All I See *a Les Misérables fanfic*

Chapter 2- Old friends

         After Eponine’s confession, Améile found it hard to sleep that night, the thought that her sister had to sell herself to support them made her feel guilty.  “Améile are you going to the meeting?”  Eponine called from the kitchen.  Améile rose from the mattress on the floor which she used as a bed and walked into the kitchen where Eponine was sitting at the table.  “Maybe.  I would like to see everyone it’s been awhile!  I think Marius what’s you to go!” Améile said cheekily.  A slight smile spread across Eponine’s face.  “Shut up.”  Eponine pushed her away.  “I’ll think of it.”  Améile gave her sister a quick hug and ran into her room to get changed.  She knew Eponine’s weak point was Marius ever since Eponine and Marius met she would never stop talking about him.  Améile could see Ponine tried very hard to get to him but his mind was always set on the revolution.

***

       Courfeyrac had been walking around the square for most of the morning trying to get his head around something he has been trying to sort out for years.  He was in love with Améile Théandier.  He could never forget the first day they met.

       It was eight years ago, during the winter.  They were sitting inside the elephant eating bread which was freshly stolen from the bakers by Joly and Combeferre when there came a knock at the door.  “Password?”  shouted Feuilly.  “Vive le France.” It was Eponine, Jean Prouvaire opened the door and bowed. “Welcome Madame.” He mocked.  Eponine pushed passed him following behind her was another girl.  “Who’s this Ponine?” Joly asked looking the girl up and down.  Her brown hair covering most of her face as she looked at her feet which was covered by her long tattered dress.  “This is my little sister, Améile, I decided it was time for her to get out.”  All the boys gasped “You never told us you had another sister!” someone shouted.  Améile looked up from her feet and scanned the room, while Eponine shrugged, her beautiful eyes met Courfeyrac’s. She gave a small smile which made Courfeyrac’s heart flutter.  “Nice to meet you Madame”. A curly haired boy got up and walked to her, he planted a kiss on her hand.  “I’m Grantaire.” She curtsied slightly, a slight blush creeping across her cheeks.  Eponine just rolled her eyes and pushed him away.  Eponine pointed to a empty spot between Grantaire and Courfeyrac.  The boys carried on talking.  Améile shyly sat down between the boys, and started pulling on her dress nervously.  “Nice to meet you Améile.  I’m Courfeyrac.” She turned so she could face him.  He felt his pulse get faster at her gaze.  “Lovely to meet you Monsieur Courfeyrac.”

        Someone called him from behind interrupting him from his thoughts.  “Couf, may I join you?” it was Améile.  “Yes…  Yes of course.” They continued walking through the stalls.  “I hope I didn’t interrupt you, you looked deep in thought.” She smiled brightly up at him.  “Oh of course not.” She nodded making a few strands of hair fall from her messy bun.  “I never got to thank you properly for last night.  Thank you.”  He laughed slightly.  “Trust me you’ve thanked me enough.”  They both laughed up the crowed street.  “Will you come to the meeting with me please?  It’ll be fun.”

 “I would love that thanks.”

        As Améile walked up the stairs of the café, there was a lot of whistles.  “Welcome back.”  Enjolras patted her on the back.  She laughed.  Joleigh walked over to her smiling.  “I thought you didn’t agree with the Revolution?” Améile teased.  “I didn’t but it makes Enjolras so happy when I come.”  Améile nodded with understanding.  “Are you okay after last night?”

“Yeah I’m fine…  Just still in a bit of shock.”  There was an awkward silence for a few moments.  “Well I better get home and start dinner.  Talk soon.”  Joleigh said walking down the stairs leaving Améile on her own.

          She stuck to the sides until she saw a familiar face hiding in the corner.  She skipped along to him.  “Well hello Madame!  It’s been awhile.”  Grantaire stood up giving her a hug swinging her around.  They both sat down again.  “Where have you been hiding?”  Grantaire picked up a bottle which was on the table and took a sip from it.  “Well missy, you’ve been avoiding us.” He poked her nose, he was clearly drunk.  “Grantaire!  How can you be drunk this early in the morning?” she said taking the bottle from him and taking some.  “You baby sister are too young to drink!” they laughed together.  “Not anymore Grantaire, but there seems to be something getting you down?”

         Grantaire looked at her, his smile fading slowly.  “You know you can tell me anything?” she said nudging him, but he was distracted by something on the other side of the room.  She followed his to see Enjolras.  She then looked back at him and smiled.  “Do you know what it feels like to be in love with somebody that could never love you back?” he looked at her again. “I believe in love but I don’t believe that someone can be in love.”  Grantaire gave a light laugh.  “I’m sure someone would hate to hear that from you.” Améile was very confused.  She followed Grantaire’s eyes again to see Courfeyrac staring at her.  He looked down quickly avoiding eye contact.  “Yeah sure Grantaire whatever you say!” she laughed drinking more.

         “Améile!  What are you doing drinking?” Marius laughed as he sat down taking the bottle away from her and drinking some.  “What would Ponine say about this?”  he teased pulling her cheek.  “Did you know where she was for the last two days?”  Améile’s facial expression turned serious.  “Yes.” Marius’ smile faded.  “Why didn’t you tell me?”  He took another sip of the drink.  “Ponine begged me not to.  I swear I tried to talk her out of it but Améile you have to understand she did it for you, you were on your last piece of bread.” She nodded at Marius’ reply.  “Thank you Marius.  Ponine and I are lucky to have a friend like you.  Eponine really trusts you.”

        Enjolras walked over followed by Combeferre and Courfeyrac.  “Were clueless, we can’t think of our next move.”  Comebeferre sighed running a hand through his hair.  “General Lamarque is sick.  We need him, without him we’re hopeless.”  Courfeyrac added sitting down by Marius.  “Well, we need the people to help don’t we?”  Améile questioned.  The boys looked at her with puzzled expressions.  “What do you mean?” Grantaire asked.  “We need more volunteers, more people to help us.  We need to tell the people.  Tomorrow we stand outside Lamarque’s house.  Tell the people, hand out fliers, give it everything you got.”  She said slamming her fist on the table.  The boys looked at her for awhile.  “You are a genius!”  Courfeyrac smiled brightly at her.  “I must tell everyone!”  Enjolras ran to the other students telling them.  “Just pray they listen.”  Marius whispered.  The thought of the people not listening to them ran through all their heads.  Do the people want change?