Jonathan sighed as he was jostled yet another time by the people scurrying about the sea port. His grip on his sister Samantha's hand tightened. He didn't want to lose her plus he knew that if their mother found out, she would rant on and on about how it was his responsibility to look out for his younger sister. He had told her that Samantha should be able to take care of herself now that she was 18 but his mother insisted that his job as the older brother at the age of 20 was to watch out for her.
"There!" Samantha exclaimed when she saw the ship they were about to board. People called it the "Titanic" and there were rumors that it was unsinkable. Jonathan looked at the ship in awe. It was so big he that couldn't believe it could float. The sides were blue and windows dotted the side of it. Now he was excited, though he would never admit it out loud. This ship would take him to America, where he would start a new life with his sister. "We need to hurry if we're to board in time," Jonathan yelled over the crowd to Samantha. She nodded and picked up her pace. Jonathan looked behind them to make sure that the man their mother had hired to carry their luggage was still following. When he saw that the man was still there, he looked toward the ramp that lead up to the ship. It went up very high and was very crowded but he knew that that wouldn't bother Samantha, she was a brave one. When they reached the top of the ramp, Jonathan looked back at Southhampton, England. His home, his memories, his life. He was leaving them all behind. He shook his head and turned back towards the ship. "Hurry up Jonathan! We need to put our bags in our room. We wouldn't want this poor man to be stuck with us on this ship," Samantha said bossily. She marched, head held high, towards the hall where their room was. She stopped outside room 13 and looked to Jonathan for the key. After digging the key out of his pocket, he unlocked the door. The two siblings stepped into an elegant room. The carpet was red and the mahogany tables were decorated with gold. The walls were covered with beautiful paintings. This was to be expected because their mother had bought them first class tickets but Jonathan marveled about how much effort was put into this ship.
The man had left them after dropping off their luggage. Now, Jonathan shuddered as the engines started and the Titanic began to flee from England. It was in this moment that he realized how furious he was with his mother for forcing him to accompany Samantha across the sea. He let out a yell of anger and his sister rushed into his bedroom. "Jonathan! Are you okay?" She asked worriedly.
"Yes, I yelled like that because I'm okay," he said. Samantha glared at him. "I just stubbed my toe. Now shouldn't you be getting ready for the banquet? I don't want to be late to our first meal, I'm starving," he sighed. She turned around and left his room but not without slamming the door behind her. Jonathan finished putting his things away and then changed into the suit that his mother had bought him for the voyage. Then he went and knocked on his sister's door a few minutes later. "Are you ready?" He asked. Samantha opened the door and nodded. She was wearing a gorgeous, satin, dark blue dress that fell just at her feet. She looked fit to be a princess. Jonathan offered her his arm and led her the the banquet hall.
The banquet hall was dimly lit and was filled with white tablecloth covered tables. Jonathan walked over to the back room to find the food while Samantha lingered behind. After he found the food, Jonathan returned and found his sister standing way too close to a handsome, dark haired boy. The boy's hands trailed slowly down her arm and she giggled. "Excuse me!" Jonathan said, rushing over to his sister. "Get your hands off her," he growled, glaring at the handsome boy.
"Alright, alright," the boy said, putting his hands in the hair in a mock surrender but as he turned and walked away, he winked at Samantha. "What do you think you're doing?" Jonathan whisper yelled at his sister.
"I was just having a little fun, but then you went and ruined it. I hope you don't make a habit of doing that. Mother wanted us to enjoy this trip," Samantha said.
"Mother also wanted me to watch out for you," he replied.
"I was fine," she said, in a tight voice.
"You were fine then, but I don't trust guys like that. They'll use you and then leave you broken hearted," Jonathan said. Samantha sighed, flipped her hair over her shoulder, and walked away.
Jonathan had managed to get Samantha to sit with him and eat dinner. He scanned the room to see who else was on the ship when his eyes rested on a young woman laughing. She was beautiful. Her dark brown hair was woven into an intricate knot and was held back with ribbons. She looked over the room and their eyes met for a fleeting moment until she looked away and stood up from her table. She was wearing a deep red dress that fell to the floor. Her arms were decorated with gold jewelry. He watched as she walked out of the banquet hall with a quiet air of confidence. Intrigued, Jonathan followed her. The young woman walked through the halls and up the stairs to the deck where the sun was setting. He watched her as she went to the rails and climbed to the other side. "Don't do it," he called, walking toward her.
"Do what?" she said turning back to look at him.
"Jump," he replied, now right next to her, but on the safe side of the rails.
"I'm not going to jump," she laughed. "Why would I want to end this amazing story?"
"Story?" Jonathan asked.
"The way I see it, life is a story. It's your choice to choose whether it's full of adventures or dull," she explained. He nodded. She looked even more beautiful with the setting sun shining upon her face. "This is another of my adventures. See?"
"Yes but it's a dangerous one. Please come back on deck," Jonathan asked. The young woman looked out over the dark waters and then back to the deck. She sighed and turned around to climb back over the rail. Jonathan reached out to help her but then her shoe caught on the metal. She screamed as she began to fall. Her hands grabbed the edge of the ship. "Here! Take my hand!" He shouted. The woman reached up and grasped his hand. He pulled her up and over the rail back on deck. Their eyes met and though her eyes were full of fear, she began to laugh. Her laugh was so contagious that Jonathan started laughing. "You just saved my life! Thank you!" She said through her laughter.
"I saved your life and yet I don't even know your name," he replied.
"Maera Raimondi. And you are...?" She answered.
"Jonathan Fulton," he smiled.
"So Mr. Fulton, what brings you on this fine ship?" She asked with a mock formality.
"Ah, Miss Raimondi, what brings me on this fine ship is my mother," he replied, with the same tone. "She wants my sister and I to start a new life in America."
"You don't want to go do you?" Maera said.
"How do you know?" He asked.
"I can see it in your eyes. They saddened a bit when you mentioned it," she observed.
"Wow..." Jonathan said. "And what brings you on this voyage?" Maera looked over the vast waters before speaking.
"I used to live in America but my father sent my family over the sea to England. And now he's found a husband for me. My brother and I are returning to my father and I'm to marry the man the day after I get back."
"Have you ever met this man?" Jonathan asked, frowning.
"No..." Her voice trailed.
"Well whoever this man is, he'll be lucky to have you. You're beautiful," he said, trying to lighten the moment.
"Thank you," Maera replied, blushing.
Weston stared at Samantha while he ate his dinner. When he saw Jonathan get up and leave, he went over to her. "You look gorgeous tonight," he whispered in the girl's ear. Samantha turned around and grinned.
"Why thank you, kind sir," she replied.
"So, who was that man who rudely interrupted us earlier?" Weston asked.
"Oh, that was just my brother," she told him.
"Ah good," he let out a sigh of relief.
"Why? Who did you think he was?" Samantha asked.
"Well, I thought he was your husband, fiancé or something like that," Weston answered her.
"No no no he's just my brother and he can be quite protective sometimes," Samantha's face turned red.
"Well I guess we'll just have to stay out of his sight," Weston winked.
"It will be an adventure like no other," Samantha giggled.
"That sounds like something my sister would say," he said. "Hey! You should meet her. I think you two would really get along well." He offered Samantha his arm and she took it. Together they ventured out of the banquet hall in search of Weston's sister.
Weston and Samantha found their way onto the deck of the Titanic. The sound of laughter drifted through the wind over to them. "That's probably her. She's very easygoing and finds something good about everything," Wes told Samantha.
"I like her already," she smiled. The two of them followed the sound until they saw Weston's sister looking out over the rail with a tall man beside her.
"Maera? There's someone I'd like you to meet," Weston told his sister. Maera turned around to face her brother. "Weston! Oh yes! You must meet Jonathan!" She exclaimed.
"You!" Jonathan yelled when he saw Weston. "I told you to stay away from my sister!"
"Well then what are you doing with mine!?" Weston shouted back. Maera glanced over at Samantha with a questioning look on her face. Samantha opened her mouth to explain but Weston and Jonathan were still arguing. "Wes, hey, please stop yelling. You'll make a scene," Maera told her brother. She looked at a lady who had been watching them curiously.
"Sorry Mae," Weston apologized.
"Now would somebody like to explain to me what's going on here?" Maera asked, putting her hands on her hips. "Wes, what kind of mess have you gotten yourself into this time?"
"He flirted with my sister!" Jonathan accused.
"What's wrong with that?" Weston asked with an innocent expression on his face. Jonathan sputtered but was at a loss for words.
"This is the Ship of Dreams," Maera said. "Please. As long as your sister isn't engaged, I think flirting is okay." Samantha and Weston nodded their heads in agreement. Jonathan glared at them but sighed. "Fine. But if he hurts my sister. I swear, you will not like what happens next."
"Well then Wes, don't go and hurt... I'm sorry. I don't even know your name," Maera gestured towards Samantha.
"I'm Samantha and you are...?" She replied.
"Maera. And it looks like you all know each other already," the red dressed woman laughed.
"Yes, even though we did get off to a bad start," Samantha grinned.
"That does happen sometimes but I'm sure they'll get over it. I think this will be a great trip," Maera said.
"It's getting late. I believe we should all get back to our rooms," Jonathan told them.
"Yes, it is getting quite chilly," Maera agreed. "Come along Weston." Jonathan and Samantha watched as the two siblings waltzed their way back to their room.
"Seriously Wes, I can't believe you already got yourself on someone's bad side already. It's our first day here!" Meara teased her younger brother.
"I guess being 19 does include a little rebellion," Weston laughed. "Sooooo you and Jonathan...huh?"
"Weston! I'm engaged remember?" She reminded her brother.
"Well your fiancé, whoever he may be, isn't here. So why not have some fun?" He suggested. When Maera frowned, he said, "I saw you two together and I can't remember the last time I saw you so happy."
"I guess that was rather fun..." She began.
"See? C'mon Mae, have some fun now, because you never know what's going to happen when we get to America," Weston said.
"Alright," Meara smiled.