That night, Éponine went home and was not a bit surprised to see Montparnasse waiting for her. That ass never leaves her alone.

"Where have you been today, ma chère?" Montparnasse hissed as he advanced toward her, successfully backing her to a wall.

"None of your – "she started but was cut short as Montparnasse's hand closed around her throat, the other quickly grabbing her wrists and pinning it above her head.

"Who was that bourgeoisie with you today, huh? Answer me, Éponine." He growled in her ear as he tightened his hold on her neck, ignoring Éponine as struggled to free her hands from his grip.

"I don't – I don't know what you're talking about!" she gagged.

"Don't lie to me, love." He squeezed harder. Éponine's vision blurred and her knees buckled. She would've fallen hard on the floor if it weren't for Montparnasse's firm hold on her.

"Stand, you bitch!" he snarled in her ear.

"I can't – I can't breathe 'Parnasse." She begged. He loosened his grip on her neck – and she saw her chance. She kicked him hard in the groin. Montparnasse doubled over and Éponine ran outside as fast as her frail legs could carry her.

She didn't notice that it was raining until she slipped and was subsequently surprised to find herself in front of the Musain. She can hear Enjolras give a rousing speech from inside and debated on whether to go in or wait until he finishes his speech. She chose the latter and stayed under the rain until she heard the merriment of the students inside.

She opened the door and prayed that no one will notice her. But, alas, she was wrong. A pair of brilliant blue eyes was watching her as she tried to wring out the rain from her clothes. She would've glared at him had she noticed.

"Éponine!"

Her head snapped up and saw her brother squeezing past students towards her. She smiled and crouched down. She opened her arms for him and Gavroche went right into them. He smelt of liquor and something else she can't quite figure.

Gavroche made a face and pulled away, "You're wet!"

"Well, if you haven't noticed, it's raining outside." She reasoned and ruffled her brother's already messy hair. "And might I know why you stink of liquor, little brother?"

"Grantaire slipped and a bottle of wine flew out of his hand, it was unfortunate to be near him."

"Well, you better get out in the rain then and clean yourself."

Gavroche laughed, "I'm sure m'sieur Courfeyrac will let me take a bath in his house!"

"I'm sure he will." She smiled and her brother. Éponine was grateful of the man – he cares for Gavroche just like he would for his own brother.

"'Ponine!"

A small smile crept across her face – only one person in the world calls her by that name. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and stood.

"Hello, m'sieur Marius." She beamed up at him and blushed when she felt his hands on her bare arms.

"You're shivering." Marius frowned and draped his coat across her shoulders. He placed a hand at the small of her back and led her to a table. Éponine felt butterflies fluttering in her stomach and was grinning from ear to ear. Forget the cold, Marius gave her his coat!

Marius made her sit down beside a student who's sprawled almost on top of the table. Judging from the bottle of wine by his head and the scolding he's getting from Enjolras – the man's Grantaire. 'The resident drunk' as Marius had called him once.

Marius returned after a few minutes and handed her a cup of tea. "Here, to warm you up."

Éponine shook her head and pushed the tea back to him, "No, m'sieur. I'm no longer cold and I don't have the money to pay."

"Please, 'Ponine. It's on me." Marius smiled that crooked smile she loves as he pushed the cup back towards Éponine. Who on earth could resist Marius Pontmercy when he smiles like that? She wrapped her hands around the cup and took a sip, the hot tae warming her instantly.

"Thank you, Marius." She'd said but was not heard for Marius was now is conversation with Courfeyrac – the latter motioning animatedly towards a couple of Amis. She can't make out a word they're saying but she doesn't care, she's too busy memorizing the way Marius's face crinkles when he laughs when she felt Grantaire shift beside her and threw an arm across her shoulders.

"What are you doing?" Éponine hissed at the drunk as she shrugged off his arm.

"Aww… don't be mean now mam'selle!" Grantaire slurred as he opened his arms wide and decided to give Éponine a hug. She made a disgusted face and shoved the drunk harshly away from her – the latter falling off his chair and landing face first on the floor. The room fell silent upon hearing the thud. Grantaire groaned from the floor and rolled over.

"What is it now, Grantaire?! Get up!" Enjolras ran a hand across his face and kicked the drunk's leg.

Grantaire rose drunkenly to his feet, snatched the bottle from the table and took a swig. He threw an arm across the shoulders of a scowling Enjolras.

"Must you always ruin the fun, Enjolras? I was only trying to give mam'selle – I do not know her name."

"Éponine"

"Mam'selle Éponine here a warm Les Amis d l'ABC welcome." He grinned.

"Do you even have eyes?! She clearly doesn't want to be embraced by you, you oaf! And put that bottle down!" Enjolras removed Grantaire's arm from him and snatched the bottle from the drunk's grasp.

"Sit down," Enjolras ordered. Grantaire frowned and did what he was told, mumbling to himself and stabbing the table with a pocket knife.

Éponine had stood by then and stormed out of the café, slamming the door behind her and forgetting to return Marius's coat.

Insolent boys! Never again will I return to this damned place! She huffed, pulled the coat tightly around her and braved the rain, hastily making her way to her tree.

It had been a habit of Enjolras to pass by the Seine on his way to class. It surprised him to find Éponine seated under the tree so early in the morning, usually she'd come by in the afternoon. He checked his watch, he still had time. He approached her and was annoyed when the girl didn't look up – surely she must've seen him.

Then he noticed her breathing, and it hit him – she was asleep. He sighed and shook his head. He took an apple from his satchel, left it beside her and went on his way.

A/N: Sorry it took this long to update! I went on a trip for my 18th birthday and things got busy.

I've already mentioned this in another A/N in my other fic, but did you know that in Ancient Greece, tossing an apple to a girl was a traditional proposal of marriage and catching it was acceptance?

Anyways, please review and thanks a lot for following/favoriting this! X

Lots of love,

Clarizza

PS: I know this might sound selfish, but I'm not updating until I get 10 or more reviews for this fic.