TITANIC - Jack And Rose, Both Are Alive!

Chapter 8

By Cecelia Dowdy - titanicfanfiction dotcom

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Chapter 8

"Miranda!" I covered my ears, glaring at my new roommate. "Don't scream." Removing my hands from my ears, I stared into Miranda's eyes. "I'm Ro-..I mean, I'm Lily. I had makeup on to make myself look like an old lady."

Narrowing her eyes, she plopped onto her bed, her brow furrowed, as if confused. I didn't blame her for wondering about my actions. I know if the situation were reversed, I'd wonder why my new roommate had to dress like an old lady. "Why did you do that?" Her eyes widened and her mouth suddenly dropped open, as if she'd discovered something. "Are you in trouble with the law?"

I thought about the necklace that was still ensconced in the pocket of Cal's coat. I hadn't stolen it, but, I would think that if Miranda found it, she'd think that I was a thief. I immediately knew I had to put her mind at ease, so that she'd know that I was an honest person. I needed to tell her the truth. "My mom was trying to force me to marry a man."

She grinned, her eyes sparkling. "Is he handsome?"

I thought about Cal's features. "I suppose some would think him handsome." But to me, he was ugly, ugly as sin because of his tortured soul. Swallowing, I fingered a tendril of my red hair, plopping onto the bed beside Miranda. "He was abusive to me." I pulled up my sleeve, showing her the bruise on my arm.

She gasped. "How on earth did you get that bruise?"

"I got this bruise from the man I'm supposed to marry." I shook my head. "I can't marry him, Miranda." I lowered my voice, leaning toward her. "I was afraid he might kill me," I whispered.

She gasped. "Is that why you were disguised as an old lady?"

I nodded. I toyed with telling her about Jack. I decided honesty was the best policy at the moment. "I'm in love with somebody else, but, my mom won't let me marry the man that I love. So, we had to sneak off the Carpathia wearing costumes, dressed like an old couple."

She shrugged. "Where's your man, the one that you love?"

"He says he has to make a living before we can try to make a life together. He's a drifter, and he's not used to staying in one place with a wife. But I know he's willing to make the effort."

Miranda's deep chuckle soon filled the room, and her blue eyes sparkled with mirth. "Lily, you are so naïve! This man you're in love with? You'll probably never see him again. He doesn't want to be shackled with a wife. He's just telling you that he'll come back because he doesn't want to hurt your feelings!"

My heart skipped, and a vision of Jack's handsome face filled my mind, making me remember my promise to trust him. He saved my life, literally. I knew he'd be back to get me. "Just be quiet!" I turned away, not wanting to hear Miranda's spiteful words. I knew it was childish for me to speak that way to her, but, I'd been so upset and emotional lately that I wasn't acting like myself.

Softening her voice, she placed her hand on my shoulder. "Hey, don't get mad at me. I'm just sayin' that I know how men are." She then looked me up and down, as if she were trying to figure me out. "Have you ever been with a man before?"

Unsure if I could trust her, I nodded, knowing she was asking if I'd ever been intimate with a male. "Miranda, he wouldn't lie to me. If he says he'll be back then he'll come back."

She sighed, shaking her head. "Well, you can believe that if you want to, but, I'm just sayin' be careful. You need to focus on your own needs before worrying about him comin' to take care of you. If he never shows up, then you need to have a plan as to how you're going to take care of yourself."