*a couple months before*
Not gonna lie I'm kinda nervous. I start a school today. I got kicked out of the 4-year college I was going to because I wasn't doing much of anything that didn't have anything to do with a blunt. Mom said I had to find something at home so I chose to go to tech. I'm not sure how this is gonna pan out though. I'm taking up welding because my uncle does it and he makes great monies. Need me a lil' coin a lil' piece of change.
Walking into the building, it stinks first off. Smells like straight metal. I wonder if there's going to be any other girls here. I hope so. I don't wanna be around a bunch of niggas. They be mad thirsty and I don't have time for that. "Ahh geez" I hough walking into the classroom with all eyes on me. I don't see any females in here.
I take a seat towards the back and sit up straight in my chair. I pull out my phone and scroll through social media just to have something to do while the rest of the students pile in. Seems like a lot of people know each other here. Everybody's conversing and I'm just sitting over here by myself. Which is fine. I'm not one to be in groups anyway. "GOOD MORNING GOOD MORNING! I'm Mr. Moore." A tall slim white man comes bolting in. He looks just like my grandad only he's the white version.
I look up from my phone to meet his gaze. He smiles sweetly and briefly introduces himself before taking role.
...
"Alright I'm gonna start off by saying if you don't like to be hot, scared of getting burnt, or busted up then this isn't the class for you and I'm ok with you leaving," Mr. Moore smiles. I don't know if he's tryna make people nervous but I'm not one to shy away from challenges. "Alright then. So we are gonna be working in a lot of heat. Gon' be welding up sum 1/8 inch plates with some 6010 rods to start with. Gon' be 1/8th. Pretty soon y'all gon' know how to weld up open butts, read and make prints, and cut up sum metal. Need to make sure y'all have tools and ppe. When we step in that lab yall have to be ready to get in there and weld. Time in this class goes by quick."
...
As he speaking his words kinda drown out. It's like I understand the regular words buh I have no fucking clue what a damn rod is and people are in here nodding they heads as if they know. I think I'm in the wrong class already I'm about to get outta this.
*text message*
Julie: mom I think I needa get outta here
mom: Why what's wrong?
Julie: they in here talkin bout 1/8th plates and 6010 rods like sb supposed to know wah tht is I think imma just find sum else to do here
mom: Julie, it's the first day baby:|. just give it a try.
Julie: ok mom I'll try. buh no promises
...
After class broke for lunch I waited for everybody to leave before walking up to Mr. Moore. "Umm excuse me", I softly say. "Not gonna lie to you I have no idea what it is that you were talking about today but I want to stay. I'm kinda nervous about all of this so could you please stay on me. I would like to give it a genuine shot instead of quitting like I had been contemplating," I smile.
I really was gonna walk out of here but I do need to give it a shot. I have limited choices as of right now and now's not the time to be giving up because I'm scared of a couple terms I've never heard before.
"Yes absolutely. I'll make sure you get it. Anything you need let me know. What's your name hun?" Moore smiles. He seems excited that I came to him honestly. I'm sure he has a lot of females quit his class all the time just from that introduction speech he gave alone. "My name's Julie, Julie Cameron."