Preparations
'Bye dad!' Javert heard his son, Enjolras, yell from the hallway.
'Wait, where are you going?' He asked, Enjolras was gone most of the time and, with his job as a police officer he knew what happened in the streets of Paris, couldn't help but worry.
'Uhm, library. With Courf and 'Ferre. History finals next week.' That's where Enjolras slipped up. Finals were in a month and he knew his dad knew, so he left with his bag full of spray-paint before his dad could argue. As soon as he walked out the street he took out his phone.
'Hey, 'Ferre, I've got the paint. Is everyone there?'
'We're just missing you. And please don't get too mad, but Grantaire is drunk and Marius brought Éponine.'
'Shit. Wait, who is Éponine again?'
'That girl that chases him around everywhere.'
'Ah, her. Well, I guess she's okay, I'm just glad he didn't bring his girlfriend. At least she knows something about the world and how it works. Well, tell them I'll be there in half an hour, I missed the bus.'
'Your dad again?'
'Yeah, see ya there.'
When he arrived at the café Musain, where they always planned their next move to get the government to listen to them, his friends were all there. He was their leader, logically, he was the best public speaker, of a more wealthy background, which was probably why everyone thought the government was more likely to listen to him than to them. Enjolras wishes he hadn't been born in that status, it made it more dangerous for him, his father being a cop, him getting caught wouldn't only get him in trouble with the normal police but get him kicked out of his parents house as well.
'The mayor has decided to build, yet another, police station, instead of doing what we pleaded for him to do. Make a fund for education of the poor and talented. True, the criminality rate has gone up again, but he doesn't get that it's because the poor are unable to get education, therefore unable to get a job and therefore need to turn to criminality. Is that how it really works? I don't know. But, we do have someone here today, who does. Will you help us Éponine? I happen to know your last name is Thenardier and that my father arrested him last week, he is part of a gang and he said you did stuff for them as well.'
'Uhm, can I trust you not to tell your dad?'
'Yes, my dad doesn't even know I'm here. It would be very bad if he knew.'
'Yeah, I guess so. What mister marble just explained here is true. I can't go to school, and I can't get a job. So my dad uses me as his little whore. He makes me steal from people while pretending to be a prostitute. He usually comes in on time but it has happened that he slipped up, got his hands on some food or money and forgot about me. Those are the most dangerous times. And it's not just me, there are many more of us, the guys just steal without tricks, but girls, women, we can't do that. We'd get beaten up without a second thought.'
'What about the gangs?'
'I'm, sorta, part of the patron minette. The most feared gang of Paris. Montparnasse, their youngest, but most violent member, likes to use me very much. I got in because of my father. Now that he's locked up, I stil can't get out because the other's won't let me, unless dead. The only way I can get out is study, and work. Move away from that place. But, there's no money, and I can't leave my brother and my sister, Gavroche and Azelma, behind. The rest of my family I'd have no second thought about leaving behind.'
'Why?'
'They only use me. And when I mess up, I get beat up. When they mess up, I get raped then get told it's my own fault. They also kicked my, then ten-year-old brother out two years ago.' Despite her seemingly uncaring attitude, the pain was very visible in her eyes. Enjolras saw this.
'This, friends, is who we're doing this for! Are you with me?' Agreeing shouts were let out by his friends. 'All right, we'll meet at the building sight for the new police station tomorrow at one p.m., Combeferre, I can't keep the paint at my house, you have to take it with you. Jehan think up some striking slogans to tag. Courfeyrac, gather as many people as you can. The rest of you, have a good night's sleep, we can't do this half-asleep.' Everyone went home or went to follow Enjolras' orders, apart from Éponine.
'Shit.' He heard her mutter.
'What's wrong?'
'I can't go home right now.'
'Why not? Do you have to do something?'
'Yeah, not something I'm in the mood for now.'
'What is it? If I may ask.'
'I have to bring my brother to my mother. That doesn't mean anything good.'
'How about, we get your brother from wherever he is and put him in Courf and 'Ferre's apartment?'
'Would they mind?' She tried to sound reluctant but Enjolras heard the hope in her voice.
'Not if we call them, Courf is very good with children!'
'Thank you!' They called Courf and he immediately said yes. Then they went to find Gavroche, luckily Éponine knew his usual sleeping/hiding spot and he was found in no time. When they'd dropped him off Enjolras drove Éponine home. Then he had to go home and face his dad.
