AALIYAH SIONE
I woke up to another chilly day in November. I lifted up from my bed and looked outside of my window at the seemingly ghetto area that I lived in. The neighborhood that I stayed in didn't really have a specific name to it, so I always told people that I was from Edna street if they asked. Mostly everyone knew not to bother to ask though; I was affiliated with one of the most notorious gangs on the west coast of the United States. Edna street, and every area surrounding it was strictly LM territory.
I looked over at the small clock on my nightstand and saw that it was a quater to nine in the morning. Frustration entered my mind once I realized that I would be late to school once again—class started at nine and there was no way that I would be able to get ready on time. Just getting to school from my apartment took twenty minutes.
I rushed into the bathroom and began getting ready for the day ahead of me. After completing my daily routine, (consisting of the usual basic hygiene,) I dressed into a fresh outfit and made sure that my hair was presentable. It was usually extremely curly, and usually so tangled that I would throw it up in a bun just so I wouldn't have to deal with it. The night before my best friend, Dalilah straightened it for me, but of course it could never stay as silky as it was when it was first done.
I threw my shoes on and put my cell phone into my pocket, then left my bedroom. Rushing down the steps of my apartment, I tried not to trip over my untied shoe strings. When I finally reached the bottom step, I noticed a small note lying on the coffee table. I picked it up and saw that it was a note from my mom telling me she would be home soon from her second job. I threw the note back on the table and picked my skateboard up from off of the floor. Whenever my mom wasn't home, it didn't phase me. She was always working, and I was always home alone.
I walked out of the apartment, immediately feeling the cold air slap on my face. I rushed down the steps, throwing my skateboard on the ground. I looked around to see if anyone was around, but the neighborhood was pretty empty. That was only because it was a weekday, and nobody really came out in the morning around here anyway. You would see everyone out in the evening and night time, especially on the weekends. I hopped on my skateboard, and began to make my way to El Sereno Middle School. I was in my eighth grade year, and I was glad that I was going to high school next year. As I was skating, I felt my phone vibrate inside of my pocket. I pulled it out, seeing it was my best friend Dalilah.
"Hello?" I answered. I could hear her breathing over the phone. In the background it seemed like a million people were talking at once.
"Aaliyah, where are you? The bell is going to ring in about five minutes." She said.
"I just left the house, I'll be there soon."
"Well, hurry up." She scoffed before hanging up.
I shook my head and shoved my phone back into my pocket. I continued skating, praying in my head that I wouldn't get detention. I don't know how it happened, but I always ended up late for school. It was quite annoying since I woke up earlier than my friends did, and I still never made it on time.
Once I arrived to school a while later, I rushed inside of the building and noticed that the usual crowded halls were completely empty. I sucked my teeth and walked down the hall to my locker, opening it and throwing my skateboard inside. I grabbed my Spanish book for first period and then closed the locker door. When I turned around, to my surprise, Daniel Rodriguez was standing in front of me.
Daniel was one of the most popular boys in school, and in the streets of El Sereno. That was only because his older brother, Carlos, was the leader of the LM. He was also extremely attractive, and he was cool with everyone. Luckily for me, he was my best friend so we hung out all of the time. I had the biggest crush on him since we were little.
He flashed me a smile and I almost died inside.
"What's up, Chula?" He smiled again. "You're late."
I blushed, "And so are you."
"I'll let you slide this time, mija." He said. "But, don't do it again. You hear me?"
"Whatever, Daniel." I smiled.
"Anyways, I have to go before I get detention again." He said as he began walking down the hallway. "Adios!"
I shook my head and walked the opposite way down the hall until I made it to Mrs. Ramero's classroom. I opened the door and walked in, seeing the teacher at her desk. I closed the door, and took my seat in the front next to Dalilah.
"One more tardy and I'll give you detention." Mrs. Ramero snarled. "Do you understand me, Santiago?"
I rolled my eyes and turned around to face Dalilah. She had one eyebrow raised and was tapping her pen on the surface of her desk. "You're forever late." She said. "I mean, you must want me to be in this mujeruca's class by myself all hour."
I sarcastically chuckled, "Oh, please. You're like her number one student." I scoffed. "Don't try and act like she treats you like anyone else in here."
"Whatever." She popped her gum in her mouth. "Did you see Daniel?"
"Yeah, he was in the hallway just now." I smiled. "I know he's probably going to get detention."
"Good, maybe you'll be in there together." She laughed.
I hated when she teased me about Daniel. She constantly did that to me, only because I never told Daniel that I liked him. I mean, why would I anyway?
"Shut up, Dalilah." I hissed.
"I really think that you should tell him, though." She said in a serious tone. "It's obvious that he likes you, too."
"Yeah, right." I replied. "And what about Crystal?"
She sucked her teeth, "Forget Crystal. She's calzonsuelto, anyway."
I chuckled under my breath and shook my head. Mrs. Ramero soon got up to began teaching, so we all opened our books. I still couldn't understand why this class was neccesary, because about 99% of the school knew how to speak spanish, anyway. I mean, we were all Mexican!
Three hours later, I found myself sitting at my lunch table with Dalilah and her boyfriend, Jake. I liked them as a pair, because they seemed like a perfect couple. They were like one of those couples you found on Tumblr or something. And thinking of them made me think about Daniel and I. Would we be a good couple? Could we even be a couple?
"Yeah, right." I thought to myself as I rolled my eyes.
Daniel was considered "popular" since he always hung out with a bunch of jerks at school. Since he always hung out with them, everyone thought he was a giant jerk, too. His personality didn't fit his title, though. He didn't act like a complete stuck-up douche bag. However, nobody really knew that but me. But, the point was, a guy with his status would never be with someone of mines. At least not in this school.
I guess I was carried away in my thoughts, because Dalilah had been trying to get my Attention. I finally snapped back into reality and she gave me an annoyed look. "Huh?"
"Just go talk to him, he's right over there." Dalilah said, pointing the direction to where Daniel was sitting. When I saw him, I instantly smiled.
But, then I saw who he was sitting with-Crystal Scott.
My happiness suddenly just dropped, for the fact that I didn't like Crystal at all. She was probably the biggest cabrón to ever walk the earth. She was stuck up, but everyone seemed to like her. She was the head cheerleader, made wonderful grades, and she was considered the Beauty Queen of El Sereno. Everytime she walked, she would strutt her stuff, having her curly hair bouncing around. Her green eyes had any guy dropped to their knees for her. It was really cliché if you thought about it. What made it worse was that, she was Daniel's girlfriend, and they had been on and off since the seventh grade.
She made me sick.
Even though I didn't want to go over there, with her over there, I decided to take my chances, anyway. I slowly stood up out of my seat, stretching my hands in the air. I finally got complete balance, and began walking towards the table. I noticed Daniel look over at me and smile. I felt butterflies rush all through my body. I smiled back, and continued walking. I finally got to the table and sat down, but just when I did, Crystal turned around and gave me an ugly look.
"What are you doing here?" She inquired as she raised an eyebrow.
"Talking to Daniel, Obviously." I replied as I rolled my eyes.
She gave off a fake smile, "Why don't you go off to the graveyard and cry to your dead daddy or something."
Everyone at the table laughed. Everyone except for Daniel and I. As a reflex, I got up and punched her straight in her mouth. I heard a lot of people gasp as she screeched in pain and held her face. Her friends rushed to her side and I got up, and stormed out of the lunch room. I heard Daniel yell after me, but I ignored him and kept going.
I ran all the way to my locker, opened it and got my out my skateboard. I slammed it shut, and noticed Daniel coming up beside me. "Where are you going?" He asked.
"Don't worry about it." I said as I began to walk to the front doors of the building.
I needed to get out of this place.