Ch.2
Okay, so first off- shoutout to ConcreteAngelRoxHerHalo for getting the mysterious factory worker right. It is one of her guesses, and it will be revealed soon. Cookies for her (::) (::) I'm just going to say, I was going to make it Wednesday Addams, but it is not her. I decided not to. K! Enjoy! R & R!
-G
Eponine pushed open the door to Holsten's. Holsten's was the town ice cream parlor and restaurant, not to mention the signature hangout to Eponine, Marius, and Marius' friends. Eponine didn't mind his friends- they were nice to her, and funny.
The sounds of 'Alexander's Ragtime Band' filled the restaurant. Eponine loved the song, it was so upbeat and fun. It made her heart bounce to the beat of the song. Eponine walked to the back of the restaurant, the spot where she sat.
She went to find Marius already there, along with a few other of his friends; Enjolras, the serious yet handsome one; Grantaire, the drunk, but he was funny; Courfeyrac, the funny and charming one; and who could forget Joly, the sweet germaphobe.
Eponine sat down quietly at a round table across from the five. She knew they were having a serious conversation; all of their brows were scrunched. Eponine smirked at them.
The boys had this strange (or strange to Eponine at least) obsession with this so-called mysterious land in Peru. But they were easily one of the few people believing in the rumor. Eponine sighed and looked at her feet.
These guys were great to her, really they were! But she couldn't help but face the truth- they were never going to find it.
It made Eponine devastated for them, she knew it would kill them if she told. But she went with it, she was convinced that a good friend would do that.
"Did you guys hear that H.B. is going to Peru in July?" Enjolras asked.
The other four shook their heads slowly. H.B. stood for Hiram Bingham, he was a huge supporter of the land and was almost as obsessed with the cause as they were.
Joly rubbed his temples. "Why can't we go with him?" he wailed. Grantaire smirked and growled, "We don't have the money, dumb ass."
Marius propped his head onto his hands and tapped his chin. "Y'know, we could send him a letter, possibly asking if we could go." he proposed slowly. Coufeyrac shook his head and quipped, "No, it just seems like charity almost."
Eponine listened on carefully. God no. she thought. It did seem like charity. She didn't want the boys to be known as the 'crazy kids who believed in their dreams enough to send H.B. a letter'.
Enjolras grinned a half-smile and nodded. "Yeah, good thinking Pontmercy." As Enjolras got out a piece of paper and a quill, Marius smiled broadly to be recognized by the lead. Eponine shook her head and chuckled softly. Sometimes he could be adorable.
Grantaire complained, "But I agree with Courfie, Enjy. It will be charity." Enjolras placed a stern glare on Grantaire and Courfeyrac. He explained, "It won't be charity. We have nothing to lose fellas. Everyone around here is looking up to us. I'm sure H.B. would do the same thing as if he was in our position."
Eponine leaned back in her chair. "Or so you think," she murmured. To her dismay, all the boys turned to her at once. Enjolras pressed his lips together.
"Eponine. Didn't see you come in." Enjolras greeted coldly. Eponine smirked and crossed her arms.
"Why, I could say the same to you Enjolras. I was invited actually. No need to get your knickers in a twist."
All the boys erupted in laughter. Grantaire gave Eponine a high five. Enjolras looked at his feet and turned the slightest shade of pink, Eponine just grinned at him. Joly wiped a tear away from his eye and sighed, "What are you getting Eponine?"
Eponine reached into her pockets to get some change. Her fingers digged in her pockets, searching for something. But, her pockets were empty.
Her smile faded and she sagged her shoulders. This was really embarrassing. "I'm not getting anything tonight." She said very matter-of-factly. Marius offered, "Are you sure? Want me to get you something?"
"No!" Eponine blurted out. Their tables went silent. The boys were all fairly rich, and they were aware that Eponine wasn't the richest person. So they always bought things for her, making Eponine feel like a charity case.
She always promised to repay them in some way, but she was never able to. Eponine's cheeks turned bright red in shame and embarrassment. She murmured, "I have to go outside."
Gavroche pulled on his shoes and looked around the small apartment. Where was Azelma?
He stood up and brushed off his pants. "'Zelma?" he called. "Yeah?" a voice came from outside. Gavroche squinted his eyes and went to the fire escape to see a horrifying sight.
Azelma was hanging from her legs off of the fire escape. Her arms hung down, and her dress was tucked into her boots.
"Azelma! What the hell are you doing?!"Gavroche shrieked.
Azelma blinked and turned her head up to Gavroche. "Nothin'."
Garoche glared at her and sputtered, "Why are you hanging of a fire escape? You wanna get yourself killed?!"
Azelma smirked and shook her head. "Look around baby brother." she replied, outstretching her hand.
Gavroche crept up to the fire escape and leaned onto the bars. To his surprise, all the apartments down the streets had girls and boys Azelma's age hanging off the edge of the fire escape.
Gavroche blinked. This was some really stupid trend kids were doing. So of course, now twelve year old Gavroche had to be the adult figure. He wasn't too good at that.
"Fine Azelma. While you fall and crack your head open, I'll say I told you so."
As Gavroche folded his arms and walked out to the doorway of the apartment. He took his brown patched hat from the bent nail it was perched on and walked into the blistery cold.
As Gavroche walked through the streets of New York, he breathed a nice heave of fresh air. He loved the city, it was truly his home. He knew all the twists and turns, and where the best food was served.
All of the sudden, a feathered hat fell to his feet, Gavroche stopped walking and stared down at this rich hat at his feet. Where the heck did this thing come from? He picked the hat and gingerly stroked the feathers.
"Sorry! That's mine." A voice yelled hopelessly.
Gavroche glanced up to see three familiar figures running towards him, their purses bobbling in their haste. They were girls, all holding up their expensive dresses as they ran.
Once their faces were cleared, Gavroche realized that they were the people he least wanted to see- the Upland sisters.
The sisters were 18 year old Galinda, 12 year old Genessa, and who could forget 7 year old Gemma. Galinda had shimmering perfect blonde hair, as did Gemma. Only Genessa had reddish-brown hair.
"Oh, it's you. Fancy seeing you here Gavin." Gemma sighed sarcastically.
"It's actually Gavroche," Gavroche grumbled.
All of the sudden, Galinda shrieked, "Get your dirty, coal dusted hands off of my sister's hat!" She yanked the hat out of Gavroche's hands, with a little tearing sound.
Gavroche stared in horror at the three loose fuschia feathers that sat in his hands. Curse his firm grip! Gemma gasped and covered her mouth.
Galinda didn't seem to notice. She handed it to Genessa, who took it absentmindedly. Genessa turned the hat in her hands as Galinda purred, "Don't mind the coal stains, Genessa dear. They can be fixed. We'll ask Mother for some advice on what to do. Alright?"
Genessa nodded and put the hat back onto her head. Gavroche watched silently as Genessa reached into her lace pocketbag and pulled out a velvet red book. She opened it in front of her face, and the three walked away.
Gavroche shook his head and started to walk again.
Once he arrived at Holsten's he came up to see Eponine leaning against the outside wall, with her arms crossed. A long cigarette dangled from her nimble fingers.
"Hey 'Ponine." Gavroche replied staring up at her.
She raised the cigarette to her mouth and puffed on it. "Hey kid." She answered bitterly, smoke pouring out of her mouth.
Gavriche nodded and reached for the handle to open the door. But he was guarded by Eponine's slim arm holding him back.
"Not so fast…where's Azelma?"
Gavroche's eyes widened slightly. What could he do? He could either rat his sister out, or lie for her, possibly trading in a favor for later. But then again, Azelma was hanging off the fire escape at this moment. And Gavroche liked drama.
"She's hanging off of the fire escape."
"She's what?!"
Gavroche shrugged. "I tried to tell her not to, but she just wouldn't listen." He quipped innocently, adding a dramatic, helpless sigh. Eponine's eyes squinted.
"Go inside." She murmered.
Eponine stomped through the streets, plotting a punishment for Azelma. Maybe she could work extra hours? Nah, that would be holy tourture, plus the girl works too hard already.
Maybe she could make Azelma do the laundry. Eponine shook her head. Nope, still over-working.
Think Eponine, she thought. But she wasn't patient enough for masterminding. She threw her hands up in frustration and decided to ask Grantaire later. He was good at revenging.
Eponine reached the house, and didn't even have to go into the building to see Azelma. You could see her from a mile away, hanging high and dry off of the metal bars. Anger rose in Eponine's throat seeing Azelma, laughing and talking to girls who were also hanging off their fire escapes across from her.
No wonder she wanted to do it, Eponine thought. But still, Azema should know to resist peer pressure. Eponine walked up to Azelma and put her hands on her hips, looking up at Azelma sternly. "Azelma Odette Thenardier. What on Earth are you doing?" she asked through gritted teeth.
Azelma looked at Eponine, her eyes widening. Her face slowly drained of color. She let out a broken laugh and greeted nervously, "Eponine….I thought you were at Holsten's with the guys."
Eponine explained bitterly, "I was. But I came outside for a second to find Gavroche wandering the streets-alone." Okay maybe she exaggerated that a little bit, but it was Azelma.
Azelma stared at Eponine. It was a scared stare, and a part of Eponine began to feel bad. But she was angry at her, so she blocked it up. She asked slowly, "Azelma, why would you do this?"
Azelma gushed, "Well everyone else was doing it! They told me to! And being the nice person I am," she trailed off and took hold of her arm.
"So you gave into peer pressure?" Eponine asked.
Azelma nodded shyly and dropped from her place. She did a mid-air somersault to land on her feet. Eponine tilted her head and put her hand on Azelma's shoulder.
She crooned, "Look Azelma, I know it is hard to resist peer pressure. Things like this …just come. But you know that I can't let you down easy. A punishment is soon to come." Azelma nodded and looked up shyly.
"That's all I need to know."