Chapter 1: The Introduction

Eighteen-year-old Eponine Thenardier walked down the long hallway of East Lansing High School towards her French 1 class with Mademoiselle Le Chance in the language wing. Eponine smiled at the teacher as she walked in.

"Bonjour, you must be Eponine Thenardier. Please have a seat anywhere," Eponine slid into a seat in the front row and turned to the girl sitting on her left and said,

"My name's Eponine, what's yours?"

"Elizabeth, but everyone calls me Liz," said the girl.

"Do you want to get together after school today to do homework?" asked Eponine. Liz shook her head and said,

"I can't. I'm babysitting and then I'm going to the movies with my family. I'm really sorry, Eponine." Class started and Liz and Eponine became inseparable. They had two other classes together and the same lunch.

It was after school and Eponine was walking towards the inn her parents owned when she heard somebody call her name. Eponine turned around to see her friend, Marius and his friends come running towards her.

"Hey Eponine," said Marius after he had caught his breath.

"Hey Marius," said Eponine.

"Where are you going?" asked Joly.

"Home," said Eponine.

"Oh. Are you trying out for the fall play?" asked Enjolras.

"No. I'm not into acting really," said Eponine.

"I'm trying out for the lead," said Sentry snobbishly.

"Good for you, Sentry. Listen you guys, I need to go home. If I'm not home soon, my parents will blow a fuse. You can talk to me tomorrow, 'kay?" said Eponine. She waved goodbye to Marius and his friends and continued on her way. She reached the inn twelve minutes later.

"Hello?" called out Eponine.

"Hello, Eponine," came M'sieur Thenardier's cheery voice. Eponine smiled at her dad and went to her room. Azelma, Eponine's younger sister, walked into her room two minutes later.

"Azelma!" Eponine exclaimed. "I have homework to do! Beat it!"

"Fine!" Azelma stormed out of the room. Eponine rolled her eyes and turned on her computer. There was a message from Marius waiting for her on the screen.

MAR297: Hey Eponine!

EPO743: Hello Marius.

MAR297: The guys and I are going out for ice cream at Tom's Ice Cream Palace. Wanna come?

EPO743: Oh, I wish I could, but I have homework to do. Why don't you hang out with Cosette or someone else?

MAR297: Cosette's at a different school, plus we broke up.

EPO743: You guys broke up?! What happened?
MAR297: We decided it would be better if we saw other people since we're not going to the same high school. Hey, you're not seeing anyone right now, right?

EPO743: No, and Marius, I just like you as a friend, nothing more. I have to study for my math quiz tomorrow. See you in choir.

MAR297: Oh, well good luck on your quiz tomorrow.

EPO743: Thanks, Marius. Catch you on the flip side.

As soon as Eponine was logged off with Marius, an IM from Liz appeared on the screen.

HRSEGRL3: Hey Eponine! It's Liz.

EPO743: Hey Liz. What's up?

HRSEGRL3: Would you like to come horseback riding with me on Thursday after school?

EPO743: Can I get back to you on that? I think I might be busy on Thursday, I'm not sure yet.

HRSEGRL3: Um, sure. Whose that blond-haired blue eyed cutie that I've seen you talking to?

EPO743: He's my friend, Marius.

HRSEGRL3: Oh, is he single?
EPO743: I beg your pardon?

HRSEGRL3: Is – he – sin – gle?

EPO743: Yes –er – I mean no.

HRSEGRL3: He's not?

EPO743: No, I'm his girlfriend.

HRSEGRL3: Oh, you are so lucky!

EPO743: His friend, Enjolras, is looking for someone. I have an idea: how about the four of us go on a Double Date sometime? Wouldn't that be fun?
HRSEGRL3: I don't know, Eponine.

EPO743: Enjolras is such a nice guy, so I'm sure you'll like him.

"Eponine! Dinner's ready!" called Mademoiselle Thenardier from downstairs.

EPO743: I've gotta go now, Liz.

HRSEGRL3: Okey-dokey, then. See you tomorrow!

Eponine turned off her computer and went downstairs to dinner.

It was after dinner and Eponine was back on-line, Instant Messaging Marius.

EPO743: Hey, Marius.

MAR297: Hey 'Ponine. How's the studying going?

EPO743: Fine. Do you still want me to be your girlfriend?

MAR297: Uh, sure.

EPO743: Is Enjolras still looking for a girlfriend?
MAR297: Actually, he is.

EPO743: Meet me in front of the lunchroom right after third period tomorrow, and bring Enjolras with you.

MAR297: Ok...ay.

EPO743: Great! See you then!

MAR297: Okay.

Eponine shut off her computer and climbed into bed. As soon as her head hit the pillow, she was out like a light.