A Promise

Chapter Twenty-Five

        The days before the revolution flew by with much hustle and bustle. Grantaire went through at least thirty bottles of alcohol due to the stress. Marius' visits to Cosette's house became less frequent in order to make more time for planning and preparation. Joly made sure everyone was sanitary and did his best to prevent anyone from getting sick before the big day. Combeferre helped Joly prepare the medical equipment, as well as helped Enjolras with the planning. As for the Marble Man himself, he was up late into each night, making sure he had not missed a single detail. As for me, Enjolras had me deliver not just one speech, but many. I did my best to rally the crowds, and even gained a few last-minute supporters for our cause. I tried to inspire the rich to help the poor. My words seemed to have an effect on not only the crowds, but also Les Amis. I noticed many of them were beginning to be much more charitable and compassionate to the poor. I was proud of my work, but I was still determined to fight. I would not leave Enjolras' side, no matter what the cost. I was very careful not to reveal my plans to Enjolras. If he found out I was planning to fight, he would be very upset. I noticed my brother Gavroche was also very excited about the fight. I cautioned him many times that he was too little to go to the barricade, but he was not deterred by my warnings. I decided to keep a close eye on him, in case he followed in his sister's footsteps and secretly joined those at the barricade.

        I noticed in those few days before the fight that Musichetta had become very pale and worried-looking. I assumed it was just stress about the baby and the revolution. I was very concerned about her and wanted to talk to her about her stress, but I could never find a time to do it. I had to talk to her soon, though, because I needed her to help me carry out my plans to secretly join the fight. Soon, the day before the revolution came, and I still hadn't talked to her. Enjolras and I headed down to the Cafe Musain for one more last minute meeting. Les Amis gathered together somberly in that little room. Musichetta sat on the couch with one hand on her belly, her face pale. No one spoke a single word until Enjolras stood up, cleared his throat, and began one last speech.

        "My friends," he began, his voice catching. I could see tears glistening in his eyes. "The time is finally here for us to do what  we've been planning all this time. The time has come for us to revolutionize the country, our Patria. I know we are all nervous about what our God in Heaven has in store for us tomorrow, but I know that we will make a difference in this world. We are prepared and we are ready to fight. There is no better group of people that I would rather fight with than you. You are my family, and you mean the world to me. I am so grateful to have you all fighting beside me." A single tear fell down Enjolras' cheek, and I reached out and took his hand, squeezing it tightly. I held out my other hand to Musichetta, who took it gratefully. Then, something simple yet amazing happened. Musichetta held out her free hand to Joly, who took it and then linked hands with Bossuet. Bossuet took Courfeyrac's hand, who took Combeferre's hand, who took Marius' hand... Soon, everyone was holding each other's hands. Grantaire was the last person to link hands with Jehan. Grantaire looked down at the alcohol he was clutching in his free hand, then took a breath. Slowly, he put the bottle down and grabbed Enjolras' other hand. We stood together like this for a few long moments, not breathing a word but instead enjoying each other's company, grasping each other's hands as if we never intended to let go. There were unspoken thoughts that lingered on everyone's minds. This was probably the last time we would all be alive together in the same room. Come tomorrow, and there was no guarantee that any of us would survive.

        Finally, we dropped each other's hands and began wrapping up the meeting. Many of the people had tears in their eyes. I wondered if everyone was prepared to die, but then I quickly pushed the thought out of my head. Bossuet came up to me as everyone started leaving and began talking to me in a low voice.

        "Eponine, do you know what's wrong with Musichetta?" he asked me. "She seems very upset lately."

        "I'm going to her house to talk to her about it today," I replied. "I've noticed it too."

        "Perhaps I should come with you?" Bossuet suggested.

        I bit my lip. There was no real problem with Bossuet coming with me, except that it would mess up my plans to secretly join the fight. Slowly, I shook my head. "It's better if I do it alone," I lied. "You know, girl talk."

        Bossuet nodded, looking disappointed. "Okay," he replied. "Tell her that if she needs anything, let me know."

        "I will," I promised, then rushed to catch up to Musichetta.

        "Hey, 'Chetta!" I cried out, racing up to her. Musichetta looked at me and gave me a lifeless smile.

        "Hello, Eponine," she said glumly.

        "Do you mind if I come to your house?" I asked. "There are a few things I need to speak to you privately about."

        "All right," 'Chetta agreed. "Joly will be out anyways, buying some medical supplies for tomorrow. I could use some company."

        We walked to her house in silence. I noticed that her hands were trembling and she was blinking back tears.

        "What's wrong?" I asked.

        "I'll tell you when we get there," she replied shortly.

        Finally, we reached her house. 'Chetta opened the door and ushered me inside. The minute the door shut, she burst into tears.

        (Author's Note: I'm so so sorry that it's been so long since my last update! I was playing Rizzo in Grease, so my time was taken up by the show and school. Anywho, thanks for the 10k reads on Forever and Always! Also, I've decided to start a Les Mis family on my profile. I've seen other people doing it and I thought it was a cute idea. Basically I'll be casting users as Les Mis characters. If you want to be a character, either comment here or on my profile to claim your character. First come first serve! I call dibs on Eponine tho;-) )