In a small pallor by the docks, Justin Timberlake was sweating over his hand in a risky game of poker.
"I can't believe you bet all of our money," his friend Joshua whispered in his ear.
"Relax Josh."
Beads of sweat ran down Justin's face. He took a deep breath and laid his hand down. A huge smile crossed his face.
"Well, gentlemen it's been a pleasure--we'll take our winnings now."
Justin reached across the table and grabbed his winnings. The two men his was playing started fighting as Justin and Josh made a hasty exit.
"Hey, what'd we win?" Josh asked.
"Let's see--20 bucks and these..."
"What do they say?"
Josh saw Justin's face light up.
"Josh, do you know what these are?"
"No, what?"
"They're tickets to go on Titanic!"
"Titanic?"
"That!" Justin said pointing to the huge ship.
"Are you serious--we're going home?"
"Yes!"
Justin and Josh ran toward the ship as Titanic's whistle blew.
"C'mon Josh!"
Justin and Josh finally found an entrance and handed a crewman their tickets.
"What room are we in?" Joshua asked.
"I think we're down here," Justin said walking down a long corridor.
"Yeah, here we are--cabin 1395."
Justin and Josh entered the room and put their things on the beds.
"So, let's go look around," Justin said.
They made their way to the top deck of Titanic as it pulled away from the dock. The day was beautiful and the wind blew as Titanic made it's way out to sea. Justin took a deep breath of sea air and closed his eyes. He thought about finally going home--back to America and his home in Wisconsin. He had gone to Europe when he was only 14, after his parents died in a tragic accident. He worked as a small time artist and when he was 15, he met Josh. Joshua Chasez was also from America and had dreams of becoming a famous poet. He was from a small town in Kentucky. His father died when he was very young so when he was old enough, he decided to go make his fortune to care for his mother and younger sisters. Justin was happier than he had been in a long time. He missed his home a great deal and now he was finally going to see it again--or so he thought.
In a first-class suite, the Whitmans and Joseph were getting settled in their rooms. Ana walked out on their private balcony and looked over the ocean. She had not been the same since her father died. She, her sister and mother, had looked to him for strength and now she felt lost; she knew they felt it too. Her mother would never show her feelings; she hadn't cried once since the funeral 3 years ago. Ana knew she was dying inside. Her sister, Alexandria, was more intent on sharing her emotions. That's what Ana admired about her the most; she had the ability to express whatever she felt, whenever she felt it. Unfortunately, Ana had developed her mother's habit of hiding her true feelings. Like with marrying Joseph, she didn't want to marry him but she would sacrifice her own happiness for the well-being of all of them. Ana sighed and wiped a tear from her cheek.
"Ana?"
Ana turned around to see her sister walking toward her. Lexa always had a smile on her face and Ana couldn't help but smile back.
"Ana, are you okay?"
"I'm fine--just getting some fresh air."
"It really is beautiful."
"Yes, and not to mention peaceful--too bad our lives aren't like that."
Lexa turned to her sister and could see the sadness in her face.
"Ana, everything will turn out for the best, okay?"
"I know, thank you Lexa."
Lexa hugged her sister. Although they were only a year a part in age, Alexandria still saw Ana as her little sister. She looked after her all her life and even more so now. She knew Ana and their father were very close and a part of her had died with him. Lexa now felt a greater sense of responsibility--not just to Ana, but to their mother and their overall well-being. She would keep their family together no matter what.
"Alexandria, Anastasia--come here," Mrs. Whitman summoned.
"Let's not keep Mother waiting," Lexa said leading Ana back inside.
"Yes Mother?" Lexa asked.
"Come girls, we're to go on deck for tea."
"Now dress warmly, it's a little chilly," she added.
Lexa and Ana got ready and followed their mother and a few of her friends up on deck. They arrived in a room that was filled with well-to-do women. Lexa frowned at how shallow they all appeared to be.
"Girls, I want you to meet some women."
Ana and Lexa walked over to their mother standing with a group of women.
"Girls, this is Erin Mason and you already know Nicki Bates." "Erin, these are my daughters Alexandria and Anastasia."
"It's a pleasure to meet you; you're mother has spoken very highly of you both."
"Thank you," Lexa and Ana said.
"Erin is seeing James York; his father owns several banks in New York."
"Yes, Mr. York paid for this trip for James and myself as a pre-wedding present hopefully!" Erin said smiling.
"Isn't that wonderful girls?" "My daughter, Anastasia, is engaged to Joseph Fatone."
"Really, his father is very well known in the New York."
Ana and Lexa tried to look interested in the conversation, but talking about how wealthy people were wasn't that appealing.
"You're a lucky girl Ana; you better hold on to Joseph," Nicki said.
Ana glared at her. Nicki Bates lived near them in London and her and Ana never got along. It was worse now since Ana was engaged to the man Nicki secretly pursued.
"Don't you worry Nicki--he's not going anywhere."
Nicki smirked and excused herself.
"God, I can't stand that girl and now I'm stuck on the same ship as her," Ana whispered to Lexa. "Lexa?"
Lexa didn't her here sister because something had caught her attention. She was looking through the window at a young man sitting in a chair. He seemed to be writing in a book. Lexa studied the way the muscles in his arms flexed with every movement of his pencil. His face was full of concentration. There was something about this stranger that Lexa couldn't point out but she was drawn to him. He finally looked up and caught her gaze. She quickly turned away and then peeked back over. He was still looking at her. She then noticed how truly handsome his was. His crystal blue eyes glimmered in the sun as they penetrated her soul. He smiled and went back to his work.
"Lexa, what is it?"
"What?"
"Didn't you hear me?"
"Sorry Ana, I just lost my train of thought, that's all."
"Okay, well we're getting ready to leave."
"Okay."
Lexa began following her sister. She turned back one last time to look at the stranger, wondering if their paths would cross again.