While Welshy, Mark, and Darran dined with the rest of the camp, Josh often disappeared into the coach's private dining room. Inside, he'd feast on meals tailored specifically to fuel his monstrous growth—steaks, eggs, potatoes, and protein shakes with mysterious "special supplements" that the Coach prepared himself.

"Josh, you're the future of competitive bodybuilding," the coach said one evening, as Josh polished off a plate of grilled chicken. "Your proportions, your symmetry... you're unstoppable. But we can't let up. The competition out there is fierce."

Josh smirked, flexing an arm that seemed bigger. "I'm ready, Coach. Whatever it takes."

Josh no longer trained with the rest of the camp. While Welshy, Mark, and Darran followed the daily group workouts, Josh had exclusive access to the gym during off-hours. He trained alone under Coach Harlan’s watchful eye, pushing weights no one else could dream of lifting. His bench press soared past 1300 pounds; his squats and deadlifts were the stuff of legend. the equipment strained under his size and strength.

As Josh grew, so did the rift between him and his old friends. Welshy, always the observant one, was troubled. "I miss Josh," he muttered to Mark and Darran one day as they watched Josh load up a barbell with plates that looked like they were meant for a forklift. "Something’s going on. He’s—he’s always been competitive, but now it’s like we don’t matter to him."

Mark shrugged, his eyes glued to Josh’s bulging back as he performed pull-ups, his lats spreading like wings. "I mean, yeah, it’s wild. But… look at him. He’s incredible."

Darran nodded, a mix of awe and envy in his gaze. "You’ve got to admit, Welshy, he’s… inspiring. I’d love to have arms like that."

Welshy shook his head.

Mark and Darran couldn’t deny it anymore: they were drawn to Josh’s size. His sheer presence commanded attention. Whenever he walked into the dining hall, conversations would hush, and all eyes would follow him. His footsteps were heavy, his movements deliberate, and every vein-popping flex seemed to radiate dominance.

Even Welshy felt a pang of something—jealousy? Admiration? Fear?—when Josh caught him staring during a group workout. Josh’s smirk was smug, as if he knew he was beyond their league now.

One evening, as Josh finished up a solo session in the gym, Welshy, Mark, and Darran decided to approach him. Welshy led the charge, his voice firm. "Josh, we need to talk."

Josh turned, his massive chest heaving with each breath. He towered over them now, his shoulders so wide he seemed to block out the light. "What’s up, Welshy?"

"This… this isn’t normal," Welshy stammered, at Josh’s hulking frame. "The private sessions, the coach’s attention—we all came here to be better but not to become distant"

Mark and Darran exchanged glances. Darran spoke up hesitantly.

I mean, Josh, you really were made to do this, your forearms are like the size of my legs, it’s just, we came here together, don’t you even think of us anymore”

Josh took a long exhale “we came here to be better, you guys can be happy with where you’re at, I wanted more, the coach sees that, the other people see that, yeah I’ve always been competitive, but you’re the ones who had something against me pushing myself here, as soon as I got bigger”

Darran and mark shook their head “we’re in awe of your size Josh”

“You’re right” said Josh”Welshy has had a problem with it though, so why don’t you two leave us alone to settle this”

Darran and mark left the gym, leaving Welshy and Josh alone

Stay tuned for part 6