It's Nothing

Prologue

I knew that I had put on weight. I wasn't training how I normally did during the school year, so some weight gain was inevitable. I thought I was okay with my body and my performance, but when I went to talk to Coach Phillips after our first practice of the school year, he flat out told me "You need to drop weight if you want to get scouted next year."

His words played through my mind for the rest of the day. Had my weight gain been that significant? Some part of me wanted to believe that it wasn't noticeable and that I was hiding it well. However, he proved me wrong. I ate dinner in silence as my family discussed Dylan's, my perfect twin brother, upcoming basketball game.

"So I'm going to get out of work early, and your mother and Jacks will meet me there," My dad announced. I huffed in annoyance at the fact that my father assumed that I would be going. My dad shot a glare at me and cleared his throat before speaking again. "Do you have a problem with that plan, Jackson?" He questioned in a stern voice.

"No, sir," I answered quickly looking down at my plate. I had eaten almost everything without thinking about it. "I was just hoping that I could skip the game," I said avoiding eye contact. "Coach Phillips says that I should get in some extra training."

"I don't mind," Dylan spoke up breaking the growing tension.

"I guess that works."

With that, I was out of the conversation. The rest of the night was spent talking about Dylan's training and how UCLA already has eyes on him this season. It was exciting, sure, but all I could think about were Coach Phillips's words.

"You need to drop weight."

How was I supposed to get scouted if I was carrying this extra weight with me? All I needed to do was intensify my training. That would get the weight off in no time. At least, I was hoping it would.

"You need to drop weight."

After dinner, I found myself staring at myself in the mirror. I could see the extra weight that I had put on, and at that moment I had decided that I wanted it off as fast as possible. By that point, I only had one thought on my mind.

I need to drop weight.