10 min writing

Concept is simple. Set a timer for ten minutes and write based on the following prompt
Lifting weights

“I’m so glad I finally managed to talk you into this,” Beth says with a grin. 

Her cheery disposition and warm smile would have talked me into fighting a tiger. I decide this is worse. 

Beth shows me the motion, swinging the weight in a carefree arc like a kid on a swingset. She sets the dumbbell down and flashes that smile again. My spirit swells as my muscles deflate. Beth nudges me encouragingly. All it does is make my palms sweaty. A bead of effort rolls down the back of my neck and plops onto the rubberized gym floor that looks like it hasn’t been mopped since last Halloween. I feel the spotlight of everyone’s eyes shine as I let out a grunt of effort. Since when did 15 lbs become so heavy? My left arm trembles with the exertion, and I feel a convulsion come on in my left calf. 

“C’mon,” Beth says. “You got this.”

I curl the last rep and collapse on the floor in a loose puddle of exhaustion, ignoring the candy wrappers strewn on the floor.

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