"I'm bored," Eponine said, rolling over on her bed.

Cosette raised her eyebrows. "You want to go do something?"

"No," Eponine said, sitting up. "I want to wallow in my ennui."

"Okay," Cosette said, pulling apart a twizzler.

"Is that your dinner?" Eponine asked.

Cosette shrugged. "I'll probably go out for something later."

"It's already seven o'clock."

"Oops."

Eponine flopped over onto Cosette's bunk. "So Jehan is moving in with Bahorel and Feuilly," she said, staring at the ceiling.

"That's good," Cosette said. "I still can't believe any of that happened. Has Fey asked him out yet?"

"Nope. He's a coward." And he's not the only one, Eponine thought.

"Did you know Bahorel is dating that girl in our calculus class?" Cosette said, pulling out a bottle of nail polish.

"The blonde cheerleader? Why am I not surprised?"

Cosette giggled. "Well, according to Fey it won't last long."

"Well, if Fey said it it must be true. He knows everything."

"He kind of does," Cosette said thoughtfully, recapping the bottle.

"What about you?" Eponine said casually as she began to braid Cosette's long hair. "There's nobody you're... interested in?"

Cosette smiled. "You sound like Fey."

Eponine shrugged. "Apparently, his techniques work."

Cosette shifted slightly. "Not really. You?"

"Me?" she said, thrown off guard. "Nah. I'm too freaked out by my ex."

"Really?" Cosette said, her voice sounding slightly breathless. "I thought you and- that freckled boy were-"

"No," Eponine interrupted. "No. We're just friends." The words left a bitter taste in her mouth.

"Oh," Cosette said, definitely breathless now.

"Nope," Eponine said. "Marius is definitely single. But not like Fey. He's looking for more than just a one night stand." Cosette didn't say anything. "He's a really good guy," she tried. Still no response. "And he doesn't smoke or anything." Cosette remained impassive. Eponine sighed and dropped her hair.

"If I told you he liked puppies and long walks on the beach, would that be coming on too strong?"

"What?" Cosette said, her big blue eyes blinking in confusion.

"Cosette!" Eponine growled in exasperation. "Do you like Marius?"

"Wha- Why do you ask?"

"Because I'm a terrible wingman," she sighed.

"You're wingmanning for Marius?"

"Definitely not no," Eponine said, shrinking back into the wall.

"Marius likes me?"

"I refuse to answer that until you tell me if you like him."

"Well, I won't tell you until you tell me!"

Eponine smacked her with a pillow. "Answer the damn question!"

"Ow," Cosette said, smacking her right back.

"Tell me."

"You first."

"You got adopted while I had to spend eighteen years in the slums. You first."

Cosette stopped. "That's just playing dirty."

Eponine waggled her eyebrows. "Only way I play."

Cosette sighed and bit her lip. "Tell me," Eponine said, poking her in the stomach. "Tell me. Tell me. Tell-" She began to tickle the other girl, who shrieked, nearly falling off the bed.

"Alright!" Cosette screamed. "Yes! I like him!"

Eponine's triumphant Ha! died in her throat. She forced a smile onto her face. "I knew it," she said, hearing the taughtness in her own voice as she sat up. Cosette leaned up against the wall.

"Now you go," she said, sounding nervous. "Does he like me?"

Eponine swallowed hard and nodded. Cosette beamed. She's beautiful, Eponine thought. She's beautiful and smart and she deserves this. She really does.

"So what now?" Cosette asked.

Eponine sighed. "I don't know."