Thank you to everyone for review and for all the birthday wishes! You guys are the best fans i could ever ask for! I'm officially 17 now! My birthday party colors were Red and Black and my cake said 'Eponine 17' and my sister made me Phantom of the Opera cupcakes, it was flipping awesome!
Thanks again!
To the guest reviewer who made fanart, yes i do want to see it! Tweet it to me or put it on tumblr please!
Please enjoy and review this chapter :D
Eponine walked to her the auditorium with a light heart. Something about that day was just making her happy, she didn't know why but she didn't question it. As she entered the auditorium she heard Erik playing the piano before she actually saw him. She crept in and took a seat at one of the chairs in the audience, Erik's eyes were closed and his body was swaying to the sound of the music, he didn't even notice the girl come in. Eponine couldn't help but be in awe of the way Erik was connected to his music- it wasn't a way to express his soul, no music was his soul- every note was a different part of him and he expressed it beautifully; not many people were that in touch with their artistic side but she admired those who were. There was an ache in her heart however as she knew that more people focused on his unfortunate appearance than his masterpieces, she knew that one day that bitterness would build up and get to him and implant itself within him, part of it already had. His fingers continue to dance over the keyboards and create all different kinds of melodies, it wasn't until he finished the last not that he opened his eyes and noticed Eponine sitting there in the audience seat.
He looked at her straight in the eyes as he gave him a nod, "You are very quite."
"Why thank you, I take pride in that." She replied with a smirk, "I like your latest composition. It was amazing."
"Thanks" He replied coldly
She raised an eyebrow at him, "Is there something wrong?"
He shook his head but after Eponine gave him a warning glare he let out a sigh and ran a hand through his dark hair.
"It's Christine isn't it?" She asked to which he gave a small nod. "You know she was never yours to keep."
"I know that, it just that….well no one would listen no one but her heard what the outcast hears. I was alone in the world though I longed to teach it and then a voice in the gloom seemed to scream 'I hear you!' She was the only person who didn't run away from me."
"Her father had just died and she really needed to get away from it all. You were the one who helped her through music." Eponine said, trying to reassure him while at the same time avoid getting his hopes up. She knew Christine somewhat, or she knew of her. She was a sweet girl who was friends with another girl names Meg, freshman year her father died and she actually had to move in with her. Christine was somewhat shy and tended to blend into the background, until the day before a choir concert when the lead girl, Carlotta, solo got sick and Christine had to sing her solo- it turned out her voice was amazing and ever since then she had been the highlight of every choir activity, much to Carlotta's dismay.
"Everything was going well until her childhood friend Raoul decided to transfer back into the school. One word from him and she was lost from me forever!" He snapped.
Those words hit Eponine harshly, she knew exactly what he felt- pain, betrayal and hopelessness- but at the same time she knew what she needed to say. "Sometimes you love someone and they don't love you back, other times someone loves you and you don't love them and sometimes you love someone and they love you but you can't be together. Love's a curious thing you know."
"Tell me about it." He said with anger in his voice. "Life just isn't fair is it?!"
Eponine licked her lips and took a deep breath before going on, "You care for Christine don't you?"
"Yes I do."
"Then let her go." She said quietly but confidently
"What are you saying?"
"If you love something let it go, and if it loves you too it will come back."
"But that if she doesn't?"
"Then she was never yours to loose in the first place." She said with a sad expression, "I know it sounds awful and it wouldn't be easy but in the end it will be for the better. Trust me I know, once the band-aid is off the scab will heal and fade away."
"You have a point, I mean you seem to have made it through well."
"I had a great friend to help me through it….." She said with a smile as she though back to him, "Anyway," she continued, breaking out of her trance and digging into her bag, "I actually have something for you."
"Y-you have something…..for me?" He stuttered, he didn't have many friends and the only gifts he got were from his family members.
"Well yea, we go off on winter break today and I while I was shopping last weekend I saw this and though you would like it." With that she have handed him a large package wrapped in shiny red paper with a bow on it. "You can open it now or Christmas Day I don't really care, I just hope you like it."
"Wow, t-thank you Eponine. This was really nice of you."
"I'm just a nice person I guess." She teased before she felt her phone vibrate and checked it to see what was up. "Hey I have to go but I do hope that whenever you open that gift you like it. Merry Christmas!"
Without another word she smiled and turned on her heel to leave the auditorium. Erik would be lying if he said he didn't enjoy Eponine's company, while he liked being along most of the time it didn't hurt to talk to have a friend, if that's what he called her. Eponine in his opinion was strong and entirely callous in his opinion, meaning that she had a rough exterior after being through so much, much like how a boxer get's calloused hands. She didn't see him for his face and instead tried to understand him, no pity just empathy. He looked down at the package in his hands and curiosity overtook him, gently he ripped the edge of it and out slid the gift. Erik gasped the second he saw it, it was a leather bound book with a simple silver lock and read icon on the front but inside it was made up of blank sheet music.
How did she manage to get such an amazing gift? He thought as he flipped through the pages of the book in awe. He flipped back to the front page and noticed a note written to him in ink on the back of the front cover.
Erik,
Times can be hard but music sets you free. We each have our own talents and yours is music! Let this book help you make the music of the night and make your music take flight.
~Eponine
Spirits were high and anxious as the clocked ticked away the seconds that would mark the end of the day and the beginning of winter break. Finals were over and students were squirming in their seats and looking out the window into the snow covered world as if that would make time go by faster. Even Enjolras who loved school was anxious to get out. Two weeks off meant two weeks free of pressure; he could work in peace without any stress.
Grantaire leaned over his seat and whispered to Enjolras and Courfeyrac who were seated right behind him, "You excited for winter break?"
Courfeyrac nodded, "Who isn't?"
"The marble man perhaps?" Grantaire replied
"I'll have you know that I am very much excited for winter break! As much as I love learning I would love a decent break."
Courfeyrac chuckled, "He sounds almost normal."
Enjolras narrowed his eyes at him, "Ha ha very funny."
Grantaire dismissed their bickering and changed the subject. "So are you guys excited for the epic parties this year?"
"You mean you New Year's party?" asked Courfeyrac, "You've only been talking about it for the past week of we are excited!"
"Let's not forget the Christmas party at the Café." Added Enjolras, "I know Mr. Myriel would appreciate it if we went"
"Well of course we are going to go!" Replied Joly from his spot a few desk away from them, he had heard most of their conversation.
The four boys talked for a bit longer before the bell finally rang and echoed through the room. All at once everyone sprang up and practically sprinted for the door, Grantaire included. Enjolras let out a dry laugh and took his time getting his books together; he knew that the traffic would be horrendous and it would be best to wait it out rather than beat it. He gathered his books and strolled out of the room and down the hall, completely the opposite of the chaos going on around him. As he made his way to his locker he noticed a figure weaving its way in and out of the crowd with ease, it took him all of a second to realize who it was.
"'Ponine!" He called out hoping she would hear him.
She did, "Hiya Enjy." She greeted with a toothy grin as she slipped over to his side quickly and walked with him.
"You excited for winter break?" He asked
"Definitely!" She replied cheerfully, "No school and no worries."
"Any fun plans?"
"Well tomorrow I am probably going to be spending the whole day decorating the house for Christmas."
"You haven't done that yet?"
"Well it's not like I have time…" she said defensively, "and it's laborious work! The tree is really heavy and the lights take me forever."
"Do you do it on your own?"
"Not exactly, Azelma does the small stuff like decorating the bottom of the tree and setting up the Christmas village, but I'm the tall one so I do the heavy lifting, literally."
"That's unfortunate…."
"Tell me about it. But hey it's life, what can I do?"
"Fair point," he replied with a nod. It was then that he noticed that the hallway was much emptier than before and the parking lot would be safer to exit at that time. "Would you and Azelma like a ride home?"
"Monsieur I would like nothing better." She teased
"Monsieur? Something tells me someone aced their French final."
"You would be correct!" She cheered gleefully, "It's all thanks to you! I just wish I felt the same way about my physics final."
"We worked on Physics though…." He replied in confusion.
"I know but I still don't get it….I get the other subjects but I honestly just don't comprehend physics! I just don't!"
"Then we will have to work on that more." He replied simply
"Enjy we just got out of school 5 minutes ago can you wait a few hours before bringing up studies again?"
He sighed, "You're right, I'm sorry."
"I usually am." She said with a smirk, "Now if you will excuse me, I have to run to my locker real quick, I'll meet you by your car in a few minutes."
"Fine with me"
Without another word Eponine scurried down the hallway and to her locker in the junior locker bank. She was more than excited for winter break, sure it would be more time at home but that also meant more time to hang out with her friends and her parents tended to be a bit nicer around the holidays- mostly because it made scamming more people a lot easier. She shook her head as she thought back to her parent's stupid schemes and reached her locker, however the second her eyes landed on her locker she froze a bit. There attached to her locker was a single red rose. Eponine neared it cautiously, and looked over it; the rose was beautiful, even the thorns were gone and a thick black ribbon was tied around it in a bow and a small card attached to it read 'Eponine'. She gently stroked the rose with her finger and smiled, she had no idea who it was from but that didn't matter…someone actually cared for her.
"Eponine I could use some help in here!" Azelma called down the hall, hoping her sister would hear her and help her with the last part of the tree.
It was early Saturday afternoon and their parents had done out to the mall and public square to try to pick pocket some people, once again leaving the two girls alone as they always did this time of year. Eponine and Azelma took the opportunity to decorate and get the house ready for Christmas. Eponine had taken some of the boxes out of the basement crawl space and placed them in the living room while Azelma switched out picture frames, set up stockings and the Christmas village. Eponine was stuck doing the more laborious stuff, such as the tree which she was currently struggling with as it was leaning back and she couldn't get it straight again.
"I'll a little busy at the moment!" She called back harshly, it wasn't that she didn't enjoy setting up for Christmas but it was moments like these that made it very stressful. It was at that moment that there was a knock at the door. "Azelma can you please get the door!"
There was no answer. Eponine tried shouting for her sister again but instead she heard the sound of the shower going off.
Oh sure you choose NOW as the time to shower! She thought bitterly as she struggled to hold up the heavy tree whose sharp pine needles were scratching roughly against the skin on her hands and arms. There was another knock at the door and Eponine let out a grunt in frustration.
"It's open!" She called at the door, or rather who was behind it. She knew better than to shout out her door was unlocked but at the current moment she was so focused on not getting crushed by the tree that she wasn't thinking clearly. She heard footsteps coming in as she tried one more time to push the tree up and to her surprise it actually went up with ease. "Wow…" she murmured under her breath.
"Are you really all that surprised?" asked a voice all of a sudden.
Eponine let out a little shriek and jumped back, causing her to trip over the rug and land ungracefully into the armchair behind her, the figure on the other side of the tree to let out a hearty laugh. There on the other side of the tree stood the tall Enjolras, his hair stuffed in a beanie and the bottom of his jeans wet with snow.
She placed one hand over her chest and breathed heavily, "You scared the crap out of me! Was your intention to give me a heart attack? If it was you came pretty darn close!"
Enjolras continued laughing for a few moments before responding to her outburst, "I'm sorry 'Ponine, I never meant to scare you. You have to admit that was pretty funny though."
She giggled and threw a pillow at him. "You have a sick sense of humor."
"Look who's talking." He replied as if challenging her
She rolled her eyes and stood up, "So what exactly are you doing here?"
"Well," he began as he steadied the tree more securely, "you mentioned yesterday how you were going to be stuck by yourself doing all the heavy lifting for Christmas and I thought I may as well come and help."
She placed her hands on her hips, "Why?"
"A, we had nothing better to do and B, you still have a sprained wrist."
She narrowed her eyes, "We?"
"Yes me and…." He turn to look over his shoulder only to notice the absence of his partner in crime, "Dammit…Grantaire!" He yelled
The boy in question poked his head out the kitchen as soon as he heard his name, "You called." He said cheekily
"We have been here for less than two minutes and already you are raiding her kitchen!?"
"I am a growing teenage boy! I need to eat!" He protested
"Sure….." replied Eponine with sass.
Grantaire replied by sticking an apple in his mouth and giving Eponine a wink. The next few hours were all spent helping the Thenardier girls set up their house with Christmas decorations. After Azelma finished her shower she came back into the room and joined in helping- it didn't go unnoticed by Enjolras or Eponine that Grantaire seemed to stick to Azelma like glue and was doing more than his fair share when it came to helping her.
Eponine glared at them, "I swear if he sticks his tongue down my sister's throat I am going to-"
Enjolras put his hand on her shoulder, "Don't swear Eponine; besides what's the worst that could happen?"
"He could seriously hurt her, she is a year younger than me but she is still so innocent. You know that just last week she was telling me that she wanted to be a princess!"
Enjolras chuckled, "And if I recall correctly just a few days ago someone took a fork, called it a dinglehopper, and commenced to use it to brush her hair."
She opened her mouth in shock, "That was different!"
He smirked and raised an eyebrow, "How so?"
"I just saw The Little Mermaid the day before and…..wait why am I defending myself to you?"
He shrugged, "I'm not really sure."
She planted her hand on her face, "It was a rhetorical question Enjolras!"
He blinked, "I-I was aware of that."
They continued decorating with Grantaire and Azelma putting up holly and streamers all around the house along with the wreaths and Christmas candles while Eponine decorated the tree and Enjolras carried the boxes to and from the basement. They finished with Eponine holding a ladder steady as Enjolras climbed up it to place the star at the top of it. As Enjolras got down from the ladder Eponine couldn't help but admire the house, it looked festive and wonder and she felt happy.
"Thank you." She said breathlessly as Enjolras came to her side
"For helping you decorate? It really was no problem."
"No, for just being here and helping; it's the principal of it all."
She smiled at him and he returned with a smile of his own. After they finished they all decided to sit on the couch and watch some TV, lucky for them there was a Law and Order: SVUmarathon on; the victim of the current episode was a girl who infiltrated some meat company to expose it and currently the detectives were interviewing her dog-loving yoga teacher boyfriend. As she watched Eponine couldn't help but think the actor who played the boyfriend was really hot, bit of a hippy but hot. She snuggled down in the armchair she was sitting in and decided to stretch her legs by extending onto the lap of the person sitting in the couch next to her, or more specifically Enjolras lap. When her feet landed on his legs he turned and narrowed his eyes at her to which she returned with a glare, as if daring him to remove her feet. He rolled his eyes at her and tried to turn his attention back to the show but he found that he couldn't.
"So are you going to the Christmas party at the café tomorrow?" He asked Eponine
"Considering that I work there, of course. I would hate to miss it." She answered without taking her eyes off of him, "How about you?"
"Yeah it sounds like fun."
"It definitely will be." She reassured as she glanced at him with the corner of her eye.
The next day…
The party was in high spirit was the café was soon filled with people. All the Amis and Mr. Myriel's friends were there and so were Musichetta, Cosette, Azelma and Eponine. The entire room smelled of cinnamon and pine and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. It was a simple party but it was enjoyable. Musichetta and Eponine had both come early to help set up for the party and even served for awhile until Mr. Myriel insisted that they just set the food on the table and let the guest get it themselves so that the two girls could go mingle and enjoy the party. Musichetta beamed instantly and became a social butterfly while Eponine took her sweet time mingling and talking to others. Gavroche had seen her and for a bit the two chatted and caught up with a few things, at one point she licked her thumb and tried to wipe away from chocolate from his face which sent him running in the other direction. After a while she found herself sitting in a soft cushioned armchair by the fire place with her feet under her and watched the flames dance in amazement. Cosette glided over to her with a smile on her face, she was wearing a velvet knee length green dress with black tights and matching flats, in her hair was a ribbon that matched the dress.
"Eppie what are you doing there? Come on join the party!"
Eponine smiled and shook her head, "No thank you, I like my spot here. Besides I've already been here for three hours on my feet I could use a little break."
"You work yourself too hard Eppie." Cosette said in a stern voice though both girls knew she was simply teasing, "I swear you are almost as much of a workaholic as Enjolras."
Eponine gasped, "I find that very insulting!" She teased.
Cosette giggled and shook her head at Eponine, "Ok so maybe you aren't that bad but you should really have some fun."
"Don't worry I will." Eponine reassured
Just then someone came up behind Cosette and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Merry Christmas Angel," Marius said as she hugged her.
"Merry Christmas Marius," Cosette giggled as she turned around to face him. As she did so Marius took his hand out from behind his back to reveal mistletoe; he raised it above both their heads to that they were under it. Cosette giggled playfully and gave him a quick peck on the lips, which soon turned into another longer kiss. Eponine couldn't help the small smile that was tugging on her mouth as she watched them; two months earlier and she could have run out of the room with tears threatening to fall but now the cut in her heart had healed and while she still felt a bit awkward she couldn't help but admit that they made a perfect couple, they were cute and they made each other happy. They were exactly what the other person needed, who could ask for anything more? She was brought out of her dreamy state by someone handing her a mug of hot chocolate and taking a seat on the floor next to her.
"Enjoying the party?" He asked as he leaned against the armchair.
"Yeah I actually am I just needed a breather. A lot of people only enjoy themselves when with a lot of people and when they socialize but I enjoy little moments in solitude too, you know just reminiscing in my thoughts without a worry. Times like that."
"Do you want me to leave you alone with your thoughts then?"
Eponine chuckled at him, "No I quite enjoy your company Enjy, believe it or not."
"I believe it." He stated simply.
The rest of the party was nice from their perspectives, the two of them talked for awhile about random things like school and people, nothing of importance. Enjolras asked Eponine how her home life was going and she said it was better and that her parents were now home less often, much to both their reliefs. The highlight of Enjolras' night however was when Grantaire had started talking Azelma and then all of a sudden pulled a mistletoe from behind his back; Eponine had seen it and practically jumped out of her seat to stop them, luckily Enjolras caught her wrist in time and forced her to remain calm in her seat.
"Azelma is a big girl Ep; she can make her own choices."
"It's just…..ah it's the mistletoe! One of her holiday dreams is to be caught under the mistletoe with a 'cute guy'."
"I'm guessing you are against the whole concept."
"I just never understood why you have to kiss someone under mistletoe, the whole thing is ridiculous. Just because two people are stuck under it does not mean that they actually enjoy it." She ranted before she sighed, "This also does not help with the whole 'reality vs. fantasy' concept I am trying to pound into her."
Enjolras shrugged, "Sometimes a little dreaming can be a good thing."
"I know I just fear how she will react when she wakes up."
"I'm Azelma can handle it, she a lot stronger than you give her credit for."
"I know. So…." She began, trying to change the subject, "How would you react if you got stuck under the mistletoe with someone?"
"It depends on the person." He answered giving no further explanation. Then he jolted up as if he remembered something, "Before I forget I have something for you!" He reached over and grabbed a medium sized red box with a black ribbon, "It's a Christmas present."
Eponine's eyes widened, "You got me a Christmas gift?"
"Well yes, I just thought if anyone deserved one it was you."
"Thank you." She smiled as she held the box; she was suddenly very excited for Christmas morning.
Eventually it was time for her and Azelma to leave and reluctantly the two girls put on their coats and hats and started to make their way out. Azelma walked ahead as Enjolras walked with Eponine to the door of the Café, he decided to leave at that point to. They bid everyone goodbye and were just about to get out of everyone's sights when Gavroche stopped them.
"Listen everybody! Look and see who got stuck under the mistletoe!"
Grantaire started laughing, "Why it's the marble statue and Eppy!"
Enjolras and Eponine both turned slightly red as all attention was drawn on them.
"Let's get out of here." Whispered Enjolras as he started to push Eponine out the door gently
"No wait!" Cried Courfeyrac, "You two need to kiss!"
"No we don't." countered Enjolras, knowing how Eponine felt about mistletoes.
"Yeah you do!" replied Courfeyrac
Enjolras turned toward Eponine, "Listen Ep don't listen to them. If you feel at all uncomfortable we can just ignore them and leave. I know you don't like mistletoes and I certainly won't force you to-"
He was cut off by Eponine quickly pecking his cheek.
"Merry Christmas Enjy" She smiled before she turned on her heel and left.
Christmas Day….
Eponine sat at her favorite armchair as she held the box Enjolras gave her on her lap. It was finally Christmas morning and she had finally reached her max waiting point. Without wasting another second she opened the box and took out what was inside, gasping as she realized what it was.
There in her hands was a brown newsy style cap, almost identical to the one she lost.
A/N: Told you I wouldn't make you wait 32 chapters... :X