The Morning Grind

5:30 AM – The Alarm Rings

Logan's alarm blared, jolting him awake.

He groaned, slamming the snooze button, then rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling.

First day as a varsity player.

It still didn't feel real.

He had worked his ass off for this.

And now?

The real challenge began.

With a deep breath, he sat up, stretched his arms, and forced himself out of bed.

His legs were sore from yesterday's scrimmage, but there was no time to complain.

He had a routine now.

A champion's routine.

5:40 AM – The Morning Workout

Most guys waited until practice to train.

Not Logan.

Ever since tryouts began, he had started his mornings with a short workout to stay sharp.

He dropped to the floor—push-ups first.

One set.

Two sets.

Three.

Then core work—planks, sit-ups, Russian twists.

By the end, his body burned, but his mind was locked in.

After a quick stretch, he grabbed his phone and saw a text from Drew.

Drew: You alive?

Logan: Barely. You up?

Drew: Hell no. It's 6 AM. Go back to sleep, you psycho.

Logan chuckled, shaking his head. Drew would never understand.

He was built different.

6:15 AM – Breakfast with Mom

Logan strolled into the kitchen, still shirtless and sweaty from his workout.

His mom, Emily, raised an eyebrow. "You know it's not summer, right? You don't have to train like you're in a Rocky montage."

Logan grinned. "Mom, I'm a varsity player now. Gotta stay ahead."

She smirked, flipping a pancake. "Yeah, yeah. Sit down, superstar."

Logan grabbed a plate and piled on eggs, toast, and bacon.

As he devoured his food, his mom sat across from him.

"So, varsity, huh?" she said, sipping her coffee. "How does it feel?"

Logan wiped his mouth. "Honestly? Crazy. I wasn't even playing baseball a year ago."

Emily smiled. "And now you're one of the best. That's what happens when you put in the work."

Logan nodded. She was right.

Before he finished, his mom slid something across the table.

A protein shake.

Logan raised an eyebrow. "What's this?"

His mom grinned. "Big Mac texted me. Said you need to bulk up."

Logan groaned. "That dude has too much power."

But he drank it anyway.

7:15 AM – Heading to School

Logan grabbed his backpack, threw on a hoodie, and stepped outside.

Drew was already waiting by his car, leaning against it like some kind of action movie star.

"Took you long enough," Drew said.

Logan rolled his eyes. "It's not even 7:30."

Drew shrugged. "Yeah, but I had to wake up for this, and I'm filing a complaint."

As they got in, Drew's phone rang.

It was Big Mac.

Drew put it on speaker.

"BOYS," Big Mac's voice boomed. "How's my varsity duo feeling today?"

Logan grinned. "Ready to work."

Drew groaned. "I still need two more hours of sleep."

Big Mac laughed. "That's why Carter's on varsity and you're stuck in center field."

Drew mock gasped. "Wow. Disrespectful."

Big Mac just chuckled. "See you guys at practice. And Carter?"

"Yeah?"

"You better eat two breakfasts, bro. We're lifting after school."

Logan sighed. Of course they were.

7:45 AM – Morning Interactions

As soon as Logan and Drew walked into school, a few guys from the team were already waiting.

"Yo, Logan!" one of the juniors, Jake, called out. "I heard Coach gave you the varsity spot. That true?"

Logan nodded. "Yeah."

Jake whistled. "Damn. Ethan must be pissed."

Drew grinned. "Oh, he's absolutely pissed."

A few other players clapped Logan on the back.

"Varsity Carter, let's go!"

"Man came outta nowhere."

Logan just laughed it off.

But then, a familiar voice cut through the noise.

"Enjoy it while it lasts, Carter."

Logan turned.

Ethan Reyes.

He stood by his locker, arms crossed, expression unreadable.

"I'm not mad," Ethan continued. "But don't get comfortable. I'm still coming for that spot."

Logan smirked. "Then let's make each other better."

Ethan studied him. Then, to Logan's surprise—he nodded.

"See you at practice."

And just like that, he walked away.

Logan exhaled.

Drew nudged him. "Well, that wasn't awkward at all."

Logan chuckled. "I can handle it."

Drew grinned. "Good. Because varsity isn't gonna be easy."

Logan already knew that.

The real season was about to begin.

And he was ready.

To Be Continued…

(Next Chapter: Logan's first varsity practice—can he prove he belongs?)