THESE ARE THE TIMES
Chapter One

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 city’s public schools. Somehow, the city officials thought that the parents of Preston students could lend their wallets 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 were taking part by taking donations and pledges. Rose DeWitt-Bukater and her two friends, Samantha Little and Katrina Cattrail, sat at their booth, signing people up for free satellite dishes if they made a hundred dollar pledge or more to the Big Brothers 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 past. "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 any one 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 dressed like slobs."

"Excuse me." Heather Dawson approached the table with a group of kids around Rose’s age. Heather and the rest were public school students. All of them attended Titan High School. "Did you rich bitches just put down how we public school kids dress?"

Rose diverted her eyes away from Heather, just to lock eyes with the most gorgeous pools of blue that she had ever seen. The eyes belonged to a tall boy, about six feet tall, with blond hair and of slight build. He was definitely the best looking guy she’d ever seen, and he was staring right back at her. Both were caught up in their own world, while their friends argued among themselves. Rose sighed, swimming in the shimmering pools 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 smiled nastily.

"We’re leaving now." Heather glared at the girls. "But I’ll be back." She grabbed the guy’s hand. "Come on, Jack. We have to get that table set up for the runaway’s shelter."

"Oh, okay." The boy came out of his reverie, letting the girl lead him away, all the while taking one last look at Rose.

"Jack." Rose sighed dreamily.

"Huh?" Both of her friends turned their eyes to her, and knew from the expression in Rose’s eyes that she was deeply infatuated 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 with 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!" an angry voice shouted from down the hall.

"Uh-oh, Rose. What did you do now?" Samantha stared at her friend in 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 approved of your dress." Ruth put her 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 we 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 sprang to Rose’s eyes. "Daddy’s leaving is not my fault."

"Oh, of course it is, Rose. You can’t think it’s mine, can 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 downright 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 on 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 who at least pretended to care about her? How had she ended up alone with Ruth DeWitt-Bukater, and why had her father found 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 was 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 bear 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 okay? You seem pretty sad from when I saw you earlier." Jack knelt down next to her, putting a warm hand on her shoulder.

Rose nodded meekly. "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 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, who feels as deeply as you do."

"Thank you." Rose sniffed. "You know, we haven’t been formally 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."

"Okay, 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.

"All right. I’m coming. Cousins, Rose--don’t have any." Jack rolled his eyes.

"Too late. I have enough." Rose smiled.

"Jack!" Heather called impatiently.

"Okay. 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 might be her last time seeing Jack. He went to Titan High School, 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 okay?" 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 glared 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.

Chapter Two
Stories