I don't own Les Mis.
I slowly opened my eyes in the morning to a disturbing sight. That bourgeoisie girl, Cosette, was standing over me, her silky brown locks tossed over her shoulder, with her arms crossed and her eyebrows scrunched up. She tried to glare at me as hard as she could and spoke.
"Who are you? Where is my Papa?" she asked.
I sat up in the bed, self consciously pulling the blanket up over the borrowed nightgown. What had happened the night before came rushing back to me, and I began to think of an answer. The old man had left without a logical reason why, really.
"Where is my Papa?" she asked again, slowly, as if I was an idiot. I spoke quickly and calmly.
"Your Papa let me stay here, and said I was to stay until he came back. He left in the middle of the night, and I don't know where he went."
I lied about my staying until he returned, and Cosette wouldn't know anyways.
"I know you," Cosette said slowly.
"Really? How would you know a simple street girl like me?" I replied bitterly.
She knew me. She had seen me before. I swung my legs over to the side of the bed and stood up, gazing at her. I was certain that besides the nightgown, I was as dirty as ever. Not to mention, perfectly recognizable. I still had my hat on, for goodness sake.
"You know my Marius. You were besides him the night he and I met."
"Looks like the little bourgeois thing has a memory," I replied.
I walked around Cosette and walked towards the doorway, stopping once I reached there.
"Shall you cook me some breakfast, mademoiselle?" I asked, smiling.
Cosette stared at me coldly and quickly walked past me towards the kitchen. We were going to get along just fine.
"I've seen you somewhere else. What's your name?"
I looked up at her. We had been eating our food in silence, until just now. Surely Marius had told her about his friend Eponine, and also she would connect the name to that bratty girl from the inn so many years ago. It was best to not let her know, I decided.
"Euphrasie," I lied.
The single word brought recognition to the pretty face.
"Are you sure?" she snapped.
"Why would I lie about my own name?"
"I don't know, maybe because that's my name?"
"For your information, mademoiselle, normally the same name is owned by many people. Maybe you wouldn't know, protected and lonely as you are."
She crossed her arms and glared at me, silently demanding to know the truth. I glared back at her, as a memory flashed into my head.
Mama was waiting at the counter for a new traveler to arrive to check into our inn. It had been busy for the past week, but this morning most of our guests had left. Then the lady came in. She was a skinny thing, with a weary face and dirty clothes. However, she had golden locks and a beautiful smile, which she flashed at the girl who was with her.
"Come on, Cosette."
The girl was my age, and looked friendly. Mama looked at the woman in distaste, but smiled at her.
"Good morning…"
"My name is Fantine," she said softly. Her voice was like angels singing.
"Are you staying for the night?" Mama asked.
"Actually, miss, I was wondering if my little Euphrasie could stay here at your inn. I plan on getting a job in another town, and was hoping if I could send money to care from her from there."
The woman got out a few bills and gave them to Mama.
"That'll do for now, I suppose. Euphrasie...that's a nice name," Mama replied, holding the money tightly.
"Mostly I call her Cosette. It seems like a pretty nickname, doesn't it?"
"Yes, it does. All right then, madame Fantine. My husband and I are kind caretakers, and we'll happily look after little Cosette."
Mama reached out and held Cosette's shoulders and brought her over next to her. Cosette's eyes met mine for a second and then flickered back to her mother.
"Be good, Cosette," the woman said sadly.
She turned and left. Mama smiled at the little girl.
"I have to go talk to Papa, dearest Eponine. Why don't you spend time with, erm, Cosette?"
I nodded at Mama and watched as she went. I looked at Cosette and we stared at each other in silence.
Please review. :) I know you're reading, so speak up!