Chapter 2 "It's a pleasure to see you again Mr. Dawson." Rose said with her most charming smile. "The pleasure's all mine Miss Bukator. I'd like to offer you my warmest wishes on your birthday Miss Bukator. You've grown so much since I last saw you! Granted you were just a little girl of 5 or 6 then, but still the same pretty young lady I always remembered." Rose blushed slightly and smiled. "You're too kind Mr. Dawson." Rose made a quick glance around the room. Her eyes quickly passed the corner of the room where her cousin Brian was standing with a group of friends. On noticing her, he looked up startled and smiled. He then started motioning for her to go over to him. She silently nodded and did her best to excuse herself from the conversation between Mr. Dawson and her mother. Rose could hear the swishing of her skirts as she graced the hall. She felt like running towards her cousin, but soon dismissed the thought when she remembered how her mother had acted when Rose had run in public before. Ruth had nearly sent Rose to the guillotines. So Rose slowed her pace and eventually found herself at Brian's side. She quickly gave him a hug as he held her at arms distance to get a good look at her. "My God Rose…look at you! You look absolutely fabulous! Seventeen now huh? Wow…time does fly by. How have you been?" "Just fine Brian! How long has it been since I last saw you? A year, maybe even two?" "At least." Brian gave a chuckle and looked around the room. His eye caught on a fashionable and clean-cut young man standing on the other side of the room. Their eyes met and almost a challenge appeared in the other man's eyes. Rose noticed his face tense. Her voice was hushed as she whispered, "Brian…what's wrong?" "Nothing. I'll tell you later." "Rose! There you are! My dear, you look wonderful!" Anne Wilson all but ran over to her long time companion, embracing her and looking her over from head to toe. Seeing that he should leave the girls to talk, Brian excused himself and rejoined his group of friends in the corner. "Annabelle Wilson! I'm so glad you could make it! Mother told me that you might not be able to come." "You know as well as I do that I would never miss your birthday Rose! Come on, let's sit down somewhere and talk." The girls then made their way to a deserted table in the opposite corner of the room. "So Rose, how does it feel to be 17?" "Well I suppose I don't feel any different." "Is your mother still on your case?" "Yes and no. I've learned to play the game Anne. Do what they want and you get off easy. But she can't change who I am. She may be able to marry me off to some millionaire or try to take away my freedom, but she can never change who I am inside." "Oh Rose! I'm so sorry you're going through this. I wish there was something I could do to help." Rose patted Anne's gloved hand and said, "Just being such a wonderful friend is help enough. But thank you anyway." "Anytime. Come on. I need somethin' to wet my whistle." Rose giggled as Anne nearly dragged Rose out of her chair. In there excitement, Rose didn't notice the waiter slip and fall directly in front of her, causing tea and brandies to spill across the marble floor. Rose tried to stop, but her foot slipped on the wet marble. She immediately fought to keep her balance, but gravity prevented it, sending her straight to the floor. But something stopped her from falling. It was a pair strong hands upon her shoulders. After taking a moment to notice her surroundings, Rose quickly got up and turned around. Before her, stood a young man around 19 or 20. She immediately noticed his ocean blue eyes and shaggy blond hair. His smile lit up his face as he nervously yet sincerely asked, "Are you alright miss?" Rose immediately regained her composure and smiled at the stranger. "I'm fine. I really must thank you for saving me from falling." "My pleasure to help Miss-" "Bukator. Rose Dewitt-Bukator." "I think I'll have to get you to write that one down." Rose nervously laughed briefly. "My name's Jack, Jack Dawson." Chapter 3 | Story Index | Post Your Review | Email Author | Home |
