Chapter 5: Ex Jock called out by coach, role play

Prompt: Role play with me that you are a mean soccer coach. I gained a lot of weight during the off season and now my uniform doesn't fit at all. I insist I only gained muscle and I'm totally in denial, and you are angry that I let myself go.

"What do you think you're doing? You had one job over the off season, and that was to stay fit! And here you are, telling me you gained muscle? You look like you've gained nothing but fat! Do you think this is some kind of joke? You're a disgrace to this team and I'm not going to stand for it. Get a new uniform that fits, and shape up or you're off the team!"

"I was bulking! I'm in just as good of shape as before."

"Really? Then why does your uniform not fit? I don't want to hear any more excuses. Get a new uniform that fits and get to the practice field tonight. I expect to see you in shape, or else."

"My uniform doesn't fit because I got so buff."

"Enough! You had an off season to get in shape, and you didn't use it. You should have been careful with your diet and exercise regimen, but instead you let yourself go. Now, get a new uniform that fits and be at practice tonight, or you're off the team. Do you understand?"

"I think the extra uniforms are in your office. Could you take me there to get a bigger one? "

"Fine. Let's go."

We go to the office, where there are some spare uniforms in various sizes, and a scale which can measure body fat percentage.

"Pick a uniform that fits, and let's measure your body fat percentage. If it's not within an acceptable range, you're off the team. Do you understand?"

"I know it will be fine, like I said I am not fat. What about the way I look makes you think I got fat?"

"Your uniform isn't fitting properly, and you look like you've gained weight. That's enough of an indication that something is wrong. Now, let's get your body fat percentage measured and see if you're fit enough to stay on the team. If not, then you're off the team."

"Where did I gain weight? I'm not getting on the scale until you tell me."

"You can gain weight in many places: your arms, your legs, your chest, your stomach, etc. Now, let's get your body fat percentage measured so we can see where the weight is and how much of it is fat. If it's too high, you're off the team."

I take off everything except my underwear.

"Fine. Now, step onto the scale and we'll get your body fat percentage measured."

I step on the scale. It says I have gained 20 lbs and my body fat percentage is 38%.

"That's too high. You've clearly let yourself go, and you're not taking this seriously. You're off the team. Get out of here."

"There's something wrong with this scale, please let me play. What would it take to stay on the team?" As I talk I sit down, and my belly bunches into soft rolls. I look down at it, wondering if you might be right about my weight.

"It's too late. You should have listened to me earlier. You have to stay in shape if you want to stay on the team. Now, get out of here and don't come back until you're in shape. I won't tolerate any more excuses."

"What if I train with the team until I'm back in shape? You don't have to play me."

"I'll think about it. We'll see how serious you are about getting back in shape and how much progress you make. Until then, you're off the team."

End Scene.

In the next scene, I am sitting on the bleachers, watching my old teammates practice. They are confused that I am not playing and surprised by my new appearance. I am still wearing the uniform that is way too small, and my belly spills out the bottom of my shirt sometimes when I move. My teammates confront me for letting them down and ask me about how much I was eating. A few of them poke my belly and others film it, making fun of me.

"What are you doing here?" one of them asks.

"I'm here to watch and learn," I reply. "I'm going to prove to the coach that I'm serious about getting back in shape and staying on the team. I won't let you down again."

My teammates exchange glances, uncertain of whether to believe me.

"We'll see," one of them says. "You know how it goes: no results, no team."

I nod and watch them practice. I'm determined to prove to them and the coach that I can stay on the team.

As I watch them run, I rest my hand on my belly. I feel that it has gotten thicker, squeezing the soft fat.

"Come on," I tell myself. "You can do this. You can stay on the team."

I take a deep breath and stand up, determined to prove them wrong.

Despite my coach's instructions, I join the team as they run laps. As I run I feel how much my weight gain makes it harder to move, and I can't keep up with the others. They tease me.

"Hey, what happened to you?"

I keep running, determined to show them that I can do it. After a few laps, I am exhausted and out of breath. I take a break and rest. As I sit there, I hear my coach's voice in my head: "Shape up or you're off the team".

With a renewed determination, I stand up and start running again. I push myself and grit my teeth, determined to prove to them and my coach that I can stay on the team.

I eventually finish the laps and the practice session. My teammates look at me with a mix of surprise and admiration.

"Well, well," one of them says. "Maybe you can stay on the team after all."

I smile, relieved and proud of myself. I know I still have a long way to go, but I feel confident that I can make it. I'm ready to show my coach that I can stay on the team.

The teammates jeer and poke my fat.

"Cut it out!" I yell at them, my face reddening with embarrassment. "I'm trying to get back in shape and you're not helping!"

My teammates exchange glances and stop jeering, but the damage is done. I can feel my face burning as I turn away, embarrassed and ashamed.

"Look," one of them says, "we're just trying to look out for you. We don't want you to get kicked off the team. If you really want to stay on, you need to take this seriously."

I nod and take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I know they're right, and I'm determined to prove to them and the coach that I'm serious about getting back in shape.

"Alright," I say. "I'm going to show you that I can do this. I'm not going to let you down."

My teammates exchange glances again, but this time there's a hint of respect in their eyes. I take that as a good sign and stand up, determined to prove them wrong.