This is all very raw, and it is edited for the most part but some content isn't so rich. I am not that good at writing full stories so please bare with me. Constructive comments are accepted and wanted, but nothing indecent or rude. Please help me, and I will help you. Thanks.

The dinner table was already half-full when my parents and I arrived; already seated were the Hockley party, the Ismay Party, Mrs. Brown, and the Andrews Party. My seat was in-between Miss Rose and my mother. I faced Mr. Thomas Andrews and Mr. Bruce Ismay. The night began with food, and mindless chatter. And I couldn't take much more of it.

"Mr. Andrews, besides looks, what makes this ship different from the rest?" I asked.

"Annabelle" my mother hissed

"No, Mrs. Hanglo, it's fine. It's good the young girl is curious of the world around her, these days a woman needs a good head on her shoulders."

My mothers frown twisted to a smile.

Mr. Andrews continued "Well, Annabelle, this ship was built to fit the needs of everyone. We have new technology in the engines and we have a new way of running things."

"Put against any other ships out now, we would be the first to reach New York City." Ismay added

"And shall this remarkable speed be tested on her maiden voyage?" Cal Hockley asked

I looked up from my dinner plate as Mr. Andrews answered the question. He wore a look of uncertainty but he answered with confidence "Yes, it shall"

This excited me. Although I am required to show an interest in music, art and all things feminine, the most exciting conversations for me are the ones I hear about the Titanic's engines, and her notable qualities. Sitting on the upper deck close to the bridge, I hear the shouts of the day's weather, the ship's progress, and the latitude and longitude.

Mr. Andrews looked over to me "Miss Hanglo, what are your thoughts, so far?"

I sat up straight in my seat, and looked over to my mother, who nodded in approval "Well, Mr. Andrews, I think that the crew is doing a magnificent job, I haven't seen one little flaw…well, except the lifeboats" I looked over at Rose "Miss Bukater and I were talking and doing some calculations, we noticed that compared to the number of people on this ship…"

Rose interrupted "there are enough lifeboats to carry half, if that, many people."

Mr. Andrews looked around for an answer, but Hockley did the talking "Silly women, have you not heard we are aboard the unsinkable ship?" Everyone except for Rose and I joined in a harmonious laughter, causing my face to turn a light shade of pink. In my heart, I wanted to tell all of them everything I did know about this ship, and how much studying on mechanics and architecture I've done, and how I could blow Hockley out of the water with my intelligence. And as bad as I wanted to spit the most fowl words I knew to him for making me look insignificant at the dinner table, I knew I was in the middle of a snake pit, and doing something like that was just asking for the harassment of a lifetime from the tea time gossip hags.

That morning at tea I over heard mother and her friends talking about Miss Rose almost falling off of the ship last night and as much as I wanted to know more, I contained myself though, because I didn't want to get caught up in the gossip. It's the first full day, and I don't think I want to lose the only friend I have made. I excused myself, and went for a stroll on the deck.

"Excuse me, Miss" A young man's voice called behind me.

I turned around; it was a young officer, he seemed familiar, but I didn't know his name. I immediately took notice of his piercing green eyes that carried such a lovely contrast to his brown hair, groomed nicely underneath his cover…

"Does this belong to you?" He held out his hand, inside was the comb I kept my hair tidy in. I hadn't noticed the curls that hung loose around my face.

"Yes, why thank you Mr…" I struggled for a name in my head, but none came to me.

"Officer Alistair Roderick, miss"

"Pleased to meet you, I am Annabelle Hanglo."

He smiled and bowed slightly as I curtsied. He still held my comb in his hand which was the least of my concerns.

"So what is it that you do on this ship, Officer?"

He beamed; I suppose he enjoyed being called "Officer"… "Well, it is my duty to keep all the men navigating the ship focused, most of the time. I advice the captain of anything he may need to know about. And of course, I ensure the safety of all people on this ship"

I smiled "And do you enjoy this job?"

"Well, of course. I'm proud to help sail the greatest ship in the world"

We shared a joint laughter as we walked slowly along the deck of the ship, approaching the bow.

"Miss Hanglo, I have to get back to the bridge. I hope to see you soon. Maybe after dinner you can join me for another stroll? Possibly even a tour of the ship?"

I felt butterflies deep in my stomach and I wasn't sure it was a good thing or not "Of course. We'll meet here then?"

"Yes, at eight sharp."

I smiled again, and walked away. I knew this was part of his job description…to be a charming man, and cause young girls like me to keep those handsome green eyes in mind all day. But, deep inside I hoped I was the only girl he took strolls with, I really did.

When we arrived in the dinner hall, we were seated immediately. I noticed Rose being walked in by a handsome young blond, who I guessed was the man who saved her life. There was a twinkle in their eyes that I envied. Right away I noticed a diversion in her engagement to Hockley. I knew that some form of drama was to arise. I could see the laughs they shared throughout dinner were genuine, despite Mrs. DeWitt-Bukater's ignorant attempts to bring him down into the dirt. With every disguised insult she spat, Rose's eyes darted, and you could see the frustration in her face the whole night. But the blond boy, who I soon found was Mr. Jack Dawson, still carried a sense of pride, and I couldn't find a reason for Rose to not be interested. If money wasn't an object, compared to Hockley, Dawson won hands down. I knew she was aware of this, but I also knew this poor girl is stuck with Hockley for life, and if she found a way out of it, then she would be my new hero. I was just grateful my parents let me weed out the callers I didn't like…which was all three that have come my way.

I looked over to the clock on the wall, it read 7:15. I didn't know whether to excuse myself now and change, or see Alistair in my dinner best. Jack Dawson had already left, and I felt

As everyone divided into separate conversations, I got up and walked over to Rose "Let's use this as an opportunity" She smiled.

"Mother, we shall go now, thank you for an excellent dinner" Rose smiled

Her mother and mine and exchanged looks, and then dismissed us peacefully. As we walked away, we planned carefully.

"I'm going to see Jack; I have no idea what he has planned" she laughed "it's in steerage though…and let's promise to cover for each other"

"Okay, you're doing something way riskier than I. But I will cover. If I see one of the vultures I'll tell them you've gone to…" I began

"Gone too go see the stars on the front of the ship…alone…then hurry down…down the stairs, or Alistair may know a faster way…no he could tell mother…well, I'll trust you. Just find a way down to steerage that is quick enough to get me back to my room and changed, yes?" She finished

"Yes and just say I've taken a lonesome stroll as well, we argued, lightly of course" I added. We laughed and made it to the staircase. I saw Mr. Dawson was waiting for her, so I went the other way to the top deck to meet Alistair.