The new year can be just one more lap around the sun, some say it has nothing special, it is a day like any other, the sun sets and rises again. What makes the party worth celebrating is toasting to new beginnings, new friendships, new routines. A new opportunity to live, laugh, and love.
Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel, Sydney.
23:36
"It's a beautiful necklace"
The stunning redhead took the box in her palms and examined the small and gold-plated letter R.
"It also comes with matching earrings" Caledon showed off with a proud smile. The girl put the necklace back on its box and caressed her arm to calm down her nerves.
"It's beautiful, thank you"
"And I also got you a card" Cal took out of his blazer's pocket the piece of paper and handed it to Rose, who was sitting across him on the table. A party was taking place at the hotel's restaurant terrace, but Hockley had wanted a more discreet date; Rose didn't mind either, she wasn't in the mood to party anyways.
"Thank you... Rose30?"
"Oh yeah it's the discount code"
"For what?"
"All necklaces from the new collection, they're coming out this week"
"You expect me to post this?"
"Yes?" The girl shot an inquisitorial look his way "No? No! Of course, not..."
"Cal, this is not a gift"
"Of course it is!"
"If I have to promote it, it's not a gift, it's a business deal"
"What's the difference? I don't get it. I bought you a necklace with earrings"
"You didn't buy it"
"No i did! I swear!"
"Cal, this is not a gift"
"Why do you always have to make things so complicated?"
"I make things complicated?"
"I'm so tired Rose! I don't know what to do! It's too much pressure!"
"What are you talking about?"
"I don't know how to accomplish what's expected of me. Go to college, get a girlfriend, get married, work in the family business, get ready to take my father's place... I don't know when everything started to go wrong!"
"But... what do you want?"
"I just...I don't want to disappoint anyone" He couldn't look at her in the eyes, he was being way more open that what he intended to. Cal sighed and swallowed the 'weak' feelings once again.
"But aren't you disappointing yourself?"
"You've never worried that much about me"
"What?"
"You don't usually ask me how I am, or how I feel... I'm not complaining I'm just... that's how it is. That's how it has been for the last months..."
"I'm sorry about that"
"It's okay. I understand you don't do it because you don't feel it... it's better than faking concern I guess"
"I never wanted to make you feel lonely"
"It wasn't my intention either. I'm sorry Rose, you deserve a better boyfriend"
"We just aren't meant for each other"
"I guess... but what can we do know? We're way too far to back down"
"Maybe we could try again?"
"But your heart already belongs to someone else" He continued before she could play dumb "I'm not stupid Rose, and I see the way you look at him and the way your eyes shine when you talk about him"
"Cal... I..."
"It's alright, i don't mind. I just wish... I could have that with someone too"
"I'm sorry... I'm sure you'll find her"
"I'm sorry I called you fat, I didn't... if I had known... I wasn't thinking, I was mad..."
"Cal just... I don't want to talk about that, please"
"Sure, I'm... uh..." He had never struggled to find the words, this was a first time.
"What are we going to do with everyone else anyway?"
"We could pretend until we reach Southampton. It'll make things easier don't you think?"
"Yeah, like a stunt?"
"Precisely, everyone does it"
A stunt was not a bad idea. If the goal was to keep an image on social media, it would be pretty easy to fool everyone. A little bit of Photoshop and a little bit of acting could save them a plentiful number of problems.
"Then what's next?" Rose enquired
"We'll figure that out once we get there"
Her heartbeat again at the rate it did before that engagement night. It had been so long. Rose felt a beautiful white light traveling through her body, from her toes to her forehead, she swore she felt like flying.
She was free.
"Here"
"Oh no, please keep the ring"
"No, it's fine"
"You still need it, for the pictures and... stuff"
"Oh, right"
"And when we dock just... sell it or throw it away I don't know. That blue necklace too"
"Oh no, i don't want it, it's too..."
"Old"
"I was going to say flashy"
"It is quite ostentatious. I don't know why I bought it in the first place... well technically it was my father's idea..."
"It's in your safe anyways"
They smiled at each other.
23:46
"Would you like some grapes?"
"Please, thank you" Rose answered after Cal handed her a wine glass with 12 grapes. One for each wish.
'What would you wish?'
'Something I can't have'
Rose smiled at the memory of her and Jack that night at sea. Her lips formed a shy but mischievous smile only she knew how to do.
What did I wish for that night?
1. Freedom to go where I want to, without people staring at what i do or how I behave.
2. To surround myself with people who actually care about me, that stay by my side through thick or thin, not just when they need something, or when they're bored, or simply because they might need something in the future.
3. I want to be able to wear what I want without being judged.
4. And without worrying if I'm going to get criticized online; or even worse, behind my back.
5. I want my family to treat me as their nephew, as her daughter.
6. I want to stop time so I can figure out what I truly want.
7. I want to stop spending every day of my life trying to please other people.
8. I wish for the freedom Jack has.
9. I wish to travel the world and learn about art.
10. To do what I want without caring what anyone thinks.
11. And to be with someone who will not treat me as a porcelain doll.
"You know what? I don't need grapes. Most of my wishes already came true"
Except for one... the twelfth one... i can almost taste it...
"We should probably go back with our families..."
"I think I'm going to the restroom"
"Is Dawson in the restroom?" She froze at his words "Rose you're not fooling anybody, you never did. Go and tell him he won, I'll take care of your mother"
Rose was perplexed
"Him and his loud friends are having dinner at that pub at the pier across the street. Go on, I'll go tell Molly"
"Molly?"
"Hurry, it's almost midnight! Go!"
Rose thanked him and gave him one last kiss on the cheek.
Jack found himself sitting alone at the end of the boardwalk, mixed feelings from today. Did I really go too far? Why didn't she tell me herself? Does that mean we'll have a bad relationship? Is that ever going to happen... his eyes added a couple of drops to the water. Suddenly, a smell of Guinness threw him off, he watched as two figures emerged behind him in the reflection of the water.
"What are you doing here? Go back to the party"
"We're not going without you"
"I'm not in the mood i told you, i don't want to ruin your party"
"I'm sorry about Rose, I didn't know"
"It's alright 'brizio. Don't worry about it"
"Maybe she didn't tell you because she wasn't ready" Tommy was going to try his best to comfort his friend "it's not an easy thing to process, Jack"
"Do you think I pushed her too much?"
"Like I said, it's not an easy thing to process, neither for you. Listen, I'll be inside if you need me. Happy New Year Jack"
Just two feet walked away from the edge of the boardwalk and into the pub.
"Helga and I have problems"
Jack looked up to meet his best friend's gaze. He had been so focused in Rose he forgot to check on his best friend.
"I feel like I'm embarrassing her all time! she cringes when I talk to loud, or move my hands too much... I tried to be good boyfriend, yes? Paying for our dates, buying flowers, gifts... I'm not complaining, I do it because I like to! At mornings she would arrive, and I would tell her she looks beautiful, and she would just say thank you and wouldn't talk to me the rest of the day. I'm scared Jack, I feel like I'm drowning her..."
"I'm sorry Fabrizio"
"It's just that. I want to be with someone who makes me feel like it's not bad to be myself"
"You're a great guy buddy, anyone would be so lucky to have you"
Fabrizio tried his best to believe Jack's words. Just then, a firework went off ahead of time.
"Well somebody is getting fired. Get it? Fired?"
Fabrizio burst into a loud and melodious laugh because of his friend's bad joke. The other one had thought the situation was hilarious, so he started laughing too. They were close to crying and struggling to breath, the two of them looked at each other's eyes and that was enough for them to erupt in laughter again.
Jack's eyes have never been good in the dark, least of all at a distance. But his gut calmed him down and made him look towards the street. It was as if he had a direct connection with the celestial mantle.
The bright lights from the locals illuminated Rose's path as she ran towards the end of the boardwalk.
"Go" Fabrizio encouraged Jack with a warm smile.
"Rose! You shouldn't be running!"
"Cal and I just broke up" she said, completely out of breath
"What?"
5
"The engagement is off and everything!"
4
Jack couldn't believe his ears.
"Do you want to be my boyfriend?"
3
"Wait! What? I'm the one who's supposed to be asking you this!"
2
"Is that a yes, Jack Dawson?"
1
"Yes!"
The couple shared their first official kiss as the fireworks lit up the summer night sky. Not too far from them actually, but the deafening sound didn't bother them one bit. Fabrizio watched fondly how his friends lived their love without fear or doubt. He had prayed for their freedom so many nights.
The artist could no longer contain his happiness, he lifted the girl up in the air.
My girl. He gave her a couple of spins and returned her to the ground, it was not a dream anymore, they were officially dating.
"Jack... i do want to get better. I want to get better, for you"
"No honey, for you"
"I gotta go back! I'll see you around"
"Yes, i'll see you around"
And with one last kiss, she left. Jack's chest was about to explode if he didn't do something about it quick. He started running as fast as he could to the edge of the boardwalk where he left his best friend. He stepped on the railing and screamed at the top of his lungs:
"I'M THE KING OF THE WORLD! WHOOOOHOHOOOO!"