AN: This is my first attempt at a fanfic, so please keep that in mind when reviewing. I have no issues with flames as long as you're not stupidly rude.
I've shipped Thomas and Rose together since I first watched Titanic, I think they're so perfect for each other!
I'm assuming that all readers will have already seen Titanic, so if you haven't yet seen it, I'd reccommend not reading this as you'll probably just be confused.
I stared silently at my wardrobe. The ticking clock behind me was a constant reminder that I only had minutes until I was expected down for dinner, but I couldn't find the motivation to get ready. Ready for another meal with the same narrow minded people, talking about how great money is, how much they have, and how they intend to make more. Ready for Cal to show me off like he's won the greatest prize at the fair. Ready for Mother to go on about wedding plans without a thought towards her daughters welfare.
"Rose!"
I shut my eyes, as if by shutting off my vision I could shut out the world. I tried to forget about the corset that was hugging me too tightly, or the ship that was carrying me back to America against my will. I wanted to forget about my arranged marriage with an arrogant, untrustworthy man.
"Rose! Hurry, don't hang about!"
Mother's shrill voice broke through my barriers. I had no choice but to slip into a dress and leave the safety of my dressing room.
"Hurry up Rose, Cal is outside, dinner is starting, what would people think if we were late for our first dinner on the ship..." Mother continued muttering about the opinions of others. We boarded Titanic this morning, and Mother had already sussed out who she needed to impress. Tonight we were to dine with Mr Ismay, the owner of the ship, and Mr Andrews, the designer and main craftsman. Of course, other first class people such as Molly Brown would be there, but they were unimportant to Mother and Cal.
Cal joined us outside, took my arm and were walked hurridly down to the dining hall. An endless sea of faces above expensive outfits greeted us. I nodded at smiled at them all, without achknowledging their identity. Like it mattered who they were.
The starter was uneventful. I was introduced to Mr Andrews and Mr Ismay. Ismay had a pompous manner, and looked me up and down like I was a horse for breeding. He smiled and nodded to Cal, as if I was his handywork. How I wished I could openly glare at the man. However, Mr Andrews was alright. He had a kind eye and smiled to me, instead of at me. His quiet Irish voice was soothing and safe, unless the posh accents of the other first class men. I instantly warmed to him.
Unfortunatly, the main meal was not as boring. Mr Ismay was babbling about Titanic as if we were sat in heaven. He made a constant effort to get Mr Andrews to boast about how the ship worked, but Andrews was too modest. I picked at the lamb Cal had ordered for us. It's not the lamb I object too, it's the fact that I didn't get a choice. Mother managed to tear herself away from the conversation long enough to glare at me, indicating that I should stop playing with my food and eat, but I wasn't in the mood to be the well-behaved daughter I was supposed to be.
At first, no one noticed me take the cigarette out of Cal's pocket and light it. It was Molly who noticed first, and chuckled at me under her breath. Cal and Mother had followed her gaze, earning me another glare.
"You know I don't like that, Rose" Mother said through her teeth. I blew a puff of smoke into her face. It shut her up, until Cal took the cigarette and stubbed it out,
"She knows" he said. Mr Ismay looked shocked at my behavior, whereas Mr Andrews looked slightly amused, if not a little suprised. Molly hastily changed the subject,
"So who thought of the name Titanic? Was it you Bruce?" She chuckled. Ismay puffed out his chest,
"Why yes, it was. I wanted something that described the sheer size of her..." I began to tune out, his stuck up manner was beginning to irritate me. I looked over at Mr Andrews, who looked just as annoyed. I decided I would have at least someones support if I stopped Ismay from carrying on his ramble.
"Have you heard of Dr Freud's work, Mr Ismay?" All eyes turned to me as I spoke in my calmest tone, "his ideas about the male fascination with size may be of interest to you."
A few gasps sounded around the table. Mother looked appalled, Cal furious, and Ismay was opening and closing his mouth like a fish, I glanced at Molly and Mr Andrews, who were hiding laughter behind their hands.
"Excuse me" I said, rising from the table, deciding to stay out of Mother and Cal's way for the rest of the evening. I heard Mother apologising about my behavior behind me, it made me want to scream. Why should I behave like them, when I'm losing control over my life. I walked faster, heading for my room. No one would be back from dinner for a few hours yet, so I could relax.
I collapsed on my sofa, thinking about what lay ahead of me. Cal having total control over me. The world expecting me to be the good wife that I was raised to be. I must have drifted off in my thoughts, because what seemed like minutes later I was being shaken by a furious Cal.
"What is the matter with you?" He roared, "you are my fiancee, you are representing me now. You will never behave like that again, do you understand me?" His grip around my wrist began to hurt.
"Cal.." I whimpered, looking at his hands around my wrist.
"Do you understand me?" he shouted. I nodded, and he released me. He stepped back, looking thoughtful. Then he suddenly stepped forward and slapped me, hard, across my face.
"Don't you ever think of acting like that again Rose" he said, before taking his cigars and leaving the room. I sat still for a while, in shock. Then the tears came, followed by the thoughts of a future, married to Cal and covered in bruises. Mother turning a blind eye as he beats me in front of our children...
Somehow I ended up on the deck, out of breath, leaning over the railings at the back of the ship. The black water looked so calm, the stars reflected on the surface looked so beautiful. If I jumped, my body couldn't be retrieved and locked in a vault with my dead relatives. I would stay in the ocean, untroubled and free. Without thinking, I climbed over the rail, and closed my eyes, ready to welcome the sweet peacefulness of death.
Thomas will be involved in chapter two, I promise! Don't forget to review! :D