So 6 (almost 7) months later and I'm back... HI EVERYONE! I can tell I've been gone for awhile (my doc manager usually has a large number of documents that I am working on but the last I checked there was only one left... WHOOPS)

I'm sorry for the long wait but I was busy with school, plus the weekend after I updated I went to see Phantom of the Opera (which was amazing) and then college visits, and then I auditioned to be a production of Les Mis- in which I was cast as Courfeyrac's understudy (i don't want to talk about how that happened) as well as an ensemble member and the one and only swing but low and behold the day of the show everyone was alive and healthy! Boo! Well that's enough of a rant, and I had fun playing a lovely lady either way

Of course even after Les Mis I had even more on my plate such as projects, work, babysitting, 4 AP classes, band concerts, more college visits and essays, working at Allstate Insurance (as support staff), F**CKING AP CALCULUS (word to the wise NEVER take that class, its awful) and after all that sleep (though I've been getting very little).

Then i got cast as Velma Kelly in Chicago and life was made even busier (but happier as well. Yea that was a happy moment in my life! YEAH!)

Not to mention I graduated High School three months ago, and I was the MC so that was even more to add to my plate...Prom was on there too, though no one asked me to it with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups...or at all... but that's a different story

Plus my 18th birthday was 4 months ago and for it I went to see Les Miserables with a friend, and yes it was amazing! I also had to tune in for the Tony Awards and the second season of Graceland starting up, and I have my first year of college coming up so a lot of time went into that as well (I mean I actually moved and everything! Im officially a college student! WOOHOO!)...

And if that's not enough I got some interesting news a few weeks ago, I am 18, 5' 10" with a cholesterol of 229. For those of you who don't know, that is not a very good number- in fact its a very bad number- so some time went into boxing and trying to lower that... judge me at a later date

So long story short I kinda just got out of the swing of things and lost my will to write- there were also some issues with the usual laptop and computer I usually type on, but I bought a wireless keyboard (for $15 bucks, score!) so now I can type on my iPad- but that's not fair to you guys, especially since I have the story planned out. I actually originally wanted to finish this before Christmas, which soon turn to New Years, then Valentines Day, Spring Break, and so on and here we are in August (I actually starting writing this back in April...)... again REALLY SORRY!

So for those of you who actually read the A/N, sorry again for the delay and without further ado, ON WITH THE STORY! (PLEASE REVIEW!)

The morning was perfect. The sun shone brightly over the sparkling blue sky, not a cloud in sight. The pattern of April showers -and even snow- had been broken, leaving behind rows upon rows of flowers and fresh smelling grass in its wake.
The late Spring breeze blew through the bright field where nearly 700 chairs stood aligned in crisp even rows surrounded by circles made up of thousands of red and black seats. The smell of freshly cut grass and wildflowers mix with that of dyed linen, painted plastic, and old cracked hardwood. With each passing minute electricity of anticipation seemed to grow exponentially.

The seats surrounding the main area slowly became occupied as more and more people made their way in- parents, siblings, grandparents, relatives, friends, everyone who means something to anyone filled the arena. Every face showing traces of joy and pride- or boredom and apathy in the case of the young children who were forced to attend at the behest of their parents.

The day almost every student waited anxiously for had finally come; graduation day arrived with all its shining glory for the 2014 class of West End High.
Marius sat up in the audience seats with Combeferre planted next to him, followed by Eponine, Gavroche and Azelma. Joly sat in the row above them with Musichetta on one side of him, and Bossuet on the other. All the amis looked on happily, waiting for the moment when their friends would walk up the path and make their way across the stage. While everyone seemed to squirm in anticipation Marius turned his head to look at the side of the stage where Cosette sat with the rest of the varsity choir, staying off stage until their moment to sing came along. Off on the other side of the stage stood Principal Javert, looking like a warden, his mouth a straight line on his face.

No one could ever say Principal Javert was a bad man, a villain, but no one could call him nice either; Javert was the type of man delinquents would hate but honor students would love. He was a man who knew his job and did it well, possibly taking it too serious at times but doing it well all the same. His glare frightened students into obedience, but his eyes lit up at the sight of accomplishment, adding a sense of pride to the same students whom he had scared before. If anything he was the kind of person who say things in black and white, no gray area anywhere- he believed everything felt in a certain way and order, and based all his assumptions off his gut and first impressions, it wasn't wrong, but it certainly wasn't the best either. Efficient and traditional, those would be accurate words to describe Principal Javert.

The field continued to be filled with the sounds of hushed whispers and boasting, mothers cooing over their grown children, fathers thriving in the pride they felt, and of course small children brewing in boredom and annoyance over having to attend an event that meant nothing more to them then being forced to actually look presentable for a day.
Combeferre looked around for a few moments before he pushed his glasses up his nose and flipped a page in his program "I see Enjolras is speaking." He stated to no one in particular.

Eponine chuckles lightly as she leaned back on her chair, apparently hearing his subconscious remark.

"Are you really that surprised? It's Enjolras remember? Mr. Speech Captain, he was on SOS and impromptu practically all of high school. Mr. Hugo thinks the world of him"

"You talk to me as if I haven't been his best friend for years."

Eponine shrugged playfully, "Sometimes you act as you haven't been."

"Well excuse me Ms. Entitled." Combeferre replied with fake offense, "You've only been dating him for a few months."

"I've known him for longer than that."

"Not longer than I have." He said with a wink, "Don't you forget it."

Within the last few weeks, Eponine and Combeferre had gottten into what some would call a full blown war- granted it was friendly and harmless, but a war nonetheless, with its rivlary, main two contenders, sides, and never ending battles- over which of the two was truly Enjolras' "favorite". This war begun one particularly boring day in AP Government, that day had been Senior Ditch Day which left the two poor juniors alone in the class watching some movie seeing as 1/2 the seniors in their class were ditching school that day and the other half- the half Enjolras belonged to- were off taking an AP test. Since neither of them were paying much attention to the movie the two of them had moved from playing tick-tac-toe to chopsticks, to talking quietly yet lively amoung themselves. What started out as a simple conversation between friends soon turned into a small, heated debate about whether Enjolras would miss his long time best friend or his loving girlfriend more when he left for the summer and ultimatley college. The debate only seemed to grow more with passing time, excalating to the level of a war with their differents friends even taking sides to join in on the fun- much to both Enjolras' annoyance and slight, though barely concealed, flattery. He would never admit it, but the 'battle' did boost ego by the tinest bit every time he just happened to witness it first hand, of course the fact that he did nothing to attempt to stop it proved enough to everyone.

"You're just jealous because me likes me better." She teased

"He does not!"

"Oh yes he does, I don't see him eager to kiss you hello... or good-bye... or you know just because." She replied with a cheeky grin

"Well you haven't seen him naked now have you?"

To that both Alzema and Musichetta heads spun around to face them while Eponine's eyes widen. Yes they were all grown women, but they were also teenage girls who were horny and full of curiosity. It took Combeferre all of five seconds after the little outburst to left his mouth to realize how much trouble he had just gotten himself into.
Eponine bite her lip mischivoulsy and looked at at the two girls staring back at them.

"No, why? Have you?"

Combeferre's neck and cheeks turned bright red as the girls howled with laughter at his obvious embarressment. "Well..I ... we grew up together... things happen."

"Do I need to have a talk with Abby? Is there something you're not telling her?"

"Oh shut up!"

"Fine," replied Eponine as she leaned back against the seat, sending a sly smile over to Gavroche who was doing his best to conceal his laughter, "just know that I will asking for details later."

"Whatever," Combeferre sighed as he rolled his eyes and looked back through the program in his hands, obviously wanting to change the subject and diveret attention from him more than anything. "Apparently Joanne Jefferson is speaking as well. She's the reflective speaker."

"And Billy Flynn is the MC." chirped Marius in between the chuckles he was surpressing.
Eponine huffed, "Why can't we be like every other school in the nation and have a Valedictorian?"

"What fun would that be?" chimed Alzema, "Then we wouldn't be so unique."

"I know I know," replied the brunette in annoyance, "but still, you think high school speeches you think Valedictorian. What do we have? A reflective speaker, an academic speaker, and an MC."

"You say it like its a bad thing."

"I'm not saying it's a bad thing, I'm just saying it's an unusual thing."

"Well being different can be good at times."

"Yes I am aware. It's just a lot of people to keep track of."

"Think of it this way, your boyfriend - who loves you even though Ferre has seen more of him* gets featured no matter what."

Eponine rolled her eyes as her head shook playfully at her sister. No matter what the occasion was, one of them always found a way to bring a bit of heated debate into play.
"Did you notice that Christine Daae is the soloist today." Asked Marius

"Oh yea," Noted Combeferre, "it says she's singing a song called Think of Me."

"Hmm…." Commented Musichetta, "interesting choice."

Bossuet nodded in agreement, "No kidding. But it's pretty appropriate either way."

"Wait!" Interrupted Gavroche, "Are you telling me that this is going be to dragged on even longer?!"

Mr. Myriel chuckled and ruffled the young boy's hair, "Afraid so Gav."

"Oh man…. Here I was hoping it would be quick and painless."

"You thought wrong little brother," sighed Alzema, ruffling his hair, "prepare yourself for speeches, songs, and the endless listing off of name after name-"

"After name." Finished Bousett

Gavroche grumbled incoherently as he across his arms over his chest causing the others around him to chuckle at his slight discomfort, not that anyone could really blame him. After 13+ years in school one would think they would allow the graduatio process to be as effcient and painless as possible; however one would be wrong, instead it seemed to be dragged on for as long as possible, not that anyone could really blame the system.
"Hey did we miss anything?!" chirped a rough voice as two figures took their seats near the group. To no one's surprized, those figured turned out to be Nancy and Dodger. In the time since Bill Sykes was finally detained by police, also the time Nancy and Eponine were in the hospital, it became apparent to everyone that Nancy had grown a lot closer to Erik. During her time at the hospital Erik had come to visit her, at first just to check in on her and make sure she was ok, but after time neither could deny it was because they enjoyed each other's company. After their first two dates Nancy had even given Erik a quick kiss which was a thrill for both of them- Nancy being the first girl Erik had kissed and Erik being the first boy other than Bill that Nancy had even gotten close too. Both had engrained the idea that no one would ever want them because they were both too wrecked to be wanted, they each understood each other well and that understanding grew into something more.

"No..." grumbled Gavroche unhappily, "the nightmare is still ten minutes from starting."

"Nightmare?" Asked Nancy, "Well that's no way to think about this, especially if you are going to repeat this all again next year."

Gavroche sprung his head up and looked at Nancy with gaping eyes, "What do you mean I have to repeat all this again next year?!"

"You're sister is a Junior pup, she's graduating next year, and Alzema the year after that."

"No!"

Gavroche's small outburst caused everyone else to laugh and throw their heads back.

"Just relax," Joly said to him, "and try to stay positive. It will be a lot easier to sit through if you try to look at the bright and at least attempt to enjoy this."

"Maybe next time, or the time after that."

"Shush!" snapped Combeferre, "Its about to begin."

The ceremony seemed to be proceeding flawlessly, all 700 graduation seniors had made their way gracefully to their seats with Enjolras, Billy, and Natalie leading the pack. Billy began the cerenomy with pitch perfect timing, the choir had done a beautiful rendition of the Alma Mater, and Christine's solo had brought tears to everyone's eyes; during the solo however, Eponine tensed and turned her eye to Erik as discreetly as she could- she above all people knew about his history with Christine, much as he knew about her history, as that is what sparked their friendship, and even though Erik had since moved on to Nancy and his happiness was evident with her, there was still that little seed in Eponine's head that worried about his connection to the soprano, she had after all been the jewel in his crown for years, her voice being the only light in his day as well as his muse, the feelings that he held for her weren't the kinds that just went away, after all it had been said that love never dies, despite hearts getting broken, love lived on.
However when she sneaked a glance over at Erik she couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. While Erik had been staring at Christine during her solo, pride filling his eyes, there was also something hidden in them that only a trained eye could see- acceptance and relief mixed with remenicing. The feelings themselves were not hard to identify on their own but when combined with a few others it was difficult for them to form idividual appearances.

Eponine's heart fluttered when she realized what all of it meant- part of him still loved Christine and what she was to him but now he had officially let her go. He was content to where things had gone to now, and there was no use in lamenting over what might have been, or the "if only's" in life especially when there was that absolute certainty that something better was in his possesion.

While Eponine knew that was probably the case, his time with Nancy had him happier than ay other time in his life, she couldn't help the nagging feeling to diuble check on him. She above all people knew how the feelings the two of them experianced didn't just disapear all together. The time she spent swooning over Marius was definetly a time that defined her and would forever stick with her. It had made her more aware of her own emotional capabilites as well as the lengths she was willing to go for someone despite the odds not being in her favor. To say she would do everything all over again the same way given the chance would be a lie, but to say she regretted it all would be one too. Her feelings for Marius hadn't gone away, but they morphed into something else, a feeling of experiance and learning, a marker for the cause that soon made her life better, even if it was with someone else.

The same could be said for Erik. Though they had somewhat of a rough start, life went on and moved on to better things for both of them.

With relief in her heart and a new found calmness Eponine turned her attention back to the ceramony- if people, or specifically Enjolras who occasioally at the beginning of their relationship would occasionally throw eye dagger caked with jealousy and slight concern at Marius, didn't have to worry about her past feelings anymore for Marius, then she didnt have to worry herself about Erik and Christine.

So far everything seemed to be falling perfectly in line, of course there was the fact that Natalie had stumbled a bit on her speech, and even teared up at the end; of course with all the commotion and emotional input that went into Graduation day, plus the added stress and expectations the speakers recieved, something of that short was expected and even awed.

Time seemed to fly and before anyone knew it it was time to Enjolras to give his speech, which he titled "Why Throw Your Lives away". He made his way proudly to the podium, the cap on his head somehow managing to stay on despite the thick curls in its path- he woud never admit it but he had asked Cosette to bobby pin the cap to his head prior to the ceremony and he had to admit it was holding up pretty well. Taking a deep breath Enjolras straightened his back and shoulders before looking out to the crowd. With over 3,000 people to address, and with the added stress of having to speak after Natalie, Enjolras needed to make sure he delievered his speech the best he could; he had spent the past two weeks practicing every chance he got, often to the irriation of many of his friends who heard it more times then they could count. However as he stood at that podium he knew he was ready, he had done all he could to prepare, including going into a mindset where he focused solely at the task at hand alone. Taking one more moment to look over the crowd, Enjolras opened his mouth and let the words and emotions he wrote and reheresed spill from his mouth. With a voice that carried miles, Enjolras' speeched reached everywhere from the very front rows, to the rows all the way in the back of the field. It was at these moments that those that knew Enjolras saw him at his best. They could feel the passion in his eyes, and the waves of it radiating off of him. When he was delivering speeches like this, it was as if no one could touch him. He was the Marble Man, the man gifted orally, the man with passion, the man people followed, the man people put their trust into. The man that made everyone cry with how beautiful and moving his speech was. So much was his effect that people were still wiping their eyes even after he had finished his speech and made his way back to his seat.

Almost mechanically Principal Javert came up to the podium and began the long process of name calling and giving out dipolmas. Despite the length of the process the engery only seemed to increase with each name called, and for those who were waiting to recieve their diplomas, the time passed all too quickly.

The moment the last student was called and made her way back to her seat the superintendent of the school took Javert's place on the podium and did what everyone had been waiting for, he congradulated the class and set off the spark that had graduation caps flying through the air.

Admiss the chaos that was the field directly after the ceremony, Eponine stood by a few trees, waiting for her boyfriend to show his face. Gavroche had run off with Azelma to congradulate Grantaire and Courfeyrac, along with the others, and Mr. Myriel had gone ahead to see if he could somehow reach the car and drive, though with the traffic occuring at that time in the parking lot, everyone knew they had a while to socialize with the new graduates.

Looking around, Eponine kept her eyes peeled for the tall, overachieving graduate she loved so much.

As soon as Eponine saw Enjolras, she sprinted toward him- her speed increasing every second as her feet brought her closer and closer- fully surpizing him as she threw her arms around his shoulders and gripped them tightly, sending him stubbling as they were both thrown a bit off balance. As soon as Enjolras secured his footing and regained his senses he wrapped his arms around Eponine and buried his face in her thick hair, the feel of her next to him bringing him back to earh and allowing the nerves that had been plauging him all day to slowly disappear. Although Enjolras had spoken to crowds many times throughout his high school career, he couldn't help the anxiety that had been building in his stomach for the past few day, in fact even after he spoke they were still present. It wasn't until he felt Eponine embrace him that he actually fully relaxed, whether it be because her sneak attack had pulled from the single-line perspective he had whenever he was attempting something important to him- it was his way of dealing with stress and while it annoyed the hell out of everyone it was the only way he knew how to accomplish the things he set out to do, by focusing his attention on that task and that task alone- or because her presence alone comforted him. Whatever it was he was happy to have her at his side.

"You did great babe." She said gleefully into his ear. "You nailed it just like everything else."

"Well that was the intention." He replied cheekily, "If I am going to speakI want people to remember, especially if this is the last thing I do in high school."

Eponine chuckled as she kissed his cheek, "Well mission accomplished Enjy."

A small groan escaped his throat as he rolled his eyes and turned to look at Éponine who had a mischeivous grin on her face.

"When are you going to stop calling me that?"

She shrugged as she let out a giggle to counter his groan, "When it stops being funny."

"I don't think it's funny."

"Which makes it all the funnier."

"I severly doubt that." He replied with a mock frown.

"Then you'd be wrong."

"I would not!"

"Yes you would." She replied with a spark of sass

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

"No matter how many times you try deny it, you would be wrong."

"Oh come on Eponine, its graduation day, let me win an argument and be right."

"Nope! We agreed that we would never allow each other to win an argument we didn't deserve to win."

"Oh come on! You can have taken that seriously!"

"It seemed serious enough when we argued about the meaning of life on my birthday."

"Please! You kept insisting it was 42!"

"IT IS!"

"No its not, just because some book said it was doesn't make it true. It's as wrong as me ever finding being called 'Enjy' funny."

"You just need to gain a better sense of humor."

A look of exaggerated offense spread across Enjolras' face, "I will have you know my sense of humor is just fine as it is!"

"Uh huh... you just keep telling yourself that."

"Oh come on Ep! You have to admit I can be funny at times."

She shrugged and extended her arms and hands to emphasize her point. "Eh."

"Eh!? What do you mean 'eh'?!"

"What do you think it means."

"It seems to me that you don't think I am very funny."

"AH! You truly are as smart as they say!" She teased as she pulled the top of his graduation cap- which he had somehow mysteriously found after everyone had tossed it- down to cover his eyes.

"Ep!" He exclaimed

She stood their howling with laughter.

"Oh Eponine," he sighed, what am I going to do with you?!"

"Well frankly I don't know. I mean that would all depend on the purpose." She chirped playfully, "If you wanted to reward me for being an awesome girlfriend then I would suggest-"

"AIDEN!" shrieked a loud voice, slicing right through the air. Enjolras groaned internally as he noticed Eponine stiffen. A voice like that could only belong to one person, his mother. As he took a deep breath and turned around to meet the voice he saw his assumption was right as there was with mother, making her way over to him with his father in tow. Sparing a glance at Eponine, Enjolras noticed that while her body had stiffened the rest of her remained normal, her face a blank slate with a smile forcibly etched in.

"Oh Aiden, that speech has perfect!" squealed his mother as she arrived, placing herself right in between Eponine and Enjolras.

"I agree." Chimed in his power, "You really captivated the audience, well done son."

Enjolras nodded, "Thank you. I worked hard on it."

"I could tell." His father replied, "You really out did yourself. I don't think anyone could have done it better."

"No not at all!" Agreed his mother, "You are the best dear."

"I was thinking that exact same thing." Eponine said, a hint of irriation in her tone.
It was at that point that both the parents finally awknowledged Eponine for the first time with a rather dissapointed look on their faces, as if they had thought that if they ignored her she would simply go away.

"Oh hello there Ebony." said Madame Enjolras

"It's Eponine actually."

"Right of course. I am... just not used to seeing you all that much."

Eponine licked her lips, "Well it was been a busy few weeks."

"Oh most certainly. I am surprized to hear that Aiden and you are dating again, he had so much to do lately that I just assumed he didn't have time for a girlfriend."

"Well I help him out as I can so..."

"What do you do?" Asked Monsieur Enjolras, "provide moral support."

"Yes actually, amoung other things. Thing that you two were probably to busy to deal with."

Monsieur let out a bitter chuckle, "Now listen here young lady, until you understand the positios my wife and I are in you are in no postion to-"

"That's enought!" Enjolras rolled his eyes as he scrunched up his nose as he moved to stand between Eponine and his parents, "Don't you have another son to flock over, you know... Erik... my twin."

"Oh but he doesn't have a marvellous speech to pride over." Declared his father
"Maybe not," replied Enjolras, "But it is his graduation as well and I think he would really appreciate it if his parents went to go support him as well, especially since people told him he would live past five years old and yet now he graduated high school and got a scholarship to Julliard, or did you forget that?"

Eponine pursed her lips to hold back a snicker.

Monsieur Enjolras looked his son up and down before nodding and taking his wife's hand, "Very well then, you have a point. Plus I can tell when one needs to move on from one deal to next." He took a step and started walking away, "Goodbye Ms. Thenardier."

"Goodbye Monsieur Enjorlas." She replied quickly as the two adult Enjolras quickly made their way across the field to see Erik.

Once they were out of sight Enjolras turned back toward Eponine, "Look 'Ponine, I really apologize for everything my parents did. I know that dealing with them must have been hard and I ..I..."

She cut him off with a quick kiss. "Don't worry about it Enj."

"But-"

"It doesn't bother me anymore."

He looked at her wide-eyed, "It doesn't?"

"No," She said as she shook her head, " I love you, but everyday I'm learning, that if I keep on telling myself that I can somehow adjust myself to make your parents like me then I'll only be pretending. It would be like banging my head against a brick wall, I won't gain anything except a bad headache."

"Wow... I... I didn't know you thought like that."

"Its like what you said in your speech. After all you are rather inspiring."

He grinned, "What exactly did I say?"

"What we've been through and what we've experianced now and in the past doesn't really matter, what matters is what we learn and how we use it to move on."

Hope you liked it, only one chapter left! Again I am very sorry for the long wait