Safety

Eponine couldn't focus on the game. She was too preoccupied with what had happened. How the hell did they find her? Well, obviously Thenardier had eyes around the town, but how did they know that she is the Eponine they were looking for? She looked so different from the girl she looked like before, for god's sake! Well, she thought she did.

"Yes! Touchdown!" Cosette screamed next to her. Eponine didn't even flinch. Worried, Cosette touched her shoulder and then shook it. Eponine didn't spare her a look.

"Ep? Are you okay? You're all, like, frozen and it's scaring me, honestly. Did something happen?" Cosette asked her.

"I'm fine, 'Sette. Just a little tired," Eponine sighed, forcing her eyes to flutter, proving her point.

"Well, the game's almost over. We'll leave soon." Cosette returned to watching the game, not as enthusiastic as before.

What did Thenardier mean when he said that he didn't want to waste a pretty daughter? She gasped, the realization hitting her. He wouldn't do that to his own kid, would he? That was just a little facet of her problem. Mainly, who told Thenardier that she was here with her siblings? There was that weird kid in biology who always seemed to check her out and lick his lips, but she recently found out he was just a bit messed up. The teachers were too prim and proper to be associated with Thenardier. Josh from her running team was a bit dark, but reality, he was a really nice guy, he just preferred to stay out of the spotlight.

Could it be Montparnasse? But he promised not to deceive her, and she trusted him. He wouldn't do such a thing after he saw what happened to Thenardier would he? He promised…

She dismissed her thought and tried to focus on the game. She didn't need to be so stressed out near Thanksgiving.

Enjolras ran down the field like there was no tomorrow. He had the football in his arms, and he dodged all of his opponents. He could vaguely hear the crowd cheering and the grunting from his teammates over his own heavy breathing. His thoughts drifted off to something else, though. He started running faster as if the person he was thinking of was there at the end of the field. I'm coming Eponine, he whispered. Then he slowed down, coming to a jog. Why was he thinking about her?

"Enjolras, go!" Combeferre screamed at him while trying to hold off another man. Enjolras quickly recovered, making a touchdown right before someone tackled him. The crowd jumped up cheering. Enjolras opened his eyes after the impact and the first person he saw in the bleachers was Eponine herself. Good god, what was going on with him?

Talking echoed in the large room filled with half the Amis. Smells of turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and cranberry sauce filled the air. The lights in the Café were dimmed a bit, and the room was warm compared to the weather outside. Eponine swiftly dodged Feuilly who had his arms full of paper leaves colored to like those in fall. They were setting up for the first Thanksgiving dinner that would be celebrated by all of them together. This year, parents were really busy with work, and so they took the opportunity to celebrate at the Café Musain.

"Eponine, can you pass me the tape please?" Grantaire asked her as he held up an orange streamer. She picked up the roll of packing tape and threw it to him since he was so high up on the ladder he was using. The place looked great with the orange, red, and yellow decorations. Grantaire had used his drawing skills and drew mini pilgrims and Indians.

"Why don't you draw more often?" Eponine asked Grantaire while fingering the papers on which the sketches were.

"I don't really have time to," Grantaire tried saying with the tape roll in his mouth.

"If you stopped drinking, you just might."

"Ep," Grantaire sighed, "It's Thanksgiving. Just be thankful that I'm not drinking today. Not yet, at least." Eponine rolled her eyes.

"Eponine, honey! Can you please help me bring the food to the tables?" Madame Houcheloup asked her from the counter. Eponine rushed to her aid, carrying the assortment of foods to the table covered with a white cloth. She sniffed the scrumptious food in front of her.

All that prevented Eponine from eating the delicacies on the table was the absence of half of her friends. The strong smell of the turkey kept tempting her, and so she had to stay as far away as she could from the table. Looking outside was the only thing that prevented her from devouring the dinner that sat at the tables.

Fall was Eponine's favorite season. Although she loved being able to stay in the sun longer in summer, playing in the snow in winter, or looking at the blossoming flowers in the spring, Eponine enjoyed fall the most. Fiery colors decorated the trees. The air was crisp, giving Eponine the chance to wear her favorite sweater and boots. Smells of pumpkin or turkey would usually be in the air. Geese flew south, making noises that Eponine found soothing though most would find annoying. Jumping in leaves was the best part of autumn to Eponine. Feeling the different textures always gave her an odd feeling she loved.

"Hey, don't be depressed on Thanksgiving," Enjolras said from behind her.

She smirked before turning to him. "I'm not, but thanks for the concern."

"Well, that's good. Is everyone here?"

"No, I think Gav and 'Zel are still—" then her siblings and aunt walked through the door; "Or, okay, never mind. Yup, we're all here."

They all headed to the giant makeshift table, and then they held hands all together. Madame Houcheloup looked around at the group and then said, "Good Father, we give thanks to all that we have received. Thank you for the food and bring us together. Amen. Now let's dig in!"

Laughter erupted at her rushed prayer, but after nobody complained and started stuffing their mouths. Eponine marveled at how complete she felt with the Amis at the Musain on Thanksgiving. Before, something was always a little off. Besides safety, shelter and an education, she never had anything new to be Thankful for. Her life was an endless system that never changed. Now, she had a whole crazy family that was unpredictable. She snickered at the time Courfeyrac was rejected by a girl, failed a test, and then was hit in the gut with a football one day. Instead of getting angry, he got up from his pain and shouted "PLOT TWIST."

The two grown-ups went into the kitchen to talk while the kids played decided to play poker in the Café. Despite Eponine's warning of not letting Gavroche play, Courfeyrac let him play. They played 7 and a half and 27 and a half. Feuilly shuffled the cards skillfully and passed them out.

Instead of betting money, they wrote secrets on strips of paper, and whoever won got to choose which secret to ask about. The game went on, Bossuet folding first due to his bad luck, and then was followed by Joly, Cosette, Marius, Combeferre, Musichetta, Feuilly, Grantaire, Bahorel, and Azelma, leaving Gavroche, Eponine and Enjolras. The next card Feuilly passed to Eponine caused her to go over 27 by just one. It was intense between the two last ones. Slowly, Gavroche pulled a card and smirked. Enjolras sighed, shaking his head and whispering, "I fold."

The Amis cheered for Gavroche, before he started laughing without stop.

"'Roche, why are you laughing so much?" Eponine asked, finally catching on to his game. He flipped over his cards showing a five of clubs, four aces, and two jacks.

"I bluffed!"

Exclamations of "You smart boy" and "I was beat by a middle-school boy who bluffed" entered the air. Gavroche was still cackling over with laughter until he realized he had to choose someone's secret.

"Wait! Guys!" he shouted. Les Amis quieted down, letting him talk. "I have to choose somebody's secret!"

"That's right," Combeferre agreed. "So who's it gonna be?"

Gavroche eyed the papers carefully, looking for one special one. He picked up the strip of paper hidden at the bottom of the pile, gasping at what he read. Who would've know that this person wrote this?

"It says, 'I use conditioner even though I'm a guy.'"

"Gaaaaaay!" Bahorel joked. Grantaire and Jehan glared at him before he apologized.

"I betcha it's Enjolras's!" Teased Eponine. Everyone laughed and agreed before deciding to play another round. Gavroche slid out of his seat, walking over to Enjolras.

He whispered, "I'll be kind and give this back to you, but if you mess with my sister, trust me, you're screwed." And Gavroche handed him the "I use conditioner paper." Enjolras's face turned red as he realized that Gavroche now knows one of his biggest secrets: he realized he loved Eponine at the football game, and now, he was going crazy.

A/N: Okay, not the best, but I'm doing this kinda rushed. Just a small example of the amount of homework we receive: my backpack weighs more than me. Sorry it took so long, but special thanks to Alex-samsprout who always comments and supports me in this story. You're awesome!

Suffering a bit of writer's block. Disclaimer: I don't own any characters besides Leanne.

-Franky