A/N: Sorry for the wait, I was on vacation. I went to visit New York for a day and I went the day Phantom of the Opera and Chicago was preforming at Bryant Park! It was super hot and I had to sit in the sun for over an hour to save my spot but it was worth it! Afterwards I flagged down Kyle Barisich (Raoul) and I got a picture with him and his autograph! IT WAS FLIPPING AMAZING! Then I went to Majestic Palace, took some pictures there and went to gift shop across the street to get a souvenir. I also went to New Jersey with my little sister so she could go to Carlos Bakery, she was so happy when we got there! Her face was priceless!
Anyway back to business, it took me awhile to write this chapter because I had writers block and didn't really know how to go on after 47, I mean that was a lot of feels. So sorry if this chapter is crappy, i just needed a way to move along with the story
I started a new story due to my anniversary, Serendipity, it's also Enjonine! I won't be updating is as often as I update West End High but I would appreiciate it if you all took a look at it and told me what you thought :D
Thank you all for reading and please remember to REVIEW! I will love you even more if you do!
(P.S I got my results back from my AP tests, I got a 4 in English! Woo Hoo!)
Enjolras sat alone in the empty library. He had tried to study at the cafe earlier but even on a Monday morning it had proved to fill up quickly and become too loud for his liking. After the Saturday he had he had needed a stress-reliever and contrary to popular belief studying worked exceptionally well for him. Thank God for the long weekend. He never really understood why the school needed an institute day, no one did, but if it meant an extra day off of school he wasn't going to question it. Saturday had proven to be a lot to handle for everyone; all the things that he had gone through with Eponine were nothing compared to the bewildered stares and questioning he faced when she and her siblings were taken into custody by the police. When Enjolras and Eponine first entered the cafe she had a noticeable band-aid on her temple but the rest of her battle wounds were concealed by carefully applied concealer and Enjolras' red sweater that he gladly gave her without a question, leaving no one to suspect anything at all. At one point Musichetta did ask about her oddly placed band-aid but Eponine being the clever person she was automatically came up with a story about her swatting away at some pesky mosquito as he was walking and accidentally scraped the side of her head with her thumbnail as she did so. With a story as likely as that no one even thought to question it. Of course Musichetta also absentmindedly questioned whether or not Eponine was wearing make-up and if so why when she barely convinced her to wear it back at the dance. Again Eponine had come up with some story to explain it without batting an eye, this time she said the chocolate she had gorged the other day was finally coming back to haunt her.
Looking back, it really surprised Enjolras just how good Eponine covering everything up. her excuses were always believable and seemingly authentic to the point where they were likely and she said them in a way that seemed almost truthful. In a way it scared him. He wondered just how much time and practice it took to master that skill, and what else she could be hiding. That thought chilled him to the bone but reassured him that he had made the right choice that night.
The entire time they were all hanging out in the cafe a large knot was growing in Enjolras stomach. He knew Eponine would be angry with him for not only calling the police and telling them where to find Eponine's family but telling child services where to locate her and her siblings but he feared for the safety of Eponine and her siblings more than he cared about her being mad at him. Ever since he found out about her abuse he had wanted to do something but the look she had given him when she practically begged him to stay silent convinced him otherwise. However something stronger pierced his heart: her scream. It was gut wrenching and added with her beaten appearance it was enough to make him go back on his promise right then and there. He knew she would get upset and he prepared himself for that. However nothing prepared him for the utter look of betrayal and hurt he saw in her chocolate eyes when she was lead away.
That was when all the questions started pouring in. Everyone was confused and they needed answers. He tried his best to hoard them off and only reveal small snippets of things but they were relentless. Grantaire and Courfeyrac in particular looked like they were in an internal battle over whether to kill him or thank him. He assumed they knew as much as he did about the Thenardiers; with Eponine being the most closed off out of all of them it was almost certain that if she opened up to him then the others would have opened up to someone as well. He felt as if he was just about to burst when Mr. Myriel stepped in and silenced them all, what he did next was surprising. He shooed everyone out of the cafe and closed up, but not before stopping Enjolras. Mr. Myriel wanted to know all he could and he knew Enjolras was the best source to get the information he wanted. That was when he revealed his plan to Enjolras. In the past few months that Eponine had been working for him she became somewhat like a daughter-like figure to him; he had also grown very fond of Gavroche and if it was up to him he was not going to let them let those kids fall into the foster system. After Enjolras explained everything to him- the abuse, the conning, the robbery, everything- Mr. Myriel had let him go but Enjolras couldn't. While he felt a giant weight lift off his shoulders he could not be completely at ease until he saw everything come together with his own eyes.
Eponine's thank you the next morning seemed to do just that for him.
She spotted him waiting in the chair while Mr. Myriel finished the paperwork and the others hugged Mr. Myriel. Almost automatically she walked over to him and threw her arms around him. She pecked his cheek and thanked him again, nuzzling her head in the crook of his neck, before she was lead away by some officers to help with the other legal matters needed to be settled. That was early Sunday morning and since then he hadn't heard from her. He figured she was settling into her new home and getting accustomed to everything.
Glancing down at his phone he realized it was later than he expected it to be and quickly started gathering his stuff. Studying was relaxing but even he needed to take a break, plus he was starting to get hungry. Taking one last check he made sure he had all this things and walked out of the library to his car. As he approached his car he was met with an unexpected surprise. There sitting on the hood of his car with an arms slung around one leg while the other hung off the side of the hood was Eponine. She was looking off onto the at the empty road by the parking lot, completely unaware of Enjolras. She was dressed in a pair of dark jeans and a red plaid shirt that was unbuttoned, revealing a black tank top underneath, and her black converse oh her feet. Her hair was tied back in a loose braid that trailed of her shoulder with strands slipping out, the gentle breeze made the strands and her long bangs dance in the wind as she sat there waiting; she looked completely serene. The last time he had seen her she looked as if she had been through Hell and back; it was a nice change. She didn't seem to be completely fixed but she looked as if she was in the process of picking herself up and dusting herself off.
Enjolras stepped closer to her slowly, as if trying not to make a single sound. However after a moment she twitched as if sensing his presence. She turned abruptly to face him, her face an unreadable mixture of question and something undetectable. He made another step toward her and opened his mouth to speak but before he could get a word out Eponine leaped off the car and flung herself onto Enjolras. She grabbed his face with her hands and planted a deep kiss onto his lips, Enjolras responded by automatically wrapping his arms around her and pulling her closer. Eponine kept one hand on his shoulder while the other tangled itself in Enjolras' thick curls. Enjolras sighed against her lips and kissed her back hungrily, he had no idea what brought this on but he was not going to complain.
Reluctantly Enjolras pulled away so his lips were an inch from hers, "How did you know where I would be?"
Eponine smirked up at him, "Lucky guess."
She closed the gap between their faces and molded her lips against his as her tongue slipped it's way into his mouth and against his teeth. Enjolras let out a growl from the bottom of his neck. Usually his kisses with Eponine were very innocent and loving but this time it was a bit rougher with an urging feel, not that he really minded.
They pulled apart for a quick breath of air, both their faces a bit flushed and their lips swollen. Enjolras smiled down at her before resting his forehead against hers. She smiled back at him, a light playful smile that illuminated her entire face.
"Not that I am complaining but what is with the surprise attack?" He asked quietly
She giggled before brushing her lips against his softly, "To be honest I thought this would be the most effective way to say everything I'm feeling." He raised an eyebrow at her which only made her giggle in response. She widened the gap in between the two of them but took his hand in hers. "I was sitting here on your car thinking up of a way to tell you how sorry I was for the way I have been treating you the past few days while also making sure to tell you how thankful I am that I have someone as wonderful as you. I kept going through a speech I had planned out over and over in my head but it just seemed too forced, fair to say I was a little nervous considering you are the great speaker of the West End. Eventually I figured I should just screw the planned speech and just tell you what I felt, but then you walked through the library doors and I just couldn't contain myself." She bit the side of her lips as she stared into Enjolras' eyes, "Did I achieve my goal?"
Enjolras laughed and caressed her face gently, brushing back some of the hair on her cheek. "You really thought catching off guard would prove to show all that?"
"It was worth a try."Eponine shrugged, "And I do have a backup plan ready in case I wasn't able to speak. Something to sweeten you up if you will."
Enjolras raised his eyebrow at her yet again, "What exactly did you have planned?"
Eponine gave him a half smile before turning around and reaching for a small bundle on the hood of Enjolras car that he hadn't noticed before. She held it out at arms length and gave him a toothy grin as he looked over the package in her hands. Before him was a small cake- the frosting was white with red rose petals and black icing. The icing spelled out I'm Sorry, and the six rose petals decorated the cake's rim perfectly.
"You got me a cake?"
Eponine rolled her eyes, "No I made it silly!"
Enjolras' jaw dropped, "You made this?"
"Yea, I was trying to think of the best way to soften you up and you know what they say, the quickest way to a man's heart is through his stomach."
"I didn't even know you could bake."
"Well there are a lot of things you don't know about me."
"It's out of a box isn't it?"
Eponine's jaw dropped open and he playfully smacked his shoulder, "I'll have you know I decorated this on my own and that takes serious skill."
"Oh sure it does," Enjolras teased as he rolled his eyes and grinned at her, "And what flavor is this exactly?"
"Red velvet with vanilla filling and buttercream frosting."
"You know you are damn lucky you know me so well. And that I have a love for red velvet." He teased as he took the cake from her hands and kissed her forehead.
"So I take it this makes up for everything..."
"Not exactly." Enjolras responded with a shake of his head
Eponine's face dropped, "What-"
Enjolras cut her off, "You need to keep me company for the next hour and enjoy this cake with me."
Eponine narrowed her eyes, "You are such a tease."
"I know," he said as he took a hold of her hand, "but it works out doesn't it."
With that he led her to the nearby bench under a big oak tree where they took a seat next to each other with the cake in between them, luckily Eponine had been smart and brought forks in her messenger bag. It always amazed Enjolras how girls tended to have everything in those small bags they carried around. As the two of them ate the cake Enjolras couldn't help but notice little things about Eponine- from the barely visible scrap that went from the side of her nose to her cheek and small cut on her bottom lip and the faint red mark on her cheekbone to the way she constantly pushed a few random strands of hair behind her ear every few minutes and brushed back her bangs out of habit- most people would over look those little things but Enjolras found himself fascinated with them, each thing told a story and told him more and more about her.
After another silent moment he cleared his throat, "So how are things with Mr. Myriel?" He asked casually.
Eponine looked up at him with a smile and licked her lips before answering, "It's been nice. So far Mr. Myriel is really good to us, all of us."
She stared off into the distance as the memory of the previous day played through her head.
After filing all the paperwork and working things out in the courthouse Thenardier kids were free to go with Mr. Myriel. Eponine hugged Enjolras one last time before he left so that they could all settle in and get accustomed to things. He had first taken them to his home to freshen up.
The house wasn't what Eponine expected. It was completely different than other houses she had been too. For starters the house was attached to another house with a back patio connecting them all. The other house was smaller and what was apparently called an 'in-law suite"- Mr. Myriel was around 65 but when his parent were still living they occupied that suit, they had died about five years prior but Mr. Myriel never got around to moving and he liked his home to much to part from it. The actual house they were staying was a decent size two story building with a basement, three-bedrooms, and three full bathrooms. Eponine had automatically assumed that she and Azelma would share a room again but Mr. Myriel stopped her before both girls could settle into a room, apparently he had a finished basement with a full bathroom and TV. He told her the basement was hers if she wanted it, to which Eponine automatically agreed and thanked him, she hadn't had her own room for years and she certainly never had one as nice as that. Gavroche and Azelma each got their own rooms as well- Gavroche agreed to move from Courfeyrac's house to Mr. Myriel's as he no longer had a reason to stay away, he was a little upset about leaving Courfeyrac's home but he was happier to finally live with his sisters again.
From the moment they stepped into the house they felt more comfortable than they had felt in years and everything about it just seemed right. It was a real change from where they had been before.
Eponine shook her head and brought her mind back to present day as she smiled at Enjolras, "Yesterday was a lot of moving things from my old house to Mr. Myriel's and simply settling in. YWe had a family dinner last night. A real family dinner. Mr. Myriel suggested pasta and we all helped cook it and set the table, and afterwards we all sat around the table and just talked like a family. The house smelled like food and it honestly felt like home. There was no tension, no worry, just cheeriness and food. I have to say it was fun having a family dynamic like that, it's been a long time since I've had anything like that. Afterwards he came down to my new room and told me that I could consider this place home, that I didn't need to feel like a guest. We were family. You know it's a nice feeling knowing I have a place to call home now, a good place that is."
Enjolras nodded, "I'm happy for you."
She smiled, "I'm happy too. Things are really looking up for us." She shifted positions and moved the cake so she was leaning against Enjolras with her head resting on his shoulder, "This wouldn't have happened if not for you. Thank you." She said as she grasped the hand that was sitting on his lap.
Enjolras wrapped an arm around her while bringing the one that was holding hers up to his lips to plant a small kiss on it. "No need to thank me. You would have done the same."
She laughed softly and played with a small button on his shirt, "As I was laying in bed yesterday I was wondering how I got so lucky. How my life has completely changed these last few months. I went from poor abused girl hopelessly in love with her best friend to now working girl in a actual home with an incredible boyfriend. It's a little hard to believe."
"Well believe it, because it's true."
They sat like that for a while, neither of them wanting to move as they were both perfectly comfortable. The sun shined brightly at them and illuminated the grass field in front of them, emphasizing the serenity around them. Even with everything that had recently occurred the two of them felt completely at ease, all worries pushed out of their heads.
Things really were looking up.
Me: *yawn*
Courfeyrac: *sarcastically* Oh are you sleepy?
Me: Yes! Staying up will 4 am is probably not a good idea...
Courfeyrac: It's your choice
Me: True just like its my choice to introduce the newest guest
Kvazq598: Hi everyone! What's up?
Enjolras: *pinches bridge of nose* You really need to stop bringing people in here.
Me: I'm sorry! I'm weak ...i want friends!
Courfeyrac: You have us!
Kvazq598: Yeah *ruffles Courfeyrac's hair* but I'm better!
Courfeyrac:*mutters* I beg to differ
Kvazq598: What was that Courfeyrac?*death glare*
Courfeyrac: Nothing!
Kvazq598: Thought so. Anyways Eponine what do you guys do for fun already here?
Me: Well *sit next to Enjolras* I tease people and invite them over, R drinks, Ferre reads, Gav spies on people and Courf-
Courfeyrac: I grace people with my awesome presence!
Kvazq598: *sits next to Courfeyrac* I doubt that. *looks back at Eponine* Sounds like you guys have a fantastic time here!
Enjolras: Not really
Kvazq598: *rolls eyes* Stop being a party pooper
Grantaire: Yeah Enjy! Lighten up, have a drink.
Enjolras: No I do not want a drink and will you please stop calling me Enjy!
Kvazq598: *whispers to Courfeyrac* I think Enjy's mad.
Enjolras: STOP CALLING ME THAT!
Me: Did someone wake up on the wrong side of the bed?
Kvazq598: Oh come on Enjolras ! *wraps arm around shoulders* We only tease you cause we love you.
Grantaire: Give him some wine!
Me: R for the last time no! Stop trying to get him drunk!
Kvazq598: Eponine's right R! So Eponine where's Joly and Gav? I haven't seen them in a while.
Gavroche:*pops out of box* I'm here!
Joly: You rang?
Me: our guest wanted to meet you guys
Kvazq598:Ahh Gavroche! *hugs*
Courfeyrac: Why does he get all the women. Seriously!
Gavroche: Cause I'm awesome!
Courfeyrac: *grumbles*
Kvazq598: Oh come Courfeyrac, he's an adorable kid. He's got you beat. *turns to Joly * Hey Joly! Where have you been?
So what do you think so far?
Joly: I'm good. Mormeril brought a puppy to the barricade though so I am afraid for my life...
Me: Oh calm down Joly!
Kvazq598: Joly it's a puppy. A sweet, innocent puppy that doesn't have ticks. I think I might go play with it. See you guys! *grabs Courfeyrac* You're coming with me cause I need help finding that puppy.
Courfeyrac: Fine *rolls eyes*
Enjolras: *in distance* Joly put down the sanitizer the dog germs won't kill you!
Me: Ugh men...