I hope you all liked the last chapter. I swear when describing shirtless Enjolras visions of shirtless Aaron Tveit and Ramin Karminloo kept flashing through my head *sigh happily* Writing the last chapter was pretty fun when i had those images running through my head
Sorry for not updating last week, Marching Band is taking over my life! Plus there was the fight between Mayweather and Canelo... but I'd rather not think about that at the moment.
To all those who care, I am expanding myself even further and made a YouTube channel! Same name as here. I was going to start off by doing a Q and A and response to some reviews, if you have any questions for me to answer or want to know on opinion on certain things please message me or put it in a review! First video will be up next week (latest will be Sunday September 22)
Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I love you all! Please keep reviewing, I'd really really appreciate it!
The morning air smelled of bacon, eggs, and fruit as it spread from the kitchen into every room of the house. The mid-morning sun peaked through the cracks in the blinds and decorated the hard wood floors in Enjolras' and Combeferre' room as the former lied in his bed. Hearing the murmuring of voices Enjolras groaned and buried his head deeper into the soft pillows in an attempt to muffle their voices with minimum effort. While everyone, including him, had enjoyed the vacation it had also tried him out to the extreme.
As much as he cared for his friends and enjoyed the past few days he needed to enjoy his moments of conscience peace- the past week had consisted of everything from canoeing to ping-pong, swimming, hiking, and looking for Gavroche after they misplaced him on the hike and Eponine threatened to kill them all lest they find him. He knew he would look back on this trip someday in the future and smile fondly at the memories but at the current moment he wanted nothing more than to stay in his bed and spend a few waking moments not running around while his friends acted like hyperactive kids on Red Bull, contrary to popular opinion that was not his definition of fun. He had to admit there were some times where he truly enjoyed himself and let himself go completely, one of which being the paintball fight they had all participated in.
What started out as a simple game that was meant for fun turned into all out war between the friends. Even Gavroche into the zone and surprisingly enough he actually shot many people, including Marius and Jehan. Moral of the story, never mess with Gavroche or any little person. As good as he was Gavroche was almost shot by Bahorel, only to be saved by Eponine flying in at the last moment and saving her little brother. Now if there were two people they didn't as paintball masters it was Eponine and Combeferre. The latter was seen as a pacifist and no one wanted him on their team, but give him a paintball gun and the teenager turned into a war machine, apparently all those hours of Call of Duty and Halo payed off. Eponine on the other hand used her stealth to her advantage, acting like a ninja as she sneaked up on people and got them out- no one ever saw her coming and that was her advantage over them. If he were to be honest Enjolras was a bit hesitant when Eponine said she wanted to join, the other girls opting out, and even more so when Combeferre all but insisted to not only be on Enjolras team but be the second in command- the thought of his calm and collected best friend being his right hand man in a paintball battle was not his idea of a good strategy- however once the was set he did have to admit the odds were in his favor as both did prove to be valuable teammates. Enjolras for his part was a perfect leader, commands were given under his instruction and executed with perfection thanks to his loyal and obedient team. They all took paintball very serious and were in it for the win. They had a couple close calls such as Grantaire almost shooting Combeferre while the latter was also trying to take down Courfeyrac, but a little slip on Grantaire's part - Eponine claimed it to be a sneeze but Grantaire insisted it wasn't- caused Combeferre to sense him and jump out of the way in the nick of time. In the end the only people to 'die' on Enjolras team were Feuilly and Jehan, both ambushed and outnumbered by the opposing teams. In the end, Enjolras' team made him proud and together they claimed the victory when they were finally able to take down the only remaining player on Grantaire's team, Courfeyrac. The moment Courfeyrac went down the other team cheered and hooted in joy. Eponine threw her goggles off and shaked her hair a bit before throwing her arms around Enjolras and kissing him on the cheek while Gavroche did a victory dance to rub the win in the other team's face, while they said they didn't appreciate it the smile and laughs on their faces told a different story.
It was in those silent moments in bed that Enjolras was able to remember that battle and bask in his victory with a smile, completely happy in his dream like state. However Enjolras moments of relaxation were cut short when he heard scurrying feet along with his door flying open before feeling someone jumping up and down next to him on his bed.
"Wake up Sleeping Beauty!" Called Grantaire as he bounced up and down next to Enjolras.
The blonde groaned and shifted his head so it was completely underneath his pillows. "Go away R!" He moaned but his friend didn't let up, so Enjolras tried to block him out even further by pressing the sides of his pillows down on his ears.
"Come on man, it's our last day here!"
"Which is why I need my sleep!" snapped Enjolras, his words muffled by the pillow. "We have been 'enjoying' our time here non-stop since the day we arrived. I don't know about you but I am one of the drivers tonight and I would rather not fall asleep at the wheel."
"Oh lighten up Enjy!" Grantaire teased as he hopped off the bed.
"How many times to I have to tell you not to call me that?"
"How many times to I have to tell you to pull that stick out of your ass before you actually do so?"
Though Grantaire couldn't see it, he knew Enjolras rolled his eyes from underneath his pillow. "It was a rhetorical question R!"
Grantaire let out a scoff at his thick headed friend, "How does Eponine put up with you? You are such a stick in the mud."
At that comment Grantaire's face became acquainted with the pillow that Enjolras blindly threw at him. He had forgotten that Enjolras was the football and baseball hero and could throw things with perfect aim in his sleep.
"Fine be that way! I can take a hint but just to let you know we are planning beach volleyball," He said as he walked out the door, "and there will be more than just one large ball bouncing around." He smirked and quickly shut the door behind him as another pillow came his way, "Love you too Enj!"
"Pancakes, bacon and eggs, french toast, apple juice, oranges, and whipped cream -lots of whipped cream, and waffles, and and….."
"Whoa there, hold your horses Gav!" teased Azelma as she looked through the fridge.
"Sorry Zelma….." He replied timidly
"Don't worry about it." Azelma chuckled as her fingers ran over the items in the fridge. Seeing as it was their last day at the beach house Azelma wanted to make a special breakfast to end their trip the kitchen Combeferre was seated at the island texting away on his phone while Joly and Musichetta were having happy couple time, Marius was reading a book and Feuilly was once again sketching in his notepad. All the while Gavroche was taking off in her ear. In an odd way the scene before her soothed Azelma, it gave a sense of familiarity and comfort, she felt as if she didn't always have to be on her guard at all times. It was a feeling she hadn't felt in a while and planned to cherish now that she did have it.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Gavroche asked with a sincere look in his eye
Azelma took a moment to pause and think before answering him with a smile, "Would you please get me the large mixing bowl? I'm in the mood to make pancakes."
Almost automatically Gavroche's eyes lightened and a wide smile spread across his face. Everyone knew that the little boy loved pancakes-chocolate chips if he were to be specific but when it came to pancakes he would take any flavor- and there were his absolute favorite breakfast food, the mere mention of them caused him to go giddy with glee. Azelma's heart fluttered at the reaction she saw in her little brother, to her there was almost nothing better than seeing her little brother happy- it was one of the many similarities she and Eponine shared- but seeing Gavroche happy would make anyone's day bright, even Courfeyrac favorite Disney character Eeyore; as spirited and energetic as he was Courfeyrac loved the depressing donkey and insisted he was the best cartoon character of them all, this spurred many debated between him, Grantaire, and Eponine (what those three did on their free weekends together they would never reveal) who insisted Winnie the Pooh and Mushu were the best, respectively. However all three were always crushed by Jehan and his argument for Ray Firefly.
With one last loving smile Azelma turned back to the ingredients she set out on the table, mentally making sure she had everything she needed.
Eggs, check; milk, check; flour, check; choco-
CRASH!
An electrical shock seemed to go through everyone as they all automatically turned to the source of the nose only to see Gavroche buried under a pile of pots and pans. They all moved to rush to his side but were stopped by panicked squeal coming from the staircase nearby
"Gavroche!?"
In what seemed like an instant a shadow seemed to rush past them all until it stopped right by Gavroche and knelt down next to him.
"Are you alright baby?" cooed Eponine as she extended a hand to her little brother and helped him back on his feet.
"Yea I'm fine." Replied Gavroche a bit weakly, "Takes more than a few pans to bring me down!"
"Yes I can see that." Countered Eponine sarcastically.
Gavroche opened his mouth to give a witty comeback but someone else's voice filled the room first.
"Why oh my!" Exclaimed Courfeyrac, "Looks like our Eponine forgot a few articles of clothing."
It was then that they all, including Eponine, looked and actually took a note of what Eponine was wearing, nothing but a shorts, a sports bra, and socks.
"What do you have to say to this scandal?" Courfeyrac said overdramatically
Eponine rolled her eyes "Oh please, we are at a beach house. This is the same thing as wearing a bathing suit, actually it covers even more than a bathing suit would."
"Not in your case Eponine!" teased Courfeyrac, "You are little miss conservative. This is the first time you have shown us a glimpse of your tummy!."
Eponine crossed her arms over her chest, trying her best to hide her discomfort. It wasn't that she was overly conservative, in fact the shorts she wore on a regular basis proved she wasn't, it was the fact that she was not comfortable with her body that make her uncomfortable. She knew she did not have the best mid-region but the past few days had only enforced that fact in her since they went to the beach almost daily and that meant Cosette, Musichetta and Azelma were able to wear bathing suit tops non-stop meaning they showed off their perfect bodies, making Eponine all the more uncomfortable with hers. The only reason she was only in a sports bra at the moment was because she was just getting dressed when she heard the crash in the kitchen and responded to it without a thought. She was beginning to regret that decision.
"Yea," agreed Grantaire, joining into the conversation, "in fact this is the most we have ever seen of you. We hardly even see your feet."
"Actually her feet are covered R." clarified Courfeyrac, pointed to Eponine's socked feet.
Eponine poked the side of her cheek with her tongue and rolled her eyes again, "It's not my fault I don't like feet. I honestly think they are gross. Besides socks keep your toes warm."
"You are honestly the weirdest person I have ever met." Commented Courfeyrac
"Then you obviously have never looked in a mirror."
"Ouch!" Combeferre chuckled from across the room, his eyes never leaving his phone.
Eponine raised an eyebrow at him, "Who are you texting Ferre? I haven't seen you put the phone down almost all week."
Combeferre's cheek deepened in color but he tried his best to shrug it off. "N-no one."
"Uh huh sure….." Eponine replied skeptically. After a moment a lightbulb went off in her head and a suggestive grin spread across her face, "its a girl isn't it?
Combeferre visibly tensed and kept his eyes locked on his phone, "I...I ….well…"
"Ha! I knew it!" exclaimed Eponine, "Is it Alyssa? Oh I bet it is!"
Combeferre shrank down a bit, "No its not her. We didn't work out"
Eponine frowned, "Why I thought you liked her?"
"I did but it turns out she likes someone else more. That someone else is Mark Cohen from her cinematography class."
"Well who is this new girl you are spending all your time texting?"
"I….I don't really think you need to know."
"Oh come on Ferre!" probed Eponine as she strode over to him, tummy showing her not she was nosy and needed to know who this new girl was. "At least tell me her first name. Please Ferre! We are friend you can tell me."
"I don't know…."
"You know I am a professional matchmaker. I am also your doorway to the girl world! I could help you and give you tips. Believe it or not we are very complicated creatures."
Combeferre chuckled, "Oh I believe it." He sighed and put his phone done on his lap before giving his full attention to Eponine, "Abby, her name is Abby. We met in drama class"
Eponine squealed in delight and gave Combeferre a quick hug. "Oh Ferre I am so happy for you!"
"The offer still stand right?"
Eponine nodded, "Of course! I will help you win her over, but first I need to go put on a decent shirt."
With that Eponine hopped out of the chair and flew back up the stair, leaving Combeferre to wonder what he has just gotten himself into.
After a long last day at the beach- activities including volleyball, getting hit in the face by said volleyball, surfing, swimming, packing and cleaning- and a long drive home, including a detour to Burger King and Dairy Queen the Thenardier children finally pulled into their home. Alzema and Gavroche instantly unclicked their seat belts and ran for the door while Eponine took her time. Enjolras smiled at her and kissed her cheek quickly before she got of his car, too tired to do much of anything Eponine simply smiled back at him and kiss him back before slipping out of his car and walking up the path to the house. Eponine and her siblings waved goodbye to Enjolras as he back away from their driveway and drove off into the night. Eponine couldn't help but smile like a giddy school girl as she walked the up the front steps to her house and got her key out. She was just about to put it into the lock when a voice stopped her.
"Eponine?"
The girl in question froze in her stop for a moment before pivoting on her heel and holding her key out in front of her like a weapon. There seated on the far edge of the porch was a skinny figure whose face Eponine couldn't make out due to the darkness. The figure stepped closer, taking very slow steps so not to scare Eponine; once in better light Eponine relaxed a bit when she saw it was none other than Nancy standing before her. She looked a bit scared and sad as she approached Eponine, her head hung down and her arms limp at her sides. Eponine couldn't help but wonder why Nancy would be at her house so late at night, it was almost 10:30 pm. Her questions were answered when Nancy took a step closer and Eponine saw something that made her stomach drop.
"I'm home!" Enjolras called as he walked through his front door. The living room light was on but other than the buzz of the air conditioner and ceiling fan he was met with silence. He tried calling out again but the only response he received was his echo bouncing off the walls. With a sigh Enjolras rolled his eyes, what else could he expect? It wasn't like this was the first time he had come home to an empty house. His parents were either out on a business trip or socializing with their high class friends at wine tastings and benefits they didn't know the cause of. It had become a common occurrence for Enjolras and his brother to spend nights home alone, after they turned 13 they insisted they no longer needed a babysitter. Usually on those nights they would order a pizza and movie and sleep on the couch.
Eventually though Enjolras brother grew tired of never having his parents home and also separated himself from Enjolras, preferring to spend time in his room alone or out God knows where. Enjolras didn't really mind, other than having the same parent he and his brother didn't have anything in common, their interest were almost the exact opposites and it also got to a point where they turned everything into a fight or debate, often times leaving the original subject area completely and just throwing words at each other.
The only people Enjolras was too were his friends and the Thenardier children, and if asked Enjolras would say that was all he needed. They were there when he needed him, through both thick and thin, what more could he ask for? A real family that's what. He knew his parent worked to make money and they tried to compensate their lacking presents with money and spoiling their children but it wasn't really enough. There were some voids money couldn't fill.
Taking one more look around the house Enjolras closed and locked the door behind him as he threw his suitcase on the nearby armchair. Instinctually he walked over to the counter where he knew the mail would be and began to look through it. At first it seemed only junk mail made it was present in the large pile until Enjolras eyed landed on something that made his heart skip a beat. Without a thought he dropped the rest of the mail back on the counter, taking only the important envelope in his hand and raced up the stairs to his room. Once there he took a shaky breath and looked down at the envelope in his hand, knowing exactly what it was. It was the letter that contain the news that could potentially change his life. The letter that told him what he was most excited for but what also filled him with dread.
*all sitting by the fire*
Enjolras: *walks up to me and hands me cup* Tea?
Me: *Smile and nod* Thank you
Enjolras: *sits next to me* It's nice to finally have some peace around here
*CRASH*
Gavroche: What was that?
Me: Looks like Enjy spoke to soon
The Cynic: Wow, you guys wanna try cleaning this place up a bit?
Enjolras: Where did you come from?
The Cynic: Absolutely, positively nowhere. And seriously, it smells like crap down here.
Combeferre: YOU'RE the one who came here of your own will. you're also the only one complaining.
The Cynic: Yeah, but you should value my input.
Enjolras: How DARE you insult the barricade! I command you to leave!
Me: *hands on hips* Now Enj-
The Cynic: Make me, curly top.
Enjolras: I-I-I-I will! *marches up to TC and begins to restrain her. TC proceeds to knock him flat on his face, and pin both arms behind his back*
Me: *winces* Enjy! When will you learn?
The Cynic: *sarcastically* How'd that work out for ya? *to Grantaire* Is he usually this defensive about his precious golden locks?
Grantaire: Like you wouldn't believe.
The Cynic: Sheesh. *lets Enjolras go* Well, dear Enjy, I think that would be something to work on in the future.
Me: *run over and help him up*
Enjolras: Don't. Call. Me. Enjy.
The Cynic: *laughs* Whatever, Enjypoo. Hey, don't screw this up with Eponine, ya hear?
Enjolras: Yes. Now leave!
The Cynic: We have to go through this again, Goldielocks? Now Joly, I haven't showered in three days *hugs Joly tightly*
Joly: *Panicking* No! Get off of me! Remove yourself. Now. You're dirty! Germs. No.
The Cynic: *releases* You need to man up, and grow a pair. Sheesh!
Joly: What does she mean by "grow a pair"?
Me: I'd rather not say
The Cynic: Well, I must be off. Got stuff to do. Love ya Grantaire *winks* *disappears*
Enjolras: *turns toward me glaring*
Me: Don't even...