Sorry for the wait. School started a few days ago and I promised myself not to update my fanfics until after I did all my summer work- why I am taking three AP classes i do not know- plus some other things kept me occupied over the summer, one being marching band practice from 8am-5pm everyday (which later lead to a wrist injury and black eye due to me dropping a flag on my face- word to the wise NEVER loos focus or you will suffer the consequences! I had to go to Walmart with my wrist was wrapped up in an ace bandage and my black so the lady at checkout asked me if i was "one of them female boxers..." *facepalm*)
Anyway here is the next update of West End High. Again sorry for the wait, and REVIEWS are always appreciated! If you see the easter eggs i will send you cookies!
"You know I don't really see why we have to do all this." Azelma whined as Eponine looked through various party decorations.
"Enjolras has a baseball game tomorrow afternoon, meaning I won't be able to go this then and the party is the day after tomorrow Zelma." She replied without taking her eyes off the shelf, "When else are we going to be able to do this?
The two girls were in a party store located at the strip mall looking for various supplies for Gavroche's birthday Saturday. They had been living in for almost a week when the topic of Gavroche's birthday had come up. It was first big event to happen since the move and they all decided that celebrating it would be a brilliant idea. Unlike the two girls Gavroche had never had a true birthday party, the last they had for him was when he was two and he couldn't even remember it. The girls had had their birthday parties up until Eponine was eight, but things started turning bad for them all after that and one of the consequences was the fact that Gavroche never had a true birthday party like every other kid his age. Eponine had tried to compensate years prior, she would always wake him up singing "Happy Birthday" and giving him a small cake and present while Azelma made him his favorite dinner and a birthday card, but none of that ever felt did good enough. This was before Eponine had a job and money was scarce for her. The family could not have a big get-together at their home since their parents would have been furious upon seeing it; the fact that their father never even wished him a happy birthday left a hole in Gavroche heart when he was younger- he had tried to stop it from affecting him in recent years but Eponine could still see it hurt him a bit. Now that everything had changed everyone had agreed it was time to give Gavroche what he deserved. Everyone was in on it, except Gavroche, they were all wicked enough to keep it a surprize from him. As they were speaking Courfeyrac was keeping Gavroche busy while Eponine and Azelma went out shopping, the fact that it was a Thursday didn't make it any easier for Azelma, as much as she loved her brother she was dead tired and it was only 4:30 pm.
"How much of this is actually necessary?" Azelma asked, gesturing their cart full of streamers, party plates, gift bags, candy, balloons and party signs.
"Most of it," replied Eponine with a nod, "I am sparing no expense in giving Gavroche the perfect birthday party! Don't forget you need to pick up the sodas and chips tomorrow."
"Why can't we get them today?!" Azelma whined
Eponine rolled her eyes and picked up a box of blue party cups, "Because lest you forget Gavroche is one sneaky little devil with the nose of a bloodhound. If we bring in the snacks and soda today he will find them and gobble them up in no time." That was something Courfeyrac had often retold when Gavroche was staying with him.
Azelma sighed, "Well at least we are almost done."
Eponine pursed her lips and poked the inside of her cheek with her tongue, she looked incredible guilty.
Azelma sighed again, this time in annoyance, "What exactly do you have planned next?"
Eponine shrugged, "Nothing too horrible. We are just going to go to the comic store-"
"The comic store?!" Azelma exclaimed
"Now Zelma, you and I both know-"
"That you and Gav love comics, I get that, but why do I have to go!? I hate comics! They are so confusing. I mean they finished one series then they reboot it and change EVERYTHING!"
"I know but that's what makes them awesome."
"What exactly were you planning on getting him anyway?"
"Oh just a little something I know he will love."
Azelma frowned, "You're not going to tell me are you?"
"Nope." Eponine replied simply
"But but- Eponine!"
Eponine chuckled, "Sorry sis no can do. I don't want you spoiling the surprize."
"I won't Eponine! I swear, I can keep a secret."
"I know you can but I am not taking any chances."
Azelma opened her mouth to protest but Eponine sent her a glare that silenced her and let her know the conversation was over. After looking through all the items in their cart on more time and picking up three rolls of gift wrap - Eponine was unable to pick just one- the girls left the store and headed for the car. While Eponine still did not have her own car Mr. Myriel allowed her to use his since he was at the cafe for most of the day, they just had to pick him up at the end of the day and make sure not to damage the car. It was a fair deal. Twenty minutes later the Thenardier girls found themselves in the parking lot of the only comic store within a 5 mile radius. Azelma frowned as she followed Eponine into the store.
When it came to comics Eponine and Gavroche were big fans. It all started when they bought a giant box of Marvel Comics for $5 from a garage sale years ago. They spent the entire weekend going through them and after that they would spend hours in debates and discussions over them. As soon as they went through all the books they had gone to see any movie version of the comics they read- they particularly prided themselves in seeing all the X-Men movies made- as they watched they would talk about what the movies did right and what they got completely wrong. Anyone who ever was caught in the middle during one of their debates was made victim to Eponine's rant about Rogue and Gambit and how the only franchise to ever get their relationship right was the 1990's tv show- which just happened to be one of her favorite shows ever- or Gavroche's speech and obsession over Deadpool. It was a common occurrence to find them in one of their rants. Courfeyrac teased them and called them cute whenever he caught sight of them, they may have seemed like geeks but neither of them cared.
Eponine and Azelma entered the store and Eponine strode over to the Marvel section while Azelma hung back and looked through her phone. If there was one thing she knew it was that Eponine could spend hours looking through the comic section and never get tired. Eponine automatically went to look through various series. Her fingers ghosted over the covers of various titles of Spider-Man, Hulk, Avengers, X-Men, Captain America, until her eyes finally landed on the perfect comic. She reached out to grab at the time as someone else was doing the exact same thing. Her hand collided with that of a stranger and almost automatically Eponine turned to apologize.
"Oh I'm sorry-" She was cut off mid-sentence by the person she saw standing there. "Nancy?"
There in front of her was someone she hadn't seen for years, Nancy. Her brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail, her black boots and red shirt were well worn in, it had been years since Eponine has last laid eyes on the girl and her face had matured but she knew it was none other than Nancy. Back when they still lived in that rat-cave of an apartment Nancy was her next door neighbor. Eponine adored Nancy's free spirit and bravery while Nancy admired Eponine's spite and stubbornness, although what Eponine loved most as a child was Nancy's thick cockney accent. The two girls were very close and often times got into mischief together, they had similar characteristics and Nancy even had a little cousin she took care of back then named Dodger and a sister named Bet who Azelma used to play with. They had all been thick as thieves until the Thenardiers moved and all contact was lost.
Nancy stared at her wide-eyed, "Eponine? Eponine Thenardier? Is that really you?"
"In the flesh and bone."
"Well my my, what are you doing here?" She asked
"I could ask you the same thing."
"I believe I asked you first."
"That you did," Eponine chuckled, "I'm here to pick up a present for Gavroche, it's his birthday this Saturday."
"Oh right! That little pup was born on the first day of Spring!"
"Yep, he is turning eleven."
"My word he is getting old quickly!"
"Tell me about it. So tell me how have you been?"
Nancy smiled, a gap showing in between her two front teeth, "I've been great you know. Uncle Fagin is taking care of us alright, I'ves got myself a boyfriend named Bill - he got a slight temper on 'im but I love 'im nonetheless- we've got some more boys staying with is at the house but there are pretty cool. I am going to East End High."
Eponine gasped, "Are you serious?"
"As the plague! Why?"
"Because I go to West End High."
"No kidding! That my dear is a great coincidence." She replied with a smile, "How's bout you? How 'av you been?"
Eponine shrugged, "I've been ok. There's been some drama and horrid stuff recently, my parents just got arrested."
"I'm sorry to 'ear that"
"Don't be, they need to learn a lesson. Either way we just moved in with our new Guardian, Mr. Myriel, he is old man but he is really sweet and he treats us well. I've got some great friends from school, very funny and quirky boys but they are great, one even became my boyfriend."
Nancy smirked, "Oh tell me more!"
Eponine blushed and bit her lip, "Well his name is Enjolras, Aiden Enjolras, although for some reason he prefers his last name, he is really nice and so very patient. He is also smart and athletic….and perfect! I honestly wonder how I ever landed him."
"Is he hot?"
Eponine nodded, "Very, almost every girl in school gives him googly eyes when he walks by. He has never noticed them though."
"You are one lucky gal!"
Eponine smiled, "I know."
At that moment Nancy's phone beeped and she automatically read the message. "Oh sorry 'Ponine but I have to go. It was really nice seeing you again."
"You too." Eponine replied. Nancy made a move to leave the store when Eponine called out to her, "Wait!"
Nancy stopped in her tracks and turned, "Yes?"
"We are having a birthday party for Gavroche Saturday, would you like to come? You could bring Dodger."
Nancy smiled her toothy grin, "I'd like that. I look you up on Facebook and get the details."
"Great!"
About a half hour later Azelma and Eponine walked out of the store with Gavroche's present in hand. They were about to head back to the car when something in the window of a nearby shop caught Eponine's eye. As soon as she saw it she grinned, it was the perfect gift for her favorite blonde boy.
The sun was high in the sky as Enjolras walked up to home plate ready to bat. It was the bottom of the ninth inning. The bases were loaded and the game was tied. All Enjolras had to do was make it to at least first base and Combeferre would have the chance to make it home. He stepped onto the base and positioned himself with the bat hovering by his shoulder. From his spot he could see the rest of his friends plus Eponine standing in the bleachers looking at him with anticipation. This was the game that decided whether or not they were going to make it to the finals and Enjolras knew he couldn't mess this up. The pressure was on. He looked at the pitcher in the eye and took a deep breath to prepare himself. This was it. The pitcher threw the ball and Enjolras focus his gaze on it alone, forgetting everything else around him. The only thing he was aware of after that was the sound of his bat hitting the ball. For a split second he watched the ball fly away before sprinting down to first base. The ball flew far down in the outfield, giving Combeferre and the player on second to make it home safely. The crowd cheered as the team made it but the trouble wasn't over. Within a few seconds the opposing team had the ball back in their hands and were going after Enjolras. The blonde boy increased his speed and set his sights on home plate. He stole third and kept running. The player on the baseline got a hand on the ball and made a move toward Enjolras, lunging right in his path. Out of instinct Enjolras moved away but the cost was his footing. The sudden movement caused him to stumble and lose his balance. He heard a sicken crack coming from his ankle and pain shot up his leg, but he saw he was only a few feet from home plate and he decided to take a risk and power slide his way there. He dove in without a thought and once the dust cleared it could be seen that he made it home.
The crowd went wild and started shouting his name. Eponine jumped up and down from her spot and hugged the amis tightly. However when she saw Enjolras wasn't getting up she stopped.
"Something's wrong…." She muttered
Out on the field Enjolras struggled to pull himself up and before anyone could blink the paramedics were there carrying him away. Eponine sprinted down the bleachers and waited by the ambulance car while Enjolras was worked on. Worry filled her every vein. As soon as it was clear to go in Eponine ran at him.
"Enjolras are you alright!?" She exclaimed
"Yes Ep I'm fine! I just….. sprained my ankle."
Eponine sighed, "Enjolras! Finals are in three weeks."
"Oh that's the first thing on your mind?!"
"What else can I say? You would roll your eyes at me either way."
"True," he admitted, "I should be all better within two weeks though. Its only a sprain."
She rolled her eyes at him and kiss his nose, "Only you would get hurt like this on your birthday."
Gavroche slept soundly in his bed, dreaming of this things all 11 year old boys dream of when Azelma, Eponine, and Mr. Myriel all bursted into his room.
"Happy birthday Gavroche!" They yelled
Gavroche sprang in his bed in shock but soon a wide smile spread across his face. His family was standing there in his room with pancakes and presents.
"We got you something special for your birthday Gavroche!" exclaimed Azelma
"Is it a pup?" Gavroche asked hopefully.
Eponine shook her head, "Gavroche we talked about this."
"I know, but a boy can dream can't he."
Eponine smile and ruffled his hair. "Now come on we have a lot planned for your birthday."
"Are we going to the movies?"
Mr. Myriel chuckled, "No, even better."
To say Gavroche was surprised to have a birthday party would have been an understatement, to say he was ecstatic would have been one as well. Mr. Myriel, Eponine, and Azelma had convinced Courfeyrac to take Gavroche out for a few hours while they prepared the party. When the two boys came back the house was covered with decorations, a giant cake was in the middle of the kitchen and the house was full of people, all of which brought presents. When Gavroche caught sight of this his eyes nearly popped out of his head and joy was leaking out of him. It was a wonderful looking party and it was all for him. He laughed when Grantaire told funny stories at everyone's expense, when Joly freaked out due to Azelma sneezing too close to him, when Courfeyrac teased Marius and Cosette for their PDA, and when Enjolras came limping in on crutches only to have Eponine scold him for stressing out his injury. When it was time to open presents Gavroche chose the thin one from out of the pile and opened it hurriedly, causing wrapping paper to fly everywhere. When he saw the Deadpool comic in his hands he almost fainted. Automatically he ran up to his sister and threw his arms around her. Eponine smiled and kissed his head affectionately. The light in his eyes making everything worth it. During the present opening the doorbell rang and Eponine opened it to see Nancy and Dodger standing in the doorway. She greeted them with a hug and ushered them inside. Dodger ran to meet Gavroche and the little boys jumped with joy to see each other again.
"Sorry we are late but we had some errands to run." Nancy explained as she kicked off her shoes
Eponine waved it off, "Don't worry about it, I'm just glad you came."
Nancy smiled and Eponine couldn't help but notice a bruise on her cheekbone. Nancy had done a good job hiding it with makeup but Eponine knew the signs all too well and spotted it immediately. However against her better nature she decided to let it go and not question Nancy just yet. They met everyone in the living room and Azelma all but ran to give Nancy a hug. The group welcomed her warmly and she was mingling with them in no time.
When Eponine saw that everyone was enjoying themselves she snuck off to kitchen and began cleaning up some of the mess. She was only picking up dirty plates and cups for about five minutes when she heard someone enter the kitchen.
"You did a good job." Called a voice
Eponine turned to see Enjolras leaning against the doorway
"You are going to stress out your ankle even more you know. You need to rest."
"You know that sounds oddly familiar. Didn't I tell you the same thing once?"
Eponine rolled her eyes as she walked up to him and wrapped her arms around him
"The party is great Ep. You really outdid yourself."
She smiled, "Thank you I try."
Eponine leaned her head on Enjolras chest as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. They both turned to look out the doorway and watch Gavroche smile and laugh as he opened all his presents. The amis laughed along with him and at that moment Eponine couldn't feel any happier. They were what she always dreamed of, a big happy family.
It was then that she remembered something.
"Come with me." She whispered in Enjolras' ear, her lips smiling against his skin.
Enjolras nodded and took her hand. Eponine lead him downstairs to her room and went over to her bookshelf while he sat down on her bed.
"I can tell things are really great over here." Enjolras commented as he scanned the room.
"Oh yea." She replied as she dug through a shelf.
"What are you doing?" He asked with a raised eyebrow
Eponine smiled widely as she walked over and sat next to him, a package in her hands, "Well I know you don't celebrate your birthday but-"
Enjolras sighed, "Oh no, you got me a gift didn't you? I told you I didn't want one I-"
Eponine put a finger on his lips to silence him, "I know what you said but your birthday was yesterday and when I saw this I just couldn't resist." She handed him a medium sized thin box wrapped in red paper with a black bow. Enjolras had always made a point of saying he didn't like celebrating his birthday. He often got annoyed when anyone brought up the topic and after years and years of glares and scolding from him most everyone just went along with it and never even mentioned it. However Eponine wasn't like everyone. "At least read the card."
Enjolras rolled his eyes and looked at the card, "'Shut up and accept the gift!' Really Ep?"
She shrugged at him with a playful glint in her eye. Reluctantly Enjolras carefully tore the wrapping paper and opened the box, what he found shocked him. There in the box was a bright red vest with what looked like hundreds of gold buttons running down the entire front in horizontal lines. He gingerly took it out of the box and held it in front of them. "This looks like a xylophone and a vest married and had a baby. An ugly baby."
Eponine pouted, "Hey I thought it was nice! You don't like it do you?"
Enjolras cringed, "No I just….I…."
Eponine giggled, "I thought you would react that way but when I say the vest I just had to get it for you. I thought we could call it the 'xylophone'!"
"Good to know."
"Don't worry there is something else in the box."
Enjolras raised an eyebrow at her, "There is?"
Eponine nodded, "Yes take a look."
Enjolras did and when he did he saw there was a book sitting here in the bottom of the box hiding under all the tissue paper. He picked it up and set it on his lap to get a better look. As he flipped through it he realized that it was a memory book. The pages were filled with photos and quotes and pieces of art. Some pages were filled with articles from the school newspaper about him and his accomplishments, others were pictures of him and the rest of their friends, -from all their times at the cafe to halloween two years ago when they had all decided to dress up as X-Men, with Eponine being Rogue and Enjolras being Scott Summers, to them all at the Masquerade dance- and others still were pages of soley him, whether it be him sitting at the cafe hunched over a book or glaring at Grantaire and Courfeyrac from across the room. Each page had written quotes that somehow fit perfectly and little captions under the photos along with random pieces of clip art like the french flag or paintbrushes and other things. As he looked through the book he couldn't help but be mesmerized by it. Every memory etched in there came back to him and gave him a warm feeling. When he reached the last few pages he saw there were two dedicated to him and Eponine. There were pictures of them other on their first date, a receipt from the time he bought her drinks at the cafe, a picture of Kung-Fu Panda, a rose petal and she even pressed a lipstick kiss to the corner of the book. He couldn't help control the fact that at heart raced at the sight of those last pages. Every last memory he could think of was etched in that book, from the good, the bad, to the funny. If she didn't have a picture she used something symbolic to tell the story in a way Enjolras couldn't imagine. He was completely speechless.
"Do you like it?" Eponine asked timidly
The response she was met with came in the form of Enjolras wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her in for a kiss. Eponine eye's widen in shock before fluttering closed and deepening the kiss. She wrapped her arms around Enjolras neck as he took his free hand and cradled her face. They both shifted positions so that Eponine was lying down on the bed with Enjolras on top of her, their kiss quickly became more heated and Eponine moved her hands up to tangle in his curls. They completely lost themselves in the kiss, forgetting about the party going on upstairs and everything else. Enjolras lips moved to Éponine's slender neck, causing a slight gasps to come from her.
"You tickle." She teased
Enjolras rolled his eyes and moved to remove his lips.
"I didn't say stop." She whispered in his ear, causing a grin to spread across his face.
They continued being like that for a few minutes until they were interrupted by the sound of barking and Gavroche squealing.
"A puppy! I got a pup!"
Eponine sat back up and separated herself from Enjolras. "Looks like both of you got something you wanted after all."
Me: So we have yet another person joining us via tweet
Enjolras: they are just coming from everywhere aren't they
Me; oh be nice!
LesMisDoodles: OH MY GOSH ENJY! I have an idea on how to rally the people!
Enjolras: oh boy...what's the idea?
LesMisDoodles: Well we need jehan's help
Enjolras: I'm staring to get scared
Me: lighten up. Jehan!
Jehan: *running in* you called
LesMisDoodles: Alright so my idea... Two words...Political poetry!
Enjolras: what?
Me: That's genius!
LesMisDoodles: I know right!
Me: yea!
Enjolras: I don't know
Grantaire: I think it's worth a try
Enjolras; you're a drunk
Jehan: well I like it too!
LesMisDoodles: What you don't like it enjy *eyes water*
Me; he just doesn't like anything that's not his idea
Enjolras; not true!
Me: *raise eyebrow*
Enjolras: ok maybe a little
LesMisDoodles: Eh I'm really not that upset because the majority rules so you have to do it! Mwhahahahaha
Enjolras: *sighs* fine
Me; yea!
Jehan: oh this is going to b soo much fun!
LesMisDoodles: YES! This is gonna be great! Hey eponine can we force Enjolras to sing more show toons?! I would kill to see him sing oom pah pah!
Me: Oh I love that song
Enjolras: no!
Me: *pout* why not
Enjolras: I've embarrassed myself enough
Me: oh u just can't handle that song
Enjolras; not true!
Me: prove it!
Enjolras: fine I will!
Me: *smirk* and that's how it's done
*claps* great job! *gets popcorn* not lets do this thing!
Me; yea
Enjolras: why does this keep happening to me?
Me: because we love you, now sing!
Enjolras; ok ok
Me: this is going I b awesome!
LesMisDoodles: Yes it is! *giggles* Also please read and review because Eponine T Daae Is amazing!
Me: Aww thanks!
Gavroche: Shh! Shows about to start