\\ Watercolor Eyes / Chapter 1 //

Instructions

The large ship horn blared loudly in the distance, beckoning for the passengers to stagger aboard its beautifully polished wooden planks. My mother called for me from the downstairs living space. It was time. It almost seemed too unreal, similar to the feeling of a lovely summer’s dream. Well not so lovely now that I come to think of it. I rummaged through my new clothing to find the nicest pair that I owned. My ma always said to ‘dress to impress’ and that’s exactly what the plan was now. I threw on my nice trousers and white buttoned shirt along with my nicest pair of boots. “Hollis!” My mother called loudly, her voice booming so loud that I feared it may cause the house to break. Despite my worries, nothing happened. “Coming mama!” I called down the stairs, quickly running down after calling back to her. “You had me worried sick child! You must hurry to the Titanic! Quickly-now-Quickly!” She rushed me out the door, although who could blame her? I couldn’t help but at least let out a small laugh which was quickly interrupted by my mother who planted a big, wet, k!ss on my cheek. I looked back at her, pulling her in and fully embracing a hug. “I’m going to miss you ma!” Despite the fact I couldn’t see her face, I could hear the stifled sobs. “Hey don’t be worried ma, it’s just a short trip and I’ll be back before you know it.” I tried to reassure her, but my words were nothing compared to the power of her emotions. “Ma I-“ I was quickly interrupted by the brass sound of the ship’s horn. I had to get going soon. I looked down at my mother after I had pulled out of the hug. “Goodbye ma…” I began running away, holding back my tears that felt like rocks in my throat. I looked back at her one last time as if, if I hadn’t looked I would quickly forget her forever. That one snapshot of a memory I will always remember. Her smooth olive skin, her dark braided hair, and her glassy dark brown eyes. My feet thumped against the stone ground in a rhythmic beat. But my running was quickly halted to a stop. I had accidentally run into someone. I looked down at the fallen woman with her beautiful, dark curls although I couldn’t see her face as she was looking down as well. She looked to be around my age and had dropped all of her belongings that she had seemed to be carrying. I felt a pang of guilt so I quickly put my hand out to help her up. The woman gladly took it and stood up. “I apologize deeply ma’am. I take full responsibility for my actions and I-“ I bowed respectfully as I looked at her face. I was breathless, I couldn’t even finish my sentence. I took a few moments to study her dark brown locks and her porcelain like pale skin. She was beautiful in every way. I must have been staring too long because the girl that stood before me began to giggle. “You have nothing to apologize for, everyone here makes mistakes, even me. Trust me.” She reassured me with her sweet voice. Based on her accent she must have been from London. I stared at her gorgeous face, now noticing her striking eyes. They seemed to always change colors, from sky blue to the deep sea navy. Her eyes twinkled a colorful joy and brightness that could only be described as ‘watercolor eyes’. “-Sir?” My thoughts were quickly interrupted by her smooth and sweet voice. “Hm?- oh sorry ma’am, what were you saying?” I bowed respectfully to make up for my mistake. “No no don’t be sorry uhm-, what’s your name?” She asked, now holding her luggage. I cleared my throat before I spoke. “The name is Hollis. Hollis Collymore.” I put my hand out to shake hers. She took it with her soft and warm hands. “Avery, Avery Higgins.” She shook my hand before she let it go. She did a small curtsy with an embarrassed giggle. I looked at her and then my pocket watch. I had to get going soon. “I am sorry that our visit has come to an end but you see I must get on board soon.” I excused myself with a small, polite bow. I began running, my shoes clattering on the cobblestone in that same rhythmic sequence as before. Finally! I had reached the boat in just the nick of time. I quickly boarded the ship and rushed to my room to unpack. Sadly the conditions of the lower class rooms weren’t the best, but I would live. As I unpacked my belongings and clothing all I could think about was Avery Higgins and how much I wanted to see her again. Even if I had just met her only moments before. I stepped up to my mirror, looking at the person that almost seemed to be a whole different one. There I stood with my dark skin and black curly hair, my dark brown eyes burning into my soul. I quickly turned away from the reflective piece, suddenly feeling an overwhelming sense of sadness. How could a woman as beautiful as she was, like a man like-