Note: Please please please leave a review. Even if you didn't particularly like the story, at least give some advice on how I can make it better. When I see all the people who read but don't review, I get frustrated and don't want to write anymore!
For those of you who do review, thank you sooo much! Much appreciated!
Also, I'm not completely happy with this chapter, so any ideas would be great.
E.T. – Thanks so much for the feedback…I've changed Enjolras to Grantaire like you suggested. I loved the idea – I was unhappy with Enjolras in that role. I don't know why I didn't think of changing it to Grantaire hits self in forehead. Thanks!
Teacher of Justice – Chapter 2
Eponine was sitting on the floor at Marius' feet, looking at him as if he were God. Feuilly paused to watch the spectacle and get a look at what he was getting himself into. The girl wasn't, in so many words, pretty, but she had a strange charm about her. He wondered what she would look like as a proper lady, or even someone of the middle class in which he barely existed.
She would need a dress that covered more than just her most intimate parts, he decided first. And the boy's hat and men's boots would be replaced with clean hair and proper shoes for a lady…what kind of shoes did girls wear? He'd have to figure that out.
Feuilly winced a little as Eponine wiped her runny nose on the hem of her skirt when Marius wasn't looking. Some manners, definitely. But he was sure that the girl would be a quick learner. Something in her eyes told him that.
Marius got up and dropped some money into Eponine's lap, and left looking annoyed. Feuilly didn't miss Grantaire's grin from the corner. He sighed & approached Eponine.
"Mademoiselle Eponine, I have a proposition for you," he said. Her eyes grew wide, and she began backing up.
"Oh n-no. You might think I'm like one o' them girls down by the docks, but 'm not," she said, talking very fast.
"Girls by the docks?" Feuilly was puzzled. The docks were a place for sailors. Serving girls, perhaps? Surely there was no shame in being a serving girl.
"Just 'cause I can't 'ford clothes to cover me doesn't mean 'm one o' them. Y'know," Eponine continued, "the whores."
"Oh!" Feuilly turned bright red, "I would never…no, that's not what I was going to ask you," he spluttered. Eponine still looked suspicious.
"Then what could a rich student want from a poor girl like me?" she asked.
"I've come to offer you an apprenticeship," he said, regaining his composure, "I paint fans on the street, and I'm in need of an assistant."
"I don't know anything 'bout painting," Eponine said uneasily, twisting the ends of her hair. This student made her nervous.
"You don't have to! You'd be cleaning brushes, and helping me find new customers and such," he said.
"And will I be paid for m' services?" Eponine asked. She'd once heard her father say that, and thought it sounded delightfully businesslike.
"Of course. I can't say exactly how much, you know. It depends on the amount of customers. But I can tell you that you'll make at least 3 francs a day."
"I could make more stealin'. I won't be able to make me father's quota," she said, becoming disinterested and looking a bit fearful.
"But …"
Eponine was shaking her head.
"M' father would kill me. 'E'd throw me into the streets," she said.
"But, Eponine! This would get you out of thieving for life! You could have pretty things to wear, and good things to eat!" Feuilly stared at her in amazement. He couldn't believe that this girl was turning down such an opportunity. Eponine hesitated.
"I've never 'ad any of those things. I guess I can live without 'em well 'nough," she said.
"A husband?" he faltered. She smiled at him sadly.
" 'avent you figured out by now that the only 'usband I want is monsieur Marius?" Eponine asked, looking pained. She turned and began to walk away. Feuilly grasped her shoulder, making a desperate last attempt.
"I bet Marius would notice you if you were a fancy lady in a pretty dress."
She froze, and slowly turned around to meet his eyes.
"Do you think so?" she asked in a whisper. Feuilly nodded. Eponine stepped forward.
"It's a deal," she said, offering her small, filthy hand. Feuilly grasped it and shook it once.
"It's a deal."
