Lost:
Chapter 13:
Present Day:
Enjolras sits in his apartment alone. The curtains are shut and the lights are off. He has one candle lit to have some light. He's hurting. He's hurting about Eponine. He knows that he could've saved her a year ago. He should've had Marius say something to her. He should've said something to her.
After his and Marius' talk with Dr. Abney, he started thinking. He was thinking about everything that has happened between him and Eponine. He misses her; a lot. He misses who she used to be, but who doesn't?
Eponine and Enjolras were never particularly close. Not as close as she and Marius. He always cared about her though. More than she ever did him, and he knows that. But even now, he would do anything for her. If she needed anything, he'd be there. A shoulder to cry on, a place to stay, someone to hang out with…it'd be him. He'd be the first. Marius isn't there for her because of Cosette, so Enjolras has to be there for her.
What's a guy in love supposed to do?
Enjolras has been in love with Eponine since the day he first saw her. As he got to know her, the feelings developed more and more. She never seemed interested in other guys, not even Marius. Enjolras was surprised by that since she spent all her time with Marius. He took it as a sign, though, that she and Marius were not meant to be together. And he was going to take every chance he had. But as soon as Eponine got sick, he started feeling something different. He was terrified. Terrified that he was going to lose her for good. And he knows that it'll be his fault.
He jumps when he hears a knock on his door. He walks over and answers it without checking the peephole. Grantaire and Marius are standing there.
"What's going on in here?" Grantaire asks, stepping inside and looking around.
"Don't tell me you're depressed, too." Marius says, following Grantaire. I shut the door behind them.
"Not funny, dude," Enjolras says and turns his kitchen light on. He sits at his counter and blows the candle out.
"Are you okay, Enj?" Grantaire asks, sitting next to him.
"I'm fine. What are you guys doing here?" he asks. He isn't meaning to sound harsh, he's just in a mood.
"We were coming to check on you. After our talk with Dr. Abney last week, you've been a little distant from all of us. And I'm…we're afraid that you're going to leave, too," Marius says from behind him. Enjolras sighs.
"No, I'm not leaving. I just needed a couple of days by myself."
"For what?" Marius asks. Enjolras turns to look at him.
"Do you remember when you first thought something was wrong with Eponine?"
"Enjolras," Grantaire says, turning his shoulders back to him, "you can't keep beating yourself up about this. We're all hurting, but Eponine's going to come through. She always does. We have to just be there for her." Enjolras just stares at Grantaire.
How could Grantaire not agree with me? Enjolras thinks to himself. He's always on my side, even if he's the only one.
"Grantaire's right, Enj. Just, come on let's just try to forget about it for a little bit." Marius says, grabbing his arm. He immediately yanks it away and stands up. "Enj."
"No, Marius. You don't get it," Enjolras says, walking into his family room. Marius stops him by grabbing his arm again and turns him towards him.
"I don't get it? Are you being serious? I'm probably the only one who actually knows Eponine here. I'm most likely the only one who is actually really hurting from this," Marius says. He's get mad, but so is Enjolras. Enjolras just stares at Marius until he can't take it anymore.
"Yeah, but you're not the one who's in love with her," Enjolras says and yanks his arm away again. Grantaire turns around on his stool.
"You're what?" Enjolras sits down on his couch and sighs.
"I'm in love with Eponine. And I'm terrified that I'll never get the chance to tell her," he says. Marius walks over and sits on the arm of the couch.
"We're going to get her back, Enj. I know it."
"Why didn't you tell us?" Grantaire asks, walking towards them.
"Because she was so angry at me for being the first one to realize something was wrong. I just…I wanted her so bad. I still want her. But she's so sick. How could I even be thinking about this?" Enjolras puts his head into his hands. Marius pats his back.
"We'll help you through this. But right now? We have to help Eponine."
"And how are we supposed to do that?" Enjolras asks.
"We just have to be there for her. Make her feel welcome again." Marius answers.
"But she doesn't want to be a part of us anymore. How are you going to convince her?" Grantaire chimes in.
"Oh, I have a few ideas."