Marius met Eponine outside her history lecture.
"Eponine, guess what?" He cried.
"What?" She laughed, she hardly ever saw him so excited.
"I just had a whole free period and I spent the entire hour with Cosette!" He exclaimed.
Eponine's face fell, "oh. What happened?"
"Well... We kissed." Marius said shyly.
"You did?! So are you too...?" She hesitated.
"A couple now. Yes we are." He beamed widely, completely oblivious to how much this hurt Eponine.
"I'm very happy for you." She whispered.
"Are you okay Eponine? You're very pale." He looked concerned and his caring nature killed Eponine.
"I have a little headache." Eponine said weakly.
"You should get some rest. Here I'll walk you to your flat." He offered. He wrapped a protective arm around her and hurried her to her flat. Once inside he helped her into bed and made her a hot cup of tea.
"I hope you feel better soon. I wish I could stay here with you but I have another lecture." He said regretfully.
"That's okay. I'll be fine. Don't you fret Marius." Eponine smiled. His kindness and care had been enough medicine for her. He smiled and slipped out the door with one more glance. Eponine took a deep breath and one moment to compose herself before she could dissolve into a mess of tremulous, heart churning sobs and tears.
Marius was so gentlemanly and caring. And he and Eponine were so close. She didn't know how she could ever forget about him. And the way he had taken care of her, his arm around her shoulders; in Eponine's eyes, that was how it should be.