5:30 PM Barry's Boxing Gym

Ethan brought Liam to a strip mall gym where he trains on the weekdays called Barry's Boxing Gym for personal training. Barry was a good friend of Liam's Uncle. Ethan brought Liam there during his suspension.

The place was a typical boxing gym with a red boxing ring, Heavy bags on the side, a lat pulldown machine, bench press, weight sets, and trophies from various champions who trained there.

"Hey, Barry!" Ethan yelled with his arms up.

"What took you so long, Ethan" Barry jokingly hit Ethan's chest.

"Well, you know, had to get a little gas for my hungry hummer."

"Yeah, I'll bet, you were always quite the driver in our old days."

They both laughed.

Barry then turned his attention towards Liam.

"Ready to train, Liam?" Barry said.

"Yes sir"

"Take a few moments to get changed."

As Liam went to get changed, Barry and Ethan talked.

Ethan told Barry about what happened.

"So he's back in school, huh?"

"Yup"

"I still don't get it, back in my day, we used to suspend or expel bullies, and give accolades to the one who defended themselves, now it's the other way around." Barry shook his head.

"It's not even just that, he saved somebody from being bullied."

Barry shook his head.

Barry then looked in Liam's direction sympathetically.

"I'd switch schools." Barry told Ethan.

"Time to get in my other element", Liam thought.

Liam got changed into his clothes which included a pair of Joggers, Hand Wraps, boxing gloves, and shoes.

"Ready."

"Okay, let's warm up" Barry added.

Liam did some jump roping to warm up: regular jump ropes, crisscrosses, and double jumps. Followed by push-ups, mountain climbers, sit-ups, and crunches.

He then met his coach for his drills.

"All right punk" The coach lightheartedly winked and nudged, "let's see what you can do."

Liam nodded.

Ethan then gave Liam a thumbs up as he went to his car to wait on him and watch the whole thing.

The coach held the pads.

"Jab, Cross, Upper, Upper"

Liam did several punching drills like swift but powerful jab-cross-upper combos for 10 repetitions on each side.

Next, he did some defensive drills.

"Jab, cross, slip, slip and sway."

When that was announced, Liam did the following.

All for 10 reps.

This caught the attention of a few veteran boxers who looked on with excitement at the new guy, and some onlookers, including Sam.

Isn't that the guy from school?

Finally, he ended it with 10 minutes of stretching.

"You did pretty well here for a new guy" The coach nudged him.

Liam gave a small grin.

"Thank you, Mr. Barry."

"Remember be sure to work on your punches, because if you can master those as well as footwork, you'll go the distance no matter what fighting style you are doing."

"Yessir"

"Just remember if you need some friends or need a place to just hit the bag then you can drop in too."

Liam nods.

"So, I'll see you next time?"

"If you show up" Barry winked

"Yes sir."

"How was class?" Ethan asked

"Good but tough as always" Liam replied

"You've been getting the hang of it."

"Thanks Uncle."

"Now let's get home."