Timeless Regrets.

Beach Day! Part 2 (Chapter - 16)

I shut my eyes, bracing for the punch to land.

*Thump*

But... nothing. I heard the hit, but why didn't my face hurt?

I opened my eyes and saw the guy still frozen in his punching stance—but his fist was caught mid-air.

"Papa?!" Samantha's voice was panicked, laced with worry.

Mr. Rossi?!

"You alright, kid?" Mr. Rossi asked, his grip firm around the guy's fist.

"Yes Sir." I managed, still trying to process what had just happened.

Mr. Rossi's gaze shifted between me and the guy, his expression hardening. His jaw clenched, each muscle more defined, showing just how furious he was.

When he finally spoke, his voice was calm but chillingly controlled. Locking eyes with the guy, he said, "I think it's best if you leave. Now."

The guy's confidence crumbled; he shivered, taking a step back under Mr. Rossi's intense stare.

Scary! 

Chills ran down my spine.

The guy glanced around, blood still streaming from his nose, realizing people were starting to stare and that he was at a disadvantage. Without another word, he turned and bolted, his friend scrambling to follow, both of them running as fast as they could.

"Jonah, are you alright?!" Ella's voice trembled as she spoke.

"Yeah," I replied, though my cheek stung painfully.

"You're bleeding!" she gasped, worry etched across her face.

I looked down at the sand, searching for the glasses. 

My heart was racing, still shaken from everything that had just happened.

If Mr. Rossi hadn't stepped in... I didn't want to think about what could have happened.

Then I spotted them. I quickly picked up Joseph's sunglasses, brushing the sand off and inspecting them closely. I opened and closed the arms, checking for any bends.

They look undamaged,

As I adjusted the glasses on my head, I glanced over at Samantha, who gently placed her hand on my face, her eyes still shimmering with tears.

"Are you alright? Are you hurt?" she asked, her voice thick with concern. I could feel her hand trembling against my cheek.

"I'm fine, Samantha. Really, don't worry," I said, trying to reassure her, though her worry remained.

When she brushed her hand lightly along my cheek, a sharp pain flared, making me flinch and instinctively pull away. Samantha's eyes widened in surprise at my reaction.

"It needs ice!" Ella chimed in urgently.

"Y-yeah, let's get you to the cottage," Samantha agreed quickly, grasping my hand and leading me toward the shelter.

Will this be alright? I thought as I look at Samantha's trembling arm as she holds mine. Will her father allow this?

(You already punched someone today. Her father probably thinks you're some violent creep.) A voice started to speak in my mind.

(You think you protected them? Don't kid yourself. You just put them in more danger. They'll be back, and all you did was throw a pathetic punch.) the voice continued

I quickly pulled my arm to release it from Samantha's grasps.

As I pulled my hand free from her grip, Samantha's eyes widened as she looked at me, surprise flashing across her face. She paused, her expression shifting, and when she spoke, her voice was calm and steady, though a faint tremble betrayed her worry.