18/5/14

So yeah ... Lots of inspiration for this fic as you know and I sympathise with the boys in the second half of this fic. Exam period has struck a brutal blow again and so chapters may be shorter or later for the next 3-5 weeks as I struggle through exams that will impact on my life heavily. This fic is going to be based on a British school as that is my current situation, plus I know nothing of the French school system. And I am also using my school's exam timetable for their year. And finally, the school in Denmark that R is in is based mildly around the Florida School For Boys (all establishments like this that are known are closed thank god but give me some artistic license here okay); read up about it if you want but it is not pleasant reading. Reviews will make me happy ... And I need happiness right now ... Much happiness required.

Chapter 14

"So you are wanting me to help you orchestrate a protest to help reform this school and have Mr Valjean made head teacher instead of Mr Javert?" Miss Nord questioned with a sigh once Enjolras finished his pitch.

"You wouldn't have to be actively involved, just be there to tell Javert that everything is going according to plan and we were doing as expected," Enjolras added, sipping from the coffee Miss Nord had handed him when they first began this discussion.

"And what will happen to me if you lose. I cannot lose this job Julien," she whispered, still to be convinced.

"I will vouch that you had no idea what our plans were, my father know how skilled I am at manipulating people. He'll believe it," Enjolras assured her and watch as he shoulders loss ended and she looked into his eyes with a nod. She was in.

Enjolras practically skipped out of Javert's office with a malicious smile filling his face. The headmaster had reluctantly agreed to Les Amis' proposal. Enjolras quickly dialled his best friend. Combeferre's parents had taken him out of school for two weeks and no one knew why. "Hey Ferre," Enjolras began as soon as the dial tone ended.

"Hey Jolras, what's up?" Combeferre asked over the rustling of papers and hushed voices.

"I was just wondering when you would be back and what you had to go for?" Enjolras asked, balancing his phone while fumbling with his keys.

"It shouldn't be long, bout a week or so. Mum's protesting for child's rights and against child homophobia in Denmark. She wanted me with her to show it matters to children everywhere. And I thought she may be able to get me in to see R," Combeferre explained and Enjolras smile grew impossibly wide.

"If you get to see him, if you can, will-will you tell him I love him," Enjolras stammered with relief and joy. Someone was going to see Grantaire. He wanted it to be him but Combeferre was the next best thing.

"Of course I will mon petit frere," Combeferre chuckled on the other end.

"Also, the plan is going ahead! I'll start recruiting tomorrow," Enjolras added, trying to clear his mind of thoughts of the cynic and focus on the cause.

"Good, I'll be back to help soon," Combeferre promised before he had to leave again. Combeferre's mother was like Enjolras. She loved to help the people and was determined to make life better for people all over the world using her wealth. Also she had always been like a mother to Enjolras when times were hard. Enjolras smiled softly, gently touching the picture of all Les Amis that always rested on his desk. They could do this. They could change things if they all did it together.

XXX

The plan was just coming together when disaster struck. It was exam period. There are two groups of people when it comes to exams: those who can and those who can't. On one hand, Grantaire couldn't do exams; but thankfully Enjolras could. But that did not stop him forgoing sleep and nutrition to try and cram as much knowledge into that thick skull of his. The plan was still there but was pushed onto the back burner as their futures hung in the balance. Combeferre was his usual self; exams never seemed to bother him ... The lucky sod. Courfeyrac was dealing with it all his own way; reclining on the chair in his and Jehan's room drinking tea while he read. Jehan was doing the same, occasionally it was the same chair. Enjolras could never unsee that. Enjolras moaned, he had his biology and geography exams the next day and it was only the second day of the exam period. He hated science; Combeferre was good at Biology.

"Ferre, please!" Enjolras begged leaning on the door to his best friend's room. Despite how everyone saw their stoic leader he wasn't against asking for help. It was wise to ask the opinion of people who were more suited to something than you. He also was not above begging and pouting to get what he wanted.

"I'm busy Jolras, can't you ask someone else?" Combeferre shouted back through the door.

"Your the best at teaching me and Joly is determined he has rabies again," Enjolras pleaded, banging his head on the door.

"If I give you something I know you want will you leave me alone?" Combeferre questioned and Enjolras could hear muffled soft laughter. His friend must be on the phone.

"Depends," Enjolras replied, clearly exaggerating his skepticism.

"Grantaire's on the phone," Combeferre shouted and Enjolras literally kicked the door down; well not down, but he broke the lock. Combeferre was laid on the bed with his phone pressed against his ear. "For gods sake Jolras! I was going to open it," Combeferre huffed.

"Give me the phone," Enjolras practically snarled, holding out his hand.

"R, your vicious bull dog wants to talk to you," Combeferre chuckled softly then handed the phone to Enjolras who instantly ran back to his own room cradling the phone to his ear.

"Hey you," Grantaire chuckled but it didn't sound like Grantaire. He had been gone for about three weeks now and that time had clearly been hard on the artistic rebels. His voice sounded tired and weak; he hadn't even come out with a sarcastic response to Combeferre's bulldog statement.

"I thought I might not hear your voice again," Enjolras breathed slowly, unsure of what to do.

"You can't get rid of me that easily," Grantaire chuckled but even those words lacked his usual mirth. "I've missed you so much," the cynic blurted out suddenly.

"I've missed you too. How come you're ringing Ferre not me?" Enjolras questioned, trying not to sound hurt at the situation. He had just assumed that if Grantaire could contact anyone it would be him.

"My tutor slash handler saw him and heard us talk when Ferre visited and decided that he may be a good influence on me. That means phone calls are permitted for half an hour a week," Grantaire explained, thankfully unable to see Enjolras' smile growing. It wasn't because Grantaire didn't want to talk to him. Grantaire did still want to talk to him. Grantaire still loved him. "I'm sorry Apollo but I've got to go. My handler's coming back and he needs to hear I'm talking to Ferre," Grantaire whispered, his voice hurrying with panic. Enjolras didn't like to see Grantaire scared; Grantaire was a daredevil, he laughed in the face of teachers. Enjolras sprinted down the corridor and threw the phone at Ferre who caught it and laughed like they had been talking the whole time. Enjolras threw him and thankful smile as he stopped to pick up his biology books that were strewn across the floor. The exam didn't seem as daunting now he knew Grantaire was still thinking about him.

Enjolras shut the door after him and Combeferre waited until the footsteps had died down. "Right he's gone," the guide let out a deep sigh. He hated keeping things from Enjolras. They had been friends forever and never lied to each other.

"Thank you for not telling him," Grantaire whispered. "It's bad here. It's really bad," he added and Combeferre felt his heart break.

"Just hang on okay, we're going to get you out anyway we can," Combeferre encouraged, rubbing a hand over his tired eyes.

"I'm trying Luce but these guys specialise in breaking rebellious children. I can already feel it, I can already feel my will dissipating," Grantaire said, his voice pleading for him to be released.

"We will save you," Combeferre reassured him as they were forced to part once again.

XXX

Miss Nord had been a godsend throughout this time. More often than not you would find Enjolras sat cross legged on one of her tables trying to fight off impending panic. He was a leader but doubts consumed him whenever people relied on him. And Grantaire was relying on him now. She would see him, press a cup and steaming tea into his hands and let him stay for as long as he needed in the nice silence. The exams seemed to race past but Enjolras couldn't seem to remember any of them. Combeferre assured him that he had seemed happy when they were finished but that didn't seem to matter. He had always glowed with the revolutionary passion but now it consumed him, the anger radiated from his body. Grantaire's dismissal from school was not the first. Over decades the school had been declining scholarships, expelling students and even firing teachers because of their sexuality, race and opinions regarding this practice. Combeferre and Feuilly were both working on a movie to play on the big screen while people performed. They were going to have videos or pictures of people who had been discriminated against throughout the years; Enjolras had already managed to get in contact and get quotes from some of them including ExHeadmaster Lamarque who was dismissed because he didn't like what Enjolras' father was doing to the school. It was all his father. Enjolras had always hated the man but seeing all this evidence and personal statements against him made that hatred grow. Enjolras would bring him down, and he would do it with pleasure.