As much as I tried to hold it in, I couldn't. The tears kept coming. I was furious, upset and relieved all at once. Still resting my head against the window, the words of the lady kept repeating in my mind. A twisting feeling in my stomach was now taking over as I realized that what I was about to do was selfish.

The lady was right. How was I going to let go of everything my parents sacrifice for me? How selfish of I.

I looked out the window and all that was visible was the dark mountains and the moonlight. I don't know where we were but we were in the middle of a desert. My heart ached as I realized how much I missed home and everyone, especially Joel.

Joel...he's probably heart broken and worried that I just left without letting him know. And his family, God I'm so stupid.

Trying to cuddle up and get a little warmer, i hit my knee and felt a plug next to me. I quickly searched in my bag for my charger and plugged in my phone.

As it turned on, I debated if I should text Joel although the phone company will charge me for being out of the country. But what will I tell him? 'Oh hey. Sorry I haven't contacted you. I was too busy going back to my country but don't worry I'm coming home now.'

I unlock my phone and one by one I kept getting Joel's messages.

'Where are you?'
'Please come home.'
'Are you okay'
'Amelia please come home'

I took a deep breathe and began typing

'I'm fine. I'm coming home' should I hit send? I shook my head and deleted my message. I rather explain everything to him in person.

-------
"Welcome to California." The driver said through the speaker. I got up and gather my things.

I looked around and for a second I was confused and realized I was in Victorville. Great I was a city away from home. I went to a near restaurant and sat down. I pulled out my phone and dialed Patty's number.

"Oh my Amelia! Where are you? Are you okay?" She said worried.

"Yeah I'm fine." I said. "But I'm also in Victorville. Can you come and pick me up?"

"Of course! I'll be there in 10." She said in a hurry. In the background I heard someone ask 'is she okay?' But wasn't able to recognize their voice. I hung up and waited for her. I took a deep breathe and repeat what I was going to say once she was here.

Ten minutes pass and I saw her pull up. The first one out the car was Joel. He ran up to me and hugged me tight. I couldn't help it but cry. "I'm so stupid" I said into his shoulder. He rubbed my back and try to calm me down.

"Amelia mija I'm glad you're okay." Patty said bringing me into a hug. "Let's go home so you can relax. Also, I need to show you something." I nodded as I controlled my breathing. We got into the car and drove home.

Once I got there, I took a shower and went over to the Pimentel's since there was something Patty had to show me.

I knocked on the door and Joel opened. "We're all in the backyard." He said closing it behind me. I nodded and started walking until he stopped me. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I didn't want you to stop me." I said looking into his eyes. "I'm sorry." I whispered.

"Running away wasn't-"

"Joel I didn't run away." I cut him off. "I planned to go back to Mexico. In fact, I was halfway there until something happened." He looked at me hurt and confused but didn't say anything.

We walked to the backyard and sat down. His family was sitting down and I noticed Patty had a big yellow envelope.

"I want to apologize for disappearing like that. It was a stupid decision and I was being selfish." I spoke up. "And no I didn't run away to a random city. I was going home. Home to my parents." I said looking down at my hands.

"What made you change your mind?" Emanuel asked.

"I met this lady in the bus. She was rude but had good points." I said looking up. "She made me realize that I was selfish for leaving everything my parents sacrificed for me."

"Like your citizenship." Patty said pulling up papers from the envelope.

"What?" I said in disbelieve.

"You're a U.S Citizen." She said smiling and handing me the papers.

I felt the tears build up as I read the documents. "I'm legal" I said smiling as the tears fell. "B-but how?"

"The whole time your parents were here, that's all they were working on." She said placing her hand on top of mine. "Tu ciudadanía." I couldn't believe it. My parents rather have no papers instead of me not having it.

And to think I was going to leave. Dios si tiene sus razones.