A.N. Hi! Forgive me for this LONG Author's note, I promise I won't do this for the rest of the story. I'm absolutely new here, it's my first time writing for Les Mis, but I've read since last summer. For those who read my other fic, I'm sorry I'm putting that on hold and I just have to get this out of my head. The updates will be a little slow since I'm a busy graduating Senior student so please bear with me. This is È/E and I planned this as a one-shot but I decided I'll just make it into a short multi-chapter story. Thank you to those who actually read my blabbering and I'll stop now.

Disclaimer: I do not own Les Misèrables or its characters. I also do not own any songs mentioned or sang in this story.

On to the story!

Waiting Near, Waiting Here

(Sophomore year)

Gabriel Enjolras is often very patient. He is also the leader of their group called Les Amis and he rarely shows even a bit of emotion that his friends call him the "Marble Man". But now his temper is getting the best of him. He's been waiting outside the Thenardier mansion for 10 minutes now and still there's no sign of Èponine. He internally blames Marius for all of this, because if he didn't get himself in trouble after school last year, he would be in school now actually doing something productive and not waiting in this 30-seater bus. He sighed for he doesn't know how many times that morning and ran a hand on his long blonde locks before pulling out a book.

A couple of minutes later, he saw the eldest Thenardier walk past his seat without much of a glance. He tried to get back to his book but all he could think of was his annoyance to the brunette sitting three seats behind him. The rest of the ride passed in a blur without having to wait for anyone more than two minutes. The bus was only half-full even with all the Les Amis there namely: Charles Courfeyrac, Julius Combeferre, Richard Grantaire, Jean Prouvaire, Antoine Joly, James Bahorel, Marius Pontmercy, and Cosette Fauchelevant.

He looked up the rear view mirror and saw Èponine with Cosette seated beside her. She has her head down and was nodding constantly but obviously not paying attention to what the blonde is saying to her. He diverted his gaze outside and let out another sigh. Combeferre turned to him and asked what's wrong but he simply said,

"Nothing, 'Ferre."

(Junior Year)

It's nine thirty in the evening and they were forced to stop their meeting because Grantaire is too inebriated that he started his own 'speech' and even stood on the table. Nobody understood what he's saying but they are still laughing at the drunk's antics except for Joly and Combeferre, who is trying to get him down to avoid breaking more cups, and for Enjolras who is reading a thick textbook. Grantaire noticed this and started throwing small pieces of paper out of who-knows-where at him. Enjolras didn't mind until one hit him square on the forehead.

"What?" He asked obviously irritated.

"Are you even listening to me?" he whined.

"No."

Grantaire was about to say something back when he heard the bell signalling that someone entered ring. He turned to the door and the rest of the guys were surprised when he grinned like a maniac and jumped off the table, much to the relief of Joly and Combeferre.

"Nina!"

They all turned thinking Grantaire was crazy because the only Nina he knows is NEVER allowed to go out except for school and for the occasional gatherings, but they found out that it was indeed Èponine. They saw him gave the small girl a hug before dragging her to their table.

"Hey 'Ponine!" Courfeyrac exclaimed causing the said girl to smile.

"Hey guys."

"So you decided to go down from your tower?" Courfeyrac asked jokingly earning a laugh from Èponine.

"Guess you can say that. I decided to follow your advice and snuck out." Her statement made the others laugh an Enjolras to raise an eyebrow at her causing her to join in.

"I just came here to get coffee before going home guys. I don't want to get caught." She informed them when the laughter died down.

"Awww.."

"Sorry guys." She smiled apologetically then went to the counter with Grantaire who just wants to tag along with her and Jehan who's getting coffee.

Enjolras just watched the events unravel before him, unconsciously paying more attention to the only girl. Yes, he's still annoyed at her for coming ten to fifteen minutes late every day, but he's starting to see another side of her. He saw a flicker of sadness in her eyes when Courfeyrac mentioned something about going out of their house. The same goes every morning when she steps in the bus and when she thinks they're all not looking. Maybe there's something more about her tardiness. Maybe… There are a lot of maybes. He barely acknowledged the girl except with a not when they see each other. Maybe she's just lonely.

Just like him…

LINE BREAK

The blonde-haired leader bid goodbye to Combeferre and Jehan, the only sober ones left of the group. He was very thankful that Combeferre brought his van with him so someone can bring the others home later on. They just finish their examinations and the guys decided to go out for a drink. He grabbed his jacket and went out of the Corinth.

The chilly October winds blew harshly making Enjolras wrap his jacket tighter around him and walk faster to the parking lot. When he arrived at the parking lot, however, he noticed a crowd formed across the street at the park. His first thought was,

"That crowd is even larger than the one we gather during our rallies."

That's the first time he saw it and he wondered what's happening for a lot of people to come over there. He ignored it and opened his car. Just before he entered, the crowd cheered making him stop. Curiosity overtook him and he went closer to check it out. When he's a few feet away, he heard singing.

This girl is on fire

This girl is on fire

She's walking on fire

This girl is on fire

Everybody stands as she comes by

Cause they can see the flame that's in her eyes

Watching as she's lighting up the night

Nobody knows that she's a lonely girl

And it's a lonely world

But she gon' let it burn baby, burn baby,

This girl is on fire

The crowd cheered even louder as she sang the last part in a very strong and powerful voice. He was really curious about the girl but the crowd didn't disperse even when the song's finished. He really wanted to find out who it is but he just shrugged and went to his car.

As he was driving home, he can't help but think about her in the song he just heard.

(Senior Year)

It was their third day in senior year when it happened. The bus just stopped in front of the Thenardier mansion an Enjolras only managed to read two sentences in his book when Èponine climbed up. To say that Enjolras and the driver were shocked is the understatement of the century. In fact, the two took their time staring at her to see if what they're seeing is real. The driver got over first and started the bus while the other occupant of the bus followed her movement until she was about to pass him. He began to turn away to not get caught when something caught his eye. There just below her elbow, partly covered by her sleeve, is what looks like a bruise. A medium-sized one. He didn't seem to believe it so he waited for all of them to go out of the bus when they arrived at school and let her walk before him. It is a bruise.

He proceeded with his classes normally. Well not exactly normally, because today the bruise he saw on Èponine's arm bothers him. He can't take it out of his mind and just paid half his attention to his lectures. A question was floating on his mind all day, "Who did that to her?"

So that's why after classes the same day, he is waiting there outside the building where he knew her last subject is located. He really doesn't know what possessed him to do this, why he's so suddenly concerned with her. Wasn't he always annoyed when she's late? He shook the questions off his head for now and focused on his task. He leaned on the wall not too far from the door and looked at every student coming out, ignoring the looks from the other girls passing him. He finally saw her brown hair bobbing in the crowd. He walked towards her and tapped her shoulder. She turned around and let out a small smile making her dimples visible.

"Hey Enjolras. Is there a problem?"

He looked at the small girl in front of her and realized he hadn't planned this coming conversation quite well and he doesn't know how to ask it without creeping her out.

"Enjolras?"

"Oh no. There's no problem, really. I just wanted to you about something." He almost face palmed at his lame reply but just resolved by shoving his hands in his pocket. He decided that if he's going to ask Èponine about this, he's just going to have to ask straightforwardly.

She raised an eyebrow at him in question.

"About your bruise." He continued after seeing her action. Her smile faltered the tiniest bit he almost missed it.

"What bruise?" he sighed.

"The one on your arm, Èponine. I saw it. Who did that to you?" He asked as calmly as he can.

"I don't know what you're talking about." She turned to leave and Enjolras' first instinct was to stop her causing him to grab her arm, which is accidentally the bruised one making her wince in pain.

"I'm sorry about that." He said letting go of her arm gently. "And that's the bruise I'm talking about. Will you tell me how you got that?" She looked at him.

"It's just an accident." She muttered.

"Èponine, we both know that's not caused by just some accident. Tell me."

"I don't want to. Why do you want to know in the first place?" He was about to respond but she didn't give him the chance and began walking away. He immediately walked after her. She sensed this and walked faster.

"Èponine, wait!" She stopped so suddenly he almost collided with her.

"What now?" He can see that she's getting very irritated now. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed.

"Look… If you don't want to tell me, then don't. But if this happens again, which I hope not, you can come to our house or you can call me." Another unexpected thing that came out of his mouth that day. That must have sounded really creepy since this is their first real conversation since they met. He was almost afraid to look at her reaction but he did nonetheless and found that she was looking quite surprised. She turned and walked away.

But not before mumbling, "Okay."

He stayed in that spot for a while in that spot and stared as she left. He must have stood there for a long time because Courfeyrac and Jehan appeared beside him and snapped him out of his reverie.

LINEBREAK

He hadn't expected it would happen, he really wished it wouldn't. As he was in front of his laptop typing an essay not yet due for another week, his phone rang. He was instantly on alert when he saw the caller ID. He answered it.

"Hello?" A weak voice came from the other line.

"Èponine? Are you alright?"

"Are you busy?" She was obviously in pain making him more worried for her.

"No. Where are you?"

"Outside the Musain."

"I'm coming. Wait for me inside." He didn't wait for her answer and grabbed his car keys, jacket, and wallet before bolting outside. He was there in 10 minutes and he saw Èponine at the far end corner of the café, head buried in her arms. She looked up when she heard him.

"I'm sorry for bothering you, Enjolras. I know you're probably working on something-"He silenced her by putting a hand on her shoulder gently.

"How bad is it?"She looked down.

"Èponine-"She stood up and took off her black coat. What he saw made his heart stop for a moment.

There, on both her arms, are bruises of different sizes and colors, some of which are bleeding lightly. The others looked like they're already healing. He wondered why he never noticed this and the answer almost came to him in an instant. She always wore longsleeved shirts. Just how long had this been happening to her?

"Did your father do this?" The way she didn't react to even deny just confirmed his suspicions.

"Put your coat on." She turned to look at him before complying. When she's finished, he gently grabbed her wrist and dragged her to his car.

Nothing was said as he drove, or when they arrived at his house, and certainly no words came out as he dabbed an ice pack to her bruises.

"Where are you staying?" Enjolras asked as he returned with a new ice pack, a lot of band aids, and a tray with a sandwich and a glass of water.

"At home.'

"You're still going back there tonight? What if he hurts you again?" Why don't you call the police? If you don't, then I will." He pulled out his phone but before he could dial, she already snatched his phone.

"You don't understand, Enjolras. I can't leave. Not yet."

"Why?" She shook her head indicating that she's not explaining anything to him. He just continued his doing work after that.

When he's done, she stood up and walked to the door, but then stopped and looked him in the eye.

"Thank you, Enjolras."

Hope you enjoyed that! I want to hear what you think of this, please review.