An Ocean Between Us

Saturday, April 13
The Endlessness of Tomorrow

"Have you ever seen anything so blue?" Delly sighed, gazing out at the ocean. Madge shook her head, more than a little distracted. It was like there was a pebble in her shoe, small but irritating, constantly tugging at her thoughts. And that pebble was Gale.

Why hadn't he kissed her last night? The most obvious answer would be that he hadn't wanted to; after all, he'd had plenty of opportunity. Or maybe he was simply unsure if she'd wanted him to kiss her. She'd thought she was being obvious, but maybe not. Or it could be that he was being a gentleman, and they certainly didn't go around kissing girls they'd only just met.

Or he just didn't like her that much.

Madge almost screamed. Boys were much too confusing. Maybe she'd have been better off waiting for her parents to find some boy to marry her off to, instead of trying to talk to one now. She had no idea what to make of her and Gale's encounter last night, wasn't sure at all how she was supposed to feel. One thing she did know though, was that she couldn't stand here any longer, her uncertain thoughts likely to drive her insane.

"I'm not feeling well, I think I'll go lie down," she said and Delly nodded.

"Alright, feel better."

Any other day, Madge might have thought this suspicious. Delly was certainly the type to be more concerned about something like this, the kind who would escort her back to her room and try and look after her. At least the type who'd ask more questions. Madge didn't think about any of that though, she was just grateful to get away without having to say anything. She wasn't sure why, but she couldn't bring herself to tell Delly about Gale, couldn't find the words. She hurried into the stairwell, fully intending to nap away her worries about Gale.

Well, that was the plan at least.

She should have gotten off at D-Deck. Instead, Madge stepped off the stairs at C-Deck.

She'd lost her mind.

Madge, without really thinking about it or planning it out, was wandering towards the Third Class General Room and peeking through the halls, all in an attempt to find Gale. It was appalling really, her behavior positively scandalous, but Madge needed to talk to him, needed to know where they stood. He might think she was pathetic or desperate or…salacious, but Madge just wanted to know, once and for all. She liked him, there was no point in denying it. And though she knew well brought up girls should be patient, she apparently wasn't. And maybe he'd be happy to see her. Maybe. Hopefully.

She reached the general room and was surprised she'd actually remembered where it was. Apparently, she'd retained more of Delly's tour speech than she'd thought. Madge squared her shoulders. This seemed like a good place to find him, after all, she'd already noticed when she'd been up on deck that he wasn't standing on the Poop Deck. I can do this. She stepped through the doors and scanned the room, her nerves screaming at her to flee.

And then she saw him.

He was sitting on one of the benches, laughing and smiling, so, so handsome. He looked happy, leaning close to a girl about Madge's age. Her stomach plummeted. Oh. Oh. She shouldn't have come.

I guess that's my answer.

"Madge?"

He'd turned while she'd been staring and noticed her, his face masked with confusion. He was already half standing and Madge felt a stupid urge to cry. She spun and rushed off as fast as she could, cursing herself for becoming so attached to a boy she hardly knew.

"Madge!"

Her heart seized at his call but she didn't stop running, so utterly, totally mortified. She was such a fool.

"Madge, stop! Wait!"

She felt his fingers on her arm and froze, even as her legs yearned to keep going, to run as far as she possibly could.

"What are you doing here?" he asked her back and she wanted to sob.

"Nothing," she snapped and went to leave again. He was faster though, somehow slipping in front of her. She stared at his chest, too embarrassed to meet his eyes.

"That was my cousin, Katniss."

Madge's eyes went wide as she jerked her head up, could see the truth of that written all over his expression. She felt her face burn.

"I know," she said, even though she obviously hadn't. Gale nodded.

"Of course. So, why did you come?' he asked and Madge could say something, but then, someone much wiser than her once said "actions speak louder than words". With that in mind, she grabbed the front of Gale's shirt and kissed him. It was the wildest, boldest, most insane thing she'd ever done, but she felt sparkling and alive, his mouth hot as it met hers. He responded instantly, his arms wrapping around her and pulling her flush against him, his mouth opening against hers and yes, she was fairly certain that wise person was right.

Actions definitely did speak louder than words.

"Wait, wait, wait," Madge said, pulling away from Gale.

Somehow, they'd found a bench, one slightly hidden from most people. They'd spent…well, she wasn't really sure how long they'd been kissing. Time seemed to have stopped, nothing else even registering with Madge besides the feel of Gale, his lips on hers, his arms keeping her close. She still had her hands fisted in the material at his shoulders and she felt a little breathless.

"What?" Gale asked, leaning in towards her, his eyes still closed.

"I don't even know your last name."

It seemed a little ridiculous, but the thought had just occurred to her. How could she be here, kissing this boy, without even knowing his last name? Gale smiled, his forehead pressing against hers.

"It's Hawthorne."

Oh. Gale Hawthorne. It sounded nice.

"Undersee," she replied and his eyes opened, perfectly, beautifully silver.

"Madge Undersee," he repeated and her whole body seemed to erupt with flutters.

"How old are you?" she asked and a part of her was curious, while another part just wanted to shut up and kiss him again and again and again.

"18. You?"

"16," she answered and hoped he didn't think she was too young. He squeezed her waist.

"Same age as Katniss," he commented and she smiled a little. She kissed him again, getting lost for a moment in the taste of him. He dragged her closer, their chests pressed together and Madge was hot all over. She pulled away again.

"Did you come with anyone else?" she asked, voice a little breathy. He nodded slowly.

"Yeah, Katniss' mom is here and her sister Prim too. And my mum, my brothers, Rory and Vick and my sister Posy."

Madge didn't actually say anything, but maybe Gale could feel the question through her skin.

"My dad's dead. Work accident."

"Oh, Gale. I'm so sorry."

"It's fine. Well, no, it's not, but, it's been five years."

Madge bit her lip and wished she knew what to say. Gale forced a smile.

"And my best mate Thom, he's here too."

Madge recognized his attempt to change the subject.

"Did your whole street pack up and leave?" she joked and he grinned a little easier.

"Only the interesting ones."

She snorted.

"And what about you, who're you with?"

"My parents. And my friend Delly, and her family."

He nodded and they were silent for a moment, every nerve in Madge's body singing.

"My favourite colour's blue," he murmured, "a darkish blue."

It was such a small, inconsequential detail and yet, Madge couldn't help feeling like she'd just learned something precious.

"Mine's lavender."

"That's purple, I know, but I've no idea what shade of purple," he admitted and she laughed. She thought about kissing him again but there was something burning in her stomach, like hot coals in a fire.

"I'm afraid, of what's going to happen to us in America. It took everything we had to get this far, if things don't work out quickly, what are we going to do?"

"I know how you feel," he nearly whispered, breath faint on her cheeks. "We sold everything to get these tickets, if I don't find work fast…"

She kissed him then, her passion mixed with desperation. He matched her in both and for a moment, nothing seemed quite as frightening as it had before.

Goodbye was kisses and promises for that night.

Goodbye was Hello.

"And what did you girls do today?" her mother asked over dinner.

"Oh, I wasn't feeling too well, so I took a nap," Madge responded and her mother frowned.

"I'm sorry sweetheart, are you feeling any better?"

"Yes, much better," she answered, smiling brightly. Delly grinned at her across the table and if Madge weren't so blissful, she might think that smile was far too knowing. Instead she merely beamed at all of them, too happy to worry about anything at all.

For the first time since she'd heard the name Titanic, Madge was simply happy.

Gale was waiting for her when she wandered out onto the promenade deck, painted silver and blue by the night sky. She took a moment to admire him, traced him with her eyes and he turned, smiling sweetly when he noticed her. Madge couldn't help but smile back as they moved towards each other, the faint tinkling of music drifting out from somewhere in the ship. Gale cocked his head to listen for a moment and then grinned; set her heart ablaze with just one look.

"Dance with me?" he asked, holding out his hand. Madge felt her cheeks heat up but nodded, stomach bubbling happily. She took his hand and he drew her close, humming along to the music. She closed her eyes and hummed too, his arm around her waist and holding her near. Their bodies touched, the stars shone overhead and Madge could feel his heartbeat thudding in time with hers. They moved slowly, less dancing and more swaying, but she felt like she was floating, Gale warm in a way that touched her all the way to her bones. She tilted her head up and he tilted his down, their lips meeting.

Madge kissed him and knew this was crazy, entirely impossible, but standing in Gale's arms in the moonlight, she honestly believed she might be falling in love.