There Was a Time

Chapter Twelve: Lost My Pride

Felix's hands clenched at his sides in anger. He couldn't understand it. How could Fantine do something like this? To think he had actually believed her heart belonged to him! He had fallen head over heals for Fantine, but all this time, it had all been a terrible lie. She was just a whore, sleeping with every man she saw. Felix watched as she retreated out of the house and ran down the street, her shoulders heaving with sobs. She's probably faking the tears, he thought bitterly. When Fantine was finally out of sight, Felix rounded on Blanchevelle.

"How dare you!" he yelled. "I thought you were my friend. How could you sleep with my girl?"

"Technically, we didn't have the chance to go all the way before you dropped in," Blanchevelle pointed out dryly. Felix wanted to smack him across the face.

"Why would you do this?" he asked, trying to control his white hot anger. "You have made me lose my pride!"

"It wasn't my fault!" Blanchevelle said, raising his hands in defense. "She seduced me! She practically forced herself upon me. I couldn't resist."

"But... How could she? She's always seemed so innocent and sweet," Felix said, more to himself than to Blanchevelle.

"Well, she did the same thing to you, didn't she?" Blanchevelle pointed out. "I saw you two the other night making love on the couch. If she's willing to do it with you, then she's not really all that innocent, is she?"

"I suppose that's true," Felix relented. "God, I can't believe it. For a while, I actually believed the two of us were in love. Forget it. I'm leaving Paris as soon as possible and going back to Toulouse."

Blanchevelle raised an eyebrow. "I thought you had business and work to do in Paris."

"I'll send one of my employees to do it for me," Felix said, anger still creeping into his voice. "I'm going home, and I'm never coming back to this wretched place." With that, Felix stormed into his room and slammed the door shut.

~~~~~~~~~~

Fantine ran as fast as she could away from Blanchevelle's house. She tried to choke back tears as she raced to the safe harbor of Favourite's home. She knocked on the door. Favourite opened it. "What's wrong, Fantine?" she asked, ushering her inside.

"Y-you were right," she said, tears slipping down her cheeks. "M-men are p-pigs."

Favourite offered her a white, lacy handkerchief. "What did Felix do to you?" she asked, giving her a supportive hug.

"He called me a h-harlot," Fantine sobbed.

"What?" Favourite gasped. "That's outrageous! Why would he say such a terrible thing?"

"Blanchevelle," Fantine said, uttering the name with detest.

"My Blanchevelle? What about him?"

"He... He tried to r-rape me and Felix saw it and thought I was doing it willingly," Fantine confessed.

Favourite stared at Fantine in shock. Her mouth opened and closed, as if she were unsure of how to respond. "I- I don't understand," Favourite said blankly. "Blanchevelle is dating me. Why would he try to rape you?"

"He was blackmailing me because he saw me doing... things that I don't want people to know about," Fantine said, blushing slightly.

"But... Blanchevelle... Why would he want you if he has me?"

Fantine shrugged. "He said he enjoyed spending time with 'lovely young women.'"

Favourite backed away from Fantine very quickly. "No," she said, her eyes wide. "That can't be true. You're lying to me!"

"Favourite..." Fantine said softly, staring at her friend with confusion. "Why are you so upset?"

"Why do you think I'm upset?" she said angrily. "You just told me my Blanchevelle was trying to sleep with you!"

"Favourite, are you jealous?" Fantine asked innocently. "I thought you said you didn't really love Blanchevelle. I thought you only use him to get presents. You said yourself that all men are selfish pigs!"

"I- I..." Favourite stuttered. "I don't... I mean, I..."

"Favourite," Fantine interrupted. "Do you actually love Blanchevelle?"

Favourite's face turned bright red. "It doesn't matter!" she snapped. "You slept with him! How could you? I thought you were my friend!"

Fantine's eyes widened. Was Favourite actually angry at her for this? "I didn't want to!" she protested. "He was forcing me! And anyways, Felix came in and stopped it before it happened."

Favourite ignored Fantine's explanations. Tears formed in her angry eyes. "Get out of my house!" she screamed, shoving Fantine forcefully. "Felix was right. You are a harlot!"

"Favourite!" Fantine protested. "I didn't do anything! I never did no wrong!"

"Out!" Favourite said, crying. "I don't want to see your face ever again!"

"Please, Favourite, it's hard enough I've lost my pride and my lover. I don't want to lose you as well," Fantine said, reaching out to her friend. Favourite cut her off with a murderous glare. Fantine returned her gaze with sorrow. Not only had Felix turned on her, but now her best friend was angry with her. Would anyone believe her when she said that she hadn't meant for this to happen?