I set the alarm for six thirty the next morning, today was the day I started my internship at the local community center. Who would have thought a southern girl such as myself would end up north in Michigan. I stubble around my unpacked room pushing boxes aside until I came to the box marked winter cloths and pulled out my big purple sweater,a pair of dark denim skinny jeans, and my chocolate scarf. After throwing my cloths on the air mattress I ran to the bathroom for a quick shower. I have never been much of a morning person, but this morning was different I was excited about the day ahead of me. I'm looking forward to meeting the staff as well as my students today. I am not expecting much, I know that I am new and it will take sometime for everyone to warm up to me. My main concern is doing good work though. I greased my body with coco butter, then threw my cloths on. Once dressed, I ran downstairs to look for my socks. One of these days I'm going to make time and unpack my apartment, I'm not lazy or anything it's just that I have been so busy since I moved up here. I graduated in December with my bachelors degree in two majors, now I am going back to school for a master's degree in writing. Pulse I work in the library at Michigan State. I have no much to do but so little time to do it.
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Once I walked in the Center a older woman grabbed my arm mad led me to her office. She was very beautiful and dressed very businesslike.
"I'm shocked that you are on time Gabby."
"It's my first day I wouldn't be late for the world."
"I love that positive attitude that you have and trust me you are going to need it dealing with some of the staff here."
"How do you know my name."
"You used to work at my friend Beverly Moore's Center in Mississppi right?"
"Yes ma'am I did."
"She was the one who told me about you once you graduated I insisted that she talk to you about coming up here to intern. I saw something in you when you walked through those doors. I think that you are going to contribute so much to this place. Who knows maybe my son will consider opening up another one."
"Your son."
"Yes, he is one of the co-owners of this place it took a lot of persuading, but I eventually got him to let you I intern here."
"Thanks."
"No problem honey just don't let me down."
"I will honesty try."
"By the way my name is Shirley Thomas."
"Nice to meet you."
She handed me a folder of students that I would be working with, she also led me down the hall to a big conference room. There was about twelve people already in the room talking discussing some of the issues that the Center was having as well as some of the children whom were in attendance.
" I honesty don't think that Cordell should be welcome here, he is a very dangerous kid."
"Kamille you know that we do not turn any child away all he need is some guidance and a little support."
This very handsome man sat at the head of the conference table. He wasn't dressed like everyone else his clothing was very causal. I got lost in those deep grey eyes of him for awhile before snapping back to reality.
"I think my son is right Kamille, and maybe if you showed Cordell some respect and didn't look at him like he was the scum of the earth then he would actually like you."
I laughed despite myself.
"Gabby what you think," Shirley asked me.
"I think both of you have a point sometimes all a kid need is someone that he can trust a positive role model if you will."
"And you are,"Kamille snapped.
"I'm Gabby Moore the new intern."
"And your comment is relevant because."
"Because it concerns the children that's why."
The room became very quiet while Kamille and I stared each other down. Steve broke the silence.
"He's staying Kamille."
He then changed the subject Shirley led me out the room.
"No one has ever talked to Kamille like that dear. This is going to be the start of a beautiful friendship."
I held the folder close to my chest then looked back toward the conference room. I locked eyes on Steve then continued to tour the center
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I must say my first day at the Center was exciting. I got to meet a couple of the kids including a very rude Cordell. He automatically assume that I was like the rest of the staff. He didn't even give me a chance to introduce myself before he walked out the room. I didn't mind through from the talk at the conference early this morning i knew he was going to be a challenge.
"I'm sorry about him," Shirley replied.
"Oh need to apologize on his behalf ma'am trust I have meet teenagers whom are much more disrespectful."
"I love how positive you are about this."
"When dealing with children I have learned you have to have a positive attitude and just a little bit of patience."
"I agree."
I ended up leaving the Center after a couple of hours, I headed to my job on campus. Michigan State was a very nice, like most college campuses I saw students rushing to get out of the cold January wind. Miss Tammy my boss was sitting behind the desk when I walked in.
"Good afternoon dear."
"Hello."
She began immediately going over the rules of the library, she then showed me an online website of the library, how to find books and directions to work the website in case the students needed help finding books. I caught on pretty quickly to the website and the rules. The only that got me was placing the books back on the shelf once the students returned them. That of course was my next lesson. Once she explained everything to me I was approached by a couple of students requesting help. I was able to assist them with no problem.
"It usually take employed while to into the swing of things here. I see you catch on pretty quickly."
"Yeah I will just have to get the hang of organizing the books in alphabetical order, but other than that it isn't so bad."
She seemed impressed. I watched as tones of student walked into the library, some meeting with friends studying, while others checked out books for classes.
"So are you taking classes this semester."
"Yes ma'am I start my class tomorrow."
"What's your classification," she asked
"Graduate student."
"Interesting most of the employees have not graduated yet they are either freshmen or seniors getting ready to graduate."
"That's cool."
Miss Tammy continued asking me questions like I was interviewing for this job again. She soon changed the subject and began talking about myself. The only reason I listened was because they was no one else to talk to. I watched as she smiled showing me pictures of her children and grandchildren.
"They're beautiful," I remarked.
"Aren't they the cutest things,"she chuckled.
We both chatted as a girl with a black backpack walked in and scanned her ID to get behind the desk.
"I can see now this is fixing to be a very long semester."
She fail back in the black computer chair and threw her head back. I noticed she was wearing a Michigan State hoodie, a scarf, and pair of ear muffs, and a pair of thick black glasses.
"I take it you had a long first day," Miss Tammy asked.
"Very to chemistry classes and a literature class on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays."
She inhaled deeply then turned and face me. I smiled as she finally acknowledged my presence.
"Im Katie you must be Gabby."
"Yes I am and it's very nice to meet you Katie."