Friday April 12

6pm

Atlantic Ocean

Narrator's POV

Jacqueline invited Jesse, Alex and Jenna to the first class dinner for tonight. She even let April and Richard know that they're coming to join dinner. She told to meet them at the Grand Staircase in first class deck. How would anyone not approve that generous act of hers? So yeah, they prepared themselves to get fancy and dressed up for the party.

Alex's POV

Jesse was dressed up already, while I was tying my blue necktie on my white shirt. I was surprised that I looked good with my combed hair, even I left the strands to cover my forehead and eyebrow.

"I have never expect Jackie to invite us for dinner. She's very outgoing as I thought." Jesse spoke.

"I know right? I mean, I wonder who she was before she came to Titanic. Although we both knew that she had old friends in her childhood, but her parents never wanted her to spend time with friends after school." I chuckled while tying my tie.

"Maybe it's because her parents didn't want her to invite her friends to come home or vice-versa." Jesse spoke.

"Most like that."

I turned my head facing at my brother. He was wearing a red blazer on his black shirt with red tie, black pants and shoes on. He was sitting on the chair, tying the laces of his shoes.

"Jesse?"

"Yeah?"

"Does this look okay?" I asked referring to the tie I wearing and looked back in the mirror.

I honestly didn't like how it turned out because the knot seemed to be a little bit crooked.

"Hang on." Jesse approached to me and looked at our reflection.

"It's a little bit crooked, but it's not too bad. I'll fix it for you." He spoke and began fixing the knot of my tie.

"I tried my best, Jesse." I nervously chuckled, scratching the back of my head.

"I know. But keep practicing. Practice makes perfect." Jesse smiled and I nodded.

He finished fixing it and it looked good. Jesse picked my blue jacket from the bed and handed to me. I put it on and buttoned to make it neat. Man, Jesse and I looked like rich men in the mirror, but not really.

"We shine like diamonds, Alex. Diamonds are a woman's best friend, you know?"

We do shine like diamonds when we dress up fancy. But it's not really like that. There's something more than that. It's how we shine from our insides.

"I bet Jenna would love seeing you dressed up." He teased me.

Oh boy, there goes my face getting red! I just felt the heat blooming in my cheeks. I guess most of the times Jenna was mentioned, I blush easily. I have a feeling that the nerves are going to kill me.

"Jesse, she might not recognize me in this outfit." I joked and we laughed together.

Jacqueline's POV

Gosh, I feel like I'm a princess already! I was looking myself in the mirror in the sitting room, staring at the pale pink tulle, floor length dress I'm wearing for the dinner. The dress' short sleeves were embelled of varied pearls, its neckline shaped an outline of sweetheart, a knot appeared the center of my bust and it flows down after its camouflaged belt.

The natural makeup on my face looked beautiful as always. Not too much, not too little, just right. The faint pink blush on my cheeks, the natural pink lipstick on my lips and the slight amount of eyeliner around my eyes. Simple, but perfect.

The upper half of my hair was picked up, except my bangs covering my forehead and partially my eyebrows. The lower half of my hair was left down but with beautiful waves. I lifted my dress up and looked down at my peep toe, cross strapped, ivory stiletto heels. It looked amazing with rhinestones on those straps.

I looked up at the mirror, gently spun around and giggles escaped from my mouth. I smiled at the mirror. I feel good inside to be myself again. I'm happy of who I am now.

"Jacqueline!" I heard Richard calling me.

"Yeah?" I called back.

"Are you ready?" He asked.

Oh, you bet I was.

"I was born ready, Richard!" I smiled while looking myself in the mirror.

I'm sure I made him, Marisa and April laugh in the room behind me. Because I'm always ready to glam out for the party!

Jenna's POV

I'm almost prepared to go out for the Grand Staircase. I was just putting a pair of long, sparkling silver earrings on both of my ears. There, done. I finished putting them on. I looked myself in the mirror, wearing a dark purple sheath dress with long frill sleeves. My makeup on my face was on point; faint blush on my cheeks, purple eyeliner and bold red lipstick. My dark hair is complete straight and pushed it in front of my right shoulder. I looked down at my black, ankle- strap stiletto heels. I checked myself in the mirror one more time before walking out from my room. I smiled as if I'm ready.

I walked out from the room and closed the door. Then, I started walking through the corridors in the middle class deck, finding a way to get in the upper class deck. Jacqueline told me to meet her and the others in the Grand Staircase. I wonder what will Alex be wearing for tonight. I bet he'll look much more handsome than before.

Later at 7pm...

I finally came to the first class entrance. A male steward bowed and opened the door for me with a smile.

"Good evening, madam." He greeted me.

"Good evening." I greeted back with a slight bow and nod.

I stepped in the Grand Staircase and my breath was taken away by just seeing the splendor around me. My eyes looked up at an enormous glass dome with a crystal chandelier. Sweeping down six stories is the First Class Grand Staircase, the essence of the fancy naval architecture of the time.

I saw women in their long dresses with elaborate hairstyles and abundant jewelry; the gentlemen in evening outfits, standing with one hand at the small of the back, talking quietly. Then I spotted two young men dressed up nicely, one in red and the other in blue. But wait, is that Jesse wearing in red? I didn't even recognize him. I'm pretty the one in the blue is Alex.

Alex's POV

Jesse and I were just talking about how breathtaking this place is. We politely greeted at first-class men, although we had a weird feeling that we're spies. It's pretty awkward but we'll get over it. At least Jacqueline invited us to dinner, which is no big deal.

"Alex..." He called me as if he spotted someone far behind me.

I turned around and it's...Jenna in a dark purple dress with ruffled sleeves. She looked amazing that there's no way I could take my eyes off from her. We slowly approached to each other. Our eyes stared at each other as if we looked different for the first time. Or is it because our clothing making us look different? Probably. The distance closing between us had never felt so real in my life right now. I have a feeling that I'm falling for her again. A sweet shy smile began to appear on her mouth. I shyly took her hand and our fingers intertwined each other.

"I never knew you would look infinity times more beautiful like this...beyond my imagination." I softly spoke to her.

She just chuckled at me. I offered her to take my arm like a gentleman does always. She then wrapped her hand around my arm and walked towards Jesse, who is standing behind the columns.

"Hey, Jenna." Jesse greeted her.

"Hey, Jesse. Still waiting for your girlfriend?" She asked him and I started to giggle.

"Nah...just waiting for someone else." Jesse covers up to prevent the teasing we're about to give.

Damn, he's so smart of not making us tease.

"Don't mind of him. He loves joking around." I whispered in her ear and we giggled together.

I'm pretty sure that Jesse heard that but his smile tells me that he doesn't give a damn.

April's POV

Richard looked very fancy with that black and white evening suit.

Valerie, who is holding Richard's arm, looked glamorous with her sparkly rose gold, long and wing sleeved, floor-length dress. Her elaborated low chignon, with loose curly strands framing her face, and glittery hair accessories sparkled under the ceiling lights. Her long, diamond earrings dangling like wind chimes.

I'm wearing my red wine, off the shoulder, short-sleeved and floor length chiffon dress, along a black belt on my waist. My hair was done in a messy curled bun, loose strand dangling on the sides of my face.

Jacqueline, who was walking behind me, looks like a beautiful princess in pale pink. I wonder what will Jesse react towards the outfit I'm wearing. We were walking in the overlook of the Grand Staircase, about to take down the stairs.

As we walked down the stairs, I stopped when I spotted Alex and Jenna chatting with a young man in red, his back facing me. Oh, wait. Is that Jesse in red? Jenna spotted me standing on the steps. She motioned Jesse to look behind him...and he spotted me. Wow, he looked dazzling in red. What a coincidence, I didn't even know that we match in red!

Jesse's POV

After Richard and Valerie passed down the stairs, there's April in a beautiful red dress with a black belt, showing off her neck and shoulders. Her makeup really matches to her outfit. She's like a hidden angel that came down here in earth and I must be Heaven's servant to protect her from all costs. I was so hypnotized by her beauty. She approached to me down the stairs. I imitated the gentleman's stance, having my hand on my back. She extended her hand and I gently took it, kissing back of her fingers. I felt like blushing hard in my cheeks.

April's POV

I feel like blushing also but at the same time, I beamed at him after kissing my hand.

"I love your fiery personality, April. If I were a stop light, I would turn red everytime you pass by, just so I could stare at you a bit longer." Jesse admitted to me with a smirk on his face.

His words made my heart flutter a bit, and we chuckled at each other.

He offered me to take his arm, so I did. I was impressed of him acting like a gentleman.

"Yah, you could pass for a gentleman by that!" I heard Alex joking behind him; I spotted him holding arms with Jenna.

"Almost." Jesse honestly spoke.

I heard someone clearing its throat behind me, and yes, it's Jacqueline in her pale pink dress. I guess she just wanted our attention to her new look. Well, she does look amazing. She lifted her skirt a little, revealing her ivory stiletto heels, to carefully step down the stairs. She is like a queen who came down from her throne. Just as she came down from the stairs, she performed a curtsy like a princess and looked up at four of us. Faint pink tinted in her cheeks and she just stood up straight.

"I saw it once in the movies, and I've always wanted to do it." She admitted throughout giggles, and we all laughed together.

"Oh, Jacqueline, you and your wits!" I joked at her.

She smiled at us.

I turned and spotted my brother and Valerie talking with a middle-aged couple before entering the dining room.

Richard's POV

"Richard, surely you remember Jesse. He's one of my childhood friends." I heard April calling me; Valerie and I turned around and saw her with a young man in red.

"Oh, you're the one who spent time in the library with her last night." Valerie recognized him.

He nodded.

I didn't recognize him until my sister told me a little about him. I began to remember when he was in the same grade with her back in the days. It's been a while I haven't seen him and I was very amazed by his new look tonight.

"Jesse! Goodness, I didn't even recognize you until now! That's amazing! You could just pass for a gentleman!" I exclaimed with a tone of surprise.

"Well, almost. My younger brother told me the exact same thing." He honestly spoke and looked at his younger brother wearing a blue suit, holding arms with a young woman in a purple dress.

"I'm glad to see you again you two boys. Are you coming with us for dinner?" I asked.

"Yeah, since Jacqueline invited us." Alex spoke.

Narrator's POV

"Since..." Jacqueline walked past to them, now in front of the line.

"Since I'm the only one here independant, I would like to lead you to dinner. Just come and follow me." She told everyone with a smile.

Everyone just chuckled at her strong sense of humor; so the three pairs followed her to step down to the dining room.

Jacqueline greeted some women who passed by the stairs.

Valerie and Richard encountered some of their first-class friends so they approached and greeted them.

Women exchanging cheek kisses, some men exchanging handshakes, and some men kissed the back of women's fingers.

As the five enter the swirling crowd, Jacqueline was about to point out some of the first class friends she met before. But then, Jesse recognized someone.

"Is that Ivan?" Jesse suddenly asked as he spotted him with a young woman wearing a long black dress with gold embroidered straps.

"You know him?" April asked.

"Yeah. I met him today with two of my friends from third class. And who's that woman next to him? Is that his girlfriend?"

"Yeah. Serenity Schwieg is her name. They have been dating for three years. And..." Jacqueline looked around and found another friend she recognized.

A young man who was chatting his male friends in a small group.

"That's Jaden Belcher. He makes coffee and steamed buns every morning."

"Hold on, that's our neighbor in our hometown! Remember that, Jesse?" Alex recognized him.

"Oh yeah, with Colten, too!" Jesse acknowledged and the brothers laughed.

"He'll be very surprised and happy to see you guys." April smiled.

"And...who else?" Jacqueline kept looking for someone who she knows before.

She then found two men chatting with two women.

"That's Jay Brenn and Dylan Blain. Jay seemed to be very quiet as an innocent child but very outgoing. He's one of Richard's close friends. Dylan, well, absolutely obsessed about fashion. He brags about himself making a fashion line in the future. He has a friend named Christian Wilson, who also loves fashion styles." She spoke about them.

"Jesse and I have a friend of ours named Anthony Montgomery. He loves about fashion. I told him that he could work with someone like Dylan one day." Alex spoke.

"And today's his birthday today." Jesse told.

"Oh right! I just heard that Anthony came down to the steerage along Kenny, Colten and Xaiver. I guess they're having a party down there. We should go down there after dinner." Alex realized.

Jacqueline nodded with a smile.

"Yeah. Oh, fun fact? Dylan's very popular to girls because of his fashion sense." Jacqueline spoke.

"You gotta be joking." Alex was shocked.

Jacqueline shrugged her shoulders, telling him that it's true. Who wanted to know nothing but the truth?

Jesse's POV

We as five walked together around the dining room. It seemed like we're having a tour inside. While wandering around, I spotted Jaden Belcher chatting with a middle aged couple. I tapped on Alex's shoulder and he turned around to look at me.

"Let's go surprise Jaden." I whispered to him.

He smiled. "Let's go."

"Jacqueline, we'll be right back. We're going to surprise Jaden." I told her.

"Okay." She smiled. "We'll be sitting in the table with Richard and Valerie."

Alex and I nodded.

We approached to our once neighbor friend and excused the middle aged couple. They told us that they have no problem to that.

"Jaden...you remembered us?" I asked him.

Jaden looked at us as if he tried to remember the times we spent as neighbor kids. Then realization crossed his face, making us smile.

"Oh my God, you were my neighbors!" He exclaimed.

"Yes!" I chuckled.

And the three of us shared a group hug for the first time, since we haven't seen each other for years! Gosh, we remember the good times of us playing games (with Colten) in summertimes before. In our teenage years, it was a bit hard for us because Jaden once moved from our neighborhood with his family. At least Colten stayed there with us until...we ourselves moved from the neighborhood too. It wasn't easy but this time, it was full of joy and memories we could share.

"I'm so happy to see you guys again!" Jaden smiled at us.

"Yeah, it's been a long time." Alex nodded.

"I heard that Colten is here too. Is he in third class?" He asked.

"Yeah, but I hope you can see him anytime." I spoke.

"Oh, I will, don't worry. I will." Jaden assured and we chuckled together.

Narrator's POV

"Ah, I would like you to meet Jesse and Alex Bonner. They're actually brothers. Jesse, Alex, this is Mr. and Mrs. Arnold." He introduced them to the middle aged couple.

"Nice to meet you." Mrs. Arnold gave handshakes to the brothers.

"Thank you." They thanked her.

"Good to meet you, Bonners. Are you of the Boston Bonners?" He asked them as if he heard of the surname before.

"No. We're originally from England." Jesse shook his head.

"Oh. I see." He nodded but looked puzzled.

"Now that we're all standing here, should we go to the table where my friend Richard is?" Jaden asked.

"Sure. Why not?" Alex smiled.

Jacqueline's POV

This is like a ballroom in the palace; the sparkling chandeliers gives life in this environment. Full elegantly dressed people and beautiful music from a small orchestra. We saw the two brothers with their friend and the Arnolds coming towards the table. I was sitting between April and Jenna; Jesse just came into the table and sat next to April, and Alex sat next to Jenna. Next to Alex, there's Jay, Dylan, Richard, Valerie and the Arnolds. Next to Jesse, there's Jaden, Ivan, Serenity and her best friend Stephanie Howard.

I introduced the brothers and Jenna, they greeted at her and she greeted them back.

"So, can you please tell us about you three? I heard quite good from you." Richard asked Jesse, Alex and Jenna since they're from second class.

"Well yes, at least we appreciate who we are anyway." Jesse spoke.

We all chuckled together.

"Actually...Jenna and I met again for the first time since we were young. We were like childhood friends in preschool and elementary school. But...when we got out from eighth grade because of graduation, we couldn't get a chance to see each other again until now. It was surprising but refreshing from all the memories we had with our old friends." Alex told a little bit of their background story.

"Right now, I'm here in the RMS Titanic with my friends, and after that, we're all God's good humor." I spoke with a smile on my face.

"I had means to travel when the ship docks to America. My parents never wanted me to let go just because that they think they own me. But they actually don't. I'm not their project nor slave, not even a puppet they can play with. They wanted me to take the wrong decisions that they think it's approval for them. But it's not. I have the right decide for my own way, not their way. I want to make myself happy instead of making them happy." I told about my story

Then I drank some sips of champagne in the glass.

"If I would've make them happy, then I would have been suffering more inside. I could have killed myself. But now, I've got everything I need here with me. Got the air of my lungs I need to breathe and a book of Little Women I've been reading. I mean, I love waking up in the morning with the freedom I got in my hands. But also, not knowing what's going to happen or who am I going to meet, where I'm going to wind up." I continued.

Then I raised my glass up to get a little more champagne.

"Just the other night, I was being in my home, doing what my parents told me...and here I am on the grandest ship of the world having champagne with you fine people." I smiled and they all agreed.

The waiter behind me carried a bottle of champagne, offering me to take some more.

"I'll take some more of that, thank you." I smiled.

He poured a little more champagne and I placed the glass on the table.

"While being here in this ship, I learned that life's a gift and I don't intend of wasting it. You never know what hand you're going to get dealt next. You learn to take life as if it comes at you...to make each day count." I spoke.

"Well said, girlfriend." Valerie was just so proud of me as if she's my older sister.

I saw Richard being very surprised but nodded his head as if he agreed with me, too.

"Hear to the queen Jacqueline!" I heard Ivan, raising his glass.

"Yes!" Serenity smiled as she raised her glass, too.

"To make it count." April raised her glass while looking at me with her smile.

I looked at everyone with their glasses raised.

"To make it count." Everyone in this table spoke simultaneously.

I smiled at them and raised my glass then, as if I scored a point.

"To make it count." I spoke and drank a sip of champagne.