Love Never Dies
Vibrating beneath them, the car brought the group slowly to the dance. Eight of them were packed in a white van with the rest of les amis in a minivan behind. Eponine was in the white van with Montparnasse and Enjolras, and she was dying of impatience.
Each minute that passed was slow, spreading to two minutes in her head before they reached the building. She was wedged between Montparnasse and the car wall, and Enjolras was driving up front, silent and serious. She glanced at him from her spot, watching as his body swayed with the vehicle. The heat was blasting, but that was not why she was so uncomfortable. Montparnasse was her chain, holding her back, while her most wanted thing was dangled a few feet ahead of her.
They pulled into the building's parking lot, greeted with the sight of multicolored lights streaming from the doors, with white and blue balloons floating above the door. Eponine spotted the few students at their cars, holding beer bottles and already looking drunk. She wrapped her jacket tighter around her body as if the fabric would protect her from any evil that evening. Montparnasse slung an arm around Eponine's shoulder, smiling widely down at her. Eponine grinned back, then turned away from his deadly gaze.
She jumped out of the vehicle, watching the rest of her friends congregate in front of the minivan. It felt wrong to bring Montparnasse. It seemed like he intruded in a private party. Bad luck was always around him, too. She had a bad feeling about what would happen with him around. Slowly, she turned to the man in her thoughts and nodded.
"Ready?" Eponine asked him. He smirked at her and offered his arm. She took it, walking slowly to the deafening noise of the dance inside. Turning her head back, she looked at Enjolras and sent him a reminder of their meeting through mental telepathy. She saw him turn to look at her, and Eponine smiled because she thought it worked. His expression did not change, and he looked back at his group of friends. Eponine resumed to travel forward with disappointment in her thoughts.
Walking with her hand resting on Montparnasse's arm, Eponine made her way towards the dance. Each step she took closer to it, the music beat louder making the distant chatter of the people and rumble of cars abstruse. The multicolored lights and bustling people inside came closer to view. She saw the gym entrance and the teachers taking tickets. Montparnasse lead her inside to the welcome warmth of the building and handed the teachers the tickets. They entered the doors and into the gym which was converted to a dance floor. Montparnasse squeezed her hand as they walked to the far right of the gym. Pulling out a chair at a table, Montparnasse sat Eponine. He took the seat next to her.
"It's so warm in here," he commented.
Eponine nodded. "I wonder how many people aren't drunk, having sex, or making out. Or just went home already." She laughed.
"That doesn't leave many of us," Montparnasse said. He draped his arm on the back of her chair.
Eponine sighed. "I've been wondering what you've been doing since Patron Minette landed in jail." She began smoothing the tears in the table cloth.
"What?" he shouted. "I can't hear you over the music!"
Sure. Especially since you heard me a few seconds ago. "What have you been doing after the Patron landed in jail?!"
"Eh. Nothing much. I've been around here and there, trying to find a stable life, you know?"
Eponine nodded, not believing him. She had suspected him working with her father and regretted ever trusting him. They spent a few minutes, watching the students dance to the music. Eponine kept a watch out for Enjolras, hoping she would spot him making his way to the east wing. She watched Cosette giggle as Marius told her a joke. She saw Musichetta show Joly and Bossuet how to Salsa. Even Grantaire and Bahorel were having a better time than her as they helped the DJ with the songs.
Montparnasse got up abruptly, scaring Eponine. He laughed nervously, and then set his hand on hers. Eponine recoiled and slyly rested her head on the same hand he had touched.
"I'm gonna go fetch us a drink, alright? Wait here?" he asked. She smiled sweetly, watching as he faded into the shadows for her "drink."
Eponine huffed and stood up. She flew through the room in a similar fashion as Montparnasse, gracefully avoiding attention. The room was hypnotizing with its loud music and bright colors. The girls' dresses twirled and the boys' tuxedos blurred. When she reached the hallway, Eponine let out a sigh of relief. She felt welcome in the quieter, less busy atmosphere.
Eponine turned to travel through the east wing when she saw a pair of cold blue eyes look her up and down. Making an attempt to leave, Eponine pushed past the girl and her minions, but Colette was a volleyball player. She knew how to act fast and was incredibly strong. She had Eponine's wrist in a tight hold, crushing her bones.
"What?" spat Eponine, exasperated and done with Colette.
"Do you remember the beginning of the school year, Ms. Goodman?" asked Colette. "I do. I remember telling you that the stage was my turf."
"Last time I checked, the Stage was dedicated to Shakespeare and other theatrical geniuses. Not you."
Colette squeezed her wrist tighter. "Those scouts were mine! I told you! Too bad you won't be performing in the next production for them to see."
Eponine scoffed. "When did you get a say in that Colette?"
"Since I realized that I have everything going for me, and you've got nothing." She was released and shoved back. "Have fun."
"Oh, I will! I always love watching you make empty promises!" Eponine said.
Colette turned sharply, her eyes set in a glare. "Let me show you empty promises…"
Her shorter friend pulled her back. Looking nervously at Eponine, she whispered. "I-I just saw Brandon… The half back? Yeah… he was looking for you."
Colette straightened up. "See?" she sneered. "Everything going for me."
Eponine rubbed her wrist, sending daggers through glares. She rolled her eyes and began walking faster towards the East Wing. Her heels echoed in the empty halls, and the halls got darker the farther she went. When Eponine reached the emergency exit of the wing, she saw a shadow leaning against the wall. He was looking out the door's window, tapping his foot. Eponine took time to admire how great he looked when he leaned. She shook her head. Business. That's what she was here for.
Apparently her heels were still loud even though she was only walking because Enjolras turned around to look at her. His face was impassive as ever, and Eponine felt disappointed that all her work was going to waste. He seemed worse than before. At least before, he was angry. He would speak and show expressions. Now, he seemed really like cold stone.
"Hey, Enj," Eponine greeted him. He simply nodded in response.
"Why aren't you in the dance?" she asked.
"Well, you asked me to meet you here didn't you? And dances are not my thing." He shrugged.
"Thanks for coming, then." She licked her lips. "Have you been enjoying yourself so far?"
He turned sharply to her. "Cut the crap, Eponine."
Looking at him angrily, Eponine said, "Well, I was just trying to be nice. Guess we're being blunt in this conversation!"
"Yeah, because nice people lead others on. They trick you into thinking they like you back, and then stick their thumb between a stupid kiss because what? You thought it would ruin or friendship? You didn't trust me? You were embarrassed?"
It was her turn to feel confused and angry. She set on her poker face, trying to calm herself.
"Jeez Ep! I know you like me! And I like you too! Is that enough proof? Why can't you just stop doubting yourself? Why can't you just go with what you're feeling?"
Eponine laughed sourly. "Tell me how that goes. Feeling things are the only way you get hurt, Enjolras. You've got no proof that I like you. And maybe I didn't kiss you for other reasons."
Enjolras looked ready to say something, but Eponine spoke first. "I came here so I could explain and apologize, but like always, you think you know everything!" She took a breath to calm down. As she opened her mouth to explain, she realized she did not know what to say. "I just realized I'm bad at explaining."
Enjolras nodded. "You were nervous about kissing me up there."
Eponine chuckled. "Yeah. And I didn't want this kiss we've both wanted since sixth grade to be forced… something in front of everyone."
"And you were hoping it would be a tad more Enjolras and Eponine, not Vera and Lombard."
"And you get me," Eponine whispered. She gazed at the floor, feeling herself flush and forget of her mission. Her heart was beating fast, and her mind was replaying their memories. Eponine was sick of hiding it. It was always "no feelings. It hurts and gets in the way of business." She just wanted to let herself go. She wanted him for far too long. Feeling herself let go of any past insecurities, she began speaking again.
"I'm gonna be frank with you because that's what we said. This was going to be a blunt conversation. I was… I am scared to get into a relationship. The thing is I haven't stopped hoping we would be in one eventually even after all those encounters with cute guys. I still held on to the hope it would be you. And I came into this school knowing I would run into you… I really hoped it would be different, but considering the circumstances, I had to fake it. I knew you would be angry.
"When Musichetta said you were stone… When she said you were broken, I made it my duty to fix you. I wanted to do so… just without getting attached because last time we were pulled apart. So these past months, I've been bullshitting myself into oblivion claiming I didn't like you. Oh, no. I just cared. God… That's about as true as your relationship with Colette. I felt myself loosing this 'all business no feelings' attitude slowly. I was kidding myself. And honestly? I knew that kiss with you would be the end of all of this, so why not let it be real and special?" Eponine licked her lips. Here she was at a dance, spilling her thoughts and secrets.
"We were bordering on this almost-relationship phase. We've always been bordering on that phase. And it's never gone away." Eponine took a deep breath, knowing the big risk she was taking with this. "My feelings never went away. Even after five years, they have never died." Eponine laughed and mentally slapped herself. It was probably the cheesiest thing that had ever come out of her mouth.
Turning to gauge his reaction, she found him gazing at her understandingly. Eponine blushed and smiled awkwardly. "I've explained. Everything you need to know. Everything I've wanted you to know."
"I understand," Enjolras said slowly. Her eyes widened in alarm. Is that all he was going to say? She poured her heart and soul out! Suddenly, he laughed. "And I feel the same… weird as that sounds. Feelings just don't die if they're as strong as ours. They can't fade away." He held her chin with his forefinger and thumb.
"Guess neither of us are great at expressing emotions, huh?"
Enjolras laughed. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he brought her closer into his chest. Eponine breathed in his scent and wrapped her arms around his torso. She smiled at herself. How long had she been waiting for this?
Pulling apart, Enjolras gazed at her face. The storm in his eyes had finally subsided, and they were clear. She could read emotions. Eponine had done it! She had broken that unforgiving stone! And it seemed the only way to do so was to let the emotions run free.
"So, what are we?" Enjolras asked. He reached for her hand and ran his hands over her knuckles. When was the last time he had been so ardent to someone?
"Good question," laughed Eponine. "But I feel like we should take this steadily. We should wait a bit. I still need to let the fact you like me sink in." They laughed.
"It wasn't that much of a surprise," Enjolras said.
"No, no it wasn't." They laughed again. She rested her head on his shoulder, smiling again out of joy.
They became quiet, enjoying the other's company. In the distance, they heard the music of the dance. Eponine could hear the tables of food tumble. She could hear the shouts and screams of fun. Inside the dance, people were going crazy and having fun, and in the hallways, she was finally at peace.
Around the corner, Montparnasse emerged, looking flustered. His cheeks were tinted pink, and his hair was in disarray. He was out of breath, but Eponine knew he hadn't been making out with someone. Deep in her gut, she knew it was worse.
"Eponine!" he shouted. "Where have you been?"
Letting go of Enjolras, Eponine stood up abruptly. "Parnasse? What's going on?"
"The dance is getting…Gabriel?" Montparnasse asked skeptically.
"We were planning Cosette's surprise birthday party," Eponine lied.
"And it's Enjolras to you," Enjolras grumbled.
Montparnasse grabbed Eponine's hand with his own cold, clammy one. "Let's go back inside the dance. It's getting really fun in there."
Eponine nodded, and turned around to Enjolras. "C'mon with us."
Enjolras smiled and followed them to the disappointment of Montparnasse. Eponine felt she was being dragged by Montparnasse. He was practically sprinting towards the gym. Enjolras followed farther behind. Eponine lost sight of him eventually, and she continued being led by Montparnasse. Soon they were in the gym again, and it looked completely different from the way she left it.
"Those weren't screams of joy…" Eponine whispered. The gym was total chaos. Teenagers were screaming, bruised and battered, running for the exits and ending up nowhere, confused. The drinks and food were spilled all over, and the tables were knocked down. Balloons were loose, floating up to the ceiling. She saw a few teachers trying to calm people, and a few others were fighting.
"This is not how I left the gym," said Montparnasse. Eponine glared at the back of his head. She knew he was part of it. As Montparnasse ran into the mess, he had Eponine behind him. She felt their hands slipping from each other's. People passed through, pushing their contact further. Eponine backed away slowly, knowing it was the best option. She looked around at the pandemonium.
Eponine needed to see one face, just one. He would get her out of this, but Enjolras was nowhere in sight. As she was pushed around, Eponine searched for his face again. Feeling somebody watching her, Eponine whipped her head around hoping to see Enjolras.
Thenardier smirked at her, his eyes set on its prize. They were ablaze with want and fury. Eponine's eyes widened with surprise in response, and she ducked back into the crowd, thankful that she was short. She shoved her way in the opposite direction, anywhere but where her father was. When a hand reached out to grab her wrist, Eponine twisted and threw a punch. She missed her target, and was thankful when she saw who it was. Immediately she calmed down when she saw Enjolras looking at her, worried and pleading.
His eyes were panicked. One thing was clear: they had to get out. Enjolras began dragging her back to the closest exit, shoving away anyone in front of him. They rushed out into the cold night. I'm just getting dragged everywhere tonight, Eponine thought.
They ran to the front of the school where streams of students were rushing out, and cops and ambulances rolling in. Groans were filling the air along with the rasp of the cops' walkie-talkies. The strobe lights of the gym were replaced by those of the ambulances and police cars. Enjolras kept nudging Eponine, urging her to leave the scene.
"I fucking hate him," Eponine shouted as they ran off.
Enjolras looked up at her questioningly before he kept going. They ran to the van and saw everyone except Montparnasse waiting for them. Eponine gulped, and she rushed into the vehicle, wanting to leave immediately. Musichetta sat next to her, her face angry and worried all at once. Eponine grabbed her hand, and squeezed it to hold her down. The other girl closed her eyes and pursed her lips. She tried steadying her breathing.
"Go! Let's go!" Marius shouted. He closed the last door of the van, and it began bringing them out.
"Don't get me wrong, I love dances and excitement… but when some older guy with brandy on his breath wraps his arms around my waist…" Musichetta whispered.
"What the hell was happening in there?" asked Enjolras. He looked at them through the rearview mirror.
"Just drive us away," demanded Cosette.
The traffic was not as bad as they had expected. It seemed they were the first ones out of the dance, and soon they were on the main roads. Enjolras began slowing down as they were farther and farther away. The atmosphere in the car was tense. Everyone was surprised by the chaos. No one was talking, though. They were asking their own questions in their heads, trying to answer them. The usually cheerful Amis were filled with fear, curiosity, and confusion.
When they reached Eponine's house, Enjolras got out of the car and escorted her to her front door. Eponine thanked him in a whisper. She didn't need her friends getting suspicious about them.
"Thank you," Eponine said, breathing a sigh of relief. "I'll text you later. I have a theory about tonight…"
"Alright," Enjolras said, skeptically. "It's great going back to the way things were. I wish we had more time."
"Maybe we can plan something," Eponine suggested with a smile. Enjolras returned it.
A honk resounded from the van. Cosette popped her head out of the window. "C'mon lovebirds! Haven't got all night! Sorry!"
Eponine laughed, taking her key out of her wallet. She smoothed Enjolras's suit with her hand. She fixed the lapels, and straightened the colar. "Better not keep them waiting. We all have someone worried about us."
Enjolras nodded. "See you, Tough Gal." He began walking back towards the van when he heard her groan.
"Don't whip that name out again, Pretty Boy!" She only got a laugh in response.
Upon her entrance to her home, Eponine was attacked by her aunt. The television in the background was loud with pictures of the dance. Every light was turned on, and she could hear Gavroche in his room playing games. Her aunt examined her, checking every visible inch of her skin.
"Goodness, I was worried," Leanne said. Her graying hairs were tied up in a messy bun with loose strands falling in the back. Her face was pale, just regaining color.
Eponine shook her head, obviously shaken from what she saw. Hearing footsteps in the living room, Eponine turned her head. As Ben began walking into the hallway, Eponine began piecing things together. It was all planned.
A/N: Phew! I think this is my longest chapter yet!
Hello! I apologize for not writing sooner! I've been busy with summer school work and vacation. I hope you guys liked this chapter! I'm adding more elements to what's happening with Thenardier and what he's planning. I'm pretty sure it's not too much of a mystery, but why he wants Eponine back... I don't think I've made that clear yet. Enjolras and Eponine, though. They've finally straightened things out! They are not a couple yet... but they have cleared everything and admitted their feelings! Yay!
Thanks to Even-the-darkest-nights who introduced me to Love Never Dies, which is the musical sequel to Phantom! The main song of the musical is my inspiration for this chapter. Even-the-darkest-nights said that the song seemed the represent the Enjonine in this story, and I couldn't agree more! So thank you so much!
Please tell me what you think! Review if you want to. Favorites and follows are awesome, too! Special thanks to Lauren who reviewed the last chapter! Reviews really help me see what your guys' opinions are and what i should fix and change.
Thanks for reading! I don't own Les Mis. Sorry for any grammatical mistakes.
~Franky