Gym Candy: Part Four

Literary
Mick continues to narrate the story. In his section, Mick is going against what he once stood for and is changing a lot more than expected. At first he seems unsure of what he is doing but he eventually likes the results of the "Gym Candy" he has been taking. But the side effects seem to be taking a tole as well, will he continue taking steroids or put it behind him and move on with his life?

Themes
Infatuation- Mick starts to like a girl named Kaylee and its pretty obvious that the feelings are mutual. However it might come down to what Mick wants more, Kaylee's affection or the steroids?
Addiction- Mick may not be technically addicted to the steroids but it seems as if he is starting to get addicted to the results of the workouts that the drugs allow to him to do. He is getting stronger and more chiseled but the bigger he gets the bigger he wants to get.
Determination- Once Mick starts taking the steroids he gets more and more determined in order for proper results. He follows the workout plan and sticks to it and never misses a dose of his "Gym Candy"
Rage- Mick experiences sudden bursts of rage due to the side effects of the steroids. Usually he is not an angry type of person but the "roid rage" causes him so snap on one of the nicest guys in school for almost no reason.
Depression- One of the worst side effects of the steroids is the depression. When it kicks in, Mick perceives his life as nothing but an empty whole with nothing but shame and disappointment. It is dangerous and hard to get over.
Lying- Mick begins to lie to Drew and his friends in an attempt to avoid hanging out with them until the side effects of the steroids go away.

Important Quotes

• I want this stuff to help you, Mick, not mess you up (Pg 161)

This quote was important because it was another one of the trainer's talks with Mick that are suppose to "help" him. But steroids do not "help" because they are drugs and drugs do nothing but make things worse.

• That was the first time roid rage came over me, but once that edgy feeling came, it never entirely left (pg. 166)

This quote was from right after Mick had a burst of rage aimed at one of the nicest guys in school. This is important because if Mick got mad at the guy for nearly nothing, what will happen if someone literally does something to Mick to anger him?

• Once you start getting bigger, you just want to keep getting bigger (Pg. 167)

This quote was important because it foreshadows that Mick might actually be addicted to the results of his "Gym Candy"

• I'm busy. I run, I do my lifting; Dad has me painting. I don't have time to hang out (Pg. 167)

This is important because this was one of the times he tries to convince both his mom and himself that he is honestly to busy for friends but in all truth, he is not.

• If I got off the train entirely, if I never took the D-bol again, then the grossness would never come back. I could swim, I could sunbathe, I could walk the lake with my shirt off. Whatever any of them wanted to do okay, because I wouldn't be disgusting (Pg. 183)

This was an important quotation because Mick was debating on stopping his use of steroids which would definitely be the right decision. It really seemed like he was going to stop but sadly he didn't.

• I want to do a real stack (Pg. 184)

This is a short quotation but it was one of the most important. A "real stack" was the full steroid experience that the trainer was talking about. It involved injecting yourself with a needle in the butt and Mick was now deciding to do this. From this point it seems like there is no turning back.

• Just remember to watch out for the rage and even more for the depression. Guys have had spells of depression six months after they've stopped doing injections. Don't get to wound up, because when you unwind, you'll spin that much faster. If depression does come, you've got to fight through it (Pg. 189)

This is an important quote because I think it is foreshadowing something bad happening to Mick. He might either going to go into fits of rage or go into depression and obviously neither one is good. He already experienced rage but now depression make commence as well.

Personal
I really hoped that Mick would not start taking steroids but sadly he did. I pray that he stops before they take over his life because it looks like that is whats going to happen. I hate the fact that he is blowing off his friends and wasting his summer and it is all the personal trainer's fault. If the trainer never introduced Mick to the steroids than none of this would have happened. I feel like Mick should stop with the drugs and continue to have a good time with his friend Drew and his new love interest, Kaylee. I think Mick's mom might be the first to find out about the steroids because she suspects there is a reason why he is not going out with his friends on his summer vacation. I really like the new love interest Kaylee because she seems unique and I think she is a nice fit for Mick, sadly he is losing his chance. I dislike Mick's personal trainer because it is his fault for introducing Mick to the steroids and the even worse type of steroids which involves injecting yourself in the butt. I am also starting to dislike Mick because he is a hypocrite since he once called steroid user's "cheaters" and now all of a sudden he is one of them. I hate the fact that he is switching up on his friends because eventually they will no longer be his friends if he keeps this up. My favourite part of the chapter was when the side effects of the steroids were kicking in and Mick's nipples puffed up and he got zits on his chest and back. It was hilarious when he went swimming with Kaylee and there friends and everyone resorted to awkward silence at the site of Mick shirtless. Although it would have been an embarrassing site to see I loved it because it was so funny. My least favourite part of this section was when Mick experienced depression for the first time because it was sad. I wonder what would have happened if his dad never came and asked him to play catch at the park. Even though its bad I really want someone to find out about Mick's steroid usage just to make things interesting. Overall this was a very eventful section of the book and even though there were plenty disappointments I cannot wait to read what happens next.