A/N: Just to make this known, I'm not the author of Les Mis, sorry to disappoint. Also I would like to apologize for any misspelled names, their French and I have auto-correct that changes them to really odd things so letters get messed up as I try to retype them and it's just a bad time for everyone. If I do misspell something, feel free to tell me. I'd appreciate it.
The rest of the morning went by in a blur of Cosette. If I didn't have a class with her, I was hearing about her. She seemed to be the name on everyone's lips. Marius especially. My heart, recently broken, had a hard time sitting next to him at lunch. Every time he said her name, I could feel the cracks deepen, going further and further. Waiting for the right moment to shatter.
"Cosette's just so amazing!" Marius exclaimed to the table after he dumped his tray. I could hear the groan most of the guys let out. I guess the constant talk of Cosette was getting on everyone's nerves. But Marius, like always, was oblivious and continued the never-ending rant. "She's everything I could ever want. Nice, funny, smart, and beautiful, I mean, I don't think I've ever seen a girl that gorgeous. Not even in the movies." Everyone turn their head to me, being the only female at the table. Their pity clogs the air around me, and I have to look away. This time though, Marius catches what's going on. "Oh, Eponine, I didn't mean it like, um, that. You're really, uh, pretty, too. Like in that... you know, way." He stutters and everyone laughs. He tries to continue, but it's mostly just umms and uhhs. I stop him before it gets anymore painful.
"Really Marius, it's okay. I get it, she's prettier than me, it's not that big of a deal." I lie and plaster a smile to my face. I still feel everyone's pity, but it's not so overbearing anymore. Just uncomfortable. For the next few minutes nobody says anything and there's an almost impenetrable silence. But luckily for us, Enjolras is able to break it. Unluckily for me, it's about football. He says somethings about plays, and honoring our schooI colors, red and black just in case you care. Halfway through, I decide it's time for me to go to the bathroom. I sneak away from the table, watching as each boy holds onto every word Enjolras has to say. His conviction fills each syllable. Despite that all he talks about football, Enjolras is fascinating to listen to. He almost makes football interesting. Almost, but not quite. So I head to the bathroom, hoping it's empty, and for the first time today, something goes right and I'm all alone. I head to the sink and look into the mirror, thinking of Marius's earlier comments.
My nose is a little long and my forehead is a little high, but my cheekbones are well-defined, my lips are full, and my brown eyes are on the large size. Everything else is average, so if I was going to rate myself, I'd say about a seven. So why am I still single? Don't get me wrong, I'm not desperate or anything, but I'm a senior and haven't had the slightest hint of a relationship. There has to be something else wrong with me. Something that isn't just on the surface, something that has to do with what's on the inside. Otherwise why would a moderately active girl surrounded by horny teenage boys still hasn't been kissed? I was so caught up in this wondering what's was wrong with me, I didn't notice another girl had walked in until she was standing next to me. I look over and immediately recognize her wavy blond hair and ski slope nose. She notices me looking at her and smiles.
"You're in my English class, right?" She says, even though she knows the answer. I nod and continue to stare at my reflection. She tries again to start a conversation. "You're name's Eponine?" She asks, and just like before I nod. "That's a very pretty name." An awkward silence falls upon us and I start to leave the bathroom, but she grabs my arm.
"Can ask you something?" She looks at me with those big blue eyes, and I can't help but nod. I shouldn't be so cold to this girl I barely know just because Marius likes her and not me. It's not her fault. Well I guess it is, but not on purpose. She smiles at my nod, then bites her lip. "Does, does Marius like me? Because, I know I just met him and everything, but he just seems so nice, and h so cute. And I was just wondering, I've only done this whole dating thing once." She shakes her head. "So I'm not very good at this. Sorry for the rant, what I'm trying to ask, is Marius being serious about this date or...?" She doesn't finish her sentence, but I can tell her only relationship was not a good, and once again I take pity on this perfect girl. I pause for a moment and assess my situation. If I tell her the truth, Marius and her will be together and happy. They'll be the "it" couple of EPHS. And I'll be on my own and miserable. Or I could lie, and then everyone would be alone and miserable. I know the right thing to say, I really, really do. But I can't bring myself to that sort of heartbreak, but I can't do that to Cosette either. So, instead I shrug my shoulder and walk out of that bathroom as fast as I can.