I mutter groggily. “Don’t worry,” says a voice above me. I blink my eyes to clear the mental haze, and it’s then I realize a man is kneeling beside me and cradling my head while I lay sprawled out on the floor. “An ambulance has been called. Just try not to move or you could make your injuries worse.” “An ambulance?!” I shoot up in a sitting position, horrified at the thought of being hauled out on a stretcher while everyone in the gym stares and judges me. I look around and realize it’s already too late. Everyone in the vicinity has stopped working out to watch the fat chick who wiped out on the treadmill. I hastily scramble to my feet. “I’m fine, just embarrassed. Actually,” I say, trying for humor, “I meant to do that. Now if you’ll excuse me—“ “Wait.” He holds on to my shoulder and I notice the Total Impact logo on his shirt marking him as a gym employee. I take a good look at his face and every last remnant of my self esteem shrivels up and dies.
