Chapter 2
Enjolras lectured Marius about the importance of the poor being risen up and equality for all people. I couldn't bear it anymore. It was ridiculous. I interjected,
"Pardon me, Monsieur Enjolras, but I honestly don't think that will ever work." Enjolras raised one eyebrow and I saw a flicker of a smirk on his face. He found it amusing that a simple street girl like me could ever be correct.
"Oh yes? Why is that?" He asked crisply, with a hint of a smile in his voice. I cleared my throat loudly and set my hands down, folded, on the table, like a politician would.
"Well, how would you raise the poor up? You can't force the humans to think anything. The rich will always think less of the poor. And the rich will always be in control. They will find a way to get the power. But I do think that making a republic would be a good thing. Then maybe someone out of all the rich would give a damn about the poor. But speaking of complete equality is ridiculous." Enjolras' eyebrows were both raised now.
"Very good, Mademoiselle DuPont. I'm impressed." I smirked and took a deep breath. Enjolras' lustrous blonde curls and long eyelashes framing his brilliant blue eyes…
"Well, monsieur, maybe you would like to discuss it over some lunch tomorrow?" Enjolras tilted his head back slightly, looked at Grantaire, and said,
"I would be pleased to, Mademoiselle." The Pontmercy boy nudged Enjolras in the ribs. Grantaire grinned his drunken smile. I stood up from the hard wooden seat and pushed it under the table.
"Well monsieurs, I really must be returning to my work." Grantaire set the bottle of whiskey I brought over ten minutes ago. It was empty. That must be a new record for him. "Another, Grantaire?" I asked with a smirk. He nodded and burped. I laughed and was about to walk away, when Enjolras suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist. His grip was quite firm,I flinched and took a sharp breath. That was where there were cuts from breaking the window to the house Thenardier made me rob. He noticed and immediately let go.
"Pardon me, mademoiselle. I didn't realize…" He apologized, staring at my injured wrist. I swore I saw a bit of pink flushing on his face.
"It's alright." I said, wrapping my arm in my apron. A few of the cuts started to bleed a bit. "Was there something you needed?" Enjolras looked at Grantaire with a solemn face.
"He doesn't need anything more to drink." Enjolras said. Grantaire sat up in protest. I nodded and walked away from the table. I slunk into the back room and applied pressure to my wrist. It was in a lot of pain. I wasn't thinking and I smashed the window with my bare fist when I did it. It was my first break in and I was flustered.
When the throbbing stopped, turned around, and there was Grantaire leaning against the wall. "Enjolras said no more whiskey." I said, and walked right by him. He followed me out the door. I got started on cooking a few chickens so the revolutionaries would have something to eat. Grantaire stood right behind me the whole time. I looked back at him and he grinned sheepishly at me. Sighing, I quickly reached under the counter and pulled out a bottle of whiskey. I gave it to him down low, so no one could see in the café.
Grantaire grinned wider and put a finger to his lips. He strode back to the table swigging his whiskey. I busied myself with the chicken. When I looked up to survey the place, I almost laughed. The revolutionaries' 'meeting' was just a bunch of young men acting like little boys. Over in the corner, Combeferre and Bahorel listened to Jehan recite something dramatically, a poem no doubt. Enjolras glared at me from his seat in between Pontmercy and Grantaire, who were seeing how fast Grantaire could chug down the new bottle of whiskey. Enjolras' eyes said, This is why you shouldn't have given Grantaire more whiskey. I shrugged. If Grantaire drank himself to death, it would be his fault and his fault only. Joly, Feuilly and Courfeyrac busied themselves with feeling Lesgle's bald head.
The chickens were ready. I put the spice covered chicken on a platter and brought it over to where Jehan was reciting his poem. I stopped and hovered behind him for a moment, listening to the verses.
"The wind whispers overhead,
The birds chatter about
Newly found love,
The flowers blossom each morn
Because of you darling,
Your stunning locks of golden hair,
Your fair skin and your
Heart-stopping emerald eyes…"
He trailed off. "That's all I have for now." He finished. Combeferre smiled and said,
"It's lovely, Jehan, but don't you think it's a bit cliché? Very romantic though. " Jehan looked down at his poem scornfully.
"I thought it was good, Jehan." I said as I set the chicken down in the middle of the table. "What's her name?" He grinned.
"I don't know yet. But that's how I would imagine her to look." He said with a dreamy gaze in his dark brown eyes. I patted his shoulder and brought another chicken to Lesgle's table. They thanked me and attacked the bird immediately. I brought over the last and final chicken to Enjolras' table.
"Thank you. I don't believe I caught your first name, miss…?" Enjolras inquired.
"Amabele DuPont. And I don't believe I caught yours either, monsieur."
"Henri Enjolras." I nodded.
"Enjoy the food." I was excited Enjolras had finally noticed me for one of the first times. I'd always just been… there. And I was going to lunch with him tomorrow.