I love this couple a lot. So I know the dates are all wrong, but that's fanfiction for you. I mean, look at the Jelsa fandom. Anyway, I hope my characters aren't too OOC for you. I tried my hardest, but Erik is a hard person to write for.
Erik: No, I'm not.
Me: Yes, you are. Now shush, I'm trying to talk to my readers. Hope you enjoy this story :)
Eponine was heartbroken. She had been betrayed by the one person she loved most in the world. She hated that stupid blonde more than words could describe.
She felt rain begin to fall, but she made no attempt to find cover. She walked through the empty streets of Paris, allowing the rain to soak through to her very bones. Maybe it could wash away the pain she was feeling at losing her beloved. She had done so much for that boy, and it didn't even matter to him.
Ever so softly, she began to sing.
It was nighttime. Erik's favorite time of the day. It was especially nice on a night like tonight, when cold rain soaked the pavement. That meant that everyone was inside or taking shelter to protect themselves. Even the beggars shielded themselves from sight. And that meant that Erik was free to roam the streets. He still had to be careful if a lone soul was out, but most of the time, he was able to go wherever he wished.
It had been a long time since that beautiful girl left him for another. His heart still ached for those precious brown curls and delicate pearl white skin. He was still in love with her, even though she was married to her lover. Every night, he thought about her and desired to have her beside him again.
He didn't think he could ever love another as much as he did her.
As Erik walked the streets, he began to hear faint singing:
On my own
Pretending he's beside me
All alone
I walk with him till morning
It was obviously an alto song, and he liked how it sounded, despite the fact that he preferred soprano music. Cloaked by the blackness of the night and the shadows cast by the walls, he searched for the owner of that beautiful voice.
In the darkness the trees are
full of starlight
And all I see is him and me
forever and forever!
Her voice was flawless. He finally found the source of the voice. He was surprised to find that the voice belonged to a beautiful young girl. She had gorgeous black hair that was dripping wet from the rain. The tattered brown dress she wore was completely drenched, which caused her to shiver and cross her arms over her chest to keep warm. Her eyes were full of a deep pain that matched the words she was singing.
I love him
But every day I'm learning
All my life I've only been pretending.
Without me, his world will go on turning
A world that's full of happiness
That I have never known!
She belted out the last note so boldly and full of sorrow that it made his own heart ache for her. He was surprised to hear how similar this sounded to his situation with Christine.
She sang her last notes with even more sorrow:
I love him
I love him
I love him
But only on my own.
He emerged from the shadows and clapped for her.
She quickly spun around and looked ready to run.
"No, wait!" he cried before she could do so.
"I thought I was alone," she said quietly, but firmly, anger edging her voice.
"I'm afraid not. I must say, mademoiselle, you have a wonderful voice."
The girl did not respond to what he said, but asked, "Who are you?"
"My name is Erik. I live at the Opera Populaire. Believe me when I say that I have heard many voices come and go in the place, and yours surpasses many of them."
The girl just looked at him.
"You need not be afraid, mademoiselle. I do not wish to harm you."
"That's hard to believe from a man like you. People like you don't take kindly to people like me."
"We have more in common than you may think."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Come behind the Opera House tomorrow, and I will tell you everything you wish to know."
"How do I know that isn't some trick?"
"I'm afraid you don't. But I will be waiting in the hopes that you do take me up on my offer. After all, what have you got to lose?"
The girl remained silent at his words, and he knew that she knew that he was correct.
"Might I have your name, madam?"
She sighed and said quietly, "Eponine."