The Neighbors

Who am I? That’s an easy one. My name is Rita , but most people call me Nicole. I live in California. I have a Filipino background in which I speak and understand the language fluently. My hobbies include dancing, which I’ve done for nine years and of course, shopping, which I’ve done all my life. But this essay isn’t supposed to be a typical autobiography; it’s supposed to define myself, define who I am, define who and what has made me into who I am today. But to completely define myself is impossible. I could only give you a few adjectives of what I am today, and leave you with empty pages of who I will be in the future. But I could give you novels on who in my past has made me into what I am today. When I think of the past, the first thing that comes to my mind is Marbella Avenue Carson, CA, where I met my best friends at the age of three and how they’ve contributed to who I am.

“Would you like some ice cream?” I asked her. She replied “No thanks, I’m allergic.” That’s when I first my Angeline, one of my three best friends. Her family came to greet my family since we just moved into the neighborhood. And no, she’s not allergic to ice cream; she just lied to me because she didn’t like the flavor I was offering her. Angeline was the first of my best friends that I met. After only a couple of days of knowing each other, Angeline and I were the first two members of the forming group called “The Neighbors”. As we grew up together, Angeline has greatly impacted my life. She taught me patience, kindness and reliability. Her friendship has contributed to my life in so many great ways. Angeline is truly a great friend.

I remember riding my bike with the training wheels still attached as I thought to myself, “I need to learn how to bike without training wheels. Training wheels are for babies.” As I continued my bike ride, I saw a boy also riding his bike, but without training wheels. I wondered who he and if maybe he could teach me how to bike without training wheels. When he was taking his helmet off, my jaw dropped. It was a girl. Angeline walked up to her and I biked towards them. That’s when I first met Rhyna, another one of my three best friends. At a young age, Rhyna was a tomboy, always doing what the boys do. Although Rhyna was a tomboy, she always pushed me and helped me overcome many fears. Rhyna taught me how to ride a bike without training wheels, how to rollerblade, and how to skateboard. She’s contributed both athletic and mental things to my life today. Without her, “The Neighbors” would be incomplete.

The last of the neighbors is Lorraine. She’s the youngest out of all of us by one year. She’s also the smallest of us at four feet and nine inches. When we were younger, Angeline, Rhyna, and I absolutely despised Lorraine. Since Lorraine was so little compared to us, she felt that she had to be arrogant and bossy to us so that we wouldn’t walk all over her. Lorraine and I would fight over almost everything. But today, Lorraine has grown into my best friend. Lorraine has taught me loyalty, honesty, trust, and many more. She’s impacted my life more than any friend ever has.

“The Neighbors” have been my best friend before I even knew what a best friend was. They are all responsible for helping to shape me into who I am today. In our fifteen years of friendship, we’ve shared many tears, laughter, and sorrow. I cannot define myself by just throwing out a couple of adjectives that describe the way I act, talk, or dress. But I can define my past and how it is defining me today.