Ryan was your average seventh grader, well not quite. Ryan had always been small for his age which is why this year he was set on finally hitting the gym in hopes of if nothing else putting on a little weight, or more specifically muscle. After all, he couldn’t control his height but maybe he could finally add some muscle if he really committed and maybe wouldn’t he bullied as badly when school started back up soon.
Ryan walked into the gym and was immediately intimidated by the larger man at the front desk who towered over him.
“Sup, little dude. I’m guessing you’re a new member so let me help get you signed up!”
After taking down Ryan’s information, the man handed Ryan a meme her shirt that was clearly too big but was somehow still the smallest size available and handed it off to Ryan.
“Here you go, if you need a lock for your locker there is a list and found box in the closet in the locker room. Feel free to take what you need!”
Ryan took the shirt and walked into the locker room. He made his way to the supply closet and found the box the gym employee had been talking about. As he dug through, Ryan was shocked at what all had been randomly left behind. Random articles or clothing, water bottles, jockstraps, protein powder so much.
He finally found a lock, but there was something else he found that caught his eye even more. A small box with a logo like nothing he had seen before. Inside the box was a small gold coin with the same logo on it and a few verses which Ryan couldn’t make out as it seemed to be in another language.
“He did say I could take anything from the box,” Ryan told himself as he put the coin in his pocket.
He grabbed the lock as well and walked over to where the lockers were located. He quickly changed shirts and found himself drowning in the oversized gym shirt that had been provided to him. As he was changing he hadn’t noticed someone else had entered the room.
When Ryan turned around he was shocked to see a man bigger than any man he had ever seen before in real life standing there in front of the mirror.
Ryan could not believe his eyes, this man had to be at least 6’4 and was more of a mountain than a man. He was the most muscular person Ryan had ever seen in real life. His arms and chest bulged through his dark blue t -shirt, stretching the material tight. His neck was like a tree trunk and you could see the ripples in his stomach muscles through his shirt.
Ryan didn’t meant to stare but couldn’t look away which was when the man turned his way and noticed Ryan staring his direction.
"What's up, little man?" The man said as he crossed his massive arms and looked in Ryan’s direction. He had a deep, husky voice and a square face with short black blonde. It was only 11:30 in the morning, but his jaw was already darkened by stubble.
"How long does it take to grow all those muscles?" Ryan asked innocently.
“I started lifting when I was thirteen," he replied. "Just about your age."
"How often?" Ryan asked.
"Four or five days a week."
"Wow!"
“How many hours a day?"
"Two or three at least."
"How come so much?" asked Ryan.
“You have to work on all the major muscle groups," the man explained. "It's not just having big muscles. It's about symmetry and cuts."
"What's that?" Ryan asked.
"Symmetry means having a balanced physique," the man explained. "It looks bad if you have big pecs and no traps. Cuts mean muscle definition. You want to see each individual muscle."
"Oh, I get it." Ryan said as he gave an exaggerated nod.
“I’m Matt by the way,” the man said as he extended his massive arm out to shake Ryan’s hand. Man what a strong grip, Ryan thought as he let go. “If you ever need any tips, I’m happy to help and work out here daily!”
“Thanks Matt, I wish I had muscles like yours!” Ryan said as he looked up at Matt in awe.
“Someday kid, just have to put in the hard work! Hey what’s that glowing in your pocket? You might have turned your cell phone flash light on.”
“Oh thanks,” Ryan said as he reached into his pocket. Only it wasn’t his phone lighting up, it was the strange ring he had found and everything was about to change.