I gazed upon the docks of which I'd be sailing away from in just a few hours. I was at the outskirts of England, and my father was too ill to travel. He wanted me to go and start our newest business instead. The date was April 12, 1912. The Titanic was setting sail. I felt nervous to be alone on this ship. My fiancée chose to stay behind. I was too excited and overwhelmed by this ship's monstrosity that I refused to stay. I gathered my suitcases in one hand and boarded the ship. I handed the man my ticket. "Have a nice stay on the Titanic, Ms. Renee Matthews."

"Thank you, sir." As a first class passenger, mother always told me, never forget your manners. 

I'll never forget the story he told me. He was betting all his money in a game of Blackjack and the other party against him bet their valuable Titanic passes. 

He smiled as he heard the German say, "I've nothing." The fellow gentleman said the same. 

He laughed in their faces as he laid down two cards: 10 and Ace. He'd won. He took the passes from the table and wrote in Zachary Clarx over the German names. 

Zachary sprinted across the sidewalks of the boarding way and barely made the last call for the Titanic. The ticket man took the pass and showed Zach to the main deck. 

He waved goodbye to the familiar streets of the England country, and in a swift move ran to the other side of the ship and whistled and yelled out how happy he was. He was so excited that he barely noticed a young, auburn-haired first-class passenger was trying to get by him. 

"Excuse me, may I pass?" I asked him. 

"Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am," he said. Zach obviously knew that a first-class lady would never want anything to do with a third-class loser like him. He wanted to see his family, the only reason he'd left for the maiden voyage of the gigantic ship. 

I decided to stay on his right. Third-class or not, he was cute, hot even. 

I tried to push him from my mind but I couldn't. No matter how hard I'd tried. That was the beginning of my downfall. 

 I couldn't believe it. I had just won a game of Blackjack out of luck and now I was on the Titanic. The Titanic!

It was a magnificent sight. And to think I was on it. I looked over the railing side and watched the waves crash into the side of the immense ship. And it was then that my life ended and began at the same time. 

She was dressed in a blue gown adorned with white lace on the sleeves. Her dark brown hair was pulled back in two braids and it was twisted into a knot on the back of her head. She was about two inches shorter than I was, and she was the most beautiful person I'd ever seen. My eyes widened as she asked if she could get by. I was speechless for a second, but remembering that I was third class, I showed respect for the First-Class women. We could say whatever crap we wanted about the drunk rich guys that wasted their money on some "useless" property and loads of alcohol that none of us teenagers in the lower classes could afford. But a lady, especially a First-Class lady, was different. Especially this one. She didn't look like one of those rich bitches planning to go and get married and have an expensive wedding for the husband to pay off. She looked, well, gorgeous. And I had fallen for her at first glance. 

 I'd settled into my quarters as a little rich girl. I didn't want to be classified as one, but here we are. 

I thought about the boy I'd run into. I knew I was already engaged, but I couldn't help it. 

I'll bet he's thinking about me too. I thought to myself our differences. I'm first class, he's third. I'm rich, he's poor. And yet, he's got everything figured out and he's happy. I've got nothing figured out and I'm unhappy. 

I left my room. I couldn't stand it in that confining space. I made my way to the main decks, where the outlook of the ship gazed off into the distance. I stood there, just wondering what was I going to do with my life? As soon as the Titanic docked, how was I to get married if James was still in Liverpool? I continued to think until I heard someone ask me a question. It was him. 

The cute guy from third class. 

"I'm sorry, sir?" I asked. I was lost in my thoughts. 

"Um, mind if I throw this out?" He asked, nervously. 

"No," I said. "Go ahead."

He stood there with his hands in his black pants and his jacket thin from so many winters of the biting cold England. 

I wore my navy dress that James had given me. I thought to myself, I'll get rid of this by tomorrow. 

"Beautiful view, isn't it?" He asked me. 

"Yes, that it is." 

He sat down and opened a journal. 

"What are you doing?" I asked. 

"Just stand there. Don't mind me."

I glanced over my shoulder a couple times, but he seemed to be writing or drawing something.

After a few minutes, he called me over. 

"What do you think?" He showed me his work. 

It was beautiful. It was a silhouette of me outlined against the radiant sunset. I hoped I didn't gape my mouth wide open at the sight of the drawing. 

"This is gorgeous." I whispered. 

"Keep it," he said. I looked at him. 

"I drew it for you."

"Wait," I asked him. He turned before leaving. 

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Renee Matthews. And I didn't quite catch your name, Mr.?"

"Zach. Zachary Clarx," he replied back. 

"Nice to meet you Mr. Clarx, I'll hope to see you soon."

"And I as well," he trailed off. I smiled as he left. I was sure he could hear my heart pounding in my chest. I felt it skip a beat. 

I clutched the journal to my chest and walked back to my room. I was having dinner that night, and I could bring one guest. Oh my God. 

"Mr. Clarx! I'm sorry, but do you have a moment?" I almost begged for his time. 

"Yes, Miss Matthews. Anything."

"In the first class hall, we are having a dinner where everyone brings one guest to escort them in. I was wondering--"

"You would like me to come?"

I nodded. 

"I don't have a tux. I'm sorry."

"I have one for you. Come to my quarters."

James told me to take one of his tuxedos for a little comfort to remind me that he was there. It looked like he and Zach had the same size. 

I disposed of the navy blue dress and I wore a dark crimson one instead. It was sleeveless and it was floor-length. It had black lace lining the sides and front. 

I came out of my room to see Zach struggling with the tie. I laughed. He turned and said, "I could never afford one, so I have no clue how to tie the damn thing." He said this while laughing. 

I tied it for him and our eyes met for the first time. He smiled, I blushed. The two seemed to be in sync with each other. 

"I'll wait for you at the clock." 

I smiled as he left and I pinned a barrette in my hair.