Chapter 2

Rose stood in front of her mirror, staring at her reflection with such strong emotion. She had been thinking of her life all day. She wished the thoughts would go away, but they just wouldn't. They were haunting her. Her world had finally collapsed on top of her. She could no longer breathe, no longer think. She was completely dead inside, overwhelmed with so many feelings that she didn't know how to deal with. She was drowning in her own sadness.

The reflection in the mirror did not make Rose any happier. All she could see was a lost girl, someone waiting for a helping hand that would never come. Suddenly, Rose pushed against her vanity and ran out of her room.

Tears flowed down her cheeks as she ran down the corridor and out onto the B-deck promenade. She pushed through an elderly couple who was taking a stroll on the deck, not caring that she nearly knocked the woman to the ground. Rose runs all the way to the stern of the ship. She did not stop until she got to the rail that kept passengers from falling overboard.

Rose looked down at the splashing ocean water below. She was no longer sobbing. Instead, was completely numb. She looked behind her, then began to climb onto the railing. She tried not to slip on her long dinner dress, but like it mattered if she did. Rose was determined to do this. It was the only way to solve her problems.

When she was on the other side of the railing she turned her body so that it was facing away from the ship. She looked back down at the water, ready to jump. She was about to let go when she heard a voice from behind.

"Rose..." the voice of Mr. Andrews spoke gently. "Rose, wait. Please, don't jump."

"Stay back!" Rose yelled. "I'll jump. I mean it!"

Mr. Andrews slowly inched toward Rose. "Rose, please, come back over the rail. Here, take my hand." He held out his hand for her.

Rose looked back at Mr. Andrews. She thought about it for a moment, then looked away. "You don't want to help me," Rose replied. "All you want is for me to get back onto the ship safely before anyone else sees. You're afraid that a girl jumping off the back of your ship will bring bad publicity."

"No," Andrews replied. "No, that's not what I think at all. I fear for your safety, Rose. Now, please, stop being foolish and come back over before you slip."

She didn't move.

"You don't want to do this."

"How do you know what I do and do not want to do?" Rose asked. "You don't know me!"

Andrews stood directly behind Rose. "Nobody wants to die," he replied in a whisper. "Please, I beg you to reconsider."

Looking down, Rose began to realize how high up they were. She felt goose bumps crawl up her arm. Her heart was beating violently against her chest, feeling as though it might jump out. At first, she hesitated. Then she slowly began to turn. She reached out her hand and grabbed onto Mr. Andrews'. She faced him and peered into his chocolatey eyes. Those butterflies returned to her stomach.

Carefully, she began to climb up the railing. She almost slipped on her dress, but Mr. Andrews tightened his grip and caught a hold of her.

"I got you, don't worry," he told her. "I won't let you fall."

Rose felt completely safe as she climb the rest of the way. Mr. Andrews helped her clamber over the top of the rail. He gently placed his hand around her waist, praying to God that she didn't fall. When her feet finally touched the ground, he felt so much much better.

"Are you all right?" Mr. Andrews asked.

Rose nodded. "Yeah," she replied, then tried to clear her throat. "Yes, I'm fine."

"You're trembling," he pointed out, his voice seeming concerned. "Here, take my coat." Andrews took off his dinner coat, then placed it over Rose's shoulders. "I think we should take you to the ship's doctor. You're as pale as a ghost."

"No," Rose refused. "No, I see no need. I'm fine, really."

Andrews quietly stared at Rose, knowing she was lying. "You're anything but fine," he finally said. "Is something bothering you?"

Rose softly shook her head. "There is no need in trying to comfort me. I need no consoling, nor do I need your help. I am just fine, thank you. Now, if you would excuse me, I am feeling tired and need rest." She began to turn away.

"At least allow me to escort you to your room," Mr. Andrews offers. "It's the least I can do for a lady."

With a small nod, Rose allows him. They walk together to Rose's B-deck stateroom without a single word. When they reached her room, Rose turned to Mr. Andrews and returned his coat. "Thank you," was all she said before opening the door and retreating to the inside.

"Good night, Rose," Mr. Andrews wished just before she closed the door on him.

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Later that night Rose sat at her vanity, peering down into her little handheld mirror. She was thinking about Mr. Andrews and how she wouldn't be there if not for him. If he had never shown up, she would probably be dead by now, her body floating lifelessly somewhere in the middle of the ocean. Even though he saved her, she never gave him a proper thank you. How stupid of her.

As she laid her mirror on the table, Rose looked up and saw Cal as he stepped into her room. He held in his hands a small, black box. "I know you've been melancholy," he said to her in an unusually tender voice.

Rose didn't believe what he had just said. It just wasn't true. Cal was too blinded with wealth and stupidity to see her sadness. He hadn't any idea how she felt. He would never understand, never care to listen.

The next thing Rose heard was "...But I thought tonight, perhaps a reminder of my feelings for you..." Cal opened the box he was holding, revealing the most beautiful blue stoned necklace she had ever seen.

"My God... Is it a-"

"Diamond? Yes. Fifty-six carats to be exact." Cal places the necklace around her thin neck.

Rose instantly fell in love with it. But fifty-six carats? Is that many really necessary to express one's love for another?

Cal went on to explain the history of the necklace, then says out of nowhere, "It's for royalty. We are royalty, Rose." He gets close to her, then adds, "There's nothing I'd deny you if you would deny me. Open your heart to me, Rose."

He had just given her the greatest gift in the world, a gift that every woman dreamed of having, but Rose still questioned her love for Cal. The necklace was beautiful, but she was tired of receiving these same meaningless gifts all the time. Diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but jewelry could never express love. Jewelry could never make a woman fall in love a man no matter how expensive and beautiful.

Rose gave Cal a small peck on the cheek. He then got up and left the room. She stayed sitting at her vanity, peering into the mirror in front of her, trying to find her true feelings deep down inside. Nothing. She had too much on her mind to think of loving Cal. She was too busy thinking of Andrews, her savior.

Suddenly it hit her: maybe he saved her because he actually cared for her. Cal would have saved her for all the wrong reasons, but Mr. Andrews. . .he was different. He saved her because he actually wanted to help, he truly wanted to help her. And yet Rose denied him.

How could I be so stupid? she thought. For so long she yearned for someone who would listen. Andrews had spared her life and was willing to help her, and in return she acted cold towards him and just dismissed him. Rose knew it was a poor thank you, and felt ever so bad about it. She knew she had to justify herself. She stayed up half of the night, debating what to do.