Chiraq XV

chapter 15 – Growth & Development

The gym echoed with cheers as Big Shorty finished the final drill. Coach blew the whistle, dismissing the players, and the stands began to empty—except for one person who remained frozen in place.

Lucinda.

She stood on the bleachers with a starry‑eyed smile, her red top bright under the gym lights. Big Shorty caught her glance, and for a second, the noise around him blurred into nothing. He looked away quickly, trying not to let the smile forming on his face get too obvious.

Moody noticed it all.

“What’s up, playa? You and Lucinda were over there eye‑lockin’ pretty hard,” he teased as they walked toward the locker room.

Big Shorty didn’t answer, but the warmth in his cheeks said enough. He tossed his gym shorts into his locker and lifted his shirt to show the tattoo on his side. A couple of teammates noticed and commented loudly, slamming locker doors as they gathered around.

Before he could respond, Big Shorty noticed someone staring at him through the mirror. The guy was tall, muscular, and rocking shoulder‑length braids. A small crowd formed behind him.

Moody stepped beside Big Shorty.

The tension thickened fast.

“You a tough guy or something?” the braided teammate asked.

Big Shorty stood tall. “I don’t pretend nothing,” he replied calmly.

That’s when Mack and Jesse stepped forward with a few others behind them.

“There a problem?” Mack asked. His tone was cool, but his intentions weren’t.

Moody held out a hand to keep things calm. “Relax, homeboy.”

Big Shorty nudged him. “Nah, Moody. I ain’t scared of nobody.”

Mack stepped forward until the air between them felt electric. Big Shorty inhaled sharply, ready for whatever came next.

“I ain’t never scared,” he said through gritted teeth.

Something in Mack’s expression shifted. Maybe it was the fire in Big Shorty’s eyes, or maybe the confidence in his voice, but Mack hesitated. Finally, he stepped back.

“We’ll see you after school,” Mack muttered before walking away with his crew.

Moody watched them disappear. “That’s twenty or thirty dudes in that rotation,” he warned. “Mack and Capone got pull on the Eastside.”

Big Shorty nodded. He wasn’t afraid—but he wasn’t stupid either.

Moody continued, “But I ain’t lettin’ you stand alone. Come on, I gotta introduce you to Sean and Boo‑G. They got influence. Good people to know.”

They headed toward the cafeteria. Lucinda sat near the back, watching them enter. She stood up just slightly, just enough for Big Shorty to notice.

A memory flashed in his mind—after practice last week, she had rushed up and hugged him without warning. As she pulled away, he gently grabbed her arm.

“What’s your number, sweetheart?” he’d asked with a playful grin.

She wrote it on a small piece of paper, and he tucked it into his pocket.

Now, she quickly fixed her hair and sat down again as he passed by.

Moody found Sean and Boo‑G easily—they were always repping blue and black, sitting right in the middle of the cafeteria. When they saw Moody waving them over, both stood up.

Moody made the introduction. “Sean, Boo‑G, this is Big Shorty.”

They exchanged firm handshakes.

Sean asked, “Where you from?”

“Wild 100’s,” Big Shorty replied. “Eden Green.”

Moody jumped in again. “Your guy got tension with Mack and Capone.”

Boo‑G shook his head. “Don’t even sweat those dudes. We handle our own.”

Sean added, “You ain’t riding that bus anymore. We’ll make sure you get home safe.”

For the first time that day, Big Shorty exhaled. Between Lucinda’s quiet attention and the newfound support he felt around him, he stood a little taller.

He wasn’t just surviving anymore.

He was growing.

Developing.

And he could feel something changing—inside and around him.