"She's so pretty. I wonder where she transferred from. Somewhere exotic, I bet."

Eponine's hands tightened on the wheel. "I could get in a lot of trouble for this. Those records are confidential, you know."

"Have I thanked you yet?" Marius asked.

"Thanked me twice and offered me gas money to go drive around and find this girl's address." Eponine gritted her teeth. "Most girls don't like stalkers, you know."

"I have to see her, 'Ponine," Marius pushed. He pulled down the visor and checked his appearance in the small mirror. "I have to know who she is."

Ever the masochist, Eponine swallowed down her better judgment. "Her name's Cosette."

"Cosette… What a beautiful name. What an angel. But how did you know that?"

"You wanted to know where she lived so I had to check her records in the office – which could get me suspended mind you. Her name was on them of course."

"This is why I love you, Eponine," Marius said. "You think of everything."

Eponine stopped at a traffic light and glanced over. "That's why you love me? Because I do illegal things for you?"

"It was a joke 'Ponine."

"Yeah… a joke. Of course." She was seeing red and it wasn't just the light in the intersection. She momentarily entertained the thought of driving into oncoming traffic. I'm sorry Marius, it was just a joke. Did you lose control of your bodily functions?

"The light's green."

Eponine put her foot on the gas and sped on past the inn her parents ran. Past the handsome army recruiter on the corner. Past the bar where the uptight police chief was dragging another drunkard out. Past her little brother climbing on the wooden elephant at the playground.

Sometimes she wished she could be anywhere but here. In any other time or place she was sure Marius would return her affections and they could live happily.

But no, she was stuck in this miserable life: going to college, on financial aid, to get a slip of paper that said she was smart enough to get a menial job. She had done it to better herself, to have a chance, as slight as it was, to get out of the town and away from her parents' house. Her father was back in jail and Eponine knew that if the social worker came back she would take Gavroche away. At least Azelma was almost eighteen.

She hated being poor. She hated buying clothing from the thrift store and driving around a clunker of a car. As much as she hoped it could be different she knew deep down that a rich boy like Marius would never be allowed to marry a girl like her. But she could dream.

"Do you ever dream, Marius? About what you could be? About getting away from here and doing bigger and better things?"

"What? Why would I think about that? I'm going into the military in another year. And now the last part of my dream has finally come true. I've met the most wonderful girl. Do you think she'll like me?"

If by 'met' you mean walked by her in the hallway once Eponine thought bitterly. But out loud she merely commented: "Who's to say?"

"Are we almost there?"

Eponine felt a pain in her heart like the tip of a dagger. "Almost."

"I wish you would take the gas money."

"I don't want your money, Marius." She hated being poor.

Just then a dark cloud opened up and it began to rain.

Eponine pulled the car over to the curb. "We're here, it's that one."

Without another word Marius got out of the car and ran for the covered porch. "Please be here. Please be here."

Eponine got out of the car and pulled her cap down lower over her hair. But she turned her face towards the rain. "He won't see you cry this way," she assured herself. "Rain drops or tears, who can tell?" She checked the street, making sure none would see them spy on this house. "On your own again, 'ponine," she muttered. "Ain't it always the way."