When I first arrived at Ellis Island, I felt a mix of excitement and fear. Without my sister by my side, the big buildings and crowds seem even more overwhelming. I took a deep breath, trying to stay brave as I hope to find my sister soon. Every sound around me makes my heart race with worry about what’s next.

As I waited in line, I see other immigrants with different stories, some looking happy and others sad. I feel lonely, wishing my sister was there for support. I wonder if I will be able to find her once she gets through the officials. The smell of food and sounds of laughter remind me of home, but also make me miss my sister even more.

Finally, it’s my turn to be checked by the officials. I feels nervous as they ask me questions and examine me closely. I remind myself to be strong and brave, knowing my sister is waiting for me. When they approve me to enter the U.S., a huge weight lifts off my shoulders, and I feel ready to start my new adventure and find my sister!

Once I start working in the sewing factory with my sister, I quickly realize it’s not as fun as I hoped. The bosses are strict and always seem to be watching, like hawks ready to swoop down! They pay me very little for long hours of work, which feels unfair. I joke that they should start calling the factory a “sweatshop” because it’s so hot and cramped!

Feeling frustrated, I decide to be a little mischievous. One day, when the boss isn’t looking, I pretend to sew with my feet while my hands are in the air! I even make silly faces, trying to make my coworkers laugh. It may not change their pay, but it sure lightens the mood and helps everyone forget how tired they are for a moment.

Despite the tough work, I vow to stand up against the bosses in my own funny way. I start organizing secret “dance breaks” where everyone can stretch and wiggle around for a minute. They all giggle and feel energized, even if they have to hurry back to work! I know they deserve better, but for now, I’ll keep making them laugh while they dream of a brighter future.

One day, I was working hard when my boss stormed over, looking furious. He starts yelling at me for all the silly things I did, like my dance breaks and using my feet to sew! Instead of feeling scared, I decide to stand up for myself. I take a deep breath and tells him that everyone deserves safe working rights, even if they’re just sewing!

The boss doesn’t like my response and threatens to dock my pay or even fire her if I keep it up. I feel a mix of worry and determination. I think of all the long hours and little pay and realize this isn’t fair! So, I argue back, saying, “I can’t sew and smile if I’m not safe and happy here!”

Even though my heart races, I know I'm doing the right thing. I tell my boss that happy workers make better products, hoping he’ll understand. But as I walk away, I wonder what will happen next. Will he really fire me? Only time will tell, but I feel proud for speaking up!

One busy day at the factory, I was sewing away when suddenly, my hand got stuck in the machine! Panic rushed through me as I tried to pull it out, but the more I struggled, the more it seemed trapped. My sister saw me and her face turned pale with worry, and I could tell she was scared. I shouted for help, hoping someone would come quickly!

Before I knew it, my bosses rushed over to see what happened. They looked serious as they called for a doctor to check on my hand. When the doctor arrived, he gently examined my arm and said, “I’m afraid you’ve broken your hand.” Hearing that made my heart sink; I knew I wouldn’t be able to work for a while.

As I sat there with my sister by my side, my bosses came back to talk to me. They told me I was fired because I couldn't work anymore, and it felt like a heavy weight dropped in my stomach. I was sad and frustrated, but I knew I had to focus on healing first. 

As we worked together, I learned that Miranda had faced many of the same money struggles my family had. She told me how she came to this job hoping to save up for better opportunities. I felt a bond with her right away, knowing we were both trying to make our lives better. We shared stories about our families and dreams for the future, which made the work feel lighter.

Working as maids, we laughed and chatted while cleaning, and it didn’t feel so lonely anymore. Miranda and I encouraged each other to keep going, even when the work got hard. I was grateful to have found a friend who understood my journey. With her by my side, I felt hopeful about what our futures might hold!

After my hand healed, I found a new job as a maid in a big house. At first, I felt nervous because I didn’t want anyone to see my cast. But when I walked in, I was greeted by a friendly girl named Miranda, who was also from Ireland! She smiled and made me feel welcome, saying she understood how tough things could be.

She explained how the bosses were making them work longer hours for less pay, and it didn’t seem fair at all. I felt frustrated because I knew how hard she worked and how much she deserved better. We barely got to see each other lately because of our long hours, and it made me sad. I missed our talks and the laughter we used to share every day.

Sitting together in our small room, we talked about our dreams for a better future. I promised her that I would keep working hard at my job and support her however I could. Even though things seemed tough, I knew we would find a way to make our lives better together. With my sister by my side, I felt stronger and more determined to fight for our rights!

After a long day of work, I finally got to see my sister back at our tenement house. I was so happy to be with her again, even if it was just for a little while. But when I looked at her face, I could see something was bothering her. She told me that the girls at her job were being treated even worse now, and my heart sank hearing that.

I rushed over to her, feeling a mix of relief and fear. “What happened?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. She looked confused and shaken, saying she didn’t know how the fire started. I hugged her tightly, grateful she was safe, but my heart ached for what she had gone through.

As we stood together, I could see the worry in her eyes, and it made me feel even more protective. She told me how chaotic it was inside when the fire broke out, and how everyone scrambled to get out. I promised her that we would get through this together, no matter how hard it felt. With my sister beside me, I knew we would find the strength to face any challenge that came our way.

One day after work, I heard the alarm bells ringing, and my heart raced as I ran to the factory. I was terrified, thinking about my sister and hoping she was okay. When I got there, I saw a crowd of people outside, and my eyes searched frantically for her. Finally, I spotted her in the middle of the crowd, but my heart sank when I saw she was covered in ash and had burns on her arms.

Seeing my sister hurt made her realize she couldn’t work there anymore. She decided to quit her job at the factory, which was a brave choice, but I could see she felt relieved. Soon after, she found a new job at the nearby school teaching English to kids. I was so proud of her for taking this step, and it felt like a fresh start for both of us.

Now, my sister is happier and feels safe at her new job. We talk about how important it is to stand up for ourselves and fight for what’s right. Even though we faced tough times, we learned to support each other and chase our dreams. With each passing day, I know we’re getting closer to a brighter future, together!

After the fire, we found out it was the boss's fault for not keeping the factory safe. Many girls got injured, and it made me so angry to think that their carelessness put everyone in danger. My sister and I talked about it for hours, feeling frustrated and scared about what could have happened. We knew we deserved better working conditions, and it was clear that things had to change.