"Wherever we travel to, the wonderful people we meet become our family."
Lailah Akita
Prologue:
"Oh! My dear Jonathon. You shall be splendid. I can not imagine a dinner without you!" The older woman cried, her purple painted lips stretched open in a smile. She swayed back on her feet, every so often leaning into him. She was, of course, trying to get him to marry her daughter. She was a wealthy one, like the rest. Her face was all red and her weight was certainly above average for a woman her age. A wool shawl was wrapped around her shoulders and golden bracelets tightly fitted on her large white hands.
He gave her a grin that didn't reach his eyes but she didn't seem to notice. "I must take my leave. You should too, Miss Maryse. The dock will be filled soon." She took the statement as understanding from him and laughed softly before waving goodbye. He shook his head a few times and turned when he felt a short tap on his shoulder.
"Ladies bothering you already, lad? Get used to it, Jonathon." It was Raphael, his black curls shaking into his eyes. His tan skin almost sparkled from the sun that was viciously staring down at them. It was a hot day, the air filled with excitement and whispers. Women of all ages chattered, their hats atop their heads like umbrellas. Workers scurried to different areas, equipment in their hands before the ship would take sail. He scanned the great mechanism in all its glory. So large. Nine hundred and sixty eight feet of length and eight seven feet of width. A special one indeed.
Jonathon whirled to face his companion, an expression of amusement flickering on his face. "I can not believe it. Can you?" He asked genuinely, his orbs not willing to leave the vessel. All steel and no flaw.
Raphael sighed, shielding his forehead with his palm. "I still believe this is a simple dream." He jerked his head. "We are only here to play; you are aware of that?"
Jonathon stretched his arms out and grabbed his bag along with his friend's. "I am aware of that. That does not mean I will not have fun."
They trudged together to the cabin boy and handed in their tickets, watching as their instruments were taken by other servants. He sucked in a breath when he reached the third class floor. Sure, it was third class. But it was third class in the almighty reigns of Titanic. Only the lucky and rich had made it. He was lucky. Though he was never labeled as poor, his mates all lacked the sufficient amount of cash he possessed and so he opted to join them, not minding the small room the three of them had to share. Nor the rats that had decided to accompany them. Raphael claimed the top bunk and Jonathon had no choice but to take the bottom. He glanced at him in bewilderment. "You are not going to sleep, are you?"
Raphael pulled the grimy sheets atop his short body, his eyelids shut to avoid his gaze. "Oh, but I am. I need the rest."
Jonathon made a noise of surprise and then chuckled. "I shall tell everyone back home that the first thing Raphael ever did on the Titanic was slumber." Pursing his lips, he decided to wander the deck. He saw children playing soccer with a single small rock. He saw Maryse and her family speaking with one of the sailors. Her head was bowed but he could tell that she was shouting. Knitting his eyebrows, he took a seat on the bench and stared out at the sea. The waves small but rockety. He loved water. The feel of it. The sounds of it as it crashed against the metal. It was a sight he could stare at forever.
"Oh, I can not believe you! Leave me alone. I do not need a babysitter!" And then the person plopped beside him, ruining his train of thought. She was a woman his age wearing expensive material. A corset gown that tightened around her breasts and her small waist. She had an angry look on her face. Her green eyes were sharply peering at the ocean, teeth biting at her bottom lip. He suspected she was a royal.
"Is there a reason you are ogling at me like a buffoon?" Her face met his. Her tone was harsh, eyes narrowed.
"No reason." He placed his hands up in defense. She was angry.
She huffed, crossing her arms against her chest. "What are you doing here, anyway? This is the upper deck."
He smiled at her attempts at a conversation and pushed his hair back. "I like it here."
She snorted, her lips beginning to curve. "The rigger will catch you. It will happen. They do make rounds on the ship if you must know."
Scoffing, Jonathon found himself enjoying her irritating presence. "You're European?"
She laughed, surprising him. Her lips were red from lipstick, cheeks rosy by nature. "My accent must not be noticeable." Her voice was tinted with sarcasm and he continued to stare at her.
"Was that your husband you were shouting at?" Her shoulders grew stiff at the mention and she seemed to come to realization at where she was and who she was talking to. She rose abruptly from the wooden bench and scowled.
"And who are you to ask me such a question? It is scandalous. I do not even know what I am doing with you!" She uttered, her auburn hair lightly swaying. He smirked, remaining in his seat.
"Then you can leave." He told her.
She opened her mouth. Then closed it. "Oh, I will! And I do hope you get caught! By the captain, especially."
"I thought you were leaving."
She was holding back a smile. I knew. Her dimples came into display. "Shut up, you imbecile! You will hear from me." And she turned away from him. She darted to the stairs, her skirts reeling after her.
[I do not own Titanic and not all events from this story come from the true event or film. Please review. Thanks.]
