Chapter 1

I walk through the busy streets of Paris, the air is stale and everything that surrounds me is covered in dirt. I guess I fit right in. The people in the carriages look at me, as I am, the scum off the street. I guess if you're rich, everything and every one else is inferior to you. But not all rich folk are like that. Not Marius. He pretends to be poor, even though his grandfather is among the elite. But, even though he refuses a life of luxury, trading it to stand with the poor people of France as we rebel against the government, I still don't stand a chance with him. I love him more than anything, but it isn't enough because I can never bring myself to tell him.

I finally arrive at Le Café Musain, where Marius and Enjolras meet to discuss their plans for the day to come, the day where the people of Paris rise up to take back their freedom. Its naïve really, to think that we could defeat them, but yet we still try. I would rather die standing up for what I believe in than die standing by the hand of the French. Ever since General Lamarque fell ill, Enjolras has been saying that his imminent death is the sign we've been waiting for. We must stand now. He never talks of anything but the Revolution; he is determined to go against the government even if it means he would lose his own life. He's all business and nothing else, even the whores hold no place in his desires. But Marius, he cares about more than just the revolution. He cares about love, he believes in it just as I do, but sadly his love is for Cosette, the girl whom I grew up with, who no doubt hates me. Who could blame her, back then I was superior as she scrubbed the floor I walked on, I'm sorry for what happened when we were children, but she could never forgive me. Marius never stops talking about her, which leads me to believe she's all he thinks about. I was foolish to think my love would ever be returned. He may love the revolution but I will only be a revolutionary friend.

"Eponine!" I hear as I enter the room. I can't help but smiling when I realize it was Marius who spoke my name. To be merely acknowledged by him makes my heart flutter.

"Why so excited to see me?" I tease "Did ya miss me in the few hours we weren't together?"

"You always tease me," he said with a smile on his face. "But what you say is true, I have a favor to ask you."

Heh a favor, of course, no doubt it has to do with his "darling Cosette."

"Oh I'm sure you do," I say. "don't you always."

"What can I say Eponine, you know Paris better than anyone." That same smile remains. I wonder, is that smile for me? Or is his thought process still on Cosette?

"Yeah," I said, "So I've heard."

"I need you to deliver this letter."

I look at the name neatly printed on the front. I was right, it reads Cosette.

"I don't know where she is, Marius," I say with a concerned look on my face but something inside of me is relieved.

"Oh come on 'Ponine you always find a way, she can't be far. Someone must know where she went."

He genuinely thinks I can find her, or someone close to her. Perhaps that man who bought her from my parents. But I know that they travel together, her "Father" knows how to stay out of sight. I will never find them, but Marius wont rest until I try.

"Fine." I say as I grab the letter from his grasp.

"Oh thank you, Eponine!" he pulls me into a warm embrace that makes me feel as though it isn't true, that I must be dreaming.

But my happiness doesn't last; I remember that he only hugs me out of thanks for finding the girl he loved at first sight. What I wouldn't give to be in her place. I turn from him and go on my way. After what seems like hours of searching and asking street gamins and gamines where the blonde lark went, I was finally pointed in the right direction just as the sun began to fade and night was nearing.

55 Rue Plumet

The house just as I remember, was small and secluded, guarded by a tall iron gate and a garden that seemed to wrap around the entire flat, clad with ivy. This is the only place I can think of that she could be, whether it's to regain some of her belongings or just say a final goodbye. The cold winter air bites at my fingers as I admire the small dwelling. I blow on them to try and regain some feeling, only to find that my breath is just as icy.

Each step forward is another step away. Away from the happiness that I will never deserve but still yearn for.

Then a large wooden door stands before, daring me to summon the girl that would change everything. In one soul for the better, but in another, for worse.

I wrap my hand into a loose fist and timidly knock on the door. Silence, my only response, just as I thought; well, just as I hoped. I begin to wonder what is so important in this letter that merited my freezing toes. My curiosity gets the best of me and I open the letter and begin to read his careful penmanship softly to myself.

Cosette,

When the news came to me that you had fled town my heart sank at the thought of life without you. I hope that one day our paths might cross again so that we might spend our days together to grow in our love. My only wish is that while we are parted you will remember me in the way I will remember you. I knew the first moment I laid eyes on you that I was falling madly in love. Soon, I will go to the barricades with my brothers and fight for my freedom and yours in the revolution. As foolish as it may be, I will still love you blindly.

Love always,

Marius

A single tear begins to fall down my face as I read the words he wrote. The words that no matter how much I wished were not meant for me. He would never speak these words to me. If only he knew the things I felt for him I thought then maybe, just maybe he might learn to feel the same way. But that hope was destroyed the minute he laid eyes on Cosette. Closing up the letter, I reflect upon my years of life. The memories once held nothing but sheer happiness, but now they serve to bring back by naive ways as a child. All of my life, I have served as nothing better than a blind girl, hopelessly lost in dreams. As soon as Cosette left, I abandoned my dresses and dolls for an apron and broom. Slowly, but surely my life flew into a turmoil, while hers only progressed. I want to hate her but I cant, she's done no wrong to me. I am the guilty one.