No, they’re too embarrassed

Alice and Kristen drifted down river at a much calmer pace now that the rapids had ended. Both swam along in silence, hoping and praying there would be a way up at the rope swing.

As they rounded another bend of the river, Alice caught site of the rope swing, and her eyes lit up. Unfortunately, her eagerness was shattered when they came fully around the bend.

At the area in front of the rope swing, there were several people, possibly a dozen, swimming in the water. And another half dozen were lined up on the rope swing. Kristen groaned, and looked at the stairs. They were in full view of everyone in the water, and at the rope swing. Getting out of the water was possible, but would be extremely humiliating. Alice looked to Kristen for an answer.

Kristen thought nervously. She was sure getting out here would be extremely embarrassing. She even knew one of the girls in line at school, further intimidating her. But she also understood waiting was a big risk, since they were now on the outskirts of town, and eventually the river would reach knee level at the park the river wound through. The further they drifted, the more in town they would be getting out of the river at. She shivered, and looked around. “If we don’t get out here, then we’ll probably get out in town. What do you want to do?” She asked Alice, her voice wavering.

Alice looked at the assortment of grown men, women, and children before them. As much as she wanted to avoid it, she knew there would be no way she could bring herself to get out of the river at that point. She believed there had to be another way.

She shook her head towards Kristen. “Let’s just keep going. I’m not going to show my bare ass to all these people.”

They drifted past the strangers, thankful the water was dark enough to make people thing they were wearing strapless swimsuits. Kristen waved at her classmate, who pretended not to see her. A few moments later, they were continuing down the river, still searching for a way out. A road that ran along the river had a constant stream of cars running along it, signaling they were getting closer to town.