::Marius::
Marius
walked briskly down the street. He was going to see Cosette today. He
was going to talk to her. It was about mid-afternoon and he had
thought about it all night. He wasn't shy anymore. Not now, not this
day. He reached her door and knocked.
His legs were shaking, and he wanted to turn around and run. The door swung open, and Marius looked up quickly. It was her, and she was just as beautiful as yesterday.
"Cosette?" He heard himself say.
"Do I . . . Do I know you?" She asked, looking at him suspiciously.
"Oh, sorry. I'm Marius, Marius Pontmercy. Her eyes widened.
"It's you . . . you sent Eponine here, to talk to me yesterday." Marius reddened. He nodded slowly. Suddenly footsteps came from upstairs, and moments later Enjolras was standing next to Cosette inside the door, yelling,
"She's
awake! She's awake! She's aw- oh."
Marius
looked from one to the other, bewildered. "Enjolras what are you
doing here?"
"Let me explain." Enjolras sighed. "Eponine was shot last night, and I brought her here. I decided to stay the night as well, nothing more." Marius looked hesitant to believe him, but after some thought convinced himself that his best friend wasn't lying.
Cosette turned to Enjolras. "She's awake? Let's go." The three of them proceeded upstairs. Eponine was lying in bed, just beginning to open her eyes.
"Eponine!" Exclaimed Cosette, rushing over to the bed. "You're ok!" Eponine nodded groggily.
"I
think so." She whispered. She tried to hoist herself up, but
instantly winced with pain.
"Oh,
right. My leg. Does anyone remember what happened?" She said
gloomily. Enjolras raised his arm slowly.
"I
do." He said solemnly. "Last night, we were in the Café."
He paused. "Anyway." He started up again. "Someone
shot the glass out of the window, and we went to investigate who it
was. We went down a really dark alley, and you started running
towards me. At first I thought you were crazy, but then I saw it.
There was a tall, hooded figure with a loaded gun, and he was about
to shoot."
Eponine
gasped. "I remember." She whispered suddenly. "I
dropped my gun out of fear, and did what I could think of to stop him
on the spot." She stopped talking to take a breath.
"And then you jumped on top of him, and he shot your leg, by accident." Enjolras finished for her. She nodded. "You saved my life down there you know. I'm only glad he didn't manage to shoot you anywhere . . . anywhere else." Eponine looked up at Enjolras.
"Really? You think I saved your life?" Enjolras nodded. "Wow." Eponine breathed. There was a short silence that seemed like it lasted forever.
"Well, Eponine. If there is anything you want me to get you, just tell me." Eponine smiled thankfully up at Cosette.
"I'm
fine for right now, thanks."
All
three of them started toward the door. "Remember, call me if you
need anything." Cosette reminded.
"Cosette. I'm fine." Eponine said before they closed the door. When they reached the downstairs hall, Enjolras started speaking.
"I think I'll just get something to eat, you know, leave you to alone for a while." He smirked, turning his back on the couple. Marius glared at him, but his face softened as he turned his eyes on Cosette.
"Cosette." He stammered. "I . . . I don't know what to say."
"Then
make no sound." She answered, putting her finger on his lips. He
was about to say more, but refrained.
Cosette
smiled. The silence meant more than words to her. Words were nothing,
a gaze was everything. That was the case here. Marius gazed into her
eyes, unable to look away. He leaned towards her slowly. Cosette
grinned inwardly. She knew what was coming, but somehow, she was
uneasy about it. She couldn't. She wasn't ready. Marius's face was
inches from hers. In her mind, she decided. All in a moment's time,
she turned her head and backed away, out of his
grasp.
"Marius."
She said hoarsely. "I . . . I can't. No I'm not . . . not
ready." She stammered. What was she doing? These words flashed
across Marius's thoughts. She raised her voice a bit, and turned to
go.
"But Cose-"
"No
buts." She put her finger to her own lips this time. "Not
now, later." She walked to the door and opened it. "Marius,"
She turned to face him. "It's this . . . this feeling. I can't
explain it. I-" She stopped, and pushed past him. Marius watched
her leave. He blinked back silent tears and just stared after her.
She was running. Running from him. What had he done
wrong?
Enjolras
stepped up behind him. "Well, that was unexpected." He
started. But Marius wasn't in the mood to hear it today.
"I've got to follow her." He thought aloud. And he walked out the door, leaving Enjolras standing by himself.
"Good luck." Enjolras whispered, and walked upstairs.
