A/N Sorry that I wasn't able to update earlier. I truly am sorry to keep you waiting. Anyway, this chapter is longer and I really hope it is worth the wait. I honestly don't know if I did well enough on this one but I hope you all like it! And it's the same old thing: follow, favorite and review. Thanks to those who read this at all and I'm wasting time on this A/N so here you go! :)

P.S. I don't know if any of you have parent-teacher conferences at your schools but mine does so I added that in since it just happened a week ago.

DISCLAIMER: Nah. I can only dream. *sings 'Now life has killed the dream...I dreamed'*

Enjolras' POV

I yawned as I sat up in my bed and looked at the clock. It was 6:30 A.M. It was a Friday morning and I woke up early. Too early. I stumbled out of bed and went to the living room. I saw 'Ferre sitting on the sofa with Jehan, a cup of cocoa in one of their hands. They were watching History Channel and when they saw me, they waved. "Morning, Enjolras." 'Ferre said.

"Good day, mon ami." Jehan said. I smiled and waved. "Aren't we going to school today?" I asked them. They were in their pajamas and they seemed to be enjoying the cocoa so much that they must have forgotten that it was Friday. "No, we're not. Today's PTC so we have no classes." 'Ferre replied.

"Huh?" I asked.

"Parent-teacher conference. You better call your parents. They might not know about it or maybe they do but call them anyway." Jehan said. I shrugged and went to the kitchen. I found Bahorel there, trying to get the coffee maker to work but apparently, he had absolutely no idea how to. "Have you ever made coffee before? I guess not. Anyway, let me help you." I said as he turned to me. "Oh, hi. You're awake. And…um…yeah. I've never made coffee before and it's my first time trying coffee at all." He said. I quickly did my work on the coffee maker and let him pour the coffee himself. "Thanks, man." He said before taking a sip. "Hmmm… This is great stuff!" He said and took another sip. I told him to go to the living room and make himself comfortable as I called my parents. I dialed the house phone number and waited for one of them to pick up. "Hello?" My mom answered.

"Hi, mom. It's me, Enjolras. Today is parent-teacher conference. Are you free? I think my teachers might want to talk to you and dad." I said.

"Hmmm… Let me see… Yes, I am free and when would you like me to go there?"

"Now, if you can make it."

"Okay, Enjolras. We'll be there. Bye!" She said and hung up. I went into the bedroom and dropped my phone in my backpack. I came back out to the living room and sat next to Bahorel on the sofa. They changed from History Channel to Despicable Me 2 when I was busy talking on the phone. "Are your parents coming?" Bahorel asked me. I nodded. "What about yours?" I asked my three friends. They all nodded. "Are any of you going to go down and meet the teachers with your parents when they come? 'Cause I am." Jehan said. Bahorel and 'Ferre nodded but I shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. I'll see when they come." I said. About 3 hours and 4 movies later, my mom called. "Hi, dear. We're at your school now. I want you to come with us to the conference so you'd hear what the teachers say about you. Is that alright with you?" She asked.

"Yeah, sure. Where are you in the school?"

"In the gym, just where it's held."

"Okay, I'll be there. Bye." I said and hung up. I told the other three guys that I had to go and meet my mom at the gym. "We'll come with you because our parents might be there, too." 'Ferre said. All of us got dressed and hurried down the stairs to the gym. When we got there, we saw many people but none whom we recognized. I glanced around and surely enough, I saw Joly and Musichetta with their parents. Bahorel bumped into his dad on the way to the gym so they went inside together, leaving me, Jehan and 'Ferre together. Then Jehan spotted his mom and dad so he went to meet them. After that, 'Ferre met his mom so they went to talk to the teachers. I was left alone and I couldn't go talk to my teachers without my parents so I had to wait somewhere. I soon spotted a bench in the middle of the gym and sat down on it. I assumed that the bench was for parents to wait to be next in line for talking to the teachers. I sat and waited. As I glanced around, I saw Eponine entering the gym with her parents. Gavroche was there, too, and so was Azelma. I had a feeling that Eponine saw me but she didn't greet me or anything. Is that a skirt I see that she's wearing? And high heels? She never wore high heels or skirts but maybe she dressed up because of PTC. Anyway, she looked pretty. Really pretty. Then the kiss entered my mind. Out of all the time I have? I pushed the thought away when I saw my parents entering the gym. My mom looked like she just went to a hair salon because her blonde hair was styled in a kind like Marilyn Monroe's. Honestly, she was a mix of Marilyn Monroe and Demi Moore. She has green eyes, blonde hair, a usually-wrinkled face but since she uses anti-wrinkle cream, you don't really see the wrinkles that much. My dad has auburn hair and blue eyes. He is completely the opposite of me and my mom. I probably got the hair from my mom and the eyes from my dad since I have blonde hair and blue eyes and that makes the most sense. I greeted my parents and saw my P.E. teacher vacant. He was American and his name was Coach Karl Parker. I dragged my parents to his table and sat down. Coach Parker and my parents shook hands and sat down after me. "Enjolras has been getting straight A's in P.E. and I have absolutely no worries." Coach Parker told my parents and I had a huge smile on my face. After we finished talking, we got up from the chairs and as I was getting up, I saw Eponine looking at me. She and her parents were talking to our French teacher. I smiled and she smiled back. Thank God my parents didn't notice our secret exchange of smiles. I quickly walked away with my parents across the gym to my Math teacher, Ms. Claire. We didn't even get to half of the conversation when we heard a scream. A woman's scream.

Eponine's POV

"Hey, Ep! It's time to wake up!" 'Sette shouted as she started jumping on my bed. I rubbed my eyes and sat up. "I thought we don't have school today. It's PTC, isn't it?" I asked as I yawned. She nodded. "It is but your parents are here to see the teachers." She said. Sleep immediately vanished from me when the sentence came out of her mouth. "MY PARENTS?!"

"Uh-huh. They're somewhere in the school. They knocked on our door at first but I didn't let them in, of course. I told them that my roommate is 'Chetta and they've got it wrong. I didn't tell them in what room you were in either. I just said that I'm not your friend and I don't know which room you live in."

"You're the best!" I said, hugging her. She laughed as I let go. "So what are you going to do now? Your parents are here, after all. They just don't know where in VHHS to find you." She said, concern in her voice. I pursed my lips and sighed. "Don't worry. I'm going to be fine... I think. But what will I tell them?" I asked, panic rising inside me. What if my parents find me? Will they drag me back to the inn again? Or maybe they'll sell me or Gav or 'Zelma. I pushed the thoughts away as 'Sette spoke up. "I don't know. Maybe you could ditch PTC? Or maybe you'll be lucky enough, they won't find you and leave. Or-"

"I'm going to get dressed but I will find a way to...uh...ditch my parents? I guess." I said before hurrying to my closet and picking out my best clothes. I found a hot pink Bambi shirt that I never wore before and since 'Sette asked me to wear a skirt for once, I found a flowery skirt that went up just above my knees. I quickly took a shower and slipped on my shirt and skirt. "What are you gonna do with your hair?" 'Sette asked as I was coming out of the bathroom. "Erm... Ponytail." I replied as I walked over to the dresser and picked up a red hairband. Red, huh? Say, Enjolras would be proud of me. Before I knew it, my mind wandered off to the kiss. I slapped myself on the face hardly enough that I went back to focusing on my hair. "Why'd you slap yourself?" She asked. I chuckled nervously and replied, "Nothing really. I just forgot something that was important. Thanks for asking, though." She shrugged, went to get her clothes and went into the bathroom. I put my hair up in a ponytail and tied it with the red hairband. In my mind, I wanted to put on make-up but I thought it was a little unusual of me so I didn't. There was one thing I was struggling with, though. I never wore a skirt and I never thought of wearing a skirt either. I only wore jeans and jeans go with converse shoes or trainers in general but since I was wearing a skirt, I didn't know what shoes would go well with skirts. Usually, the people wear wedges or pumps or sandals but I didn't have any pumps or wedges and I thought sandals were a little too...inappropriate. The answer I was looking for finally came when 'Sette came out of the bathroom, dressed in a pink dress, a pink bracelet and a pink headband. She LOVES pink (I'm just saying even though everyone already knows) and she loves to shop. I wouldn't ever know why we actually get along well with each other when we have completely NOTHING in common. "Are you looking for something?" She asked, making her way over to the dresser. I shook my head. "Not really. All I need is shoes that go with what I'm wearing and that's when you come in and help me choose."

"I don't even have to look at you to know that you need any kind of high heels. You're wearing a skirt so trainers won't do." She said as she applied make-up on her face. So I was right about that after all. "But I don't have any kinds of high heels. You should know that." I said. She laughed. "Oh, Ep. You worry too much. Dig in my shoe box and find something that you like."

"But what if I don't find-"

"I don't have any trainers, Ep. Trust me, you won't find a single pair of converse shoes in there. I'm positive." She said reassuringly. I slowly made my way to our living room, to the front door, and found a huge pink box. I took off the lid of the box and my jaw dropped. There were thousands of shoes and there were no two that were the same. "Where did you get these? There are millions of them!" I shouted in amazement.

"Precisely, there are 20 kinds of shoes and 3 pairs of each kind. So that's...60 pairs of shoes altogether." She shouted back from the bedroom.

"Seriously? Well, which one can I borrow?" I asked, not knowing what to choose. There were just too many of them and I wasn't the fashionista type so I didn't know which one fit me. Then I heard footsteps coming towards me. Yep, it's Cosette. She softly pushed me out of the way and started picking out some shoes. She threw some out of the box, onto the floor, and pushed some out of the way. Then I saw her smile. She took out a pair of wedges. They were black with white stars and they had a strap that was adjustable. The heels were 2 inches tall and they were the color of wood. To be honest, I wanted it but I didn't want to take anything else from 'Sette anymore. "I'd like you to have it for yourself. I have too many shoes to hold in here and the lid sometimes doesn't even close all the way so I'm giving it to you." She said, smiling. She handed the pair of shoes to me. At first, I hesitated. "No thanks, 'Sette. Really. I've taken almost everything from you and you give almost everything to me. Aren't you feeling bad that you don't have your stuff anymore when you give them to me?"

"Oh, come on! That's what best friends do! It's my job to let you have something that you don't and it's your job to take it and vice versa. And you don't borrow from me. You take it and I can steal it back whenever I need it again." She said as we laughed. "Just kidding, Ep. We share, okay?" I nodded and took the wedges from her. "Thanks, 'Sette."

"Think nothing. That's-"

"'What best friends do.' And yes, I'm quoting you." I said. She chuckled and slapped me softly on the back. "Put it on!" She said. I put in on and surprisingly, it fit just like Cinderella's glass slipper fit in her foot. I spun around in front of the mirror. "You look great! So what do you think Enjolras will say?" She asked teasingly. I hit her arm. "Cosette! Stop it!" I shouted. She giggled and grabbed my arm as she opened the door. "Let's go." She said, dragging me out the door and closing it behind her. We walked to the gym slowly and bumped into 'Zelma and Gav. They decided to join us and as we were getting close to the gym, I spotted my parents. Shit. "Cosette. Either hide or run to Mr. Valjean." I whispered to her. She nodded and ran into the gym and she was gone in a blink of an eye. "Why did ya ask her to run?" Gav asked, clinging onto me.

"Because she lied." My dad appeared behind me. I felt the familiar cold metal on my neck as 'Zelma and Gav stepped away a few meters in front of me. My mom caught them and held them tightly in her arms. They were squiggling but my mom didn't let go. "No weapons in the school, Papa." I said. I was pretty much used to having a knife at my throat but it was a long time since he'd done that and I didn't particularly miss it. "Ah, yes. We'd like to meet your teachers. We want to know how you're doing in school." He said, putting the knife back into his pocket. He snickered and I didn't want to think anything of it but I knew that he'd do something bad. Something like robbing. I gulped. "Sure, Papa. I'm sure I'm doing well." I said. He grinned as if he was about to do something and I was positive that it was robbing. "Let's go, mes petits choux." My mom said as she took Gav's hand, put an arm around 'Zelma's shoulder and went into the gym with my dad and I following them. I didn't want to look at anyone because I was embarrassed. If anyone apart from Les Amis knew who my parents were, I'd be dead. I kept my eyes downcast and continued walking. I spotted my 6th grade Math teacher, Mr. Robert, and waved. He smiled and waved back. Then, I spotted my Science teacher, Ms. Bridget, and Enjolras. Just then, 'Zelma elbowed me. "Don't look now, but he's looking at you." She whispered, giggling. I turned red and hid my face in 'Zelma's shoulder. "'Ponine! Stop it! Maman and Papa might wonder." She whispered once more. I stood up and walked normally until we got to our French teacher's table. My parents shook hands with him and sat down. Gav sat on my lap and 'Zelma sat next to me. "Eponine is getting A's all the way and I have no concern. If she wants, she doesn't have to continue learning French because after all, we are in France and she has a French family. So great job and keep up the good work." He said. He continued talking about my grades and the learning which I wasn't exactly interested in and looked around the gym. I saw Enjolras talking to his P.E. teacher, Coach Parker. Coach Parker was actually my P.E. teacher, too, for this year. I decided to smile at him. My stomach became a whirlpool as he smiled back. God help me! I turned my attention back to my French teacher just as my dad said, "Excusez moi, I need to go get water." My French teacher nodded and my dad got up from his chair. I held my breathe for a moment because I had a funny feeling that he was going to steal and not drink water. My parents haven't stolen anything so far and I was relieved until my dad got up to 'get water'. Then it struck me again, just a stronger feeling that he'd do something bad because my mom was grinning evilly as she glanced the way my dad went. This might turn into a disaster... Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice yelling. It was Ms. Bridget. "My diamond ring! You, there! Give it back!" She yelled pointing to my dad. He was running away but some other male teachers caught him. "Let me go, you bastards!" He screamed. I face-palmed and turned to 'Zelma. My mom, who was sitting next to 'Zelma, was gone. Uh-oh. "Where is Maman?!" I asked 'Zelma, my voice shaking.

"She's there... Oh, no. No no no!"

"What?"

"She-She's stealing! Stealing a wallet! From Mr. Valjean!" She answered, grabbing onto me. Then I heard Mr. Valjean scream, "That woman stole my wallet! Someone help!" My nose crinkled. The gym was going crazy with people shouting and running around. The French teacher was gone, too. It appeared that he ran away, fearing that my parents would steal something from him, too. "Shit. What do we do? We can't go masked. We don't have masks." I said and gulped. Then Gav nudged me and 'Zelma to look at our parents, who were already caught by some teachers. That was when I saw them wearing masks. Where the fuck did they get those masks? "Where the hell did they get the masks?" 'Zelma asked.

"That's the exact question I was asking myself." I said. Gav nodded. "Me too." We watched as Madame Fantine walked up to them. She had her hands on her hips and that wasn't a good sign. "Why are you here?" She asked them.

"It's them, Madame." My mom pointed to the three of us. SHIT! "Oh? Eponine, Azelma and Gavroche? They aren't your...children, are they?" Madame Fantine asked.

"They are." My dad answered, nodding. I could see Gav biting his lower lip and 'Zelma's knuckles getting white from gripping onto the chair she was sitting on. I put a hand on 'Zelma's shoulder and whispered, "As soon as nobody's looking, we can make a run for it." She looked at me doubtfully. "Let's not do that. It's risky and Madame Fantine might see us." She replied. I sighed. There is no way we could get out of this. Then my parents' masks got taken off, revealing their real faces. Some teachers, like Mr. Valjean and Mr. Javert, recognized them. My parents were famous criminals in Paris and I am pretty ashamed of having my parents like they are. I'm sure 'Zelma and Gav are, too. Ever since 'Zelma was born, they went to jail for ten times a year and they escaped every time. That makes it 170 times that they've gone to jail. Don't let this time be the last time I see VHHS. I turned to my parents, who were once again arrested, then we found out that Mr. Javert is also working for the Police Department, then the teachers got their stuff back and I heard someone say that my parents were going to be in some kind of FBI jail that has super good security and that not even an ant could escape from there. I was relieved that they wouldn't cause any more chaos from now on until the end of their lives. The only problem left was if I, 'Zelma and Gav were going to be homeless if Madame Fantine kicked me and 'Zelma out of VHHS and tell the principal of Gav's Middle School to kick him out. My parent's inn got demolished and the things they stole previously from people all over Paris got returned to their owners. Mr. Javert set up a lost-and-found stand in front of the police station and let people come to pick their things up. It was a huge news all over France and yes, as everyone knows, I and my siblings are ashamed. Our house was also taken by the government and this madness with my parents was the biggest crime yet to hit Paris. After my parents got arrested and sent to the FBI jail, Madame Fantine cancelled the PTC and saved it for tomorrow. Then she walked towards the three of us and she looked somewhat glum and stressed. "I need to talk to you three in my office. Now." She said and walked away. Gav turned to me. "Is she serious?" He asked in his small voice that he used when he was scared. "Nobody's more serious than her, Gav." 'Zelma answered, rubbing his back. The three of us stood up and slowly made our way out of the gym. When we got to the third floor of the school itself, we went to Madame Fantine's office. The whole floor was quiet and it scared me. I don't like quiet places, never did and probably never will. We stood at the front door, waiting for one of us to knock. I decided that since I was the eldest, I should be the one to knock so I did. We waited for an answer. "Come in." Madame Fantine finally said. Gav opened the door and held it for 'Zelma and I to get in then closed it behind him. She was typing in front of the computer but stopped when we came in. Our jaws almost dropped when we saw Ms. Bridget and Mr. Valjean standing on each side of Madame Fantine's chair. Each of us sat down in a chair and waited for someone to talk. She turned to us shortly after she stopped typing. I mentally traveled to the mythological world and imagined Ms. Bridget as the Scylla, the monster, Mr. Valjean as the Charybdis, the whirlpool, and Madame Fantine as a siren, a half-woman-half-bird creature that lived near the seas and lured sailors to their deaths. As for me, 'Zelma and Gav, we were on a boat with Odysseus, ready to be either be eaten by the Scylla, sucked down to our deaths in the Charybdis, or let the siren make us drown.

AHHH! CLIFFHANGER! R&R :D