Philadelphia 1908

The sound of shoes tapping fast on the steps of the stairs caught her attention. She looked up from the table she was clearing when she saw a shadow moving past the door. It was subtle and barely noticeable, but throughout the years she had come to know the little girl as if she was her own. The girl had her sneaky and mischievous ways, yet nothing was done to cause any harm. It was all curiosity and a longing for the outside world.

"Miss, Rose." Trudy peaked her head around the corner and saw she had already put on her outerwear. She was about to leave any second. Rose's eyes widened. She was caught.

"I will be back in no time."

"You know I am in charge of you when your parents are away."

Rose nodded her head and sighed. "I know. I am only going to see Madison. She is waiting for me outside." She wasn't lying completely, she only lied where she was going. The lake in the FDR park was now completely frozen, attracting all sorts of people from the city to go ice skating. It was a place her parents wouldn't like her to go as most of the poor ones found it as their place to create some pleasure in their lives. To Rose it seemed like a perfect opportunity to get some excitement herself. Her governess had locked her up in the library all day with boring lessons.

Trudy finally let her go. "But make sure you'll be back in time for dinner." she warned her one last time before she watched the girl rush out the door. The snow beneath her feet made a crunching sound as she rushed to the other side of the street where Madison was already waiting for her. Madison was hopping up and down, trying to get her body warm.

"I've been waiting for so long!" She cried out at her friend.

"I am sorry," said Rose as she caught up with her, "I had to convince Trudy to let me go outside."

"Couldn't she have gone with us to chaperone? If my father finds out he will be furious."

"What he doesn't know won't kill him, Maddi."

The girls walked along until they finally made it to the park. To Rose's surprise it was even busier than she had anticipated. From afar they could hear children laughing and screaming, see couples holding hands whilst spinning around on the ice and older men enjoying a smoke together with a hot beverage. There was something eternally beautiful and magical about the winter. As if everyone wanted to be closer to each other.

Madison stopped Rose in her tracks before the moved forward. She had doubts about the situation and actually wanted to head back. A group of boys about their age ran past them. Madison's gaze followed them and she shook her head.

"It will be fine, Maddi. But if you want to go home that is alright, only I am staying." They found a bench where they sat down to put on their skates and when Rose took her first step on the ice a big smile appeared on her face. Her skirt clung to her legs as she moved forward, but she couldn't care less. Her cheeks were already starting to turn red from the piercing cold. Rose turned around and watched Madison come slowly towards her. She held out her hand for her friend to hold it for stabilization. Slowly but surely Rose could see she was becoming more relaxed.

"I've never been good at ice skating I'm afraid." Madison said as she was still holding onto Rose for dear life.

"But you are doing so well. And as a thank you for coming along, I will treat you to some hot cocoa later." a sudden blow of wind shot behind her. Rose turned around and looked at the same group of boys who passed by again. There were five, all holding a hockey stick in their hands. One of them looked over at the girls. His hair was pitch black, his skin almost as pale as the snow.

"Can you girls move aside." He said somewhat annoyed, "We are trying to play a game here."

"And we are trying to skate here. There is plenty enough room on the ice." Rose got slightly angry with their selfish behavior. The rest of them just stared and laughed.

"Exactly, there is plenty enough room. So go somewhere else and let us play."

Madison had already started to back off , but Rose wasn't having any of it. She remained on her spot until she saw the black haired boy coming towards her. He stopped right in front of her, his breath almost touched her skin. "Didn't you hear me?"

"I did, only I don't take orders from someone like you." She could hear the boys laugh again. He looked her up and down, scanning her appearance. Everything she was wearing was brand new for the new season. And despite the outdoor air, the strong lavender scent of her bath soap could be very well smelled from afar.

"Of course you don't. I believe you only give them. I believe you are more of an indoor kind of girl which I believe is best for you until your face turns as red as your hair."

"Victor, that is enough." Rose looked over the boy's shoulder to see one of his friends speak against his harsh words. She gave them one last look of hatred and rushed off towards her friend. Madison was waiting at the bench, hiding her face in her scarf. Rose was furious, steam was almost coming out of her ears.

"Let it go, Rose. This isn't a place for us people anyways." She sighed.

"Of course it is! Why do boys always have to be so bloody immature and mean." She reached out her hand and pulled Madison back up, "We'll just go to the other side. I saw there is a little eating stall as well, so perhaps it is better. But if I see that boy once more I'm afraid I'll skin him alive."

Maddi laughed at her and after a while she started to relax a bit more. Being surrounded by mothers with little children who were actually enjoying themselves was a much better place to be. Rose started to race with some other children whilst her friend clocked the time on her golden watch. Soon after that, the little ones started to get tired and left the ice one by one.

"I'll get us something to drink." Rose said, completely out of breath. Madison nodded and remained on the ice for she had finally started to get the hang of it. The queue was rather long and she could feel the cold almost in her bones. But despite the little conflict she was happy that she was finally out of the house. Her parents would be home in an hour and she smiled knowing she had timed everything perfectly. Someone suddenly moved past and stood next to her. The person was much taller than she was and when she looked up, she realized it was one of the boys. Her body froze and she thought it be best to remain silent.

"I am sorry about my friend earlier." He suddenly said.

She still kept quiet.

"It's just that he isn't really a big fan of you people."

Us people? Rose thought to herself and rolled her eyes in annoyance. She hoped he went away before she'd burst. Looking at her facial expression he quickly corrected himself.

"I didn't mean tha-"

"I know exactly what you mean," she cut him off, "I know I might look a bit out of place among you people, but that doesn't give anyone any right to speak without a single form of human decency."

"You're absolutely right and I apologize on his behalf." It was her turn now to order something. "Here let me buy you and your friend a hot chocolate." He took some money out of his pocket and quickly counted to see if he could actually afford it. "I don't have much on me, but I can manage it."

His clumsiness made Rose suddenly giggle. "You don't have to, sir."

Before he could say anything back, a loud cracking sound caught their attention. It was followed by a horrifying scream and when the two kids turned around Rose felt her heart sink down her stomach. "Oh my god!" She cried out, "Maddi!" Rose ran back onto the eyes and made her way to her friend as quickly as possible. The lake was almost empty as Madison was screaming for her life. The boy she was standing in line with was much quicker than her and got to her in no time. He dropped on his knees.

"Listen, you are going to be fine, but I need to you to remain calm and listen to what I say." He instructed her.

It took Madison a few seconds to come to her senses. The water was too cold for her to feel her body properly. In the meantime some women had gathered around the situation and tried their best to be of any assistance. He turned to Rose and ordered her to grab anything they could pull her out of the water with. Rose nodded and sprinted off. She soon returned with a branch she had somehow managed to pull off a tree. Madison was already holding onto to his hands. He was struggling to keep his balance for she could pull him into the water with her at any second.

"Here." Rose layed down on her stomach as well. They finally got Madison to get hold of the branch and they started to pull. Two other women got hold of the girl's coat and finally they managed to get her back on the eyes. Her face had almost turned blue and she was crying hysterically.

"Oh Madi," Rose embraced her friend and took off her scarf, gloved and hat to wrap around her freezing body. He took off is coat and draped it over her shoulder. Madison looked at him through her teary eyes.

"You saved my life!"

"Let's get you back on solid ground first." He ignored her praises of gratitude and helped her back up.

Rose felt nothing but tense and awkward. The boy was sitting next to her on the couch and they both watched how Madison's parents held her against their bodies as if she was still a baby. It had taken them more than an hour to get back home. Her mother cried when she opened the door and saw the state her daughter was in.

"You must believe I am beyond sorry for what happened, Mr and Mrs. Hunt." Rose mumbled.

"As you should be young lady." Mr. Hunt looked at her with burning eyes, "Was there no one to chaperone you? To keep you from putting yourself in situations like this?"

She only shook her head.

"You know I have to inform your parents about your indecent shenanigans."

"Yes, sir."

"Good," he then turned his attention to Jack. "And as for you, young man. We are forever grateful for your heroic action today. we are forever in your debt." He stood up and walked out for a moment only to come back with a stack of money in his hands. The boy was starting to feel uncomfortable. There he was, suddenly surrounded by luxury in a house of Philadelphia's upper class with a man who was willing to pay him an amount of money he had never seen before for something everyone would have done in that situation. He suddenly stood up.

"I can't accept your money, sir. It was nothing." He looked at Madison, "I am glad you are doing alright. I have to go home now. Goodnight." He suddenly turned his head to Rose and smiled. Then he left the room and she could hear the front door open and close.

"Wait!" He suddenly heard behind him. He looked over his shoulder and saw Rose quickly putting on her outerwear before catching up with him. "I forgot to thank you, sir. Not only for helping Madison but for being kind to me this afternoon. Only it still doesn't take away the fact that you have horrible friends."

He chuckled and grabbed a box of cigarettes out of his coat. "Your welcome..., I suddenly realize that I don't even know your name."

"I don't know yours either."

He held out his hand and shook hers. "My name is Jack Dawson."

"Rose DeWitt Bukater."

"Is it a problem that I didn't understand a single bit of your last name?"

She laughed and proceeded further. He offered her a smoke before she heavily shook with her head. "I am only thirteen, sir. My mother always tells me that smoking is only for vulgar women. And men of course."

"Do you want me to walk you home?" He suddenly asked whilst following behind her, "It is already dark."

"But then you have to go back all by yourself. It's only ten minutes from here."

"Well, then I can enjoy your company for ten minutes longer."

"You are cheeky, Mr. Dawson. I guarantee you that if my father sees me walking alone with a boy at night he will murder you."

"That is a risk I have to take then." He looked at her shivering body and wrapped his coat over her shoulders. She thanked him and let him towards her house. It was even bigger than the previous one. The white building was being lit by lanterns and it was already decorated for the holidays. Despite its size, it looked kind of cozy. He followed Rose up the stairs and watched as the door flew open. A middle aged man and woman, supposedly her parents, pulled her back inside.

"Mr. Hunt called. Get inside the drawing room right now, young lady!" Her father yelled and turned around to face Jack, "And you get off my property right now before I call the police!" Jack raised his arms in the air and quickly backed off. The door slammed shut behind him and he could her some faint yelling in the background before he quickly made his way home.

Rose felt a shiver run down her spine and not because of the cold. Whenever her father was angry he could almost act like a monster. He was holding her arm and somewhat dragged her inside the drawing room. She looked at the corner of the room where Trudy was standing. Her head was down, afraid to look up.

"And once again, you manage to disobey me." Mr. DeWitt Bukater growled, "Not only did you lie to us you also lied to your maid as well as Mr. and Mrs. Hunt. Isn't that right Trudy?

She nodded her head whilst still refusing to look up.

"Your behavior has been out of control as of late. Why can't you be more like your sister, Rose? We never had issues with her when she was your age, not even now. And then to come home an hour after dinner with a boy!"

"It is true, father!" Rose protested, "If you don't believe me you can call Alexandra's father. He will tell you the truth." Her father did not respond and send his daughter straight to bed. Trudy strutted behind her up the stairs and into her room. Rose quickly noticed she was still wearing his coat and took it off slowly. She placed it on the edge of her bed and sat down behind her vanity where her maid brushed her hair gently.

"Why do my parents have to be so angry all the time. If father just had listened." Rose mumbled.

"Jack has nothing to do with it." She protested against her parents.

"Who on earth is Jack?" Her mother cried out.

"The boy! As a matter of fact he was the one who pulled Madison out of the water. Then he walked us home. If he hadn't been there god knows what would have happened."

Then her father remained silent. He turned his back towards the women in the room. Rose's mother stared at him, waiting for any sign for him to have any say in the situation. That sign didn't come. He poured himself a glass of brandy and ordered Trudy to take his daughter upstairs. Then he left the room.

The knot in her stomach still hadn't faded when she was preparing herself for bed. How a perfect plan could turn into a disaster so soon. She somewhat was annoyed at her friend. As she hadn't stayed on the ice, none of this would have happened. But Rose quickly realized that it was just a stupid accident and it could have easily been her.

"They were just worried, Rose. In fact we all were. Why didn't you tell me? I could have easily gone with you." Trudy said whilst she was gently brushing her hair. Rose could hear footsteps down the corridor and turned her head to see her sister march past her door. She didn't look at Rose for one second. In fact, she never did. After having had her debutante ball Alice DeWitt Bukater thought herself to be one of the grown ups now. Her little sister wasn't a part of that.

Then the footsteps stopped before they continued and seemed to get closer. Alice stopped in Rose's doorway.

"Do you know where my new nightgown is, Trudy?" She asked the maid.

"Yes, miss. I'll get it for you in a minute."

Then Alice looked at her sister and chuckled. "I've heard you made quite a fool out of yourself once again, haven't you?"

Rose stood up and quickly slammed the door in Alice's face. Then she sighed in frustration before she said loudly: "I can't wait to be old enough to be out of everyone's power and out of this house!"

Morning

Trunk after trunk. His arms where slowly starting to become numb. He threw down the axe to catch his breath for a moment. He grabbed his smokes out of his pocket and before lighting it, he heard a noise behind him.

"Jack, darling." His sister peaked her head through the backdoor, "There is someone who wants to see you."