Now that it is a holiday break, I just might be able to make more constant updates! Let the journey continue!
-Ophelia
Edith closed the door behind her after her odd encounter with the young man Enjolras.
And just when she thought the say could get any weirder, she saw Eponine sitting on the bed reading a book. After what seemed like days, maybe close to a week, she finally saw Eponine.
"'Ponine?" Edith stepped cautiously towards her friend, "where have you been?"
Eponine was too transfixed her the novel, "Hold on," she held up a tiny finger and continued scanning the story, "And-" she turns the page and folds the corner to keep her place, "Yes?" she said after closing the book.
Edith was frightened, "I haven't seen you for days! Where have you been?"
"Around..." Eponine giggled.
Edith shook her head, "It isn't funny, Eponine. I was worried sick!"
Eponine's eyebrows furrowed, "You're using my full name again. Why are you mad?"
"Don't you understand how much I care about you? I thought you were gone!"
"Lower your voice," Eponine crossed her arms, "I was at mama's and papa's tent doing my share of work, that's all."
Edith glared, "You could have told me that! You could have-"
"I could have, I could have, but I didn't. I'm sorry," the other girl glared back, "I don't know what your problem is lately but you need to figure it out before it gets worse."
Rolling her eyes, Edith sighed, "Listen, I was just worried, okay? I just wish you checked in with me,"
"Checked in with you? I should be able to whatever I want without your consent!"
"That isn't the case 'Ponine." Edith tried her best to be calm as she sat next to her friend, "I care about you a lot, 'Ponine, I do. So please don't leave me like that again. Please." she looked into Eponine's eyes, hopefully triggering her soft side.
Eponine sighed, "Okay, but don't get so worked up next time, alright?" she tossed her book aside, "And don't worry, E, I don't plan on going back there again."
Edith raised a brow, "Back where? Your parent's tent?"
The other girl nodded and put her head down, "I wouldn't call them my parents. They hate me. I was nothing to them. All my life has been a lie. All my life all I was only their servant. A slave." Tears began to well up in her eyes, "I thought a parent was supposed to love their child, right? I mean, what happened?"
Edith melted at the sight of her friend in distress, "Hey, now," she rubbed the other's girls back, "Your parents love you,"
Eponine began to protest.
"...they just have an odd way of showing it. If they didn't love you, they would have banished you on the streets when you were a child. But did they? No, they put you under a roof when they had one, right?" she watched Eponine just keep her head down, "I know it's hard to believe, 'Ponine...but deep down they still care for you."
After a long pause, Eponine released her tears, "Papa...he called me a whore, E. Is that love? Mama laughed when he said it too. He was mad because he saw me with Marius instead of doing my share. He yanked my arm once Marius left and said 'You selfish little brat! While your mother and I suffer to get a few extra sous, you're around with boys? I never expected raise such a selfish whore'."
"He said that?" she pulled Eponine into a hug, "When people are angry, they say things they don't mean." Edith said softly, "What he said was uncalled for and as long as you know it isn't true, then it shouldn't bother you."
"But..do you think it's true?"
Edith took her shoulders and pulled back form the hug, "What?! Why would you ask that?"
Eponine put her head down and sniffled, "You always seemed a bit bothered when I spent time with Marius."
The pain of guilt punched Edith in the chest, "Bothered?" she asked with the hole in her chest, "I was never bothered," the more she lied, the worse the pain grew, "I just missed seeing you but you right as you said before, I'm not in charge of your life. If you want to spend more time with Marius, that's fine." she wiped a falling tear.
"I missed you, Edith," Eponine cried as she pulled her into another hug.
"I missed you too, 'Ponine." She felt safe again. As if everything was perfect for just one moment, "I love you,"
And in that perfect moment, Edith let it slip. She opened her eyes wide got stiff. What had she done? It was quiet for a beat before she heard a small giggle from her friend, "I love you too, Edith."
Even though it wasn't the way she meant it, she was relieved.
Sorry for the short chapter. Stay tuned! Leave me a comment or some productive criticism.
-Ophelia
