When We Were Young

Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

"Who's that?" I whisper harshly to Montparnasse, who just hunches his shoulders.

We arrived at the inn a couple minutes earlier only to find a young woman in a serious discussion with Papa and Mama.

"No clue," Montparnasse whispers back. "I haven't seen her around."

"Well I say we go check it out."

I go to get up, but Montparnasse yanks me back down.

"Did you see the scowl on your parents's faces? I would not go there if I were you."

"But I want to know what's up!"

I've always been curious, and Montparnasse's overprotectiveness has always been a road block to my journey towards new experiences. Don't get me wrong, I love the guy. But he can be quite annoying at times.

"Eponine!" my father suddenly shouts. "Come here."

I freeze on the spot. Well, I guess my cover is blown. I turn towards Montparnasse who just rolls his eyes. I scowl back down at him as I'm pushing myself up and walk towards the inn.

"Eponine," my father says coldly. "Meet your new friend."

I'm confused at first as to why my father would want me to befriend a young woman in her twenties, but when I turn around, that's when I notice her. She's so little and frail, holding on to what I guess is her mother. She's shaking and seems terrified of my parents. I don't blame her, they are quite intimidating.

"Eponine, meet Courgette," my mother tells me on a tone that supposes the complete lack of interest in the little girl.

"Cosette," her mother rectifies.

I lock eyes with her and she immediately go hides behind her mother. I roll my eyes. Well, she seems fun... Not.

"Hi," I try.

"I'm so sorry, she is quite shy," her mother answers for her. She looks back up to my parents. "Thank you, kind people. Thank you so much."

I watch as she gently pushes her daughter away from her and kisses her forehead.

"Goodbye, my love," she tells her. "I will see you very soon. Now, you do everything the Thénardiers tell you to do, okay? I don't want you to disobey these lovely people that are helping your mother out."

Cosette nods slowly as a single tear rolls down her cheek. I look up at my parents and realize they're smirking. Weird. They seemed mad like two seconds ago.

"Mama has to go now," the woman continues. "Be nice. I'll see you soon."

She pushes herself off her knees and sprints off, as if to prevent herself from changing her mind. I watch helpless little Cosette stare at her mother's disappearing figure.

"So," I cut in, breaking the awkward silence that was starting to settle in. "Can you talk?"

Cosette looks up to me, tears flooding her eyes, and runs down the street without saying a word. Well, I guess I won't be getting my answer. I look back to my parents.

"Who's that?"

"An opportunity," my mother answers.

I'm not sure what she means by that.

"So she's my new sister?"

"Something like that."

"Then should I run after her?" I ask.

They hunch their shoulders.

"We're about to have dinner soon," my father says. "So we can wait until after to go find her."

A smile illuminates my face.

"We're having dinner tonight?!" I exclaim.

My mother crouches down and kisses my forehead.

"A fisherman came to the inn with his catch of the day and he, umm... He forgot it when he left."

"Do we have enough for Montparnasse? He can trade you. He has lots of golden pocket watches!"

I see my father's eye widen.

"You go get him," he tells me. "I'm sure we can strike a deal."

I smile as I run to get Montparnasse. There, that's how I'll repay him for saving me from that Javert man. I'll get some food in his stomach.