A/N: I made a promise, didn't I?

Idk where I'm going with this story actually. I know what I'm going to do with the last chapter but I just don't know what I want to put in the in-between chapters so yeah I think it would be a while before I'm going to update this again… but who knows maybe a fair amount of reviews would get me inspired to write.

So yeah, bye for now! xx

Éponine was falling head first and felt as though she had been for years. Clouds swirled past her and she can hear the soft chirping of birds in the distance. She should've been terrified but instead the fall exhilarated her. Éponine let out a scream of excitement. She was grinning from ear to ear and her dimples – which rarely graces her face – were shown for the whole world to see.

She fell for a long time, enjoying every minute and every second of it – then she saw the earth. It was coming fast towards her and she screamed – this time out of fear. Will she hit the ground and shatter into a million pieces? She hopes not – she doesn't want to die yet! Éponine started panicking and her breathing became shallow.

"Fly!" Said a voice in her ear. She turned her head and saw a little black bird just inches from her face.

"I don't know how to fly!" She said.

"It's easy!" Stretch your wings and let the wind carry you!" it chirped.

"I can't fly!" she screamed as she trashed around I mid-air.

"Fly, Éponine, fly!" It said as it circled around her head. Éponine swore she heard the stupid bird giggle. She had wanted to grab the bird then and squeeze it to death. Can't it see that she doesn't have wings?

She closed her eyes and prayed for a fast death – she prayed that the impact would hurt with such intensity that the pain would numb.

The bird landed on her shoulder and nipped at her ear, "Open your eyes!"

"No!"

"Open your eyes!" It shrieked and pecked her cheek. She felt hot blood flow from her cheek to her hairline, "Stop it! Stop hurting me!" she swatted the bird away, but it flew before she can even hit it and it pecked the back of her hand.

"Open your eyes and flap your wings! You will not die! Just open your eyes!"

And she did – but she was still falling, faster than ever. She screamed and flailed around in mid-air in a vain attempt to fly as she plummeted toward the earth below. Her head hit the ground hard and everything went black.

The bird had lied.

Éponine woke with a start. Her breathing was shallow and her heart was hammering inside her chest. She frantically looked around her and gave out a sigh of relief upon realizing that she was by the Seine. Éponine wiped the sweat off her forehead and let out a humorless laugh.

It was only a dream.

Éponine stood and stretched. She stepped out of the shade of the tree and squinted at the sun – judging from its position in the sky, it's past noon. She slept for too long. She had planned to return home after some peace and quiet by her tree but she fell asleep. Her papa would be furious when she gets home and she'll undoubtedly get a beating. But she'll have to deal with that later – first she needs to steal some money to eat.

Éponine leaned casually against a wall, deliberately watching the busy Parisian street in front of her.

Well, bonjour. She smirked as she finally found the bourgeoisie that she's going to "accidentally bump" – a plump woman with golden hair and cherry-red lips.

Éponine slumped her shoulders forward and staggered towards the busy street – coughing and wheezing. She allowed herself to get shoved by other people in the street – a part of her foolproof plan at robbery. She pretended to faint when she came almost face-to-face with the woman. Éponine let herself fall forward and – just as expected – the woman screamed when she slammed into her.

"Pardon, Madame." Éponine coughed as the woman shoved her harshly away from her.

"Filthy street rat!" the woman screamed at her. Éponine staggered away from the street –still playing the charade until she gets into an alley.

Fool! Éponine smirked as she opened the purse in her hands, inside were 15 francs and a silver bracelet. She laughed. Surely her papa won't beat her now!

A couple of street urchins were staring at her. She narrowed her eyes at them, "Scram!" she laughed once more when they scampered away with their tails between their legs. At times like this, she was glad to be a Thenardier. Everyone knows to never mess with a Thenardier.

Éponine bought a loaf of bread and two apples. She ate an apple as she made her way to the Elephant. She gave her brother the bread, an apple and five francs – instructing him to spend the money wisely.

She went to search for Marius next; she has yet to return his coat.

Éponine found him walking alongside Enjolras– undoubtedly on their way to the Musain. She rushed up behind them and tapped Marius' shoulder; the latter stopped and turned around.

"'Ponine!" Marius beamed at her, "How are you today?"

Enjolras had also stopped and gave her a curt nod, "Mademoiselle."

Éponine nodded in return and turned to Marius, "I am well, m'sieur Marius." She shrugged off Marius' coat, "I have your coat. I have failed to return it to you last night, my apologies, m'sieur."

Marius draped his coat over his arm and patted her shoulder, "It's alright, 'Ponine. Would like to come with us to the Musain?"

Enjolras took note of the way Éponine's face lit up upon the invitation – confirming his suspicions of why Éponine follows Marius around like a lost puppy and doing whatever he bids.

Éponine gave him a rueful smile, "I would love to, m'sieur Marius, but I have yet to return home. Papa and maman would be looking for me."

Marius frowned upon remembering what her parents make her do, "Alright, 'Ponine. Take care."

This minimal change of expression didn't go unnoticed by the watchful eyes of Enjolras, but he thought better not to ask.

Éponine nodded, "Oui, m'sieur. Au revoir."

Enjolras watched as Éponine turned her back at them and was easily lost in the bustle of the Parisian street.

Éponine plastered on her mask of indifference and entered their house. And just as expected, her papa was waiting for her. She had learned that it was best to appear that she doesn't care than show how much she resented her parents. She had loved them once – but everything has changed now.

"Where have you gone?" he snarled at her, and when she didn't answer, he stood from his seat and blocked her way. Éponine handed him the purse in response. Thenardier opened it and smiled – all yellow teeth and bad breath, "Good work, my girl. Now, get yourself changed. We're robbing tonight."

"Oui, papa."