Chapter 3

"Eponine! What was that all about?" an angry Enjolras appeared in front of her.

She looked up to the ground and looked at Enjolras in the eyes. His deep blue eyes holding hers. They were filled with passion and concern. "Nothing. Javert was just asking me where my father was located. I told him that I didn't know. Cause I left last night."

He stared into her eyes for any farther reasoning behind what she was saying. She didn't appear to be lying. Her father was a notorious thief and gangster in the slums of paris.

"If you're lying I swear to god-"

"What? You don't trust me? I am one of the Amis now correct? I am to be trusted. Yes?"

"Sorry Madam... Er... Eponine. It's just i can't have him snooping around in our business."

"If you're not doing anything wrong it shouldn't matter correct?"

"Yes. I suppose. Now let's go inside. This is starting to look suspicious."

It isn't looking suspicious that is what the problem is.

"Well sir speech a lot, are you ready to speak at the rally today?" She put a big smile on her face covering up the fact that she was trying to change the subject.

"As ready as I will ever be I suppose. I am going to take what you said about speaking into consideration." He sighed then continued. "It is stressing me out too much to put it on paper. But I did however make a list about what I need to address."

"See? That is the way to go! It will make it easier and less stressful on you. Just let me know how you feel when you're done speaking." she turned around to hear the students enter the cafe.

"Come on Combeferre. It'll be great." They stopped when they saw Enjolras and Eponine alone in a room together.

The man in the green striped vest was the one to break the silence. "So... What is going on here?"

"Oh. Eponine was helping me develop a new way of speaking at the rally. I'm just going to use a short list and speak whatever comes to mind."

"Are you sure-" Combeferre started to object when Eponine cut him off.

"Don't you dare say that it isn't a good idea. He does it in front of you guys all the time. It'll be fine and it will be more passionate. It'll be more fulfilling."
"Geeze. Someone has woke up on the wrong side of the bed today." Striped vest spoke again.

"I'm sorry but I don't know any of your names... Other than Combeferre now that is..." Eponine looked down at the ground kinda ashamed that she never paid any attention to them before.

"That's okay! I'm Joly" He smiled and gestured to the rest of the students. "This is Bahorel, Courfeyrac, Feuilly, Jean Prouvaire, and Lesgle." They all smiled and waved.

"I'm Eponine in case you guys didn't know that."

"Nice to meet you Mademoiselle, He forgot to mention one more person." He walked out of the corner in the back holding a bottle and looked slightly disheveled. "I am Grantiare. The life and soul of this group known as the Amis." He smiled, shook her hand then left for the bar.

"Should I ask or?" She looked around at the rest of them in a curious matter.

"He likes his alcohol." Courfeyrac said with a wink.

"So I see... Does he partake in any of this?" She gestured towards him.

"No... He mostly just sits there drinking 95% of the time." Joly added.

"The other 5% he is passed out or too buzzed to even think straight." Bahorel chuckled.

Eponine looked around at all of them laughing. She then decided to take a chair next to Grantiare and observe even more. If she was going to get pay for this she might as well enjoy herself instead of constantly bugging everyone to get answers.

"Want some?" Grantiare leaned the bottle to her.

"Sure. Why not." She grabbed the bottle and took three big chugs from the bottle. Then handed the bottle back.

"Woah. You are wonderful. Madam."

"Eponine. Call me Eponine. Not Madam or Mademoiselle. Please. I don't deserve those terms I am nothing but a street rat. A homeless one at that."

"Psshhhttt. Please. Whatever. I guess EEEEpppoooonnniiinneeee is fine." Grantiare was definitely drunk. It wasn't even noon yet.

"So... Why do you just hide out in this corner while the rest are all interacting with each other?"

"I just like to observe I suppose." He looks over at them but glances at Enjolras first. "They are certainly a joy to watch."

"I believe you have your eyes set on something else other than entertainment, sir." she smirks at him.

"So what if I am? Doesn't matter anyways. Why are you over here? You must have a reason."

"My main reason hasn't shown up yet. But just like you, I am here to observe until I am needed I guess. I technically am not aloud to speak until Enjolras has addressed me."

"Ahhhh. That man-"

Eponine hears footsteps and immediately jumps off of the stool and looks towards the steps. "Marius!"

"Hey 'Ponine!" He runs over to her. "I saw the most beautiful angel in the marketplace today. Do you think you know who it is?!"

Her cheerfulness went away almost immediately. "I... I don't know... You didn't describe her... Or... Anything..."

"She has blonde hair that just looks so soft and is incredibly beautiful. One sight just sent my heart away to the sky!" He gestured towards the sky. "I need to find out where she lives."

"Until you get more information, no one not even me can help you Marius. Sorry."

She turns back around to Grantiare and snatches the bottle out of his hands. Takes two chugs then looks at him for permission to chug the rest.

"Go ahead darling. Seems like you need it more than me right now."

"Thanks 'Aire." She chugged the rest of the bottle then sat down. She felt immediately better. She smiled at the warmth the burning liquid sent down her throat. When she turned back around Marius was telling the others of his discovery.

"Is this what it feels like 'Aire?"

"Every minute. Except mine is in love with Patria."

"It hurts. It hurts like hell." She looked at Marius who was smiling the biggest smile he had ever seen.

"Lady and Gentlemen. Time to get this meeting going!" He gestured for Eponine to take a seat with the rest of them.

She nodded then sauntered over to sit in the closes seat to the window. Marius was still talking about the 'Lark' so Enjolras cleared his throat to get his attention. Marius turned around then took a seat next to Eponine.

That is exactly why I sat all the way over here you dumbass.

She shut her eyes and made a face that said that it hurt. The only one to see it had been Enjolras. He nodded then continued with his conversation.

"We have a rally in about a half hour make sure you know where your placements are and what you chime in and where. This is very crucial. ONLY SPEAK WHEN YOU NEED TO ADD SOMETHING IMPORTANT." He looked at Marius only to see that he was daydreaming. He walks over to him and slaps him.

"What was that for?!"

"You weren't listening. This can't go wrong. We have too much at stake here. You need to be paying attention."

"I was paying attention!" Enjolras just gave him a look that said he was annoyed then turned away.

"As I was saying we do not want the police involved. We prevent this by acting rationally. Last time it turned into a riot we do not want that. Understand?"

All of the students nodded as well as Eponine. "All right! Let's go to a rally!" Enjolras grabbed the list of topics then waited til everyone left the room. Eponine stayed in the seat looking out the window.

"Is everything okay Ep?"

"What oh. Yeah. Just tired. You know... When you're tired... You tend to stare..." she sighed.

"I know what is really going on. Marius and 'the Lark' yes?"

"You are way more observant of other people than I give you credit for Enjy."

"Hey don't call me that."

"You called me Ep. It's only fair." she smirked.

"Fine. What I am getting at is don't let it get to you. He'll stop all of this nonsense in a day or two."

"Okay... If you say so..." she shrugged and looked into his eyes to see if he was just trying to make her feel better. His eyes actually seemed sincere.

"Let's go to a rally."