Welcome to Chapter 2!
Marius piled his soaking papers on his desk.
He couldn't believe what he had just done. There was now a girl in his apartment. He had no regrets, he just had no idea on what to do next and how to approach this whole ordeal.
Marius started by telling Eponine she could sit down on his chair. He fetched a rag and put it over her shoulders.
"Ponine would you like a cup of tea? You're freezing"
She nodded and watched as Marius walked off into the kitchen.
Eponine could not believe where she was and who she was with. This boy was like an angel, he was handsome and kind and his apartment, although small, was still larger than any room Eponine had ever lived in. She was still processing that just a few moments ago she was standing atop a ledge preparing to end her life.
Marius returned and handed Eponine the tea and also a small piece of bread.
"You must be hungry. You can eat it, I have plenty"
Eponine devoured the small loaf and Marius's heart broke seeing the girl like this, wondering how she could have survived for so long being this hungry.
Marius sat across from Eponine. Neither of them spoke for a few moments until, this time, Eponine broke the silence.
"Monsieur Marius"
Marius interrupted her "Just Marius" he smiled
"Marius… thank you for all of this but I probably should leave after this. I don't want to be a bother after everything that has happened, I even noticed all your school papers are now ruined because you stopped me"
Marius looked Eponine in the eye "It's fine Ponine. I wanted to. And It's nice to have a friend around to talk to"
Eponine's eyes lit up "A friend?"
Eponine had not had one of those in ages. She had almost forgotten what that word even meant and how it made her heart feel to have one.
Marius laughed at her child like expression. He began to notice the life come back into her and her body began to seem less frail. "Yes Ponine, You are my friend. I've already built up a liking towards my nickname for you"
Marius and Eponine began to talk for hours. Eponine explained her family history. How her family was once caring and loving towards her, but once money became scarce, they began to turn to methods of crime and her father beat her to release his anger. She said how her father became so angry he killed her younger sister Azelma and how her brother had left the torment by running away. She asked herself why she never found the strength to do the same.
She decided to leave Montparnasse out of the conversation.
Marius told Eponine his story as well. Marius came from an extremely wealthy family, his grandfather was largely influential in France, but he did not want any of it. He explained to Eponine how he wanted to earn his wealth and status on his own and that he noticed all the suffering and injustices in France that he could not ignorantly sit by with a golden spoon from his grandfather.
Eponine was impressed and shocked that he held that level of humbleness and nobility. She began to understand his nature and why he was so willing to help her.
She smiled.
The conversation became more lighthearted as the two began to tease one another and joke about various topics. Marius started noticing Eponine's lighthearted and warm personality. She joked around and encouraged Marius to go outside more and how she would show him fun places to walk and explore.
He saw her eyes light up like a small child and he grew excited to get to know her more.
What he didn't notice, as their conversation continued, Eponine began to slowly and unknowingly develop feelings for him.
How could she not? He saved her after all.
The night grew darker and Marius noticed Eponine yawn.
He got up and handed her one of his older shirts and pants and instructed her to wear it. She refused. "Monsieur Marius I've already been so much trouble, this dress is fine."
"Ponine, First it's just Marius and you are soaking. It's fine, I don't really wear these anymore so you can borrow them for tonight."
Eponine was too tired to argue. She changed into Marius's clothing and wrapped her arms around herself.
"It smells like him," She thought
Marius gestured her to sit on his bed while he grabbed the extra small cushion he used when his ABC friends sometimes slept over.
He returned to his room seeing Eponine had already fallen asleep in his bed. He smiled.
She looked so peaceful and young. He pulled the covers over her and noticed how beautiful she looked when she was sleeping.
He kissed her forehead
"Good night Ponine."
He crawled onto his spare cushion and smiled happily that he decided to invite her over. Their conversation was lively and warm. He felt as if he had known the girl all his life.
He was glad he had finally found a girl friend, although in unconventional ways, due to all his friends being just the ABC boys.
And maybe, just maybe, some deeper feelings began to develop within Marius as well.
Hope you enjoyed and please leave me feedback :) Helps me write better.