A few checkups later, Eponine was free to go home. However, after telling Enjolras about her family problems, he wouldn't let her go back.

"Come stay at my house. Bring Azelma and Gavroche with you, and no arguing." he added as she opened her mouth to complain. Suddenly, Gavroche and Courfeyrac came bounding up from across the street holding armfuls of… stuff. She gave them a strange look.

"Hey Eponine! How 'ya feelin'? Me and Courfeyrac just went across the street to 7-11, and got a bunch if Kit Kats and other candy!" Gavroche exclaimed excitedly. Eponine glared at Courfeyrac.

"Why did you spend twenty dollars on candy?" she asked. He grinned.

"How did you guess it was twenty dollars?" he replied. The whole time, Enjolras was watching them with amused eyes.

"You really spent that much? I was exaggerating! Sheesh, Courfeyrac! Why?"

"'Cause this boy right here," he ruffled Gavroche's blonde hair, "is the best little bud in town!" Even Eponine and Enjolras couldn't help snickering at the disgusted face Gavroche showed when his hair was messed up.

No one noticed the dark shadow lurking in the corners of the street.

Cosette had returned home, crying a little. What for, she didn't know. Maybe the fact that Enjolras would never love her, she had been neglected by everybody, or even Eponine not noticing her.

Cosette really wanted to know Eponine better, to be her new awesome friend who always stayed by her side and did homework together. She wanted to forget kindergarten, forget first grade, forget second grade, leave behind fifth grade, and get moving on with eleventh grade.

Today she was going to find Eponine. She had seen the police loading the unconscious girl into Enjolras' car, and had heard the word, "hospital", but everything else was in the light that she couldn't reach in the dark.

Cosette found herself staring sadly at Enjolras and Eponine as they laughed at Gavroche and Courfeyrac. She had hid in the shadows as they walked by. It was adorable seeing Gavroche loaded up with candy in his arms, and Eponine hobbling along with Enjolras rushing to her side every so often, holding her up in case she fell. Cosette imagined herself in Eponine's place.

"Not to me, not for me."

Marius paced uncertainly around his back deck. The view if the mountains were crisp and clear in the sky, and he breathed in the smell of flowers and grass. The scent of spring. It felt weird that Cosette hadn't texted him in a week straight, she seemed so distant ever since the movie theater date.

He didn't know what he did wrong. He was simply being the best boyfriend a girl like Cosette could have. That reminded Marius of type. Cosette was popular, and had some natural charm to her. Could she be falling for another boy? Nah. Cosette seemed too loyal.

To keep his mind off of Cosette, Marius decided to pay a visit to Eponine, in lieu of pointlessly pacing around his porch. He had heard several days ago that she had been injured badly, and wanted to wish her good health, but never got around to doing so. He was too occupied with Cosette and the dearth of text messages he had been receiving from her. What a wonderful friend he was to Eponine, paying more attention to his new girlfriend rather than his old best friend. He mentally slapped himself four or five times.

Eponine seemed to hang around Enjolras more lately, and she smiled whenever she saw him. The look in her eyes told Marius that she felt the same thing that Marius felt whenever he saw Cosette.

"Marius?" Mrs. Pontmercy's head appeared in the doorway. She was a middle aged woman, around 40 or so, and had the same light brown hair as Marius. Karen Pontmercy was carefree and lighthearted, always generous and kind to others around her.

"Hi, mom." Marius replied simply. She offered him a slight smile.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah."

"What's wrong? Your tone gives your mood away."

"So, you know Cosette right? And Eponine? Well, Cosette is really important to me because she's my girlfriend but at the same time I feel as if I should visit Eponine because she's hurt and laying in the hospital. What should I do?" Marius moaned.

"Bring Cosette to see Eponine?"

"That's a great idea, mom! Thanks!"

"Want a lift?"

"Mom..."

"I know. You'll be embarrassed to be seen with me around. Still, I think it would be nice to have a good drive today. I'll just drop you off then go home, okay?"

"Thanks, Mom."

A few minutes later found Marius and his mom sitting in the car by a curb that was half broken. Marius stepped out, shut the door, and planted a kiss on Mrs. Pontmercy's cheek.

"Be careful, I want you home by five 'o clock today. Love you!" With those words, she drove off into the mass crowd of traffic blocking the street, becoming one of the many honking cars. Marius took a deep breath and walked towards the hospital. His clouded thought were filled to the brim about Eponine and Cosette and Enjolras. He wasn't looking where he was going and suddenly and unexpectedly, Marius bumped into a woman in front him around the corner. She gave a startled gasp and covered her mouth, turning around to face him.

"Sorry, ma'am, I wasn't looking where I was- Cosette?" Marius cried. It was, indeed Cosette's blue eyes staring right back at him. It seemed as if she was spying on someone before he'd bumped into her. Marius looked around the corner to see who she had been looking at. There stood four people, he could identify one as Courfeyrac, no surprise there, Courfeyrac could be everywhere at the same time.

The other three people were Eponine, Enjolras, and Gavroche. Suddenly, Eponine put her arm around Enjolras' shoulder to steady herself. The movement made Cosette wince behind him. Marius turned around, looking at her in disbelief.

"You. Like. Enjolras?"