The rest of the day passed without event, though Jon did take care to study his altered sibling. Mike acted with a new self-confidence and proved he was totally dedicated to working out! The jock ten year-old spent an hour that evening pumping iron in his room, relentlessly building up his body. Jon couldn't help but be impressed. He had always envied Biff for the latter's athletic prowess and popularity, but it had never occurred to him just how much work Biff had put into being the best. He might have been born strong and athletic, but he'd earned his captaincy and star position on the Varsity football team.
The next morning Mom woke him up at what felt to him like way too early in the morning.
"Mom, what's up?" he questioned sleepily.
"Come on, Jon. Your brother has his championship game in an hour. Shower and get dressed; I'll have breakfast ready by the time you get to the kitchen."
She was out of his room before he had a chance to protest. Grumbling to himself, he rolled out of bed and headed for the bathroom, only to find his little brother had beaten him to the shower. He began brushing his teeth, but Mike was done before he was even finished, shutting off the water and casually wrapping himself in a towel. Jon ended up practically choking on his toothbrush when he saw just how well-defined the preteen's physique was. Pretty buff for a ten year-old!
The hot shower washed away Jon's grumpiness and he decided he would go along to his little brother's game. After all, what was the point of this wish if he didn't observe the results?
Mom had bacon, scrambled eggs, toast and sausage waiting for them. It was a more elaborate meal than Jon was used to, but apparently his little brother liked to carbo-load before a game. Just as they were finishing up, Jon remembered something. He ran up the stairs as Dad called, "Jon, it's time to get in the car!"
"I'll be down in a sec!" he called back to his father. Pulling the box out from under his bed, he took out the rock and put it in his hip pocket before shoving the container back out of sight.
Together the five of them to the game, though as soon as they arrived Zoe broke off to speak to one of her friends. Mike ran off to join his team, while Jon and his parents settled into the nearest set of metal bleachers flanking the soccer field.
It seemed to take forever for the game to finally get started. At last the players took their positions, the whistle blew, and Mike, at striker position, took off like a rocket! Jon normally wasn't much for watching sports in general, but this game was an exception. Mike played hard and exceptionally well, leading his team to score two goals before the opposing team came back to score one. The game ended at 5-2 in favor of Mike's team, mostly due to Mike's skill and athleticism.
He was grinning from ear to ear when he jogged over, right after his teammates had finished congratulating their captain. After adding their praise and pride, Mom and Dad started talking with the other parents. Bored, Jon wandered off toward the car, only to catch sight of Ernie Thompson, Mike Matthews and Steve Farber clustered together behind the bleachers.
The three bullies were shoving around a tall, thin boy between them. There was something familiar about their victim, but Jon couldn't quite place him.
Dodging aside as poor boy was shoved toward him, Steve tripped the teen.
As he pushed himself up, he whined, "Leave me alone!"
His plea only brought a fresh storm of verbal mockery.
"You're a waste of space, Biff!" Ernie jeered.
Biff?!?! This was Biff? Jon was shocked at how complete a change he'd unknowingly wrought! Who would've thought cruel, aggressive alpha male Biff Meadows would wind up a helpless victim of his own best friends?
For all that Biff had hassled him, Jon couldn't help feeling sorry for his former tormentor. This was his fault; he was the one who had given a high school senior the personality of a good, gentle ten year-old. No wonder Biff was being picked on!
"Hey, Jon!" Mike said as he appeared at his older brother's side. Then Mike's gaze shifted to the quartet.
This was Jon's chance to redeem himself, he realized. Grabbing the stone, he whispered, "I wish Mike was a high brown belt in karate!"
That should give him what he needed to rescue Biff, Jon thought in satisfaction.
Mike strode toward the group, his movements evidencing a flowing grace they'd never possessed before.
"Hey!" he called out, getting the attention of all four teens.
"What do you want?" Mike challenged.
"To show you wimps how to really pick on a loser," Mike replied, bolting forward and leaping into a textbook perfect spin kick, knocking Biff flat! The other teenagers burst out into laughter, high-fiving Mike.
Crap! What had he been thinking? Of course Mike was a bully now, just like Biff had been. Except by giving Mike such martial arts mastery, he had made his little brother even more dangerous than Biff had been!
