Chapter 4: Catalyst
The blood rushed to Joe's face as he felt the cold sea water clamp onto his lower half. The waves crashed around him like a chorus of thunderous applause, and for a moment, the world seemed to slow down.
"Joe!" Sam's voice cut through the cacophony, and he turned to see her splashing towards him, a remorseful look on her face.
"J-Jessie?" He sputtered, feeling the heat of embarrassment bloom in his cheeks.
But Sam didn't seem to notice, or if she did, she didn't show it. Her eyes were focused on something behind him, and he followed her gaze towards the beach.
The crowd of beachgoers had turned their attention towards the water, a sea of heads pointed in their direction. Joe felt a lump rise in his throat as he realized what had happened. His swim trunks had been pulled down, exposing him to everyone on the beach.
But there was no cruel laughter, no derisive comments.
Instead, there was a moment of silence, as if everyone on the beach was holding their breath. And then, slowly, a ripple of chuckles began to spread through the crowd, their amusement tinged with a note of sympathy.
The blood rushed to Joe's face as he tried to pull up his swim trunks, but it was too late. He felt Sam's hand on his shoulder, steady and warm.
"It's okay, Joe," she whispered, her eyes full of compassion.