Chapter 12
Pain ran through Eponine from her head to her feet. She had been walking for what seemed like an eternity, but in actuality was only a little more than an hour. She had covered so much ground in such a short amount of time, yet she found nothing that led her closer to finding the mystery girl that was on Marius' mind. Only her love for Marius had brought her thus far, and she was willing to do it again if there was even a remote chance that she could win his favor.
She was about to turn around, find Marius, and tell him she had no energy left to look, until suddenly she remembered one place that she hadn't thought to look. She had never thought about Rue Plumet. All the rich, famous, and important people of Paris lived there. Her father wouldn't just steal off the average Pierre, so the man must have some standing, or money at the very least.
She had decided not to run anymore, and took to the sidewalk. As she approached the towering houses surrounded by gates and garden walls, the bells of Notre Dame rang six times. She started to peek through the bars of the gates for any sign of life.
"Cosette, my child. The hour grows late. It is time for rest."
"Just a moment, Papa? Just another few pages?"
"Alright. 15 minutes and not a second more," Valjean commanded.
Eponine followed the voices, for she remembered the name 'Cosette' from that afternoon. She found the house, and gripped the bars. She saw a young girl, about her age, sitting on a garden bench reading a novel.
Eponine took note of the address: Fifty-Five Rue Plumet. She kept saying it to herself as she resumed running. Then, she stopped. It was far too late and the girl was going inside. Eponine wouldn't find Marius tonight. The meeting was long since over, and all the students had probably all returned to have their suppers.
Eponine dragged herself into a hidden alleyway and stretched herself out. With one hand supporting her head and the other holding her stomach, Eponine fell asleep, dreaming of the one man whom she loved.
**************************************************************************
"Enjolras! I've just received word that the sections at Notre Dame are prepared," cried Combeferre running into the cafe.
"Another round, gentlemen?"
"Enough with the wine! Don't let it go to your head!"
Enjolras was furious. The students had been gathered since 5 o'clock, and not one thing had productively occurred. Marius hadn't even arrived yet, and Gavroche had disappeared to check with his source at the newspaper about things.
"Saint Antoine will match every man we have!" another student informed the crowd of students.
"Paris is coming to our side!" shouted Courfeyrac.
Enjolras saw Marius wander in and take a seat at a table with Grantaire and Joly.
"Friends! Listen to me and mark well my words! The army we will fight is a deadly foe to us! They outnumber us in men and in arms! We can sit here and crush them like bugs beneath our boots in our minds, but in reality, we will have a much harder struggle! Anyone who feels like they may not be up to this, feel free to leave at any time." Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Grantaire stand up, and Joly pull him back down.
"Very well. Until we receive word from one of our own, have a small drink. Only a small drink!"
He jumped down from the table he stood upon, and made his way through the sea of chaos to his friends.
"Marius, you're extremely late. What's wrong today?"
Joly looked at him. "You look as if you've seen a ghost."
"Perhaps a ghost. Ghosts are there one moment, and then vanish into thin air. Is it possible that a ghost can be so lifelike? So stunning?"
"Is it possible I heard you correctly?" asked Feuilly, who had joined them. "Can it be that our Marius has fallen in love at last?"
"We talk of battles and defending our freedom, and here Marius comes prancing in like Don Juan. I sure don't need to see an opera here in Paris when all I need is to look at Marius for entertainment!" laughed Grantaire.
"Marius, this is not the time, nor the place. Have you even seriously considered the cause we are fighting for? This must be some kind of game to you that comes as a university privilege."
"You don't understand, Enjolras! After you left, an angel came into my life. My life was changed instantly and for forever!"
"Marius!" yelled Enjolras, grabbing his friend by the shoulders. "You are not a child, and I sure as hell won't baby-sit you anymore! You must stand on your own two feet, and forget about this idiotic notion of 'love at first sight'! Our lives don't count one bit, but we can change that!"
In all the commotion, nobody saw or heard little Gavroche run in and start screaming. He jumped up onto the table that Enjolras had used.
"Listen to me! General Lamarque...is dead."
A sudden silence swept over the cafe. Enjolras turned around and spoke.
"This is the hour of fate. We waited for this sign, and now everything is clear! We will honor the people's man on his funeral day by defeating our enemies and winning the cause! We must take to the streets and let the people of Paris know! They must help us by joining the cause!"
With his last words, Enjolras picked up Gavroche and put him on his shoulders. The massive crowd of students who had assembled there followed him out of the cafe. When all had gone, Marius sat along, his thoughts on the girl without a name. The girl who had changed his life.
He then thought of Eponine. Had she found anything? Marius glanced at his watch and decided that it was far too late to do anything tonight. He would find Eponine in the morning, and then she would take him to the beautiful woman who stuck in his mind.
**************************************************************************
"Eponine! Are you alright?"
Marius had found Eponine sprawled out in a secluded corner and shook her awake.
"What the...oh! Marius," she yawned. "It's only you."
"What are you doing here? Of all places?"
"I was so tired last night." She then realized why she was in an alleyway far from the heart of town. "Marius," she said, her tone sad. "I found where she lives."
"Eponine! Really? Please, where does she live?"
"Rue Plumet. I'll show you."
Eponine stood up and walked somewhat slowly, with Marius half a step behind her. They walked down the row of grand houses until Eponine planted herself in front of number Fifty-Five. Marius looked at the house and back to Eponine.
"This is it?" She nodded.
Suddenly, the front door of the house swung open, and Eponine pulled Marius back behind the wall and out of sight.
"Don't let Cosette outside the garden, Isabella."
"Yes, Monsieur."
"I shall return shortly."
"Yes, Monsieur."
Eponine heard a key unlocking the gate. It then swung open and was closed again. The man relocked it once he was outside. She heard Marius breathe a curse as they watched the man walk away.
They sat against the wall nearly two hours waiting for some glimpse of Cosette. Unexpectedly, they heard voices once more.
"No further than the garden, Mademoiselle."
"I know, Isabella. Don't worry about me. I'll just be reading."
As soon as the door closed, Marius searched for a way to get inside the garden. He sprung up the garden wall with ease and without a sound. Eponine ran to the gate to see what had happened to Marius. He was walking towards the girl, who had her back to the gate and was reading her novel again.
Marius approached the girl, and stood baffled. What was he to say? He knew nothing of this girl, not even her name.
"Good morning, Mademoiselle."
The girl dropped her book as she spun around. She stood and backed away from him towards the house.
"I beg you," pleaded Marius. "I mean you no harm. We met just yesterday." He saw the girl study him closely. "I dropped my books in the square. My name is Marius Pontmercy. Might I know yours?"
The girl was hesitant at first, yet a smile adorned her lips as she cam closer to him. "Cosette. How did you find me? Why did you?"
"Love knows no boundaries and conquers all things, Cosette." He smiled and took her hands into his.
"Love? Could it be, Monsieur? I felt so foolish conceiving such thoughts of love at first sight, for I never believed in such things before."
"Come, my dearest. Monsieur is much too formal. My name is Marius." She smiled in such a way it left him speechless.
"I haven't a clue as to what to say to you."
"Then say nothing," whispered Cosette as she gently pulled his head towards her own.
Eponine turned her back to Marius and Cosette. She had brought Marius here to see him win a kiss? She would not, could not, bear it. She began to sob as she sat against the wall again.
'What's wrong with you? He was never meant to be your man, so stop bawling as you are. You may feel something for him, but he will never return your feelings.'
She looked at her ring and placed its hand on her stomach.
'It's better this way. I love 'Parnasse. I need his help to raise our child. I can't betray his trust anymore. Not if I want us to work.'
"Will you return?"
"Everyday."
Marius had made his way back over the wall and climbed down. He went to where Cosette stood.
"I cannot go through being without you for more than a day."
Marius kissed her hand. "You need not fear. Adieu."
He walked past where Eponine was sitting, forgetting her presence. Eponine wiped away her tears and went off in the opposite direction.
"You there," Cosette said spotting Eponine. "You're a friend of Marius', aren't you?"
"Yes I am," said Eponine as she turned.
"I have heard talk, much talk, of revolution from people in the streets. They say the students are organizing it."
"That is all true."
"Is Marius involved?"
"He is."
Cosette's hand shot to her mouth as she gasped. "You must promise me something, my friend. Do not let him fight."
"I cannot tell him that."
"He is the only one who matters to me now! If he is lost, my world will be as well."
"I will do what I can."
Cosette studied Eponine's face. "Do I know you?"
"No."
"I could swear we've met somewhere before."
"Perhaps in passing," lied Eponine.
"Perhaps. Adieu."
"Goodnight."
Eponine was filled with an unjustified anger. She knew that her feelings for Marius were a lost cause. Yet, she envied the girl, Cosette. She had been the luckier of the two. She had escaped the confinement of the Thenardiers while Eponine was forced to live among them. Cosette was living at Rue Plumet with a father who cared so much about her, he would not let her be one toe out of line. While Eponine's father did care, he was living out on the streets and never asked about his daughter, unless she had done some robbing that day.
Their lives had taken a sudden twist. Cosette, once the scullery maid, was now a beautiful girl with Paris at her every whim. Eponine, the spoiled brat, was now cold and alone with nothing going her way.
She hugged herself as she searched for a dry place to spend the night.
**************************************************************************
Hello everyone! I thought I've been pushing out chapter very efficiently considering my situation, (believe me, my situation is fun *mock smile*), yet I have been informed by my beta, who is also one of my best friends, (yes Jenna, I do love you. Mozzarella!) that one of my fellow classmates, not naming names, DANA, feels that I should post my chapters. Now, I don't blame her for being mad because I want new chapters on my favorite stories, too. But here's what I do daily: (just so you know what I do for you people :) )
6 AM- Wake up, get ready, go to school
8 AM - 2 PM- Participate in school like activities (except in Homeroom, Religion, Spanish, Computer class where I write a rough draft of my chapter)
2:01-8 PM- Leave school, get home, hop on computer, type and type and type and type and e-mail my beta and post
Usually I don't sleep until late, but I don't care. I'm engrossed in this story and one of the reasons why I'm pushing it out so fast is because I don't want to lose the plot line! (Another is because I have several more stories developing, but lets take this a step at a time :D)
So, unless its a weekend where I might push out 2 or 3 chapters, you'll probably only get one a night. Also, summer vacation is coming...so I'll be bored and have way too much time on my hands.
Thank you for listening to my stupid rants and raves. My insanity is far less interesting than my story, I think. (If you'd meet me, you'd wish you hadn't. People who know me know what I'm talking about ;) I love smiley faces, and I don't know why.)
Pain ran through Eponine from her head to her feet. She had been walking for what seemed like an eternity, but in actuality was only a little more than an hour. She had covered so much ground in such a short amount of time, yet she found nothing that led her closer to finding the mystery girl that was on Marius' mind. Only her love for Marius had brought her thus far, and she was willing to do it again if there was even a remote chance that she could win his favor.
She was about to turn around, find Marius, and tell him she had no energy left to look, until suddenly she remembered one place that she hadn't thought to look. She had never thought about Rue Plumet. All the rich, famous, and important people of Paris lived there. Her father wouldn't just steal off the average Pierre, so the man must have some standing, or money at the very least.
She had decided not to run anymore, and took to the sidewalk. As she approached the towering houses surrounded by gates and garden walls, the bells of Notre Dame rang six times. She started to peek through the bars of the gates for any sign of life.
"Cosette, my child. The hour grows late. It is time for rest."
"Just a moment, Papa? Just another few pages?"
"Alright. 15 minutes and not a second more," Valjean commanded.
Eponine followed the voices, for she remembered the name 'Cosette' from that afternoon. She found the house, and gripped the bars. She saw a young girl, about her age, sitting on a garden bench reading a novel.
Eponine took note of the address: Fifty-Five Rue Plumet. She kept saying it to herself as she resumed running. Then, she stopped. It was far too late and the girl was going inside. Eponine wouldn't find Marius tonight. The meeting was long since over, and all the students had probably all returned to have their suppers.
Eponine dragged herself into a hidden alleyway and stretched herself out. With one hand supporting her head and the other holding her stomach, Eponine fell asleep, dreaming of the one man whom she loved.
**************************************************************************
"Enjolras! I've just received word that the sections at Notre Dame are prepared," cried Combeferre running into the cafe.
"Another round, gentlemen?"
"Enough with the wine! Don't let it go to your head!"
Enjolras was furious. The students had been gathered since 5 o'clock, and not one thing had productively occurred. Marius hadn't even arrived yet, and Gavroche had disappeared to check with his source at the newspaper about things.
"Saint Antoine will match every man we have!" another student informed the crowd of students.
"Paris is coming to our side!" shouted Courfeyrac.
Enjolras saw Marius wander in and take a seat at a table with Grantaire and Joly.
"Friends! Listen to me and mark well my words! The army we will fight is a deadly foe to us! They outnumber us in men and in arms! We can sit here and crush them like bugs beneath our boots in our minds, but in reality, we will have a much harder struggle! Anyone who feels like they may not be up to this, feel free to leave at any time." Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Grantaire stand up, and Joly pull him back down.
"Very well. Until we receive word from one of our own, have a small drink. Only a small drink!"
He jumped down from the table he stood upon, and made his way through the sea of chaos to his friends.
"Marius, you're extremely late. What's wrong today?"
Joly looked at him. "You look as if you've seen a ghost."
"Perhaps a ghost. Ghosts are there one moment, and then vanish into thin air. Is it possible that a ghost can be so lifelike? So stunning?"
"Is it possible I heard you correctly?" asked Feuilly, who had joined them. "Can it be that our Marius has fallen in love at last?"
"We talk of battles and defending our freedom, and here Marius comes prancing in like Don Juan. I sure don't need to see an opera here in Paris when all I need is to look at Marius for entertainment!" laughed Grantaire.
"Marius, this is not the time, nor the place. Have you even seriously considered the cause we are fighting for? This must be some kind of game to you that comes as a university privilege."
"You don't understand, Enjolras! After you left, an angel came into my life. My life was changed instantly and for forever!"
"Marius!" yelled Enjolras, grabbing his friend by the shoulders. "You are not a child, and I sure as hell won't baby-sit you anymore! You must stand on your own two feet, and forget about this idiotic notion of 'love at first sight'! Our lives don't count one bit, but we can change that!"
In all the commotion, nobody saw or heard little Gavroche run in and start screaming. He jumped up onto the table that Enjolras had used.
"Listen to me! General Lamarque...is dead."
A sudden silence swept over the cafe. Enjolras turned around and spoke.
"This is the hour of fate. We waited for this sign, and now everything is clear! We will honor the people's man on his funeral day by defeating our enemies and winning the cause! We must take to the streets and let the people of Paris know! They must help us by joining the cause!"
With his last words, Enjolras picked up Gavroche and put him on his shoulders. The massive crowd of students who had assembled there followed him out of the cafe. When all had gone, Marius sat along, his thoughts on the girl without a name. The girl who had changed his life.
He then thought of Eponine. Had she found anything? Marius glanced at his watch and decided that it was far too late to do anything tonight. He would find Eponine in the morning, and then she would take him to the beautiful woman who stuck in his mind.
**************************************************************************
"Eponine! Are you alright?"
Marius had found Eponine sprawled out in a secluded corner and shook her awake.
"What the...oh! Marius," she yawned. "It's only you."
"What are you doing here? Of all places?"
"I was so tired last night." She then realized why she was in an alleyway far from the heart of town. "Marius," she said, her tone sad. "I found where she lives."
"Eponine! Really? Please, where does she live?"
"Rue Plumet. I'll show you."
Eponine stood up and walked somewhat slowly, with Marius half a step behind her. They walked down the row of grand houses until Eponine planted herself in front of number Fifty-Five. Marius looked at the house and back to Eponine.
"This is it?" She nodded.
Suddenly, the front door of the house swung open, and Eponine pulled Marius back behind the wall and out of sight.
"Don't let Cosette outside the garden, Isabella."
"Yes, Monsieur."
"I shall return shortly."
"Yes, Monsieur."
Eponine heard a key unlocking the gate. It then swung open and was closed again. The man relocked it once he was outside. She heard Marius breathe a curse as they watched the man walk away.
They sat against the wall nearly two hours waiting for some glimpse of Cosette. Unexpectedly, they heard voices once more.
"No further than the garden, Mademoiselle."
"I know, Isabella. Don't worry about me. I'll just be reading."
As soon as the door closed, Marius searched for a way to get inside the garden. He sprung up the garden wall with ease and without a sound. Eponine ran to the gate to see what had happened to Marius. He was walking towards the girl, who had her back to the gate and was reading her novel again.
Marius approached the girl, and stood baffled. What was he to say? He knew nothing of this girl, not even her name.
"Good morning, Mademoiselle."
The girl dropped her book as she spun around. She stood and backed away from him towards the house.
"I beg you," pleaded Marius. "I mean you no harm. We met just yesterday." He saw the girl study him closely. "I dropped my books in the square. My name is Marius Pontmercy. Might I know yours?"
The girl was hesitant at first, yet a smile adorned her lips as she cam closer to him. "Cosette. How did you find me? Why did you?"
"Love knows no boundaries and conquers all things, Cosette." He smiled and took her hands into his.
"Love? Could it be, Monsieur? I felt so foolish conceiving such thoughts of love at first sight, for I never believed in such things before."
"Come, my dearest. Monsieur is much too formal. My name is Marius." She smiled in such a way it left him speechless.
"I haven't a clue as to what to say to you."
"Then say nothing," whispered Cosette as she gently pulled his head towards her own.
Eponine turned her back to Marius and Cosette. She had brought Marius here to see him win a kiss? She would not, could not, bear it. She began to sob as she sat against the wall again.
'What's wrong with you? He was never meant to be your man, so stop bawling as you are. You may feel something for him, but he will never return your feelings.'
She looked at her ring and placed its hand on her stomach.
'It's better this way. I love 'Parnasse. I need his help to raise our child. I can't betray his trust anymore. Not if I want us to work.'
"Will you return?"
"Everyday."
Marius had made his way back over the wall and climbed down. He went to where Cosette stood.
"I cannot go through being without you for more than a day."
Marius kissed her hand. "You need not fear. Adieu."
He walked past where Eponine was sitting, forgetting her presence. Eponine wiped away her tears and went off in the opposite direction.
"You there," Cosette said spotting Eponine. "You're a friend of Marius', aren't you?"
"Yes I am," said Eponine as she turned.
"I have heard talk, much talk, of revolution from people in the streets. They say the students are organizing it."
"That is all true."
"Is Marius involved?"
"He is."
Cosette's hand shot to her mouth as she gasped. "You must promise me something, my friend. Do not let him fight."
"I cannot tell him that."
"He is the only one who matters to me now! If he is lost, my world will be as well."
"I will do what I can."
Cosette studied Eponine's face. "Do I know you?"
"No."
"I could swear we've met somewhere before."
"Perhaps in passing," lied Eponine.
"Perhaps. Adieu."
"Goodnight."
Eponine was filled with an unjustified anger. She knew that her feelings for Marius were a lost cause. Yet, she envied the girl, Cosette. She had been the luckier of the two. She had escaped the confinement of the Thenardiers while Eponine was forced to live among them. Cosette was living at Rue Plumet with a father who cared so much about her, he would not let her be one toe out of line. While Eponine's father did care, he was living out on the streets and never asked about his daughter, unless she had done some robbing that day.
Their lives had taken a sudden twist. Cosette, once the scullery maid, was now a beautiful girl with Paris at her every whim. Eponine, the spoiled brat, was now cold and alone with nothing going her way.
She hugged herself as she searched for a dry place to spend the night.
**************************************************************************
Hello everyone! I thought I've been pushing out chapter very efficiently considering my situation, (believe me, my situation is fun *mock smile*), yet I have been informed by my beta, who is also one of my best friends, (yes Jenna, I do love you. Mozzarella!) that one of my fellow classmates, not naming names, DANA, feels that I should post my chapters. Now, I don't blame her for being mad because I want new chapters on my favorite stories, too. But here's what I do daily: (just so you know what I do for you people :) )
6 AM- Wake up, get ready, go to school
8 AM - 2 PM- Participate in school like activities (except in Homeroom, Religion, Spanish, Computer class where I write a rough draft of my chapter)
2:01-8 PM- Leave school, get home, hop on computer, type and type and type and type and e-mail my beta and post
Usually I don't sleep until late, but I don't care. I'm engrossed in this story and one of the reasons why I'm pushing it out so fast is because I don't want to lose the plot line! (Another is because I have several more stories developing, but lets take this a step at a time :D)
So, unless its a weekend where I might push out 2 or 3 chapters, you'll probably only get one a night. Also, summer vacation is coming...so I'll be bored and have way too much time on my hands.
Thank you for listening to my stupid rants and raves. My insanity is far less interesting than my story, I think. (If you'd meet me, you'd wish you hadn't. People who know me know what I'm talking about ;) I love smiley faces, and I don't know why.)