No One Compares

Delaney Did The Opposite

April 14th, 1912- 11:44am

"The water's so calm today."

I was at the promenade deck once again, talking to Delaney. She was seldom calm, but it was always nice to talk to her when she was.

"I wish it were warmer, maybe they would let us swim."

"We don't have swimwear, Delaney."

"I'd do anything to swim for the first time."

We waited in silence for the tea to arrive. Jack walked over to us with two cups in his hands, one for me and one for Delaney.

"Thanks, Jack!" Delaney exclaimed.

"No problem."

Jack stood next to me, leaning on the rail like my sister and I.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say this water's nice enough to swim in."

"That's what I said!" Delaney started to bounce.

"You're very smart for your age."

Delaney giggled as our parents walked over to us.

My parents and I hadn't had a good start that morning. For starters, I woke up hungover- and, it turns out, our dog tore apart one of my tea dresses without my knowledge. When I tried to put it on today, it was littered with little holes and specks of dirt. I tried to explain it to my parents but I guess they didn't believe me. I didn't get in trouble often, but it was the gown my grandmother had made me. I figured it couldn't be fixed easily.

I took one sip of the tea and immediately spit it out.

"Y/n! Watch your manners!" My mother shouted.

"Wha- why's it-"

"They ran out of sugar cubes." My father said, sternly.

"You have to learn to drink tea regardless of the taste, y/n." 

I sighed and tried to drink the bitter beverage as quick as possible. Delaney did the opposite and poured her tea over the rail and into the ocean.

"Delaney! Come here right now!" My father said, gritting his teeth.

Delaney looked at me to save her, but there was nothing I could do. She reluctantly walked over to my father. He grabbed her arm aggressively and led her away. Mother followed behind.  

"Will she be ok?" Jack asked, concerned.

"She's always been a little disobedient. My parents try to discipline her a lot. I'm sure she'll be ok." Secretly, I was worried. I wanted to do nothing more than go and comfort her.

I noticed Delaney's empty teacup on the ground. I decided to pick it up and bring it back to the dining room. "C'mon, Jack." I said, nodding towards the room. We went together to return the cup, and tried to avoid my stateroom for hours on end; We knew there was trouble and didn't want to intervene. 

Later, when it was nearing the afternoon, I had to talk to Jack about the 1st class hymn.

"Jack, my family has been invited to the first class hymn by the Dewitt Bukater family. Unfortunately, you won't be allowed to come. I'm very sorry."

"Oh, that's alright. I should probably spend some time with Fabrizio anyway. What time is the hymn?"

"Around 4:00. We still have a little time left."

"Well then, we should probably spend that time wisely. Come along, we could continue exploring the ship."

"Ok!"