"Éponine, get on lookout if you know what's best for you!" Monsieur Thénardier demanded pulling his daughter's thin arm as she stared off into the distance. She jumped a bit and looked at him apologetically. "Sorry, I zoned out." She muttered

"We ain't got time for that, 'Ponine, if you ever want to eat again." He shouted, pushing her behind a brick building. She stumbled back, almost falling on the pavement. "Now you'd best look out for the police." He warned, pointing a bony finger at her and then rushing back to the scene of the robbery, leaving her alone behind the wall.

She sighed exasperatedly and started singing under her breath out of boredom, half looking out for Javert or some other officer.

"You're a little sharp," a velvety voice crooned behind her. Montparnasse. She turned around and glared at him coldly.

"What are you doing here, 'Parnasse?" She scowled, stepping away from him.

"No need to be vile, Ép. I was only giving you some helpful tips," he teased, straightening his jacket, "And your father put me on lookout. Again." He added scornfully.

"Well, you've gotta pay your dues, y'know." Éponine muttered, looking in the direction of the square where Marius might be.

"What are you doing?" Montparnasse asked, raising an eyebrow, "you don't have to look so hard you know. You'll see the police if they come." He thought for a second, "or are you looking for that student boy again?" He asked, chuckling bitterly.

She turned her head sharply. "What are you talking about?" She barked.

"Pontmercy. Oh, Éponine, you don't think I know all about that?" Mont laughed coldly, "Don't lie to me. You know I don't like that."

She grabbed his arm firmly and hissed, "Don't talk about it ever again."

He pushed her off with ease and swiftly pinned her against the building.

"Don't play with me." He warned, leaning in so close she could feel his breath, "and don't let him play you. I know his type."

"He's not playing me. He doesn't even like me that way. And Marius isn't like that." She argued, spitting in his face. He backed away.

"Play nice, Ép."

She scowled and walked back over to the end of the building so she could keep watching out for the police. He stood against the wall, crossing his arms. As they were standing like this, Thénardier walked behind the building, laughing.

"Oh we got him good." He cackled, putting a hand on Éponine's shoulder. She struggled out of his grip and sprinted away.

"What's her problem?" Thénardier asked, turning around to Mont.

"Nothing. She's just a brat is all." Montparnasse rolled his eyes.

Éponine half-jogged to the café where Marius and their friends were meeting. She stood outside the café, standing on her tippy-toes looking out for Marius. Grantaire slipped out of the café.

"Don't be so obvious, 'Ponine," he teased, leaning against the wall.

"Shut up," she grunted, though she took his advice and leaned against the wall with him.

"Cigarette?" He asked, pulling out a box. She nodded wordlessly and lit up.

"How're you doing, R?" She asked

"Fucking wonderful," he deadpanned, "and what about you? I saw you with Mont today."

"Don't tell Marius." She warned, turning to him seriously.

"I don't know, 'Ponine," Grantaire teased, "You know how much Marius loves Mont." He added annoyingly.

"He's gonna yell at me again about my safety." She groaned, laughing.

"Don't act like you don't love it."

"I don't love it."

"Please, you'd take any chance to talk to him."

She glared at him, "you're such an asshole."

"I'm a fun asshole." He laughed.

"There's no such thing."

There was a moment of silence, followed by both of them bursting with laughter.

"But seriously, 'Ponine," he warned, "if Marius somehow finds out-"

"He won't," she asserted, "will he?"

Grantaire laughed "I don't know. If you piss me off, I'll tell him. If I get wasted I might tell him."

"So, basically you're telling him no matter what?"

"Yeah. Pretty much." He laughed

"Ugh," she groaned, but sprang up from the wall when she saw Marius coming.

"Marius!" She grinned, bouncing over to him. Grantaire hung back and chuckled at her.

"Hi, Éponine," he smiled, a bit distracted. He waved to Grantaire. As he started towards the café, Éponine followed him like a puppy.

He turned around and looked at Éponine disappointedly

"Éponine..." He sighed.

She perked up as he said her name. "Yes?" She asked eagerly, not sensing his tone.

"Have you been smoking again?" He sighed.

"Don't worry about it, Marius." She shrugged.

"It's very bad for you, 'Ponine."

"So what? I can take care of myself, Marius."

"I just worry about you, Éponine. You could get cancer, you know."

"Oh well," she laughed, "I'll be fine."

He nodded and continued walking towards his friends inside the café. She stood back defeatedly. She watched him talk with Courfeyrac, all his little mannerisms and all his little features she always noticed standing out.

"Have you been smoking again?" Grantaire mocked, turning up behind her.

"You shut up," she demanded.