Cosette set the beautiful doll her new Papa, Jean Valjean, had given her on her dresser. For the first time she had her own room, and she lived in a beautiful house in an exciting new town. Her Papa had bought her a whole wardrobe of new, lovely, lacy dresses and Cosette eagerly changed into a stunning lavender one.
Skipping out of her room and down the stairs, Cosette admired how her shining black shoes clicked on the glossy hardwood floor. She leapt into her Papa's awaiting arms, "I just love it here! Thank you, thank you, Papa!"
"My pleasure, dearest Cosette. Go explore the town! There is so much to see!" The man chuckled at the small girl taking in a whole new world.
"Thank you ever so much!" the smile that spread across Cosette's face was brighter than the sun, the moon, and the stars.
The girl planted a kiss on Jean Valjean's cheek and pranced out of the house. Bounding down the cobblestone streets, Cosette admired all the store fronts with gorgeous clothing. Smells wafted through the air from bakeries all around, causing Cosette's mouth to water. Except this time, she knew she could buy the tarts and cakes. She knew she would never go hungry.
And all the people! The couples in carriages and children running all about! She soaked it all in, strolling up and down every street. The world had never been so glorious. Suddenly, a voice startled Cosette from her thoughts of awe and wonder, "'Ello, Miss. New 'round here?"
A boy about her age stuck out his hand before her. Cosette hesitantly reached out and shook it, "I'm called Cosette. How could you tell I am new?"
"I know 'bout everything that goes on 'round 'ere. And everyone," He grinned, "Besides, I've never seen a girl shake a hand 'round here,"
Cosette blushed and held her hands behind her back self-consciously, "What are you called,"
"The name's Gavroche. Let me show you 'round, Cosette," he offered his hand once more, but this time to hold and be guided by.
The boy who was almost a complete stranger, with shaggy, hay-colored hair should have come across as suspicious to a girl such as Cosette, who wasn't accustomed to trust by any means. Somehow, though, he seemed familiar despite that they had never met. He was a friend, and a friend she desperately needed. Even though she might not even know it, Cosette needed Gavroche, and Gavroche needed Cosette.
So, Cosette clasped Gavroche's outreached hand in hers, "You are my first friend, Gavroche, and I am thankful."
She didn't understand why she had uttered those words; they had just come out of her mouth as suddenly as she had been rescued by John Valjean. They were true, though. She had lived with Eponine her whole life, but they had been separated for the majority of the time. And no other children had been introduced to her.
"I'm glad I met you too, miss. You're very pretty, Cosette," The young boy intertwined his fingers with the young girl's.
"No one's ever told me I'm pretty before. I love it here, I just love.."
Gavroche leaned in kissed Cosette with innocence, "Let's get going, there's so much to see!"
The children wandered around town until sunset, holding hands and just enjoying each other's company. For neither of them had ever known true friendship until that day, but they knew they would always have each other forever more.