••••••FRANCE May 27, 1832••••••
My father forbade me to leave the house, but he was so drunk I was able to slip by with ease. The streets were very crowded; it seemed everyone was more frantic than ever to get their food for the week. My parents' inn has indeed been recieving more and more customers each day, even though my father's greed is universally known.
Gavroche approached me today, it was the strangest thing! He wanted to talk to me about Enjolras, so perhaps those rumours were true. But I have no affection for Enj, even though he is truly sweet. Gav went on and on about his prowess and bravery, so much that I had to come up with some absurd excuse to shake him off. Fortunately, it seemed Marius was around so, naturally, I struck up a conversation. He really has such a way with words, I can't help but swoon! "Éponine! I was just looking for you," he said with a smile on his face. I blushed slightly. Me? Why was he looking for me?
I laughed, "Am I really that special?"
"Of course you are!" he replied, making me blush even more. We kept a lively conversation going, discussing politics, the economy, and, of course, any love interests we had.
"'Ponine, you know I don't love anyone," he said for what seemed like the one hundredth time.
"And you know I fancy a certain someone!" I said, hastily avoiding the question.
"Its Enj, isn't it?"
"Enjolras? You must be joking!"
We talked for a long while.
Then suddenly, out of what seemed like nowhere, a young woman with bright blue eyes, a beautiful figure, and smooth blonde hair walked accross the street. Marius's eyes grew wide as he watched the woman. I recognized her at once: it was Cosette! What on earth was she doing here? And what does Marius see in her? He whistled, "Éponine, that girl is almost as beautiful as you!" Had I heard him right? Did he call me, Éponine, beautiful? I blushed an incredible shade of red.
"Oh come off it, Pontmercy, you don't expect me to believe that, do you?" I inquired. Surely he hadn't meant it. Surely it came out wrong... surely.
He frowned at me. "I was trying to be nice!" Of course. I knew he didn't have feelings for me. "Éponine, you must do me a favor,"
I sighed heavily, "What is it?"
"You must follow that girl. Find where she lives, but do not let her father know. I must meet her!"
I wished with all my heart that I could tell him how I feel. But I was so afraid of rejection. So afraid he would like me better as a friend. "Please, for me?" he implored. I couldn't deny a friend, even if I did fancy him. I put on a cheery smile and accepted his request, quickly turning on my heels and following the elusive Cosette. I couldn't help but wonder what she could be doing here. Why, of all places, would she come back here? To this dump? That man, Jean Valjean was with her, so I had to be careful.
I kept at least 20 paces behind them and watched as they went into a small cottage behind a quaint iron fence. Sighing once again, I returned to Marius and told him of her home. His eyes lit up with each word, and he said, "I want to go there. Tonight."
"Marius, before that there's something I--" he cut me off.
"Shh, no more words, I must prepare to meet her!" And with that, he speedily returned to his home.
I walked back to the inn, once again able to slip past both my parents. Once inside my bedroom, I laid down on my bed and started to cry silently. Why couldn't Marius just realize my feelings for him? I love him! I dream of him most every night. Does he even think of me?
Late tonight, we set off to Cosette's home.
"In my life, she has burst like the music of angels, the light of the sun," he sang softly, "And my life seems to stop as if something is over and something has scarcely begun! Éponine," he turned to me, "You're the friend who has brought me here, thanks to you, I am one with the gods, and heaven is near!" I cringed slightly at his words, "And I saw through a world that is new, that is free!"
"Every word that he says is a dagger in me..." I sang, "In my life, there's been no one like him anywhere, anywhere, where he is. If he asked, I'd be his." Cosette approached the iron gate and I could see Marius's face light up with glee. Tears started to roll down my face. I crossed my fingers with incredible force so that things would fall apart between them. They talked romantically for what seemed like a lifetime. He finally came back over to me and said, "'Ponine, do you belive in love at first sight?" he asked with a dreamy look in his eyes.
I looked up at him, "Yes, of course!" I said, with a little more gusto than I had intended.
"That woman, Cosette is her name by the way," I rolled my eyes slightly, as I already knew this, "Cosette is like no woman I've met before," he stated. My heart was breaking into a million pieces. Who does she think she is? Coming in here and stealing him from me? I suppose he was never mine to lose. "Oh, dear 'Ponine, you look dreadfully tired," he said sympathetically. I nodded at him and he proceded to carry me in his arms. Oh how I wanted that moment to last forever! I buried my head in his chest and faked sleep. When we arrived at my inn, he gave me a kiss on the forehead and ran off home. Now, more than ever, I felt the urge to tell him of my love for him. But that would have to wait, it seems.
For now, I must say good night. Until tomorrow.
