The next day, Jean sat next to Javert in one of the classes, and so did Fantine. This became a regular occurrence to them all for the next few weeks.

"Guess what?!" Fantine sat down across from them at the table one day. "My birthday is coming up! I'm going to have the best party ever!"

Jean grinned, "That's awesome! Mostly for my birthday, we light a candle and sing songs until I have to go to bed. We couldn't afford many presents. What about you Javert?"

Javert shrugged, "I usually just get a book or two."

"Well, there's going to be cake, so you should come to my party," Fantine said. "Favourite is bringing her friends, and boys. Boys have cooties."

"We do not! Girls have cooties!" Jean protested.

Jean and Fantine continued quietly arguing as class began. Eventually, they stopped and decided to pay attention.

At lunch, they sat on their hill and observed the other children on the playground. There was Jean's older sister, Jeanne. She was nice and sweet and took care of everyone. Her and her brother looked out for each other. There was Chenildieu, a small young boy who was very hyper. Brevet was silent and didn't say anything. Cochepaille was rather stupid. Simplice was a nice, sweet, honest girl that was good friends with Jean and Fantine, and acquaintances with Javert. Bamatabois and Fauchelevent were two big bullies. They both would bully Fantine and Jean. The older kids consisted of Favourite, Dahlia, Zéphine, Félix, Listolier, Fameuil, and Blachevelle. Sometimes Fantine would play with them, but other times she would still hang out with Jean and Javert.

"Oh no," Fantine said, looking over to where a large group was gathered.

"What are they doing?" Javert said, getting up at once. The three of them hurried over to the group.

Bamatabois was insulting and yelling at little Simplice. Simplice, being nice, didn't want to do anything bad, so she just stood there, tears streaming down her face.

"We have to stop it!" Jean cried out. He and Javert pushed their way forward.

"Stop!" Javert cried out, pushing his way in between Bamatabois and Simplice. Jean, however, chose another path as he punched Bamatabois in the face.

"Don't you dare bully her ever again!" Jean cried out. Bamatabois cried out and clutched his eye.

"Mr. Myriel, Jean hit me!" he whined.

Mr. Myriel, a very nice old man frowned as he rushed over there, "what happened?"

Fantine stepped forward, "Bamatabois was bullying Simplice; so Javert and Jean stood up for her."

"Ah, I see," Mr. Myriel said. "Well, although standing up for people is important, using violence is frowned upon. Bamatabois, you get a detention for bullying, and I would like to speak with you and your parents later. Jean, I also want to speak to you and your parents, since violence is not the answer. The rest of you are free to go."

Jean and Bamatabois reluctantly followed Mr. Myriel into the school. Jeanne sighed and hurried in after her brother.

Javert frowned, "He's in trouble," he referring to Jean.

Fantine nodded and then went off to comfort Simplice.

The next day, Jean and Bamatabois weren't in school. Javert went over to talk to Jeanne, who was talking with her friends.

"He got suspended," Jeanne said. "For a few more days. Right now, he's helping our dad, while he's at work."

"I hope he comes back soon," Fantine said in a small voice, as Javert nodded.