Maybe if he hadn't complained so much to Courfeyrac about being stressed at work he wouldn't be sitting in the diner right now. Maybe if she hadn't refused to stop watching The Breakfast Club on a loop after her latest breakup she wouldn't be writing Combeferre off as a traitor right now. But as chances would have it Enjolras and Eponine are ditched at a filthy 50's style diner in downtown Chicago; their respective 'friends' having made excuses to leave as soon as they had arrived.
"It was a trick," Eponine says, tearing her paper napkin into little pieces under the table. She can't believe she was fooled so easily.
"This is supposed to be a date," Enjolras agrees matter-of-factly.
"I can't believe he did this!"
"Nor I. I'm not sure what point this is supposed to serve"
"I'm Eponine by the way"
"Enjolras" They both shift a little, wondering if they should shake hands. The moment sticks in the air; the awkwardness doesn't pass until Eponine speaks again.
"How do you know Courf?"
"Freshman year roommates. How do you know Combeferre?"
"He lives in the apartment next to mine. I've locked myself out too many times. Do you think they're watching us right now?" Eponine looks around, pressing her head to the window to see if they're lingering down the street.
"I don't see them," Enjolras says, looking around as well.
"I'm sorry this is so awkward. I don't really want to date anyone right now"
Enjolras looks relieved, "Me either" He fidgets with the salt shaker, unsure what else there is to say now that they're on the same page. "What do you want to do? I mean now that they're gone and we don't know each other, this is kind of weird" He asks.
"Do you want to get back at them?"
Enjolras thinks of Courfeyrac's smug face when he left the diner, complaining about a test he forgot to study for. "God, yes"
"What should we do?"
"Something big" Enjolras hands his menu back to a passing waitress without looking at it. "Coffee, please. Black."
"The same," Eponine says. When the waitress returns with their coffees they both have yet to come up with something. "We could prank them Russian-style?" Eponine suggests, "Move some of the things in their houses around a little bit so that they become paranoid that someone has been there. It'll drive them insane eventually"
"Too drastic. You're on the right track, but we need a punishment to fit the crime"
"We could send them love letters and make them think that they have a secret admirer?"
"Too immature. Besides, they'd figure it out right away" Enjolras sips his coffee and drums his fingers on the table.
"What if we break up?" Eponine asks slowly.
"We're not dating-" Enjolras begins to say. His eyes grow wide with the realization of what she means. He shakes a finger at her, "Oh yes! Yes, that'svery good! We pretend that their plan to get us to date each other worked and then we have the biggest break up in the history of break ups"
"They'll feel terrible. It's perfect"
"We'll have to do it slowly. Courfeyrac will never believe it if I fall head over heels for you right away."
Eponine gives him a face. "Why? Is there something wrong with me?"
"It's not that it's just," Enjolras pauses trying to choose his next words carefully, "I've never been in a proper relationship before."
"You're a virgin," Eponine concludes with a smirk. Enjolras can feel his face heating up.
"I've never been in a situation to date someone."
"That's hard to believe, blondie."
"It's not that I haven't been asked! I just don't find the appeal."
"Well Combeferre will be pleased as punch if I start a relationship slowly, so I guess that's fine. I don't want this to drag out too long though."
"Agreed. Just long enough to make them believe the break up."
Eponine downs her coffee and pulls out her phone to check the time. "I've actually got to go to work soon. I want to talk about this more though."
"And I have to get to class. Can I get your number so that we can meet up later?"
"Of course. I get off at eight tonight and I don't work tomorrow."
"Where do you work?" Enjolras asks while Eponine types her number into his phone.
"It's a little consignment shop on the lower west side."
"I'll text you so that you have my number and then you can send me the address. I'll pick you up around eight?"
"Can't wait," Eponine says, picking up her bag. When she hands him his phone back she leans in and kisses his cheek. "See you later, Enjy," she says with a wink.
She's not a block away when Enjolras texts her.
Hey, it's Enjolras.
hey cutie, miss me already? come c me 2nite! i get done w work at 8, she types back quickly, wondering briefly if she's coming on too strong. She's not sure what 'slow' entails. None of her former lovers ever cared about 'slow' and she doesn't know if she'll be able to play her part convincingly.
He sends her the praying hands emoji and she sends back the puppy dog emoji and the winking face blowing a kiss. She feels like a dumb middle school girl texting her crush but decides it's for the best. If this is what slow is, then she's game. She screenshots the texts and sends them to Combeferre followed by several exclamation points. Already they're off to great start.