down on the other mattress. He must be exhausted from lack of sleep, and doing this he’s because he believes it will give me a future. I up just yet. can’t give The next Friday we read aloud a story in English, taking turns reading in paragraphs. My ESL teacher had encouraged me to practice doing so and not shy away from opportunities in class so I give it my best shot when my turn. when Florida was wild, when it it’s “‘Back of nothing but trees and I am interrupted by a burst of con…sisted pal…metto mosquitos,” laughter. I recognize that last word and I it wrong. I feel blood didn’t must’ve pronounced rushing to my face. Mr. Adkins yells, looking at the same group from earlier, who started it. “Hey.” must’ve head Mariam. doing he says. “Go You’re great.” thank you. Fatmah can “No finish.” back group right He calls their names later as he walks out of the room. “That there.” out Maybe give them a warning and finally leave me alone now. “Come here.” he’ll they’ll When they come back rolling their eyes and mumbling to each other, giving me dirty they’re looks. I say to myself. Later in the carpool lane they walk up to But it my fault this time wasn’t me. I stay still; not let me walk away if I tried. was that the tall I’m sure they’d “What for?’ brunette girl asks. I reply. did not do a thing. You I said a little nervously. “What?” “I laughed.” you were funny. Do you hear one of the guys says. be “Cause yourself?” “You shouldn’t reading in class in the first you got us all in detention, because so sensitive place.” “Now you’re and illiterate. Just thought let you They turn around and walk away. I had made we’d know.” things worse. They definitely forget me now. On Saturday my cousin drives me to won’t mom’s
down on the other mattress. He must be exhausted from lack of sleep, and he’s doing this because he believes it will give me a future. I can’t give up just yet. The next Friday we read aloud a story in English, taking turns reading in paragraphs. My ESL teacher had encouraged me to practice doing so and not shy away from opportunities in class so I give it my best shot when it’s my turn. “‘Back when Florida was wild, when it con…sisted of nothing but pal…metto trees and mosquitos,” I am interrupted by a burst of laughter. I didn’t recognize that last word and I must’ve pronounced it wrong. I feel blood rushing to my face. “Hey.” Mr. Adkins yells, looking at the same group from earlier, who must’ve started it. “Go head Mariam. You’re doing great.” he says. “No thank you. Fatmah can finish.” “That back group right there.” He calls their names later as he walks out of the room. “Come out here.” Maybe he’ll give them a warning and they’ll finally leave me alone now. When they come back they’re rolling their eyes and mumbling to each other, giving me dirty looks. But it wasn’t my fault this time I say to myself. Later in the carpool lane they walk up to me. I stay still; I’m not sure they’d let me walk away if I tried. “What was that for?’ the tall brunette girl asks. “What?” I reply. “I did not do a thing. You laughed.” I said a little nervously. “Cause you were funny. Do you hear yourself?” one of the guys says. “You shouldn’t be reading in class in the first place.” “Now you got us all in detention, because you’re so sensitive and illiterate. Just thought we’d let you know.” They turn around and walk away. I had made things worse. They definitely won’t forget me now. On Saturday my mom’s cousin drives me to
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