Back In The Game

Chapter 19

LaShawn's POV

"So that's it bro?" I asked Zeke. The trap was empty except for us two and Tyrone.

"Yeah. You're finally free bro," He tells me. "Good luck with everything."

"Thanks man. And don't be a stranger." I dap him up and head out. Finally I was out of the game. For the first time in years, I could breathe. And for the first time in my life I knew what to do with myself. I pulled out my cell to call my mom.

"Shawn?"

"Hey mama, how ya doin?"

"I'm good son. What's goin' on?"

"I just called to tell you that I'm leaving in a couple months. I'm finally going to school."

"Son that's great! Where you going boy?" She asked me. This was the part I was afraid to tell her.

"Ma, I'm going to North Carolina. To UNC." I tell her.

"Son, I'm so proud of you! You better not leave this city without sayin goodbye to your momma," She tells me.

"Of course not Ma. Ill be by there." I tell her and end the call. I know that Marie had the same plans but it was literally the only school that would accept me. I didn't think they would, I was just covering all my bases. I don't know how I'm going to explain this to her.

I decided that I should probably start getting myself ready to go.

*3 months later*

"Make sure you call me and tell me how things are," My momma said to me.

"Of course Ma, I'll be back in a couple months to visit though."

"I know, I'll miss you, baby," She said as she hugged me for the last time.

"Ill miss you to," I said and she got into her car and was gone. I was finally here. The campus was huge and I don't know how I'll get around. I am already checked in and assigned to my dorm. I unlocked the door and found my roommate laying on what I assumed to be his bed, on his phone.

"Uhh, sup bruh " I said to him.

"Sup. Im Lijah."

"LaShawn," I told him. Lijah was lightskinned a little shorter than me, seemed pretty chill.

"Uhh, your bed is over there," He said pointing to the other end of the room. The room was a nice size, big enough for me anyway. The bathroom was nearest to my bed and there were two closets, one on his side and one on mine.

"Well, I guess I'll be back," I tell him. I wanted to take another look around campus.

"Iight den bro," He said and I left. When I got outside, the autumn air was very calming. I walked towards the gym and sat on the bench that sat right outside of the door. I saw a couple girls coming towards the building but they didn't look like they were coming to work out.

"Makayla imma meet you inside," One girl said to the other. As Makayla went inside, the other girl sat right next to me, too close actually.

"Wuss ya name?" She asked me.

"LaShawn."

"I'm Chasity," She told me scooting even closer.

"Nice to meet you..." I said getting uncomfortable.

"So whatchu doin out here by yourself?" She asked me.

"Just looking around I guess. I was just about to leave," I say, standing.

"Okay, well you just call me if you need any company." She says and takes out a pen to write her number on my hand.

" Thanks," I say, knowing I will never use the number. Marie is still the only thing on my mind. I make my way back to my room, hoping not to run into anybody else. The courtyards were pretty empty so I was good.