That Monday, Eponine was home earlier than usual, which was actually nice. She felt bad for her little brother, Gavroche, who would be stuck home alone with her parents on a regular day. Instead, she waited for him to get off the bus, as the town's middle school got out later than the high school.

"Hey, Gav," she greeted the seventh grader, who could definitely pass as an elementary school boy. He was short and very skinny, but in an adorable way. His clothes were old and tattered, Eponine knew he was teased a lot in school.

"Hi, 'Ponine!" he responded, just happy to see his big sister. He took a seat on the old couch next to her.

Eponine occasionally forgot just how much she loved Gavroche and felt guilty about leaving him alone in the house. He was so kind and considerate... and so sweet. Well that actually wasn't true, he did have a bad mouth to him, but that was mostly to his parents and they deserved it.

At the thought of her parents, Mrs. Thenardier waltzed in. She looked uncharacteristically happy, which could only mean they were having a party again. Both Eponine and Gavroche knew what that meant.

The Thenardier's owned the seedy motel next door to their house, usually inhabited by the scum of the next door city, New London. Most nights were a party there, but whenever Eponine and her brother were invited they were always made to pickpocket and steal, as if the usually drunk people had any kind of money.

Their inn was far from classy and usually took in the scum and drunkards of the large city next to Alfred, New London. Parties were far from fun in her opinion and reestablished her hatred for her parents.

Eponine sighed, she had homework.

Despite her weak protests, both siblings found themselves in the motel, watching as the New Londoners happily entered their motel, eager to party. Gavroche looked to his sister nervously.

"Try not to get involved in this, don't talk to anyone," Eponine told him. Why did her parents have to be such trash? Her brother didn't deserve to grow up around people like that.

"But I should still try and steal, shouldn't I?"

Eponine paused. "Yeah, but, but keep half for yourself, okay?" Gavroche gave his sister a dumbfounded look, they were never suppose to keep money for themselves.

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, but don't tell Mom and Dad." Eponine commanded, Gavroche nodded obediently.

She sat and watched her brother weave in and out of the people, expertly reaching into pockets and pulling out money. Eponine knew she would be expected to do the same thing sooner or later that night, but she first had to make sure her brother would be alright.

"Hey, 'Ponine," a familiar voice said, yet still managed to make her jump.

"Enjolras?"

"Hey," he said yet again.

"Why did you come here?"

"Well, I was wondering where you were, I figured you would be here. I went to your house, too. And, plus, I wanted to be in the presence of intellectuals such as these." Eponine laughed at his obvious sarcasm, the people at the motel were far from intellectual, and that definitely included her parents. "Your brother's good at what he does," Enjolras continued, watching Gavroche navigate through the crowd.

That was what she loved about Enjolras. While Marius always had been weary of her inevitable life style. As much as he wouldn't like to admit it, Eponine's life always made him a little nervous. Enjolras didn't care. Enjolras excepted it.

"I'd rather he was good at reading or math," she complained, "Look at him, he's like the Artful Dodger."

"But he's clever, especially for a twelve-year-old."

Eponine only wanted the best for her brother. Gavroche deserved it, he was always made fun of at school and by their parents. She wished he could have been naturally good at school, like Enjolras was.

"I wish he was like you," Eponine admitted aloud, and quickly shut her mouth.

"Like me?"

"I... I didn't mean to say that out loud. But... I don't know, you're so smart and you have such a good life ahead of you... I don't."

"Oh, come on, Eponine, that's not true! You're one of the smartest girls I know. We're in the same math class because you took a Geometry course one summer. Don't say that, you have such a bright future ahead of you."

"You think so?" she asked him, uncertain.

"I know so." They smiled at each other, embracing in a much needed hug. Eponine hadn't felt as good as she did then in weeks.

"Eponine, if you're going to do that, get a room," her mother snapped, instantly causing her daughter to blush.

"Hate her," Eponine muttered. Enjolras nodded in agreement.

"No offense, but she's kind of gross."

"None taken."

The next day after school, Eponine decided not to wait up for a ride from Enjolras. Instead, she walked home and was on time to greet Gavroche as he got off the bus.

She had began to start on her homework when her old phone went off. It was Christine.

Aced the retake thank u so much!

Ever since Eponine had began to tutor Christine Daae in math, they had surprisingly become great friends. She could never see herself ever hanging out with someone a popular, good-looking senior like Christine, but she was surprisingly funny and down-to-earth.

In fact, they even had confided to each other. Christine missed her deceased father terribly, while Eponine hated her own. They seemed complete opposites, yet somehow very similar.

Yay! Thats great. Wanna come to my house today?

Not much later, Christine arrived at her house. They hung out for a while and for the first time Eponine noticed that her new friend was actually more than quirky. She flat out refused any food that was offered, insisting it was bad for her voice.

"Who said that?" she asked.

"My voice teacher."

"So what do you eat?"

"Oh, I'll eat anything, just not soda, dairy, carbs or anything spicy."

"Oh," was Eponine's simple response. Christine stayed a little while longer, but nothing else really happened. She pushed aside any of her opinions on Christine and they talked a little while about Meg Giry, her best friend. Unfortunately, that also lead to the topic of Marius, as he was Eponine's best friend.

"I know Marius, he's friends with Raoul. He's also dating my friend Cosette, you must know her."

Eponine managed to answer with a passive yes.

"She's so sweet, they're just the most adorable couple!" Christine gushed.

"Yeah, Cosette's so nice. I think Marius is really happy," Eponine commented, trying to sound as cheerful as she could.

They talked a little while longer, Eponine could hardly focus, still thinking in jealousy over Cosette. What did she have that Eponine didn't?

Everything.

They talked a little while and Christine excused herself to go home and get some homework. Eponine watched as her friend left and decided to try as hard as she could to forget Marius.

Okay short chapter I know, but there's no time to update! I promise next week I will be a bit more hard-working. I hope you enjoyed!