"It's alright, you don't have to say anything"
After last night's dinner, Jack couldn't sleep at all. The previous conversation and hostil questions had triggered his anxiety, which he hadn't had in a long time. Following the next morning's welcome activities at the RMS, they had been assigned to paint their country's flag on their backs. Luckily for Fabrizio and Tommy, they had a painter amongst them.
"Alright, I'm starting with Fabrizio cause it's red, then I'll make it orange so I can do you" Fabrizio laid on his stomach on the deck's floor and Jack started painting, Tommy watched diverted.
"Did you see the... uh... come dire?... booklet for the student jobs?"
"Yeah, it's cool right? We can have more money to spend on the good side of the ship" Tommy commented
"Are you interested in any job in particular, Fabri?"
"I saw one at Starbucks"
"Really? But you'll have to talk to people bud"
"And you'll have to prepare that infamous coffee..."
"That's why I want to do it, to practice my English and... be outgoing"
"Alright"
"Cool bro"
"I'm done here. I don't mind doing the both of you but who's gonna do me?"
"We'll both do it"
"Two artists can't work on the sam-"
"Yeah well, screw that. It's the 21st century" Tommy said as he took off his shirt and laid down "Make sure it's perfect man, Ireland is the best country in the world"
"No"
"Hands down"
"Absolutely not"
Meanwhile, on the other side of the ship, Rose and Molly had agreed to go shopping together. After walking through most of the stores on Deck 5, they decided to sit down and rest a little.
"It's much bigger than I thought"
"Yeah, I feel like I just ran a marathon"
"Do you want a sip? I always carry my water bottle"
"Yes please! Thank you, Maggie"
"Please don't call me Maggie, my friends call me Molly"
"Thank you, Molly"
"No problem dear" When she finished drinking water, Rose sighed loudly "What's that sigh for?"
"Just tired"
"Really?"
"Alright... In eighteen years, I haven't really had the chance to meet people than I could call my friends, and stepping foot onto this ship i suddenly have two! It seems kind of surreal"
"Well I'm glad you're expanding your horizons. May i ask who's the other one?"
"Oh, it's... it's Jack"
"Jack Dawson? From last night's dinner?"
"Yeah"
"Really?"
"You two know each other, right?"
"We do, he used to work with me in Paris"
"Really?"
"Yeah, he painted backdrops at the theatre, did some photoshoots... and basically just dropped by to say hi when he was bored"
"Oh... so you two are pretty close..."
"Well... you can say that. He's got one of the purest hearts I know. You don't find people like that very often" Rose thought they were involved in a romantic relationship, and she was disappointed. Her gaze met the floor as she swam in her thoughts "What's wrong dear?"
"Oh nothing... nothing"
"I thought you were with Cal"
"What?"
"I know that look. And trust me, i saw it twice last night"
"I'm... I don't know what to say... i feel like a bad person, but... I don't feel anything at all for Cal, please don't judge me"
"Honey I would never judge you. Mind if I ask, why are you still with him?"
"I have no choice. The situation is very complicated, i have to date him so his uncles don't withdraw their investment in our company. Without them, we're broke"
"I'm sorry to hear that... isn't there any other solution?"
"I wish, but no. I have stayed up all night for the past months trying to find one but I haven't found it"
"Maybe you just need a new perspective"
"Yeah"
"And i happen to know someone who can give it to you..."
"Molly, what are you talking about?"
"Let's get going yeah? I saw some platform boots I wanna try once we dock in New York. And by the way, Jack is single"
Rose smiled at the comment. Molly was right, she needed a new perspective, and what better way to get it than hanging out with new friends; although she wouldn't admit it, her heart longed for more than Jack Dawson's friendship. For her, it was almost love at first sight, but she still had to get to know him, and Molly knew perfectly where to start.
"I still don't know how to talk to Jack"
"See what interests you have in common and go from there"
"How do I do that?"
"Check your phone, i just sent you his profile"
Back on the stern of the ship, everyone was enjoying the nice weather on deck, almost everyone...
"All i'm sayin' is that they should've left the investigation homework for when we're near land. There's no wifi in the middle of the ocean"
"Yeah Tommy, but that's why we have books"
"Who uses books for research?"
"I do, sometimes"
"Yeah Helga but you're smart. Fabrizio? Do you use books for research?"
"Depends on the topic"
"How 'bout you Jackie?" As they walked towards a table, a football hit Jack on the arm and landed in front of him. Out of nowhere, he started hyperventilating. "Jack? What's going on?" Fabrizio took the ball and threw it back to the people that were playing in the basketball court not too far from the group. Tommy and Helga helped Jack sit on a chair before his attack got any worse. Helga rubbed circles on his back as Fabrizio stroke his hair and whispered things to try calming him down. Not too long after, Jack's breath eased down, and he was able to recognize his surroundings.
"Yo Jack, what happened? You okay there?" Tommy asked
"We should take him to your cabin" Helga suggested
"Yes. Here, can you walk?"
"Fabrizio?" Jack was still dizzy from the excess oxygen and his nose was stuffy from the crying.
"Yes?"
"Yeah, i... suppose i can walk"
"We'll lead you anyway"
Jack leaned on the guys' shoulders and the four of them walked slowly to Fabrizio and Jack's cabin. When they arrived, Jack was more conscious as he sat on the couch, Helga and Fabrizio at his side and Tommy on the table in front of them.
"I'm sorry"
"You don't be sorry"
"Helga's right, you don't have to be sorry for anything" Tommy said
"Are you okay now?" Fabrizio asked him, concerned
"Yeah, i guess. Still, i'm sorry if i scared you"
"No worries bud"
"What triggered you Jack? You were uh fine before they hit you, destro?
"I guess it just took me by surprise. But don't worry, i'm fine now"
"You sure?"
"Yes Tommy. Thank you all for understanding"
"We're your friends" Fabrizio said
"Yes" Helga confirmed, still understanding half of the conversation.
"Now you drink a glass of water, meanwhile Italian and i grab some books from the library" Tommy said, earning a complain face from Fabrizio who went with him anyway, leaving Helga alone with Jack. The blue-eyed artist sensed nervousness from the girl in question, as if she longed to say something but couldn't figure out the right words.
"It's alright, you don't have to say anything... mind if i close my eyes for a minute? I didn't get much sleep last night..."