(A/N) Les Misérables has always held a soft spot in my heart. I have really always wanted to write a fan fiction for it, but my ideas were few and far between. Recently, though, I developed an affinity of sorts with Éponine, and I began to pity the suffering she underwent as she dealt with her love for Marius. I wondered what it would be like if she had the chance with someone else, and Enjolras seemed to fit the bill. I don't know where I am going with this or how it'll end, but I plan on remaining very true to the story (both the book and the musical). Thank you for reading.

Éponine hurriedly pulled her fingers through her dark hair, trying to untangle some of the knots. Marius appeared and chuckled slightly. She jumped, not realizing that he was behind her, but did not turn away from the mirror.

"You know, 'Ponine, you really are very pretty." He smiled as only a friend could.

"Do not tease me, Monsieur," she said softly, knowing that he meant no true affection by his words.

Marius approached her as she struggled to tie a ribbon into her hair. "I don't tease, 'Ponine. You know me." He took the ribbon from her and laced it into her hair with a delicate touch. She hoped that he did not feel her shudder. He tied the ribbon in a neat bow and then gave her a little poke in the ribs. "It's you who always teases."

Éponine sighed.

"Where are you headed, dressed so pretty anyway?" Marius asked, gesturing to the faded green dress that she was wearing. It was the first time she'd had it on in months.

Éponine turned to him. "You'd laugh if I told you."

Marius put his hands on her shoulders. "I would never laugh, 'Ponine."

She looked down at her feet. "I'm not going anywhere. I just – wanted to pretend to be a lady for a moment."

Marius smiled. "You are a lady, and a beautiful one at that. I assure you. Even in your regular clothes."

Éponine felt the blood rising to her cheeks, but a sharp disappointment rose in her heart before her face had the chance to turn red. He did not love her, nor would he ever. She put on a fake half-smile, however. "Thank you Monsieur Marius. You are very kind."

"Only honest. Anyway, I just stopped in to say hello. I best be going." Marius said, turning for the door.

"Alright," Éponine murmured, turning back to her mirror. "To the café?"

"Yes. It's beginning to get exciting now, 'Ponine. Enjolras is beside himself. You should hear him speak these days."

Éponine shrugged. "I am sure he is as eloquent as ever."

"You're not fond of him. How come?" Marius asked.

Éponine took the ribbon back out of her hair, removing herself from her daydream.

"He seems to think he knows the woes of the poor, but how can he, truly? He preaches about things he knows nothing about." Éponine said.

Marius mulled this over in his head a moment. "I can understand that. But he does want to help."

Éponine smiled softly. "Help is appreciated. But only when the person doing the helping knows what it is he's helping with. Anyway, you said you had to go?"

Marius gave Éponine a final squeeze on the shoulder. "Take care, 'Ponine. Try to stay out of trouble."

Marius left and shut the door behind him. Éponine collapsed on her bed, not bothering to take the awful green thing off. Marius was so blind. He would never understand, would he? And then he was off, running off to those fire and brimstone sermons that Enjolras gave. The fools were trying to incite a revolution. Éponine didn't have the heart to tell them that the poor would not rise up behind them. They lived in fear, and really, what did a bunch of schoolboys know anyway?