Enjolras was surprised to find that his seatmate was absent. Probably to just cut class and sleep in an actual bed. Still, he finds it odd. There was a new topic to be discussed today and he thought she wouldn't want to miss it. He guessed he thought wrong.
Enjolras takes out a pen and paper and writes his notes. He makes his writing legible enough. He thinks, maybe he could lend her his notes for her to catch up. Enjolras' lips formed into a straight line. Why would he care about the girl beside him? It's not like they were friends. Regardless, he makes an extra effort to take notes for the both of them. Maybe through exchanging notes, they could actually have a decent conversation.
He starts to question himself. His gaze would wander lazily towards the empty chair beside him. He asks himself why does he care about her so much?
"Maybe it's because she looks so beautiful while she slept?" Enjolras froze as he hears himself. He looks around, checking if anyone heard. Gladly people weren't focused on him. Enjolras seemed surprised as he heard himself speak his thoughts out loud. Out of the blue, he started laughing to himself, earning some questioning glares from his classmates.
His seatmate sleeps like a dog, sometimes with drool dripping her open mouth. Although he remembers a time when the professor turned off the lights for a film viewing and he couldn't remember the movie but he remembers the soft pastel colors bouncing off on her face. Her cheeks under the soft light, her lips parted just a bit. He had to stop himself from tucking the hair on her face behind her ear. He guessed that after that one moment, he couldn't stop looking at her.
Enjolras winced when he realized how creepy he just sounded. Maybe he had the guts to actually talk to her then maybe, just maybe he would sound like a friend taking care of her, not some creepy stalker. Either way, he plans to talk to her and maybe the notes he takes for both of them could just be the ice breaker they needed.
"Psst. 'Ponine. Ponine." Matilda whispered across the counter. Eponine ignores her. She starts collecting used plates left behind when Matilda shouts.
"Eponine!"
"What?!" She asks, clearly irritated. She is met with Matilda's excited blue eyes as she signals to the just arrived customer. Eponine's jaw dropped as she sees her semi-regular patron. He sees her and gives her a wave. Eponine smiles back. She is about to approach him when she realizes that she had dirty plates on her hands. She goes back to the kitchen and leaves the plates on the sink. She starts to clean herself up, fixing her hair, checking her lipstick. She smiles at her reflection on the metal fridge door. She smooths out the wrinkles of her skirt and walks towards her customer. He sits on the booth on the right side of the room. She smiles at him and he smiles back, causing butterflies to flutter in her stomach.
Eponine has had a crush on this customer for months now. His name's Marius. He comes here a few times a week, mostly to get sober, other times to get a hearty and oftentimes greasy meal. He was her first customer. It was a slow and rainy day for the diner and Eponine was dying for a conversation. Matilda was "busy" in the fridge with Manuel and Eponine was just walking around finding herself something to do. Marius himself, seemed bored. He was waiting for the rain to stop so he could go on with his commute but it was pouring hard. Instead of getting crazy from cabin fever, he struck up a conversation with her. She talked with him, glad that there was someone to alleviate the silence.
Ever since then, she would almost always sit down with him whenever he was finished eating. They would talk about the most mundane things, nothing too personal. Yet, Eponine liked to brag that he would never get bored with her. Eponine wanted to ask for his number but thought that she would just wait until he would ask for hers. Oh she daydreamed that Marius would just ask her out already! You can't keep leading a lady on like this. Matilda would say,
"Honey, it's the twenty first century. Ask him out yourself." Eponine wouldn't listen to her. She just waited until Marius would ask her. She wants him to ask her and not the other way around. She wants him to actually want her.
"Hey Marius. What would it be?" Eponine asked but Marius wasn't listening to her. He wasn't even looking at her. Her heart dropped to her stomach. She followed his gaze and saw that he was staring at Cosette. Cosette was sitting in the faraway booth, her hair in a messy bun and her earphones dangling from her neck. She was working on her paper, Eponine knew.
Eponine sighed in defeat. She saw the love struck look on Marius face as he saw her friend.
"Of fucking course." she cursed under her breath. She snapped her fingers right in front of Marius' face.
"Earth to Marius. Earth to Marius. Come in, Marius." She said.
"What? Oh Eponine!" He finally acknowledged her presence.
"D'you want the usual or mix it up?" she asks, she tries to hide the bitterness in her tone but she couldn't help it.
"Oh, umm. Usual, I guess." he says his order but it was clear that he was distracted. She rolls her eyes and writes down his order. She saunters back on the counter and gives the ticket to Manuel. She passes by Matilda and tries to ignore the pity in her eyes.
"Ooh honey. I guess we're a little bit too late. Told you to ask him out yourself." She nags like an old mother.
"It's alright 'Ponine. You'll always have me." says Manuel through the kitchen windows. Eponine flips him off and in return he sends her air kisses.
As Manuel prepares the meal, Eponine leans on the wall near the kitchen window. Matilda joins her.
"What does he see in her? They haven't even met." she says under her breath.
"Yes, honey because you and pretty boy are so close." Matilda drags out the 'so'.
"Is love at first sight even real?" Eponine asks.
"It is when I first saw you!" Manuel shouts from the kitchen. Eponine rolls her eyes.
"Ooh, Eponine look. Cosette noticed pretty boy. What happens next determines the state of your love life." At this Eponine crossed her arms and glared. Cosette did notice Marius gaze.
"How does Cosette react to guys hitting on her?" Matilda asks.
"Depends. If she's attracted to him, she'll look down and tuck her hair back. If she doesn't, she rolls her eyes."
"Well, let's wait and see." Matilda whispers. The two girls observed what was about to unfold. Cosette stops typing on her laptop and notices Marius. At this Marius blushes. He smiles at her and gives a meek wave. Eponine's stomach churns as she sees Cosette wave back, her cheeks tinted pink. She looks down and tucks her hair behind her ear.
DING!
Eponine almost screamed, the bell was inches from her ear. Matilda burst out laughing. Eponine glared daggers at Manuel. He only gave her one of his crooked smiles.
"Order up." he says. "And condolences, my sweet Eponine. You know, if you're not really over him, you can call me Marius in bed." He winks at her and she almost threw up.
"Ugh god, Manuel. For a Catholic, you're so gross." She takes the plate and tries to drown out Manuel and Matilda's loud laughter.
"Here you go." She sets it down on his table. She moves to go back to the counter and probably drink the hidden stash of tequila Manuel has lying around. Marius stops her.
"Hey, you're not gonna sit with me?" he asks, his lips slightly pouting. Eponine scoffs at herself. She can't possibly deny him anything with those puppy dog eyes and infatuation broiling in her belly.
"I have customers Marius." she chides but after a look around, everything seemed slow. She could actually take a small break. Hence the drinking of Manuel's hidden tequila stash.
"Oh come on. 'Ponine. I really missed you." Eponine's heart soared at the statement but it was quickly shot down when she remembered he was making heart eyes over at Cosette a moment ago.
"Fine. I have five minutes." She sits down and Marius perks up and starts eating.
"So, the girl in the booth over there. Is she a regular?" Eponine tried to stop herself from banging her head against the table.
"Yeah. She's my best friend." Marius starts to choke on his lettuce and he gulps down a glass of water.
"Wait, you know her?" he asks, excitement dancing around his features. Eponine knows that doesn't mean anything good.
"Yeah. Childhood friend." her voice was clipped and to the point. She tried to sound professional, as if she doesn't want to talk about it. Marius clearly didn't notice.
"D'you think you could introduce us?" he asks and he gives out the same puppy dog look. Eponine stretches her mouth into a smile and it felt too tight on her face.
"Of course." she agrees, she mentally punched herself on the face. She stands and leaves Marius to excitedly wolf down his food. When her back is turned, she finally let out the sour expression in her face show. Matilda saw her but she only laughed. Eponine thought that her situation really was laughable at the moment. She didn't laugh though, she was just too heartbroken.
Eponine walks past Manuel's window.
"Offer still stands 'Ponine."
"And it will remain an offer, and nothing more. I already humiliated myself." Manuel pressed both his hands on his chest.
"Ouch 'Ponine, you hurt me here." he pointed to his heart. "And here" he pointed to his crotch. Eponine rolled her eyes for the nth time that night and went inside the fridge. She didn't cry, though. She pats herself on the back for that. She just felt really really really disappointed with herself. She gives herself a few minutes in the stark cold of their walk in refrigerator. SH egives herself a half assed pep talk and went outside. She spots Marius with a clean plate and he waits patiently for her to pick it up. She walks to him and cleans his table.
"So are you going to introduce us?" he asks.
"No."
"But you said"
"I know what I said. I meant that you should introduce –slash- embarrass yourself alone and I'll just put in a good word for you once she starts asking about you." Marius thinks and for a split second Eponine thought he was just going to drop it. Again, she let herself hope but ended up disappointed as Marius agreed
"Alright. Promise you put in a good word for me?" he asks, sounding like a child.
"Yes. Now go get her." She picks up the dishes and leaves him be.
"I'm proud of you girl." Matilda smacks her ass. Eponine scoffed past her. Matilda followed her inside.
"Look, I really am. You could've bad mouthed Cosette to pretty boy, but you didn't."
"Yeah, cause she's my bestfriend and I wouldn't do that to her."
"I would."
"See? This is why I'm your only friend." Eponine teases, Matilda splashes dirty sink water to her face. Eponine stuck her tongue out.
"Just be glad that we both have different standards for men." Both girls walk out of the room only to find Marius talking to a blushing Cosette.
"Ugh." Eponine groaned. She sees Marius whisper something to Cosette's ear. She looks scandalized and swats him playfully at the shoulder.
"Oh god. I think I'm gonna be sick." Eponine said.
"Well, someone's looking green…of envy." Matilda said.
"I need to take a shot." At this Matilda perked up. "You wanna go drinking?! Finally?!" she exclaimed.
"Yeah sure, after closing time." Eponine said. She looked back at the couple. Cosette was now toying with her hair and that could only mean that she really liked him.
"But don't you have class tomorrow?" Matilda asks, shifting to the concerned mama bird, she often is.
"Nah, I can just cut. I don't have any quizzes or exams. Well, one professor of mine is going to discuss a new topic but I could just easily catch up." In her head, Eponine wondered if he could ask for notes from her cute blond seatmate.
"So are we drinking?" Manuel suddenly popped out of the window. Eponine sighed. She is so going to be hungover tomorrow.
"Yes. Yes we are."
The bell rings and the professor wraps up the discussion. Enjolras closes his notebook and packs his things. He hears his professor remind them of an upcoming quiz next meeting about what has been discussed. Enjolras made a mental note to reorganize his notes so it would at least seem legible when his seatmate reads it. It dawned on Enjolras, how can she even study when the quiz is on the next meeting? How could they even meet before then? Enjolras sighs as the problem caused a slight headache.
Enjolras spots Cossette in the almost empty hallway. She was scrolling through her phone, a concerned expression on her face. He walks towards her.
"Hey, is anything wrong?" he asks. Cosette jumps at the sight of him but she quickly relaxes.
"Oh it's just Eponine. I thought maybe I could see her right before her shift starts but I can't seem to find her anywhere. Her last class just ended so I thought that maybe she would be here." Cosette explained herself. Enjolras wondered how coincidental it was that Cosette's best friend was in the same building as he was.
"Well maybe she cut class." He suggested. Just then, her phone beeped and Cosette read the text.
"You're right about that. She's at the diner already. And get this" Cosette showed him her phone.
"She's hungover. She got shitfaced last night. God damn." Cosette swore under her breath.
"Well then, what are you going to do?" Asked Enjolras. He didn't want to seem rude but he's been itching to go home and revise his notes. He's already meeting his friends at eight. Enjolras scoffed, Marius offered for them to meet at this diner he keeps eating at. Enjolras complained, -argued- as to why it was necessary to move. The café was alright. They finally convinced the owner to keep them past closing time, provided they look the place when they leave. Yet, Marius seemed insistent, especially after he's been mooning after a girl he met at the same bar.
"Probably go there and take care of her. Plus, I'm meeting Marius there anyway." Cosette replies.
"Wait, you're the girl Marius has been talking everyone's ear out?" He asks her, grabbing her by the shoulder.
"Wait, he told you about me and didn't tell you my name?"
"Said he wanted to keep it a surprise." Cosette rolled her eyes but a small smile forms on her lips.
"How about we walk together then? Since both of us are heading there." Cosette suggested.
"I'm sorry. I have to reorganize some notes for class. I'll meet you there, instead." Cosette smiled and waved her goodbye. Both of them go their separate ways.
Eponine groaned and laid her head on the metal counter. Her head landed with a thud and she moaned her discomfort. Matilda slid a coffee cup her way. Eponine picks it up and almost drinks it when Matilda chided her.
"That's not for you. Table seven's been asking for it five minutes ago." Eponine sags and walks towards the table and give the customer his coffee. Just then a group of friends enter loudly. Their chatter fills the diner with life and Eponine curses herself as her head starts pounding.
"Why is life cruel to me?" she says to Matilda. Eponine asks her to cover the table of the newly arrived group when she heard Marius shout her name.
"God damn it." she curses. Matilda gives her a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.
She grabs her notebook and pen and walks to the rowdy group. They moved table and chairs and have taken almost half of the diner space. Oh fun. She musters the most plastic smile she's ever worn.
"What can I get you guys?" She asks the group. Marius stands and introduces her to his friends. Eponine looks around, nodding, not really paying attention. She looks for Cosette but hasn't seen her.
"Hey where's Enjolras?" he asks the group. A guy, his name was Combeferre, perks up and says he's been studying and that he'll catch up.
"Well, alright then. Can I get your orders? You know, since I'm on shift." She gestures to her uniform and Marius mumbles his apologies.
"Of course of course. Guys, what do you want?" She took everyone's orders, not bothering to write who ordered what. After, she smiled stiffly and walked away. The pain in her forehead has spread to her whole entire face and she can't take it. She gives the orders to Manuel and he, bless his soul, gives her a bowl of warm broth.
"Drink up, 'Ponine." he says gently. She accepts it gladly and she drinks the chicken soup in a single gulp.
"Here, honey. This'll help." Matilda offers her a pill bottle and Eponine reads the label skeptically.
"Don't worry its ibuprofen." Eponine take's Matilda's word for it and takes a pill.
"Thanks." she says to both of them. She hears the group holler and cheer and Eponine groaned.
"Ugh, I hate them. I liked it when everything was quiet and a little scary." Eponine complained. She sees Marius introduced Cosette to his friends and she smiles for her friend. She looked delighted. Eponine was happy for her.
"Well, you do know that they caught the drug dealer a few weeks back." Eponine exaggerated her gasp.
"Oh no not Marcus! He gave the best tips."
"I know. Also, he knows how to show a lady how to have a good time." Eponine laughed.
"Oh my god Matilda." Eponine hears Manuel's bell ring and she picks up the three large plates of club sandwiches and walks to serve it to Marius' friends. She walks towards them and she sees Cosette, Marius' arm wrapped around her shoulder.
She serves them their meal and the boys gave her thanks. Cosette quickly releases herself from Marius' arms and walked with her back to the counter. Cosette grabs Eponine's arm.
"Hey. You alright?" she asks, concern filled her voice.
"Yeah, Matilda just gave me some pills." Cosette tightens her grip and turns her around.
"What?!"
"Medicine. Cosette, I gave her medicine. Have a little faith." Matilda says as she walks past the girls, a dirty plate in her hand. Cosette relaxes and Eponine laughs at her friends' expression.
"I'm fine, Cosette. A little sleep deprived and sore but hey, it's almost my break and I could sneak away and sleep in the freezer." Eponine tries to comfort her friend. Eponine grabs her hand and squeezes it.
"If I need anything, I'll go to you. Now, go enjoy your night." Eponine's smile was a little too tight but she doesn't really want to talk to Cosette at the moment, especially since she spen the night before being bitter and drunk over Marius.
Cosette walks back to the group and Manuel rings his bell again and Eponine picks up another tray of orders. She hears the group cheer out loud and god damn she's too sensitive right now to tolerate their noise. After serving, she walks to Matilda.
"Can you take that table? I wanna sleep in the freezer and hopefully die." Eponine asks. Matilda nods and walks with Eponine to the other room. Matilda grabs the pillow and blanket she stashed under the cupboard and hands it to Eponine.
"You have fifteen minutes. Also, put a tarp over the floor before you lie down. Didn't have a chance to clean up after a little me time." Eponine didn't even cringe. She takes the blanket and pillow and walks to the freezer. She sees Matilda increase the temperature so that she won't freeze to death. Eponine settles herself in and sleeps.
Eponine wakes and begrudgingly stands up. She keeps the blankets and pillows. She tries to tame the bird's nest she calls her hair and rubs the sleep off her eyes. She takes a deep breath in and takes a pill of ibuprofen to cure her headache. She walks out of the pantry and surprises herself when she meets the blue eyes of her history class seatmate.
"It's you." she says.