Hey All! I am back :D How are you all doing this fine day? Haha so the fourth chapter is now officially up! Thanks to the two guests who reviewed, although next time it 'd be better if you reviewed in an account so I can properly thank you~ This chapter is longer than the previous ones and from here on, the chapters will only get longer! I hope you all enjoy this chapter and please review if you did! :D
After what seemed like forever, it was finally time for dinner. Elizabeth put her hands on the bed post and waited for Clara to tighten her corset. With every pull, Elizabeth groaned in pain. All she could think of was how good she would look in the damn dress later when she met Jim again. Clara did eventually help her put on the corset and the dress. The real problem came when Clara had to put on her dress. Elizabeth had no idea at all how to help her with the corset and dress so she called one of the female stewards for help. Watching carefully, Liz learnt how to tighten a corset. She would need practice but at least she knew the basics.
The girls then did each other's hair. Elizabeth put her hair up in a bun as per normal but she placed a band of pearls around the bun to make herself look even better. She traded in her diamond studs for a pair of dangling earrings, diamond as well. After dolling herself up, she started to work with Clara.
Elizabeth managed to talk Clara out of putting her hair up in a bun since the look was all she ever wore. Elizabeth let Clara's hair down and accessorised her hair with a beautiful butterfly pin. Complete with her long wavy hair, she was simply gorgeous.
"You're very pretty Clary!" Elizabeth exclaimed, proud with her work. The blonde, as usual, only blushed.
After they were done, there was a knock at the door. Elizabeth climbed over the bed and opened the door to see her father standing there. "You two are extremely beautiful." Thomas smiled at the girls. "Where is aunt Augustine?" Elizabeth asked, looking around him. "She left for dinner a while ago with another gentleman." He answered.
"Ready to leave?" Thomas asked as he held his hand out. Elizabeth went over to Clara and linked her father's arm with hers and pushed them along, out of the cabin.
While walking to the dining hall, Clara felt out of place but Thomas politely whispered words of encouragement which definitely helped. Elizabeth followed behind them, smiling at those who walked past her.
On the way, someone walked beside Elizabeth. She turned and saw none other than Mr. Caledon Hockley who she had met earlier. "Good evening, Miss Andrews." He said politely, kissing her hand which he lifted up. "And to you, Mr. Hockley." Elizabeth said. She felt uncomfortable around Caledon Hockley and the looks that he threw her way was not in any way making her feel better.
"May I have the pleasure of escorting a beauty like yourself to dinner?" He said smartly, putting out his hand for her. It was rude to say no so she just linked her own with his. "Where is your fiancée Rose?" Elizabeth asked, looking around. "She...is being escorted by someone else." He replied, his smile faded a little bit.
Elizabeth then kept her mouth shut and occasionally nodded as he proceeded to talk about his various achievements and his life so far in. Personally, she wanted him to shut up but it would be impolite to say it out loud so she tolerated it.
They finally reached the dining hall and as they sat down at their usual table, Elizabeth noticed an extra face at the table, sitting next to Molly Brown. Clara sat in between Thomas and Elizabeth. To Elizabeth's right was Caledon. Clara chose to keep to herself most of the time, being an incredibly shy person. She felt very uncomfortable in her dress and corset but bore with it.
After many introductions and a meaningful speech given by the stranger, Elizabeth found out that he was a third-class passenger named Jack Dawson. He seemed nice enough. They would later have many friendly conversations with each other during the dinner.
Throughout the dinner, Caledon kept his eyes fixed on Clara. She intrigued him. She was so beautiful, even more so than Elizabeth or Rose ever was. He kept trying to find out more about her, including her in conversations or even starting private ones with her, however she merely brushed them off casually.
A while later, as dinner was coming to an end, Elizabeth leaned forward to talk to Thomas. "Father, may I have a look at your pocket watch?" He gave it to her for a while and she saw that it was 10 minutes to 8pm. "If you will excuse me, I am not feeling too well so I would like to get some fresh air." Elizabeth said before nodding her head politely then leaving. "I...I will accompany my lady. Excuse me." Clara curtsied to those at the table before brisk walking to go after Elizabeth. She seemed to notice as Caledon's eyes followed her out of the door but she did not think much of it.
As Elizabeth walked through the halls, Clara caught up with her. "Please wait, Miss!" She cried, not being able to keep up. Clara was not used to wearing heels no matter short they might be.
Elizabeth simply chuckled before walking out onto the deck, her friend next to her. The unforgiving icy winds bit at their skin and they immediately regretted not bringing out their coats. Clara suggested they go back in to grab their coats but Elizabeth obstinately said no, as there was a high chance that she would miss the meeting.
Looking around, she spotted two men in uniform talking beside the railing. She suddenly felt butterflies in her stomach when she saw that one of them was Jim. He was chatting with another officer and his back was faced towards her. "I'm going in." Elizabeth whispered to Clara.
Walking towards them, she covered Jim's eyes with her cold hands. "Guess who?" Jim gently removed her hands and turned to see Elizabeth. "Nice to see you didn't forget, Liz." He said, breaking out in a wide grin. Clara walked up next to Elizabeth.
"This is my friend, Clara. Jim, Clara, Clara, Jim." She quickly introduced. The maid and officer shook hands politely.
Clara then looked around him and saw another officer. "Oh, yes! This would be fifth officer Harold Lowe." Jim said, making hand gestures. "Call me Harry." He shook her hand, flashing her a charming smile.
"Clara, was it? I'm sorry but I will have to steal your friend for a while." Jim said, a hand on his heart. Clara shook her head slightly, saying it was okay. Jim beamed as he brought his hand up. Elizabeth gladly took it and they walked away, leaving Clara and Harry alone together.
- Harry & Clara -
As Elizabeth walked away, she turned and gave Clara a look that said 'GO FOR IT'. Clara looked down at her feet and did not dare to look up. To be honest, she thought that Harry was very handsome and was afraid that if she were to look up, her whole face would be red as a tomato.
Harry thought that Clara was one of the prettiest women he had ever met. And he knows many women. He easily towered over her, being almost a foot taller than her. He bent down a little to look at her face and politely said "Shall we walk?" Clara looked up and was met with a pair of gentle brown eyes. She gave a small smile before nodding a little.
- James & Elizabeth -
"How has your time on the RMS Titanic been so far?" Jim started. "Alright, I guess. I mean, I love ships and all, but I guess being among the first-class people really takes it out of you." She sighed.
"I know what you mean. First-class people aren't really that easy to talk to." Jim said, without thinking. Elizabeth smirked at him. "So I'M not easy to talk to? I'm hurt Jim, I really am." She said, faking sadness. Jim laughed "You know I didn't mean you." They stayed silent for a while before he broke the silence once more.
"So...how is the first-class life anyway? Fancy living it up?" Jim asked, curious. "Oh, nothing much. It's not nearly as fun as what you think. Nothing but shoving your nose in the air and acting stuck up all the time." She answered, sighing. "You mean like this?" Jim asked again, but lifting his chin so high up he was practically looking up at the sky.
Elizabeth giggled, before walking in front of him, putting her hands on both his cheeks to pull his face back down. They were staring directly into each other's eyes. Jim leaned forward, his lips almost touching hers when she turned her face to the side, making his lips barely brushing past her cheek.
"Not so fast, Jimmy. We've only known each other for a day." Elizabeth grinned at him, not wanting to embarrass him. His cheeks slowly turned a light shade of pink. "You're blushing!" She gasped, pointing at his cheeks. "No I'm not!" He said, quickly holding his cheeks in his hands. "Yes you are!" She giggled again before strolling off happily. Jim took a moment to notice how cute she was but immediately ran after her. "I really wasn't!"
- Harry & Clara -
So far they had walked halfway across the deck but none of them had spoken. Clara had Harry's warm coat wrapped around her as he had offered it earlier. "You don't talk very much, do you?" Harry asked, intrigued by her silence. Most women he knew would ramble nonstop but this one lady said not a word. Clara shook her head. "Does it bother you?" She asked meekly.
Harry laughed. "No, it doesn't. It's just unusual, you know? Most women I know talk without any reservations but you...you are a very interesting lady." Clara couldn't help but blush a little. "Thank you?" She said, looking up at him for the second time that evening.
"I like you." He muttered under his breath. Clara's head snapped up, looking straight at him. "What?"
"I didn't say anything." He said calmly. "But you said something!" Clara said louder, a set of pearly white teeth showing as her smile widened. "No I didn't." Harry said again, looking around, pretending not to hear her.
Clara started to laugh, before she quickly cupped her hands over her mouth and stopped walking. "What's wrong?" Harry asked concernedly, looking at the direction she was looking in. His eyes widened as well. They saw Jim leaning down towards Elizabeth and at that angle, they would have assumed that the two were kissing.
Harry chuckled "Oh Jimmy, my boy." He said as he shook his head playfully. "Come on now, let's give those two some privacy." Harry continued as he place his hand on the small of her back and gently turned her around before walking again.
"You have a very lovely laugh." He commented and Clara couldn't help feeling her heart skip a beat.
- James & Elizabeth -
The two, as usual, were laughing and talking. Elizabeth reached into the sash tied onto her dress and pulled out a silver pocket watch. "Oh my! It's already half past 10! Aunt Augustine is going to let me have it this time." Elizabeth said. "Let me escort you back to your room." Jim asked politely. Elizabeth just smiled.
"So why do you have a pocket watch? As far as I know, women don't carry such things." Jim asked curiously. "No one knows I have it. I keep it with me all the time so I'm never late. Except for tonight. But, I'm not like most women, am I?" She answered, laughing. He laughed along as well. "You are one of a kind, Liz." Elizabeth blushed a little.
After a while, they finally reached the room. "Jim, I would like to invite you to dinner tomorrow with us at 7. Can you make it?" Elizabeth asked with pleading eyes. "I'll have to swap watch shifts with someone but I'm sure it should be just fine." He said, smiling back at her. She was so happy she immediately gave Jim a tight hug, wrapping her arms around his neck.
As soon as Elizabeth realised what she was doing, she broke away immediately. "Sorry." She said, blushing. Jim leaned down and kissed her cheek again. "Good night Liz." He said before walking away. Elizabeth touched the place on her cheek he kissed which was on fire and whispered "Good night Jim." before walking back into the room. Strange enough, Clara was not back yet.
- Harry & Clara -
They stood outside her cabin at 11pm. "I have some time tomorrow before my shift at around 10am. Would you care to meet me on the bridge deck then?" Harry said, smiling down at Clara. "Alright. Till we meet again." She said, grinning as well.
As Harry walked away, Clara ran back to him. "Wait! I...have to tell you something." She said nervously. "I'm...not a high class lady like miss Elizabeth or anything. I'm just a...lowly maid." Clara said, frowning and her eyes found her feet again. She expected Harry to scoff and walk away but he surprised her.
Harry held her hands and leaned down to look at her. "I wouldn't even care if you were a steward or a cashier at a restaurant." He said before leaning in fully to kiss her lips. Clara was shocked at first but kissed him back as he wrapped his arms around her waist. Her hands were thrown over his shoulders.
After a long, passionate kiss, they finally pulled apart. They were lightly panting as Harry spoke up. "Tomorrow morning at 10 on the bridge deck, right?" Clara nodded, now fully blushing. Harry laughed and gave her another sweet kiss on the lips before seeing her go back into the room then leaving for his midnight shift.
Clara opened the door quietly and wanted to sneak in but she saw Elizabeth sitting on the edge of her bed. "Clary! Where were you?!" She exclaimed. "I...was with Harry." Elizabeth's eyes sparkled as she ran up to her. "Clary! What did you two do?! Did you two kiss?" She asked eagerly. Clara slowly nodded, embarrassed.
"Oh, my Clary has finally grown up!" Elizabeth said happily before jumping up and down in excitement. "Come on Liz, let's just get you ready for bed!" Clara said quickly before dragging her to the bathroom, thoroughly humiliated.
- In James' Room -
There was a knock at the door before Jim shouted "Come on in!"
The door opened and he saw Harry leaning against the door frame, smirking. "Why are you smiling at me like that? I don't like it." He said, furrowing his brows.
"I saw you kissing Elizabeth." Harry said, walking into the room. Jim blushed a little. "We...I..." He was at a loss for words. "Never thought I'd see the day you grow up, Jimmy-boy." Harry said before walking over to the bed and ruffling his hair.
Harry turned and was about to leave when Jim spoke up. "Wait! Harry! Can I ask you for a favour?"
"What kind of favour? Because I don't normally swing that way." Harry said. Jim laughed. "Not that way, you idiot! Can I switch shifts with you tomorrow? I'll take your noon to four and you take my four to eight."
"And why?" Harry asked, narrowing his eyes. "Ah...you're meeting Liz again, aren't you?" He said, looking at him knowingly. "Yes. Now will you help me or not?" Jim said impatiently. Harry chuckled. "Alright Jimmy. Nights." He said before leaving the room.
Honestly, Harry was pretty happy switching watches with Jim. That would mean he would have more time to spend with Clara tomorrow afternoon.
The four of them laid in their bed that night, looking forward to their respective meetings the next day.
Have a nice day and review if you liked the chapter! :D