A New Day

Back in 1997, my parents were going through some hard times; arguments, not sleeping in the same bed, all the things that my young mind didn't really process what was really happening. Then one day, shortly after I turned 10, we packed up our belongings, me thinking we got a bigger house, but my dad went one way, me, my brother and my mom went the other way.

I was going to a school that was located in the district where I had currently moved from, but I accidently told on myself one day to the secretary about me moving to the westside of Texas. Not knowing that my whole life was about to change, from a well known private school, to a well known public school, and away from all my friends, and the boy I developed a crush on.

My first day there was very unusual. My first week was very strange to me; new people, new teachers, and a whole new environment. First thing that stood out to everyone was that my accent was different, how proper I was, and how I pronounced my words. I was teased for months and no one wanted to be my friend as well due to me being the new girl around the area.

One day, I was crying in the restroom stall when another little girl heard me. She knocked the door and asked me was okay. I opened the door and saw this pretty little girl who looked different than me. She then did something that I have not had since I gotten there to the school, she hugged me. She told me she is new too and no one wanted to be her friend either because she spoke a different language. "My name is Mei. What is your name?" I told her my name was Denietra. Seems like after that we were the best of friends. I suddenly forgot about the bullying and how the other people had mistreated me. Me and Mei became thick as thieves.

One day Mei gave me an invitation to her birthday party. I was so excited! I had never been over to her home, but she had been to mine. I was able to finally go to my best friend's house. While I was getting ready, my brother comes up to me and asked me, " Did you brush up on your Chinese?" I looked at him confused. "You are about to go to someone's home who is in different culture than you, so you want to speak their language." He said to me. My whole world shut down. "I don't any other languages. I took a class for Spanish, but I only know the numbers!" I thought to myself. "Come on let's go!" My mother called for me. I dragged my feet as I grabbed her gift, heading towards the front door.

When me and my mom got there, I sat in the car, quiet as a mouse. My mother started to fuss at me to get out of the car. When we get to the door my mother knocks, and an older gentleman opens the door. "Nihao!" he says to me and my mother. I hid behind her as we walked in. My mom walked over to another group of adults which left me standing alone. Mei spotted me and ran up to me and gave me a hug. "Come on, let me introduce to my family and friends! They came all the way from my country!" She said to me. I began to sweat and became extremely nervous. She pulled my hand and I stood still. she then asked me what was wrong. "I am so sorry Mei. I didn't learn your language so I can't speak to your family and friends. I am so sorry for ruining your birthday." I said to her as I ut my head down. She laughed and pulled me to come over with her. She then started speaking another language, which made me even more nervous, but she said my name as well. " Hello Denietra!" Everyone started saying that to me, while hugging me and shaking my hand. All the nervousness left my body, and I felt the ease rush over me.

That whole night, we sat in a circle and talked amongst each other as they taught me how to say some words in their language. It was such an amazing and cool time, an experience I would never forget. Going through all those changes, and different environments have taught me how to never be afraid of new things, new people, and new beginnings, because you never know what may come from it.