Bonjour again! First of all, let me say I'm so sorry for the long wait. It's been like three months! Ah I'm sorry but life was so incrediblly crazy. I think I've had more mental breakdowns in those three months than in my entire life! I had AP exams, senior project, track, essays, homework, work, and some very beautiful beach days that I just had to take advantage of, among other things you probably don't care about. Well, I am done with most of that crazyness so for now I'm hoping to be writing again and at least updating once a week. Just bear with me people, I'm almost done with May and after this month, things should calm down.

Anyway, I hope my wonderful readers are back and still supportive and if you're new, that's great I love you too! Enjoy this chapter!

Estelle

My mind was racing as I stood there dumbly. The two of us had no idea what was going on. "I-uh" I began. Words weren't forming in my head or on my tongue properly. His stupid face just kept staring at me with no reaction except for that surprise that it still held. I was waiting for him to say something, but he didn't. Why wasn't he saying anything? Why couldn't I say anything?

He moved to get up and I couldn't take it anymore. I felt like the room was going to explode if this situation got anymore awkward. So I ran. I turned around as he shifted off the bed and took off out the door. It was freezing outside, but I was completely numb to everything. I attempted to run, but it was more of a hobble as I made my way down the street, clutching my side as the world spun around me. I didn't get far, but when I felt as if I couldn't move any farther, I fell into the nearest alleyway. I sat down and brought me knees to my chest, resting my tired head on them. Once I caught my breath, I noticed it began to snow. I felt so terrible sitting there. My heart was still racing from what had happened as I replayed it in my head over and over. What was I thinking? I had no idea how that happened. It was as if I wasn't in control of myself for those moments. I was so confused and I couldn't handle all this emotion. A lump formed in my throat as I began to silently sob for reasons I couldn't fathom. I brought my hand to my lips and touched them. Did Colar's lips really just touch mine?

I sat there for a long time, shivering and sobbing, just thinking everything over. My life had officially been completely thrown upside down. I had experienced so many twists and turns in life, but lately my life had been slowly being tipped. This was just the breaking point. How much more could I take? I wondered what Colar was doing right now. Was he looking for me? Probably not. He probably didn't want to see me right now. I hated him so much. Or maybe it was myself I hated. We just destroyed the delicate, carefully-placed boundaries and lines of whatever our relationship was. It was created on annoyance and hatred, but shaped into one of a game to see how comfortable we were around each other. We freaking lived together, so that was much time spent together. The relationship was focused on the revolution and nothing else as far as we were concerned. I just could not explain what we were to each other or how we felt about each other to anyone. I didn't know myself.

He and I had separate lives and others in our lives. He was quite the lover, or so I've heard. He had girlfriends before and girls he met on drunken nights. He was not naive when it came to that. And neither was I. I was a prostitute for Christ's sake. And I'd been with boys I actually liked before. We'd both kissed and been kissed, hell I've kissed total strangers before. But I could never imagine kissing him until just then. I still couldn't believe it. I sat there in the snowy night for so long that it was starting to accumulate around me. Maybe I would die here and I wouldn't have to face him ever again. I often prayed for death. It would just be easier than living.

Finally, I heard footsteps and someone whispered my name, but it wasn't just anyone. "Estee?"

I stiffened, wondering how long he had actually been looking for me. He turned down the alleyway and saw me sitting there. I started back and felt heat creep up into my cheeks and my heart pick up a beat.

"Hey." He croaked.

I couldn't muster any words back. Instead of continuing to speak, he walked over to me, and I forced myself to make eye contact as he stood over me. His eyes looked frightened almost. I watched him extend a hand to me. I took it and he hauled me up. We walked home side by side in silence, neither of us knowing what to say.

The next morning he was gone. I had managed to slip into a few hours of sleep last night and I woke in the early light to look over and find his bed vacant. I wasn't sure if I was glad I didn't have to face him or angry I let him slip out without me knowing. I found some bread and sat at the wobbly table in the kitchen looking out the window. I had nowhere to go and nothing to do, so I just sat there for ages, nibbling on the piece. I could not believe that last night happened; it was like a dream, or maybe nightmare. It was funny how life changes so fast. A month ago, I was so confident about life. I thought I held the answers to everything, that I had my priorities and life set. I had become a prostitute, but had been doing it long enough to accept the fact and enjoy the little bit of money on the side. I knew who my friends were; I had a job, a life, and a cause. Now, everything was turned upside down. Sure, life wasn't easy, but at least it was consistent. Now, I was a mess. I didn't know what to feel or think or do.

I didn't want to sit around all day, but I didn't know where to go. Colar was at work and who knew where Marius or my friends where. Hopefully, I would see them all later tonight, though. The long awaited uprising was coming upon us soon and from everyone last night, they were excited for this. This is what we've waited years for. There were only three days until people took to the streets. And I was determined to be one of them. What did Colar care about my life anyway? He was more than happy to die to free the people of France, so why couldn't I be? How could he think that I had more to live for than him? I would certainly say he had more in life for him than me. I sighed and stood up; I had decided to go out and attempt to walk around. There wasn't much else to do.

After hours wandering around, I headed over to the meeting in the basement of the restaurant. I wanted to see my friends, but I didn't want to see him. I didn't feel like myself anymore. I felt tired and defeated, both mentally and physically. I prayed to God there wouldn't be any more surprises in life soon. I opened the door and was greeted by the warmth of the fire burning below. Below, I could hear voices buzzing excitedly and it helped to shift my mood a little. Everyone was so excited for this fight, for this chance to change the world. Of course I knew that revolution wouldn't happen overnight, but this was just another step in a work in progress to a better France.

"Estelle's here!" Manon shouted as I descended the stairs, my eyes scanning the room. I wanted to smack her for making it so bluntly obvious that I had arrived. Odilon handed me a drink as Elliot pulled out a chair for me to sit at the nearest table. I looked in the back of the room and made eye contact with Colar who had looked up from his papers as Manon announced my presence. His deep eyes behind his cool exterior searched my brown ones for answers to questions I didn't know. I stared in uneasiness and shock back at him, but we couldn't remain like that for too long or someone would notice. He nodded his head and mumbled a greeting before going back to his work. I felt as if I was in a daze, not sure what to say or how to act. Thankfully, nobody else could see what was going on and their excitement and obliviousness helped me get through it and focus.

Everyone spoke at once and I tried to make sense of it all, but then Colar stood up on his table. "Listen up everyone, the people have spoken! They want this revolution and down with the king!" His voice boomed confidently as everyone cheered. "On the day of the banquet, we will gather at noon and we will protest! We will come in peace, but fight if need be! Let it be known who we are and that they cannot keep us quiet any longer. The injustices of the king will not be allowed anymore!" Everyone was talking and cheering louder than ever now. I just sat from my chair and watched him speak. The spotlight was entirely his now. He spoke so assuredly, so convincingly, that I understood why people would follow him. The boy had a knack for words and these people would probably jump off a bridge if he said so. Watching and listening to him, I had to admit he was a great, strong, fierce leader who really cared about this cause and about the people. He did give up his entire life and cut off his family all those years ago in order to help the poor. "The revolution approaches in a matter of days and we must be prepared. Who's ready?" He finished as they all raised their glasses in agreement.

As he stepped down, his eyes made contact with mine, awkward and confused. The world really was changing, in more ways than one.

Marius

I sat, staring at the men gathered around my table. Only three days until February twenty-second. The men here had no worries now that the banquet had been called off. They joked, drank, and cheered to the king. I watched them all, feeling like an outsider knowing information that they could not conceive of. Did they not know that they could only keep these people oppressed for so long? These people were so desperate and had nothing left. The faces of the young adults I had grown to know flooded to my mind. Young Zoe with soft brown eyes, wide-eyed curly haired Odilon and Ranier, dirty Manon, red-headed Elliot, fancy Aceline with her blonde curls, and others. They were going to protest and were willing to fight for this if they needed to. The final preparations were being made and donations and help collected. They had quite the gang of workers formed and I even believed there was a chance this could be successful. This is what they've been waiting so long for. I had a feeling they were going take every step necessary and cover all bases and be sure they did not fail. But nobody could know for certain.

"Ay! Marius! Cheer up, man! They cancelled that ridiculous banquet and now we get to relax a little! We've got plenty of more time to deal with these revolutionaries!" My friend, Simone, sat ungracefully next to me and sloshed his beer. "What's your problem? You've been so moody lately, you emotional fool!" He erupted in drunken laughter, "What? Is there a problem with the Madame Marius? Is it safe to leave her alone like that? You know what I mean?" He nudged me and raised an eyebrow. I rolled my eyes and shoved him back.

"You're drunk Simone." I laughed as he just shook his head.

"Nah, I'm just starting. Who wants another round?" He called as he stood up and proceeded to walk over to the bar where a live band was playing. He foolishly danced around and stumbled into others who were trying to dance, breaking apart couples and attempting to dance with those without a partner. I watched his messy antics with a slight smile on my lips.

My mind now drifted to Cosette. There was no chance she would be cheating on me, I was confident in her loyalty. Although I did worry about her fragileness. We had exchanged few letters since I had come here and I did not give her much information, just simply talking about Paris and the growing tension. She replied with words about our sons and their daily lives in the little countryside. I loved it so much more there. It was quiet and peaceful, beautiful, slower paced, safer, and every breath was like a breath of fresh air. The city, on the other hand, was corrupt, dirty, dangerous, and the people were disgusting. There were rich, arrogant snobs then the dirt poor, starving industrial workers.

Later that night, we all made our way out of the lively bar and into the cold streets of the winter night. As we headed back to the hotel, I looked up at the sky to see only a few bright stars out. I looked at them with a conflicted, heavy heart. What would these next days bring? I counted the ones I could see. One- Eponine. Two- Enjolras. Three- Jean Valjean. Four- Grantaire. Five- Inspector Javert. Six- Gavroche. There were others, too. The innumerable amount who have died here in this sad, poor country of France. They were as abundant as the stars in the sky, some shinning brighter than others, but all there and all a part of this unfair universe. One day I would join them, but for now I just hoped they were watching over me. Watching all of us.

They were about to witness the dawn of a new era that began with the first gunshot of fighting on February 22, 1848. That was to be the first spark of revolutions that were to spread like a wildfire all over the continent. Judgment day was upon us and no one was certain who would prevail through it. Revolution was about to begin.

Wow, it's been a while now, hasn't it? I hope my writing is still good. This was just a continuation of last chapter and a prelude to the next, which will begin with la revolution! Please review so I know you're still there and you want me to continue! Merci!

-xoxo,

Charlie