Facing Giants and Fears
Jackson turned his gaze away from the field and hurried to the water station. As he arrived, he found Sarah waiting with a clipboard in hand. She looked gorgeous, and her sunny smile and amiable demeanor sent jitters through his stomach.
"Hey, Jackson!" Sarah greeted him enthusiastically, offering him a bottle of water. "How was your session with Coach Reynolds?"
Jackson suppressed his jitters and smiled as he accepted the bottle. "I guess it was good. Not as demanding as I thought."
Sarah chuckled, her laughter light and contagious. "I'm glad you found it easy, but don't get too comfortable. The training will get intense as the season approaches, especially since Coach Reynolds seems to have taken a special interest in you."
Jackson nodded, sipping his water. "I'm ready to work hard, no matter what."
"That's the spirit!" Sarah beamed. "The season starts on Friday, August 31st, but before that, we have a Preseason Scrimmage Game on Saturday, August 19th. That's just about ten days away. To make the team for that game, you must give it your all during the upcoming training sessions."
Jackson nodded, feeling a surge of determination. "I'll do my best."
Before he could say more, a shadow loomed over him. Jackson turned to see a towering figure, a player he had noticed earlier training with the offensive team. The figure smiled as he received water from Sarah, then turned to Jackson.
"Hey, you must be Jackson, the new guy with the impressive 40-yard dash time," the player said, extending a massive hand. "I'm Ryan Martinez, but everyone calls me Rhino. I'm a junior and an offensive lineman."
Jackson gulped and took the hand, feeling the strength in Rhino's grip. His first impression of Rhino was that of a giant. Standing at an imposing 6'4" and weighing about 290 pounds, Rhino had broad shoulders and a thick, robust frame.
His arms were like tree trunks bulging with muscle, and his legs were equally robust, hinting at the strength they possessed. Rhino's thick neck supported a strong jawline, adding to his intimidating appearance.
Jackson couldn't help but shudder at the Goliath before him, doubting his decision to join the football team if he had to face off against giants like this in the future. Would he really be able to tackle or block them?
Sarah, catching onto his apprehension, quickly cut in. "Rhino, don't scare him!" She then turned to Jackson with a smile. "Despite how he looks, Rhino's actually quite kind. You can go to him if you need football advice."
Rhino chuckled, his demeanor contrasting significantly with his intimidating appearance. "Don't worry, Jackson. We're all a team here. If you need any help, you can find me."
Jackson nodded, his apprehension melting away. "Thanks, Rhino."
Rhino chugged down his water and then chatted with Jackson, occasionally encouraging him to work hard on the team. Eventually, as they were talking, they heard the whistle, signifying that all the groups had finished their respective drills and that it was time for another item on the training agenda.
They jogged back to the pitch, where Mike Wallace, the part-time strength and conditioning coach, admonished them for resting before the cool-down session. They apologized like good students, and the coach shook his head and told them to join the rest.
"Alright, everyone, gather in the center of the field!" Coach Wallace called out. "We're going to start our cool-down session. Static stretching and breathing exercises are crucial to prevent injuries and aid recovery. They help stretch the muscles and reduce the tension we accumulate during the drills. Remember, as football players, you must stay flexible and maintain your fitness throughout the season."
The team followed Coach Wallace's lead, stretching their muscles and focusing on regulating their breathing. Jackson felt his muscles relax, the tension easing away as he followed the exercises. Then, later, after the cool-down session, Coach Harris gathered everyone for a team talk.
"Great job today, everyone," Coach Harris began. "I once again saw a lot of effort out there, and that's what we need. As I already said, our goal is to not just make it to the Regional Quarterfinals again but to go further. We have a preseason scrimmage game on August 19th, just ten days away. Use the time we have to prepare and improve. Remember, hard work and dedication are key. I expect everyone to give it their all during practice and in games."
He paused, letting his words sink in. "Finally, before we wrap up, we must handle some logistics. Everyone must acquire parental or guardian consent before continuing training with the team and playing in official matches. Sarah will distribute the consent forms as you leave. Make sure to get them signed to avoid any delays."
Jackson's heart sank as he heard the coach's words. He hadn't planned on telling his mom about his football aspirations. She had always commented on how dangerous football was every time they watched the Super Bowl or any other football game at home.
His mind was a mess as he half-listened to the rest of Coach Harris' address. Finally, the team talk ended, and the players left the field, chattering among themselves. Jackson remained quiet, lost in his worries.
He headed to the locker room, where he changed out of his football gear. The school had a system in place to collect and register the gear. Each player handed their equipment to Sarah, who checked it off a list and ensured everything was accounted for.
After gathering Jackson's gear, Sarah flashed him a warm smile and handed him an envelope containing the parental/guardian consent form. She kindly reminded him of the urgency of getting the necessary signatures if he wanted to be fully integrated into the team and enjoy the perks of being an official team member, like getting his official locker.
Jackson forced a smile and nodded before walking away from the field. As he left, he heard the distant cheers of the soccer team practicing nearby and the rhythmic thud of basketballs from the gym. The cool breeze carried the scent of freshly cut grass, and the sun was dipping towards the horizon, casting long shadows across the field. Despite the pleasant surroundings, a knot of worry remained tightened in his stomach.
As he was walking, Liam suddenly fell into step beside him. They walked together towards the gate, the silence stretching until Liam broke it.
"So, how was training?" Liam asked.
"It was easier than I expected," Jackson replied, trying to sound more enthusiastic. "I had a good session under Coach Reynolds."
Liam nodded, then glanced at Jackson. "If it went well, why do you look so down?"
Jackson sighed. "It's this parental consent form. I'm worried my mom might tell me to stop training with the team."
Liam nodded understandingly. "Yeah, that could be a bummer! You can't play serious football games without a guardian's consent. But don't worry too much. Just be honest with your mom. Tell her how much you love football and what it means to you. She might be worried about your grades, but if you promise to keep them up, she should understand."
Jackson nodded, appreciating Liam's advice. "Thanks, Liam. I'll try."
Liam smiled, clapping Jackson on the shoulder. "No problem. Just remember, we're all here to help each other out. You're part of the team now."
Despite Liam's reassurances, Jackson couldn't shake his worries. There were things he couldn't explain to his mom, like how he no longer needed his spectacles and how his body had grown more robust because of the Solar Heartstone and cultivating the Eternal Radiance Scripture. These were secrets he had to keep, making the already challenging task of convincing his mom even more daunting.
As they reached the gate, Jackson turned to Liam with a grateful smile. "Thanks again, Liam. See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow, Jackson. Hang in there," Liam replied with a friendly wave before heading in the opposite direction.
Jackson watched Liam go, feeling a mixture of apprehension and determination. With a deep breath, he began to race towards home, his mind already planning the evening ahead. He intended to catch up on his homework and then muster the courage to talk to his mom about his football aspirations.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone