I usually don't write romance, so this might come out kind of weird. DON'T MURDER ME FOR THIS! Please! Yes, I realize this may be kind of unrealistic, but what can I say? It came to me yesterday when I was thinking about this thing that happened last week. So these first chapters are partially based on an actual experience, and the rest, well, that's where this becomes fiction.

Éponine sat in front of the mirror for what seemed like an eternity. She was by no means vain, but her appearance today was not for herself. "What will he think? What does he see?" she thought frantically as she dabbed makeup over every bruise and scar. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps in the hall drove Éponine into a deeper panic than before.

"Éponine? What are you doing?" Grantaire. Maybe not the best choice, but at least someone she could trust. Éponine laughed. He had visited her in her dorm so many times that he knew exactly how to enter the room without her being able to see his reflection.

"Buzz off, Grantaire. I told you I'm not partying this week."

"I didn't come to ask you about a party. Geez, 'Ponine, do you really think I'm that one-sided?" He tried to fake puppy-dog eyes.

"Of course I don't think so, my dearest," she said with all the mock sweetness she could muster. As Éponine said this, she walked over to him and placed her hand on his cheek. "I know so." A gentle slap.

"All this, after all I did was be nice to you? That hurts, 'Ponine. Not just the face, but the soul more." Grantaire's smile killed whatever chance he may have had at gaining Éponine's pity.

"Congratulations, you learned how to write poetry. Now, do I look alright?" Despite her friend's best efforts, Éponine's panic returned at once.

"No worse than usual. Why so much makeup? Éponine, is there something you're not telling me?"

She blushed and slumped back into her chair. "Marius asked to see me today. He's meeting me at the coffee shop. We haven't talked in ages, Grantaire, now suddenly he wants to see me? Alone? What could this mean?"

Grantaire in that moment recognized her pain and even felt a bit of it himself, for reasons he would never say. He had always loved Enjolras for obvious reasons, but now he was starting to look at his dear 'Ponine differently. At least Éponine was capable of having feelings for another human being, but sadly, it was not him. He knelt by her chair and ran his hand over her hair. "Hey." She looked him in the eye with a broken expression. "You're gonna be fine, okay? If it goes badly, or if you need someone to talk to, I'll stay in my dorm all night. Don't even bother calling or knocking. Just come in if you need someone."

Éponine smiled at him. Grantaire had always been the sweetest person she knew. Her heart was lost to Marius, but Grantaire was definitely her best friend. "Sorry, buddy. I'd love to come over, but I promised 'Zelma I'd visit her tonight. You know our family. We always have to have reunions when our parents aren't around."

A little ashamed, Grantaire helped Éponine to her feet and stood up along with her. "Alrighty then. Tell Gavroche I said hi. Well, I think I hear Madame Whiskey calling my name."

Éponine laughed. "Hopefully your wine rack doesn't learn you've been cheating on her." She pulled him into a tight hug. "Goodnight, Grantaire. See you around."

So, there's chapter one for ya. Next one will be longer, I promise.