Elizabeth Cole

My name is Elizabeth Cole. I was born and raised in St. Louis. June 7,2020 to be exact. My mére is African American and my pére is Caucasian. I am sometimes made fun of. The reason is my discoloration and how thick my hair is. I don’t care what people have to say though, I know that writing my histoires and getting good grades will get me out of this never ending hole of judgment I call school. My mom wants me to be the best. Ever since I was young my mom has pushed me to do things I never wanted to do. Some being modeling, pageants, spokesperson etc. Pretty much anything that could get my name on a cover of a magazine. I dreaded that. My mother has also taught me Spanish, French, and American Sign Language. They have become languages I use all the time. At escuela I have many people doubt my ethnicity. They are always asking me if I’m Hispanic or French. The upside to knowing many languages is that I can communicate with others. My father is also making my life complicated then it already is. He wants me to date, to be exact get married to someone just like me. Mixed. My dad isn’t racist though. He thinks race is something that brings us closer and closer. That was his motive for marring my mother. When I was younger my father’s friend called him (the “n” word). I figured they were kidding around the way my dad continued with conversation. That happened when I was seven. Even now I question my dad about his values. I have something that makes my heart do jumping jacks. I feel like I’ve stopped breathing and I’m in paradise. That something is human and has a name. His name is Monte Dé Frenado. He’s from France. He moved here at age thirteen just like me. He lived across the street from me. Sometimes I would teach him English. He just started speaking it last year. We speak French when we are around. I guess you can say we grew up together. Ever since he showed me his passion for writing we had a bond that I don’t know if it will ever be broken. I have many problems in my life but, I believe the hardest to deal with is my discoloration. It is when your skin is two-toned and leaves patches of the skin lighter or darker than other parts. I only have it on my shoulder and stomach. I have to be very cautious of what I so no one will have anything else to taunt me with. Turtlenecks may sound good in the winter when it’s cold but I wear them all year around. Today Chankera Troupe asked me why am I wearing a turtleneck. She said I was going to burn up. I wish she were right. I want to burn. Burn forever. At least its better than going to this school. I want to go back to St. Louis. It was peaceful and many adventures. I use to ride in the Gateway Arch all the time. My ears would pop and as I chewed on my minty gum. I would think of how it would feel to get out and place my feet on the ground. I would stare up at the clouds and think of my brother Jasper in the sky.