Chapter 5:
The plan was simple; the boys were able to procure invites because of their families connections and Eponine was going to be Grantaire's plus one. She had secretly hoped to be made Marius' date for the evening but it didn't matter too much. After all, it was only really Enjolras who was treating this as a so-called mission. He would find the Judge and talk to him, recording the Judge's answers from his phone which was safely tucked away in his pocket. It was simple really and the rest of the Musain group were planning to treat the evening as a night out.
Eponine made sure to tell Joly a fake address; she couldn't have the boys turning up in her neighbourhood with their expensive cars. Walking a mile in high heels proved hazardous however and so that was why as the boys pulled up to her she was quickly slipping her feet back into their small, pointy jails. "You alright Ep?" One of the boys yelled out and she just walked over to them in response.
As she pulled open the car door she saw Grantaire, Marius and Joly beaming out at her. "Well don't you all look dapper!" She said as she sat down. It was true, the boys really did know how to scrub up well. Grantaire wore a navy blue suit that Eponine had helped to pick out. Joly wore a dark emerald coloured jacket with black linings and Marius remained completely predictable in simple black. She tried not to stare too much at him as she squeezed into the seat next to Grantaire.
"You looking forward to this my lovely date?" Grantaire asked her and she nodded. Truth be told she was starting to feel nervous. She was about to enter a room which held county officials as well as the rich and powerful. The familiar itching feeling in her hands started to play up and she had to fight the urge to sit on them. Years ago, before her father's first stint in jail, her family had attended events like these. They would wait on these people and rob them blind when they weren't looking. She just hoped no one would recognise her. "It'll be fine." Grantaire said sensing her hesitation.
They eventually pulled up to the Museum where the event was taking place. It looked incredibly grand with its stone walls that had been carved into an assortment of floral patterns. They entered the Reception Hall and Eponine couldn't help but gasp. Intricate statues of women and men lined the hall floor which in itself was a beautiful red marble. The ceiling was painted with a pattern of stars and planets accompanied by a glass dome which cast a brilliant light into the hallway. As she walked her heels clacked on the marble and the sound bounced off of the royal blue walls. At the end of the corridor stood Enjolras, Combeferre and Bahorel. They too seemed to be absorbing their surroundings although Eponine was sure this wasn't their first time on the premises. She felt a flutter rush through her stomach at the sight of Enjolras. She hadn't seen him since they had been at Grantaire's house. He had seemingly avoided her at school and she hadn't exactly been trying to look for him. Their eyes met and her breath caught in her throat. Something had passed between them on that day but she wasn't sure what it was. She had almost opened up to him, he had gotten closer than anyone before him but she managed to pull up the walls in time. She just hoped that he wouldn't tell anyone of what he saw. He nodded to her and she smiled in return.
"Come on then my love," Grantaire said as he gave the porter their coats. "Time to enter the lion's den."
If Eponine had thought the entrance hall was grand it was nothing compared to the Ballroom. A deep coral coated the gold-lined walls and chandeliers of enormous size dangled from the ceiling. The floor was the same marble colour but under the lights it seemed to almost glow. But it wasn't just the grandness of the décor that made Eponine stare. The people that littered the room were dressed in the most beautiful clothes she had seen. One women seemed as though she had been dipped in gold as the tight dress clutched to her figure and ballooned out into a mermaid tailed skirt. Another wore a brilliantly white dress which billowed out from under her waist. Eponine caught a glance of herself in the mirror and felt completely inadequate. Her hair, which she had attempted to curl, now lay carelessly on her shoulders, blown out from the wind. Her nose was pink from the cold outside and her dress seemed dull in comparison to the people around her. She quickly patted her dress hoping that this would do something to remove the creases created by walking to the car.
"You look wonderful Eponine." Grantaire said into her ear. "Now let's get you a drink so you can relax." Eponine breathed a laugh as he guided her over to the bar. After practically downing a glass of whiskey she and Grantaire strolled back over to the boys who were huddled in a corner.
"It would seemed that Judge Keech has not yet arrived so for the time being we need to mingle and try not to look out of place." Enjolras instructed as Eponine began to feel the warming effect of the alcohol. "So, go and dance or something, we can't just stand here we'll look suspicious." Enjolras' eyes seemed to be darting around the room seeking his target but other than that he seemed totally calm. He was dressed in a crimson suit which complemented his blonde hair well, his stance was relaxed and Eponine noticed a few looks being shot his way by giggling socialites.
"Our captain has commanded it, so we should obey." Grantaire said to Eponine holding out his arm in an invitation to dance.
"No, no." She declined. "I don't dance."
"Yeah," He said pulling her onto the dance floor. "Tonight you do."
She had to admit that it was quite fun having him whisk her around the floor. As he spun her round she couldn't help but laugh loudly, in that moment not caring about the looks they were getting. Suddenly as the music changed he pulled her in to him. "So how's about we make this night a little more interesting hey?"
Enjolras was bored. Somehow he had found himself willingly going to the kind of fundraisers he detested. Boring people talking about boring things in a boring room with boring music. Where was the Judge? Enjolras scoured the room once more searching for the man he wanted to talk to. But there was no sign of him. Oh crap, he thought as the girls he was talking to looked expectantly at him.
"I'm sorry ladies I got a little distracted just then." He admitted knowing that honesty was the best route to go when caught out like this.
"We were just wondering if you knew who that girl was with Grantaire?" Lally, a girl he knew from his family asked him. She had long, red hair that was artfully twisted into an intricate bun on her head. Unfortunately the green of her dress, which she presumably supposed would complement her hair, gave her pale skin a tinged lime hue. Not the effect she was surely going for.
Enjolras looked at the girl he was referencing. Grantaire was swinging her around as she laughed, head thrown back, delight in her eyes. Eponine and Grantaire had been mucking around all evening. It seemed that they would dare each other to dance or talk to a person of their choice. Eponine had danced with the re-tired Mayor as well as his wife and an assortment of other random party-goers. They all seemed to be enjoying her attention although Enjolras felt that she should be wary. She was getting a little too much attention and that could spoil everything for them.
"She's just a girl from our school." Enjolras replied thinking it best if he didn't give them her name.
"Well she is making a fool of herself isn't she?" Lally laughed. "I mean, really, that dress looks to be about ten years old!"
"I'm surprised moth balls haven't flown out of it." Another girl added, a comment which was met with a huge laugh from the girls. Enjolras just studied the girl he had been trying to ignore for the past few days. The red dress looked just as beautiful as it had when he first saw it but now it was tinged with the knowledge of what was concealed underneath. How many more bruises had she received since then? He didn't know. And that was what drove him mad.
He made his excuses and left the group. Finding Combeferre and Marius at the bar he joined them.
"How're you doing?" Marius asked him. "When do you think the Judge will get here then?"
"Who knows?" Enjolras said his hope dwindling by the minute.
Suddenly there was a loud crash and Enjolras was pulled to the ground by a small waitress who had been walking past.
"Oh my goodness!" She said as she realised what had happened. "I'm so sorry, please let me help you!" She had picked herself up off the ground and was now holding out a hand to Marius.
"Oh no, don't worry." Marius said pulling himself up. "I'm alright." He then seemed to stop as he looked at her. Glass was on the floor and the girl seemed to have cut her knee. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." She replied quickly picking up the bits off the floor. The whole commotion had gathered quite a bit of attention. She dusted herself off and started to walk away. "I should go and clean this up."
Marius continued to stand there, looking into the distance where she had just left. Then he turned to the boys. "Who was that?" The boys shrugged. "I should go and check that she's okay right?"
"Do what you want." Joly replied.
"I should go and help her." Marius decided before walking off in her direction.
"His willingness to help the waitress wouldn't have been motivated by the fact that she's incredibly pretty would it?" Combeferre asked and Joly laughed.
"That couldn't possibility be it."
"Excuse me!" Marius said as he caught sight of the girl. She turned around.
"Look, I'm really sorry about what happened but it was an accident okay?" She replied, her hands planted on her hips.
"No!" Marius quickly said. "No, I'm not here to shout at you." She frowned. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay."
"Oh." She said and Marius marvelled at the perfect shape her mouth made. Her blond hair was tied up into a tight ponytail but a few strands fell about her face. Her blue eyes were wide as she looked at him, clearly wary of what he was doing.
"Your knee." He said lamely. "It's bleeding."
She looked down and seemed to notice the wound for the first time. "Right." She said. "And your arm." It was Marius' turn to look down. A small shard of glass must have caught him as he landed. Now his suit was ripped a little and it looked like he was bleeding. "We have a first aid kit in the back." She told him.
"Right." He said, not completely following her train of thought.
She rolled her eyes and smiled before taking his hand and pulling him behind her.
Eponine's feet hurt. Like a lot. She had been dancing for god knows how long with god knows who. It had been fun. But now she was uncomfortably hot with aching feet. She found a seat in a back room and wondered where the others were. Grantaire had found some girls to flirt with and she was looking for some company. After sitting along for a while she decided to go and look out some friends. If she had been a little more sober she would have been hesitant but the alcohol made her bold enough to kick off her heels and walk around bare foot. After all, when was she ever going to see any of these people again?
She entered the main Ballroom and soon spotted the boys. They were huddled by the bar, Enjolras' eyes still scanning the crowd while the others talked and laughed among themselves. When she reached them she began to hear their conversation. "You can't be in love with someone after that short of a time!" Joly was saying while the others chuckled.
She watched as Marius shook his head. "I'm telling you guys, she's perfect. No one compares now. She's the one." She felt her heart begin to beat at his words. "Her eyes, did you see her eyes?"
"You're drunk." Combeferre added. "You'll wake up tomorrow and eat your words."
"I won't." Marius said confidently. "I will forever be in love with Cosette." She stopped still a few feet away from them. What had he said? Cosette?
"I never thought I'd see the day." Bahorel said giggling. "Our boys in love."
"And with a waitress too, his mother will be so proud!"
Waitress? She looked around her eyes searching for that uniform. She spotted a few waitresses dotted around, clearing away plates and glasses but couldn't see her. Then, all of a sudden she was there. Cosette was standing in front of her. She looked the same. The same perfectly blonde hair that seemed to shine. The blue eyes that were so opposite from her own. Eponine noticed suddenly that the girl in front of her was staring back.
"'Ponine?" Cosette said. "Is that you?" She began to walk up to her before enveloping her in her small arms. "Oh my god! I can't believe it!"
Eponine forced a smile. "Cosette!" She said. "You're here!" The girls hugged for a moment longer before Cosette held her friend at arm's length.
"Woah, you look amazing! Where did you get this dress?" Cosette gazed at her.
"A friend." She replied. "What are you doing here?" She asked the silly question with the obvious answer.
"I'm working! You remember how it is!" She laughed. "Are you here as a guest?" She asked before lowering her voice. "Or are you here with Mon…"
"No." Eponine cut her off. "I don't do that anymore. I'm here with friends." She gestured vaguely behind her. At that convenient moment Bahorel bounded up to the two of them.
"Well, well! Isn't this a crazy coincidence?"
"What is?" Asked Eponine.
"I'm guessing you know this lovely young lady?" Said Bahorel to Eponine. "She has just entranced our friend Marius." Eponine gulped, a sickly feeling growing in her stomach as she watched Cosette blush.
"I should go." Cosette said and Eponine smiled. "We should catch up soon!"
As soon as she had gone Marius was at Eponine's side. "You know Cosette?" He asked, eyes wide. "How? Do you have her number? Could you give it to me?"
"Woah." She said as his questions continued to come. "Slow down there buddy. I know Cosette from ages ago, we went to the same school once." Marius nodded eager to soak in information. "She's very nice but I don't have her number." His face fell.
"Why not?" Asked Joly. Eponine decided to lie.
"Because I didn't have a phone back then and someone," she shot a glare at Bahorel. "Interrupted us."
"Do you know where she lives?" Marius asked and Eponine sighed at his unrelenting determination.
"Sure, I'll show you where she lives." Marius let out a whoop and lifted her up off the ground before spinning her around.
"Eponine, I think I love you." He yelled as her heart shattered.
The Judge didn't show. He couldn't believe it. The fundraiser was closing and everyone was going home. He just sat staring in disbelief. How could a man not show up to a fundraiser of a charity he was patron of? The evening had been a complete waste of time. Eventually he was ushered out but he couldn't bring himself to go home. So he just sat on the steps of the Museum staring out at the road in front of him. He heard someone sit down next to him.
"Well that was a successful night." Grantaire said sarcastically. "Marius found love so Eponine's gone and you've turned to stone." Grantaire laughed as his friend gave no sign that he was listening. "Lally certainly looked like she was hearing wedding bells tonight." He mentioned. "When was it you were going to propose?" Enjolras just blinked. "If you're anything like Marius it'll be tomorrow."
"I just wish I could do something." Enjolras said and Grantaire looked at him, shocked it had been so easy to coax him out. Then he saw what Enjolras was staring at. She was sat on the roof of the car waiting for them to come and take her home. "Something that would create actual good. Help people."
"She doesn't want to be saved Enjolras." Grantaire stated which made his friend look at him. "Maybe she'd be willing to get help but she doesn't need to be rescued. She's doing that by herself."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Enjolras replied and Grantaire sighed.
"Yeah you do."