Fixing You

Chapter One (Eponine's P.O.V)

"Get down here and start cleaning girl! The boys are coming over!" my papa barked, and from that one sentence I could already tell tonight was going to be a bad one. Papa was already drunk and it wasn't even noon, and mama was nowhere to be seen; that meant no one was here to help defend me against the Patron Minette.

When I got downstairs, papa had disappeared; probably to get more ale. I figured it best not to find papa and just clean the inn like he said, I didn't need anymore bruises then I was destined to get by the end of the night given to me by my papa and my comrades.

I started by cleaning the tabletops, that way my father would notice a change. I was about to go upstairs to change into my better rags to go to the meeting to see Marius when a cheeky little voice interrupted the silence surrounding me; "Hey Ep". None other than my little brother Gavroche was at the window smiling at me. "And how do you do little monsieur ?" I questioned as I helped him through the window. "The same as usual," he responded, "Hungry, dirty, and tired but happy. Courfeyrac invited me to stay at his house tonight after the meeting!" he told me, his young eyes sparkling with excitement. I was glad that Gavroche had a friend in this city, ever since my parents kicked him out when he was three I had worried about his wellbeing. He was only five years old and already wise beyond his years. "Come on then I will see what I can find for you to eat." He grabbed my skirt as I turned to the kitchen to fetch him a snack. " I eat more than you do already 'Ponine, the boys feed me and you barely get three square meals every week you eat." I kissed his cheek smiling, there was my baby boy acting so mature again, it astonished me to see how concerned he was about me. Gavroche stood up and grabbed my hand. "Now come on maybe Marius will ask you on a date tonight." I giggled like a schoolgirl as he  led me  to the cafe