They called it the ship of dreams. The titanic. The first ship built that was unsinkable. Everyone was amazed at it's size and the capacity it could hold. There were even extravagant rooms inside the ship. Suitable for the upperclass they said, watching us board the ship. None of that mattered to me. I didn't care about this life, I didn't care about being in the upper class.

Ever since my father died my mom was obsessed with going to America. In her mind that was the only thing that would keep our friends from finding out our situation. She couldn't bare the thought of being poor, she would die if anyone else knew the truth. So she forced me to accept Finns proposal, the money was all she cared about. We had to keep up our appearance, we had to pretend like we still had our wealth.

The truth was we didn't. My dad had lost everything and that's how he died; trying to get it back for my mom. I hated her even more for it. I hated her need to be rich, to sit with the upper class. I hated this ship and I didn't want to go to America.

So I did the only thing I could do stuck in the middle of the sea. I ran to the bow and prepared to throw myself overboard.

My heels clicked hard on the floorboards as I ran. My beaded shaw fell off my shoulder but soon I wouldn't need it. Soon I'd be floating in the water, free from my mother and her prying eyes. Free from Finn and the life I didn't want. I'd see my dad again and maybe I'd make sense of what he left behind.

Or what he didn't leave behind.

I threw my bag down, my shaw falling down on my shoulders. I shivered, the air cold as ice. I slipped off my shoes and put my foot on the railing. I pulled myself over and held on as I faced the water. The rushing waves didn't scare me. Okay maybe they did. But that didn't matter. I welcomed the darkness that surrounded the boat, it would relieve me of everything I wanted out of my life.

I let out a slow breath thinking about everything that led here to this moment. I never wanted to kill myself. I always thought I could find a way out of this situation. But once she brought home those tickets, once Finn claimed to have business overseas, I knew there was no way out. I would be stuck with this stranger and a marriage I never wanted to happen.

I closed my eyes getting ready to let go.

"Whoa, I'd rethink that if I were you," a deep voice bellowed behind me.

I jumped, grabbing onto the railing before I fell. I thought I was ready, but now that someone else was here, maybe I wasn't, "excuse me? Who the hell are you?"

His hair fell into his eyes, the dark didn't help me distinguish his features. He was still too far away from me, "I'm just passing through. I just want to help. You don't want to do this. A pretty girl like you. You've got too much to live for."

I couldn't help but laugh, "you don't even know me."

"That might be true," he sighed, "but I do know that water is mighty cold. It'll hit you like a tone of bricks, seep into your soul. That is if you don't hit a propeller on the way down."

"I don't have another choice," he untied his shoes and threw his cigarette down, "what are you doing?"

"Well seeing as you're going to throw yourself over I have to get ready to go in after you. I'm not too excited about it, but I can't just stand here. I'd like to believe you'll listen to me. That water is ice cold."

I blew out a breath and I saw it in the air, "how cold?"

He tightened his jaw and unbuttoned his coat. He was still too far away for me to see more than his dark hair, "I used to go fishing with my dad out on the lake back home. I fell in once. I remember the ice filling my veins, the numbness setting in far too slowly. I couldn't get warm for hours afterwords."

I swallowed the lump in my throat realizing then how terrible my decision was. I took in a deep breath and nodded, "yeah. You're right."

"Turn around slowly," he said reaching out for me. I turned, my stocking the only thing keeping me on the railing.

As I stepped up to go back over onto the ship my dress caught on my foot. I slipped, grabbing the railing as I screamed. The stranger grabbed my arm, his muscles straining as he held me up. My feet dangled, my shaw fell into the water below. I felt the tears in my eyes as the panic rose.

"Please don't let me fall," I screamed over the waves.

He nodded, his hands holding my forearm, "I won't. Trust me, I won't. Now try to pull yourself up."

I couldn't move I was too scared. My feet kept slipping off the railing, the only saving grace was the stranger holding me. My voice was full of panic, "I can't. I'm slipping, please. I don't want to die."

"It's okay," his deep voice was soothing in this situation. He held onto my arm tightly, his shirt pulling as he leaned over to keep me from falling to the death I thought I had wanted moments before. A vein appeared on his forehead as he pulled me. He held my entire weight in his hands and he struggled to keep himself planted on the other side of that railing.

Slowly he pulled me up, I wasn't too heavy for him. But it was still a hassle to get me back over the railing without slipping. The waves kept crashing below my feet, the thought of disappearing into them was lost the moment I heard his voice. I took in a deep breath as he pulled me over the white railing and I collapsed in his arms.

He laughed as I hugged him tightly, "thank you," I pulled back and looked at him now that we were up close. He had big brown eyes, features I had never seen before. His jaw was tense, his skin was dark. He wasn't from here.

"I don't even know you're name," I whispered as the cold settled around us.

I was grateful to still be alive. He smiled, his hands still holding me in his arms, "Bellamy. Bellamy Blake."

"What is going on here?" We jumped apart when the ships Marshall showed up.

"I slipped," Bellamy put his coat around my shoulders before I could shiver against the wind. I looked at him grateful for his gesture. I also knew what this looked like and we both didn't need to be accused of anything that didn't happen. I didn't need them to know I was a mess.

This was a secret we would keep for each other, "Bellamy saved me from going overboard."

The Marshall looked suspicious, his eyes staring at Bellamy for another answer to appear. When he looked away, pulling another cigarette out of his pocket, he just nodded.

I grabbed my shoes, Finn coming to my side, "are you alright? What are you doing out here so late, I was worried about you."

I shivered, my teeth chatter as I felt Bellamy watching us, "I'm fine. I just got a little excited about the water and leaned too far over. If Bellamy hadn't been here, well let's not imagine what would've happened if he wasn't here."

Finn looked over at Bellamy and sighed. He left me alone with the coat wrapped around my shoulders. I watched him hand Bellamy money and rolled my eyes. When Finn came back to my side I glared, "five dollars? That's all the life of the woman you love is worth?"

Bellamy stood there watching us as Finn ignored my question. He smiled as he hugged me and took me away from the stranger who had not only saved my life, but also my sanity.

After almost dying I couldn't stop thinking about my savior. So after two days I went to find him on the third class passenger deck. Finn didn't want me to thank him, but I didn't really care what Finn wanted. I made up an excuse, I needed to give him his jacket back. But the truth was I needed to see Bellamy and tell him if he hadn't been there then I wouldn't be here now. I needed to thank him.

But I also wanted to know him.

The sun was shining, but I still needed a jacket. It was cold in the middle of the ocean, even in the daytime. My heels clicked louder than any other passengers on this deck. Everyone turned to look at me, my big hat intimidating them. I stood up straight and kept my glasses from showing how much I hated my status.

I was more like them than they realized.

"Well well if it isn't the distraught princess," his voice was behind me, I could hear him smiling. I turned around.

He stood there wearing the same shirt he had on that night. He had a book in his hands and he looked just as handsome as I remembered. I took in a deep breath, "you're a hard person to find Mr. Blake."

"Bellamy," he said bowing slightly as he stood there, "my friends call me Bellamy. We are friends right?"

I nodded, "yes I suppose we are. How are you?"

He smiled that crooked smile I remembered from the night before, "I'm good. I've got air in my lungs, a bed that no one else sleeps in. I wake up every morning and I'm on the ship of dreams heading to a new life that's waiting. I'm real good."

"Well good. That's really good," I nodded, unsure of what to say next.

Bellamy smiled, his eyes squinting against the sun as he looked at me. He ran his finger across his lips and kept staring, "so why were you looking for me exactly? Thinking about jumping overboard again? Need a hand in lying to your boyfriend?"

I blushed and shook my head. I stood up taller, "I just wanted to thank you. For saving me. I uh, I would've done it if you hadn't been there. Which scares me. I realize now how stupid and foolish I was for thinking that was the only solution. So thank you for being there."

He smiled, "well then I was in the right place at the right time huh?"

"Yeah," I laughed as he motioned towards a few chairs, "so what's your story? I mean you saw the lowest point in mine."

Bellamy sighed, "why would a high class girl like yourself care about a low class boy like me?"

I shrugged, "because I do. You're different. You told me about fishing with your dad so I wouldn't jump off a ship. I just want to know more."

He looked out at the water and nodded his head. He pulled the book up onto his lap, "well I'm hoping this ship takes me home. I've been wandering around Europe for too long now waiting for my chance. I won my ticket and I can't wait to see America again."

I smiled, "I don't want to see America. I don't want to leave my home," he looked at me surprised, "what's that?"

I pointed to his book so he wouldn't focus on me. He looked embarrassed as he remembered he was holding it, "it's uh. My writing. It's the only thing I keep in this gypsy life of mine."

"Can I read some?"

"Hell no," he laughed as he pulled it away from me, "I don't even know you. You never told me your name princess."

I hadn't realized we missed that part. I looked out at the water, wondering how my mom had missed the entire episode that happened a few nights ago. Finn didn't even seem to care either, he just went along with the slipping story. He didn't push me too hard, even though my shoes were on the other side of the railing.

"Clarke," I held out my hand and smiled at Bellamy, "Clarke Griffin."

"It's nice to meet you Clarke. So we agree no more bow surfing huh?"

I laughed and nodded, feeling stupid for even thinking about jumping in the first place, "yeah. I uh. I had a weak moment."

He whistled as he nodded, "want to talk about it?"
I looked at this stranger and I felt like I could trust him. In the entire mess of my life here on this ship, I finally felt like there might be someone on my side.

So I took in a deep breath, "my dad died. He was the businessman. He was important and he handled everything. He left us with nothing," I lowered my voice even though I wasn't embarrassed by it. My mother had taught me to be though, "my mom forced me into an engagement because she believes money is the only thing we need in life. So we're going to America to start a life we lost in London."

Bellamy looked surprised as he sat there and listened to my condensed story of my life. He squinted at the sun, "I left my sister back home after we lost our mom. She was only eighteen but I had to get away. I had to find myself after losing the only parent I ever had. I hate myself every day for it. That's why I've tried so hard to find a way home."

"Did you write to her?" I asked wondering how someone as compassionate as Bellamy could leave a sister behind.

He sighed, "I tried to, but as you can see I'm not as well off as you are. Which means she probably didn't get my letters because I left her there with nothing. I miss her, I know she probably hates me. We both lost our mother that day and I was selfish."

"Tell me about your sister," I could see his pain, I could feel how upset he was over leaving her. Maybe he would actually feel better talking about her.

He looked away from me, "she's beautiful. Big brown eyes just like mine. Hair as long as yours but as dark and curly as mine. She just loves life, she's fearless. She jumps into any situation and doesn't think before she acts. She wears her heart on her sleeve and it's the most beautiful thing a girl can do. She's my best friend," he sighed, "and I blew it when I walked away. I didn't even say goodbye, I just left. The dirt wasn't even covering her grave and I was on a boat out of there."

"I'm sure she understands," I whispered reaching out and touching his hand.

The moment my skin touched this I felt the spark. His brown eyes found mine and it was like we had shared a million secrets between each other already. I jumped, the feeling going deep down into my soul. I might not agree with my mother and her lifestyle, but I was taught to be a lady. No matter what I was feeling, a lady didn't do these things.

Bellamy looked at me with his big eyes and shook his head, "if I were her I'd never forgive myself. I know my sister, she's not happy with me."

I squeezed his hand, another spark shooting down my spine. I watched him feel it too, our bodies more in tune with each other than we were aware. I shook my head, letting go of his hand. I searched for something to say, but I was too nervous. I had never done something like this.

I had never felt this way before.

"I uh. I have to go," I stood up feeling ashamed of everything I had been thinking. Not because I cared about Finn, but because it wasn't right. My heart was pounding in my chest as I looked at Bellamy. Why couldn't he be the one I was engaged too? Why couldn't my life be more like his?

"Wait, Clarke," he grabbed my wrist and that spark was back. Flashes from the night I almost fell played in my head as I turned to look at him, "when can I see you again? I know we just met, but I uh. I really would like to see you. Friends right?"

I smiled, letting out a slow breath. I knew I would regret it the moment I opened my mouth, but I invited him anyways, "tomorrow night. We always have dinner in the grand ball room. Tell the attendant you're with Finn Collins and his fiancé."

He gave me a nod, releasing my wrist as I walked away before I could do more damage than I already had to my poor bruised heart.

—

My blue dress was too tight. Whenever I let my mother tie my corset she made sure I couldn't breathe. A lady was supposed to be tiny and mute. If I couldn't breathe then I couldn't talk and that meant I couldn't give these men a piece of my mind. That's what she hated the most about me, my stubbornness and the fact that I didn't have a filter. I took after my father that way, I wouldn't let someone treat me like I was less than them.

I hadn't told anyone about inviting Bellamy to dinner. I didn't want it to be a surprise but I wanted him to be there with me. I didn't want to go on Finn's arm, I wanted to bring Bellamy on mine. I didn't care about statuses and stuff like that, I cared about the person that was there with me. I took in a deep breath as my mother stood at the door waiting for me.

"Honestly Clarke, you're always so late. Finn won't wait for you forever," she held her small bag in her hands. She looked worried, the lines were on her forehead now. She hadn't stopped worrying since my dad died.

All this pretending was finally catching up to her.

I rolled my eyes, "well I can barely move because you cut off my oxygen supply with this corset. Plus Finn doesn't wait for me anyways. Let's go mother, before I change my mind."

She grabbed my forearm before I could open the door, "you won't change your mind Clarke Griffin. You know as well as I do in order for us to get our wealth back you have to marry The Collins boy. He's a fine young man, I don't see why you hate this arrangement so much."

"Because I don't love him mother," the words fell out of my mouth before I could think about it. I stopped, the first person coming to my mind was Bellamy. I couldn't love him after only meeting him could I? Then again he had saved my life.

My mother laughed, snapping me out of my anxious thoughts, "love doesn't have to be present in a marriage. Especially not when you are to marry one of the richest young gentlemen in America."

I pulled my arm out of her grip, "I don't care about all that mother, that's what you care about. I thought as your only daughter you might want me to be happy. I see we're both mistaken."

I stomped out of the room ahead of her, my blonde hair falling down my shoulders. She hated when I kept my hair down, which is why I did it for most of the parties we went to. The ball room was already filled with guests, so I stood at the door opening Bellamy hadn't arrived yet.

"Wow you look beautiful," I smiled as his voice filled my ears, spinning around to find him dressed in a nice tuxedo.

I raised my eyebrows, "well you clean up pretty nicely. Steal that suit from someone?"

He laughed as he took my hand and kissed it. I was impressed, he had done his homework, "actually a nice woman lent it to me. She's a friend of yours, Rose Brown?"

I laughed, "Ah yes. Rose. Well I should've known she's always loved a fixer upper like yourself. So you ready for this terrible dinner we will be having?"

He held out his arm for me to take and we walked into the room together as if we were the only ones who mattered, "as long as you're there I think I can manage."

I smiled at him as Finn stopped his conversation with whoever he was talking to and stared at us. I hated keeping track of all the important people in this place, so I stopped. I had no idea who he was talking to and I didn't care. He looked surprised as hell to see Bellamy on my arm. So did my mother, which made it that much sweeter.

"Darling," I put on a fake voice, "you remember Bellamy? He saved me the other night, from falling overboard. I wanted to thank him so I invited him for a nice dinner tonight."

Finn collected himself after glaring in my direction. I knew I would pay for this later, "ah yes, young Blake. It's nice to see you again."

I squeezed Bellamy's hand as we made our way to the table where the food was already waiting. We sat down across from each other, my mother on one side, Finn on the other. I took in a deep breath as the waiter brought us wine, but I didn't take any. I was surprised to see Bellamy refuse the alcohol as well. Finn always enjoyed more than a glass of something at dinner.

It always made his anger worse later that evening.

"So Bellamy tell us about yourself. It's not everyday we have a third class passenger sitting at our table."

I glared at Finn as he ignored me and took a bite of his food. My mom smiled, like she was in on the joke. I shook my head, "don't be rude."

"I'm not. Just trying to make our guest feel comfortable."

I rolled my eyes as Bellamy cleared his throat, "it's alright. Yeah I'm in third class, but I bet my ticket was cheaper than yours," he laughed as he winked at me, "but it's not bad. I mean I've got a bed and food. I'll be home soon and that's what my end goal is. To be with my sister again."

"So you're from America," Finn watched me as I ate, my heart racing as I learned more about the boy I couldn't stop thinking about, "how did you end up in London?"

"Life," he was too happy to fit in with these people. He knew what life was, he had experienced more than finding wealth and keeping it in the family. He was hard and rough, he was happy to have a pillow under his head. Maybe that's why I craved his company more than everyone else's. I knew that's one of there reasons why I was starting to like him so much.

Finn coughed as I slipped off my shoe and ran my foot over Bellamy's. His eyes went wide as he tried to collect himself before anyone else noticed, "well tell us about third class. I hear you have roommates down there. How's the food?"

Bellamy took a bit as I slipped my foot under the hem of his pant, "not nearly as delicious as the food up here in first class. You guys have the better end of the deal."

The table laughed as he said that and I rolled my eyes. Finn stopped obsessing with Bellamy and turned to talk about business. My mother watched me, I could feel her eyes on me as I finished my meal and pulled my foot away from his. She could read me faster than anyone else. I didn't need her making a scene right now.

"So Clarke how did you and Mr. Blake meet?" Rose glanced at me as the waiters cleared the table of the plates.

"I uh. I was leaning down to look at the water and I slipped. Mr. Blake happened to be out on the deck and well he saved me from going overboard."

She raised her eyebrows at me, "well aren't you lucky then? Why did you go to third class to look at the water?"

"I didn't really know where I was. I had just been walking around," I looked at Bellamy and felt my cheeks burn.

"Right time right place, huh? If we weren't so lucky we would've lost the beauty that is Clarke," Bellamy saved me with his sweet words. I looked down at the table as I felt both Finn and my mother staring at me.

They all kept talking, the men getting ready to retire to the study so they could smoke and drink. They never let us come along, they claimed they needed a break from the mundane chatter of women. I hated this part, I always did. Especially because everyone else went along with it.

Finn took my hand before he left me to fend for myself, "this little surprise of yours," his voice was hard, "you know I hate surprises Clarke."

He pulled me away from the rest of the group, "well I thought we should thank him somehow. You heard him the food is not good in third class."

He clicked his tongue on the top of his mouth, "need I remind you that I am your fiancé? You are to be my wife which means you listen to me. Don't you do this again, Clarke," he kept his voice low but it was hard, "don't embarrass me ever again."

I nodded, tears coming into my eyes as he slapped my cheek. The room had emptied, save one person. Finn left me as I felt down to my knees, embarrassed by the way he had spoken to me. Embarrassed that I had stood there and let him treat me like I was another piece of his property.

I looked up and Bellamy was there. He offered me his hand, his fingers tracing the mark Finn had left behind, "he doesn't deserve you."

I shook my head, "he's not always like that."

There was no reason to defend him, but I still did. Bellamy nodded as he helped me back up onto my feet. He pushed a piece of hair behind my ear and then offered me his arm, "care to see what a real party is like princess?"

It was hot as we made our way down the stairs, my shoes pinching my feet. I had changed into a softer dress, one without a corset so I could breathe. Thankfully Bellamy had suggested it, because this party would've been hell in that blue dress. The music was loud and I heard the people dancing and laughing as Bellamy shut the door behind him. This was the basement of the ship. This was a place I had never been and yet I was so excited to step foot into.

"Now this," Bellamy held out his arms, "this is a party!"

I laughed as the guys celebrated Bellamy's return. They passed him around, handing him a glass of beer as we entered the room. They were all clearly in love with the man I was with. I smiled as he held my hand in his and we greeted all the people there. I took in a deep breath and smiled at the strangers, feeling more welcomed here than I ever had with the people who called themselves my friends.

"Let's dance," I said pulling Bellamy into the middle of the room. I laughed loudly as he grabbed my waist and spun me around, the music was upbeat and we jumped around like we were children again. My hair flew around my shoulders, my shoes kicked off into the corner of the room. I had never had this much fun, not since I lost my father.

Two songs in and a little girl tapped Bellamy's arm. He turned away from me, "aw Clara, you know you're my girl right?"

"You're not dancing with me," she pushed out her lower lip. She couldn't have been older than five. Bellamy was so taken by her, I took a step back and let them dance together. I walked over to the first boy who Bellamy hugged and took a drink of his beer.

He stood behind me, both of us watching Bellamy and his new date, "he hasn't stopped talking about you since that night."

I jumped as I looked at the kid who's name I couldn't remember, "and yet I'm the one who had to find him."

He smiled, "he knew he'd never get to you. Not up there in first class. But that doesn't mean he didn't want to try. He really likes you, he doesn't like just anyone."

My heart skipped a beat as I looked at his friend, "Miller right?"

He nodded, "don't break his heart, Clarke. I don't think he could handle that, not so far away from his sister."

I nodded slowly, "I have no intensions of hurting him."

Bellamy made his way back to me as the music slowed down. Clara went back to her mom as he offered me his hand, "can I have this dance my lady?"

I bowed and then took his hand in mine, gliding along with him as the slow song played. He pulled me close, his chest pressed up against mine. I smiled at him, feeling the heat and the sweat in places I had never felt before. I took in a deep breath, lacing my fingers through his.

"I haven't had this much fun in a long time," I whispered as he pressed his forehead against mine, "thank you."

Bellamy looked at me, his eyes staring into mine. Then they traveled down my face and stopped at my lips. He licked his lips, like he was thinking about the consequences that would follow him if he kissed me. I took in a breath, waiting for him to make a move. I wasn't supposed to be the one to initiate it, but hell I wanted to kiss him. I wanted him to kiss me, to feel the spark that would happen when our lips touched.

I licked my lips, "just do it," I whispered as he kept thinking about it.

Finally as the music reached the chorus he pressed his lips against mine. They were as soft as I imagined they would be, his hands gripping my waist tightly as we stopped moving and stood there kissing. I pressed my hands against his cheeks, holding in place.

My heart was racing as we kissed, the spark even more powerful than the one when we first touched. I heard the people around us, but it didn't matter. They all faded away, I forgot where we were as we stood there together. This was what I wanted, a life with a person who I truly cared for. Maybe I cared for him because he saved me from falling.

Or maybe he had saved me from more than that. Maybe he was saving me from myself.

Whatever it was, whatever I was feeling, I didn't want it to stop. I didn't care about Finn or America. I didn't care about losing my money or the status that was so important to everyone else. Here in this basement, surrounded by people I had never met I finally felt like myself. I felt like I was free and that was all that mattered.

I wanted to make this moment last. I wanted to hold onto Bellamy and never ever let him go.