My hands were cold in Gerald's grasp. The cast raised their arms and bowed down to the anonymous standing ovation.

Another successful performance was created.

I was fifteen, like I said. I was young and full of youth. But I was shoved into the adult world for my talent.

Gerald and I entered backstage again with him still grasping my hand. He kissed it softly. Gerald had no affections for me whatsoever. And no, he is not my Marius. He was nice to me, put his arm around me a lot and knew so much of my secrets like I knew his. And one of his secrets was that, he's gay.

Yet knowing this fact of his homosexuality, I blushed at his action. Hopefully it didn't show through my make-up. God, how I hated make-up.

"It's 4:30." my sweet friend said.

I replied perhaps in an exhausted manner, "I know. So what?"

He gave me that look. That look that seemed to say I knew something and was pretending to not know it.

"The party?" he asked.

"What party?"

"Seto Kaiba's party. Don't try to pretend with me."

"Damn it, Gerald, you know I hate these parties."

And I truly did. Sometimes, these rich businessmen held a party with the people who worked for a famous play. Our Les Miserables was a smash hit in this town. Of course, it was mainly business and high society and all.

It may be hard for you to believe, but everyone who helped with creating this play are all well off people. Some weirdo thought it a great idea to hire the best people to create Les Miserables.

These parties, were all boring. And what was I to do there? I don't even know a thing about this host except that he owns this honking huge dueling company.

Gerald gave me his version of the 'puppy-dog-eyes' look.

"Fine, but you have to promise me a great time, there." I said.

"Just dress to impress and I'll guarantee you that." He told me.

"That always doesn't work out for me, Gerald."

"Don't worry, if some guy is infatuated by your charms, I'll do the 'I'm- your-boyfriend' act. Jerry likes to hear me yap about them."

Jerry was Gerald's boyfriend.

"Okay, pick me up, then in time for the party."

"I'm expecting you, Ponine."

He liked to say my name without the 'E'. He was the only one who did. I checked the clock. The party was at six; I had better change and get ready. All this make-up was hard to remove.

***

I wore a very light pink torn chiffon dress that reached barely under my knees. My feet were accessorized with a pair of shiny pink pumps, not the ones that covered your entire foot. I also had to wear those annoying stockings. My hair was styled to loosely curl. My hair was actually wavy in a sort of unruly way in reality but I've decided to fix it.

Did I wear make-up? Yes. I hate make-up but it was proper. I lined my eyes like they did in the sixties and blended the coral crème shadow on my eyes. I slicked on some sweet pink lipstick and a clear gloss. I then dusted my face with some powder. Before leaving the bathroom, I lightly dabbed on some perfume.

I examined myself in the mirror. Everything I was wearing was very costly from my lipstick to my stockings.

I didn't look my age.

But I was used to dressing up by now. My mother always made sure that I wore good quality designer clothes.

Sometimes Gerald and I would secretly shop. We'd get stuff from street stalls, second hand shops and whatever. We ripped, sew, dyed, painted and did whatever we could possibly do to create new clothes.

The doorbell rang; there was my 'date'.

***

The house was magnificent.

A man in a suit who wore sunglasses escorted Gerald and me. I didn't like this 'security person'. Gerald could tell that I had second thoughts about this party. He squeezed my hand.

We entered a ballroom with a balcony. On the balcony a band played classical music. I recognized the songs that I played on the piano.

Some people were dancing, some were engaging in a conversation with drinks in their hands.

A waiter offered Gerald and me some drinks. I barely drank at my age but at parties, I'd take sips. Gerald was older than me and more used to these things. He knew what kind of drinks would make me puke.

He passed me an elegant wine glass with some white whine in it. I sipped. It was wonderful.

I saw some vases with roses in them and an ice sculpture shaped like the Blue Eyes White Dragon. The roses were all creamy white.

Gerald had disappeared for some reason. I eyed a white rose and couldn't stand the beauty of it. I touched its soft petals with my fingertips.

"A Rose in Misery!"

I jumped; someone had boomed his voice behind me. I spun around to find a boy with white hair.

He smiled at me. He seemed friendly. "My name is Ryou." He said.

I opened my mouth to introduce myself but he cut in.

"No need to tell me your name, I know you. You're Eponine. Of course that would be a lie since I didn't really read the play's program. What is your real name?"

I smiled, knowing he won't believe me, "Eponine, my name is Eponine."

"Christ, you must be joking."

"No."

"Do you loathe your name?"

I produced a little laugh and took a sip of whine still keeping my smiling eyes at him. I haven't flirted for ages.

"No, I don't loathe my name, Ryou. I love it. It feels like destiny."

Little did I know that my name was a curse.

Ryou continued the conversation and was undeniably, flirting back.

"So, Eponine, am I your Marius?"

I saw Gerald coming towards me and he held my hand. I took his hand as well and answered Ryou's question.

"Sorry, Ryou, but I already have a Marius." Indicating to Gerald.

This was a subtle joke, maybe because Gerald played Marius.

Ryou must've been one of those people who could smell a homo because he instantly knew Marius was one. He didn't say anything but I saw it in his eyes.

Ryou looked at Marius and asked if I he could dance with me. Gerald couldn't care less.

He took my hand in his and we made our way to the dance floor. He looked into my eyes and then pulled me closer that my view was the sight over his shoulder.

I asked him, "Ryou, what are you doing in this party?"

Ryou answered, "I'm a duelist. Kaiba invites duelists too."

Somehow, the song began to become too long for me. I started to look around. Someone caught my attention.

I remember the way he was exactly.

He was standing next to the ice sculpture with a drink in his hand. He was wearing a clothes the exact same hue as the roses. He almost seemed part of the beautiful decoration. He was beautiful. I thought he must've been a model.

But there was something about his icy stare that made him seem elusive. I was infatuated. I imagined running my fingers into his brown hair.

My trance ended when Ryou snapped me out of it without even knowing. For a second I felt ashamed of admiring another man while I was in the arms of one.

I excused myself from Ryou and made my way back to Gerald trying to forget about the handsome stranger.

"Someone looks dreamy." Gerald teased.

"Shut up." I said.

"So, did he ask for your number? Ryou?"

"No."

"He's obviously interested."

"Is he?"

"Ponine, don't tell it isn't obvious."

"Well, he was okay."

"You are such a flirt."

"Tell me the last time I flirted."

"Long, long ago."

"Exactly, this party is just what I needed."

"You never really flirt. You're not a flirt."

"I know. There was something about Ryou."

"Are you in love?"

"No, of course not."

"You should try it."

"Well, actually I think I may be."

"With Ryou?"

"No, see that man standing by the ice sculpture?"

"No. . ."

"Shit, he's gone."

Gerald looked at me curiously and asked, "Since when did you start believing in love at first sight?"

"Since now." I replied.

I didn't know what it was but for some strange reason, I wanted to have some 'me' time. That meant without Gerald.

I walked away slowly and into the garden where the party continued. There were bushes of beautiful white roses. I went over and touched one again. This time, another voice made me jump.

"The roses are very sensitive. They'll rot when touched."

This voice made goose bumps rise in me. This voice was cold and strong. I turned around to see him. It was the handsome stranger.

"Oh, of all my years of loving roses, I never knew that."

He smiled at me, but it was more of a smirk. This made me blush, which made him, smirk even more.

"How do you like the party?" he asked.

"It's quite entertaining, thank you."

"You're one of the play people aren't you?"

"Yes, thanks for labeling me into a category."

"You singing was good, I should've hired you to sing for my party."

I wanted to die.

This BOY here was Seto Kaiba?

HE was Seto Kaiba?

Dear lord, he looked too young to own a company.

All I could give him was a nervous smile.

"It's quite interesting seeing duelists and actors get together. It was instant chemistry between you and Ryou." He said. That lovely smirk was still on his face.

"Yes, socializing isn't really my thing is it?" I said this thinking he was being sarcastic.

"You seem to be socializing well with me." He said. When was that smirk ever going to disappear, it was making me more and more attracted to him.

"Eponine, will you do me a favor?" he asked.

"Anything." I answered like a passionate lover.

"Will you please bring this note to that lady over there sitting on the bench alone." He slipped into my hands a folded piece of paper.

"Sure" I whispered.

I made my way to her. She was beautiful all dressed in white. There was something about her eyes. They looked as if everything she saw through them wouldn't be compared to her beauty. She looked kind. She looked like the angel I've always wanted to be.

I handed her the note with no words escaping form my mouth. She looked puzzled at first but then opened it.

She blushed so innocently I felt like a dirty tramp next to her.

She thanked me and we exchanged names before she headed of to Seto.

I had found my Cosette. But sadly, I had found my Marius.