she lives the farthest. So it was just me and Jean. We were walking for another 10 minutes, then he wanted to say something.
Jean: Danielle?
Me: Wi?
Jean: You know I can speak English too right?
Me: Oh yeah, sometimes I forget.
He looks at me and smiles. My stomach starts to feel butterflies. I used to have a crush on Jean since we were little kids, but then he used to have girlfriends here and there and I just stopped myself from going any further before my feelings really got hurt.
Jean: I can't believe you're really going. I'm gonna miss you.
Then he embraces me in a hug that I shouldn't be in, but it's my last time that I will see him. So I hug back.
Me: Don't worry, I'll text you.
Jean: Yeah, don't get too caught up with your new American friends that you can't talk with your hometown friends.
Me: Don't worry, I won't.
We finally reach my house and we stop at the steps. We look at each other and I give him one final long hug. He releases and kisses me on the cheek.
Jean: You know, I've always liked you. I just never knew how to approach you or ruin our friendship.
Now he tells me?!!
Me: Really? I never knew. We could've had something.
Jean: Yeah we could've.
He leaves my presence and runs off. I really wish he had told me this awhile ago. Anyways, I go inside my house to find my mom and little brother smiling at me.
Me: Kisa? (What?)
They say nothing but look at each other and laugh. Me, still confused, just goes to my room and finish packing. I only have to finish packing my suitcase up, then I can just enjoy the night. One more day here, it's so crazy. I look out my window and see people riding on bikes, selling fresh mangoes, and swimming in the ocean. I live right next to the ocean which was the best part about my house. Even though I can't swim. I remember when I was playing dominos on the steps with Jean and doing Chantelle's hair when her mom had work. I'm gonna miss it. Before I started having a breakdown, I just finished packing then I took a shower, brushed my teeth, and took a nap. Before I did I looked at my phone and it was 5:34 pm, I must've been thinking for awhile. Well at least today was a good day. But sadly the last.
