Chapter 9: Friends Are All You Need

Jacqueline did not sleep well last night. Her dreams were perturbed by that man terrorizing her that she woke up with cold sweats at least twice. She eventually fell into a dreamless sleep but it was short lived. She woke up at daybreak, still sore and her bruises more visible, but she wasn't going to let that stop her. She went into the bathroom and washed her face. Her busted lip was more visible with the coagulated blood and it was throbbing slightly. She brushed through her hair, opting to braid into a tight plait down her back. She long-sleeved grey dress, despite today's heat, to hide the bruises on her wrists; she doesn't need any more reminders. She had a light breakfast of bread, cheese, and grapes and set right to work on her written composition, her essay on justice, and studying for her quiz. She finished Picot's assignment first, assigning various penalties for several crimes and even listed certain exceptions or circumstances for each one. It was 9:45 now and she decided to work on her essay, opting to postpone studying for her quiz for tonight. She started out by writing about the founding fathers of the Justice theory, their accomplishments, how their work affects today's legal system, and then about how important justice is in the world. The essay took her nearly three hours, and she finished at twelve. She kept having this feeling that she was forgetting something; like she had something to do. She told Lamarque that she visit him same time as last night so it's not that. As she sat deep in thought, the door knocked.

She got up to open the door, thinking that is was Enjolras here to check up on her. When the door was open, Rachelle Feuilly and a beautiful girl their age was at the door. Rachelle hurried in and hugged Jacqueline. "Feuilly told me that you had been attacked. I was so worried. Are you ok? Are you hurt?" she began inquiring and Jacqueline hastened to reassure her. "Rachelle I'm fine, nothing terrible happened. I was just shaken up last night. I'm ok." She turned her attention to the girl still in the door way and then it hit her; she was meant to have lunch with Rachelle and this girl apparently. "Oh my god, Rachelle, we were supposed to have lunch today. That's what I forgot. I'm so sorry, just give me a minute and I'll change and we can go." She was about to rush inside when Rachelle stopped her. "Relax; our reservation isn't for another hour and a half. There's no need to rush. We were just so anxious to make sure that you were ok so we came early. This is my friend Musichetta, by the way." "Hello, I'm Jacqueline. I was looking forward to meeting you. Come in." Musichetta came in and closed the door behind her. She had straight, raven black hair, grayish blue eyes, and full red lips. She was wearing a simple ivory dress, just above the ankle and black slippers. She didn't look like a bourgeoisie, but more like a grisette, a woman of the working class. Jacqueline was stunned at her raw, exotic beauty. She ushered them into the living room and served some pastries and fresh orange juice. Jacqueline asked Musichetta what she does for a living. "I own a small library/study near the university; it's very busy during the school semesters. The shop was my grandfather's. When he passed away, he wanted me to sell it, but I thought it was more prudent to keep it. I used to rent it out, but then I bought a bunch of encyclopedias, text books on every subject, and even several archives for medicine and law. It's a good business. I charge five francs for every hour spent, ten francs to rent a study cubicle, and I even sell stationery items." "Wow," Jacqueline remarked. You really seem to be doing well for yourself. It seems like a great investment. I'd really like to visit sometime on my breaks or my days off." Musichetta said that she'd really enjoy her company. "I'm really getting sick of Jolly and Lesgle showing every single time. I'd like to have a new face around." "Oh, so you know Jolly and Lesgle? I met them at school" Jacqueline told her. "Yes, actually I'm their mistress" Musichetta told her. Jacqueline stared at her for a few seconds until realization dawned on her. "Oh. So you're the famous mistress. Yes they told me about you when we met at the Musain. Don't you two ever show up there?" she asked her guests. "No, I'm still in school and I wasn't allowed out at night. And I'm pretty sure that goes for my position as a resident governess." Rachelle told her. "I go but rarely" Musichetta told Jacqueline, "I would much rather stay at home than be around a bunch of drunken students." Jacqueline laughed at that. Before she knew it, about half an hour remained until their reservation and went inside to change.

She didn't want to dress over-the-top. Musichetta was wearing a simple ivory dress and Rachelle was in a pink, half-sleeved dress. She decided to wear a coral colored dress with a high boat neckline. It was cap-sleeved but she threw on a grey shrug to cover the bruise marks and she wore white slippers. She twisted her already braided hair into a plaited bun. She took a white purse and stuffed in what she needed, this time leaving in the gun. Within ten minutes, they were in a fiacre and driving down to the Ledoyen on Rue Claude Bernard. The restaurant looked very quaint, with flowers and posters decorating the wall and the window sills. They sat down at a table for three and looked at the menu. There was an extensive list of hors d'oevres, soups and salads, and nearly three pages for the main plates. She spotted on the first page of platters the dish that Enjolras had recommended, the Rillettes aux Duex Saumons, a salmon dish. Rachelle went for a seafood platter called Coquille St. Jacques, while Musichetta ordered Bordelaise steak with mushrooms. It took the food 15 to 20 minutes to arrive, and it looked delicious. This place will definitely see her as a regular customer. Not only was the food delicious, but the prices were amazing and the atmosphere was very pleasant. They ate and talked all throughout lunch. Both Rachelle and Musichetta lost their parents at a young age (from consumption) and were raised by guardians. Musichetta's were terrible to her and she ran away at the age of 18, not they cared. Feuilly found work as the apprentice of a fan maker; who eventually gave him the shop and the apartment above it upon his death. He made enough money to send his sister to school as well as proceed with his own independent studies. Jacqueline told them of her own misfortunes. But in the end, they all turned out really well. As they left the restaurant, Jacqueline had completely forgotten of the events of the previous night. Sometimes, friends really are all you need in life.


Hey sorry it took so long but i had a bit of writers block, so its not my best. Its also pretty short. Ill try to update sooner. R&R