Here is Chapter 10, written by racheldanija

The room was filled with steerage passengers of all different backgrounds. They were all dancing, drinking black beer, and gambling…. things that were not typically accepted in among my people. I was intimated at first but the feeling of Jacks hand in mine made it bearable. The sound of Irish music filled the room and I was surprised that I actually found a liking to it. Just then a little girl, named Cora, approached Jack and asked for a dance. He couldn't say no.

"I will just be five minutes." Jack said while he was being whisked away.

I nodded. Jack started to dance with the little girl to the music. I felt awkward just standing there so I took a seat at a table with several men around it. I watched Jack as he spun Cora in circles until….

"Talar fröken svenska?"

I looked at the man who was speaking to me. I shrugged my shoulders hoping that he would understand that I couldn't understand him.

"Talar fröken svenska?" he repeated.

"I cant understand you." I mouthed in response. This was going to be impossible. How could someone who couldn't speak, explain to someone that didn't speak English, that you don't speak the same language as them? I sipped at my alchohol hoping that the man would understand. I continued to sip at my beer until I turned to watch Jack.

"He's so beautiful." I thought to myself. "Is beautiful even the right word? Your crushing on him, admit it."

I started to loosen up a little bit and I started to clap my hands to the music as I watched Cora and Jack spin in circles. I was in a trance when all of a sudden the music ended and everyone in the room gave the band a standing ovation. I felt Jacks hand slip back in mine.

"Are you having a good time, Rose?"

I "Yes!" I signed as I nodded my head.

I looked over at the band as they started to play a new song.

"Come on lets do it! Come on!" Jack said as he dragged me on the dance floor.

I tried to pull away from him but it was to late. We were already on the dance floor and everyone was watching us.

"We are going to have to get a little bit closer." Jack said as he put his hand on my waist and pulled me closer to him. We then started to dance. I was nervous at first but I got into it soon enough. Everyone's eyes were on me which was a huge change. I have always been ignored since I lost my voice. I was refused the right of communication for so many years now. Ever since Aiden's death I have been a miserable wreck.

Why didn't that fire kill you instead? I thought to myself. It would have been better on everyone else.

"Hey, are you ok?" I heard Jack ask me.

I nodded yes and plastered a fake smile on my face. He wasn't so easy to fool.

"Your lying. Come on lets go take a walk on deck."

We walked on deck for 15 minutes in an uncomfortable silence. I wanted to be happy but I couldn't. I didn't deserve to be.

"So, you never told me what was wrong. Did someone say something to you?"

I signed the symbol for no and kept my eyes glued to the ground.

"Is it because of your brother?"

That did it. I inhaled sharply and blinked continuously to hide the fact that I had tears in my eyes.

"It's ok. You can cry." Jack said.

The next thing I knew I broke like a dam. Fresh tears poured down my face and I cried like I never cried before. Jack wrapped his arms around me and he rested his chin on my head. I inhaled the smell of charcoal and cigarettes off of his shirt. Several minutes passes and my crying died down. I looked up at Jack and mouthed my apologizes.

"Its no problem. There's nothing wrong with crying. You obviously have been through a lot."

I kissed him on the cheek for a response. He smiled and then put his hand on the side of my face. He very slowly, leaned down, and kissed me on the lips. It started off as a simple peck on the lips but it soon escalated into a very passionate kiss.

I have never been so happy I thought to myself.

My happiness soon wore off when I heard a familiar voice, and it sounded angry.