"Now Averdiena, I shall expect you to return to our stateroom. Otherwise there'll be consequences, young lady," Arthur Duran predicts mercilessly. "You're kidding. What'll you do?" Avery demanded sternly. There could be many forms of punishment like not being able to see Jack or Fabrizio who in fact she should socialize with more frequently because he seems to lift her spirits. The Durans were dishing it out near the entrance of the saloon, Cal and Rose not too far and Cal was subtly eavesdropping as Rose spoke to her mother.
"We'll postpone the wedding forceully. Forbid you to interact with your friends. Hire a staff to monitor you closely." Arthur explained possible punishment all in a huff. Fauna on the other hand looked flustered. "You can't postpone Jack and Avery's wedding. That could be unhealthy for them. Arty, you are being too strict. Meeting's got you haywire again?" She pondered concernedly, meeting her husband's unfocused gaze.
"I'm fine. Go rekindle with Ruth and I will take a relaxing stroll on the open deck. Specifically the Hull. And if I even hear word of you, Avery, sneaking about, you won't be enjoying this voyage much longer." Her father promised warily.
Growling silently, Avery stormed away in a puff of anger and detest. She often wondered if her father had changed- and not in a good way. Maybe him being fired from his previous job had taken a turn for the worst? Was he angry at her for her decision to marry Jack? Bloody likely. Or was it? Avery's hypothesis turned shallow as she arrived at her stateroom. Was the Titanic voyage too much for her father to handle and the fresh air around them causing him to act differently?
Avery sat on the edge of her bed after entering the deserted room. Her dad liked Jack... she knew that. He treated him as if one of his own. After taking care of Jack for all so long, the Durans grew accustomed to him and made sure he always had something to eat, somewhere to crash if needed, and lively company to keep him from his dark side.
As Avery thought, she hoped nothing occurred between Jack and Rose, she briefly considered telling her mom of her suspicions.
Avery was very displeased with how this trip so far turned out. She had little to no time to explore the ship itself, or to meet other people besides the ones she already knew. Avery's thoughts turned toward Cal, wondering if he noticed her. A knock on the door took her by surprise and hurriedly walked towards it.
Her breathing quickened, as if the surprise had tired her some.
Opening the door slowly, she spotted Cal, her eyes widened, spooked by the sight of him. Avery was just thinking about him and that she thought was eerie that he was there. Shouldn't he be with Rose? He's a doll. Avery let slip in her mind. The silence was steering awkwardly, the heart in her chest beating superiorly as it had never before. "Oh- um, hi.." Avery finally greeted him with a welcoming smile. "Avery Duran, right?" Cal asked hesitantly. "That's what I go by," Avery merely grinned with a funny tilt of her head.
"Mind my asking of your presence?" She proceeded without commentary from Cal. "Mr. Duran appointed me to keep an eye on you," he responded.
"I don't- uh-er." The strawberry blonde stuttered, stepping closer to the man in front of her. "Sounds like you're on thin ice with your old man." Cal stated with a roll of his eyes. "All because I drunkenly called my parents idiots... and stayed out to late with the aroma of smoke," Avery explained her faults. "Idiots, huh? A classic." Cal barked a laugh, amused. Brushing past Cal with a cold glint to her bright blue eyes, Avery sprinted through the A-deck hall, up the stairs to the open deck. Breathing deeply in the fresh air, relentlessly hoping to spot Jack. To be honest, Cal creeped her out to point zero. She needed to cry in Jack's arms, or at least make him aware of how Cal had a hint of interest in the way he spoke and stared at her.
Unless she read him wrong? Highly doubted as Avery was an expert at telling if a boy seemed the least bit interested.
Cal had kept an eye on her after closing the door to the Duran's stateroom securely, he ran after the frightened girl. He indeed took an unusual liking to Avery. If only they could get better acquainted, if she wan't engaged to Dawson... they could have a chance. "Avery?" Cal said attentively and apprehensive. "Stay away... you're a stranger." She responded icily. "I know. We can change that; you, me. First class and a dinner," Cal offered kindly, his smile soft as Avery stared at him. A moment.'a hesitance, "why not. It's not like Jack would notice." She shrugged, her prejudice and assumptions about him had quickly gone away.
...
Bright and sunny as could be, Captain Smith, Rose, Ruth, Cal, and the Durans stride down the bridge by the chartroom. Cal ensured Avery was safely returned to her stateroom and was insightful her parents wouldn't know about her vast escape. The Durans joined them and Captain Smith for a mini tour, finding time to spend together rather than worrying about Avery who they trust to not disobey them.
"Anther ice warnig, sir.
This one from the "Baltic"." Harold Bride, one of the wireless operators of the ship informs Captain Smith, giving him the very Marconigram.
"Thank you, Sparks." Smith said politely, stuffing the message in a pocket, he momentarily nods reassuringly at Rose and the group. "Oh, not to worry." Smith smiles warmly to the Durans then to Rose and Cal.
"Quite normal for this time of year," he continued, unconcerned.
Rose remained unsure though feigned comfort across her features, humouring the captain as she was sure he had other things to worry about as well.
"In fact, we're speeding up. I've just ordered the last boilers lit." Smith informed everyone.
Ruth kept wondering where Avery was, usually when her parents were together, she was always there for an outing. Is it true then? Avery preferred to spend her time with boys and act snobby, letting her money overpower all her beliefs and dreams? That young lady needed a serious talking to. But on the contrary, Ruth thought it fun to witness Avery ruin her life.
Continuing along to the side of the ship, near the lifeboats, Rose, Cal, Ruth, Fauna, and Arthur eye the beauty, yet Rose is curious.
"Mr. Andrews, forgive me, I did this sum in my head, and with the number of lifeboats times the capacity you mentioned..." Rose paused hesitantly. "Forgive me, but it seems there aren't enough for everyone on board." She concluded bracingly, wondering if there was some sort of inequality.
"About half actually..." Mr. Andrews admitted sombrely. "Rose, you miss nothing, don't you?" He added complimentary.
Arthur was envious of Rose, standing behind her, wishing she was his daughter. Fauna exchanged an impressed glance with Ruth who didn't mind her all the sudden. Rose didn't know how to perceive the comment.
"In fact, I put in these new type davits, which can take an extra row of boats here." Mr. Andrews said, proud of his work. He created a thoughtful gesture to the deck. "But it was thought... by some... that the deck would look too cluttered. So I was over-ruled." He continued without prompt.
"Waste of deck space as it is," Cal interjects, tapping the side of a lifeboat with the end of his fancy walking stick, clearly showing off. "On an unsinkable ship." He exclaimed confidently.
Why would it be called 'the Unsinkable Ship', then?
"Sleep soundly, young Rose. I have built you a good ship, strong and true. She's all the lifeboat you need." Mr. Andrews says reassuringly, walking ahead of Rose, catching up with the Durans, Ruth, and Cal.
"Just keep heading out. Keep onto the engine room." Mr. Andrew's voice grows distant as Rose's arm was pulled on by a shady man- Jack. He leads Rose away to the gym of the ship, they glance around cautiously, anticipating not to be seen by Cal, Ruth, or most importantly, Avery's parents who'd be sure to inform Avery of this strange occurance.
Speaking of young, lonesome Avery Duran, she was keeping true by her parent's demands and was writing fervently and eloquently in her diary she constructed herself. She was illustrating how she and Cal got on differently earlier, also included how she felt and wondered they'd fine together.
Avery poured her feeling about the dispute with her parents, complained how she and Jack hadn't kissed since the night before; suspecting they've become distant since he met Rose. Rose. She growled in her mind. Avery thought Rose less of a friend since her and Jack's eyes met.
Rose somehow... changed it was an evil, distasteful word Avery disliked.
She then wondered what adventures her parents were on.
She wondered wondered what adventures her parents were on. Mrs. Bukater probably alongside them.
Avery shuddered at the thought, closing her diary and stuffed it under her pillow which she rested her head comfortably as she laid down, her thoughts leaning to Cal and his adorable face.
The dream that submerged was not abiding Avery any justice from the last horrifying nightmare. Lately, that's all it was.
Avery was standing firmly yet elegantly at the Hull of the ship, again, wearing her wedding dress all so beautiful. She was next desperately clinging onto the thankfully sturdy railing, praying to God that she'd be spared along with Jack and Rose. Cal had already plummeted to his undeserved death.
Avery was aware of a newfound fond affection for Cal; the way he showed what love should really feel and not what it shouldn't. That man had real potential. Wedding dress flailing about, Avery glanced sadly to Jack, knowing this was destined the end of two great lovers.
"Don't let go," he said, tears evident. "We're goners." Avery responded quietly, barely audible over the crashes of the waves.
Though Jack was oblivious to Cal and Avery, Avery had caught into Jack and Rose at an instant.
Thinking about this, Avery looked around at Rose, her decision final.
"Averdiena, don't!" Rose demanded, clear over the water sounds.
"I'm sorry." She apologized for the hundredth time.
"I can't..." Were Avery's last words before letting go of the railing, dropping to the end of the ship.
Soon to join her parents and Cal.
With an unpleasant startle, Avery woke. Cold sweat surrounded her, body shaking subtly. Grimacing at the substance of sweat, Avery shot up from her bed, utterly grossed out and fearful.
She gathered her belongings for a highly anticipated shower. Her choice of attire being a turquoise V-neck shirt with a frilly, pink skirt, Avery was too distracted to care.
Back with Jack and Rose, they've entered the gym inconspicuously. "Jack," Rose began before he could close the door. Jack approaches Rose. "This is impossible. I can't see you," Rose insists, making a beeline towards the door. Jack grabbed onto Rose's arms before she could exit. "I need to talk to you." He says forcibly, managing to sound irritable as Rose stands close to the wall beside the door as Jack removes his hat. "Jack no. No. Jack, I'm engaged. I'm marrying Cal," Rose explained, her expression insincere.
Though she had her doubts; that was expected- she knew Avery must be going through hers by now.
"I love Cal." Rose added with a meek smile. A few seconds silence from both.
"Rose," Jack sighed slightly, raising both eyebrows plausibly. "You're no picnic, you're a spoiled little brat, even. But under that, you're the most amazingly, astounding, wonderful girl- woman that I've ever known. And-" He was interrupted by the very woman who was confused and disturbed why he was telling her this.
Jack loved Avery, no?
"I." Rose said. "No, let me try and get this out. You're ama-" Jack lost his nerve as they both stood in front of the window, the sunlight in Rose's red hair.
"I'm not an idiot," Jack states, his breath uneven as he jerks his hand confidently.
"I know how the world works. I've got ten bucks in my pocket. I-I've nothing to offer you and you know that." Jack rambles on. "I too, am engaged and am having second thoughts." He confesses. "I understand... but I'm too involved now." Jack inches closer to Rose, not shaking though audibly nervous.
"You jump, I jump, remember?" He reminds her.
"I can't turn away without knowin' you'll be alright." Jack insists, staring Rose in the eyes. "That's all I want." He gives a slight shrug. Rose analyzes Jack's face, intrigued. "Well, I'm fine. I'll be fine," she repeats, nervous by how close Jack had gotten, and shook up by how much he cares.
No wonder Avery likes him. Rose thought happily. "Really." She said with finality. "Really?" Jack arched his eyebrows curiously.
"I don't think so. They've got you trapped, Rose," Jack said, pointing in a random direction. "And you're gonna die if you don't break-free. Maybe not right away because you're strong. But sooner or later that fire I love about you, Rose, that fire is going to burn out." He said softly, caressing her cheek with a hand.
It was like a hypnotic trance staring into those mysterious eyes of Rose's.
He'd make it up to Avery- wherever she was.
He delicately dragged his thumb along her cheekbone and rested it there. Rose swallowed momentarily. "It's not up to you to save me, Jack." She said. "You're right. Only you can do that." Jack agreed heartily before Rose placed her hand atop his. "I'm going back," Rose insisted decisively, pulling Jack's hand away from her cheek.
"Leave me alone." She requested instinctively, finally getting away from him. Rose darted for the door, and slammed it, leaving Jack to watch her through the window.
His hand grazed the window briefly and he glanced to the floor miserably.
A/N: Please forgive me concerning the long wait! I recently lost access of my laptop so I apologize for any typos!
I have certainly noticed lots have people have enjoyed my story. And something's going up between Cal & Avery. We'll see how that turns out, and is Jack admitting he likes Rose, too?
I want to ask, what's so enjoyable about my story? Just wondering because I've never gotten this many reads before.
