Sipping on an old red wine, Aurore stifled the yawn that was threating to burst from her lips. The wine was fast going to her head, and the Italian Opera singer was performing an act of suicide. Being too… predictable, it bored Aurore. Younger when reading old books of Damsels in distress, she came to the conclusion; that no such passion could cause one to feel in need of rescuing.

To the left of Aurore, Marius was staring at the breasts of the lady who sat next to him, as he quaffed his fifth glass of wine. Her Grandfather sat snoring in his seat to her right, his small tumbler of whisky slipping slightly from his grasp. Aurore breathed in the stagnant smell of tobacco with a heavy sigh causing her to cough slightly at the lingering musk. Her mind drifted to the upcoming year and what it could hold for, whether she can cope, but become a recluse with only her cousin for company. He never spoke of his friends often, but had mentioned of them once or twice, stating they were eccentric.

As the crowd in the theatre stood to applaud the performers, her Grandfather woke with a start, and clicked his fingers for his footman to come and help him up. Rushing to his aid, the old vulture was pealed from his perch and ushered from their private box. Aurore followed them both, shaking an oblivious Marius from his daydreams, stumbling up from his chair Aurore took his arm, making their way towards to the coach outside.

************************************************
Aurore watched from the coach that carried her and Marius to central Paris as her Grandfathers home turned into a silhouette against the late morning sky. Marius stirred her from her thoughts.
'Where shall we go first? We need to go to your apartment, and then I can show you around our school?'
'Yes Marius, that sounds fine, I am scared though' She replied frowning.
'Why? You will be fine, you have me?' He smiled hopefully at her.
'Dear cousin, I would like to make at least one more friend.' But she did not get a reply.

The coach stopped with a rattle on the cobbles, at the front of a four story building, sand coloured stones, and a blue door. The front faced the park of Souls, filled with trees and young families.
A dainty looking lady, stood at the doors to the apartments, her hair scraped into a tight bun, and her dress was black. Her weathered skin told tales of hard grafting, working her way from the bottom.

'Marius, ah how was your summer?' She asked in a jubilant tone, greeting him like an old friend.
'It was splendid my dear Matron, this is my cousin; Aurore Pontmercy.' Shaking hands they both exchanged a friendly greeting.

Walking up the dark, narrow and musky stairs, to the second floor, room 14, Aurore was shown into her new home for the year. Marius huffed in with her luggage. The Matron unlocked the door to a seating room filled with an empty book shelf, two chairs and a desk under the window which faced the park.
'I shall leave you to look around, and to get settled in, please do not be worried to ask me for anything.' She left with a smile, slowly closing the door with a click behind her.

Dashing to the nearest door, Aurore found herself in her bedroom a double bed was pushed into the far corner, and a wardrobe opposite a mirror. Marius followed her in putting down her bags.
'You can unpack later! I am famished, and I would like to show you around our school.'
'Patience cousin.'

Walking down the road, Aurore looked down the filthy side streets, filled with the growing homeless of France. Women clutched there babes at the breast, men led under their coats freezing. Aurore took out her purse and threw them some Francs, all scrambling like starving dogs to a bone.
The sight sickened her to the core, the fat ones need to be cut down to size…

After finishing their soups, Marius led Aurore up a gravel drive way, through the shrubbery a large beautiful building could be seen. It stretched two acres of land and had various people tending to the building. A hand full of students milled about sat on benches laughing. One pointed in Aurore's direction and the two young boys, similar aged to Marius leapt up and ran across the grass.
'Marius, dear friend' Shouted a brown curly haired boy. Laughing in delight at the sight of his friends, he ran to join them. Hugging them both in turn.
'Joly! Courfeyrac! How I have missed you both.' One nudged the other, finally noticing Aurore.
'Marius, you have fallen in love?' Taking her hand the black short haired boy kissed her knuckles.
'No!' Marius exclaimed in disgust, 'This is my cousin, Aurore; she is starting her first year.'
They both cringed a bit at Marius' retort.
'My apologies, I am Joly, and this is Courfeyrac.' The curly haired boy smiled shyly.
Turning to Marius Joly said, 'Will you be coming tonight? Enjolras has much to talk about, we meet at seven…Don't be late.'
'I do not see why not? We will part till then, see you tonight.'
'Good bye beautiful Aurore, farewell, dear Marius till we meet again. We part with such sweet sorrow.' Joly shouted laughing as they walked their separate ways; Aurore heard their hearty laughs and smiled. Yes I will like it here.

'Marius? What is this meeting tonight?' Curiosity peaking.
'Oh er… It is well the Les Amis de L'ABC'
'Which is?' Aurore was beginning to get impatient with Marius' reluctance to share his secret.
'A revolutionary group. I met the men who go in university, they are my best friends. But you cannot come!' Marius said like a spoilt child.
'Why is that?' Aurore turned with her hands on her hips, pouting up at him.
'Well, I do not want you with my friends…' Trailing off at the end of his sentence, Aurore felt a bit winded at his harsh words.
'If you do not let me come, I will write to Grandpa, and tell him of your little group.' Aurore cocked her eyebrow, testing Marius. Both staring each other out, weighing up each other. It was Marius who cracked; he knew his cousin's stubborn streak was not one to be messed with.

'Fine.'