(A/N: The Les Mis fandom is really, really nice. And that's awesome. I love you guys.)

Worlds Collide

The first time Éponine saw Marius, she was sure they would never get along.

At the beginning, she thought she hated him, but she soon realized that that wasn't the right emotion. It was jealousy.

Marius had nice clothes and hair always perfectly in place.

Éponine wore torn clothes and her hair was a tangled, ratty mess.

Marius was always sure of his next meal and a warm bed.

Éponine was lucky if she got a few crumbs a day and a rag to use as a blanket when she slept.

Marius was getting a good education about all sorts of things.

Éponine could barely write her name.

But even though they were so different and Éponine made it clear that she didn't want to be around Marius, he never gave up trying to talk to her.

One day, she finally gave in and answered one of his questions just to get him off her back.

"Hello, Mademoiselle. How are you today?"

"My name is Éponine. And I happen to be horrible, thank you very much."

Marius laughed and ran a hand through his hair. "I don't doubt that. I can't imagine what it would be like to live like you do."

Éponine raised her eyebrows at him. Even though it was just a few words, this was the first time she'd heard him—or any of the students—say something unrelated to revolution. She had to admit to herself that she sort of liked that about him.

Before she knew it, she and Marius were talking about all types of things. She told him about her childhood, and he seemed genuinely interested in it. He'd talk about what he'd been learning, and her eyes would widen, taking in every word.

She never realized how connected they were becoming.

Until one morning when she woke up and realized that she didn't hate Marius anymore. She wasn't even jealous.

She liked him.

No, she loved him.