No One Compares

A Real Party

April 13th, 1912- 5:46pm

The violins were playing a romantic tune.

The rest of my family, along with Jack, were already in the party room, but I was just now emerging from the Grand Staircase. I had only brought one party dress, and it was possibly the most gorgeous one I had ever seen. It was considered an evening dress but, personally, I thought of it as much more than that. It was a gorgeous teal with a dark blue bodice and golden finishes. The sleeves were long and flow-y, made with a delicate lace. My hair was done in a large braided bun.

My heels were annoying me, but I decided not to think about it. They clicked as I walked down the many steps of the stairwell.

I stood by the clock as Jack walked to the bottom of the stairs. He was wearing a black suit that my father lent him and his hair was slicked back. He saw me and, waited until I got to the bottom of the stairs. He took my hand with a big smile and began to lead me to the table my family was sitting at.

"Y/n, you look... I mean- you're-"

"Thank you."

We sat down at the table as the first course was being served. It consisted of caviar and mozzarella bites. The music set a mood that I could tell everyone loved, including Jack. Delaney gasped when she saw me.

"Y/n! You look so so so pretty!"

"Thanks, you too, Delaney!" I smiled at her comment.

"Jack, you really got a good one!" She giggled, turning to Jack.

"I really do, don't I." He said, looking at me.

We continued to talk over the sounds of laughter and clinking silverware for almost an hour.

"I got air in my lungs, a few blank sheets of paper. I mean, I love waking up in the morning not knowing what's gonna happen, who I'm gonna meet, where I'm gonna wind up."

"That makes great sense, Jack. I admire your confidence." My mother said.

"Thanks Mrs. y/l/n. You folks have been awesome for letting me hang with you."

"It's the least we could do." My father smiled.

Father raised his glass in a toast. "To Jack!"

"To Jack!" We all replied, laughing and grinning. Jack and I made eye contact for a split second then went back to talking to the rest of the family.

We were so caught up that I barely noticed my corset was restricting my breathing. For the time, it was normal for girls to feel like that, but I despised that feeling more than every girl possibly could. Yet, I continued sit and pretend nothing was wrong.

"Well, the men and I must be on our way. Thank you for joining us." John Jacob Astor said, nodding to my parents. He was a very kind man.

I think at one point Jack realized something was wrong, because he passed me a note.

"Make it count, meet me at the clock."

I smirked to myself and told my parents I was going with Jack.

I arrived at the bottom of the staircase. Jack was looking at the clock. I began to walk up the stairs and he turned around when he heard me.

He crossed his arms. "So, you wanna go to a real party?"