...at least for another two months.
Rose and Cal had been in a love/hate relationship since the first of November, both of them were slowly reaching their breaking point. Ruth hadn't made things easier for them either. The fact that they had an adult, a mother and mother-in-law, sharing a suite with them just made their relationship even more uncomfortable. They couldn't fight, they couldn't even talk; they were being forced to hide all their emotions, an action that would collect its debt very soon...
Helga and Fabrizio had a good relationship, it wasn't an epic romantic dramatic tale, but they were happy. Their honeymoon phase was over and now they just enjoyed each other's company throughout the days... Jack wasn't gonna lie, he was envious. He was envious of the idea of having someone who wasn't afraid to show their love in front of others.
Tommy hadn't been too busy either, just having fun and messing around with Jack, as always. They were already on the second leg of the trip, after visiting the Patagonia they headed to Australia where the ship would be docked until January due to a small rudder failure that they had to fix as soon as possible.
Jack was heartbroken after Rose stopped talking to him after what happened on Halloween, did he really think Rose would break up with Caledon Hockley to be with him? His friends had been his emotional support the first weeks, after that, he decided he wouldn't surrender without a fight. Just one more. If he didn't succeed, he would just forget that she existed and move on... like he always did...
Deep inside, he knew his heart wouldn't survive another heartbreak. He made himself a promise years ago: to never put his heart at danger ever again, with anyone. Some people would call it 'afraid of commitment', but he had an irrational fear of being left by someone, that's why he traveled from place to place before getting attached.
Just one more.
Jack had used his savings to buy a book for Rose as a Christmas gift. 1984 by George Orwell, he was positive she didn't own a copy just yet. He wrapped it and proceeded to visit her suite to hand it to her and hopefully, talk to her as well. He climbed the emergency stairs accompanied by a peaceful atmosphere, a much needed vacation from so much study. On his way to the first-class suites, Mr. Andrews passed him by; lucky for him, he remembered Jack from the dinner. The boy was greeted with a smile, thankfully Mr. Andrews didn't ask him what he was doing in the first-class deck.
Upon arriving to the DeWitt's suite, he recognized the screaming emanating from the other side of the door. He wasn't left with much choice.
Maybe later...
"I knew Adrian wasn't with you in Miami"
"What? He was. We finished the photoshoot, went to South Pointe Park for ice cream, had lunch in Little Haiti and spend all day in Wynwood Walls"
"You said you went to Wynwood Walls but didn't take a single picture? Either that or you didn't go there. Knowing you, you would be begging Adrian to follow you everywhere so you could take thousands of pictures and knowing him he would accept enchanted."
"He ran out of battery"
"A photographer who doesn't carry a second battery with him? How odd. If that's the case we don't want him around, so careless... we might have to fire him..."
"Wait no! He... he left before we got to see Wynwood Walls..."
"So you spent the day with Dawson"
"It was only a few hours"
"You just said, you spent all day in Wynwood Walls. Now be careful in what you're going to say next..."
"Cal, why are we fighting? What's the point?"
"The point is I would not be made a fool of, Rose"
"I need some fresh air... please excuse me"
Rose grabbed her card and phone and headed out. Caledon didn't have the will to go after her again. He just stood there, not-knowing what to think.
His fiancée didn't want to be with him, she didn't even want to look at him. The girl he thought was innocent and delicate, quiet, and condescending... turned out to be anything but that. She was rebellious. He had tried, really had tried to get to her, to get to know her, understand her... but she just pushed him away. His ego couldn't stand it. Was it the ship? The trip? His brain put the pieces together... she changed since the day she met Jack Dawson. Caledon gave up and went to another suite, not to far. He figured this person would give him a fresh perspective and good advice. Right now, he was alone. He knocked a couple of times and was received.
"Hey Cal"
"Hey Molly... uh, can I come in?"
"Sure. Can I help you with something?"
"I just wanted to talk"
"Do you still wanna talk to me after what happened with your brother, James?"
Christmas was approaching and the Royal Marine School had gone full out in decorations, along the rest of the ship. They were planning to offer a Christmas dinner in the grand dining salon on the 24th and everyone was invited, there would even be a kids show with Santa. The Christmas spirit was at its best... except for the fact that it wouldn't be cold, because they were scheduled to be in Sydney.
That afternoon, they would cross the International Date Line, which meant they would skip a day. Due to the small issue with the ship before leaving Chile, there weren't that many people on board. The Titanic tragedy lived in the back of everyone's minds. The only ones aboard the Titanic II were the crew, the school's staff and students, and a few passengers who didn't mind the issue at all. It was a very big ship with a very small rudder.
A very big ship, and still, Jack and Rose managed to bump into each other.
The girl was lost in her thoughts, she wasn't paying attention to the music playing from her Air Pods either. Rose forgot the gym door was supposed to be pulled and she pushed it without success a couple of times. A second later, the door flew open in her face. That tenor slightly hoarse voice she dreaded to hear again.
"I'm so sorry! Are you okay?"
They stared at each other as they took everything in.
"Rose" Jack said, almost in a whisper. He thought this encounter would be different.
"Hi Jack, it was nice to see you"
"Wait! I need to talk to you!" Jack grabbed her hand so she wouldn't leave. The single touch sent chills to both bodies. Although they wanted to forget everything that happened, their bodies had memory... oh and what a memory...
"No Jack, no. I'm engaged. I'm marrying Cal. I love Cal"
After the affirmation, the young boy's face said it all. Jack struggled to get the words out, he was trembling. He had never in his life opened his heart like this, usually his art spoke for him. "Rose, you're no picnic, alright? you're a spoiled little brat even, but under that you're the most amazingly astounding girl... woman I've ever known and-"
"Jack, I-"
"No wait. Let me try to get this out. You're amaz-" Jack took a second glance at her and noticed her arms were thinner, her skin and hair paler than ever. "You're thinner"
"Thank you"
"It wasn't meant to be a compliment; Rose have you been eating?"
"Of course I have" technically it wasn't a lie. She looked offended with the question
"I just don't want anything bad to happen to you, I lo- care about you, so much. Look, I'm not an idiot. I know how the world works. I've got ten bucks in my pocket, I have nothing to offer you and I know that. I understand... but I'm too involved now, you jump, I jump, remember? I can't turn away without knowin' that you're goin' to be alright. That's all that I want."
Rose felt the tears coming to her eyes. Jack was so open and real... not like anyone she had ever known.
"Well I'm fine. I'll be fine, really"
"Really? I don't think so. They've got you trapped Rose, and you're goin' to die if you don't break free. Maybe not right away, 'cause you're strong. But sooner or later that fire in you is goin' to burn out."
"It's not up to you to save me, Jack."
"You're right. Only you can do that."
"I'm going back, leave me alone." She said without daring to lift her gaze, then left the gym without even looking back. Jack was absolutely crushed, without any stretching or warmup he walked to the first treadmill he saw and ran as fast as he could to try and get the feeling out of his throat. A few tears managed to escape his eyes. It hit him. The first girl he opened up to, the first one he made him want to settle down, just rejected him like that. For what? For a jerk whom she would never be happy with, a person that abused her and then won her back with words and flowers. A jerk who doesn't have a clue what she's worth, and treats her like she's inferior when in reality, she's much stronger than what anybody sees, even herself.
After the situation, Rose decided to grab a coffee at the park cafe and spent the rest of the day walking around to clear her mind. She saw two teenage girls with a younger one at the cafe. The youngest girl must have been 6 or 7 years old, she was excitedly eating a delicious looking chocolate cake meanwhile, who must've been her sisters, took pictures of each other and discussed which girl on their classroom had more followers, when they decided in one, they blamed it on her chest and choice of clothing. Their mom arrived and exclaimed she would be the envious of all in her social circle because she had sailed on the Titanic II, then scolded the child for eating the cake with her hands instead of using a fork.
The single scene made Rose realize what a mistake she had done. Society has taught us since we were young, that we have to look a certain way and act a certain way in order to be 'accepted', in order to be 'liked'. What's the point of living your life like this? Did Rose want a plastic life? Would she put other's opinions before herself and her happiness? Or did she want to live? I broke his heart, he was the only one who understood me, who cared for me, who listened and who wanted the best for me... and still wants it.
He doesn't deserve any of this.
I have to fix it.
Rose threw what was left of the coffee in the nearest trash can and ran as fast as she could to the Royal Marine School. I have to get him before the date change. She was lucky if she found a single soul, everyone was at the ship's main dining room where The International Date Line crossing ceremony was being held. Just like a New Year party, it's all about celebrating new beginnings, and embracing change.
"Fabrizio!"
"Bella Rosa! What a surprise! How are you?"
"Fabrizio i have to find Jack"
"He's at the Seven Seas Adventure"
"The daycare?"
"Yes. Didn't he tell you? He works there part time"
"He got a job?"
"So he could take you out on dates and stuff. But yeah, he's there. Hurry because they close at 8 I think"
"Thank you, Fabrizio!" She hugged him tightly and sprinted back to the cruise. He got a job, for me. I have to get him back. Upon arriving at the children's deck, she looked for Seven Seas... it was at the end of the hall, Seven Seas Adventure for children ages 6-9.
Fabrizio was right, it was 7:59 pm and there weren't any children... well, it could be that or the fact that there weren't that many people aboard. She saw Jack through the glass, he definitely couldn't hide his emotions, his posture and movements emanated sadness and nostalgia. Even the lights were out, he was disinfecting the tables in the dark.
It's now or never. And you're not backing away this time Rose DeWitt Bukater.
"Hello Jack" The boy turned around to face her. His eyes couldn't believe it, was he dreaming? Was this a joke? Someone had actually come back for him. Was she really willing to risk it all for him this time?
"I changed my mind"
Is this real? He approached her, with a soft touch of their hands Jack knew this time was definitive. It was something about her eyes. Rose smiled.
"Come with me" Jack whispered. He closed the door and led her to another hallway, the cartoon walls morphed into yellow walls that ended in an automatic glass door. It was a hidden balcony with some sofas and tables, on the edge there was no railing, but a glass that protruded from the ship that allowed you to see the sea under your feet. It was the most beautiful sunset. Rose's curls broke free from her up-do due to the wind.
Jack was the first one to step into the glass. Rose's eyes opened in fear, was the glass strong enough? Of course it was. But wasn't it scary? If something was to break, they would fall straight into the ocean. The situation was almost funny, considering that a few months ago she wanted to end her life falling into the water.
"Are we allowed to be up-"
"Shh. Give me your hand. Now close your eyes, go on" Jack encouraged. When she obeyed, he pulled her onto the glass. "Step up, hold on to me, keep your eyes closed! Don't peek!"
"I won't!"
He led her to the center of the glass and whispered in her ear "open your eyes and look down" Rose wanted to run when she saw the waves under her feet but stayed calm because Jack was holding her tightly.
"Do you trust me?"
"I trust you"
With her consent, he made her step onto a piece of metal, using it as a stool to stand in the balcony bar. "Grab the edge of the glass and pull yourself up"
"It's gonna break!"
"It's not gonna break" Rose did what she was instructed but closed her eyelids on fear. "Lean on me" Jack was holding her tightly by the waist, he let her put a little weight onto his shoulder so he could grab both of her arms. Slowly, he opened them allowing the wind to go through. He grabbed her waist again and made sure she had her weight well distributed between the glass and him, so the wind wouldn't take them down.
"Open your eyes"
Rose was dazed. She was higher than the ship and the horizon couldn't look more astonishing.
"I'm flying! Jack!"
He absolutely loved and treasured these moments with her. A soul so beautiful and bright, they deserved each other.
"Come Josephine in my flying machine and it's up she goes, up she goes" Jack sang in Rose's ear. She giggled at the memory of that song, her thoughts traveled back to that time in Miami, where she was starting to get to know Jack... then to their adventure with the dolphins, all the time they spent together in the Caribbean, the night of the party, watching him from a distance while she worked at the school, sneaking into his art classes, throwing small paper balls at each other in social studies... her lips leaned in to accept what the rest of her body already knew, she loved him.
They kissed passionately, without doubt, without fear. They looked into each other's eyes and smiled. Jack helped her down and they continued kissing... just this time, something had changed.
"Did we cross it?"
"Yeah, I think we did"