Modern Family: New Life-Chapter 146: Genetics, protein and discipline

February 12, 2010 — 8:00 AM

The alarm vibrated softly on the nightstand, but Andrew was already awake. He had that pent-up energy that shows up when the body is preparing for something important.

He wouldn’t be going to school that day. He had a valid excuse: an official visit to Mater Dei.

The appointment was at 10:00 AM.

’Today’s the day to weigh myself and check my height...’ Andrew thought as he got up. He took off the shirt and pajama pants he was wearing, leaving only his underwear.

First, his height. He walked over to the wall in his room where, for months now, he had set up his own homemade measuring system: a small hard plastic carpenter’s square and a measuring tape fixed vertically to the wall with double-sided tape, running from the baseboard to just over two meters.

He stood straight against the wall, heels together, back upright. He grabbed the square and firmly placed it on the highest point of his head, making sure it was at a right angle to the wall. Then, without moving, he slightly turned his head to see where the bottom edge of the square lined up.

1 meter and 86 centimeters.

’Last week I was at one eighty-five...’ he thought, a faint smile appearing on his face.

He grabbed the notebook where he tracked his metrics and wrote down:

Height 02/12/2010: 1.86 m.

About three months ago, at the end of September 2009, he had measured 1.83 m.

In just over four months, he had grown three centimeters. His body was still growing, a good sign, especially considering he hadn’t even turned 16 yet.

He’d already noticed it: how his clothes fit more snugly, how his shoes felt tighter, even his posture on the field, more vision, more dominance.

Next, he stepped onto the digital scale.

The number fluctuated and then settled on 86.4 kg. (190.4 pounds)

+4.3 (9.4 pounds) kg in just over four months.

A perfect progression: about 1 kg (2.2 pounds) per month, right at the healthy upper limit for lean mass gain.

He walked over to the full-length mirror next to his desk. With the morning light streaming through the curtains, he examined himself. The reflection showed a solid, defined figure:

Defined abs, with visible central muscles.

Pecs denser than a few months ago.

Thick arms, veins visible over the biceps.

A wide V-shaped back, the result of relentless work with pull-downs, pull-ups, and military press.

Muscular legs, especially quads and hamstrings, thanks to functional training and power work for his quarterback position.

Estimated body fat: 11% — under control. Defined, but with size.

Not a single one of those gained kilos was unnecessary.

Andrew nodded silently at the mirror. Not out of narcissism or vanity, but with the calm of someone who knows the price of his effort. Ever since he’d arrived in this body at five years old, he had followed a nearly unbreakable path of discipline.

Every meal, every set at the gym, every football practice, every sprint, every night of sleep treated like a ritual.

His physique was no coincidence or gift. Though he had to admit: the genetics of this body were superior to his previous life’s. Taller, better bone structure, faster muscular response, better recovery.

An edge, yes. But without work, it would mean nothing.

Yes, he was muscular. Yes, he was defined. But this wasn’t a body to show off, it was a body built to perform.

Nothing inflated, nothing artificial. A functional, harmonious physique with balanced proportions.

He felt a shiver as he stepped away from the mirror. It was February, and although the sun filtered weakly through the window, the morning chill made him hurry. He rubbed his arms with both hands, still in his underwear, and changed quickly, without much care.

He slipped on a pair of black athletic pants, then a black t-shirt, and over that, a black hoodie. White socks and his white Nikes with black accents. Simple and functional.

As he tightened his shoelaces, his mind drifted back to the height reading.

1.86.

He liked the way it sounded.

But he wondered what his ceiling would be. He still had more growing to do, he hadn’t even turned sixteen yet.

For a quarterback, good height was a clear advantage. But not everything.

’1.91 to 1.93 that would be the sweet spot’, he thought.

That ideal range that gave you visibility over the line, physical reach, without sacrificing agility or the ability to escape.

Those above 1.94 could become clumsy, less fluid. There were exceptions, of course.

But he didn’t want to be a forced exception, he was a dual-threat quarterback.

He needed to read plays, throw... but also escape, run, improvise. The full package. The complete threat.

And at this rate, hitting 1.90 was almost guaranteed. Maybe a bit more, but he doubted he’d go beyond 1.93, and honestly, that seemed perfect to him.

He glanced at the clock. 8:13.

Andrew stepped out of his room with a light stride, a half-smile on his face.

There was something different about his mood that morning. It wasn’t just the excitement about the visit to Mater Dei, it was also the fact that he’d literally grown another centimeter.

And he had already told everyone about his transfer from Palisades to Mater Dei: Pippa, Leonard, Howard, Archie, Steve, and the rest.

Everything had gone smoothly, far better than he’d expected.

He had been overly dramatic, expecting someone to make a fuss.

Maybe he was just used to the drama in his family, and that’s why he overthought everything.

As he entered the kitchen, the smell of breakfast filled his nostrils.

Cam, with his back turned, was making breakfast as usual, moving with a near-choreographed energy.

Lily, sitting in her special little chair by the table, was playing with a pink spoon, rhythmically tapping it against the edge of her plate, which had banana leftovers on it.

As for Mitch, he wouldn’t be coming to the visit since he had to work. He had already left, as he started at 8:00 AM.

"Good morning," Andrew greeted as he dropped into one of the dining chairs.

"Good morning, champ!" Cam replied, still not turning around, in his usual enthusiastic tone. "Nervous about today’s visit? It’s not every day you tour the campus of a national powerhouse like Mater Dei. Are you ready? Did you sleep well? Are you having breakfast here or would you rather wait and puke from nerves on the way?"

"I slept well, I’m eating here, and yeah, a little nervous, but that’s it," Andrew said with a light laugh. Then he looked over at Lily and greeted her warmly.

The little girl looked at him with her round, bright face. She raised her free hand, the one not holding the spoon, and exclaimed clearly, though still a bit clumsily:

"An-dew!"

"That’s my little sister!" said Andrew, giving her a thumbs-up and stretching out his arm for a high-five.

Cam, meanwhile, was still beating eggs in a bowl. "That’s the spirit! No nerves. Even so, I still can’t believe we’re about to visit Mater Dei."

"Besides the tour, I’ve got some other good news," said Andrew in a deliberately mysterious tone.

Cam stopped. He turned around with the bowl still in his hands, raising an eyebrow. "What good news? What did you do now?"

Andrew leaned forward with both elbows on the table, interlaced his fingers, and stared at Cam with a solemn expression.

"I’ve surpassed you, father."

"Huh? Surpassed me in what?" Cam asked, confused and surprised by his son’s sudden solemnity. He had taught him well in the art of drama.

"In height," Andrew answered.

Cam’s mouth dropped open, and he froze for a few seconds, processing.

"What?! No! That can’t be!"

He set the bowl down on the counter with theatrical flair and walked toward him, already knowing what was coming.

Andrew stood up. They were now face to face.

Cam blinked, stretched his neck, straightened his posture a bit... and still, his eyes were just slightly below Andrew’s.

"No way..." Cam muttered. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

"One eighty-six," Andrew confirmed with a triumphant smile.

Cam was 1.85. As for Mitch, Andrew had surpassed him a while ago, he was 1.78.

"This is unbelievable!" Cam exclaimed, placing a hand over his chest.

His voice sounded like he was watching his son leave for college... or walk down the aisle.

Andrew sat back down.

"It’s not a big deal, just one centimeter. I still need a few more to reach the ideal height. You know how much that matters for college scholarships."

It wasn’t like being under 1.90 would get you disqualified as a quarterback, there were NFL stars below that mark.

But having it, or going beyond it, was a clear advantage. And if he could have it, all the better.

"Oh, and I also passed Grandpa," Andrew added as Cam placed breakfast on the table.

Jay, just like Cam, was 1.85.

"Just today, the day we’re going to Mater Dei, and he’s coming with us, I grow the one centimeter I needed to beat both of you. Poetic, isn’t it?" he said, sipping his protein shake.

He wondered how Jay would react. Probably a mix of annoyance at being surpassed and pride, knowing how important height is for a quarterback, both in gameplay and in scholarship evaluations.

From her little chair, Lily, who had been following the scene without fully understanding it, but still catching the energy, clapped her tiny hands and said, "An-dew won!"

Andrew couldn’t help but laugh. "Exactly. I won."

It was close to 9:00 AM when they heard a car horn outside.

Just one honk, firm and patient. Typical Jay.

Andrew looked out the window: his grandpa’s truck was parked out front, gleaming as always.

"He’s finally here!" Cam said, picking Lily up from her chair.

She was already dressed and groomed, with her little backpack slung over her shoulders, ready to spend the day with her Aunt Claire.

’You seem more excited about him arriving than me...’ Andrew thought, giving his dad a strange look.

How excited would he get in the future, when Andrew had to choose a college? Or when he signed his first NFL contract?

"Ready to go with your favorite aunt?" Cam asked gently, touching his nose to hers.

"Yes!" Lily replied, though anyone could tell she would’ve said yes to anything.

Andrew was already ready. He didn’t need a backpack or school supplies, just comfortable clothes.

He was dressed like someone who didn’t want to attract attention.

Especially considering that Mater Dei is a school that breathes football... and he’s not a regular quarterback. Beyond his stats and the titles he’s won over the past two years, he runs a YouTube channel with over one million subscribers, currently top five globally in the scene.

He doesn’t know if he’ll be recognized, it wouldn’t be crazy if he was.

Which is why he prefers to keep a low profile, if possible.

Cam kissed Lily on the forehead and handed her to Andrew, who carried her in his arms.

"Let’s go, champ. Today’s your day to conquer the Dunphy world," Andrew joked as he opened the door.

Outside, Jay had already stepped out of the truck. Wearing sunglasses and wearing that usual mix of impatience and pride, he watched as they came out.

"Are we ready, or are we taking pictures first?" he asked dryly, though with a slight smile upon seeing Andrew.

"Ready. And I’ve got a surprise for you, old man," said Andrew, stepping down the porch steps.

Jay squinted, curious. "What kind of surprise?"

"I don’t know..." Andrew said, standing upright beside him. "Isn’t it cold down there?" he asked with an innocent look.

Jay glanced sideways at him, first confused. Then he took a better look. His eyes had to tilt up just slightly to meet Andrew’s... and then he frowned.

"Did you grow again?"

"One centimeter," Andrew replied, lifting his eyebrows slightly. "One eighty-six."

Jay shook his head, that familiar mix of annoyed and proud, "Bah. Until I see it myself on the tape measure, I’m not believing a word of it."

"Stubborn when it comes to admitting defeat," Andrew laughed, walking over to the truck, opening the back door, and climbing in with Lily in his arms. She was softly humming something unintelligible.

Jay grunted in protest but couldn’t hide the pride in his eyes.

Cam, full of his usual morning energy and coffee in hand, settled into the front passenger seat.

"Alright, first stop: the Dunphys," Cam said as he buckled his seatbelt. "And then, Mater Dei!"

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