THESE ARE THE TIMES
Chapter Seven

The next day, Rose sat in the school library, pretending to study while daydreaming about Jack, when Sam and Kat joined her.

"Okay. What was this about you and Jack being an item?" Sam demanded. "I want the details."

"There are no details. He asked me if I wanted to be his girlfriend, and I said yes. That’s all." Rose shrugged.

"And yesterday they spent the day together." Kat looked over at Sam.

"We went for a swim in my pool and watched a movie. Big deal." Rose rolled her eyes at her friends insistence on knowing every interesting aspect of her life. "How about you, Kat? You and Cal still on?"

"Of course. How about that date with Jack’s friend for Sam?"

"What? You guys, I don’t know…" Sam stuttered.

"Come on, Sam. You’ve seen Tommy! He’s hot. Not as hot as Jack, but hot." Rose laughed. "And he’s nice, too. I’ll call Jack later, and we’ll set something up."

"Rose, no! Rose!" Sam protested as Rose got up and headed out of the library.

Titan High School

Jack and his friends were seated on the steps of the school during their lunch break.

"So, it’s official now? You two are an item?" Tommy asked.

Jack nodded. "It just happened. It was really Chrissie who made it happen. She asked Rose earlier if she was my girlfriend. While I was driving Rose home, she inquired about Chrissie’s comment, and I asked her if she wanted to be, and she said yes. Then we became official."

"Official what?" Heather and Jen came up.

"Jack and Rose are now an official item." Tommy looked up at Heather.

"Congratulations." Jen smiled.

"You’re making a big mistake. All you’re going to end up doing is getting hurt." Heather glared at her cousin. "Mark my words, Jack."

"Shut up, Heather. You don’t even know Rose, yet you don’t like her just because she goes to Preston." Jack rolled his eyes at his cousin’s warning.

"She’s going to hurt you, Jack…"

"No, she won’t, Heather. I know Rose. She doesn’t have that in her. And so what if we end up breaking up in the end? Life is full of break-ups. I’m used to it. But I care for Rose and she cares for me, and you’re not going to ruin that." Jack sighed. "I’m sorry you’re upset by my decision, but it’s my decision. Not yours."

"That’s right, and I’m going to be right there telling you I told you so." Heather stormed back into the school building.

"She’s really unhappy about this, Jack." Jen watched her friend disappear.

"So what? It’s none of her business." Jack shrugged. "If she wants to get mad and run off, that’s her business."

"I just hate to see you two fighting. That’s all. You two are family." Jen sighed. "Is this Rose really that important to you?"

"Yes. She is." Jack glared at his friend. "Either Heather accepts the relationship and keeps her mouth shut, or there will be nothing but arguments between us."

"Well, I like Rose, too, and anytime she wants to hang with us, she can." Fabrizio nodded. "But don’t tell Heather I said that."

Tommy laughed. "You are so whipped."

Jack just smiled. "Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with us."

"So, Jack…when’s your next date with Rose?"

"Don’t know. I have to set it up." Jack shrugged.

"Well…I am having a party Friday night. Rose and her friends are invited if they want to come." Tommy smiled. "How about it?"

Jack’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree in Times Square. Tommy’s parties were always awesome. Plenty of food and music for everyone. Tommy’s party favors were always the bomb. Rose would love it. "That’s a plan. I’ll call her tonight and invite her."

"And see if she has any single friends. I need a date, too." Tommy smiled.

Jack laughed. "Give Heather a heart attack, huh? It’s bad enough she has a cousin dating a Preston girl. Just think about the fireworks if you get involved."

"Heather doesn’t tell me what to do." Tommy snorted. "I’ll date a Preston girl if I damned well please. Now, are you going to ask her or not?"

"I said I would." Jack laughed.

*****

Rose was laying across her bed, studying her French, when her phone rang.

"Bonjour," she greeted.

"Uh…hello?" Jack asked uncertainly.

"Oh, hello, Jack. I’m sorry. I was studying my French homework."

"That’s okay. Listen, I just called to tell you that Tommy is having a party Friday night. You and your friends are invited," Jack explained.

"Really?" Rose’s eyes lit up. A perfect opportunity to introduce Sam to Tommy. "That’d be great. I don’t know about Kat, but Sam will definitely want to come. Anywhere there’s cute, handsome guys."

"Cool. I’ll pick you both up at seven on Friday." Jack laughed. "Rose, you will have a blast. I promise."

"Somehow, I know you’re right. Well, I’d better get back to French. I’ll talk to you later." Rose grinned.

"Okay. Night, sweetie."

"Night, Jack." Rose smiled, hanging up the phone.

*****

The next day, the three girls stood outside Rose’s locker.

"Jack’s friend, Tommy, is having a party this Friday, and we’re all invited," Rose explained. "Are you two interested? You can ride with Jack and me."

Kat and Sam looked at Rose and looked at each other.

"I can’t. Cal would freak if he found out I was on that side of town." Kat sighed. "Sorry."

"So, I take it you two are an official couple, then?" Rose asked.

Kat smiled. "As official as you can get, I guess."

"How about you, Sam? You did say you wanted to get to know Tommy better. What better way than going to his party?"

"I don’t want to be a third wheel." Sam sighed.

"Oh, nonsense. You won’t be a third wheel. Come on. What can it hurt? It’d be a chance for you to meet some guys anyway."

"Okay. Fine. I’ll be at your house at 6:30." Sam sighed in defeat.

"There you are, my pet." Cal showed up behind Kat and pecked her cheek. He looked at the girls, his cold gaze falling on Rose. "Why isn’t it you, sweetpea? Regret your decision yet? Rumor has it that you turned me down to date a poor boy. How…sad."

Rose rolled her eyes. "Not sad. Fortunate. I’d hate to think of where I’d be now if I had been your pet."

"Jealous?"

Rose laughed and gathered up her books, ready to leave. "Not in the least, Mr. Hockley. Not in the least. Kat, I’ll call you later. Sam, I’ll see you at the mall later. We have some serious shopping to do."

"Cool." Sam smiled happily. Shopping was her favorite activity.

"Later." Rose waved as she left the table. Mission one completed.

Friday Night

Tommy’s House

The party was in full swing when Jack, Rose, and Sam arrived. Rose clung tightly to Jack’s hand, not used to being around strangers. Sam looked around, her eyes wide with interest.

"This is great. The whole place is jamming." Sam smiled brightly.

"What are they doing here?" Heather asked, approaching her cousin and the two girls.

"They were invited." Tommy appeared behind Heather. "I suggest you go find your broomstick now."

"Come on, Heather. Let’s dance." Fabrizio pulled her away from the group.

"Sorry about that." Tommy shrugged. "Since she’s Jack’s cousin and all, I had to invite her."

"That’s perfectly understandable." Sam nodded, her eyes filled with attraction for the red-haired boy that she had only seen once before. "Samantha Little. But my friends call me Sam."

"Tommy Ryan, and welcome to the Ryan party. The most happening party on this side of New York City." Tommy handed sparkling green clover pins to Rose and Sam. "Here you go. A party favor for you both."

"Oh, how lovely!" Samantha gasped. "I love clover. Hey, you have an accent. Where are you from?"

"Ireland. Dublin, actually. I moved here a couple of years ago."

"How wonderful. I always wanted to go there."

"Come. I’ll tell you all about it." Tommy offered his arm. Rose had to smile as Sam took his arm, and they both disappeared into the crowd.

"I think that went well." Rose laughed. "They really hit it off."

"Tommy says it’s the Ryan charm." Jack laughed. "But it would be great if they really got together. Just think of all the double dates we could go on."

Jack led Rose over to an overstuffed couch and they sat close together, watching the people dance and make conversation. Rose cuddled closer to Jack, relaxing in his presence.

"This is great." Rose sighed.

"Are you hungry?"

"A little. But I’ll be fine." Rose smiled.

"Let me go get you something. Stay here." Jack got up and disappeared into the crowd.

Looking at the other side of the room, she gasped in surprise to see Sam and Tommy engaged in serious lip-locking.

"Will wonders never cease?" Rose smiled. This was the fastest she’d seen Sam get a guy she liked.

"It looks like whatever my cousin has is contagious." Heather snorted, stopping next to the couch and glaring at Tommy and Sam. "But I shouldn’t be surprised. Tommy always had expensive tastes."

"Do you have a problem, Heather?" Rose crossed her arms.

"As a matter of fact, I do. Tell me, what’s wrong with the boys at Preston? Why do you girls feel the need to date Titan guys, huh?"

"What’s going on here?" Jack appeared behind his cousin. "Are you bothering Rose?"

"I’m fine, Jack. She was just commenting on Sam and Tommy getting along so well. It bothers her." Rose snorted.

"Heather…" Jack glared at his cousin.

"I know. Mind my own business, and that’s what I’m doing." She snorted, turning and disappearing back into the crowd.

"I’m sorry about that," Jack apologized.

"Oh, that’s all right. She doesn’t bother me a bit. She’s just mad that Tommy and Sam seem to have hit it off. I must admit that I’m surprised it happened so fast."

Jack followed Rose’s gaze, and his eyes widened in surprise. Sam and Tommy were still embraced in that passionate kiss. "Wow. He wasn’t kidding about that Ryan charm, was he?"

"Well, it still doesn’t compare to the Dawson charisma." Rose giggled, kissing her boyfriend’s cheek playfully.

"Hey, Tommy! It’s time for the announcement of the winners of the Lover’s Cruise on 107.1!" A shout went out through the room.

"Oh, yeah! Right!" Tommy broke away from Sam and turned his stereo to the radio station, cranking it up to full volume.

"What’s going on?" Rose asked.

"Tommy entered a contest for a cruise two months ago. Tonight is the night they announce the winner." He squeezed her hand.

"Hello, New York!" the DJ cheerfully greeted. "Tonight’s the night! The night we announce the winner of the Lover’s Cruise, backed by Carnival Cruise lines and the White Star Travel Agencies!"

Cheers filled the room. Tommy knelt next to the radio and listened intently.

"The winner is Tommy Ryan, of New York City, New York!"

Cheers of joy and shouts of congratulations filled the room.

"I won! I won!"

"Tommy Ryan, you and seven of your friends, preferably couples, are going on a cruise to the Bahamas! You have to call within an hour to claim your prize!"

"Yes!" Tommy jumped into the air. "I’ve won! I’ve won!"

"Not if you don’t go in and call them, you haven’t." Heather snorted.

"Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen. I have a call to make." Tommy rushed upstairs to use the phone.

"Jack! He won!" Fabrizio ran over to the sofa.

"This is so great!" Heather kissed her boyfriend. "We’re going to have loads of fun."

"I thought it was Tommy who won the contest?" Rose asked.

"And seven of his friends. Fabri and I will, of course, be invited. And since Jack’s his closest friend, I think you have shopping to do." Heather just looked at Rose.

"Whoa. We’re jumping the gun here, Heather. Tommy may not invite us at all." Jack sighed. "I think you should wait until we’re invited before making plans."

"Here he comes." Fabrizio pointed towards the stairs, where Tommy bounded down. Grabbing Sam’s hand, he approached the group.

"Well?" Heather asked expectantly.

"Well, I already have some of my guests picked out. Jack and Rose, of course. My new favorite girl, Sam, here." Tommy squeezed Sam’s shoulder affectionately, causing more raised eyebrows from both Jack and Rose. "Heather and Fabri…that leaves two more spots. Anyone know anymore couples?"

"How about Kat and Cal?" Sam looked at Rose. "You know Kat is going to want to come."

"I don’t think so, Sam." Rose shook her head. "Nothing against Kat…but I just don’t think I can stomach her boyfriend."

"Rose, she’s our best friend. We can’t go on a cruise without her, even if her boyfriend’s a caveman. We probably won’t even see much of him. We can at least ask."

"Sam…you should really ask Tommy."

"I don’t see why not. I’d like to meet another one of Sam’s friends." Tommy shrugged.

Rose looked at Jack, begging him to back her up, but he only shrugged helplessly.

"Okay. Fine. We’ll ask Kat and Cal if they want to join us. I’ll call Jack to let him know." Rose sighed in defeat.

"Or I’ll simply call Tommy." Samantha giggled, happy that Rose and Kat weren’t the only ones with boyfriends now. She was still surprised by how quickly she had gotten a guy, though. Usually, it took her a couple of weeks.

"Cool. This is going to be great." Jack laughed, hugging Rose, who was troubled by the thought of Cal and Heather being in the same room together. Surely there were going to be fireworks between the two.

*****

After dropping Kat off, Jack and Rose arrived at her house, and Jack walked her to the door.

"I had a great time tonight, Jack." Rose sighed, leaning into his arms and laying her cheek against his chest, closing her eyes at the sound of his beating heart. She couldn’t believe how wonderful he was and how he was all hers.

"I’m glad. You know, this cruise is going to be great. Me and you on a cruise ship together…how romantic can it get?"

"I’m just surprised that Sam and Tommy got together so fast."

"Why? We got together pretty quickly."

"But not the moment we met." Rose laughed.

"They did break a record on that front, didn’t they?" Jack smiled. "But I’m glad for Tommy. He’s been really lonely for a while. I’m glad he has Sam now."

Rose nodded. "Sam was beginning to feel lonely, too, because I had you and Kat had…" Rose made a face. "Cal. She was really beginning to feel left out. I’m happy that she and Tommy like each other."

"It’s like I said. It’s the Ryan charm." Jack laughed.

"Rose?" Ruth called outside at the sound of laughter.

"That’s my mother." Rose rolled her eyes. "I’d better get in. I’ll call about Kat’s answer."

"Okay. Night, Rose." He kissed her lightly before rushing off to his car, where Rose watched him disappear into the darkness.

"Rose!"

"Coming!" Rose yelled, disappearing into the house.

Chapter Eight
Stories