Prologue
"My soul is full of longing
for the secret of the sea,
and the heart of the great ocean
sends a thrilling pulse through me."
― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Hastings, England
August 2020
Ocean. That is where it all started.
Rosalie was looking into the distance of the blue sea. Memories filling her head as she closed her eyes and filled the wind in her hair. She wasn't standing at the sea shore in England anymore.
No, she was standing at deck eight now. It was pretty cold and windy. She was trying not to think how deep Atlantic was under this beautiful ship that will be her home for the next few months. She pulled away from the wind and decided to sit down next to the wall under the big clock. It was almost midnight and she was alone. It was hard to be alone when you are on the 8-deck ship with five hundred students. Mostly US students. It was hard to speak English all the time when it is not your mother language too. Then she heard it...music? Who the hell is playing his guitar at this hour? She wasn't alone any more. She heard steps and music clearly as someone approached...
She was pulled back from her memories when she felt someone touching her shoulders. When she turned around she saw Karl and she smiled at him and leaned back.
"Hey Pretty Eyes, I think it is time to go now. I will wait for you in the car." She nodded and watched him as he walked. She went to find Bella before she joined him.
Dear guests were walking around Hastings Caslte (or what remain of it) after the ceremony was over. There were white lilies everywhere and everything looked like a dream. Chairs covered with white satin facing the sea where just a few meters away from the sea was floral arch completely white and green...just as she promised years ago. Rose tried her best to make this day unforgetable for her friend. "Promise me that I will get to plan your wedding in England!" She used to say it so many times. And it was just like that - she got to plan it and everything was perfect. Less than thirty minutes ago her friend Isabella become married woman.
"Look at them Rose! I can't believe this this - who would have thought that we will end up like this". Bella was shining and her happiness was contagious. Rose smiled back to her friend and hugged her again.
"I know Bella. And this few years just made them more handsome and beautiful - as if that is was even possible." Rose said sincerely remembering the sight of two of them in Belgium. They saw them at the entrence of the ship together and both agreed that they are just too much. So perfect that it's just not fair to any other boys on the ship and out of it.
"I am so happy and even more so because both of you managed to be here with us...just like at the beginning." Bella said and they looked at the same direction. And there, just few meters away were two persons so beautiful in their eyes. No one compares.
Guys were talking and drinking their champagne slowly with cute smiles on their faces. Two great friends and so many stories behind them.
Each of four of them was so different, but they had some amazing history together. Time that brought them at this very moment and secrets that only Atlantic knows.
"That will be a hell of a toast Bella - I promise!" Rose smiled as she left her friend and almost everyone were on they way to the restaurant where she will make a toast for her friends before dinner.
A/N: Hello dear readers. I hope I got your attention with this small part of my story. If you decide to stay you will have so much fun with my characters and their stories as they travel the world and get to know each other and themselves.
This story is inspired by studying program who takes students around the world on one ex-cruise ship now their campus.
I don't know how often I will update, but I hope to finish the story before Christmas. Also, I am need help of beta-readers since English is not my first language.
Enjoy this voyage with this lovely people from my story!