Taking Chances

"The world is wonderful when nothing holds you back isn't it?" Eponine asked Enjolras from her spot on the hill, looking over the city.

He jumped, not knowing that she knew he was there. They were at the park near the edge of town. It was big and full of all types of things such as trees, flowers, playgrounds, and even a waterfall. Eponine used to go here when she was younger and her parents were fighting. She always went at night, where nothing could really show her except for the dim light of the moon and stars.

Eponine recently decided to go here. It was an escape from the world full of crazy work and non-stop things to do. The only person who knew about it was Enjolras, but she didn't think he remembered about it.

Enjolras was looking for Eponine. She had left her hoodie at the library, and so he decided to catch up with her. He originally went to her house but her aunt said that she went to a private place. He immediately knew where she went, and headed straight to the park, up a hill, and into the wooded area. He saw her at the edge of the hill, her feet dangling from it, and staring dreamily at the city. That's when she caught him.

"How'd you see me? You aren't even facing my direction!" he interjected.

"Well, you aren't really the quietest when coming through the trees."

He sat down next to her on the rocks. "What're you doing here?"

"Thinking. I don't like being tied down to places or things, and I was just think why. And, what is it like to trust something. You don't always have to take care of yourself, and just, you know, the what ifs."

"Well, what about your aunt? Didn't she take some of that burden off your shoulders?"

"The food and housing maybe, but emotional baggage? That's something every teen has, and it's something they learn how to handle I guess, but I haven't learned."

"It's nice to trust something fully. I really trust 'Ferre. Eponine, I know you like to do things on your own."

"No one to blame but yourself if it ends up fucked."

"Well, I guess but, honestly, having help isn't bad."

"It isn't?" Eponine asked, finally turning to face him. Her face was pale in the moonlight, but she still managed to look beautiful. He couldn't help what he was doing. He reached up to hold her cheek, and felt the bags under her eyes. She looked so beautiful.

"It isn't at all," he whispered. "You're not the only one on this planet for a reason. Friends like me are here to help." He placed his other hand on her face too, mirroring his right.

"Why don't you try it? What do you say about taking chances?" he asked her.

"I guess, but I'm tired of getting hurt."

"You won't get hurt. Not if I'm around to help it."

She didn't say anything, but smiled her dimpled smile at him. It brightened the world around them, and Enjolras felt that not even the brightest star in the universe could beat it.

His lips curled up into a smile. One that she hadn't seen since before their fight. His lips, pink and perfect, some that she could just kiss all day. Where words of passion would flow if the situation required it. She brushed the hair on his forehead away, relishing in the way the curls felt against her hands. They were as smooth as she imagined. She raked her fingers through his hair, watching as he closed his eyes in pleasure. His smile widened. He was so different from the man she saw earlier that day. He looked so calm, and not just caring, but thoughtful. It was like he was afraid to break the girl in front of him.

Eponine felt him lean into her touch, and soon, their lips were just a centimeter apart. Their noses were touching the way that actors in movies would.

"Take a chance, Ep," Enjolras breathed, and… Eponine pulled her face away as Enjolras leaned in. She laughed as he stumbled slightly, surprised not to feel his lips on hers.

"As I said before, Mister. You've gotta gain back my trust!" She reminded him while laughing.

He stood up, dusting his pants off. "That was just plain cruel. We had a moment there."

"Well, well, well! Is Mister Marble starting to feel things?" Eponine teased.

"I'm not marble. And I'll show you that," Enjolras pledged. He stuck his hand out to her. "May I have the honors of walking you back to your house?"

Eponine slipped her hand in his, and he pulled her up.

"A little tip, Enj," Eponine said as they started walking down the hill. "You need to be creative. I hate it when things are cliché."

"Is this a challenge?" Enjolras asked her.

"Yes."

"Good," Enjolras smiled. "I love challenges."

"Tomorrow is Thanksgiving! I can already taste the turkey in my mouth. Mmmmm…" Gavroche exclaimed. He fell on the couch, rubbing his stomach.

"You also have a race to run at 9," Eponine reminded him. He responded with a groan.

"I didn't agree to do the Turkey Trot!" He complained. "I'm not in shape."

"C'mon 'Roche! Les Amis are running it too. You can join them," Eponine coaxed him.

"They are? Including Courf?"

"Si. So, what d'ya say?"

"Sure!" Eponine laughed at how easy it was to get him to do anything ever since he met Les Amis. The boy had immediately been adopted into the group and bonded with them. Courfeyrac was closest to him, but they all knew he adored Enjolras. Enjolras was everything Gavroche wanted to be, and it really benefitted him. He started earning better grades, doing more community service, focusing on sports, and helping others. He was even started to have a group of fan girls.

"Alright," Eponine sighed as she got up from the dinner table where she was doing her homework. "I'm gonna go to the Rebel's game tonight. Tell Anne for me, will you?" Eponine asked Gavroche as she went to get her sweatshirt from the rack.

His head shot up. "Can I come?!"

"No." Eponine shook her head. "It'll be long and won't end until ten. You need your sleep. You need to grow!"

"Please Ep?" Gavroche pleaded.

"I don't want you getting lost in the large crowd."

"Are you implying that I'm too small to be found?"

"Gavroche, go to bed," Eponine commanded, walking out the door.

"Don't ignore my question!" Gavroche shouted before she shut the door behind her, and she headed to the game.

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"C'MON! BEAT THEIR BUTTS! GO REBELS!"

Eponine pulled Cosette down from her standing point. "Calm down! The game hasn't even started yet!"

Cosette shrugged. "It's pre-game encouragement."

Eponine bit the end of her sweatshirt. "This is your first game isn't it?"

Cosette looked down. "Yeah. I never really had a reason to go all these years, but now, Marius is on the team and everything so, I gotta show some support."

Eponine nodded. They were dubbed the cutest couple in school, knocking Colette and Enjolras down, not that they were a real couple. Colette had started being harsher to Eponine, Cosette, and Musichetta lately, claiming they were ruining her relationship with Enjolras. Of course, what didn't help the situation was when Eponine murmured "what relationship?" and Colette overheard.

Soon the game started, and the players filed out. Enjolras's jersey was the number 7, his lucky number. The crowd was very enthusiastic, and it seemed that Hugo High took their football very seriously. They had police men in the stands to keep the visitors and home team from fighting.

Half way through the game, Eponine excused herself to use the bathroom. She walked down the stands and into the school. When she finished, she felt a hand grasp her shoulder and pull her back. She screamed and bit the attacker's hand, but he didn't budge.

The man dragged her to the farthest end of the school from the field, and then he threw her to the floor. She took her chance to look up at him, but he was wearing a mask.

Two more men joined him, wearing similar masks, and then a cackling came from behind her.

"Well, if it isn't me precious child!" Thenardier whispered. He bent down, caressing her cheek, earning a slap in response from the girl.

"What're you doing here? You're still supposed to be in jail," Eponine spat.

"Eponine, I've been to twenty-two jails. Ya think one'll keep me in?" Thenardier scoffed.

"One would hope. Especially when it was the best jail in the country. I would think."

"Well you thunk wrong."

"It's 'thought'."

"I don't give a shit."

Eponine glanced at the men in masks. The outline of their faces were all very familiar. She saw Claquesous's and Babet's face, but Guelmer's was replaced by a younger looking one. She couldn't place her finger on it, but the face did look very familiar.

"I see you brought your goons, except I don't remember this new one," Eponine muttered. She walked over to him, tracing his facial features, watching as he tensed at her touch. Then she kneed him in the groin, and watched him fall in agony. She was about to sprint away when she felt the others grab her.

"Let go of me! What do you even want?! I have nothing for you!" Eponine shouted, straining against the men's grasps.

Thenardier approached her. "I know it was yer who told dem damn cops where we were. I'm watching ya Ep. Don't think I don't have eyes everywhere ya go. When I need some cash, I'll be back for ya. Ya don't think I would let such a pretty daughter go to waste do ya?"

He slapped her, and told them to let go of her arms. "We'll be back Eponine." And then they left out of the emergency exit, Eponine watching as their figures disappeared immediately.

A/N: Hey! A little turn of events. I don't own anything. Enjoy!

-Franky