The hallways cleared out as the first bell rang, and I made my way to my first period. It was Art, and thankfully, I had a window seat that allowed me to zone out a bit. The teacher, Mrs. Laura Bennet, went through the usual introductions that all the teachers had done, I was able to tune it out by now. Thankfully, she didn't have us do anything, just passed us the list of supplies we needed. For the remainder of class, my mind kept drifting back to the previous day's events and a lingering feeling of unease.

For the rest of my classes, I was able to simply sit in a corner, not having to interact with any of the students or teachers. It was looking to be a simple day until I went to study hall and had to deal with Mrs. Dorothy once again.

I took my usual seat in the back corner, hoping to avoid her attention. But as soon as I sat down, Mrs. Dorothy called my name. "Marvin, can you come here for a moment?"

Reluctantly, I stood up and walked to her desk. "Yes, ma'am?"

She looked at me with a concerned expression. "I noticed you seemed a bit distracted yesterday. Is everything alright?"

"Yes, ma'am. Just getting used to everything," I replied, trying to keep my response short.

"Alright. If you ever need to talk or need any help, just let me know," she said kindly.

"Thank you," I mumbled before returning to my seat.

The rest of the period passed without incident, and I was relieved when the bell finally rang. I headed to lunch, finding a quiet spot at the edge of the cafeteria to eat alone. I preferred it that way, away from the noise and chatter of everyone else.

As I sat there, eating my sandwich, I saw Caleb and Adam walking towards me. 'Great,' I thought, 'Just what I needed.'

"Hey, Marvin!" Caleb said cheerfully, plopping down across from me. "Mind if we join you?"

"Sure," I replied, not wanting to be rude.

Adam sat down next to Caleb, giving me a nod. "How's it going?"

"Alright," I said, taking a bite of my sandwich.

Caleb launched into a story about something funny that happened in one of his classes, and I tried to listen, even though my mind kept drifting. Adam was more reserved, occasionally adding a comment or laughing at Caleb's story. I appreciated that they were making an effort to include me, even if I wasn't the best company.

After lunch, the rest of the day passed in a blur. Classes, brief conversations, and the constant background noise of high school life. By the time the final bell rang, I was exhausted. I made my way to the locker room for lifting maxes, I've never lifted before, but the physical exertion would more than likely be the same as yesterday's practice, if not worse.

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The weight room buzzed with energy as the team gathered, the clank of metal and the grunts of effort filling the air. Coach Samson stood at the front, clipboard in hand, looking both authoritative and encouraging.

"Alright, team," he announced, "Today's the day we test our maxes. We'll start with some lighter weights and work our way up. Remember to push yourselves, but keep safety in mind."

I stood with Caleb and Adam, my nerves on edge, 'what if I dropped the bar or if I couldn't lift the weight'. I picked up the bar the weight felt intimidating, but I was determined to give it my best shot. Coach Samson was watching over us, I guess Joel told him to keep an eye on me, but that's just unnecessary attention.

"Caleb, you're up first," Coach Samson said.

Caleb, approached the bench, being a tight end and a sophomore, he had a more solid build than I did. He loaded the bar with 45 pounds on each, lifting a total of 135 pounds, since the bar was 45 pounds . Adam stood behind Caleb, he was ready to help Caleb lift the bar if he got stuck mid-lift.

I simply watched as Caleb lay on the bench, he took a deep breath and pushed the bar up with a smooth, controlled motion. The bar hovered above his chest before he pressed it back up. He completed the lift with ease.

"Nice job, Caleb!" Coach Samson said, taking note of the weight on his clipboard. "Adam, you're next."

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Adam had a leaner build than Caleb but his muscle definition was still better than mine. He approached the bench with 95 pounds on each side of the bar, Caleb was behind him to help lift if he began to struggle. He got into position, his face set in concentration. He lowered the bar to his chest, then pushed it back up with considerable effort. The lift was clean, and he looked satisfied.

"Great lift, Adam!" Coach Samson said. "Marvin, your turn."

I walked up to the bench, feeling the eyes of the team on me. I didn't add any plates to the bar, leaving it at 45 pounds. Despite there being no weight, my arms were feeling heavy as I gripped the bar, but I reminded myself to focus on my form. I lowered the bar to my chest, my arms shaking slightly, before pressing it back up. I managed to complete the lift, though it was far tougher than I anticipated.

"Nice job, Marvin!" Coach Samson encouraged. "Let's move up to 95 pounds now, I think you've got way more in you."

We loaded the bar with 70 pounds added on each side for the next round, a total of 185 pounds. I figured it would be faster for the heavier lifts to be done first. He took a deep breath and attempted the lift. His face contorted in effort as he strained to push the bar up. The lift was difficult, and he needed Adam to help him rack the bar.

Adam took his place, the bar now loaded with 45 pounds and 45 pounds on each side, totaling 135 pounds. He struggled significantly, his face reddening as he pushed through the lift. The bar wobbled, and he needed a spotter's help to complete it.

I took my turn with 95 pounds. The lift was far more challenging than the last, I lowered the bar carefully to my chest, my arms trembling slightly. I pushed it back up with all my strength, completing the lift with a deep breath of relief

"Great work, everyone," Coach Samson said, leading us to the next weight. "You see you got more in you Marvin, now you guys get ready to start on your next lifts"

"Great job, Marvin!" Caleb shouted. "This your new PR?"

"Yeah," I said, feeling a mix of exhaustion and accomplishment, I hadn't done many repetitions but the weight still caused significant strain on my arms. "Thanks."

The weight room was now getting busy with other athletes starting their sessions. Coach Samson gathered us together at the end of the session. "Alright, we're going to move on to squats and deadlifts. We'll need to call me in for final maxes."

Coach Samson had us start with lighter weights. Caleb went first with 185 pounds, he added 140 pounds to each side of the bar. 'Insane' Looking at the amount of weight on the bar, I couldn't comprehend having to lift that. Caleb performed the squats with controlled precision, his form strong as he completed several reps.

Adam followed with 145 pounds on the bar, lifting it with noticeable effort but managing several reps successfully.

I took my turn with 65 pounds. I lowered myself into the squat, feeling the strain but managing to complete the lift. I was no where near these other two, my body was not strong enough yet.

"Alright looking good!" Coach Samson said. "Now let's move up. Caleb, you're up with 225 pounds, it's a couple pounds heavier than your old max."

Caleb approached the squat rack, loaded with 225 pounds. He took a deep breath and squatted down, his muscles straining. He managed to complete the lift with considerable effort, needing some help to rack the bar

"Excellent lift, Caleb!" Coach Samson praised. "Adam, your turn with 185 pounds."

Adam loaded the bar to 185 pounds. He struggled significantly, his face turning red as he pushed through the lift. It was a tough lift, and he needed assistance to finish.

"Great job, Adam!" Coach Samson encouraged. "Marvin, your turn you try 95 pounds."

The room was crowded with athletes lifting and chatting. I approached the squat rack, adding plates until the weight reached 95 pounds. My legs felt shaky, but I positioned myself under the bar and took a deep breath. I squatted down, feeling the weight pressing against me. It was a struggle, I thought I was gonna collapse as I went down but somehow I managed to complete the lift.

"Great job, Marvin!" Caleb said, clapping me on the back. "That's a solid effort."

"Thanks," I replied, feeling a mix of relief and pride.

We moved to the deadlift area. Caleb approached the bar, loading it with 135 pounds. He gripped the bar, his back straight, and lifted it with a powerful jerk. The weight rose smoothly, and he set it down with a satisfied grin.

"Nice lift, Caleb!" Coach Samson cheered. "Adam, your turn."

Adam added more plates, bringing the bar to 225 pounds. 'I guess he's not going to waste time warming up' He focused intensely, gripping the bar tightly. With a powerful pull, he lifted the weight off the ground, his muscles straining, all the blood rushing to his face. He completed the lift.

"Awesome job, Adam!" Coach Samson said. "Marvin, your turn."

I approached the deadlift bar, reducing the amount of plates until it reached 115 pounds. I figured that this would be lift that I could excel in since I could use my entire body.

My hands gripped the cold steel, and I took a deep breath. The weight felt heavy, but I focused on my form. I pulled the bar up, my muscles straining as I completed the lift.

"Great job, Marvin!" Coach Samson said. "You did well today."

Seeing us completing our maxes on the first lift Caleb loaded the bar with 295 pounds and approached it confidently. He struggled to lift the bar, his muscles straining as he managed to complete the lift with considerable effort and a spotter's help to make sure he didn't fall backward.

After the session, we took some time to cool down and stretch. The camaraderie in the weight room was palpable, and despite the soreness and fatigue, I was able to relate to how the other guys felt. 'I guess struggle does build strength' I watched as people talked to one another about their growth or how they barely lifted their weights.

Back in the locker room, I was changing when Caleb approached me. "Hey, man, you did great today. Those were solid lifts for a freshman."

"Yeah, you crushed it," Adam added, nodding in approval.

"You guys were great as well" Not complimenting them after they complimented me would be too weird and they did deserve this, they had some of the highest lift among the offense, excluding the lineman that is.