I feel so bad! It's been forever since I've posted! I have just been so busy, I am studying for finals and my rehearsal schedules (for Les Mis!) are crazy and I have had no time at all! Here's the bonus Azelma chapter I promised. I swear as soon as summer starts I'll get my act together. (By the way, this chapter starts right after the kids get kicked out of their home and start living with Cosette)

Disclaimer: Even though I haven't posted in weeks, I still don't own Les Mis

Chapter 20

Azelma

I just didn't know what to think. I didn't know at all. In the last 24 hours my world had literally been turned upside down. My father had kicked us out. My mother was having another baby. And I could tell something was up with Eponine. All I really needed was a good nights sleep and time to think, but instead Eponine had decided to drag Gavroche and I out in the early morning hours to go to work with her. I wanted to tell her I was plenty old enough to not have her watching me (I was barely younger than her) but I bit my tongue and did what I was told. I didn't know what she expected us to do today, especially me. I knew Gav would be fine, he played errand boy to those students that worked there, even though Eponine didn't know. When she went through her phase of barely being around he had told me he was helping them out. But what was I supposed to do all day? Sit there and look pretty? Well minus the pretty part. I took after my father; I was a stick in every sense. Skinny and awkwardly tall with bright red hair and a face covered with freckles. Eponine had warned me multiple times about young men, but I wasn't exactly attracting any.

I had never been to the café where Eponine worked, Roche had always been the one to spy on her, but I wasn't exactly impressed by what I saw as we approached. The café was broken down, dark and damp. I suppose it was better than nothing. Eponine said something to us before we went in, but I mostly ignored it. I nodded like I was listening, but I really didn't care, I was barely awake. I followed my sibilings in, feeling out of place. That was me, odd one out Azelma. I was always just the middle child. I wasn't Eponine, smooth and confident. Nor was I like Gavroche, adventurous and fun. I was just the wallflower, plain and quiet.

When we got in Gavroche went on his own, while I stuck to Eponine's side.

"Azelma, I could see if there's something you could do to help out, if not there's books in the corner," she suggested.

"But I can't read," my face turned red.

"Yes but it may get someone to ask what you are reading and then it will start a conversation," she said with a wink as she turned to go.

Eponine walked away leaving me there unsure what to do. What was I supposed to do looking at books I can't read all day? I ran my hand over the spines until one caught my eye. The book was a dark red, almost maroon, with gold lettering. Compared to all of the other books on the shelf, it looked in fairly good condition, but still very old. I pulled it out and turned around bumping into one of the students in the process

"I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there!" I apologized. I looked up and met his eyes before he quickly looked away. He was attractive, but in a simple way. He seemed to be one of those people who fade into the background.

"No it's my fault," he said quietly, "forgive me."

He went to grab a book from the shelf, as I watched over his shoulders, "Umm... Are there any books you would recommend?"

He blushed, "The one you're holding. It's my favorite."

"Really? It must be good! I had a feeling..." I smiled shyly realizing how stupid I must sound.

"If you read it, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Maybe we could even talk about it. What was your name again?" He proposed.

"I'm called Azelma. The only problem is I would love to read it, but I... Can't," I felt the blood rush to my cheeks, why did I say that? Now he's going to think I'm just plain dumb.

"I'm Combeffere, and maybe I could help you, read that is." Combeffere, what a fitting name.

"You would teach me?" I was shocked, that was such a generous offer.

"I don't have anything else to do. And I want you to be able to read it, because it's one of the best," he said avoiding eye contact again. At first I thought he didn't like me much, but then I realized he was shy. Being shy myself, I didn't know why I didn't realize it sooner. I couldn't believe he was really going to help me!

We started working on my reading everyday while Eponine was working. It amazed me that I could finally do something like this, something I thought I would never do! And I think my favorite part was spending time with Combeferre. I gradually grew more and more fond of him. Till I almost fancied him. He was sweet, and had more of a brain then I think he was really given credit for. He was so selfless on top of that.

One day Eponine had worked an extra shift, and Combeferre and I had already finished our lesson, so the two of us decided to go on a walk. There was a park not to far from the café and it was a warm sunny day. The walk had started out quite normally, with little conversation and shared smiles, but when we had started back Combeferre kissed me.

It was a shy kiss, completely out of context. After that we walked back in silence, but not an awkward silence; but the comfortable silence we had between the two of us. He didn't have to say anything for me to understand, I just did. From that point on we fancied each other but we didn't tell anyone, we knew there would be all kinds of drama if word got out. But I was happy, so did it really matter if everyone knew?

So that's it! I was hoping to have a little more to say, but I didn't so it is kind of short! Thanks for reading!