(Author's Note: Ok so last chapter I said it was Chapter Nine but it was actually Chapter Eight. Whoops, I don't know how that happened! Anywho, this chapter is actually Chapter Nine, just to clear up any confusion.)
Fantine woke up early next morning, her eyes bright and her cheeks rosy. She flounced to her closet and pulled on her favorite pink dress. Then, she grabbed her wooden hair brush and began running it through her golden curls, humming softly. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror. For the first time, she was completely satisfied with her image. She felt absolutely beautiful. She continued to hum merrily until her door opened and Favourite, Dahlia, and Zephine walked in.
"I'm so proud of you, Fantine," Dahlia said, giving her a warm hug. "Felix sounds wonderful."
"Oh, so now you're interested in my love life?" Fantine asked, raising an eyebrow at her friend.
"Well, no offense Fantine, but until now your relationship with Felix has consisted of dull lunch dates and boring reading lessons," Dahlia said. "But Zephine told Favourite and me about that kiss at the cafe yesterday. Wow! He sounds like a very passionate kisser."
Fantine giggled and blushed. "He was very good at kissing," she admitted.
"I'm happy for you, Fantine," Favourite said. "Just be careful. I don't want him to break your heart."
"He won't," Fantine replied. "Trust me, he is a perfect gentleman."
"He is," Zephine sighed. "You two make the cutest couple."
"Well, Fantine, are you ready to go?" Favourite asked. "If we are going to meet our men at the cafe, we had better head out now."
"Yes, let's go," Fantine said, setting down her hairbrush. The four girls headed outside and walked to the cafe, still giggling about Felix. Fantine felt elated, glad that Favourite and Dahlia were finally taking an interest in her romantic life. She skipped and hummed, feeling much happier than she had ever felt in her entire life. With Felix, all her dreams had finally come true. She felt truly blessed.
When they finally reached the cafe, Felix, Blanchevelle, Fameuil, and Listolier were already waiting for them. Zephine and Fameuil embraced, Listolier showered Dahlia with compliments, Blanchevelle gave Favourite a pair of pearl earrings, and Felix pressed his lips gently on Fantine's. Fantine smiled at her friends. Life seemed so perfect for all of them. What could possibly go wrong in their wonderful lives?
The four happy couples headed into the cafe, where the men treated their dates to tea and pastries. Fantine never stopped holding Felix's hand. She gently laid her head down on his shoulder. "Felix?" she asked.
"Yes, dear?"
"I'll be sad when you have to go back to Toulouse."
Felix kissed her gently on the forehead. "Don't worry, darling," he said softly. "I won't ever leave you. Wherever you are, there I will be also."
Fantine smiled. "Thank you, Felix," she said.
"Awww, look at that happy couple," Blanchevelle teased. "Get a room, you two!"
"Blanchevelle, leave them alone," Favourite protested.
"Hey now, I could always return those pearl earrings," Blanchevelle warned. "Now, dear, I think I deserve a thank you kiss for giving you those."
Favourite rolled her eyes and planted a kiss on Blanchevelle's thin lips. "There," she said. "Happy?"
"More," Blanchevelle demanded, kissing her roughly. Favourite kissed him back with reluctance. Dahlia spontaneously turned to Listolier and pulled him into a passionate kiss as well. Fantine and Zephine's eyes met as they uncomfortable looked away from the scene. The two girls blushed and stifled giggles behind their hands.
"Fantine, maybe we should go outside," Felix suggested, giving the two couples a wary glance. Fantine smiled. "Yes, let's," she agreed. Felix took her hand and led her outside. The minute they were out of earshot, they began laughing and making fun of the couples. They laughed until their sides ached. Finally, Fantine took a few deep breaths to steady herself, still clutching her sides. The situation really wasn't all that funny, but being with Felix made her feel giddy.
"Did you see Zephine's face when they started kissing?" Fantine asked, laughing again.
"No, but I saw Fameuil's," Felix replied. "He looked absolutely disgusted!"
Felix and Fantine peeked back inside the cafe, and what they saw made them laugh even harder. Zephine and Fameuil, apparently inspired by the two other couples, were now kissing as well.
"I suppose we're the only ones left," Fantine said, still giggling.
Felix tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. "I have to tell you a secret," he said.
"What?" Fantine asked.
Felix grinned and leaned in as if to whisper something in her ear. At the last moment, he changed direction and planted a kiss on her lips. "Now no one's left," he said. Fantine laughed again and kissed him back.
"You want to come back to my house with me?" Felix asked between kisses. "We can continue our reading lesson."
Fantine responded by kissing him even harder. "Let's go," she said.
YOU ARE READING
There Was a Time
Fanfiction"He took my childhood in his stride, but he was gone when autumn came," she said. But who is "he"? And why did he leave? There was a time when Fantine was just a plain, ordinary girl who dreamed of romance and love. There was a time when Felix Tholo...
