Melissa slammed her cup hard against the floor, expecting the sound to jolt Zara upright.
But she didn't even flinch.
Zara rolled onto her back, staring blankly at the ceiling. Her breath came in shallow gasps; every inch of her body screamed in pain.
Melissa stepped over and crouched beside her, eyes sharp, casting a shadow across Zara's face.
"Who said you could back out?" Her voice was cold, firm.
Zara blinked and looked away, lips pressed together. She didn't answer.
"Stand up," Melissa commanded.
Zara hesitated, her legs trembling, but she pushed herself up anyway. Slowly. Painfully.
"You claimed you did eighteen jump squats." Melissa crossed her arms. "You couldn't even do one just now. Why?"
Zara bit her lip, ashamed. "I lied," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "And... there's one more thing."
Melissa's gaze sharpened.
