Okay, just so you know this is going to be written like a diary. If it doesn't seem like a diary in parts, PLEASE let me know so I can change it!!!!


April 10th 1912, Southampton, England

I stood on Berth 44, staring up at the large White Star Liner that was to take me and my family to America. Never had I seen a ship so large, so extravagant. The steel on her hull was shiny and new, not one dent in it. The crisp white paint of the walls weren't chipped and reflected the sun beautifully. The decks, I am sure, would be perfectly smooth to walk on. Everything about this ship was perfect to anyone's eye; and that was only the outside.

I imagine on the inside everything would be much more luxurious. Well, luxurious for those lucky enough to secure private, first class suites; like my family had. Still, I do believe that the second and third class quarters would be luxurious as well; at least more luxurious than any other ship.

My father came and stood beside me, placing a large hand on my small bony shoulder. He stared up in wonder at the ship as I did.

"Well, what do you think, Lana?" Father asked as he looked down at me, sea green eyes sparkling merrily.

"I think it's amazing," I breathed, not taking my eyes off the ship, "I can't believe we were so lucky to get tickets."

"Believe it, my dear," Father said proudly, "you have no idea what I would do to keep my family happy."

"Oh, Papa," I said excitedly hugging him fiercely, "I know we all appreciate it greatly." Father laughed and pulled my arms from around him, and then proceeded to order crew members around. These cases here and here were to go to Suites B52, 54 and 56; these boxes were to go to B54 and 56; the family safe to B52 and so on and so forth. Father knew what he was doing, and tipped the crew members for their work.

I heard a squeal of excitement as my younger sister, Amelia, ran up to me and tugged on my skirts.

"Can you believe it, Lana?" she asked excitedly, "we're going to go on this boat!"

"Ship," I corrected her, "it's a ship, not a boat."

"Oh, Lana, does it matter what she calls it?" Armand asked, sidling up beside us.

"Yes, it does," I replied coolly, "she's almost twelve. She should know the difference between a boat and a ship. And oh, is this a ship!"

"Lana, you are the weird one," Armand laughed. I shot him a quick glare then gazed around the berth. Thousands of people had come to see them off, all waving and cheering, saying their goodbyes to family members. Crew members scurried around, gathering people's belongings to load onto the ship; directing passengers; helping other crew to load cars and crates onto the back decks. Where would they store all of it? Perhaps there were storage decks below, where none of the passengers could see them. Perhaps they were somewhere around the engine room? Yes, that seemed likely. They'd be where no passengers could access them.

I started as a whistle blew and passengers began to make their way up the gang planks towards the open doors of the ship. I looked around for my father and found him herding Amelia and Armand towards the first class gang plank. He waved for me to follow. I walked absently behind them, looking at the faces of all the people surrounding me. Some were laughing; some were cheering; others were crying. With all the different emotions clambering around me, I also felt the urge to yell out and cheer. But that was not appropriate behaviour for someone of my status; as my annoying but loveable Aunt Margaret would remind me. It really was too bad that she wasn't coming on this voyage; I would have enjoyed her company far more than that of Amelia's or Armand's.

I turned towards the gang plank and placed one foot on it. This was it. As soon as I stepped fully onto the gang plank, I would never step foot on English soil again. I smiled and stepped onto the plank, and walked up towards the door. My father stood there waiting for me, smiling and encouraging me to step onto the ship. As I did, I turned around and looked once more at the small town I would never see again.

As I stepped inside, I froze and marvelled at the beauty of the interior of this ship. Everything was bathed in deep red and gold. The walls were a deep mahogany, contrasted with the gold leaf that was decorated everywhere. It was all beautiful. I would have liked to look some more, but Amelia and Armand were dragging me up a flight of stairs and onto the main deck of the ship. Father was already up there, waving and shouting out to the crowd below. Amelia and Armand soon joined him, both laughing and calling out. I stood hesitantly beside them, not knowing what to do. I didn't know why we were calling out to the people still on the berth; we didn't know any of them. I voiced my query to Armand who just looked at me.

"We're never going to see these people, or this town, again Lana," Armand said, "that is why we are waving."

"But we don't know any of them!" I protested.

'Does it matter?" Father asked, "We'll never see them again. Do try and loosen up, Atlanta. We don't live with your Aunt anymore. We don't abide by her rules. Status doesn't really matter anymore." I grumbled and folded my arms across my chest, sour about the fact that I had just been reprimanded for being the way I was taught to be.

"Cheer up, Lana. Just think, later we can order some crew around," Armand said, "that way you won't forget your status." I smiled grudgingly, and then sighed as I gave a half-hearted wave to the people below us. Little did I realise how right my family was; we really never were going to see any of these people again; the people on the berth and the people on the ship.

I walked aimlessly through the corridors stopping every now and then to peer out a window and look at the vast amount of sea that was surrounding us. We were finally on our way, although we did have to stop at Cherbourg in France to collect more passengers. I made my way back to my rooms, and sat down on the rouge chaise lounge. Although my father had said status no longer matters, it obviously did to the crew and to the suites you stayed in. Ours were the most luxurious suites I had ever seen: mahogany wood everywhere; leaf gold around the edges; deep red wall paper; luscious carpets; and even more luxurious furniture. I loved the bedroom that I had been given. The carpet was royal purple, the wall paper a gold-yellow; a small vanity was in the corner, the looking glass so clear and clean I could see my reflection perfectly; there was a cherry wood dresser with six drawers that were now filled with my clothing; a four-poster bed occupied one wall of the suite, which was covered in a deep russet doona cover; and a small bedside table, whose small drawer was filled with my most precious and worldly possessions.

I looked up as the door to my suite opened and watched Armand enter, accompanied by a young woman no older than me. She was quite short, with silvery blonde hair and bright, baby blue eyes. She was very pretty. It seemed that Armand was giving her a tour of our suites. He must hold a soft spot for her, because he never talks to girls. Armand introduced the girl to me, and gave me a look that said "be nice". I just raised an eyebrow back at him and smiled at the girl. Her name was Julia, and she was housed a few rooms down from us. First class as well. Maybe she and I could be friends, because from the look of her clothes, status was very important to her. As they were leaving, I overheard Armand ask her to join us for dinner. She said she would ask her parents whether she would be permitted or not. Oh, I do hope she can join us.

Armand retired to his suite after that, and I readied myself for dinner. We were to be having dinner in the First Class Dining Room, the most exquisite dining room on the ship. I dressed in my favourite dining attire: a pale blue dress that was pure silk, with white glass beads sewn onto the bodice with silver thread. I pulled my long black hair into an elegant knot at the back of my head, and placed three small pearl clips into the bun. I pulled on my silver heels, grabbed my shawl and waited for the rest of my family. Once we were all ready, we headed down to D-Deck, where the dining room was. On our way to the dining room, we passed the Grand Staircase. Oh, it was magnificent! The dome above the staircase let in the last rays of the dying sun, casting a beautiful golden glow on all the rich, first class couples descending the staircase from the main deck of the ship above. I must beg father to let us walk down the staircase on the way to dinner one day. I believe it would fabulous.

We passed many people on the way to the Dining Room, many who bowed or acknowledged my father. He must have made friends while we were exploring the ship. As we approached the doors to the dining room, I noticed a boy standing just to the side of the doors. He wasn't a doorman that was for sure, nor was he a passenger. He was dressed to shabbily to be a passenger. Perhaps he was from the engine rooms? Or the kitchens? Either way, I didn't pay much attention to him, even when he openly stared at me with piercing blue eyes. I just simply put my nose in the air and walked on by. An action I will regret later on.

Dinner was absolutely superb. I had never eaten so much fine food in my life, or listened to such delightful music. Father has gone to the Men's Saloon for a cigar and brandy, along with the other men who joined us at dinner. Amelia has wandered off with her new found friends, Hannah and Lucy. Armand, of course, has joined Julia up in the Palm Court. I have retired to my suite for now, so tired and full from the meal. Tomorrow we'll be stopping in Queenstown, Ireland, to pick up more passengers. Then it'll be nothing but the Atlantic Ocean for miles, then America. I am so excited; I cannot wait to arrive in America. Only four more days to go, then we are at our new home.

At dinner we were joined by a Mr. Bruce Ismay. He was the man who had designed the ship and the one responsible for making her so luxurious. He was also the one who named the ship. He named her for her extreme speed and luxury. The ship was called Titanic.

Dun dun dun!! Lol, you all probably already knew that the ship was Titanic. And don't worry, this isn't going to be anything like the story of Titanic. It's not going to have Jack or Rose, it's just going to have the main story of what happened to the ship. Plus a few shape shifters thrown in.
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed it. Please review if you have any suggestions or flames. I don't mind flames. I think of them as constructive advice :P

Thanks again, VampSa

P.S I do not own the Titanic or anything to do with the Titanic (though, God, I wish I did).