Chapter 10: Snap Back to Reality
DISCLAIMER: I don't own HSM, Titanic, or The Suite Life of Zack & Cody (you'll see about that later). Their owners do.
The next morning, Taylor and Shelton are eating breakfast while Gabriella was serving them coffee and juices.
"Coffee, Master Shelton?" Gabriella asks. Shelton refuses her offer. Taylor looks at Gabriella tight lipped over the party from below. Bothered by her silence, Shelton begins to speak to Taylor.
"Gabriella, I need some private time with Taylor."
"Yes, sir." Gabriella leaves their private deck. Now, it's just Shelton and Taylor.
"I thought you would be with me last night. What was wrong, baby?"
"I was tired from dinner, Shelton. I need some rest."
"Your activities at G deck were definitely exhausting. That doesn't sound like rest, Tay Rose. Not just you, but Gabriella too."
"Gabriella?" Taylor asks acting surprised but she knew that she invited her to come with her and Troy.
"Yes. Both of you were down below with those low life scum immigrants last night. Gabi does fit in quite well with them, but you are clearly the odd one out. You don't remember that?"
Realizing that his servant Spencer caught the two girls at the party, Taylor starts to get angry at him. "So, your snitching manservant Spencer followed me again. Not surprising at all. And I also said not to talk bad about Gabriella either. You don't remember that?"
"Taylor, your partying days ended when you graduated from Imhotep. You are a grown woman; you will never act like that again. Do you understand me?"
"Let me tell you something, Shelton. I'm not one of your little political workers or your lowly bank tellers that you can push around. I'm your fiancée, and I demand respect." Taylor said while she raised her voice.
Shelton looks at her with angry eyes and begins to yell at her. "My Fiancée! You're goddamn right you are, and my wife!" Shelton flips the small table over; Taylor screams at his move. He moves over to her chair and places his hands on both arm rests.
"You may be my fiancée right now, but you will respect me like you were my wife. You will respect me just like a wife is supposed to respect her husband. If I have to beat it in you, I will do so. I will not look like a fool. Do you understand me?" Shelton growls at her.
Taylor nods her head in fear, "Yes."
"Good girl." Shelton instantly calms down and lightly kisses her. "Excuse me, baby." He lets go of Taylor's chair and exits the deck. Once his shadow was gone, Taylor buries her head in her hands and starts to cry. Gabriella hears her crying and runs into the deck to comfort her.
"Miss Taylor Rose, don't cry. I should be blamed for last night, not you." Gabriella said while hugging her.
"No, Gabriella. I invited you; it's my fault. Shelton was right for blowing up on me. Let me help you clean this up." Taylor was moving all around the mess he made and helping Gabriella clean it up.
Gabriella pushed her hands back. "No, Miss Taylor Rose. It's alright. I can do this. It's okay." Taylor continued to cry in Gabi's arms. "It's okay.
After Taylor took her shower and dried her face, Gabriella was helping her with getting dressed. A few minutes later, Toni comes into Taylor's room.
"Two cups of tea, Gabi." Gabriella obliges and leaves the room. Once Toni shuts the door, she walks to Taylor and helps her with her clothes.
"You will not see that 'boy' again. Do you understand me? Taylor, I'm not playing with you."
"Just stop it, Toni. The last time I checked, my mother was dead." Toni quickly turns Taylor around and slaps her in the face.
"OWW!"
"Don't talk about our mother like that." Toni said in an angry tone.
"Sorry, Toni. Ten years and you still think you're her."
"You think this is a game? Guess what, it's not. We are in deep shit. You know our whole fortune is gone."
"No kidding, Antonia. You tell me that crap everyday."
"When our parents died in that ski accident, they left us with millions of dollars in huge debt. All of that is hidden by a very good name. The McKessie-Jones name is the only name we can play."
"So?"
"What do you mean 'so'? It is a great match with Shelton Johnson. We will not only survive financially, but genetically."
"What do you mean genetically?" Taylor questioned her.
"When you were six and I was sixteen, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It was so bad, I had only two choices: have a hysterectomy or die young. I chose hysterectomy. While I've been cancer free for fifteen years, I can NEVER be a mother. What man do you know wants to marry a woman who can't have children?"
Taylor shook her head 'no' because she couldn't think of anyone who would marry her.
"If Mom and Dad were still alive, they'd do the same thing. They've always wanted grandchildren."
Taylor was confused at the whole ordeal. "So for procreation and financial reasons, you want me to marry a man who's racist, treats me like I'm still a child, and treats Gabriella like she's shit? How can you do this to me, sis?"
"Why are you being so selfish?"
"I'm selfish? I'm not forcing you to marry somebody just because he's rich or because I'm not able to have kids. You're the selfish one." Taylor yells back at Toni.
"Do you want me to work at a minimum wage job? You want to see all of our clothes, jewelry, and fine things sold at auction? You want our fine name erased from history? That's what's going to happen if you don't do this, Taylor. Do you want all of that to happen?" Toni turns away from her and cries at the thought.
Taylor, feeling bad over making her sister cry, looks down at the ground and cries. "Why is this so unfair?"
Toni heard her question and turns around. "It's the hand we were dealt with, Taylor. We don't like the cards, but we have to play them." Toni grabs her face and kisses the side she slapped a few minutes ago. "Play them whether we like them or not."
At Sunday service at the main dining room, Taylor was with Shelton and Toni singing their hymns and listening to the preacher in the First Class dining room. Troy came down the stairs and walked towards the congregation in hopes of speaking to Taylor. Just before he got there, he was stopped by two security guards.
"Sir, you're not allowed to come in here." The first security guard said.
"Look, I just wanted to speak to someone in there for a minute." Troy said.
"They are having church service right now. No White people are allowed unless you work for one of the members in there. Who do you work for?" The second guard said.
"I don't work for anybody. I was here last night. You don't remember my face?"
"No, I don't and I'm afraid you're going to have to leave." Shelton's servant Spencer saw the ordeal taking place outside the room. When he recognized Troy's face, he walked outside the room towards him. Troy was happy to see Spencer come by.
"He knows me. Look, all I want to do is-" Troy was cut off by Spencer.
"Mr. Johnson and Ms. McKessie-Jones are very appreciative of your service and thank you for saving Miss Taylor Rose's life." Spencer then digs out a $50 bill and hands it to Troy. "They asked me to give you this for your help." Troy shook his head and refuses the money.
"I don't want your money. I just want to go inside and-" Troy was cut off once again by Spencer.
"They also told me to tell you that you are a Caucasian, you don't work for anybody up here, and you hold a third class ticket. That means you are no longer welcomed here."
"I just want to speak to Taylor for one second." Troy pleads the three men to let him see Taylor, but to no avail.
"I don't care what you want. You don't belong here. Gentlemen, can you please see that this 'boy' gets back to where he belongs and that he stays there?" Spencer hands both men a $50 bill.
"Yes, sir." the first guard accepts the bill and escorts Troy out of the dining room.
"Damn." was all Troy could say as he was escorted out of the area.
Once outside the First Class area, the guards turn to Troy and tell him, "If you are seen anywhere near Miss McKessie-Jones and her party, you will be arrested. Is that understood?" Troy doesn't answer them. The first security guard hits him in the head to get his attention. "IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?" The guard yells out at him.
"Sure." Troy answers. The guards didn't like that answer and threatened to hit him again. Troy quickly responded, "Yes, sir." The guards walked back inside. He didn't care about the guards' warning or the threat of getting arrested. All he cared about was seeing Taylor and he was determined to do so.
Troy went back to his room, angry and furious. "I have to see Taylor. I just got to talk to her." Chad walks in and sees Troy's temper tantrum.
"Troy, what's wrong?" Chad asks.
"Those goddamn stuck-up assholes in first class have banned me from seeing Taylor."
"Who?"
"That prick asshole fiancée of hers, Melton or Shelden or whatever his name is. His ass kissing manservant Spencer came to me and told me that if I go anywhere near her, I'll get arrested. This time, it's for real." Troy punched a hole through the wall in anger. Chad was confused with what's going on.
"Why are you so mad about that?"
"Because I've fallen in love with her." Troy sighs out and relieved that he let his secret out.
"You're in love? Man, you've only known the girl for less than two days, and you're in love with her?" Chad couldn't believe it. He couldn't believe that Troy, a poor White American boy, has fallen in love with a rich Black American girl. And not just any rich Black American girl, but an engaged rich Black American girl. "Wait until the others hear about this." Little did they know, their door was still open and their conversation could be heard on the other side.
"We already heard it, Chad." Ryan said while he entered the room with Kelsi, Sharpay, and Zeke.
"Dude, do you know what you're getting into?" Zeke said interrupting their conversation. "Troy, girls like Miss Taylor Rose are very hard to get. I don't mean by just looks or brains, which she has plenty of. Money and power play a HUGE part in it. The only men that can get a girl like her are rich and powerful men. I mean men like Shelton A. Johnson."
"So? What does he have that I don't?" Troy asks.
"A LOT!" the entire group said in unison.
Zeke continued, "With his looks, money, and power, he can have whatever girl he wants. You would think I have a shot at her because I'm rich, right? Well, I don't. My family hasn't been wealthy as long as hers has. We're still considered 'new money'."
"What is 'new money'?" a puzzled Kelsi asks him.
"'New money' means that you're family is rich, but not as long as other families have been. Taylor's family has been wealthy since the early 20th century. Me? Well, you get the idea." Zeke answers.
"OK."
"But that's beside the point. The point is you have a better chance at winning the lottery than winning a girl like her. Seriously Troy, what do you two have in common besides being American?"
Troy answers Zeke's question. "We both like art and photography. We're huge fans of John Legend. We have similar goals and dreams that we want to pursue. It's just so many things we have in common; I can't explain it right now. It's like we're meant to be together. As strange as it sounds, but she could be my soul mate."
The group started to laugh very loud over his comment. Troy was very pissed off and started to leave the room. Once the group calmed down and realized Troy had left the room, the quickly left to find Troy near the third class stairs.
"Look, man. We're sorry about that." Chad said.
"That's OK. I just didn't like it when you guys laughed at my feelings. I just want to let her know how I feel." Troy said.
"I'm happy that you feel the way you do, but keep in mind what you're getting into." Zeke added in. "When you cross people like Shelton A. Johnson, you are crossing with death. If you really want to do this and see her, then I'm with you 100%. Aren't we all in this together?" Chad, Sharpay, Kelsi, & Ryan nodded their heads in agreement.
"Thanks, everybody. Do you have any idea where she is now?"
"I overheard her sister say that they were taking a tour around the ship later on today after church service." Zeke said. Maybe we'll find her on deck and isolate her somewhere so you can talk to her. You just have to stay away from any guards on deck. How's that idea?" Zeke said.
"Great idea. Let's go." Troy said before the group walked upstairs to the top deck. He isolated Zeke and asked him, "Zeke, where did you get that 'all in this together' bit?"
Zeke answered, "It came from some TV movie that was HUGE a few years ago." Sharpay overheard them and jumped in.
"Hey, you're right. That movie played in Ireland too. You look exactly like the lead actor from the movie. Has anybody ever told you that?"
"A few times, but I don't see it." Troy shrugs off. When they got to the top deck, Zeke took a peek to see if any guards were around. When the coast was clear, the men hoisted Troy up over the railing. Right after Troy succeeded in getting over; three guards saw the group and ran to them.
"Get off! This is not your area. You are not allowed here." The three men yelled as they kicked the group off the deck. When they saw Zeke, they stopped pushing him and resumed with the other four. Once their shadows were gone, Zeke climbed on top of the deck and found Troy on the side with somebody's jacket & shades on.
"Alright, let's go find your girl." Zeke said before they walked off to find Taylor.
Later on that afternoon, Taylor was with Shelton and Toni as they were given a tour of the Angelic II by Dr. Thompson and Captain James Edward Sanders.
"Dr. Thompson. I did the math in my head. Going by what you said earlier about the lifeboats and the number of people, I'm sorry but there's not enough room for everybody."
"You're right, Miss Taylor Rose. It's enough for only half." Dr. Thompson said. "I had a plan where we would have another set of boats along the deck. But the leaders thought the passengers would have less space to walk on. So, they overruled me."
"What if something like a repeat of Titanic happens here? You guys aren't completely prepared."
"Tay Rose, we have more technology than the people in 1912 ever did. Besides, this is an unsinkable ship. What could possibly go wrong?" Shelton said.
"Anything can happen. I said so a few days ago in Southampton." Toni said.
"Don't worry, Miss Taylor Rose. This ship is too strong to have history repeat itself. The engine room is our next stop." Dr. Thompson said. While nobody was looking, Zeke came from behind and grabbed Taylor's arm and pulled her to the first class fitness room.
"Zeke, what are you doing? I'm going to tell your mother about this." Taylor protested before she bumped into another figure. Taylor looked up and was shocked at who it was.
"TROY! I can't be here, Zeke."
"Troy wants to talk to you. I'm going to leave so you two can have some privacy." Zeke said before he left the room. Taylor tried to follow him, but Troy blocked the only door.
"I need to talk to you, Taylor." Troy said. Taylor continued to protest quietly without being heard.
"Troy, I can't. Listen to me. Troy, I'm engaged. In a few months, I'm going to marry Shelton. I love him, okay?"
"Taylor, you're no goody two-shoes angel. Last night proved that. You're probably a stuck-up snobby sorority girl. That's all on the outside. But on the inside, you are the most amazing, smartest, free-spirited woman I've ever met. Although I've only known you for the past two days, I've realized that I'm in love with you."
Taylor was completely stunned over what he just said. "Love? You're in love with me? If that's all you want to tell me, then I'm leaving. All that from some little kiss on the cheek." Taylor tries to leave, but Troy blocks her once again.
"Taylor, I'm not finished. Listen, I'm not a dumb-ass. I'm a year older than you; I know how this world works. I know that I can't offer you millions of inherited money like Shelton can. All I have is a portfolio, a digital camera, and $150 between me and Chad. That doesn't mean I can't care about you. Do you know the saying 'You jump, I jump'? I can't go on without knowing you'll be okay."
"I'm fine. I'm going to be fine." Taylor reassured Troy.
"I know that's a bullshit lie. I can tell you're already suffering from whatever control your 'circle' or 'class' has on you. If you don't break free from their control, you will die a miserable death from them. You don't belong in that group. You are too much of a free spirit to stay there for the rest of your life. You won't right now but you will if you don't leave."
Taylor begins to cry over his words. She couldn't believe that anybody, let alone a total stranger, could feel that way about her. Shelton doesn't feel that way. To him, she's just another piece of eye candy. She was surprised at his confession of his love for her. She didn't want to admit it, but she felt the same way towards him. Troy was rubbing her cheeks and wiping away her tears.
"You cannot save me Troy. That's not your job." Taylor said.
"You're right, Taylor. You're the only person who can save yourself." Troy nodded in agreement. Taylor removed his hands from her face.
"I'm going to tell you this one last time. I'm rich, I'm Black, and I'm engaged. We're not meant to be together. I'm sorry to break your heart, but please leave me alone." Taylor walked out of the fitness room. This time, Troy didn't stop her. Once her shadow was gone, Troy looked down at the floor.
"DAMN" was the only word he could think of at that moment.
I hope you all enjoyed Chapter 10. I know it was long, but I meant for it to be that way. If you didn't like it, I'm sorry.
The bit where Zeke & Sharpay mentioned that Troy looked exactly like Zac Efron was based off an episode from "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody" (DON'T OWN) where the kids' school was doing a "High School Musical" play and Maddie keeps telling people she looked exactly like Ashley Tisdale, but everyone else doesn't see it.
The bit where Troy & his friends were trying to sneak on top to the first class section was based off another deleted scene from "Titanic." It was when Jack snuck on board to first class to find Rose with a little help from Fabrizio (sp) and Tommy before the latter two were kicked out of the area.
In the next chapter, the BIG Traylor moment will happen. The only way that will happen is if I get at least five reviews from this one. Otherwise, I won't post it.
Shout outs to the people who reviewed Chapter 9: lilmissmonique, chaylorxtraylorlover101, look at the stars, mzwendy85, & Favor1234.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!