I see you’ve already met Molly and Juan. I hope you don’t get turned off by Molly. She means well, she really does. Ever since we were younger she was always alone. She had Bethany, her nanny, but she was no substitute for her mother. If you let Molly tell it, she could care less about her mother ignoring her. I know better. Their relationship is nothing like the one I have with my mother.
My mother is my hero, my everything. We may not have had the best things in life, but she always made sure I felt loved. She gives me things that just can’t be measured. That’s why I decided to befriend Molly. I saw that she didn’t have what I had and, well, everyone deserves to feel loved.
When I was younger, I didn’t have any friends my age. I hung out with my elderly neighbor and she was actually my best friend. I just had more in common with her than anybody at school. My school mates used to tease me as soon as I opened my mouth to speak. I really didn’t understand how they weren’t interested in reading and all the other things that I loved. So I spent a lot of time by myself. That was okay because the stories in my books were far more interesting. That is, until I became friends with Molly Sinclaire. What a roller coaster ride!
The summer we became friends was so much fun. Somewhere towards the end of the summer I guess reality hit and she didn’t want to be associated with her maid’s daughter. It hurt me so bad but I forgave her. It was because I met the most amazing friend ever. Gilberto! He came along and he was just like me, as in, we both came from a Puerto Rican background.
We instantly hit it off. I just thought he was perfect because he liked me just the way I was and allowed me to be myself. Little did I know that he actually had more than friendly feelings for me. When we got older we eventually explored our feelings. It wasn’t without complications courtesy of Molly. Molly just envied all that I had. Which is really crazy because she was born into luxury. That goes to show you that the best things in life are free.
If I’m being honest, Molly wasn’t the only one who complicated matters. Enter Juan. Oh my goodness where do I begin? He’s older than me for starters. My goodness, is he good-looking! Molly fell for him the minute she set eyes on him. I didn’t really notice at first because Gilberto held a special place with me and I really couldn’t see past him. But apparently Juan took a liking to me. And boy did that set Molly off.
Me, I was in a state of confusion. Gilberto was my rock through it all. I’m not sure if he suspected anything. It was just a period of teenage drama and angst. But I tell you what, that was the easiest part of all. Our trip to my mother’s native, Puerto Rico, was the end all be all.
On my second voyage to Puerto Rico at age 15, I found out who I really was; literally. I went there as a young girl in love with a wonderful boy, but which one, really? I was surrounded by friends and a whole lot of adventure. It was both horrifying and exciting. I wouldn’t change a thing that happened. Someday, there may be things that I have to answer for, But I’m not going to worry about that now. I hope you enjoy my coming of age tale. It truly changed my life.
GABRIELLA SANCHEZ
Gabby According To May
Introducing, Gabriella Maria Sanchez. Gabriella is what you would call a Nuyorican. It’s a blend of New York and Puerto Rican. It’s a term used to describe those with descendants from Puerto Rico, but born in New York. It just so happens to describe me as well. Gabby, as everyone calls her, shares some of my own traits. She’s very shy and, awkward with few friends to call her own.
Gabby is very smart and wise beyond her years, an old soul if you will. I would describe her as, naive with a pure heart. She’s strong without even realizing it. She easily forgives and, wants to believe the best in everyone.
As I sit here and write about this fictional character, I’m reminded of just how much of me went into Gabby. Living with a single mother, very few friends, not to mention, she wears glasses that are way too big for her face. That pretty much describes my adolescence.
Sometime before entering High School, she transforms into a classic beauty. She maintains a natural look, while still managing to be breathtakingly beautiful. Again, I wouldn’t dare to call myself breath-taking but this also sums up what I went through. I got rid of my glasses at some point, as did Gabby. Continuing with her thirst for knowledge, she continued to enrich her life through academics.
That’s where Gabby and I part ways. I wasn’t a horrible student, but didn’t quite excel like Gabby. That aspect about Gabby is probably wishful thinking on my part
At a ripe old age of 15, Gabby finds herself in love. Also an experience I share with her. She grows to be an exceptional young lady. She has a close relationship with her mother, and loves her friends, dearly. Gabby can get feisty at times, and does not like when someone stands in her way when she wants something.
What was that you ask? Is that also a trait she and I share? Okay, I confess, yes it is. I have been described by a few, as feisty. I do not enjoy when someone or something is unnecessarily standing in the way of my getting what I want. I can get very stubborn and set in my ways, but hey, I’m a Taurus. I can easily see this stubborn streak in Gabby, in a few instances in the book.
Overall, Gabby accepts everything bestowed upon her with such grace. There are a few moments when she shows momentary weakness but, soon after, prevails in whatever obstacles come her way. Using her smarts she’s able to think quickly on her feet. Being so well- rounded, Gabby is able to solve the mini- mysteries thrown at her throughout the journey in the story. There are many things in Gabby that I aspire to be, as I’m sure there’s a vice versa in my sentiment