Chapter thirty-one

Tonight's going to be a good night. I can just feel it creeping onto me. I can already hear the music around me, and I can already feel the pounding of the beat bumping against my flats. I can close my eyes and listen to the laughter and chatter of young adults like me, bopping to the rhythm of the DJ's mix. I can feel the spray of sea water, the warmth from the fairy lights, and most exciting of all, I can see Harry's bright smile, gleaming brighter than I've ever seen it.

I'm already doing somersaults in my mind just thinking about it.

I look up as Emily appears from the bathroom with the outfit Lilli and I chose for her. She looks so much like an adult, I almost started to tear up with sentimental tears, and as Lilli approaches her for a pose, I could almost forget about their secret conversation about Harry and I.

"Hold still, guys, I'll snap a photo of you two before you get too crazy tonight," I say, reaching over to my bed to take my phone and flick it to camera mode.

Swallowing the uncomfortable feeling in my throat, I take a photo of them, happy with the way the photo turns out, but unhappy with the turn of events this afternoon, and hopeful for a night that will be capable of cheering me up.

We decide to skip a fancy dinner tonight at the Waterfront restaurant, and instead, since we're all looking very fine this evening, head to Deck seven for some photos on the balcony.

I love sunsets. When the sun slowly dips below the horizon, its golden rays that brush over everything in its path leaves a feeling of hope for a better tomorrow.

Tonight the sunset looks even brighter as it competes with Harry's smile, which I wish didn't set as often as the sun did.

Ben approaches a young couple and asks them if they could take a photo of us, but I can tell Ben feels bad about it because they seemed to be really enjoying themselves, staring out towards the horizon, but they happily take the phone from Ben and follow him over to our group.

The one who took the phone is wearing a pink Hawaiian shirt and white shorts. His hair is slick back and he has a killer goatee. His partner is shorter, with darker skin (and perfect skin, if I may say so) and wearing a skintight top tucked into ripped jeans.

Linking arms, we snuggle by the balcony and shoot our biggest smiles at the camera, not expecting our photographer to get so into his job.

Getting on one knee, he holds the phone like a legitimate photographer, putting on a French accent for more authenticity.

"Bonsoir, mademoiselles and lovely gentlemen," he starts, and we all chuckle at his act. "I'm Jamie, zee best photographer in zee world." We all double over with laughter, and behind him, his boyfriend gives him a playful slap on the back, embarrassed by his cheeky antics.

After a couple clicks, we end up offering to take photos for them, and Emily and I fangirl as they pose in such adorable ways. I can clearly see the big red hearts in Emily's eyes. She can't help but say to them, "You're both so cute."

"Ha-ha, thank you," Jamie the Photographer says, putting an arm around his partner's shoulders. "You guys are so sweet. Is this your first cruise?"

"Together, yes, but Tasmin's been on a few," Harry replies, pushing me to the front of our group. I wave at them and they greet me enthusiastically.

"Oh, how rude of me," Jamie says, "We haven't even introduced ourselves."

"Well, we know that you're Jamie, zee best photographer in zee world," Charlie imitates, making us all giggle hysterically.

"Ha, you got that right. I'm Jamie," he says, then turns lovingly to his boyfriend. "This is Anik, my adorable bookworm." Anik blushes and waves at us.

Charlie takes the initiative to introduce all of us, first pointing at Harry, "This is Harry, he's the mysterious dude with the thick Cockney accent." And then at me, "Tasmin, the experienced traveller and tourist guide; Emily, a constantly smiling Otaku…" Emily winks. "Ben here, the group's crackpot." Something that earns Charlie a punch in the arm. "Lilli, the organised and strict mum…" Charlie receives a pinch from her. "Ow. But most beautiful of all." Lilli rolls her eyes but smiles wide. "And me: the overachiever."

"Aww, it's so nice to meet all of you," Jamie says, his eyes bright.

Emily perks up. "Hey, are you guys coming to the top deck's party tonight?"

Jamie gives us a look, like, Did you even need to ask? "Hell yeah. Anik's been needing to show me his dance moves for ages, did you know?"

Anik slaps a hand over his mouth and informs us, "I can't dance. Jamie the Photographer's lying."

"Hey!" Jamie exclaims, reaching around Anik's waist and tickling him. While Anik struggles to stand properly, Jamie turns to us. "We'll see you there soon, friends."

We all give them a series of good-byes before making our way to the top deck, which is already packed with teenagers ordering drinks, swimming, eating to their hearts' content, and dancing to the beat of the loud music. As we walk across the deck to find somewhere to sit as a group, we all jump when we hear a girl's high-pitched scream from above us.