I come to fight. Or at least, to listen.

chapter 13

Chapter 13

~Talk~

A spread of pastries, fruit, and coffee were set on the table the next morning. Evelyn chose a croissant and a pear, careful to not get any crumbs on her periwinkle dress. She chose to break the silence hanging between the three of them.

"So, what are the plans for today?" She said, cheerily.

Joly responded, "Well I'm going to see Musichetta, we have a date at the Cafe du Jardin."

"Oh that's nice." Evelyn replied.

Enjolras stayed silent, sipping his black coffee, eyes on the floor.

"So we can just do whatever?" Evelyn proposed.

"No," Joly's face fell, "There's most likely a warrant out for Enjolras, so he can't go anywhere." Of course, thought Evelyn, how did I not think of that? She felt so bad for Enjolras, trapped in the house like this.

Enjolras continued staring and sipping coffee, he already knew.

"Well, I need to get a job, so I think I'll try for one this afternoon," Evelyn added

"Good for you," Joly added. He stuffed a pastry in his mouth, rising from the chair. "Well, I'm off to Musichetta's. See you two later!" he said and walked out the front door.

"Well, you're awfully quiet, Monsieur Julien," Evelyn said, a lopsided smile forming on his name.

"I hope you realize nobody calls me that," Enjolras asserted, sipping his coffee.

Evelyn just smiled mischievously. He already looked a bit healthier, the cracks in the marble starting to mend.

Enjolras looked up and met her eyes. His had softened to a baby blue. "Thank you," he said, mumbling. Evelyn offered a gentle smile.

...

Enjolras spent his morning at his desk, trying to write. His pen scrawled on the page, ink blots dotting the desk surface. His left hand was embedded in his curls, elbow resting on the desk.

He had sent in many an essay anonymously to newspapers, defending and promoting the revolution. Now, he was at it again, but the words just didn't come out like they used to.

He heard a knock on his door, but it opened before he said anything. It was Evelyn. She poked her head through the doorway, the fabric of the inside of the bonnet framing her face. "I'm off to the city, need anything?" she asked.

Enjolras was mildly annoyed that she was disturbing him, but she was also a bit of fresh air.

"No," he replied.

She whisked out and down the stairs. Evelyn climbed into the black carriage to begin her job search.

...

She passed a newsboy on the corner waving newspapers, with the headline reading "REBELS WANTED" and Enjolras's name in bold a few times. Reality hit her. The past few days had all been a wild blur, and now they must face the repercussions. She ignored said newsboy, pretending to be uninterested.

Evelyn first stopped at a book store on Rue le Roi de Sicilie, not to far from Fauchelevent's. Floor-to-ceiling shelving held thousands of books. She breathed in the smell of paper and cloth bindings. She stopped at the clerk's counter.

"Bonjour, Monsiuer!" She chirped, putting on her best smile.

"Bonjour, Mademoiselle, What can I do for you today?" the older clerk replied.