Then I hit the water.
Under the Water
The pool was colder than I expected.
My dress spread around me like a heavy cloud, and the fabric clung to my legs as I struggled to orient myself. My carefully styled hair came loose, and water rushed over my face.
For a few terrifying seconds, I couldn’t tell which direction I was facing.
I pushed upward, fighting against the weight of the soaked dress, and finally broke through the surface.
I gasped for air.
My first instinct was to look for Daniel.
I expected to see panic on his face. I expected him to reach toward me, apologize, or at least look ashamed of what he had done.
Instead, he was laughing.
Not nervous laughter. Not the kind of laugh that escapes someone who has made a terrible mistake and doesn’t know how to react.
He was genuinely amused.
His friends were laughing with him. One of them held up a phone, recording me as I tried to push wet hair away from my eyes.
