I hope you like my story! we had to write it for school but only the first chapter and i wanted to finish it!! there's a picture of what i imagine eliza to look like at the side! :)
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It was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime. It was supposed to be a new start. It was supposed to be unsinkable.
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I pushed through the crowd carrying the little luggage I had to get to the boat. Around me everyone was smiling, excited to go on the enormous vessel that was to take us all to New York. The large ship gleamed in the bright sun. My heart raced at the sight of it. Over the sounds of people shouting and sea gulls screeching overhead I heard my mother calling me.
“Eliza! Eliza where are you?”
“Right here mom!” I stopped walking just long enough for my parents to catch up.
“Honey slow down! I don’t want to lose you in the crowd!” My father was panting and bright red from rushing to keep me in sight.
“Sorry, I’m just so excited.” I couldn’t believe I was leaving my old, rotten life in England to live in New York. It was a dream come true! I turned around and continued towards the slowly moving line of people boarding the ship. I shaded my eyes to catch a glimpse of the name painted on the side of the boat. “The Titanic.” I whispered to myself.
“She’s beautiful isn’t she?” A boy, much taller than my petite body, said as he walked up next to me. He had tan skin, dark brown hair, and gray eyes. He smiled at me and held out his hand as he introduced himself. “Will Morgan.”
“Eliza Andrews.” I smiled back as I shook his hand. “Where are you from?”
“Bath. How about you?”
“London.” I looked up to see that it was my turn to board the ship. I felt my pulse quicken as I stepped onto the rocking ocean liner. “Oh my goodness.” I sighed as I took in the beautiful sights on board. The grand staircase and chandeliers shown in the sunlight and people bustled around trying to get to their rooms.
Will appeared by my side again slinging his bag over his shoulder. Like me and all other 3rd class passengers, his belongings were very few.
“I need to find my parents.” I looked around for my mother and father. I finally caught sight of them speaking to a young women holding one child in her arms and another by the hand. “Mom! Dad!” I waded through the sea of people to them.
“Hi honey. And who is this?” My father looked down at me and then over to Will.
“Oh sorry! This is Will Morgan. Will, these are my parents George and Dorothy.” I let them exchange hand shakes and greetings until I asked who the other woman was.
“This is Agnes Sandstrom and her daughters Margretha and Beatrice. They are traveling from Sweden.” My mother told me.
“Nice to meet you.” I smiled and introduced myself to Agnes.
Agnes smiled shyly as she replied, “You too. I have to go find my room. I hope to see you later on.” She walked away towing her daughters behind.
My family, Will, and I searched the boat for our rooms and they ended up being just down the hall from each other. I waved goodbye to Will as I went into my room to unpack and get ready to see the ship sail away from England. I decided, since the boat wouldn’t leave for a hour that I would take a nap.
“Wake me up before we leave. Don’t forget!” I told my dad as he explored the small room.
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He answered smiling at me then turning back to study the intricate mirror hanging on the wall.
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“Eliza, wake up.” My father shook my shoulder waking me up from dreams of a new land and opportunities, but when I opened my eyes, I realized those dreams were real. “The boat’s about to leave.”
I leapt from the bed and walked over to the antique mirror my dad had been looking at before I dozed off. I looked at my reflection fixing my long coppery, brown hair and studying my large, deep blue eyes. I had small features that matched my petite body. I smiled at the mirror and turned out into the hallway.
Will walked out his door as I passed it and we walked to the promenade on the top deck together. As we stepped out into the crisp, spring air, I gasped at the sight of how many people were there. We had to push through the mobs of people until we got to the edge of the ship. A man and woman walked over to us. They looked like first class passengers based on their clothing and the way they carried themselves.
“Hello. I am John Jacob Astor and this is my wife Madeleine Force Astor.” The man held his large, rough hand out to Will, and then me. The woman did the same.
“I’m Eliza Andrews and this is Will Morgan.” I smiled at the couple. The man had a large mustache that wavered when he spoke or took a breath. They both looked sophisticated, and unlike many, extremely rich.
Smiling, Madeleine replied, “Very nice to meet you both. I hope you have a nice trip!” The two shook our hands again and walked towards the bow.
“They were nice.” I said as I turned to Will who was apparently distracted. I followed where his eyes were and found myself staring at a girl about my age, 16. She had shoulder length blond hair and light freckles across her nose. The girl was about 5’8 and very pretty. I looked at will and smirked as I elbowed him in the side. “Go say hi.”
Will spun to face me and blushed beet red. “Who?” He asked innocently, but his eyes travelled back to the girl who was now talking to a older man with white hair that covered most of his face. I recognized this man from all the newspaper clippings I had cut out that were about the Titanic. He was the captain of the ship, Edward J. Smith. Captain Smith waved goodbye to the blond girl Will was still fixated on and walked past us going inside of the boat.
“Nows your chance,” I pushed Will towards the girl, “don’t blow it!”
Will turned to glare at me and then walked over to the girl, tugging me behind him by the hand. When we got to her, Will began to speak, “Uh...um...hi?” Will stuttered turning redder by the minute. The girl giggled.
“Hi. Viola.” She smiled and asked our names.
“I’m Eliza and this is Will Morgan. We just wanted to introduce ourselves.”
“I see...” Viola’s eyes flickered to Will and the corner of her mouth pulled into a smirk. “Well, I’m glad you did. I’m traveling to New York alone so I need some friends.”
Will, regaining his composure asked, “Why are you alone?”
“My brother is already over in America, and my parents died 2 years ago.” Viola’s smile started to slip.
“My parents died 4 years ago, when I was 14. The drowned when the ship they were on sunk.” Will looked down at the ocean churning below.
“Well, you know what they say. The Titanic is unsinkable.” I remarked just as the enormous ship pulled out of port. Who could have known how wrong I was.
