Thank you for the reviews. I know it's been a few months since I last updated, but I've been busy. School is taking up majority of my time, but I have a week's vacation, so plenty of time to write. Yay. Onto the review. Yes, Vince could in theory help his new friend, if said friend wanted to try out for a sports team. We have now moved onto Mikey and see what he'll be up to.

Now onto the chapter.

Chapter 7: Mikey – a new diet

After leaving Kelso's, Mikey decided to walk home, and take a walk that would be longer than his usual route, but he figured that he could the exercise. He would after all ask the school coach for a training program Monday.

While walking, he came across a couple of guys from school. More specifically guys from the school's football team. They of course didn't know who he was, but then again, he was just a freshman. He did know one person who was on the football team, and that was Lawson, and his crew from elementary school. They were busy play around with a football, so they didn't notice him walking, while they were playing with the ball. One of them threw the ball, and it was too late to stop it.

Mikey almost didn't see it because he was busy looking the other way. One of the guys was however quick to yell. "Hey look out."

Mikey then turned, and quickly managed to catch the ball, which impressed several of the guys.

"Oh vow, you're good."

Another one said. "Yeah, have you thought of joining the football team."

And this carried on, with the rest of the guys agreeing that what Mikey did was impressive.

"Well, I didn't think of joining until very recently, but lately the thought did cross my mind." Mikey answered.

"Hey cool, I'm Dylan, team captain, and the rest of the guys are David, Brendan, Alex, Cole and Nate." The guy named Dylan said, before he continued. "You should definitely try out. The entire team is going out for pizza tomorrow at the food court at the mall, after we have looked for sports equipment. You should come join us. I'm sorry, what was your name again."

"Oh, vow thanks. I'm Mikey, short for Michael. What time did you want to meet up?"

"Around noon." Dylan answered, while the one named Brendan snickered. "Mikey. What are we, in kindergarten?"

"Sorry about Brendan, but he's got a point. Mikey does sound kind of childish. How about we call you Mike. Sounds more grown up."

"Sure." Mikey answered. In the past, he wouldn't have cared if he looked or sounded childish. But he was now in High school, and if he were to join the football team, then he might as well begin to go by Mike.

"Oh, and another thing Mike. That hair and clothes don't exactly scream high school freshman. It screams toddler. You don't look 14 with that hair and clothes."

"Well, I have been meaning to get some new clothes, but I want to lose some weight, so it might seem weird to buy new clothes now. But I suppose I could use a new haircut."

"Well then Mike, how about I help you put together a training program. We can go running on days we don't have practice. Otherwise, we can use the school gym. Coach can put together a diet for you. As far as clothes and haircut goes. How about I help you find some clothes in the local thrift store, and then I can go with you to the local barber tomorrow after lunch, to help you pick out a haircut more suited for a freshman in high school."

Oh, vow thanks. I will bring my parents credit card with me tomorrow." Mikey said, before he walked home. He could get used to being called Mike. Mikey was for little boys, and he wasn't one anymore. He could still hang out with T.J and Gretchen until lunch. After all, if he were to join the football team, then it'd be important for him to get along with the team.

Eventually he came home, where he went up to his room to read comic books. He would talk to his parents about letting him use the credit card.

After a few hours, it was time for dinner. Dinner was his usual favorite, which he had never cared before had plenty of calories. But he cared now. He wanted to lose weight. He then started talking.

"Mom, dad. I think we need to talk about what we're going to eat from now on."

"What is there to talk about Mikey" His dad said.

"I want us to start eating healthier because I want to start losing weight, and because I'm planning on trying out for the football team Monday."

"Well, I suppose it could be good for us to try out new recipes. About joining the football team, are you sure about that. It could be dangerous for you, and you never shown much interest in sports before." His mom was genuinely worried that he'd get hurt playing football. She was a bit overprotective.

"I know I haven't shown much interest in sports before, but I'm trying out new things, and football is one of the new things I'm trying out."

"Oh, let the boy. If he wants to try out for football, then we should let him try out. He's only young once."

"Thanks dad. Oh, and can I borrow the credit card tomorrow."

"What do you need the credit card for." His dad suddenly asked.

"Well, I've been meaning to get a new haircut, and I could use some new clothes for myself. I can find some clothes from the thrift store"

"Okay fine, but just don't go overboard tomorrow." His mom finally caved.

The next day

Mikey had met up with T.J and Gretchen. Gretchen who now wore a t-shirt, with a pair of jeans, which was different from what she would usually wear. She also had her hair in a low ponytail.

T.J was the first to speak up. "Hey Gretchen, what's with the clothes. It's different from you usually wear."

"I just decided to wear something different. No biggie." ¨

"Okay. Sorry I asked. Anyway, should we go look at some comic books."

"Sure, but uhm T.J. I have to meet someone for lunch." Mikey said.

"Just some guys from the football team."

"Wait, why would you meet with some guys from the football team. Since when are you friends with the football team."

"Because I ran into some of them yesterday, and they invited me to hang out today. It'll just make sense for me to hang out with them if I join the team." Mikey had a suspicion that T.J was annoyed with him, but he would just have to accept it.

"Okay fine. Guess Gretchen and I will hang out without you starting lunch."

Gretchen then began to talk about how she had a doctor's appointment, and would have to skip out on lunch with T.J.

They still went to a comic bookstore, to check out some comics, until it was time for lunch. Mikey then went to go meet the team for lunch.

The team was already sitting at the table when Mikey showed up.

"Hey Mike, glad you could join us. Mike this is the team. Team meet Mike. He'll be trying out for the team tomorrow." Dylan said.

The team all nodded their heads to say hi. Lawson was amongst the team, so he looked over to Mikey and spoke. "Didn't take you for a football guy, let alone a sports guy 'Mike'. That was always Lasalle or Spinelli." He said, the Mike name with a certain voice clearly showed that he had doubts about calling Mikey for Mike.

"Yeah well, I'm trying something new Lawson, so I'll be trying out for the team tomorrow. As far as Vince and Spinelli are concerned, Vince will be joining either debate or science club, and Spinelli implied that she wanted to try out for cheerleading."

"Really, so Lasalle is becoming a dork, and Spinelli is joining the hottest girls in school."

Mikey then decided to ignore Lawson for the rest of lunch, before Dylan spoke up. "Okay team, see you tomorrow, where we will be there for try outs." He said, before he spoke to Mikey. "So, Mike, you ready to buy new clothes, and get a new haircut."

"Yeah sure. Let's go to the barber shop first, and then the thrift store."

And with that, they walk until they found the barber shop. Mikey explained that he just needed the shag to disappear and that the other stuff needed to be tightened up. Mikey already looked a lot more like a 14-year-old than an 11-year-old.

Next up was the thrift store, where Mikey with the help of Dylan found some sports clothes. It wasn't much. But it was enough to get him through a period, until he would lose some weight.

Once he was done at the thrift store, he went home to do his homework. He was going to donate his old clothes to goodwill, once it was all washed and dried. He was looking forward to trying out for the football team.

Next up: Gus' Saturday.

So, that was it for chapter 7. Hope you all enjoyed.

Please R/R and let me know what you think

Oh, and there has been an update in chapter 5.