FIRST DAY

ELENA

I woke up abruptly from my sleep and looked around my small, peaceful room. I was breathing heavily with beads of sweat forming on my forehead. I gasped, and my throat obstructed for more air. After calming myself, I thought about my horrendous dream which made me nauseous, and I tried to contemplate.

Was it a dream? Or that happened to me in real?

I looked at the clock and it was 5:00 in the morning I couldn't go back to sleep so I started getting ready for school. Finally, this is my last semester and then I'll be off to college. I need to pass this semester and graduate high school without any trouble and complications like last time.

No I cannot let the past repeat itself. I cannot lose again. I won't be able to recover if it happened again. No, I won't let it happen again.

I quickly changed into a black hoodie and black jeans leaving my brown hair fall to my waist. I looked at myself in the mirror and the stark blue eyes staring back at me forcing me to stare back at it for longer than usual and divulging in it I stepped forward and came close to my mirror staring at it not blinking once. I came back from my trance when I heard a knock on my door and finally shrugged off whatever it was and ignored it.

I quickly wore my shoes and opened the door where my mom was standing with a big smile on her face. My mom was very pretty for her age and I have similar features like her. My Mama is a hard-working woman, trying to keep a roof on our head and paying bills. Her smile made me strong and my earlier wariness disappeared

"Hi Mama"

"Hi, honey. Today is your first day, so how are you feeling?"

I smiled at her. I don't know why she's always so worried about me? I replied, "I am feeling great about this. Excited and a little bit nervous"

My mom frowns, "Honey don't worry you'll love it. It's a great school. Cmon now eat your breakfast and then I'll drop you off or you'll be late on your first day"

I followed her to the kitchen downstairs and ate freshly made waffles. My mama never lets me get out of the house in the morning without breakfast.

MOMS.

We entered her car and drove to my new school. I was watching as we pass by our neighborhood and I was pulled into my thinking of how my mom sacrificed so much for me. We had to go through all of this and now I can see it that it's difficult for her to handle all of it alone. She left all behind for me.

Pushing all of the thoughts on the back of my mind and I decided to tell my mom that I'll be looking for a job so that I can help her reduce the burden. First, she was reluctant and for a moment her face showed a flash of worry which was transformed quickly into a smile and after my insane amount of pleads she agreed.

We stopped at the front gate of our school which was like any other common school here I told my mom goodbye and when I stepped out of the car my mom called me from behind and asked me,

"Elena, do you have your pills?"

Anger and rage flushed over my body and I clenched my fists and seethed, "Yes Mama". I shut the door harshly and stormed off into the school building.