Chapter Two
Éponine
Across from the ABC Café stood a young woman, no more than eighteen. She was lean, dressed in loose jeans and an old sweater; her long brown hair hung down below her shoulders. Her deep brown eyes lit up at the sight of some of her close friends. This was Éponine Thénardier.
Éponine had grown close to the Friends of the ABC. Courfeyrac, who she had known since she was young, was much like a big brother to her. She watched the men play cards and drink beer as the evening fell over Paris. Perhaps she would join, she thought.
"'Ponine!" a young voice called. Éponine's younger brother, Gavroche ran towards her. Eponine's lips curled into a smile. "Where have you been all day?" she asked. His dirty face and grimy hands proved he had been playing in the alleys. "Oh, nothing," he replied. "Can we go to the café?" he asked hopefully.
Éponine considered this for a short moment. Her parents would not care at all, plus Gavroche has been around the Friends of ABC many times before and has not caused any trouble. "Come on, little one."
The pair crossed the street, Gavroche nearly skipping from excitement. She opened the door, and the men turned.
"The Thénardiers!" Courfeyrac shouted over the loud music. Gavroche ran to Courfeyrac, who he loved like a father. Éponine smiled as she strode across the room, unaware of the stares she got.
Éponine was quite beautiful. She did not know it at all, of course. She thought that no one could find a poor thing like herself pretty. She was only concerned with one boy finding her pretty: Marius Pontmercy. She was enamored with him. How he treated these poor men as he would treat any of his rich friends.
"Evening, Marius."
"'Ponine!" he smiled.
She loved how he called her 'Ponine, a named reserved only for those she held closest. Her heart racing, she sat beside him. "Care for a drink?" he asked. Éponine agreed, taking a glass of wine from his hands.
After a few glasses each, Marius and Éponine were being as boisterous as the other men, laughing loudly and playfully arguing.
"Care to dance?" Marius asked, holding out his hand.
"Why of course, Monsieur," 'Ponine smirked.
The two danced gleefully for a long time. Éponine's wide grin took up half her face. Joy hung in the air. Not even Grantaire had a frown on his face. But Enjolras did. He tried to ignore it, but he couldn't. He looked quietly at Éponine and Marius; envy surging through his veins.
"Oy, Enjolras. What's eating you?" Grantaie asked, taking yet another swig of beer.
"Nothing." Enjolras faked a smile.
Grantaire chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "She's really something, isn't she?" Grantaire teased, keeping his pale eyes fixed on Éponine.
Enjolras's jaw tightened. "Yeah. She's beautiful."
Grantaire was aware just how Enjolras felt, and he had no intentions of letting it go. "Do you think I'd have a chance with her? She's had a few drinks."
"No. You can't do that. Besides, she is clearly in love with someone else," Enjolras hissed, looking up at Marius and the girl.
"Oh, that little bastard. Wonder what she sees in him," Grantaire grumbled. Enjolras ignored him, pouring himself a glass of wine.
Éponine stumbled to the table. "Hello, boys," she said breathlessly. Enjolras smiled weakly at her. "Where's Gavroche?" she asked. Enjolras pointed across the room.
Gavroche and Courfeyrac were engaged in playful arm wrestling. "Gavroche!" Éponine shouted. "It's getting late. Let's go." Her little brother reluctantly obliged, saying goodbye to the men he so admired.
Éponine hesitated briefly at the door, hoping that Marius would perhaps walk her home or kiss her cheek goodnight. "Good night, 'Ponine!" he called, very sleepily. "Hope to see you soon."
Éponine smiled as she walked out the door, though a twinge of disappointment could not be ignored. "Come on, little one," she said, swinging her arm around Gavroche.
The nighttime air was chilly, the street lamps casting a glow over the gray buildings. The streets were beginning to empty. Either everyone was already at the bars or settled in at home. The brother and sister walked briskly down the main street, before turning into a dingy alley.
They made their way up steep stairs and into a tiny house that smelled of cheap alcohol. Quietly, Éponine opened the door and led Gavroche in, telling him to run off to bed.
"'Ponine, 'Ponine, 'Ponine!" Monsieur Thénardier called. "It's so late, my girl!" he struggled to get up from his seat in front of the television.
Éponine stiffened. The only time her father greeted her so cheerfully was when he needed something. "Hello, father."
"Listen, my sweet. Your mother and I, we uh, we need some money."
"Why don't you just pick pocket?" Éponine snarled. He has had no problem in the past stealing.
He chuckled. "Oh, 'Ponine! You see. Why Azelma, she is too scared of the streets. And little Gavroche too young. We just need some quick money."
Eponine scoffed. She knew she had to agree or she would see the consequences. Without a word, she nodded and turned back out the door and into the night.