Graduation - San Diego to TiJuana by Imani Hyacinthe

During my entire experience in America, my name has been Haliey DasGee. I came from San Diego to acquire a college education and become a pharmaceutical engineer. For myself, its a honor , and for my family it is a disgrace. “As an Indian woman” , according to my mother, I should have never attended school. “No man wants a wife that knows all that he does.” So when I, instead of my brother was given the scholarship to attend college in California, I went from being the invisible girl to my brother shame.

All of which worked to be an advantage to myself. It helped me write college essays, get scholarships and the support of faculty to replace the lack thereof caused by my family. Other than my loneliness there weren’t many distractions in school. No boys, no drugs, and no Alcohol. That how i managed to  maintain a 4.7 average and be the valedictorian of my graduating class.

I had absolutely no social life and lived off of redbull. I never went to any parties and was never part of any sororities. The only friends i had were the three party girls that i board with.  Lesly, Shanley and Britney were yet about to go partying.

Except this time it was different - I was going too.

****

Two days before I graduate Summa Cum Laude, I’m going to drive and hour to North to Dana Point to “turn up” with three girls whose hair I had to hold back while the blew chunks on numerous occasions. My pretend patients when they needed care for their periods and hangovers.

Tonight something in very being said forsake all common sense and let loose. So I did.

As we packed  our bikinis, underwear, sunscreen, and bodycon dresses, the girls teased me about being a virgin to life.

“It’s Always the quiet ones that break out”, says Shanley as she flickered her tongue piercing at me”

“I’m not quiet, i just don't go out because i'm too busy trying to find the cure to cancer”, I said self righteously.

“Bullshit, you may not be quiet but you are definitely socially challenged”

“Men aren’t needed to survive”

“They aren’t needed, but trust, you can’t live without them. You’ll learn”

I chuckled to myself and shrugged my shoulders as i stuff a bunch of graduate school papers and B12 pills  into whatever space was left in my  duffle bag.

****

We get into my white Jeep and head up to Dana Point for the annual graduation festivities. Shanley and Britney are stoned and knock out so it’s just Lesley keeping me from drifting to sleep on the freeway. If it wasn’t these two pot heads, we would’ve on the road four hours ago.

After stoning, they we had to but junk food to pacify their cravings that would surely come on the way there.

****

When we finally get to the Marriott, I banged my fist into the the horn. I was entertaining to them jolt awake from their undeserved slumber.

“Wakey Wakey , Shakey Shakey!!” , I cooed with a giggle. “We have arrived at our destination”

“UGH!! You prick! Where the hell are we?” Groans Shanley.

I point their attention to the edifice outside the window of the car. The Marriott was always home to me. Their eyes glittered with excite about hotel but didn’t have the energy to get up from the car. I hopped out the car and  pressed the horn one more time and shouted, “GET UP AND GET YOUR BAGS. I’m going to  check us in.”

By the way -- It’s two in the flipping morning!

When we got upstairs to the suite, i realized the dent i just put in my bank account was all worth it!!! Huge french windows that looks out onto the coast of the  Baja. Crystal clear water and a beach party underway. It was perfect! I got the master bedroom and the other three divided the rest of the suite. They noticed the party and quickly got dressed.

Myself, I went straight to sleep.

****

I woke up the next to the sound of seagulls dancing on the beach.  It was 10 am and i felt like being nice.  I washed my face and brushed my teeth. Threw my hair into a bun and was ready to chef up the best breakfast ever. I fried the bacon, baked the homefries, and made the best whole wheat pancake known to man.

The three little trolls woke up to the smell of my cooking but i wouldn’t let them eat until they had brushed their teeth and washed their face. They whined, but of course complied. Who wants to smell hot breath as they’re eating homefries. After the scarfed down their food, we sat at the island trying to decide what we would do with our day.

****

Somehow they convinced me to take a day to Tijuana, Baja California. We got their at four in afternoon and they immediately headed for a bar.  I only agreed on this trip if we stayed within tourist areas and thats what we did. No drinking for me as usual since I’m the designated the driver.

I signalled the bartender to come over and i asked him for a club soda. I took a look around the room and my friends were off flirting with their own guys. Im just trying to keep from throwing up from this guys grin of gold.

“Hey Mami, what’s your name”

“Jaleel”, I told him my real name just incase i saw him again i could pretend not to know who he is.

“ My name is Juan, and if you’re looking for a great time Tijuana is a great place for you” He danced his eyebrows towards me .  

I couldn’t help but to wonder why his teeth were so piss yellow. He hand me my drink and gave me a wink.

Suddenly My head got heavy and the images of friends began to disappear. My heart began to slow, and then i realized - He just slipped me a roofie. I went out cold  with the congas beating in the background.

I woke up with a vibration in my front pocket. It was my phone that was ringing. Then I fellt  the water kiss my feet. I was on the beach. It was Four in the morning the day before graduation and I was  on the beach in Tijuana. I have no idea what happened last night but the headache I’m having is telling me it was something crazy.

I snapped back to reality from the vibration of my phone which is starting to feel like seismic waves.

“Hello?

“Where have you been? We’ve been searching for you all night .”

“What happened?” I groaned,”All I remember was the guy with the yellow teeth.”

“We Need to get back to the hotel graduation is tomorrow.

“Where are you?”, another chimed in.

I ignored them trying to  find a way to find the road.

I walked for hours and hours until i saw the bar that i lost consciousness in. I checked the time on my watch and it was ten in the morning. I curse myself for ever listening to these  girls. Im going to miss my graduation  all because i decided to let loose. I didn’t even write my speech. But then again, no one was coming for me.