A Promise

Chapter Ten

        Throughout the entire meeting, I could not focus at all. I could feel Grantaire's eyes following me around, giving me an icy cold glare. I prayed that he would not bring up the incident that made him hate me so much. Thankfully, he remained silent and contented himself with glaring at me through those blood-shot, angry eyes. I tried to ignore him and listen to what Enjolras was saying to Les Amis, but my memories of Grantaire kept playing repeatedly over and over again in my head. Seeing Grantaire again reminded me of the past that I wanted so much to forget.

        I fidgeted nervously in my seat, trying not to meet Grantaire's eyes, until Enjolras finished his speech. The meeting finally adjourned, but everyone stayed inside the Cafe, talking and mingling. Enjolras walked over to me with a radiant smile. "This is going so well," he said happily. "Before we know it, we will have a full-scale revolution on our hands." I tried to look happy, but Enjolras could see the worry and discomfort on my face.

        "What's wrong?" Enjolras asked. "Aren't you happy to be a part of this?"

        "I am!" I said quickly, giving him a reassuring smile. "This revolution is amazing and I'm proud to be playing a part in it. I'm just... a little bit overwhelmed, that's all." Enjolras believed the lie. "Don't worry," he said, giving me a reassuring pat on the back. "You're going to be great. With you on our side, the poor will have a voice in this revolution."

        "Thank you for this opportunity," I said earnestly.

        "I'm happy to have you on our side," Enjolras replied. "Now why don't you get to know everyone better while I discuss some battle plans with Combeferre?"

        "That sounds great," I said, but the minute Enjolras turned around, my confident mask crumbled away. I fell into a tempest of worry and guilt as I watched Grantaire out of the corner of my eye. He still had not taken his eyes off of me. I wondered if I should go speak to him and apologize for what happened, but I quickly dismissed the idea. No apology could rectify what I had done to him. I was so lost in thought that I did not notice Musichetta talking to me.

        "Hello? Eponine? Anyone in there?" Musichetta said, snapping her fingers under my nose. I jumped. "Sorry," I murmured. "I was... lost in thought."

        "That's okay," Musichetta said with a laugh. "I was saying that I like the ring you're wearing on your necklace. Where did you get it?"

        I looked down and realized that I had been subconsciously rubbing the ring between my thumb and forefinger. "Enjolras gave it to me," I replied absentmindedly.

        "Enjolras gave you a ring?" Musichetta squealed loudly enough for everyone to hear. "I didn't think the Marble Man could love!"

        Everyone turned to look at us, smiles on all their faces.

        "Enjolras has finally found a woman!" Bahorel exclaimed, clapping his hands together. 

        Enjolras turned to look at me, and I noticed that his face was a deeper shade of red than his coat. I could feel my face growing warm as well. "It wasn't like that," I said quickly. "It didn't mean anything. It was just a gift, that's all."

        The students looked disappointed, but a few of them winked at me. "We'll see about that," Jehan said under his breath.

        I turned to look back at Enjolras, but he had turned around, once again deep in conversation with Combeferre. "So," I said to Musichetta, "congratulations on your engagement to Joly. You must be very happy."

        "I am," Musichetta said with a dreamy sigh. "We are so in love."

        I tried not to scoff at her remark. Love doesn't bring happiness, I thought. It brings only pain and disappointment. "When is the wedding?" I asked.