The Decade
Disclaimer: Nothing. I own nothing.
When Amelie finally arrives at her son's school she is fifteen minutes late.
She may have been on time if she hadn't had to pull over, cry and then fix her makeup. She had really thought that she'd gotten it right this time, that Enjolras was the one for her, her 'Meant to Be' but things just weren't turning out nearly as well as she had hoped things would.
Once, just once, she wishes things would turn out her way.
By the time she reaches the classroom she's twenty minutes late.
She hears laughter coming from within it so she thinks that maybe there are other kids still waiting to be picked up too and she isn't such a bad parent after all, but when she turns into the room, she's rewarded with the sight of Eponine playing with Sebastian.
The two are hula hooping and whereas Eponine is managing to do pretty well, Sebastian is having some trouble, not that he minds. As soon as the hoop drops, he just picks it right back up. Eponine is telling him to, "Swivel your hips! Like a hula dancer! Like me!" He simply laughs, eyes riveted on her frame because she's got a lei on, a flower in her hair and a grass skirt on over her pants; and she's acting like she's doing the hula. Her eyes are lit up with laughter, her cheeks pink from the exertion and she looks genuinely happy.
Amelie, on the other hand, swallows hard. It's not hard to imagine Enjolras sitting on a chair and cheering them on or having fun right there along with them. She doesn't even have to close her eyes.
They would be the perfect family.
The thought sickens her.
Even though she's standing in the doorway neither of them see her, it's like her son doesn't even need her, like he would be happy if his teacher were his mother. In fact, they don't notice her until she's standing right in front of them, clearing her throat. It's only then that Sebastian yells, "Mommy!" As he rushes to her.
"Hey buddy," She says, picking him up and tossing him in the air, and this time when he squeals with laughter it's because of her and that gives her a feeling of satisfaction, but it doesn't erase the hurt she still feels, "Sorry I'm late, traffic was crazy."
"It's fine," Eponine says with a smile as Sebastian is trying to tell her how awesome his teacher is and all that they did in class today.
Amelie bites her lip, she wishes Eponine weren't so nice, she wishes the girl was mean. It would be so much easier to hate her that way, and even though she's mad at Enjolras, somehow she can't be mad at this woman who takes time out of her own day to care for a kid that's not even hers. She could probably hand Sebastian over to the secretary or something, but instead, entertains him in a familiar environment.
When she stands in comparison to Eponine, Amelie sees herself as the 'other woman' even though the other woman should be the teacher because although Amelie's fought with Enjolras, the two are still together, so why does she feel this way? Why does she feel inferior to her?
Is it because Eponine willingly lets her be with the man she loves even though she loves him as well? Even though she probably has more of a claim to his heart than Amelie herself will ever have?
What is it about this woman?
It drives her crazy.
"Thank you," She says, hoping she can convey everything she's feeling in these two words, hoping that Eponine will understand and accept her thanks.
"Oh, it was no big deal! Trust me, you aren't the only one who's ever late. This is actually the second time this week I've had to stay after class," She says with a laugh as she brushes off Amelie's thanks.
She sees it for what it is, catches all that Amelie addresses but doesn't call attention to it other than offering the blonde woman a sincere smile so that she doesn't feel embarrassed.
They part ways in the parking lot, "Bye Sebastian! Don't forget, tomorrow's the day you get to bring your project home!"
Eponine leaves with a wave and Amelie turns to her son, "Project?"
"It's a secret," He whispers with a huge grin on his face.
"Alright then," She says, getting him into his car seat, "I won't tell you my secret either."
"Mommy," He starts, in a serious tone that has her stopping and looking at him, "I think everyone knows you're bad at secrets."
She pretends to be outraged, but knows it's true, "You take that back!"
"No!"
"Take it back or I'll tickle you!"
"Never!"
"You asked for it!"
As Eponine drives by Amelie's parking spot, she feels a pang in her chest. She remembers when Gavroche was small enough where she could hold him down and tickle him senseless and the joy she sees in Amelie's face as she's having fun with her child makes Eponine long for one of her own.
Dear Enjolras,
Gavroche is graduating today and I swore up and down to him that I wouldn't be the embarrassing sister, but let's face it, I'm going to be the embarrassing sister.
I hope I don't start crying...again...
He just looks so grown up!
"Are you ready?" Combeferre whispers.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Courfeyrac moans.
"Do you remember the plan?"
"Does it look like I remember the plan?"
"Err...no, not really."
"Well I do." He really doesn't want to be here.
Combeferre raps on the door twice and waits for Eponine to answer, praying she's home because neither of them want to resort to Plan B which is breaking and entering.
She answers the second time he knocks.
"Can I help you?" She asks cautiously, wondering what the two of them are doing outside of her door.
"Can we come in?" 'Ferre asks, "We want to tell you something."
She opens the door wider, allowing the two access to her apartment, although skeptical of their true intentions.
They enter and the first thing they notice is that she's got a bowl of spaghetti, a blanket and a chick flick paused on the television; turning around they can see that she's already in her pajamas.
"Sit," She says, motioning to the room in general and takes a seat on the couch in front of her food.
"Eponine?"
"Yes?"
"You do realize it's only six-thirty."
"And?"
"And why are you in your pajamas watching...is that The Notebook?" Courf asks.
"Hey, I don't judge you, you don't judge me. Got it?" She gives the boy a glare and he shrinks back with a small nod, "Good. Now why are the two of you here?"
"Well I wanted to talk to you. About Enjolras." 'Ferre states, pretending to be fearless.
Both boys take a seat beside her and she raises a brow, indicating that he should go on while she picks up her bowl and eats a forkful of her food; wondering if they're going to tell her about their big plan.
"Actually, first, can I go to the bathroom?" Courf asks, looking uncomfortable and wiggling around a little.
'Ferre rolls his eyes and whacks his friend, "I told you to go before we left!"
"I didn't have to go then!"
They squabble amongst themselves as Eponine watches in amusement. She'd forgotten how much fun they could be, "Ladies, ladies!" She finally calls, growing tired of their bickering, "Courfeyrac, go pee-"
"Thank you, fair maiden! This boon will not be forgotten!" He exclaims, rushing to his feet.
"Right," Eponine says, drawing out the word as she eyes Courfeyrac, wondering if maybe Combeferre got in a whack on the head while she wasn't looking, "Just please, don't miss the toilet. If I find one drop of pee anywhere it's not supposed to be, I will ensure you never have full use of that baby maker of yours. Ever. Again."
He gulps and nods quickly, before following her directions to the bathroom.
As soon as he's gone, Eponine turns to Combeferre, "You. Speak."
"Right, so we aren't going to wait for Courf to come back?"
"Nope, things are quicker this way. He'll join the conversation when he comes back."
"Eponine!" The boy comes back around the corner not a second later, exclaiming, "You're bathroom is so cool! You've got, like, a toilet seat cushion! 'Ferre why don't we have one of those?" He asks his roommate before rushing back in the direction of the bathroom.
"I think he may be awhile," Combeferre says slowly.
"I think he's insane," Eponine states matter-of-factly.
'Ferre nods, "Anyway. Listen, about the thing that we did, years ago. With you and Enjolras."
"What about it?"
"We thought we were doing the right thing at the time, but we were wrong. I'm sorry Eponine."
The girl sighs, "It wasn't all your fault, I mean, I did do what I did, you know? I don't blame you. Any of you."
"Why not?"
"We were all drunk or hung over, confused, angry. Everything was tense anyway, something was bound to happen."
Combeferre nods, remembering that summer, remembering how that party was a way for them all to come back together, they'd been drifting apart throughout the year, and would be spread all over as soon as school started.
Ironically the party had forced them farther apart than any conflicting interests or distance from each other could ever do.
"You know, we haven't really talked...since then. Not just you and me, but, like, everyone."
"You and I," Eponine mutters, absentmindedly.
"Always the grammar freak," He says with a smile as she just rolls her eyes.
She knows what 'Ferre is doing now, he's trying to rekindle their friendship, something he might have to do for his killer plan; and although she doesn't approve of his plan, because of the people it will hurt, she knows that he thinks he's doing the right thing.
"Shut up, 'Ferre."
"But, seriously, Eponine, I'm sorry."
They continue their conversation until Courfeyrac has been gone so long, they get up to look for him.
Dear Enjolras,
Hey.
It's not 'Ponine. It's me, Gav. I bet you could tell with the handwriting, huh? My sister always has to write perfectly, doesn't she?
Anyway, she doesn't know that I found this stack of letters for you (stacks, really), but I think that you're helping her so maybe you could help me?
I just want her to be happy again. I want to see her laugh and smile and be free like she was when she was with you.
I mean, well, she's been happy, like, for others, but not really for herself.
Will you please help her? It would be an amazing birthday gift. You owe me a few of those, you know.
Thanks,
Gavroche.
P.S. This is so weird. It's like you're dead or something.
Courfeyrac is hunting through Eponine's room, trying to be extra careful. If anything's out of place that crazy witch will know and be on him in ten seconds with her broom and evil spells, he shudders just thinking about it.
"Now, if I were a bunch of letters where would I be?"
He checks in her dresser drawers and finds nothing but a pair of handcuffs that he immediately pretends like he never saw.
He checks in the closet where he finds enough pairs of shoes for every homeless person in the world, but there are no letters there either.
"Under the bed!"
He finds boxes; there are three of them.
Grabbing the first one, he opens it to find stacks of paper.
Quickly leafing through them he finds that they're all to Enjolras.
The other two are the same.
Obviously the mission has to be aborted, he can't take a picture of thousands, millions of these! So he only takes a picture of one, knowing that he's running out of time, and quickly heads back to the bathroom with enough time to flush, wash his hands, and exit to see Eponine and Combeferre standing there.
Eponine looks questioning while 'Ferre just looks relieved to see him actually in the bathroom.
"What took you so long?" She demands.
"I couldn't go pee with that duck picture staring at me," He says, pointing to the soap which has the picture of a rubber ducky on it, "I have stage fright." At her look he insists, "It's a thing!"
"You're insane."
"Yeah well, takes one to know one!" He replies, childishly.
She just rolls her eyes, "So are you two planning on staying here indefinitely or can I get back to my movie?"
"Were you always this rude, Pony?" He asks.
"Don't call me that!" She yells, punching him in the arm.
"Owe, 'Ponine, you know I'm bad with pain."
"Then I suggest you exit my apartment stage left."
"Right. It was nice seeing you again." He says, rushing out, and pulling Combeferre behind him, who only waves to her, instead of rushing along with his best friend.
When her door is firmly shut and they are safely in the elevator, Courf turns to 'Ferre and says, "There are, like, millions of letters," Before proceeding to show him the one on his phone.
Dear Enjolras,
The furnace isn't working, I don't really know why. They can't get the part out until tomorrow so it's freezing here and it reminds me of when Grantaire and I would sleep on either side of Azelma and Gavroche in the winter so our body heat would keep them warm, except now there's no Grantaire and we're all piled in on my bed with blankets that will actually keep us warm.
Enjolras is a chicken.
He's too afraid to call Amelie.
He's too afraid to call Eponine and see if Amelie told her something, anything.
So he does the lame thing and contemplates writing a text or even a letter but ends up calling Amelie and praying that she's mad enough at him that she won't answer the phone.
Praying works, he gets her voicemail.
"Hey, Amelie," He starts of awkwardly, "It's me, listen I know you're mad at me, I'd be mad at me too. I don't know why I didn't tell you about Eponine. It was like this piece of my past came back and I could be that eighteen-year-old me again, the one with no cares or responsibilities and I liked that, I like how she makes me feel like I can do anything, be anyone. She was my best friend. This probably isn't helping my cause, is it?" He pauses for a second, recollecting his thoughts, "Listen, I love you. That hasn't changed. I love Sebastian. I love the way you make me feel. Like I'm important and special, and you make me feel loved, something I haven't felt in a long time. I'm sorry for hurting you, I'm sorry that this apology is complete B.S. but if you don't hate me, could you please give me a sign? Call me or send me a letter or some smoke signals, maybe a note tied to pigeon? Anything? Okay, I don't really know how to end this. I guess I'll hang up now. Bye?"
That was the most awkward thing he has ever done.
How was he captain of the debate team in high school?
Dear Gabe,
I think you should forgive Combeferre and Courfeyrac, it might help in the counter-plan. I'll tell you about this tomorrow.
We also have a few other things we need to discuss.
I haven't been exactly honest either so it's not like you'll be sitting there as I yell at you.
It's time to come clean, I suppose.
Goodnight.
Look who updated again (because I don't know when the next time I can update will be)! Also, a letter from Gav! Look who's mixing things up a bit!
So does anyone know why The Decade is so popular all of a sudden? I mean, I guess it was doing okay before but all of a sudden I've got like 15 new followers or something? I mean, I love it but I'm curious.
Thanks to those who fave/follow/review!