After school on Monday, Ty was with JJ once again at the gym, following JJ’s chest routine. When Ty started this journey, he hadn’t even imagined it’d lead to him spending an entire day training nothing but his chest.

He racked his barbell and sat up from the inclined bench before swapping places with JJ. As Ty took his position as spotter he rubbed his pecs. He looked in the mirror.

“You’ll have to change your diet for VISUAL development with your body.” JJ’s words echoed through his head.

It was easier said than done, it’s not like Ty had much of a choice in what was on offer at home.

But even if he couldn’t see much change in himself, he could feel it, and he saw it in the results. He was already lifting heavier weights than when he started, and for longer too. He still felt sore for a bit afterwards, but JJ told him that was the sweet spot; it meant you were pushing yourself to grow stronger.

Still, he wasn’t anywhere close to JJ’s level yet, and he didn’t think he’d ever reach that point. Not like that was the goal—he needed to be stronger, not switch positions entirely.

The weights clanged loudly as JJ set the bar back onto the rack and sat up. ‘Good set, hermano. Let’s have a break.’

Ty nodded and picked up his water bottle, his body thankful for the rest and refreshments. JJ wiped the bnech down with his towel before getting his own drink.

‘I don’t think I’ve said thank you enough for helping me out here, I’d be lost otherwise,’ Ty said.

‘Hm? Hey, don’t mention it, what else would I be good for if I didn’t help mis hermanitos?’

‘Yeah, but, you’re always helping someone. I rarely see it the other way around, and it’s not like the others are as eager to help as you.’

‘Eh, I’m sure they do in their own way, and hey, you guys have helped me plenty too.’

‘Yeah but, why are you so focused on helping everyone else? Don’t you want to focus on yourself sometimes?’

JJ sat back down. ‘When you say it like that you make it sound like they can’t both be happening at the same time. What do you think is going on here? Yeah, I’m helping you, but I’m still getting my workout in too.’

‘Maybe, but I’m holding you back, aren’t I?’

‘I wouldn’t put it like that, having someone with me motivates me. It pushes me to work harder, so don’t worry about it. … What’s got you thinking about this anyway?’

‘It’s just … I don’t know, you’re always so close to everyone. Sometimes during practice, it’s like you’re another coach.’

JJ laughed. ‘Is that a bad thing?’

‘Not really, but I can’t see how looking out for everyone else doesn’t take away from your own growth.’

JJ shook his head. ‘I think it’s the opposite. We’ve got different roles, you and I, Tyrese. Even outside of our positions. You’re young, just a freshman, it’s your first season with the team. I, on the other hand, am in my last. As a captain of the team, it’s my responsibility to help guide and nurture the next generation so they’re ready to take over when I and the other seniors are gone.’

‘Ugh, don’t remind me of that shit… it’s bad enough now some of the time, I don’t want to think about what the team’s going to look like next season.’

JJ laughed again, slapping Ty on the shoulder. ‘Come on, don’t be so hard on your teammates. And don’t worry about that too much, I’ve seen dozens of people come and go throughout my time on the team, but there has always been someone else ready to step up and fill in their shoes, someone like you.’

Ty looked away. ‘…I can’t fill in for you.’

‘Mm. That’s a big responsibility for a sophomore, but, a year is a long time, I think you’ll be ready by then. Besides, it’s not like you’ll have to play my position Haha, no, I think … Donte might do that. It’ll be his junior year next season, that’s a pretty good time to have a captain’s badge. And he’s a good kid, one of those quiet leaders, like Jay—his game sets the example.’

Ty couldn’t recall ever speaking with Donte, but from what he’d seen during practice, he was as humble and carefree as they came, but when it was game time, he was a ferocious beast you wouldn’t want to get in the way of. As good of an OLB that they could ask for.

‘But you shouldn’t let it worry you, we’re not leaving tomorrow, we’ve still got plenty of the season left, then Regionals to worry about after that. And from there, we’ll see how far we can take it.’

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

‘Nationals. I promise.’

JJ grinned. ‘And I believe you, hermano. We’ll all go to Nationals together, and winning it will be the perfect send-off, and the perfect start to your career with the Dons.’ JJ took Ty’s hand firmly.

Ty was confused but didn’t pull away.

‘And when I hand you that national trophy, it’ll be the perfect moment to represent the Dons becoming YOUR team. I know I said not to worry, but that’s also because I know you’ll be ready, and if I’m honest with you, even now it kinda feels like this is your team. Hah, you’re already the best player, even I can see that.’

‘But I’m not… I’m not a leader, I can’t help and support everyone like you do, I don't even WANT to do that.’ Ty gritted his teeth and pulled away from JJ’s grasp. ‘I don’t care about nurturing others, I need to keep getting better.’

JJ looked at him sternly. ‘If that’s how you really feel, then that’s fine, you can lead by example. But I think you’re lying, not to me, but to yourself. I’ve seen you, you care about others, and whilst you might not use the friendliest words when talking to your teammates, you care about seeing them get better, you just prefer to use tough love.’ JJ chuckled but Ty wasn’t laughing.

‘That’s not—’

‘It is true. I’m not lying to you, I never lie to mi familia. You want everyone to be better, you just want them to be as good as you right away, that’s your problem.’

‘I don’t… Hmm.’ Ty looked away again.

‘Look, everything’s going to be okay. Everyone’s doing their best to get as strong as they can for the next game, every week we all work together so we can come out of the next game as winners. Everyone, you, me, the coaches, even slackers like Jay, he cares too, there’s a reason he’s a captain too and it’s not just ‘cause he’s the QB. And that’s not going to change next season.’

‘Yeah but, the team’s still going to be worse without you.’

‘And you’re going to be stronger, so will everyone who remains, and who knows if you get another superstar rookie to join the ranks, huh? One that makes me and the rest of the seniors look like chumps in comparison. Remind you of anyone.’ He nudged Ty. ‘But we’re getting ahead of ourselves, thinking about next year.’

‘Right, we need to worry about getting revenge on the Bears and Vikings first.’

‘Hahaha, no, we need to focus on the game this weekend. Always look at what’s right in front of you.’

‘Ugh, you sound like Coach Hoang.’

‘I’ll take that as a compliment.’

‘I’m not overlooking them … they’re obstacles to be destroyed on the path of revenge.’

‘Hahaha, oh man, you’re a character, Ty. You should let the other guys see you like this, instead of always picking fights with them, then I bet they’d be your friends too.’

‘I’m being serious!’ Ty watched with embarrassed confusion as JJ laughed more, doubling over as he clutched his stomach.

‘I know! That’s what makes it funnier.’ JJ struggled to get his laughter under control once it had started. Though once he was back on his feet he cleared his throat. ‘Anyway, I think that’s enough of a break … and we’re supposed to be doing chest today, not abs,’ he said with a cheesy grin. ‘Let’s get back to work.’

‘Uhh, yeah, sorry.’ Ty's brow furrowed in thought as he followed after JJ, his mind racing. JJ had called him a friend. Despite their working out together, it hadn’t occurred to him that they were friends.

Then, JJ had said that the others on the team didn’t see Ty as a friend though. Ty frowned, but shook the thought from his head. He didn’t need friends, it didn’t change anything. Friends or teammates, there wasn’t any difference.

The pair continued their workout for another hour, though just before it started getting dark outside, JJ called an end to their session. They made their way outside, to JJ’s car, and where Ty had left his bike.

JJ stared down at the bike and let out a frustrated grumble. ‘Ah, I should really see about getting a truck from work so I can fit your bike in the bed.’

‘Or I could stop riding my bike to school. Anyways, I’ll just ride back home, it’s not that bad when we’re not doing legs.’

‘Hah, I guess you’re right. I’ll see you at school, and remember to eat something good when you get home, lots of protein.’

‘Yeah, yeah I’ll remember.’

JJ got into his car, rolling the window down. ‘And don’t forget the stuff I told you today, I want you to think about it, I know you’ll make a great captain one day.’

‘Uhh, right, I will. See ya.’ Ty waved as JJ peeled out of the car park. Ty climbed onto his bike once JJ had driven out of view. He’d have plenty to think about on the ride home.

“Me, a captain…”

He thought back to his days playing football in middle school, or even further back to Pee Wee Football. Yes, he was always the best on the field, but that didn’t make him a captain. Maybe he had been in middle school, but one in name only.

He couldn’t recall ever giving any speeches before the game or during half time, he never uplifted his teammates or inspired them with anything other than his prowess. He couldn’t even remember their names or faces; he didn’t have a single friend from any of his previous teams.

But, his teams had never needed a rousing speech or a flame to ignite the spark of a comeback. They’d never struggled before. HE had never struggled before high school.

Not only did he never lose in middle school, but the games had rarely been close. He would’ve been able to count the amount of times the final margin was within single digits on his fingers.

He didn’t need to say anything, he let his game do the talking for him, and his team fell in line behind him, or he dragged them across the finish line singlehandedly.

But, high school was different. Could he even replicate the type of leadership he’d seen JJ present? It seemed like an impossible task. He couldn’t just parrot the words he’d heard, each situation was different and needed a unique approach. And they’d know he wasn’t being genuine.

But why wouldn’t those words feel genuine from him?

He sped through the streets, the wind whipping his face as he raced the sun to see if it’d reach the horizon, or if he’d reach home first.

The other pressing concern he had was that he wasn’t strong enough to carry a team to victory by himself anymore, not at this level of competition.

He bared his teeth. “Not yet. But I will be.”