Part 5
The world of first class was exactly like the three third class boys had expected but at the same time it wasn't. The food looke amazing and smelt delicious. Everything was bright and happy and everyone was dressed so beautifully. Wes showed them to a table with five seats and the four boys sat down. Soon they noticed that they were the center of attention from lots of young ladies, older ladies and even some young and older men. Everyone was watching them. Wes sat in his chair, so straight that the other three thought he had a fire poker down his spine. They took after him and before they did any movements they checked to see what Wes was doing.
"This food look amazing", Thad said as the food got served.
"Nothing but the best for the Titanic", a deep voice said, the four young men looked up. It was the captain, Captain Edward John Smith.
"May I?" he asked and motioned for the empty chair.
"But of course Captain", Wes said and smiled.
"Thank you my lord", the Captain Smith said and sat down, he didn't notice Wes roll his eyes at the title used. "I thought you were to travel with your family."
"I was", Wes explained. "But they came down with the flu and asked me to bring some friends instead."
"Oh, so who are these fine young men?"
"Captain Smith" Wes said calmly. "May I introduce you to Hunter Clarington, Sebastian Smythe and Thad Clearwater. All of them in my own class of course."
The captain looked impressed.
"Such highborn young men I dine with tonight", he then said and chuckled. "What do you think of the ship then boys?"
"She is amazing captain", Thad said. Hunter and Sebastian were still thinking of the names Wes had just given them. They sounded… right for some reason. They had no idea who Wes were making them related to though but the names seemed to impress the captain so that was good... right?
The two roommates watched as Thad started to ask Captain Smith a lot of questions and the man answered everything. Wes was just amused by it and the boys noticed he had brought that notepad with him that he had been "drawing" them in. Hunter tried to snatch it from its place on the table but Wes snatched it before he could and he gave Hunter a meaningful look. Hunter just grinned innocently and Sebastian sniggered. Wes looked at Captain Smith who was bragging about the ship with help by another man. Wes leaned in to whisper to Hunter and Sebastian while Thad talked to the man and Captain Smith.
"That's Thomas Andrews", Wes explained. "He's one of the engineers of the ship."
"And looks like he is taking a liking to Thad", Sebastian said. Now don't think he meant it like that. Andrews was just happy to be meeting someone so ecstatic as Thad. He was smiling brightly at Thad as the boy told him about the beauty of the ship and the ocean and everything. Captain Smith was smiling also, both taking a liking to this boy. Hunter smiled fondly. Thad might not see it himself, but people liked him a lot because he always seemed to find common ground with them. Captain Smith looked at his pocket watch.
"Oh", he said. "It's 6 pm already. I must get down to the ballroom and dance with some first class lady or another. Care to join us gentlemen?"
"Ballroom", Sebastian asked.
"Yes", Andrews said. "We have a ballroom where every first class member can dance waltz and listen to nice string music."
Hunter, Thad and Sebastian gave Wes a look and he chuckled.
"That's not our cup of tea sirs", he said. "We will take a stroll around the deck."
"And then go dancing third class style", Sebastian whispered in Thad's ear and Thad swatted him.
"Very well then", Captain Smith said. "It was nice meeting you."
"The same Captain", Hunter said and the Captain and Mr. Andrews left. Wes turned to his friends.
"Third class dancing", he asked and the three third class boys smirked at each other. All Wes had time to say before he was dragged off was:
"God help me."
The boys couldn't help but admit it. Wes looked insanely good in third class clothes. They were down in room 213 of third class and on the way Thad had managed to snag a bag no one was watching… the someone being about his and Wes' size. Thad could get the spare clothes and Wes could get a disguise.
"I must say my lord", Sebastian teased, now dressed in his normal clothes. "That you clean up quite nicely."
"Thanks", Wes said and winked at him, fixing his cap slightly.
"Just don't stand so… straight", Thad said as he helped Hunter get into his shirt, it had gotten tangled and Thad wanted to make sure they got to dance before it was too late.
"What", Wes asked.
"Your back is straight as a fire poker", Sebastian said. "Slouch a little. You're third class remember! You've worked all your life so far and it should show on your back!"
"You aren't slouching Smythe", Wes shot back.
"Smith", Sebastian corrected.
"No", Wes said with a smile. "Smythe." He then turned to Thad. "I shall try to be less… straight." No pun intended I swear!
"Good", Thad said and then smiled at Hunter. "There all handsome again let's go."
Hunter took Thad's hand and lead the group towards the direction of third class music and soon they found the party. There were lots of laughter and drinking going on. Wes smiled fondly and Sebastian, Hunter and Thad dove straight into the dancing and Wes asked a sweet looking Spanish girl to dance with him and she agreed.
Hunter gritted his teeth. Sebastian was dancing with Thad and Thad was enjoying it. Hunter had tried to cut in to dance with Thad because they always danced together, mostly to calm Hunter's worry. He was afraid that if he let Thad stray too far away in places like this something would happen to him… something bad and Sebastian was something bad. He just needed a way to get Thad away from Sebastian.
"Stop looking so miserable", a voice said in his ear and he jumped and turned. Wes was smiling at him.
"Piss off Montgomery", Hunter said.
Wes huffed.
"How rude", he said and then grinned. "Oi Thad can you give me a hand here?"
Thad grinned and hurried up to him and the two shorter boys disappeared in the crowd.
"Hey!" Sebastian objected. "That rich little rat just stole my date!"
Hunter glared at him.
"Oh stop it Hunter", Sebastian said. "I love Thad, I really do and he seems to enjoy my company. He said it was nice to dance with me and that I'm a really sweet person. He also said I'm perfect for him."
"What?!" Hunter yelled.
"That's what he said", Sebastian said and looked sour.
"Excuse me?"
"He said that: 'Sebastian it's fun to dance with you and you are sweet, very sweet to me and I appreciate that. I'm sure he'll love you. You'll be perfect for him'."
"Perfect for who", Hunter asked and Sebastian shrugged. That's when they heard a guitar starting playing and everyone turned to watch a table. On this table stood Thad and he looked nervous. Wes got up to stand beside him, guitar around his neck and Wes started singing:
In a neat little town they call Belfast, apprentice to trade I was bound.
And many an hour of sweet happiness I spent in that neat little town.
But bad misfortune came o'er me, and caused me to stray from the land
Far away from my friends and relations. They follow the black velvet band.
The people around them cheered and sang along with him.
Her eyes, they shone like the diamonds.
You'd think she was queen of the land,
And her hair hung over her shoulders,
Tied up with a black velvet band.
Wes winked at Thad and Thad sighed before he took over the singing.
Thad: Well, I went out strolling one evening, not meaning to go very far,
When I met with a frolicksome damsel. She was selling her trade in the bar.
A watch she took from a customer, and slipped it right into my hand.
Then the law came and put me in prison.
Bad luck to her black velvet band!
Hunter and Sebastian stared. They didn't know Thad could sing! And he sang really well and everyone seemed to enjoy it. The dancing continued.
Her eyes, they shone like the diamonds.
You'd think she was queen of the land,
And her hair hung over her shoulders,
Tied up with a black velvet band.
Next morning, before judge and jury, for trial I had to appear.
And the judge, he said "my young fellow, the case against you is quite clear.
And seven long years is your sentence. You're going to Van Diemen's Land,
Far away from your friends and relations. They follow the black velvet band."
Her eyes, they shone like the diamonds.
You'd think she was queen of the land,
And her hair hung over her shoulders,
Tied up with a black velvet band.
Sebastian and Hunter both got dragged out on the dance floor and when partners were to be switched… they ended up together. Thad's grin was wide as he sang and Wes looked amused. Hunter and Sebastian… wasn't as happy and they got less happy when no one wanted to switch partners with either of them. Thad looked like a kid on Christmas and the duo understood what was going on.
Now, come all ye jolly young fellows, I'll have you take warning by me.
And whenever you're out on the liquor, my lads, beware of the pretty colleens.
For they'll fill you with whiskey and porter, til you are not able to stand.
And the very next thing that you know, my lads, you've landed in Van Diemen's
Land.
Her eyes, they shone like the diamonds.
You'd think she was queen of the land,
And her hair hung over her shoulders,
Tied up with a black velvet band
Thad thought they were both were in love with each other and their dear new upper class friend was having a hilarious time watching them!
"Montgomery must die", both boys growled as they stopped dancing and Thad and Wes returned to them. Thad hugged Hunter tightly and Hunter hugged him back, his scowl leaving his face. Thad then hugged Sebastian before turning to Wes.
"Come Wes let's give these two lovebirds some privacy and go on a stroll on the boat deck!" Thad then said and gripped Wes' hand and pulled him out of the room.
"WHAT?!" Hunter and Sebastian shouted but Thad didn't hear them and Wes just laughed. Hunter and Sebastian looked at each other and shuddered. Now what would they do?
TBC