Disclaimer: I do not own Tuck Everlasting or anything pertaining to it except my own writing.

A/N: AU oneshot.

It was all Sam's fault. Really, it was.

Sam Byerly, a good friend of Winnie's, had absolutely begged her to see the new movie Titanic, with that 'hunk of cuteness' Leonardo DiCaprio and the ever enchanting Kate Winslet. Having been there for the real sinking–or, rather, alive for it–Winnie wasn't a big fan of the idea, but even that actually got worse.

Jack Dawson, the character Leo portrayed, was whimsical, smiled often, laughed a lot, and loved life. Jack reminded her much too much of a certain boy from Winnie's past, and it was making her feel sick.

"She just let him go!" Sam wiped her eye, sniffling. She had cried, and so had Winnie. "Like there wasn't room on that stupid driftwood!" Sam added snappishly. "Idiots!" Winnie nodded dully. Her friend glanced at her, curious. "Hey, I may be emotionally wrecked…" Like the ship, Winnie thought bitterly. "…but I can see when a girl's upset. What's eating you?"

"Parasites," Winnie responded. Sam snorted. "Fine," said Winnie. "Just… Jack reminded me of someone, that's all."

Sam looked at her, eyes wide. "Seriously? You know someone like Jack Dawson?" she demanded. "Does he look like Leo because I swear to God, Wi–"

"No, no, he doesn't–didn't," Winnie amended.

"Didn't? What happened to him?" Sam inquired, unable to believe that she wasn't already aware of all the juicy details.

Winnie tried to look casual. "We were sort of a thing and then he and his family had to move. Work stuff," she partially fibbed.

"Oh. What was he like? Just, like Jack?"

"Oddly enough, his name started with a J too," Winnie said, almost smiling. "Jesse." Sam laughed. "He was fun, loved to laugh and run, and was always smiling… Until we had to say goodbye, at least." Winnie's nostalgic smile drooped.

"That sucks," Sam said sympathetically. "How'd you guys say goodbye? Was it romantic? Let me guess, it involved the words, 'never let go!'"

Winnie grinned. "No, not really. He said... he told me he'd love me until the day he died." Bianca wasn't even aware of the very real significance of these words.

Even so, she squealed in delight. "That's adorable! Oh my God, Winnie, why did you let him go! You shoulda grabbed on and held tight!" Sam screeched.

"It wasn't that simple," Winnie said, shaking her head as she walked on.

"And how so?"

Winnie knew she couldn't tell the truth. She hated building relationships, because she knew she would have to leave soon anyway. "Let's just… please drop it, okay? I don't like talking about him."

Sam sighed in a rather dramatic fashion, but nodded reluctantly.

So really, Winnie's mood was Sam's fault.

Then again, maybe it was Jesse's fault. After all, if he hadn't made a promise he would later break, Winnie wouldn't have drank from the spring on her 17th birthday so long ago, believing he would come for her on that day. If she had just known…