Becoming Eponine *A Les Misérables Story*

Chapter Six

Gif above of Samantha Barks because she's perfect.

The stage lights cast glares against my skin. My dark hair shines in the light. I pace across the stage, my arm slung across my mid section as I cringe, trying to channel the strongest look of pain possible into my expression.

"Good god! What are you doing 'Ponine, have you no fear? Have you seen my beloved, why have you come back here?" Derrick's voice comes out strong and panicked, his vibrato is on point, his blue eyes focus on my gray ones as I stumble forward, my breath coming out in a heaving manner. I arch myself so it seems I am in horrific pain, yet trying to stay on my feet, I let out my lines, sweety and rawly, as if I am choking them out on pain,

"Took your letter like you said, I met her father at the door. He said he would give it, I don't think I can stand any more." In that moment Derrick rushes forward and envelopes me in his arms as I collapse. We have rehearsed this scene so many times in one day, the whole cast endeared the same song over and over again. So far I believe this attempt has been our best.

"Eponine what's wrong? There's something wet upon your hair," He stares at his hands as if they are covered in blood, "Eponine you're hurt! You need some help! Oh god it's everywhere!" The lines are packed with pure emotion, I swallow hard, ready to begin singing.

In a few moments, with the music's cue I begin singing the words. They flow easily, yet they create a haunting sound of overwhelming pain. I make it look as if all the pain has vanquished as I sing, and I try to act as if I'm struggling to keep my eyes opening. Derrick's voice comes out panicked and sad, he sounds so fitting to the character. Once I choke out my final words I shut my eyes and allow myself to fully collapse. I feel Derrick move away and onto his feet, Orion's words fill the air first,

"She is the first to fall! The first of us to fall upon this barricade!" His voice is packed with power and regret. I lie limply on the ground, listening to the sounds, unmoving. My eyes are closed.

"Her name was Eponine. Her life was cold and dark yet she was unafraid." I try not to grin at those words, which was one of my favorite lines in the show. The barricade boys exchange their lines of singing as I lie on the ground. Orion then steps forward and lifts me from the ground. I try not to blush or make any signs of movement as I am carried off stage. Applause fills the air afterwards. As soon as I am back on my feet I rush back out. Miles finally looks pleased with the scene. We had been working on it for three hours. I spot Vi who is grinning wildly, I keep the blush from my face, her and her ships. I don't want to know what would happen if she found out that I met up with him last weekend. I am almost relieved she doesn't know, I'm happy it's just Orion and I who share that memory. I brush the thoughts from my head as Miles begins speaking,

"I knew that scene would take a while and I'm very pleased with it now." Miles says as we leave the stage. I go to sit next to Violetta and Bella. Being a typical Vi, she starts grinning at me wildly.

"Yes I am fully aware Orion has to carry me off stage Vi. And yes I saw your fangirling when Miles announced it." I whispered into her ear as she grinned even wider.

"Ship." Is all Violeta says as she grins at me,

"Uh-huh. Valjean you're supposed to be on stage now." At this her eyes widen and she practically leaps from her seat, darting towards the stage as everybody laughs.

"I come here as a volunteer!" Vi bellows her line breathlessly as she stumbles forward in front of the barricade boy's actors. They are all trying to suppress grins from rising upon their faces. Miles frowns at her and everyone stops, "I still technically made my entrance." She grins.

"Typical Vi." Bella whispers to me and I nod, I feel as if my face is on fire, at least I have the stage lights to blame.

"Thena you were awesome!" Sierra rushes to me, breaking away from her older friends. I smile at her and thank her.