Author's Note
Fun fact: Last chapter wasn't really s'posed to happen...but I honestly am just writing this straight out of my head. If it pops up while I'm writing, it goes in the story. I do have a brilliant plan for the end...but y'all are gonna have to wait til we get there, won't ya?
No daily top 5 today AND THE WORLD EXPLO-
xXxXx
11:30, April 13, 1912
Cassidy gazed at the clock at the grand staircase. The morning seemed like it was dragging on forever. After her talk with Rose, she had taken a stroll around the deck for about an hour, and now she had nothing to but anxiously wait for noon to come.
Cassidy's stomach rumbled. She glanced up at the clock again. 11:31. She decided that was enough time to grab a quick bite before meeting Tommy. She tended to get crabby with an empty stomach, and she didn't want to be more mean to him than she already had been.
Quickly walking down the stairs, she headed to the dining room. Thankfully, she got there soon, and she hurriedly headed over to Rose's table.
"Hello, Rose...Mr. Hockley," Cassidy said, noticing Rose's fiancé for the first time. They were the only two sitting at the table so far.
Cal stood to kiss Cassidy's hand. "Hello, Miss..."
"Miller," Cassidy supplied, as Cal kissed her knuckle and sat back down. She tried to inconspicuously wipe her hand on her dress. "Cassidy Miller."
"Hello, Cassidy," Rose said, smiling. "I thought you would be missing lunch?"
"I just figured I could grab a quick bite before I headed down," she replied. "Is it all right if I sit here?"
"Oh, by all means," said Cal, leaning over Rose to pour her wine. It reminded Cassidy of how Joseph had done that last night to her right before she left. She noticed how Rose looked a bit uncomfortable.
"So...Rose," Cassidy said sitting down. "Should we be expecting your mother to join us?"
"Oh, I don't know," Rose said airily. "She'll be around some time, I'm sure."
Cal smirked. "She thought it might be a good idea for Rose and me to get some time together, you know, as a couple."
"Oh, am I interrupting?" Cassidy asked, to spite Rose. "Should I leave?
"No! Please stay!" Rose said, looking panicked. "I mean...the more the merrier, right?"
Cassidy grinned. "Right."
Rose glared at her, but Cassidy could tell she was hiding a smile.
A server came with their food and Cassidy started eating the elaborate dish as fast as she could.
"Might I ask why you are in such a hurry, Miss Miller?" Cal asked. "Does it have to do with Joseph Dillans?"
Cassidy promptly choked on her food. "Why, no," she said, hurriedly wiping her mouth while Rose tried not to laugh. "Why on earth would you think such a thing?"
"Ah, we were talking earlier, and he seemed very taken to you, and–"
Cassidy started coughing vigorously.
"Oh, my," Rose said, her face strained from trying not to laugh. "Cal, darling, would you...give Cassidy some water? It appears she's choking a bit."
Cassidy took the glass from Cal with a red face and gulped it down. Rose was shaking with silent laughter.
"Whatever is the matter, sweet pea?" Cal asked Rose, noticing this.
"Oh, nothing, Cal, nothing," she said, waving her hand jovially.
Cassidy glared at her. How could she find this funny? Joseph was nothing to be laughing over. She finished her water and stood up.
"You're alright, then, Miss Miller?" Cal asked, playing the gentleman.
"Yes, I'm fine, Mr. Hockley. I...need to get going anyway...I'm meeting someone."
"Are you sure it's not Joseph?" Rose asked innocently, knowing full well who she was meeting.
"Positive," Cassidy said, making a mental note to get Rose back later. "It's been a pleasure, you two. Goodbye."
With that, Cassidy turned on her heal and left.
xXxXx
Cassidy stood at the rail where Tommy had found her yesterday, watching the waves crash into the boat. She had left a little sooner than she had planned, so she was there earlier than she was supposed to be.
But soon, noon came and went and Tommy still hadn't shown up. Cassidy began to panic. Did he forget to come meet her? Did this mean he didn't like her anymore?
But it turned out that she was worrying for nothing, for at a quarter after twelve, Tommy Ryan came up to her with a grin, and all her worroes vanished. That didn't mean she wouldn't give him a hard time, of course.
"Hello, lass!" Tommy said.
Cassidy pretended to sniff and turned her head away.
"Lass? What'd I do this time?" He sounded a bit unsure of himself. Cassidy fought back a smile. She turned back towards him.
"You know I am a first class lady, don't you?" she asked him.
"Ay," Tommy replied.
"And you do know how to read a clock, yes?"
"Yes..."
"And when a first class lady says noon, she means twelve o' clock sharp."
"Oh, I see," Tommy said. He grinned at her. "But ye can't possibly blame me for being late. The lads downstairs and I, we were havin a little contest, ye see, and me with my Irish competitiveness, well, I couldn't refuse, and it went a bit late an' everything..."
"What kind of contest?" Cassidy asked curiously, dropping the whole you're-late-I-hate-you act.
"Arm wrestling," Tommy replied. "I'll have ye know that I'm the best there ever was at arm wrestling. None better than ol' Tommy Ryan, wrestling extraordinaire!"
Cassidy punched him.
"Oi!" Tommy complained. "What was that for?"
"Bragging isn't tolerated here in the first class," Cassidy replied, smiling widely.
"So ya punch a lad who does?"
"Nope," Cassidy grinned. "Only you."
"So I should be considerin' myself honored that such a fine lady is punchin' me," Tommy said, rubbing his arm.
"If you want to," Cassidy replied.
"How 'bout no," Tommy said, eyeing Cassidy's fist, "...and before this gets more violent than it needs to be, let's you and I talk about something else."
"Fine by me," Cassidy said merrily.
"Eh...maybe we could start with why I found ye last night all distraught?"
"Oh..." Cassidy looked down at her feet. It was still a hard topic.
"We don't have ta if ye don't want to..." Tommy said hurriedly.
"No, no, it's fine, you deserve to know," Cassidy said, waving her hand. "See, I have...had the best parents anyone could have. Their names were George and Annabeth Miller...and loved me more than anyone could love me. They weren't like the other parents I knew, who were strict and bent on society rules. They would go to the park with me...they would tell me stories...we would sneak candy into fancy restaurants."
"Ay, they sound great," Tommy said.
"They were," Cassidy said, sighing. "But then...last month there was a...fire and I was sleeping when it happened. They woke me up, and told me to get out of the house quickly. I knew that the situation was serious, so I threw some shoes on and started towards my bedroom door, but by then, the fire had...surrounded my room, and I had nowhere to go.
"So my parents...they lifted me down out of my window...and dropped me into the bushes and told me to run to get help. I have...never sprinted as fast as I did that night...but it was too late by the time I cam back. The authorities eventually got the fire out...but...my parents were gone..."
"Oh, lass, I'm so sorry...that sounds horrible," Tommy said. Hesitantly, he held his arms out, and Cassidy, surprised but thankful leaned into him. They stood there in silence for a bit, Tommy rocking back in forth, Cassidy just breathing in his scent.
Eventually, Tommy loosenes his arms and Cassidy pulled away. She smiled at him.
"Thanks for understanding, Tommy," she told him.
"Anytime, lass," he replied, eyes full of concern.
Cassidy glanced away, a little flustered. Wanting to get off of the awkward topic, she switched it.
"Have you...ever played the question game?"
"Question game?" Tommy asked, obviously surprised by the topic change, but willing to go with it. "Which question game?"
"Here. I'll teach you," Cassidy told him.
"Alrighty," Tommy said, leaning back against the rail. "Let's hear it."
"It was a game I used to play with my parents," Cassidy explained. "So, basically we just ask each other questions and the answers must be honest and if you don't answer, you lose."
"Aw, I hate losing," Tommy said. Cassidy laughed.
"So, ladies first?" Tommy offered, bowing slightly.
Cassidy laughed again. "Alright. Um...how old are you?"
"Twenty three." He glanced at her suddenly. "And you?"
"Seventeen," she replied, eyeing him curiously. He didn't seem at all his age, he acted much more boyish. She blushed thinking about this. Luckily, Tommy didn't notice. In fact, he was studying Cassidy, seemingly lost in thought.
"So, uh," she said quickly, flustered, "Where did you grow up?"
"Belfast, Ireland. It was a great place to live, but I felt my calling was to go to the great U.S," Tommy said, snapping out of his trance.
"Ooh, I visited Belfast once, when I was little. I don't remember much though."
"Ah, well. Um... I'm guessing you don't have siblings..." Cassidy shook her head. "So...have you ever wished to have a sibling?"
Cassidy looked up. What an odd question! "Why, yes. When I was younger I always wanted a twin sister. I figured we could get into all sorts of trouble together, and like pretend that we were each other, you know?"
"Eh, lass, twin sisters aren't all they're cooked up to be."
"You know from experience?" Cassidy asked, suprised.
"Sadly," Tommy said, shaking his head. "Molly Ryan. She has a wicked pinch."
"Is she your only sibling? What's so bad about twin sisters anyway?"
"That was two questions, lass, play by the rules."
"Oh, please just answer," Cassidy pleaded.
"Alright, alright," Tommy threw up his hands. "No, she's not my only sibling, I also have an older brother, Finn. I believe he's...twenty seven? I know he's married now...he still lives in Belfast. Twin sisters are horrible. Molly once locked me in a closet for two weeks while my parents were on vacation."
"Oh, you poor thing, I bet it traumatized you for life," Cassidy teased him.
"It probably did," Tommy said indignantly.
"Right," Cassidy laughed. "Are you older than her or is she older than you?"
Tommy frowned.
"What?" Cassidy asked. "Did I say something wrong?"
"I hate being the youngest," Tommy muttered.
"Oh, pouty baby, do you think it makes me like you less?" Cassidy asked, grinning at the way he was acting.
"Ye like me?" Tommy asked, dropping the attitude.
"Yes, of course," Cassidy said. "Who wouldn't?"
Tommy grinned broadly. "True," he said.
"Do I get to punch you again for bragging, Mr. Ryan?" said Cassidy, to hide her blush.
"Was that yer question? 'Cause the answer is no."
"Okay, if that was my question than it's your turn," Cassidy told him.
Tommy started counting on his fingers. "Pardon me if I'm wrong, miss, and I usually am, but wouldn't I now have four turns?"
"Oh...right," Cassidy said, remembering all her previous questions. "I guess, if you want to have four turns."
Tommy grinned mischievously. "Okay...have you ever dated anyone? What is your favorite word? Who's your best friend? What's a hobby you enjoy?"
"Wow, all at once," Cassidy remarked. "Uh...let's see...dating...no. I don't really date."
"Why not?" Tommy asked her, frowning.
"Well, because no one likes me enough to date me. I'm too much like the lower class for any of the first class to notice me. Wait, I take that back," Cassidy said, biting her lip. Tommy looked at her expectantly. "There's this first class guy on board...Joseph Dillans...who I knew from my childhood. I was talking to one of his friends, Caledon Hockley, and he said that Joseph seemed very taken to me...I don't know if that's true or not."
"Are you...fond of him as well?" Tommy asked. Cassidy looked up.
"Why?" she asked, confused as to why he would care.
"Lass, do me a favor and just answer the question." Cassidy was surprised to hear how serious he sounded.
"Am I fond of him? No. He's an arrogant jerk. He keeps trying to escort me to dinner, impress me with his money. No thank you."
"Typical first class gentlemen," Tommy snorted, lightening up at once.
"I know!" Cassidy agreed. "I don't see why they think they're better than everyone else. Honestly, it's the other way around!"
She held the rail and leaned back, and smiled at Tommy.
"So...next question?" she asked. Tommy shrugged.
"If ye remember," he said.
"As a matter of fact, I do. You asked what my favorite word is."
"Oh, right. So what is it?"
"Disheveled."
"Oi, that's a long one," Tommy said. "Might have to write it down for me. What's so great about it?"
Cassidy blushed. "I don't really know...it's just a good word, I guess. I never really thought about it. I like reading it, it lookes pretty on the paper."
"Alright, can't argue with that," Tommy said goodnaturedly.
"And to answer your other questions...I don't really have any friends and a hobby I enjoy...uh, I like to read, I guess."
"Hang on," Tommy said, holding up his hands. "No friends? Not even one?"
"Well...yeah," Cassidy said sadly. "Like I said, no one really liked me growing up. My friends were usually adults."
"And that never bothered ye?" Tommy asked, looking sorry for her.
"I guess I never really thought about it," Cassidy shrugged.
"Am I yer friend?" Tommy asked, leaning toward her.
"Oh, yeah! Without a doubt, Tommy Ryan, you are my one and only friend."
"Aw, I just feel special now," Tommy said, wiggling his eyebrows.
"Shut up!" Cassidy said, and shoved him, cheeks burning. She tried for another topic change. "Looks like we'll only have time for one more question each. It's getting late. You might have to get to another arm wrestling contest."
"Ah, true. I believe it's your turn." Tommy said.
"Okay, um, favorite thing to do for fun?" Cassidy asked.
"Promise ye won't laugh?" Tommy asked.
"Why would I?" Cassidy replied, but at seeing his expression added, "I won't."
Tommy sighed. "Storytelling and...writing."
He glanced at her, as if expecting her to burst out laughing.
"What?" she said. "Storytelling is great! I loved listening to you last night!"
"Ye were listening?" Tommy asked.
"Well, yeah," Cassidy said, blushing again. Goodness, this was getting ridiculous. "But your stories are amazing. I would read a book if you wrote it!"
"Ye would?" Tommy said, sounding surprised but delighted.
"Of course!"
"Thanks, lass. Alright, my question is more of an offer, but I think it counts..."
"Sure, sure," Cassidy said.
"Alright, here goes." Tommy took a breath. "Would ye likw to meet me down in third class after supper and go to a party with me?"
"Party?" Cassidy asked, taken aback.
"Yeah, well, it's just a little get-together, a little Irish music, beer, not all that great, I mean...I totally get it if you don't want to–"
"Oh, no, I'll come!" Cassidy interrupted.
"Ye would?" Tommy asked again, grinning broadly.
"Yes! It sounds so much more fun than the silly parties I used to attend with my parents."
Tommys smile was getting wider by the minute. "Oh, it will be, lass, it will be," he promised.
"Alright, Mr. Ryan, you better not let me down," she teased him.
"I wouldn't dream of it, lass," he said.
"Well, then, I'll see you soon?" Cassidy asked him.
"Yes, meet me at the entry to C-deck, at say...eight?"
"Sounds perfect, I can't wait."
She started to leave, but Tommy grabbed her hand suddenly. She turned to look at him, surprised.
"Lass?"
"What?" she asked breathlessly.
"Today was fun," he told her.
"Yeah, I thought so too," she replied warmly.
Tommy quickly lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. While Cassidy stood there in shock, Tommy left, a bounce in his step, to third class.
Cassidy suddenly wished it was eight o' clock right now.