𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 |Harold Lowe

Chapter 9: The stars in your eyes

Harold remained for a few minutes looking at the entrance to the first class from where the girl had disappeared shortly before. He sighed, raising his face to the starry sky, watching the steam coming out of his mouth due to the cold. 'Who is that girl...' he thought, before looking at his clock and realizing that he was already ten minutes late for his shift.
With a quick step he walked towards the command deck where other officers were waiting for him. Arriving on deck, Harold quickly took off his coat and went to his station trying to ignore the curious looks of his colleagues "Mr Lowe where have you been? You are late, you know that?" a very familiar and unpleasant voice attracted the officer's attention "I was unwell Mr Lightoller, it won't happen again" he replied "You felt unwell? interesting, isn't it?... or walking around the deck with a young first class woman is a new hobby ?" the other continued challenging him "There are those who can, Charles" with an ironic smile and his eyes focused on those of his colleague Harold challenged him too in front of the other officers "Don't make such jokes Mr Lowe, be careful, just one word from me and the Captain throws you off the ship and goodbye to your job." after this threat Harold nodded "Good, we understand each other now... now, you get back to work!" the other officer warned the others.
"Harold, what have you done?" James Moody asked him in a whisper "Nothing James" Harold replied keeping his gaze on some papers that had been assigned to him by the first officer "Nothing? They all heard what Lightoller told you" continued the young officer "The girl?... You've seen her again, haven't you?'
at those words Harold stopped "Yes..."
"What's Her Name?"
"I don't know yet" and with a doubtful look James continued
"You don't know her name? You spent the whole evening with her and you don't know her name? Do you at least know something about this girl?"
"She's eighteen, James... eighteen, if anyone found out I was on the deck with such a young girl I'd lose my job and my reputation and so would she, but she doesn't seem to care..."
"Eighteen? Married?"
"No, she's not the type of girl who gets married so young, in fact, she's not really the type to marry..." Harold continued, pronouncing the last sentence smiling
"You know a little but a lot about her, Harold... and your eyes light up when you talk about her, you know?... do you like her?" the friend asked
"She's too young James"
"You didn't answer my question Harold... You like that girl, don't you?"
"James... she is beautiful" Harold smiled
"I knew it, it's called 'love at first sight' " said the young officer euphoric, attracting the attention of his colleagues around
"Love? I'm not in love with her. I've only known her for a short time and I don't even think she is interested in me..."
"You would never speak the way you spoke about her if you weren't in love with her"
"Maybe," sighed Harold
"When You'll See Her Again?"
"I don't think I'll see her again, James"
"What are you saying?"
"I don't think she wants to see me..."
"Why do you say that?"
"She's a mysterious girl, James. I don't think she's interested and then I wouldn't even know when to see her again, I don't want to risk my job" At these words James sighed
"Go find that girl tomorrow, I'll cover for you."
"What? And how?"
"I'll invent something... But you have to see that girl again... I know you want her mate, because when you talk about her you have the stars in your eyes"