Mia and Kevin had made their way from first class to steerage easily by following the loud music from the decks below. Despite the bitter cold, they seemed to enjoy themselves. It was nothing like the pompous orchestra in the dining area, it was loud and vibrant with a solid dance beat. Mia opened the door to see a dimly lit room full of people drinking, laughing, smoking, dancing, and having a good time. A dance floor had been set up on one end of the galley. Tables had been pushed over in the other end and chairs were set up where the guests were to be speculated and amazed by the performers on the floor. Some of the tables contained card players, and in one end a makeshift bar had been set up, using one of the tables, where a bartender served beer from pitchers. A keg was placed behind the makeshift bar, on a table. The energy contained in the room was lovely and bright, which made everyone, from strangers to family, all for one night. Kevin guided Mia to the makeshift bar where Antonio and Mike were sitting and the four of them drank the beers that arrived promptly at their table. Antonio handed Mia a pint of stout and she hoisted it. Kevin meanwhile danced with Marie, or tried to, with her standing on his feet. As the tune ended, Kevin turned to Mia.
"Come on," he offered his hand.
"What?" Her smile dropped. He took her hand, forcing her out of her chair. She was standing with Leo holding her hand and she realized that he was very close to her.
Marie frowned as she knew her dance was done.
"You're still my best girl, Marie," Kevin assured.
Marie smiled and scampered off. Mia and Kevin faced each other. She was trembling as he took her right hand in his left. His other hand slid to the small of her back. It was an electrifying moment as it gave her goosebumps. "I don't know the steps," she admitted.
"Just move with me. Don't think," he told her. The music started and they're off. A little awkward at first, but then she started to get into it. She grinned at Kevin as she started to get the rhythm of the steps.
"Wait...stop!" She bended down, pulling off her high heeled shoes, and flung them at Antonio. Then she grabbed Kevin and they plunged back into the fray, dancing faster as the music sped up.
The scene was rowdy and rollicking. A table got knocked over as a drunk crashed into it. And in the middle of it...Mia dancing with Kevin in her stocking feet. The steps were fast and she shined with sweat. A space opened around them, and people watched them, clapping as the band played faster and faster...
With Mike and Emily, dancing had obviated the need for a common language. He whirled her, then she responded by whirling him. Mike's eyes went wide when he realized she's stronger than he was.
The tune ended in a mad rush. Kevin stepped away from Mia with a flourish, allowing her to take a bow. Exhilarated and slightly tipsy, she did a graceful ballet pile, feet turned out perfectly. Everyone laughed and applauded. Mia was a hit with the steerage folks, who've never had a lady party with them. She felt so rebellious and confident, like a real seventeen year old. It was her true self.
They moved to a table, flushed and sweaty. Mia grabbed Mike's cigarette and took a big drag. She felt cocky. Mike was grinning, holding hands with Emily.
"How you two doin'?" Kevin asked.
"I don't know what she says, she doesn't know what she says, so we're getting along fine," Mike answered. Antonio walked up with a pint for each of them. Mia chugged hers, showing off, Kevin watching with an open mouth.
"You think a first class girl can't drink?"
Everyone else was dancing again, and Theo Martin crashed into Antonio, who sloshed his beer over Mia's dress. She laughed, not caring. But Antonio lunged, grabbing Mark and wheeling him around. "You stupid bastard!"
Theo came around, his fists coming up...and Kevin leaped in the middle of it, pushing them apart. "Boys, boys! Did I ever tell you the one about the Swede and Irishman going to the whorehouse?"
Antonio stood there, all piss and vinegar, chest puffed up...or plastron. He grinned and clapped Mark on the shoulder.
"So, you think you're big tough men? Let's see you do this," in her stocking feet, Mia assumed a ballet stance, arms raised, and went up on point, taking her entire weight on the tips of her toes. The guys gaped at her incredible muscle control. She came back down, then her face screwed up in pain. She grabbed one foot, hopping around. "Oooowww! I haven't done that in years."
Kevin caught her as she lost her balance, and everyone cracked up.
The door to the well deck was opened a few inches as Mentor Ji watched through the gap. He saw Kevin holding Mia, both of them laughing. Mentor Ji closed the door.
Several drinks and hours later, the party was dying down as people retired to bed. Mia and Kevin had decided that they would leave the stuffy party to take some air out on the deck. The stars blazed overhead, so bright and clear you could see the Milky Way. The two of them walked along the lifeboats, still giddy from the party as they sung 'Come Josephine In My Flying Machine.' They broke down laughing at the incorrect and fumbled lyrics they were singing.
And suddenly they were both outside of the First Class entrance, but don't go straight in, not wanting the evening to end. Kevin heard the distant sounds of the orchestra still playing through the door as Mia went over to the edge of the ship. The stars lit up the sky like bright candles on the clearest night the Titanic had seen.
"Isn't it magnificent? So grand and endless," Mia leaned on the rail. "They're such small people, Kevin...my crowd. They think they're giants on the Earth, but they're not even dust in God's eye. They live inside this tiny little champagne bubble...and someday the bubble's going to burst."
He leaned at the rail next to her, his hand just touching hers. It was the slightest contact imaginable, and all either of them could feel was that square inch of skin where their hands were touching.
"You're not one of them. There's been a mistake," Kevin told her.
"A mistake?" She asked.
"Uh huh. You got mailed to the wrong address," he explained and she laughed.
"I did, didn't I?" Suddenly, a shooting star flashed past both of their eyes and she pointed at it. "Look! A shooting star."
"That was a long one. My father used to say that whenever you saw one, it was a soul going to heaven," Kevin said.
"I like that. Aren't we supposed to wish on it?" Mia questioned.
Kevin looked at her, and found that they were suddenly very close together. It would be so easy to move another couple of inches, to kiss her. Mia seemed to be thinking the same thing. "What would you wish for?"
After a beat, Mia pulled back. "Something I can't have." She smiled sadly. "Goodnight, Kevin. And thank you." She left the rail and hurried through the First Class entrance.
"Mia!" Kevin called out, but the door banged shut and she was gone. Back to her world.
Sunday, April 14th, 1912. A bright clear day that morning. Sunlight splashing across the promenade. Mia and Jayden were having breakfast in silence as the tension was palpable. Lauren Shiba, in her maid's uniform, poured the coffee and went inside.
"I had hoped you would come to me last night," he said, finally breaking the silence.
"I was tired," she explained.
"Yes. Your extortions below decks were no doubt exhausting," he replied enviously.
Mia stiffened as she knew she was caught. And she only knew one reason how he could have known. "I see you had that undertaker of a manservant follow me."
"You will never behave like that again! Do you understand?"
"I'm not some foreman in your mills you can command!" She argued, "I am your fiancee-"
Jayden exploded, sweeping the breakfast china off the table with a crash. He moved to her in one shocking moment, glowering over her and gripping the sides of her chair, so she was trapped between his arms.
"Yes! You are! And my wife...in practice, if not yet by law. So you will honor me, as a wife is required to honor her husband! I will not be made out of a fool! Is this in any way unclear?"
Mia shrunk in the chair. She saw Lauren, frozen, partway through the door bringing the orange juice. Jayden followed Mia's glance and straightened up. He stalked past the maid, entering the stateroom. "We...had a little accident. I'm sorry, Lauren."
Lauren assured her that it wasn't her fault and Mia started to sob at what her life was becoming.
Mia was dressed for the day, and was in the middle of helping her mother with her corset. The tight bindings do not inhibit her fury at all.
"You are not to see that Boy, again, do you hear me, Mia? I forbid it!"
Mia had her knee at the base of her mother's back and was pulling the corset strings with both hands. "Oh stop it, Mother. You'll give yourself a nosebleed."
Isabella pulled away from her, crossing to the door and locking it. She wheeled on the younger black brunette, making an effort to stand superiorly over her. "Mia, this is not a game! Our situation is precarious. You know the money's gone!"
"Of course I know it's gone," Mia growled, "You remind me every day."
"Your father left us with nothing but a legacy of bad debts hidden by a good name. And that name is the only card we have to play."
Mia turned her around and grabbed the corset strings again. Isabella sucked in her waist and Mia pulled. "I don't understand you. It is a fine match with Jayden and it will insure our survival."
Mia gave a look of hurt and isolation. "How can you put this on my shoulders?"
She turned to her mother, who had naked fear in her eyes. "Do you want to see me working as a seamstress? Is that what you want? Do you want to see our fine things sold at an auction, our memories scattered to the winds? My God, Mia, how can you be so selfish?"
"It's so unfair."
"Of course it's unfair! We're women. Our choices are never easy."
Mia pulled the corset tighter.