Anna’s Dream
Growing up in the projects was all 14-year-old Anna had ever known. The struggles, poverty, and violence were a daily reality in her neighborhood. But Anna was determined to break free from this cycle of hardship and create a better life for herself and her family. She believed education was her ticket out, so she devoted herself to excelling in school.
Anna wasn't alone in her dreams. She had an older sister, Amy, who once had big aspirations like Anna's. However, the weight of responsibility had shifted onto Amy's shoulders. Their father had left long ago, leaving their mother to fend for herself and her two daughters. With their mother working long hours just to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads, Amy had to set aside her dreams to help support the family.
When an internship opportunity with a local newspaper was announced at Anna's school, she saw it as her chance to escape the projects and give her family a better life. The internship promised to let her work alongside experienced journalists, learn about the media industry, and gain valuable experience for her future. Anna poured her heart into the application, emphasizing her love for writing and storytelling. She saw this internship as her first step toward her dream of becoming a successful journalist, not just for herself but also to pave the way for her sister's aspirations to resurface.
On the deadline day for the internship application, Anna found herself scrambling on the bus, searching for her application in her backpack. Anxiety gripped her as she realized it wasn't there. Panic set in until she reached school and called her older sister, Amy, for help. Despite Amy's exhaustion from work, she agreed to bring Anna's application to the school, silently cheering on her sister's ambitions while silently nursing her own dormant dreams.
During lunchtime, Anna saw the internship flyer plastered with graffiti, a stark reminder of the challenges she faced. She felt an unsettling feeling beginning to overwhelm her at the thought of losing out on this opportunity because of her carelessness. As the sounds of student chattering started to fade, she began to tumble in a dark void in her mind. Before she could be fully engulfed in darkness, the static of a call over the P.A. system summoned her to the office. With the hope that it was her sister, she sped walked to the office where Amy stood. Amy looked older than she really was, but she was beautiful, she was slender, dark eyes, her curly hair was tangled, and she wore a floral dress with dirt-stained sneakers. Amy stood with arms crossed but after expressing her concern for Anna's forgetfulness handed over the application then laid her hands on Anna’s shoulder and said “go get it sis!”
With the application in hand, Anna approached the counselor's office, her hopes high. But a red notice on the door shattered her dreams: "No longer taking intern applications." Devastated, Anna sank to the floor, tears streaming down her face. It felt like a life sentence to remain trapped in the projects, destined to repeat the cycle of poverty. Desperate, Anna slid her tear-stained application under the door, clinging to a faint hope that it might make a difference. The remaining classes dragged on, each minute an eternity of despair.
As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Anna felt defeated. But then, her counselor, Ms. Carly, caught up with her, breathless, and handed her a paper. Anna's heart raced as she read the words on the paper; she had been offered a paid internship with the local newspaper. Tears of joy welled up as she realized her prayers had been answered.
Walking out of school, Anna's steps were lighter, her spirit lifted. She knew this internship was her chance to break free from the projects and pursue her dreams, not just for herself but also for her sister, Amy, who had sacrificed so much to support their family. With determination in her heart, she looked ahead to a brighter future, one filled with opportunity and possibility, for both her and her sister.