Small Steps Characters

Theodore "Armpit" Johnson

Theodore, nicknamed Armpit at Camp Green Lake Juvenile Correctional Facility, is the protagonist of Small Steps. He has recently returned to his hometown of Austin, Texas after serving time at Camp Green Lake after an altercation in a movie theater. He is a tall African-American young adult with a broad build. His goal is to take small steps towards bettering himself and avoiding recidivism.

Ginny

Ginny is Armpit's white 10-year-old neighbor and unlikely friend. She lives across the way from Armpit with her mother and takes walks with Armpit regularly. Spending time with Ginny has softened Armpit, and going on regular walks with Armpit helps Ginny's mobility. In different ways, they're taking small steps together.

Rex Alvin Washburn / X-Ray

X-Ray is Armpit's friend from Camp Green Lake. He was booked because he was selling regular herbs to unknowing customers who thought they were buying marijuana. X-Ray believes himself to be Armpit's best friend, and he also enlists Armpit as a partner in a scheme to sell fake tickets to the Kaira DeLeon concert.

Cherry Lane

Cherry Lane is the mayor of Austin, Texas. Armpit's father regards her as being a "tree hugger" who's more invested in efforts such as nature conservation that only matter to those living in the white part of Austin. Cherry Lane witnesses the arrest of Armpit, and spearheads the search for the scalper who sold Armpit fake tickets to the Kaira DeLeon concert.

Kiara DeLeon

Kathy Spears, stage name Kaira DeLeon, is a 17-year-old African American pop star whose tour makes a last-minute stop in Austin Texas. Kaira has no one to talk to and is controlled by her business manager El Genius who is also married to her mother. At her concert, Armpit faces brute force from police officers when they learn he has fake tickets. After this, Kaira befriends Armpit and Ginny.

Jerome Paisley / El Genius

Jerome Paisley, aka El Genius, is Kaira DeLeon's business manager and agent. She feels that he's controlling every aspect of her life, from marrying her mom, to cheating on her mom with her tour travel coordinator. El Genius also belittles Kaira when she tries to ask for access to her money.

Fred

Fred is Kaira's bodyguard who is El Genius's hire and is always dressed very expensively. Kaira plans to fire Fred as soon as she turns 18.

Tatiana

Tatiana is Armpit's crush from his speech class. She isn't traditionally pretty but she's quirky and always smiles at Armpit. Originally she's supposed to go to the Kaira DeLeon concert with Armpit, but cancels at the last minute, citing a family obligation. She's teased heavily by her friends for liking Armpit because they find him to be a violent criminal.

Detective Debbie Newberg

The pretty detective assigned to the scalping case. She is trying to find out who sold Armpit counterfeit tickets.

Jack Dunlevy

Armpit's boss, owner of Raincreek Landscaping and Irrigation.

Aileen

Kaira's tour travel coordinator, Aileen is romantically involved with Jerome, aka El Genius. She is using Jerome to help embezzle almost three million dollars from Kaira's trust fund.

Felix

Felix is a known scalper that Armpit and X-Ray meet in the line at Lonestar Arena buying Kaira DeLeon tickets. His business partner is Moses. He threatens Armpit for Kaira DeLeon's letter.

Moses

Moses in another known scalper that Armpit and X-Ray meet in the line at Lonestar Arena buying Kaira DeLeon tickets. Moses wears a baseball hat and is physically intimidating. His business partner is Felix.