AN – Wow, this fic has gotten such a lot of love in its first three chapters! Thank you so much you lovely people!
Just wanted to say a massive thanks to the guest who posted about my unrealistic time scale for Enjolras to receive a movie deal. (Unfortunately as you can tell I am yet to actually achieve my dream of being published let alone getting a movie deal. But, a girl can still dream *sighs*) Anyway I have now updated the previous chapter to show that Enjolras book has been out a year and a half. Still quite quick for a movie deal, but it was written by Enjolras so we can all assume it was awesome! Also just to reassure you Guest, I have no intention what so ever of casting Eponine in a film
This chapter is shorter than I would have liked but I've had no time and didn't want to leave you all with nothing. It's a bit fluffy but we will get to some more drama in the next one which will be much better I super promise!
Chapter Four
"As your friend Eponine, please allow me to politely say that there is no way in hell I'm letting you go out tonight dressed like that."
"Musichetta!" Eponine rolled her eyes at her flat mate.
"It is a sin to wear jeans on a date!"
"Well that's ok because I am not going on a date."
"No sweetie, of course you aren't, guys take girls out to fancy wine bars on non-dates all the time!" Musichetta smiled rolling on to her back on Eponine's bed as Eponine eyed herself critically in the mirror.
"He only asked me because I said I couldn't go for coffee and where else can you go to talk in the evening? He only asked so he could talk to me about his book."
"Sure, if that's what you kids are calling it these days."
Eponine sighed turning back to the mirror and pretending to continue her critique of her own reflection. She subtly cast an envious glance at her friend. If she could swap lives with anyone it would be Musichetta. She radiated elegance and grace in both her mannerisms and her personality.
Her half Indian heritage made her a unique beauty with honey coloured skin, green eyes and thick dark curls that were often effortless tied on top of her head. She currently had two boyfriends. She had meet Joly a medical student and Bossuet a fashion student the same as herself within a week of each other. Unable to decide whom she like better she had sat them down and asked if they minded sharing, turned out they didn't. Musichetta had a way of making the world simple. If anyone had a problem with the way she chose to live her life she would simply shrug her shoulders and say she had never set out to please everyone.
If Eponine had been Musichetta she would have told Marius she liked him straight away and if he hadn't liked her back she would have swanned off to find someone who did. She wouldn't be standing helplessly at the side-lines watching him fall in love with her best friend.
Secretly she had hoped he would be jealous when she had said that she was going out with Enjolras tonight but he had just clapped her on the back in his good natured way and said he hoped she had a nice time. But what else had she expected? That he would suddenly realise and declare his undying love for her. She shook her head at her own foolishness.
The worst part was that Eponine knew Cosette liked him back, a lot, which meant Marius was out of her reach forever.
Eponine flicked her eyes back up to the mirror and jumped out of her skin as she caught sight of Musichetta's reflection suddenly right behind her.
"God Musichetta, are you trying to give me a heart attack!"
"Just a few more curls. Oh go on please let me." She said holding the tongs in her hand like a magic wand.
"Alright then."
"Fabulous, then I'll just touch up your make-up."
Eponine rolled her eyes.
"And let you wear the dress I made for my last end of term project." She continued twisting the curler through Eponine's hair. "And you can't complain because you're just being a selfless friend helping me out by wearing my designs. Aren't you a good?"
Eponine giggled "You win."
"I always do." Musichetta grinned.
Musichetta tried to convince Eponine to go the whole hog and wear a little black dress. But Eponine insisted that it was not a proper date and therefore not appropriate. They settled on a blue chiffon tea dress with white peter pan collar that Musichetta had made last term. Eponine pulled on her brown pixie boots which earned her a pout from Musichetta who felt she should have at least worn heels.
"One day I will get you to dress up properly." She smiled.
"One day, when I have a reason too." Eponine agreed.
It was a warm evening and Eponine would have walked to The Corinth if Musichetta's primping hadn't meant she was running late.
She caught the number one bus that took her across town to the nicer side of Musain-On-Sea. Along what she called the posh part of the seafront a world away from the arcades and 'kiss-me-quick' hat stalls. This stretch had all the nice hotels, the casino and the posh houses.
The Corinth was a wine bar that went to such lengths to be 'trendy' that its patrons conveniently forgot that it was the same building that used to house the public toilets.
It's history and its pale blue exterior both gave Eponine a false sense of confidence that deserted her the moment she stepped through the glass doors- she knew she was out of her depth. It was full of young beautiful people sitting in couples and small groups. Flawless people who looked like they had jumped straight out of an advertisement and any minuet would get up and go back to their fabulously successful lives.
She glanced along the length of the room but to her distress she couldn't see Enjolras anywhere. She checked the time on her phone, it was only ten past eight. Perhaps he had given up waiting for her. What if he had changed his mind and never actually come in the first place.
She shuffled awkwardly, not really sure what to do as some of the beautiful people began to stare at her. She felt as if she had a sign on her head saying poor, obscure and should not be here.
She folded her arms across the chest and resigned herself to the fact that he had stood her up. She didn't even have his number or any way of contacting him. What was she even doing here?
"Can I help you miss?" The Concierge who had been eyeing her since she walked in asked, all but turning his nose up at her.
"No I was just leaving." She muttered. She was just a few steps away from the door, as soon as she was outside she would make a run for it.
"Eponine."
The sound of his voice sent a wave of relief crashing through her body.
She had no idea how surprised he was by how genuinely delighted she looked to see him.
"Were you leaving?" He asked.
"I thought you weren't here."
"It's busier than I thought it would be here tonight, I've got us a table on the deck."
She followed him out through the double doors that led onto wooden platform that was suspended a few feet above the beach. He pulled her chair out for her as she sat down.
"What are you having?" He asked.
"Oh" she grabbed her bag and began to fumble for her purse.
"It's ok. I'll get the first round."
"Oh, no I couldn't let you." She said, determined to show that she didn't think this was a date.
"You can get the next one." He laughed.
"I'll have a white wine please." Hoping that she sounded sophisticated enough to be in such a place.
He disappeared through the doors to the main building. It was quieter on the deck, the tables were further apart. The tide was in and the waves lapped the shore a few feet away.
Eponine closed her eyes savouring the sound. The sea had always calmed her. It was part of the reason why she had decided to go to the Musain University.
The sound of a chair scrapping brought her back to the present. Enjolras sat down and placed her glass in front of her.
"Sorry," she smiled. "I was miles away. I've been here for two years and I can still get entranced by the sound of the sea. My father took us to Blackpool one weekend when I was very small. It's one of my favourite memories. My sister and I…" She stopped herself abruptly, she had gotten carried away. No good ever came of telling people about her past.
She changed the subject quickly by commenting on the warm weather. He seemed to understand and a polite conversation on the likelihood that it would not last until the weekend ensured for the next five minutes. They perhaps would have gone on longer if they had not been interrupted by a dark haired young man who stumbled up to them.
"Enjolras, is that you? It is you." He slurred.
"Grantaire."
"I thought you said you couldn't come out with us tonight because you were busy?"
"I am busy." Enjolras ground out nodding towards Eponine.
The boy turned to face her, his dark hair curled similarly to Enjolras and he had the same blue eyes, although his would have perhaps been more piercing if they did not have the glassy sheen of someone who had had too much to drink.
The grin that split his face was genuine and warm as he extending his hand to Eponine. She reached out the shake it but he pulled hers to his lips and pressed a kiss against her knuckles which caused her to laugh.
"Grantaire, at your service."
"Eponine" she grinned.
"Eponine" he repeated. "You will have to tell me what sort of trickery you used to get Enjolras to go out with you."
"We're not going out." Enjolras said, his cheeks becoming crimson.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Is this your first date. Pardon me."
"No-" Enjolras began.
"We are just friends." Eponine finished for him.
Grantaire raised his eyebrows. "So you're single then?"
"Grantaire." Enjolras said with a warning note in his tone.
"Because I have this friend-"
"Grantaire" Enjolras almost shouted. "What are you doing here?"
"Me and Courf are going to the Casino but we came in here to get a drink first. Hey Courf, Couf. COURFEYRAC!" He yelled earning him some disparaging looks from the beautiful people around them.
A second dark haired youth approached. He had brown eyes and a friendly face that Eponine felt instantly drawn to.
"Look Enjolras is with a girl." Grantaire teased.
Courfeyrac looked between herself and Enjolras with a satisfied smirk on his face.
"Don't worry though, she's single. So you can add her to the list." Grantaire said with a nudge that caused Courfeyrac to blush now.
Enjolras cast her an apologetic look but she smiled reassuringly at him. She was not worried by Grantaire's exuberance. She knew a good man when she saw one and Grantaire was one of the good ones.
"Well it was lovely to see you both but we were just leaving." Enjolras said rising suddenly from his chair.
"We are?" Eponine said looking at her half empty glass.
"Yes, come." He replied.
Eponine raised her eyebrows at his commanding tone but picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder any way.
"It was nice to meet you." She said to the two young men who were now taking their seats.
"I hope to see you again real soon." Grantaire said with a wink at Enjolras, which made Eponine laugh again.
Enjolras looked less than amused as he exited down the stairs that lead from the deck directly onto the beach.
Someone needs to teach him how to take a joke. She thought sarcastically to herself as she followed him onto the sand.