THESE ARE THE TIMES
Introduction:
This story is about Jack and Rose in the present. They are Juniors in high school, but they go
to different schools. Rose goes to an
expensive private school while Jack goes to a public school. Both live in New York City. Rose lives on Park Avenue while Jack lives
with his mother and little sister in a small one floor house across town.
It was the Crystal Ball Benefit
at Preston school for privileged students, one of the most prestigious schools
in New York City. The benefit was for
the betterment of the cities public schools.
Somehow the city officials thought that the parents of Preston students
could lend their wallet to help the public schools bring in more technology for
their students. This year, for the
first time, both Preston students and students from other schools are taking
part by taking donations and pledges.
Rose Dewitt Bukater and her two friends Samantha little and Katrina
Cattrail set at their booth, signing people up for free satellite dishes if
they make a hundred dollar pledge or more to the big brother’s and sisters
organization.
“How much more boring can this
get?” Samantha yawned tiredly. “Right
now I should be at home watching Buffy make out with Riley? Or is she with Spike now?”
“Who cares. Everyone knows she belongs with Angel,”
Katrina rolled her eyes. “What I can’t
believe is that they’re inviting all those public school kids into our domain. I
mean…how…how…third
rate.”
Samantha laughed as a girl walked
pass. “And look at what she’s wearing,
can you say beggar?”
“You two stop it. It’s not their fault that they don’t dress
as fancy as you two do,” Rose cleared her throat, not wanting any of the public
school students to hear her friends jeering. If anyone of them heard, there was
sure to be a riot.
“Oh come on Rose. Surely they could find something suitable to
wear when entering our school. I mean
if they want to dress like heathens at their own school fine, but show our
school some respect,” Samantha shook her head. “Don’t come in dressing like slobs.”
“Excuse me,” Heather Dawson,
approached the table with a group of kids around Rose’s age. Heather and the rest are public school
students. All of them attend Titan
High. “Did you rich bitches just down how we public school kids dress?”
Rose diverted her eyes away from
Heather just to lock eyes with the most gorgeous pool of blue that she had ever
seen. The eyes belong to a tall boy,
about six feet tall with blond hair and of slight built. He was definitely the best looking guy she’s
ever seen, and he was staring right back at her. Both are caught up in their own world while their friends argue
among themselves. Rose sighed, swimming
in the shimmering pool of blue, losing herself completely.
“Isn’t that right Rose!”
Samantha’s voice sliced into her reverie.
“Huh?” Rose turned to her friend,
still in a daze, not having heard one word that was said.
Samantha rolled her eyes. “Never mind.”
“I guess you Titan kids better
run along now. Don’t want you to get
lost,” Katrina nastily smiled
“We’re leaving now,” Heather
glared at the girls. “But I’ll be
back.” She grabbed the guys hand. “Come
on Jack. We have to get that table set
up for the runaway shelter.”
“Oh, ok,” The boy came out of his
reverie, letting the girl lead him away,
all the while taking one last glance at Rose.
“Jack,” Rose sighed dreamily.
“Huh?” Both of her friends turn
their eyes on her and knew from the expression in Rose’s eyes that she was deep
in infatuation with the boy with Heather.
“His name is Jack,” Rose smiled.
“Forget it girl. His name is Jack Dawson, cousin to Heather
Dawson. It’s best you forget him. You’ll have to go through Heather to get to
him and how she hates us Preston kids, you definitely wouldn’t make first cut,”
Samantha laughed. “Besides, he’s
poor. A public school kid. He couldn’t even buy you dinner at the
Maisonota.”
Rose rolled her eyes. “Money isn’t everything.”
“Rose Dewitt Bukater!” A angry
voice yelled from down the hall.
“Uh oh Rose. What did you do now?” Samantha stared at her
friend with sympathy.
“Nothing. I don’t think,” Rose gulped, standing up
just as her mother Ruth Dewitt Bukater turned the corner.
“I’ve been looking all over for
you young lady. I told you not to leave
until I approve of your dress,” Ruth placed two fists on her hips and glared at
Rose’s dress. “Lavender! You know I detest Lavender!”
“Yes mother but I love
it. It’s my favorite color.”
“Well it’s not mine. I should
make you go home and change!”
“Listen mother I’m sixteen years
old! I don’t need you here to tell me
what to and not to wear!” Rose glared at her mother.
“Rose, this benefit is important
to us ladies of good privilege. Now if
you want to embarrass yourself in front of your friends fine. But you are done making a fool out of me
with your childish choices!” Ruth shook her head and cruelly glared at her
daughter. “That’s why your father left us you know. He couldn’t take you embarrassing the family as you do. Now I’m left here alone to deal with you by
myself!”
Hot tears spring to Rose’s
eyes. “Daddy’s leaving is not my
fault.”
“Oh of course it is Rose. You can’t think it’s mine do you? Always wearing unfashionable clothes, never
bothering to act like a Dewitt Bukater in front of guests. Honestly Rose sometimes I wish you weren’t
my daughter!”
Rose’s eyes widened at this
revelation. Her mother had actually
said that, and in front of her friends who were just staring at Rose in pity. They knew Ruth Dewitt Bukater was cold, but
to be down right mean and hateful to her own daughter…
Not saying a word, Rose got up
and headed for the door leading to the back of the school. Her mind was a total blank. It wasn’t until she got to the gazebo that
she collapsed to the marble floor and cried.
Her mother’s cruel comments had cut her to the quick. How did she end up with such a cruel mother? Why couldn’t she have a nice loving mother
like everyone else, or one that at least pretended to care about her. How did she end up alone with Ruth Dewitt
Bukater and why did her father find it necessary to leave her alone with the
hateful woman?
Rose didn’t notice the young artist standing just inside
the gazebo, gazing up at the stars, wishing he hadn’t let his cousin talk him
into leaving his portfolio at home. The
school was gorgeous and he would have loved to catch it on paper. He’s surprised to hear quiet sobbing from
behind him. He turned and gasped at the
sight of the beautiful redhead he had seen inside the school just a few minutes
ago, sobbing on the floor of the gazebo.
He frowned, wondering what could have made her so upset. Fishing in his pocket, he brought out a
handkerchief and approached her. He
never could bare to see a pretty girl cry.
Especially one so beautiful as this girl.
“Looks like you need this,” He held the handkerchief out to
Rose. She looked at him and her
beautiful green eyes widened in shock.
“Oh….thank you,” She stifled her sobs, accepting the offer.
“Are you ok? You
seem pretty sad from when I saw you earlier,” Jack knelt down next to her,
placing a warm hand on her shoulder.
Rose meekly nods.
“I just had a fight with my
mother.”
Jack nodded. “Must
have been pretty bad to make you this upset.”
Rose looked into his blue eyes, and instantly they both
felt a connection. Even though She had
just met him, she felt as if she could tell him anything and he’d
understand. Before she can stop
herself, she told him everything. From
her mother belittling her to the resentment she held towards her absentee
father for leaving her with Ruth. Jack
just sat there quietly, just listening to Rose talk. Wiping away her tears when they fell again. He had the overwhelming desire to just take
Rose into his arms and hold her and make all her problems disappear.
Rose sniffed after she finished, and sighed
comfortably. She felt as if a big
weight had been lifted off of her shoulders.
“Thank you for listening. I know
it must be awkward since we don’t know each other.”
Jack shrugged. “It
wasn’t all that awkward. I’m glad I can
be here for you. Someone as pretty as
you shouldn’t be so upset. Your mother
should be happy to have such a beautiful daughter that feels as deep as you
do.”
“Thank you,” Rose sniffed.
“You know, we haven’t been formerly introduced.”
Jack held out his hand.
“Jack Dawson.”
Rose smiled and took his hand, trying her best to ignore
the jolt of electricity that ran through her at his touch. “Rose Dewitt Bukater.”
Jack smiled, his voice teasing. “I’m going to have to have you write that one down for me.”
Rose laughed lightly at his
humor, once again becoming lost in his blue gaze. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr. Dawson.”
“Jack.”
“Ok Jack,” Rose smiled.
“Jack Dawson!” Heather barged out of the school. “You’re supposed to be in there helping me
take pledges, not out here flirting with the girls.” She glared at her cousin
who blushed slightly when she accused him of flirting.
“Alright I’m coming.
Cousins, Rose don’t have any,” Jack rolled his eyes.
“Too late, I have enough,” Rose smiled.
“Jack!” Heather impatiently called.
“Ok I’m coming,” Jack got to his feet. “Well I guess I’ll see you around Rose.”
“I guess,” She sighed sadly, knowing that this may be her
last time seeing Jack. He went to Titan
High way across town and she went to Preston.
She stood there watching him enter the building with his cousin while
Samantha and Katrina came out.
“Are you ok?” Samantha asked. “What did Heather want?”
“I’m fine. I wasn’t
talking to Heather. I was talking to
Jack and she just came out. He really
is a great guy,” Rose sighed.
Katrina looked at Rose as if she had two heads. “What did you two have to talk about?”
Rose shrugged.
“Everything. Come on you
two. Let’s get back to the fundraiser.”
Two hours later, the benefit was
coming to a close and people were just beginning to leave. Rose and her friends were just closing their
booth when Jack approached.
“Rose.”
Rose looked up and a smile
instantaneously appeared. “Hi Jack.”
“Hi,” He held out a piece of
notebook paper. “I just thought I’d
give you my number. Just in case you
needed to talk again. You don’t have to
call…I just thought I’d offer.”
How sweet was that? He was still concerned about her. Rose accepted the number, jumping at a possible
chance to see him again. “Thank
you. So I guess I’ll talk to you
later.”
“Yeah.”
“Jack come on! Aunt Sara’s not going to wait forever!”
Heather impatiently called.
“Later,” Jack waved rejoining his
cousin.
“Rose?” Her two friends glare at
her. “Do you have something you want to
tell us?”
“No. Not really,” Rose sighed dreamily. Except she had met the most
wonderful boy in New York. She couldn’t
wait to see him again.