Chapter Three
Enjolras stepped into the café and climbed the stairs to the second floor, surprised to see not very many people there. He was immediately flagged down by his two closest friends, Combeferre and Courfeyrac. As he walked over to them, he was greeted by an already drunk Grantaire.
"Our fearless leader has arrived. Good evening, Apollo," Grantaire slurred, taking a sip from the bottle in his hand.
Enjolras rolled his eyes, "For heaven's sake Grantaire, put that bottle down! I don't believe I've ever seen you sober."
The drunk just smirked in response and took another long sip from his drink. Enjolras joined his closest friends at a table at the back of the Musain where they had several maps spread out.
"I know I'm early, but where is everyone? Most of them are usually here by now," Enjolras inquired as he sat down at their table.
Courfeyrac shrugged, "Straggling behind, I suppose."
"Joly can't make it tonight. They needed extra hands at the infirmary and he's staying to help. Feuilly won't be here either. He has a lot of work to catch up on. Apparently, there has been a high demand for fans lately," Combeferre chimed in.
Enjolras nodded in response. Then, they turned to the maps and began discussing new plans while Grantaire drowned himself in alcohol. Slowly, the Amis arrived one by one. Enjolras glanced at the clock and saw that it was well past time for the meeting to start, so he stood. Just as he was making his way to the podium at the front of the room, the youngest of the group, Marius Pontmercy, appeared at the top of the stairs. He had been introduced by his ex-roommate, Courfeyrac. Marius had since moved out on his own. Enjolras still wasn't sure what to make of him. He wasn't positive that Marius was entirely dedicated to the cause.
"Marius, you're late," Enjolras said flatly.
Marius muttered an apology before taking a seat in the back, and Enjolras took his place at the podium to deliver his speech.
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After she had to turn down Marius's offer of attending the meeting, Eponine had to endure her father's ranting about how she hadn't properly swept the floor. She listened to it for a good ten minutes before she lost her cool. She rolled her eyes when she thought her father wouldn't see, but she learned that he had in fact seen when he suddenly struck her across the face. He'd left, and now she stood in the same spot, rubbing her stinging and slightly red cheek. So much for no more bruises tonight, she thought. Suddenly, two arms snaked around her waist from behind, the person pulling her tight against his chest. Her blood went cold, immediately knowing who it was.
"Good evening, my dear," the viper sneered in her ear.
"Let me go, 'Parnasse," she spat.
He turned her in his arms so that she was facing him. She glared at his evil green eyes and smirk.
"That's no way to greet me, 'Ponine."
"Go away," she growled.
He shook his head, "You know what I want."
"And you're not going to get it!" Eponine hissed, jerking out of his grip.
Montparnasse sighed, "Well, I could always find your sister. She won't argue."
Eponine froze at his statement. She and Azelma didn't exactly get along, but Eponine still protected her. It was one thing for Montparnasse to often take advantage of Eponine. She was used to his abuse, but Azelma wasn't. Their father had never used Azelma for profit like he had Eponine. The thought of her fifteen year old sister having to go through that made her want to throw up.
She narrowed her eyes at Montparnasse, "You wouldn't."
"I think you know I would."
Eponine sighed, completely defeated and weary, "Fine. I'll do as you want. Just leave 'Zelma alone."
"That's more like it, my dear," Montparnasse smiled cruelly before dragging her off.
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Enjolras stepped away from the podium after he finished his speech and a shout of Vive la France rang out through the Musain. He quickly made his way back over to the table he was sitting at with his friends before he spoke so that they could continue what they were doing. Time slipped away and eventually everyone said their goodbyes. The only people left in the café were Enjolras, who was still working, and Grantaire, who was passed out at the bar. Seeing that it was late, Enjolras gathered up his things and sighed when he saw Grantaire slumped over on the bar counter. He contemplated what to do with the drunk before finally deciding to attempt moving him. After a bit of effort, he was able to rouse Grantaire. He helped him stand and supported most of his weight as they both made their way to Enjolras's apartment. Enjolras thought it wasn't the best idea to leave Grantaire alone in his own home because the man couldn't even stand up straight. Once they got to the apartment, Enjolras deposited Grantaire on the sofa, placed a waste bin on the floor beside him, and retired to his room. He lay in bed unable to sleep which wasn't uncommon. However, with a house guest, he couldn't exactly spend the night working at his desk like he normally did. Instead, Enjolras thought back to that night's meeting. He knew the time to fight was coming soon. Les Amis had been planning for six years, and the time was finally here to stand up for their beliefs. They would make themselves known, and they would rise up in the name of the people. Revolution was coming, and Enjolras was ready.
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Eponine curled up on her thin mattress, finally letting the tears fall. She didn't know what time it was, but she knew that it was probably the middle of the night. Montparnasse had left not too long ago after getting what he wanted, but not before tossing a few coins at the foot of the pathetic mattress and reminding her yet again that she would be his. Now she was left along with all the thoughts that were plaguing her mind. Azelma creaked open the door to Eponine's room, and Eponine turned so that her sister couldn't see her tear stained face.
"'Ponine?" Azelma asked.
"Go away, 'Zelma," she grumbled.
Azelma didn't argue and shut the door quickly, leaving Eponine be. She pulled her single, thin, tattered blanked up to her chin and let more tears escape her eyes. She normally wasn't like this. She normally didn't allow herself to cry, and she never cried out of self-pity. Eponine normally pushed all emotions away. She'd learned that it was easier to live this life if she didn't allow herself to feel anything. The only exception was when she allowed herself to love Marius. Tonight, she'd reached her breaking point. She was fed up with living this life. She was tired of the bruises, the lack of food, and the dirt. She was tired of her drunken father's yelling and the judgmental glances she got when she walked the streets. She was tired of Montparnasse using her and threatening her. She was tired of it all, yet she was trapped. She couldn't leave because someone from Patron-Minette would be sent to drag her back. At one point she'd even contemplated throwing herself into the river, but she couldn't do that either. She'd promised herself to always take care of Azelma, even though Azelma didn't think she needed her sister's help. Azelma had no idea what Eponine was protecting her from. She'd seen Eponine beaten or Montparnasse dragging her off, but she'd never experienced those things so she didn't truly know the horror of it all. Eponine knew that if she wasn't there, her parents would take out all their anger on Azelma, use her for profit, and Montparnasse would use her as well. As much as the two Thènardier girls argued, Eponine didn't want that for her sister. So she basically had no way out. She desperately wished Marius would truly see her. She wanted him to take her away, to rescue her from this hell she was living. Eponine knew he was blind to her. He would never feel the same way as her. For now, she was on her own, left to fight against the cruel world by herself. She allowed herself to cry until she fell asleep because in the morning, she would push away all emotion yet again.
Author's Note: So, there were a few Amis in this chapter, but there are more to come! I just had to include some Montparnasse in this chapter. Sorry it was a bit depressing on Eponine's part, but I don't want to sugar coat her life (which I already am somewhat). Thank you so much for reading and for reviewing if you already have. Please leave a review! I absolutely love hearing from my readers! Reading the reviews I get makes me smile like an idiot! Thanks once again and please review!
~loislane16
