Muscle Bound |
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Summary:
Kalen and Scott have been friends for a long time. After their summer away from each other, Kalen sees that Scott has developed muscles. Kalen joins a gym to try and bulk up like his friend. Kalen is also concerned because he thinks his girlfriend Amber is attracted to more muscular boys. However, soon Kalen hears about steroid use and eventually suspects Scott of it. After a fight, and parental intervention, it turns out to be true. Scott has learned his lesson and he and Kalen end up still friends. |
Before You Read — Pre-Reading
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Chapter One—Busting Out
Summary:
Kalen Sommers jumps out of his dad's red pick-up truck early in the morning. He is headed into Bayview High for a basketball practice. His buddy Scott Jansen pulls up. Kalen has had a great summer at the lake, but Scott has been working out. His body looks like a weightlifters'. He has been taking protein supplements to bulk up. He shares his routine with Kalen. After practice, Seth Morgan tries to bully Scott by making snide remarks. Just as they are about to get into it, Coach Nesbitt calls them for a meeting. He mentions all of the talent on the team and tells them not to be disappointed if they don't make the starting line-up. They will all get a chance to play. |
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Chapter Two—Pass the Protein
Summary:
Kalen and Scott hang out at Lee's Restaurant for the afternoon. When he gets home, Kalen's mom is working on her book. He talks to her about working out and trying to bulk up. She tells him he shouldn't worry about being muscular while he is still growing. She also worries about the time it will take. Kalen has agreed school comes first—then sports and a part-time job. If his marks suffer he has to give something up. His mom suggests he ask Amber for dinner since he hasn't seen her for most of the summer. |
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Chapter Three—Take One Scoop of Jealousy
Summary:
Amber and Kalen watch TV after dinner. He keeps tickling her to distract her. Amber is a pretty redhead—smart and funny. Kalen has had a crush on her from their first meeting. Kalen goes to get a snack. He tells Amber he wants to gain some weight and build some muscle. He shows her a recipe for a protein shake. She wants to know what “creatine” is. Kalen is not sure. Amber thinks he looks great as he is and tells him to be careful. |
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Chapter Four—Join the Club
Summary:
Kalen checks out the gyms in town for hours of operation and cost. Finally he goes to the Sweat Shop where Scott works out. Kalen sees Scott talking to a muscled guy with a goatee. He introduces Kalen to Dan, the owner. Dan tells Kalen the membership fee is sixty dollars a month, which includes a personal trainer for a month. Although the cost is more than Kalen wants to pay, Scott tells him he will get results. Kalen signs up. |
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Chapter Five—The New Girl
Summary:
Kalen goes to the gym at Bayview High on the first day of school to pick up his timetable. A pretty girl called Anna asks him where Mr. Cooper's history class is. She tells him she has come from St. Mary's and is in grade eleven. Scott and Amber catch up with Kalen. Scott is interested in Anna. Kalen teases Scott saying that she left when she saw him. Scott punches Kalen playfully but it hurts because Scott is quite strong. Amber looks Scott over. Kalen is worried that she is impressed. He is determined to get in shape. |
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Chapter Six—Are You New Here?
Summary:
Kalen goes to The Sweat Shop for his first workout. The gym is very busy. Scott is not there yet. Kalen does not know how to use much of the bigger equipment so he thinks he will start with hand weights. He steps around someone who snaps at him for getting in his space. Scott shows up and they do some warm-ups together. Anna is there and asks to work into the chest fly machine. Scott meets Anna. He offers her a ride home sometime. Scott goes over to talk to the guy with a goatee. He tells Kalen that Karl just gives him tips. Karl starts yelling about kids leaving equipment around. Dan, the owner, has to calm him down.
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Chapter Seven—'Roid Rage
Summary:
Scott and Kalen go into Dan's office. They are worried that they are in trouble. Dan makes three protein shakes and shares them. He tells them about the pressure of competing as a bodybuilder. He tells them about the use of steroids and the side effects. The effects can be physical or emotional. Anyone who has mood swings has what is called 'roid rage. Kalen and Dan wonder about Karl and his outburst. Dan makes it clear that anyone selling or using steroids will have his or her membership cancelled. After showering, Kalen finds a yellow pill lying on the floor. He puts it in his pocket so he can ask Dan about it later. |
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Chapter Eight—Mix it With What?
Summary:
Kalen decides to stay out of Karl's way at the gym. He focuses on his diet and routine. Kalen and Scott make plans to meet with Dan to get some protein supplements. Kalen's mom notices that he seems to be handling his schedule and is developing some muscle. But Kalen is aching from the workouts. The protein will help repair the muscles and make them grow larger. At the gym Dan takes them to the storage room. He tells them they need to try supplements based on their body's needs. He gives Kalen one that will help him gain weight by drinking two shakes a day. But Kalen needs to continue to eat a healthy diet. Kalen gets some power bars for his gym bag. After purchasing some lifting equipment and the supplements, Kalen's bill is $150.00, not including his gym fee. |
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Chapter Nine—Liar!
Summary:
After six weeks, Kalen can see the results of his hard work. He has a six-pack and his arms, neck, and shoulders are more muscular. He is worried about the expense and asks for more hours at the grocery store where he works. Kalen is busy with workouts, basketball, and homework. While checking his e-mail he finds a junk mail ad for getting a great body in two weeks. It is an ad for anabolic steroids. He checks out the photos. He cannot see any of the side effects Dan told him about. The site warns about sharing needles and tells how to deal with side effects. It has an order page too. While looking through the photo gallery he sees Dan who was Mr. Ultimate from 1991 to 1996. He credits his body to one of the popular products. Kalen is angry with Dan for lying. |
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Chapter Ten—Food Fight
Summary:
Scott knows that Dan used steroids and that all the top bodybuilders do. He is not mad at Dan. Kalen does not like the hypocrisy but Scott reminds him that his program is working and Dan is not forcing him to take steroids. Amber sees him and comes over to talk about going to the movies. Kalen is short of money so wants to go the next weekend. She and Julia, Kalen's sister, make plans to go to the basketball game. They see Anna talking to Seth. Scott goes over to them and Seth and Scott have words. A food fight breaks out in the cafeteria. Kalen and Amber dive under a table. Teachers break up the fight and take some students to the office. Amber goes to the washroom to clean up the gravy splatters in her hair. Scott does not get to speak to Anna. |
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Chapter Eleven—Zits
Summary:
The semi-final basketball game is tied 42-42 with eighteen seconds to go. Kalen sinks two foul shots to win the game. The crowd goes wild. The coach is pleased that the Bayview Sharks will play for the championship. Kalen sees Amber and his sister Julia in the crowd. They want to go for burgers at Lee's to talk about the game. But Kalen needs a shower first! The locker room echoes with cheers. Kalen asks to borrow Scott's deodorant and when he reaches up to get it from his locker, his towel falls off his shoulders. Kalen can see the acne all over Scott's back. It is one of the side effects of steroids. Scott covers by saying he has a rash from the new shower soap. |
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Chapter Twelve—A Bad Taste in My Mouth
Summary:
Lee's is packed after the basketball game. They squeeze into a small booth in the corner. Amber is happy to be out with Kalen. He's been so busy they hardly see each other. Kalen promises to see Amber on Saturday afternoon-but she is busy. They try for Sunday but Kalen has to work. He tries to explain that he needs money for the gym and supplements. Amber is not happy. Scott spots Anna and heads over to ask her out. Just then Seth and his buddies walk in. |
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Chapter Thirteen—Out of Control
Summary:
Seth walks over to Kalen's table and pushes Julia and Amber over to sit in the booth. Kalen stands up and yanks Seth out of the booth. Scott comes to help. They go to the parking lot behind Lee's to settle things. Amber tries to stop Kalen but he does not want Scott to fight by himself. Seth taunts Kalen. Seth lunges at Scott and punches him in the stomach. Scott throws Seth off, jumps on him, and begins punching him in the face. Kalen stops Russ from helping Seth. Scott keeps pounding Seth in the face. He is in a rage. He pounds Seth in the ribs. Kalen tries to pull him off-then yells and pulls as hard as he can. The police come and question Kalen and Scott. They call an ambulance for Seth. The police officers want to talk to the parents. |
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Chapter Fourteen—Sorry About Your Face
Summary:
Kalen, Amber, Julia, and Scott get into the squad car and are taken to Kalen's house. The police officer explains the situation to Kalen's parents. Kalen is okay but Seth is not in good shape. His family may press charges. Kalen's parents call Scott's parents to pick him up. Julia is scared and cries. Her mother sends her to bed. Kalen knows he is in trouble. He looks at Amber and feels terrible. Scott sits silently waiting for his parents. Scott apologizes and takes responsibility for fighting. Kalen tells his parents what happened. He is grounded for two weeks. No workouts. No dates. Only school, work, and basketball. Kalen lies in bed thinking about Amber and losing his muscles. He wonders what will happen to Scott when he gets home. |
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Chapter Fifteen—No More Chances
Summary:
Kalen sees Amber at school and she is angry with him. When he tells her about being grounded she thinks they should break up. Since joining the gym he has no time or money to do things. Kalen feels like he has been punched in the stomach. He goes into the washroom to pull himself together. He overhears a conversation between Scott and someone else. Scott needs some new stuff because he has hit a plateau. Kalen is confused by what is happening but goes to class. After school Julia tells him Amber is crying in the washroom. Seth's family does not press charges but Scott is suspended from the basketball team. He tells Kalen to do some push-ups and crunches at home. When Scott sees Anna she ignores him. Kalen confronts him about the phone call and being out of control. Scott gets mad and takes a swing at Kalen, barely missing his jaw. |
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Chapter Sixteen—The Real Deal
Summary:
Kalen walks to the gym to find Scott. He cannot believe Scott tried to hit him. He charges into the gym past Dan. He calls Dan a fake and a liar. Dan marches him into his office. He tells Kalen he did use steroids but starting having side effects. He told him about the acne on his back. He stopped competing and taking steroids. His old trainer gave the photos to the website. Kalen tells Dan he is worried about Scott and all of the signs that point to steroid use. Dan suspects Karl. He sends Kalen home and tells him to be a friend to Scott rather than an accuser. |
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Chapter Seventeen—Coming Clean
Summary:
Kalen gets home after dark. His day has been awful. Kalen's mom is waiting for him in her office. When he opens the door, Scott is sitting there. He is eating chocolate chip cookies. His mom leaves the room and tells him his dinner is in the oven. Scott apologizes and is sorry about Amber too. Kalen confronts him about taking steroids. Scott explains that he was just tired of being the little guy in sports and with girls. He is happy to finally be noticed, but admits it is a stupid thing to do. They go for a burger with all the fixings. When Kalen get home he checks his e-mail. There is a message from Amber. |
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After Reading — Post-Reading Reflection
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