It's Sunday morning, you wake up and go downstairs.
[[Abuela]] is downstairs making the regular platanos, tamales and preparing the Colombian coffee you love.
You start thinking about what you have to do today. But you look scroll through [[Instagram]] first. Lots of activity, people looking nice from going out last night.
It's time to leave now. Off to [[school]] you go.
[["Ve ponte un vestido!"]]
There it goes again, people commenting on your style. What's wrong with a tshirt and some jeans?
You know, traditional Latin families, always sticking to the norm. Times are everchanging. Let me be [[FREE!]].
Lol that post you posted last night has gotten no likes.
''WAIT''
I think someone liked it...Esmeralda?
Hm..maybe I'll [[see who she is]].
Why do people always stare?
I think somethings wrong with their eyes.
That girl though, she's beautiful. I don't know what to do. Her hair looks so nice, you [[compliment her]].
[[Sure]] I guess I'll put on that dress Abuela wanted me to wear.
I really don't understand what the big deal is if I [[stay in jeans and a tshirt]].
There you are.
Una Latina.
Oregullosa y bella.
Proud and beautiful.
But where?
Where do you fit in?
Why won't they accept you?
You break out! After years and years of people suspecting, it's here. Mami is histerical, calling every God. Papi is asking why. Abuela is still asking you to wear the dress she gave you as a Quinceanera gift.
But here you are. Finally free. Finally taken off that burden. Your friends have accepted you and love you.
She looks at you kind of weird.
She says thank you and nods.
[[That was weird |Comment on the picture]].
Of course. Thats what I'm supposed to do, right?
Let everyone rule my life. I am alone. Who will support me?
''NOBODY.''
I'll surpress my true self. I'll follow the norms.
Unhappy inside. A fake smile with troubled thoughts.
Forever.
I mean why change who you are?
You feel comfortable and thats the only thing that matters.
[[Back |Instagram]] to the regular routine.
She's from Spain.
The most beautiful girl.
[[Comment on the picture]]. But is that enough? She's so beautiful. So unique. You've never met anyone like her.
Maybe [[messaging]] her will give you more of a chance to get to know her.
A compliment. What did it really do?
Nothing.
You're just another person telling her she's beautiful. She doesn't really understand how much you admire her. She doesn't even know you're into her.
She's actually a fun girl. Wait...she's like you.
You start messaging back and forth.
She's in another country. Would it really work out? I mean its [[worth a shot]] right.
Actually, you don't want to push it. Maybe you should just [[leave it alone |Sure]].
I mean it is easier to talk behind a screen, right?
You start messaging her in Spanish. The conversations get more [[romantic]] but you debate on [[holding back]].
You start liking her.
You start [[FaceTiming]].
You start getting into her.
But what are Mami and Papi going to [[think |Sure]]?
Wait. [[Really? |Sure]]
Just kidding, why conform to societal norms.
[[Keep talking to her |romantic]].
The more you get to know her, the more you like her.
You start to lose that fear of [[rejection]]. She makes you feel [[comfortable]].
You feel wanted. You feel needed.
You haven't felt like this in a while.
You make plans to have to [[visit each other]].
But what is your family going to [[think |Sure]].
But who is going where?
Maybe you should [[go over to Spain]].
Or maybe she can [[come over]].
Because you don't fit in society.
Will you ever? Probably not.
You leave, you flee your [[fears |rejection]].
She books her flight.
You go pick her up.
[[Bring her home]].
Abuela looks at her.
Mami gives her the side eye.
Papi is wondering who she is.
You say shes a [[friend |Sure]].
Actually no. You say its a [[''lover'']].
WHAT! HOW COULD YOU!
Mami, Papi, Abuela, they're all going [[crazy]].
What have you [[done]]?
What do you do?
YOU ARE SUCH A DISGRACE!
WHERE IS THE LITTLE GIRL THEY RAISED?
They're angry. You feel bad. You're just kidding. It was a [[joke |Sure]], you say.
What you've done is speak the truth. What you feel.
You are who you are for a reason. Everyone is angry but you are [[free |FREE!]].