Hey readers! I wrote a one-shot for barricade day and i would greatly appreciate it if you would read it. Also in honor of barricade day I dressed up as Eponine and made a barricade in my living while watching Les Mis and belting out the songs...I have ABSOLUTLEY NO SHAME!
I am officially out of school for the summer! Meaning i have more time to write now! (sure i have college apps to do and online consumer ec to take but whatev's)! Side note, for my APUSH final we had to take a song and twist the lyrics to something historical! It was flipping awesome!
Enjolras: Let me guess you chose Les Mis...
Me: So what if i did?
Enjolras: You wore your Eppy hat and boots didn't you?
Me: Enough questions on with the story! (BTW poll is still open in my profile. PLEASE VOTE!)
"Enjolras! Enjolras!"
At the sound of his voice being called the man in question turned his head to see a spunky brunette sprinting over to where he was standing with Courfeyrac. As she ran Enjolras noticed a piece of paper grasped tightly in her hand. Before he had time to process what was occurring Eponine was about 5 feet away from with jumping with joy.
"I did it Enjy! I got an A on Physics Test!" She said enthusiastically, "It brought my grade up! I'm going to pass Physics!"
"That's great!" He replied with a smile. He wrapped his arms around her waist and she flung hers around his neck so that he could spin her around in cheer. "You really did it!
"It's all thanks to you!" she reminded him, smiling up at him as she did so.
Enjolras smiled at her too and the couple stood there for a few moments just looking at each other before Courfeyrac cleared his throat.
"So I go and give you two a moment?" He teased
Eponine stuck her tongue out at him. "No it's fine I have to go anyway. I'll see you all later ok?"
It was then that Grantaire happened to walk down the hall and spotted the three friends standing idly by Enjolras' locker.
"You guys are having a mini party and I wasn't invited?" He asked in mock pain. "That hurts guys that really hurts!"
Eponine rolled her eyes at him. "Oh cool it wine-cask!"
"Why do you insist on calling me that?"
"Shall I remind you about Courfeyrac's party last summer and where I found you passed out?"
Grantaire winced, "Yea I'm starting to remember now…"
"Anyway I'd love to stay and chat but I have to get going." She said again as she spared a glance at her wristwatch. "Grantaire I'm heading home real quick if you want to accompany so you can hang with Azelma."
He nodded, "I'm intrigued. I rode my bike here; hand a free ride on my handle bars? You can act as my navigator."
She smiled widely at him, "Sure thing!"
With that the two of them ran off to the back parking lot where the bike rack was held, leaving the two bookworms to their lonesome selves.
"Why is it that every time I offer Eponine a ride or the slightest bit of help, she always tries to reject it but she accepts it from Grantaire so easily?" Asked Enjolras while trying to keep the annoyance out of his voice
Courfeyrac shrugged, "I don't know mon ami... maybe she just likes him better."
Enjolras huffed, "Oh I hope not…."
"Oh calm down Enjolras!" He shouted, "Eponine likes you and you know it. She probably only accepted his offer because she enjoys riding on bike handle bars over a stuffy car."
"My car is not stuffy!"
Courfeyrac put his hands up in surrender, "It was just a thought Enjolras."
Enjolras was about to open his mouth to give back some witty comeback when they both saw Combeferre running toward them in haste. As soon as he reached them he squeaked to a stop and bent over from the waist down to let out a large breath. He stayed in that position, hunched over with his hands on his knees, for a few moments before straightening up and pushing his glasses a little up his face.
"Is there something wrong?" Asked Enjolras with concern
Combeferre shook his head, "You will never guess what I just heard!"
Enjolras and Courfeyrac reacted at the same time, "What!?"
"Speech results are in from our last competition and our school made it to the finals! Enjolras even got first in his category! They are even posting a story about this in the local paper!"
Enjolras smiled widely, "This is great!" He paused for a moment before an idea struck him. "Well I've certainly had enough good news today, this calls for celebration!" The two boys let out loud cheer and clapped at their leader's suggestion but Enjolras chuckled in response. "No boys not for you! For me and Eponine- I thinks it's high time we have a nice date, what better occasion than this!"
Courfeyrac looked at him in shock, "So you are ditching us for her? What happened to bros before whoes?"
Enjolras' face turned cold and he looked at Courfeyrac with a deadly glare, "What did you just call my girlfriend?"
Courfeyrac suddenly saw his mistake and automatically took a step back, "No I…I…"
Luckily Combeferre stepped in and saved his ass, "Girlfriend huh? So it's official then?"
Enjolras automatically relaxed, "Well I mean I guess. We've never put a title on it but I'm pretty sure that's accurate." A smile played on his lips as he said that.
Courfeyrac sniffled, "That's adorable."
He was automatically silenced by another glare from Enjolras.
Meanwhile a few blocks away Grantaire and Eponine were traveling to her house in style.
"I never asked so tell me," began Grantaire, "what's it like knowing you were the one who cracked the marble man?"
She laughed, "Oh it feels great! I completed the impossible! I feel like I deserve an award."
Grantaire chuckled at her before pulling over and pulling his bike over. Eponine hopped off the handle bars as Grantaire reached down and picked up a flower from the ground and an empty water bottle from his backpack. He placed the flower in the bottle and handed it to Eponine.
"Ms. Thenardier I present you with this coveted award for breaking the marble." He said in a mock announcer's voice
She fanned herself and pretended she was going to cry, "Oh thank you! Thank you! I just want to thank all the little people out there who helped me earn this marvelous trophy!"
They both shared an amused glance before bursting out into a hysterical laughter. After a few minutes of nothing but uncontrollable laughter Grantaire was finally able to semi-compose himself and wiped the tears from his eyes.
"In all honesty I'm glad you were the one to break the marble. You are right for him."
She smiled warmly at him, "Thanks R that means a lot.….and if I had to be honest, there are a lot worse guys Azelma could have chosen to date so you are actually a pretty good match for her."
His face lit up, "Do you really mean that?"
She smirked devishly at him, "No."
"You devil women! No wonder you and Enjolras are such a good fit."
Little did they all know the happy couple was about to be hit with a curveball.
"Where are you off to?" Azelma said as she saw Eponine walk out their bedroom door. She was wearing dark jeans and a black t-shirt with a green hoodie and her black converse.
"Off to the café," Eponine stated while pulling her hair into a messy ponytail. "I actually work you know. I'm only a few paychecks away from getting myself a car, no more crappy bike."
"I thought you liked that bike…." Azelma teased
"I do love that bike but there comes a time in life when I need a new set of wheels."
Azelma giggled, "Well while you are out working on a Friday night Grantaire is taking me to see Warm Bodies."
She narrowed her eyes at her sister, "Didn't you just hang out with him earlier today? As in like two hours ago?"
Azelma shrugged, "He misses me and I want a date night. It's a win-win situation."
Eponine rolled her eyes, "Well you enjoy your date night. Just stay safe and don't stay out past midnight or I will personally troll your phone for an hour before I find you and drag you back by your ear."
"Ok fine!" Azelma groaned before giggling, "I love you Ep'"
"Love you too Zelma!" She called over her shoulder just as she walked out the door. As soon as she turned her gaze back to her front yard to see a face she never wanted so see. "Montparnasse…" She stated in an icy tone
He gave her a wicked grin, "Why if it isn't my little 'Ponine! Just the girl I wanted to see."
She glared at him, "What do you want? I have a job to get to and I really don't have time to deal with you."
"Oh but you have time to deal with pretty boy huh?"
She rolled her eyes, "I like him 'Parnasse and he likes me to! The sooner you accept that and leave me-"
"He bet on you Eponine." He blurted, cutting her off
She looked taken back, "What?"
"He and his buddies had a bet going on about who could get you to go on a date with him first."
"This isn't funny Montparnasse," She sneered as she walked right past him, "and if you think this is going to break me and Enjolras up then you have a-"
He cut her off again, "I'm not making this up Ep! I heard them talking about it at the mall! He threw you into the pot just like he threw in his watch."
She stood her ground, "I don't believe you. You are a cruel conman. Lying is your life!"
"Believe me Eponine! You have to admit there was a time when I was your friend, a time when you trusted me."
"There was a time when I did a lot of this I should never have done…."
"Have I ever lied to you? Sure I have been cruelly honest and a pain in the ass but have I ever lied to you?" He asked knowingly. Eponine froze. He was right- Montparnasse was a thief, a liar, a brute and a bunch of other things but he had never lied to Eponine, if anything he was just always honest to the point of being evilly so. "Think about 'Ponine he never says no to a challenge does he? Whenever given a task he goes above and beyond to get it done, always coming out on top. He can't settle for second best, if he wants something he will do everything to get it won't he?"
Eponine stood frozen with her back to Montparnasse willing her body not to shake. She knew she shouldn't believe Montparnasse, he was not to be trusted, but his words still struck her core. Enjolras gave 150% to everything he did no matter what the task; it was his competitive edge, just like the barricade he built back in December.
Montparnasse's voice broke through the silence once more, "Just think about it Eponine? Everything makes more sense now doesn't it?"
The night was young but the sky was black as Enjolras went inside to the café. It was just about closing time but Eponine had the closing shift and he thought he could surprise her and give her a ride home.
"Hey Ep'" he greeted as he walked through the door, shrugging off his red hoodie as he did so, "you will never believe what I heard today. I got the best news."
"Yea I got some interesting news too." She responded in a voice that made Enjolras' stomach drop
It was then that his eyes landed on her. He expected to see her wiping down the table tops, counting the money, washing dishes or anything at all but instead all he saw was her curled up in the arm chair -her legs bent under her and her hand rubbing down the opposite arm- looking off into the window. She seemed to be completely shut down and cold, as if she was trying hard not to feel anything or show what she was feeling. Enjolras automatically strode over to her but as he got closer he slowed his step and took a more cautious approached. He looked over at the distraught girl with worry. She spared a glance at him and her eyes seemed full of pain, confusion, betrayal and doubt.
"Ep' are you alright?"
She looked at him with fire in her eyes, "Tell me was did you all think it was fun, like some sort of game? Did kissing me seal the deal? Did the boys need proof? Is that why they followed us?"
He didn't say anything.
Her eyes hardened, "So what exactly was I worth?" She demanded, her voice both strong and quiet, "$50 bucks, homework for a month?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." He said sharply but Eponine could sense a lie when she heard one.
She clenched her fists tightly before answered back in a deathly tone, "I know about the bet Aiden."
Enjolras flinched slightly but remained silent, his face looking completely blank.
"What's wrong?" she sneered, getting up from her chair and standing up against him defiantly. "No big words to save you now?"
Enjolras put his hands out in front of him in surrender, "'Ponine it's not like that…"
"So there wasn't a bet?" She asked, her eyes softened slightly and looked at him hopefully
He paused for a moment before sighing, "How did you find out?"
Eponine cringed in pain before her eyes filled with hate and her teeth grounded together, "Wrong answer….." She automatically moved to walk past him when he grabbed her arm to stop her.
"Eponine please listen to me! Yes there was a bet but-"
She stopped him, "What exactly were the terms Enjolras? What was I worth to all of you?"
He sighed and reluctantly told her the truth, "Losers paid for the winner's drinks at the café for a month…"
The look on her face was is someone had just slapped her, "So that's all I'm worth to you guys? A couple coffees?"
"No Ep-"
"So all this time it was a lie? You just wanted to get me on a date so you could win a stupid bet? You're competitive just couldn't let you lose could it? You would have gone above and beyond like you do for everything." Her voice was laced in pain and unshed tears made her eyes glisten.
His grip on her tightened, "Eponine it's not like that. I didn't ask you out because of the bet. I kissed you because I like you!" He explained but she would not look at him. "Don't you remember all those things I said to you at the dance?! I meant them all! I care about you Eponine! Believe me 'Ponine! I-I…."
She wrenched her arm from his grasp and looked over him, shaking her head as her teeth bit down hard on her lip. "Montparnasse was right; you do have one hell of a poker face."
Before he could do anything Eponine was out the door and out in the darkness of the night.
*Enjolras and I sitting next to the fire and are getting along well on the barricade. No bickering, no fighting. Simply sitting next to each other and talking*
Grantaire: Something is really wrong here! They are acting civil!
Joly: They're not fighting?! Do you think one of them is sick?
Courfeyrac: No...but i think i know how to fix this *evil grin*
Some time later
Sirens in the Water: Neptune's Tighty whites! Those soldiers are horrendible! Shooting at you guys and all.
Grantaire: Tell me about it
Enjolras: *rolls eyes*Ok who is that?!
Me: Oh that's sirens in the water... She's visiting
Enjolras: Eponine how many times do I have to tell u to stop inviting people to the barricade?!
Me: I'll tell u when we get there! And for your information she asked to come!
Sirens: Yep! I admire you all so much, especially Eponine, I just had to come to meet you... and join you of course. Is that alright Eponine?
Enjolras: Why are u asking her?!
Me: Cuz I'm awesome and I make this barricade awesome. Everyone loves my barricade
Enjolras: Whats?! How is this YOU'RE barricade?! If its anyone's it's mine!
Sirens: This barricade belongs to the people Apollo. Hey, has Pontmercy shown his freckled face yet? Do you guys mind if I sock him in the jaw?
Enjolras: *looking uncomfortbale* Um...
Granitaire: He's here but you see the last time someone tried to hurt him it didn't end well. Enjolras tried to stop Eponine from shooting Marius by holding her back and Mormeril Dark Lady of Insanity kicked him in the crotch. But on the plus side we did get Enjy drunk
Enjolras: Hey that wine was the only Painkiller available and Mormeril really can pack a kick!
Me; Whatever you say Enjy
Sirens: Killjoy much Enjy? Marius deserves to be hit in the crotch or socked in the jaw. He turned Eponine into his messenger. Or tried to anyways. You know what? I think you should beat that bourgeois boy up. You know if you don't still have a crush on him Eponine. Do you?
Me: I'm not that Eponine, I'm Eponine T Daae... so no I do not have a crush on Marius
Grantaire: *cheeky grin* But you have a crush on someone
Me: Shut up wine-cask! Now where was I... Oh yes! As much as I would love to teach Pontmercy a lesson I don't really feel like punching him is nice
Enjolras: But you are ok with stealing my vest, having Mormeril kick me and making the vein in my forehead pop out!?
Me: yea pretty much
Sirens: Eponine T, can i meet Mormeril?
Me: Yea sure you can meet her! Ill go get her I think she is off trying to hide the wine from Grantaire *leave to go get Mormeril*
Sirens: *waits for me to leave* Enjolras, how long have you had a crush on Eponine T? It is so obvious. We can all tell by the way you look at her.
Enjolras; W-WH-what?! *turning bright red* I-I do not have a "crush" on her! She is just an annoying irritation thorn in my side!
Combeferre: *shakes head* There is the way you look at Pontmercy and Grantaire then there is the way you look at her. Sirens has a point
Enjolras: Who's side are you on?
Sirens: It's okay Enjy. I won't tell her. I'll leave it to you. But I'd do it soon because you have no way of knowing when you'll get another chance. Just don't turn into Pontmercy and you'll be good.
Enjolras: I-I oh damn it! There is no point in denying it now... But there is no way I will ever turn out like idiot Pontmercy
Marius: Hey!
*by the cafe door*
Mormeril: How much of that did u hear?
Me: Enough Mormeril, just enough...
Back by the fire
Sirens: For the love of all that is good and pure in the seven seas Enjolras! Tell her! It won't kill you! *Under her breath* But I might.
Enjolras: I can't! The Amis will never let me live it down if I do and it's even worse if she rejects me. I have to live with them all, and her, here! Besides what could possibly happen? Not like she is going anywhere anytime soon.
Sirens: She could get shot and die! She could die alone just because you weren't man enough to tell her, and so what is the Amis laugh at you! Their opinion hasn't affected what you have done before! So grow a pare and confess already! Look she's right over there. *Pushes Enjolras into Eponine*
*bump into each other and knock my hat off*
Me: ow!
Enjolras: Sorry... *picks up my hat and hands it to me*
Me: thanks, It's fine *timdily puts hat on* everything alright?
Enjolras: yes everything is just fine.
Me: *sign* Anyway, i found Mormeril!
Mormeril: Hello Sirens! Nice to meet you! *quickly shoots rubber band at Enjy, then acts innocent and smiles at him*
Enjolras: Mormeil stop looking so innocent I know that was you!
Mormeril: Aww, you know me so well! *giant smile* I knew you loved me!
Enjolras: I do not!
Me: you already admitted that u did when u were drunk
Enjolras: I was drunk!
Me: Druken words are sober thoughts!
Enjolras: just because Grantaire says it doesn't make it true
Me: So there is no one you love at all here? Not even a little bit...
Enjolras: Nope
Everyone: *facepalm*