Jack and Rose had made their way from first class to steerage easily by following the loud music from the decks below. It was nothing like the pompous orchestra in the dining area, it was loud and vibrant with a solid dance beat. Jack opened the door to see a dimly lit room full of people drinking, laughing, smoking, dancing and having a good time. Rose guided Jack to the makeshift bar where Tommy and Fabrizio were sitting and the four of them drank the beers that arrived promptly at their table. Jack felt a tug on his hand as Cora, the little girl Rose was with the other morning, pulled him towards the dance floor. He instructed her to stand on his shoes and the two of them danced together as the other three watched. Tommy nudged Rose and indicated towards a quieter place and he and Rose went over. Jack's eyes followed with curiosity and a hint of jealousy.
"So what are you doing with the likes of him lass?" He's one of those fancy rich boys. They take their first class dogs onto our deck to do their business" said Tommy, who held hostility towards people who believed in separating the classes.
"He's a friend. He's not like the others" she said surely, in an effort to sway Tommy.
"And you're like family. Any issues with him and he'll have to deal with us alright?" She nodded gratefully and they headed back for their table.
"Rose?"
She turned back to Tommy. "Yes?"
"He likes you. I can see it."
She snorted at the absurdity of the idea but found herself longing for him to want her. Rose took her seat again to see Jack looking over her way. Jack bent down to Cora and pointed towards Rose. Cora skipped over gleefully and took Rose by the hand and led her to Jack. Cora then frowned as she knew her dance was done.
"You're still my best girl, Cora" chuckled Jack.
Cora laughed and went to dance with Fabrizio and Helga, the Swedish woman Fabrizio had been dancing with all night. Tommy went and found some more of his Irish comrades and sunk a few more beers.
Jack pulled Rose towards him, placing his hand on her back and instantly giving her goose bumps. The air between them was electric, they held a spark that everyone in the room could see. Together they span around the room keeping up with the wild rhythms of the bohemian band. Rose kicked off her heels and the two proceeded to dance on the stage. A crowd had formed, watching the two and cheering them on as the music intensified. Still, Jack and Rose kept up with the beat and as the music ended the applause came like a thunder storm.
Exhausted from their efforts, they went back to Tommy and Rose chugged down a pint whilst Jack watched with an open mouth. "What? You think a lady can't drink?" As the two of them laughed, one of the drunkards who was leaving for bed sloshed them both with his glass of stout. Jack proceeded to yell at him and grabbed a cloth to wipe Rose's dress. She insisted it was fine, but made a mental note to wash the dress before returning it to Molly.
Several drinks and hours later, the party was dying down as people retired to bed. Jack and Rose had decided that they would leave the stuffy party to take some air out on the deck. The two of them sang "Come Josephine In My Flying Machine", laughing at the incorrect lyrics they were singing. And suddenly they were both outside of the first class entrance. Jack heard the distant sounds of the orchestra still playing through the door as Rose 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.
Suddenly, a shooting star flashed past both of their eyes. "Aren't we supposed to wish on it?" asked Jack. Rose turned to him, smiling at his question. "And what would you wish for Mr. Dawson?"
Jack paused to think. "Something I can't have."
"So do I."
The moment was interrupted by the sound of loud music as an older couple had exited the first class entrance. Rose, who was suddenly aware of how physically close her and Jack were, pulled back and looked towards the stairs. "Goodnight Jack, and thank you." She headed back for steerage suddenly overwhelmed by how close her and Jack were, yet so far apart.
He went to follow, but caught a glimpse of the time on the clock and realised that he had better go to his room before anyone found out he had been below deck. The door swang shut. The alcohol fuelled warmth was now gone and Jack began to feel the chill of the evening. He opened the heavy door and went inside. As Jack made his way towards the staterooms, the door swang open a third time, unbeknownst that Nathan Hockley had been watching him from across the deck.