Warning:IusetheactorsoftheLesMisérablesinConcert25thAnniversary.Yes,eventheJonasguy!Ican'thelpit,it'sthefirstLesMisérablesIreallypaidattentionto,andIjustcan'timaginesomeoneelseasMarius.InmyopinionhisweakervoicemakesMarius'characterevenbetter,seeingashe'skindofthekind/cuteguyinthestory.Anyway,ontothestory.
Disclaimer: I do not own Les Misérables.
Concrete Angel.
Chapitre Trois.
An annoyed Éponine made her way towards her first class when a vaguely known voice reached her ears. It made her squirm.
"Bonjour Mameselle." she heard Grantaire's voice beam as he came to walk next to her, hanging a nonchalant arm around her shoulders which she quickly pushed off.
He didn't seem to mind though as he kept in step with her.
"Bonjour Grantaire." she spoke, not slowing down.
"Oh come on not so distant." he said, pulling a fake pained face as he turned to walk backwards, facing her, gripping at his heart dramatically. "It's Jules for friends."
"Your friends just call you Grantaire if I remember correctly." she replied, trying not to laugh. She wasn't in a good mood, nor was she the laughing kind, but the way Grantaire skipped through the hallways, and his life at that, was amusing to watch.
"Maybe they just are not my friends." he tried, not able to keep a big, good-natured smile off of his face.
"We'll remember that." they heard another voice speak up.
At this Grantaire decided to turn around to watch the way he was headed to face the speaking boy.
"Oh come on Feuilly" Grantaire started "It's not like you want me to call your Marcel do you?"
Feuilly's eyebrow twitched at this, but next to him Courfeyrac stifled a laugh. In school every teacher called their students by their last name, so even close friends weren't used to hearing their best friends' first names, and thus they didn't only use them often themselves, but it was always funny to hear the real name of one so close to you. Especially if it was such a name that made the person in question blush.
"Shut it Courfeyrac." Feuilly shot back at the blonde.
"Sorry man." the said boy apologised before turning back to Grantaire. "Anyway why are you annoying the..." he then looked around.
"Wha-" Grantaire mumbled, looking around, slightly confused as to when Éponine got away from them.
Éponine sighed as she sat down in class. Dropping her head in her hands. How was she ever going to cope with them? Not only where they the most popular guys in school, but they were all from good, rich families...she shook her head. She refused to let that get to her. On the contrary she would get herself out of their club, so that they could not let her stay longer at school, and work for them. She would do it as soon as she'd talked to Anne about it. The poor girl may have a huge crush on the Joly guy, but that didn't concern her. She'd already been kind enough to go with her, getting herself into this predicament in the first place. She didn't need the extra work, nor did she care for their cause. They were always going on about human rights and how it should be dealt with from childhood, teaching the people what were their rights. Éponine refrained from snorting. She knew how strong rights were.
Her fists clenched as she tried to deny the whirlpool of horror in which she lived. What did the popular rich boys know anyway? What did they know about hunger? Or cold? Or pain? Sure, they all had their problems no doubt, but was life as hard on them as it was on her? Her nails dug deep into her palms as she clenched her hands to the fullest.
"So you're in my English class?" she suddenly heard a voice speak up. Looking up she saw a guy with a bright smile. He had light brown hair and light brown eyes which seemed to sparkle.
"And you are?" she asked, trying her best not to sound too harsh. She could do that to the Grantaire guy, he'd shrug it off anyway, but she had no idea how the curly haired boy in front of her would react.
"Guessed you wouldn't know my name." he countered easily, his smile never wavering. "A poet has to regard the scene from afar to see what others do not."
Éponine felt herself raise an eyebrow. She remembered hearing something of a poet among Les Amis. So it was this guy.
"Anyway." he continued. "My name is Prouvaire Jehan."
"Thénardier Éponine." she said taking his held out hand, blushing slightly as he placed a chaste kiss on top of it.
"Glad to make your acquaintance." he said. "I shall take my leave now." he announced as the bell rang. "I do not wish to anger the dragon that is our teacher."
Éponine had to fight back a smile at that comment. Many didn't like their English teacher, but to go as far as to call her a dragon...
No matter how much she didn't want to get them to her, Éponine had to admit that if she hadn't been this annoyed from the morning she'd rather enjoyed the way things were going. It never hurt to have more friends. Especially not when they were known all around the campus. On the contrary it would keep the unwanted ones at a distance.
As if on cue she felt his eyes in her back. He was in her English class too, but she never acknowledged him. On the contrary she'd try to ignore him as much as possible, trying to keep a low profile and rushing off the moment the bell rang. Which was a few minutes ago. Like a shadow she'd flung her bag over her shoulder and escaped the classroom before Montparnasse could come after her. It was partly because of his father that hers had become this bad. Not that her father was a saint, quite the contrary, but the fact that his father didn't shy away from a lie or two didn't make things any better for them. In the depths of her heart Éponine had to admit that she feared them. She would always stand her ground, but she knew, she knew that when things would go out of hand she didn't stand a chance. The bruises she'd already suffered in the past would be nothing compared to what would happen to her if such a thing came to pass. She shuddered as she quickly got herself to her next classes. In the back of her mind Éponine wondered. If she could become real friends with Les Amis...would he leave her alone then? She rather doubted it, but hope was something one had not much control over, and it was the only thing her parents nor her situation could take away from her.
"Hey, Éponine." she heard Pontmercy's voice, and a blush crept onto her face, and butterflies suddenly fluttered around in her stomach, despite her rotten mood.
"Bonjour Monsieur Marius." she spoke.
"Leave the Monsieur behind 'Ponine." he said, flashing her one of the smiles she adored.
Her blush deepened as he once more called her by her nickname. It was what Anne had scolded her for, telling her she mustn't be afraid to try to get closer to him when he still thought of her as a friend. Yet that was exactly what Éponine didn't want. She didn't want him to see her as a friend. He wanted to see her. She wanted his hand to take hers, fingers entwining as they'd walk alongside each other. She shook her head as she realised he was talking to her.
"'Ponine? Are you alright?" he asked, looking at her.
"W-what?" she asked, getting her feet back on the ground.
"I asked how you were doing?" he reminded her.
"Me? I'm fine." she replied mechanically. "And you? It's been a while since you lived next doors."
He smiled weakly. "Yeah, it really has been a while. Four years now if I remember it well."
"Five I think." Éponine spoke, correcting him.
"Really? It doesn't feel so long."
'Perhaps for you.' Éponine thought bitterly. She could clearly remember the day he left. Suddenly the grandfather with whom his parents had words with suddenly appeared. From then on out her world turned a shade darker. Her best friend gone after a month. And from that moment out things made a turn for the worst, getting her to the point where they were now. All minors, working their asses off for their parents.
"Well, anyway." he continued, taking her by the wrist to stop her in her tracks. "I'm glad you signed up for Les Amis."
Éponine nodded, the butterflies going haywire in her stomach. But in the back of her mind a thought whirled around, annoying as a bug.
'Didn't you notice I didn't really want to join?'
She pushed the thought back though. His smiling face was all she could think about, staring up at him in his chocolate eyes and dark curly hair. The place where he held her wrist felt warm, and she wanted nothing more than to put her own hand on top of his. To feel his soft hand under her calloused one.
But the moment passed by too soon, and he let go of her.
"Now I'm afraid I must hurry to class." he said with an apologising smile.
"Y-Yeah." she stuttered. "Me too."
"Let's meet up after class. You know where." he said before turning on his heel and entering the classroom where they'd stopped in their tracks.
'Yeah.' Éponine thought bitterly. 'I know where.'
Classes went by in haze from that moment out, though she still felt rather annoyed. Why she didn't know, but it had something to do with Les Amis. She had no time to spare and they'd dragged her into things she didn't want to have any part in. She grumbled mentally as she walked over to her locker. For once there were no people left. Normally she too would be gone by now, hurrying to pick up the children with Azelma. She got startled as a hand slammed against her locker right next to her head. Alarmed she turned around.
"Montparnasse." she sneered, eyes darkening.
"Bonjour mademoiselle." he said, voice dripping with venom. "Haven't seen you around a lot."
"Well, I'm busy, much as yourself."
He smirked at that. "Yeah, we do good business."
"Good for you." she replied, trying to end the conversation at that. Unluckily though, Montparnasse was either dense or didn't see their little conversation as ended. She knew it was the latter though she'd rather have it was the former.
"Something else?"
"Yeah. I said I haven't been seeing you around." he spoke, leaning closer to her.
"I know." Éponine replied, trying to keep the fearful feeling at bay. She couldn't show him any fear. He was like a wild animal, dominant. If he realised she was fighting her hardest not to try and run away she'd be his victim for the rest of her life. A prey which he'd eventually have.
"So...if you are capable of reading between the lines, I'd like to see you some more."
Éponine gritted her teeth. "I'm sorry, but I'm on a tight schedule." she regarded her watch. "Actually I have to be somewhere right now."
"Really?" he asked, raising a questioning eyebrow.
"Yes, really." Éponine replied, daring to turn around and close her locker, having taken everything she needed.
He looked at her through angry, yet amused eyes.
"So if you will excuse me." she spoke, ducking under his arm and walking away.
"See you later." he called after her.
She turned slightly. She couldn't anger him. He'd tell his father and his father would tell hers.
"Yeah, sure." And with that she made her way out of there.
"Éponine!" Anne exclaimed as she reached the staircase which would lead her up to the third floor. "Where were you?"
"Around." Éponine replied, calming her rapid heartbeat and trying to smile.
"Oh, okay." Anne said, slightly taken aback from the cool response she got. "Ready to go?"
"Yeah, but why haven't you gone on ahead?" Éponine asked.
At that Anne blushed a deep red. "I'm...It's...You know..."
Éponine resisted the urge to sigh. Her friend was smart, cute and kind, but she had no self-confidence whatsoever.
"No need to fuss." Éponine said. "We'll go up together."
"Thanks."
As soon as she opened the door Éponine stood face to face with an annoyed looking Enjolras. And that was what pissed her off the exact same moment. Who did he think he was, looking down on her like that?
"You're late."
"We know." she replied, putting her hands on her hips, looking him square in the eyes.
"Why?"
"None of your business."
"It is if you come too late for the meetings."
"Meetings?" Éponine asked, voice dripping with sarcasm which annoyed the raven haired boy in front of her.
Behind him Éponine heard someone stifle a laugh. By the looks of it, it was Grantaire. The boy just couldn't act normal could he? Though next to him, it seemed like Joly and Courfeyrac were having some trouble composing themselves as well.
Enjolras glared at the petite girl in front of him. She was a good head smaller than he was, too slim even for the 'popular' standards, had dark brown hair and coffee brown eyes that looked straight at him. Not a flicker of fear went through them as he hovered above her. This was somewhat a surprise for him. It happened often that girls tried to come and talk to him, but they were always chased off when he looked at them. His friends told him he shouldn't glare, then he'd retort that he just had a serious look and that he couldn't help it. Yet, this little creature in front of him didn't give a kick under his mental pressure which he knowingly sent to her. On the contrary she seemed to straighten up, as if she prepared herself for battle. Interesting.
"We're late because of me." a small voice interrupted his thoughts.
As if stung by a bee Éponine turned to see her friend, all nerves looking up at the 'fearful leader of Les Amis'.
Enjolras regarded the other girl that stood behind Éponine. She looked far more obedient than the other, and enormously easier to handle.
"Never mind. Don't let it happen again." he said, turning on his heel and walking over to the head of the big table that stood to the right side of the room.
Éponine glared at his back. He annoyed her from the minute she walked in. Who was he to say they were not to be late? It's not like they signed any...
'Oh right.' she thought. Once she stepped inside she looked around carefully. When she'd been there the day before she hadn't taken the time to look around. It was like any classroom. Big windows to the side which looked out to the outdoor basketball field, and windows that looked out to the hallways. There was a set of three old green sofa's in the left corner with against nearly every wall bookshelves filled to the brim with books, papers, and did she see a baseball glove?
Realising they were really waiting for them she quickly sat down next to Anne and Courfeyrac. The blonde guy looked at her, and she realised he still had the urge to burst out laughing, which was stopped by the stern look Enjolras gave him.
"Where's Marius?" Combeferre asked as he spotted an open seat.
"He's excused himself." Enjolras sighed.
'Wait? What?' Éponine thought. He'd told her to wait up for her here didn't he? And now he'd run off?!
"Anyway." Enjolras continued. "Let's get onto the business at hand." he looked at the two girls who, for the first time were gathered around his table. "Let's welcome our two new members."
At this Éponine and Anne received a small applause, and Éponine could feel Anne shrink next to her.
"Anne." Enjolras addressed the poor brunette who looked up rather shyly. "We'll be giving you some work afterwards."
She nodded to this.
"For the rest" he continued "We still have a ways to go to really get the teachers to listen to us and our intentions. For now they've only been giving us the most obnoxious of tasks, which we have yet to fulfil."
'Maybe if you did that first, then they might actually start listening.' Éponine thought bitterly, leaning her head onto her hand.
"Which brings us to the next task." Enjolras finished, nodding towards Feuilly who stood. "Now we have two more members to our group, we'd like you to take up your responsibility. For three years have we been trying to stand up for students when they were in trouble with teachers, other students or things outside of the building, yet there is still a way to go before they'll trust us. Seeing the school year just started off we'll be needing the new class lists as soon as possible, so that we know where to find who, etc..." He looked around at them. "For three years have we nine been responsible for all students, but as of today we'll be able to divide the work in eleven. For which I thank the two girls."
Anne nodded with a kind smile while Éponine just stared at him. The brown haired, chocolate eyed man gulped under her stare and continued explaining what it was they needed to do.
"So, anyone more ideas as to what we may do?" Enjolras finished Feuilly's speech. "Feel free to speak." he said, motioning for Anne and Éponine.
"Yeah, I have something." Éponine spoke, trying her hardest not to yell in frustration.
"Do tell."
"Can I go? I understand all the assignments I have to fulfil, and I'm on a tight schedule as it is."
Enjolras blinked. Tight schedule? He sighed, it was not like she signed in of her own accord. He glanced at Grantaire, who ducked away from his death glare. How in the world were they going to make things work with someone so uninterested in their cause?
"Alright." he sighed, looking at the rest of them of whom every student nodded. "You can go. Have your work done by next week."
"Sure thing." she said in a dark voice before standing and leaving the room under the eyes of everyone left in the room, trying to ignore the fearful glance Anne threw her. She couldn't dawdle any longer. In less than thirty minutes her shift at the diner would start. And anyhow, they'd taken enough time already, she didn't need to feel bad about it.
She did feel embarrassed when she thought back to all their faces during work. Every damned student there believed in what they were doing. And then she came, somehow making fun of it all and running off before all was discussed and finished. She knew from the rumours that they sometimes were present until late after school hours, doing stuff other than debate how to help students, but she'd run off in a rather mean way. She sighed, as she dried off the last dishes of the night. Somehow she couldn't calm down. From the moment she'd awoken she'd been touchy, on edge and annoyed, and she couldn't help it. But somehow deep inside, as she thought about Enjolras' reaction, she couldn't blame him in the slightest. He was a guy that went through a lot of trouble for even one student. He was passionate about law, and the rights even the youngest among them had, and she'd stepped on it. She nearly trampled it.
"Éponine?" her boss suddenly called out to her.
"Yes Madame Toulouse?" she asked.
"You seem a little tired. You can go home early if you wish. It's not like there are a lot of customers today."
"Are you sure?" Éponine asked. Though she wanted to get out soon, she wondered if it would be held off of her paycheck. Something she couldn't afford no matter how much she yearned to be freed from her daily activities.
"Yes, now go." Madame Toulouse spoke, nodding with a smile on her face. Though old, the woman had a smile that could brighten anyone's day, and Éponine was not different. A smile fought up its way to her face and she nodded.
"Thanks."
The night sky greeted her as she set foot out of the diner. The cold wind swept through her hair, wiping it out of her face and making a shudder go through her entire being. She loved the night. It brought peace, in a weird way. It was calm, soothing. Leading her bike by hand she walked. Though she knew she might regret not rushing home, she couldn't find the will to do so. Seeing Les Amis working, planning to do new things had touched her heart. And though she felt egoistic in their presence, she'd really enjoyed their time together. Her smile turned into a sad one. She knew she had to give up on Les Amis. She wouldn't be able to keep up working and attending to their meetings and doing what they did. It would tire her endlessly and she'd fall behind everywhere. With a sting in her heart, she decided to turn her back on the noble boys at the next meeting.
Hopeyoulikedthechapter.I'mnotentirelysurewherethestory'sgoingsoit'samusingtoseethestorydevelopinfrontofmyeyesasIwriteaway.It'spartlyannoyingthough,seeingthecharactersandthestorytendtomaketheirowndecisionsandmejustfollowingafterit,hopingIgettofitinthescenesIreallywantin." Stories...youcan'treallycontrolthema100%right?"