The Things I've Never Done: A Caledon Hockley Love Story

Chapter 1: The Blind Man and the Dreamer

<Your Perspective>

I've always been a dreamer. It was a habit of mine to get lost from the universe and just dive into the fine details that are usually overlooked by the majority of humanity that passes by. But then again, that's because humanity teaches you to think that the most beautiful things are bought and don't come for free. Although it may apply to some situations, I still find the statement untrue, for I believe that the greatest pleasures are what you make it, not what you buy for an amount of time and throw away once it expires.

Latching onto the pole in front of me, I am violently yanked from behind me in a ever tightening corset. My mother, Molly grunting in response to the force she applies. And for what? Approval of the privileged? So that I can hide my true figure to fit the desires of the public's eye? I knew all my complaints were all in vain, for if if I had not wanted this, I shouldn't have boarded the Titanic with my mother, Molly. I had had a choice to stay in the beautiful Parisian home we Brown's had owned, but my nephew, Lawrence, had fallen ill. I was never one to be selfish, and family was always a value held high above anyone or anything else.

As she had left me to my own devices, meaning dressing myself in the many layers of clothes to build the dress for this evening, a boy, about my age, had appeared. He was clad in one of my older brother's suits, blonde hair slicked back, button-downed vest and all. He was quite the looker if I had said so myself, but simply not my taste. My mother had trailed behind right after him, giving him a delighted once-over with, "I was right! You and my son are just about the same size!"

He happily replied with, "Close!" checking himself over in the many mirrors of our dressing room. Me, now leaning against the door frame, whistled as a response, adding to the heartfelt moment. I had seen the boy before, although I had never spoken to him. It wasn't about our classes, rather it was our schedules; mine being planned for the remainder of my stay on the Titanic, and his being whatever he wanted at the time.

He looked at me sheepishly, a blush tinting his features as he straightened out the last bits of his suit. With that, I had realized that I appeared a stranger to him, him not even knowing if I belonged in this room to begin with. I quickly apologized and introduced myself, him doing the same.

On our walk to the grand staircase, I had gotten to know him, the two of us having many things in common, and him becoming more of like a brother than a less fortunate boy. The boy, Jack, had been the talk of the whole upper class as he had been a supposed hero, saving the Bukater girl from apparently falling off the ship. I had seen through his little charade though, knowing there was more than he was letting on, but I had let it go with a simple smirk his direction as we had now awaited the rest of the party at the bottom of the steps.

Moments later, the spoken Bukater girl had appeared, not before her fiance and mother though, making her entrance a little off in my opinion. Yes, it was polite that her mother and fiance had a very good connection, but why hadn't he been by his fiance's side rather than the mother's? This dinner is going to go swimmingly.

I snickered as I watched Jack take the arm of Rose, joking around as boys always do, getting her to giggle as well. It was adorable, I had thought, that people of such different worlds could compliment each other so well. I wasn't too different from them too, coming from rags to riches, not being princess trained as the rest. That didn't mean that I was underprivileged though, having possibly more respect than they think they let on.

My mother nudged my arm, not realizing that I was already at the table, having to take a seat. It was there that I had seen Rose's fiance, Caledon, or Cal as people have called him. He was a tall man with a bulky yet lean build to him. His broad shoulders and mysteriously dark eyes complimenting his very being. He was gorgeous. His voice was just as silky as the way he carried himself.

I couldn't help but watch him throughout dinner, not too much to scare him, but more in a way of observation. He seemed to be a very difficult man, not so much one for love an affection towards the ones he so-called "cares for," but it seemed as if this wasn't entirely a trait he had picked up on his own. I could tell there was a different person within his being, but as quickly as I had sat down was as quick as the dinner had ended, the men separating themselves for a drink of Brandy and Jack sneaking away with a sly grin.

As he left, I followed him, grinning once meeting him at the staircase. "Boo," I said nonchalantly, not wanting to scare him, but not being all too jumpy either, not wanting to impose. He just simply rolled his eyes playfully, looking me in the eyes briefly before returning his gaze to the clock right before our beings. I giggled, "So are you going to the party below deck? Your friend, Fabrizio, I think it was? Oh, and his friend Tommy! They're quite the characters, just the type of people I like to wreck havoc with. They had mentioned it to me, telling me I was 'okay enough.' If you're wondering, I think that is the perfect date for Rose. I can see the chemistry between you two, and I can tell a trapped person when I see one. She'll love it, and she kind of needs it in a way?"

"Thanks," he giggles, "I figured Tommy would've said something. He found you pretty cool. I guess that means you're coming too?" I simply nod, feeling the excited jitters run down my back. "Cool," is all he manages before said Rose finally makes her appearance. As the pair disappear to do God knows what, I decide to take a little stroll, maybe even stargazing, before partying the night away and getting straightened up by the morning.

Making my way to the bow of the ship, I breathe in the fresh air, feeling the stress of the day finally leave my body. I did, though, stop abruptly as a familiar yet mysterious figure casts a shadow from one of the benches closest to the very front. I analyze him quietly, noticing a strong pinch in his features, almost like he's hurt? It wasn't a look I preferred for him. Quite frankly, it wasn't a face or mood I liked on anyone.

Taking a seat calmly, I distance myself a little ways away, giving him his space. He glances quickly, but overall ignores my existence altogether. "I guess you're having an amazing time?" Stupid. Stupid, why would you say that?

He snorts quietly, finally looking up at the stars, sighing slowly, "I guess you could say that. A street rat taking your fiance out of your grasp, whoring her around to his benefit. She's my fiance! I buy her the finest riches! The most ugliest paintings she calls beautiful, yet she can't even bat an eyelash my direction. She'd rather sneak around with that poor white trash with no benefit in his future."

I take in his small rant silently, not really knowing if it was meant to be all said out loud to myself or maybe the world, where no one is there to listen but himself. Otherwise, I couldn't help but take his words to heart, "You know, he's not so bad once you get to know him. Or what he values rather."

"What?" he replies shortly, not really expecting me to actually defend the boy or answer him to begin with.

"Jack is a drawer. An artist even. He sees the beauty in things that go underestimated, underrated, and overlooked. He's a dreamer. I'm a dreamer. You, you are a man blinded by his own wealth and fortune. You're materialistic without even realizing it! You do know that not everything needs to be bought right? And love, love is another story. You can't stop love even if you tried, arranged or not, it's love. Have you ever even tried to live life outside of luxury? Taken risks?"

He takes in this new information surprisingly, actually considering the words that had spewed so naturally and from the heart. After a moment of silence, he finally answers, whispering, "No, no I haven't." He finishes his sentence, now looking at me, staring into my eyes, the loneliness and uncertainty evident.

I almost feel bad for him, considering the fact that I don't know him either. He probably never had the chance to be a kid, reckless and free, dumb and crazy. With that thought, I quickly ask him, "Want me to show you?"

To be continued...

{1,536 Words}